The title of this is great because this is the best book to read in the winter. It’s such a cozy and sweet story. No dramatic goings on that affects the main characters. And just the barest hint of fantasy. In this story we have Jack, a baker living in the Julemarked. And then we have Astra, a librarian in Milwaukee. Julemarked shows up only in the month of December in any city that has a Christmas Market. Astra feels a connection with Jack, but doesn’t know why, whereas he has known her for years. Astra is having problems with her ex-husband, with whom she shares custody of the dog he got her as a gift. She and her three close friends have come up with a plan to get Bernie all to herself. He, of course, is also using her for other things to keep her tied to him. But after a night out with Jack and the girls, Astra just has this feeling about him, but he disappears. She goes back to the Christmas Market the next year to see the Julemarked is back and confront Jack. And he tells her his story and why she can remember, well, kind of remember. They have a month to figure this out. HEA.

This book felt overwhelmingly average. I didn't like it or dislike it, but just felt a uncomfortable amount of indifference.

Need a little Christmas magic? Then look no further than this magical Julmarked that appears at Christmas Markets for the month of December around the world.

While there is no Santa, the people of the Julemark are still just as magical. Time works differently and it’s always December. Jack Clausen loves his life there and would never change a thing, but every time they land in Milwaukee he gets extra excited at the chance to see her again even if he still doesn’t know her name.

Astra is going through a divorce, and needing to find her place again. Her annual Christmas trip with her friends is here again and she can’t wait to spend time with them. She meets a baker in the cutest Christmas store and wants to know him better.

Jack and Astra get to know each other slowly, but when December 31st is over Jack is gone. One year later the shop appears again and she remembers it. The magic of the Julemarked is that no one remembers it once it’s gone. Jack and Astra take this December to teach her the truth, learn about each other, and decide if she wants to move to Julmarked and leave her old life behind.

This is a unique magical romance and it didn’t happen at all how I thought. I loved the older MC’s the Christmas vibes, the magic and mystery of the Julemarked, and seeing Astra really grow as a character.

Thank you to Berkley Romance for this E-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

a librarian and a baker? sign me up immediately,

the plot of this story was so interesting and unique from other holiday romances which felt super refreshing to be able to read.

the ending was the part that made me lower the rating but besides that, it was super enjoyable to read.

loved loved loved astra's friend group <3

Thank you, @berkleypub @prhaudio @netgalley, for the opportunity to read and review this.

If you want a little romance mixed with some magic, then I recommend this one for a cute read. I switched between listening and the ebook and would recommend both with the edge going to the ebook for this one. I found myself getting confused early on with the timeline on audio, hence the edge to ebook.

I loved the Christmas spirit of the book. I enjoyed the market that I could picture in my head and the kringle I could almost taste. I loved the idea of a yearly tradition with friends. The romance was cute and once I got the timeline jumps figured out properly I enjoyed the meet cutes and the non-traditional method of falling in love.

Reading this book set in Milwaukee made me so happy to recognize the places mentioned. I love the rare occasion books are set where I'm familiar. I'm definitely putting the Milwaukee Christmas Market (and kringle) with girlfriends on my 2023 Christmas season to-do list.

Very strange premise, but very cute. Ending was terrific. This was a fun read that I couldn't put down

Thank you to @netgalley @berkleypub and @berkleyromance for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you to @prhaudio for a free download of the audiobook. And thank you to @berittalksbooks and @dg_reads for including me on this buddy read.

This was such a charming holiday read. I loved the magical realism that wove in to the love story between Jack and Astra. I enjoyed the walk through the many Yules when Jack got visited by Astra.

Their relationship was sweet and swoon-worthy. If you’re looking for a holiday romance with a different twist, I recommend picking this one up!

4 stars

#books #bookishlife #booklover #readingisfun #iowabookstagrammers #iowabookstagram #netgalley #berkleypub #berkleyromance #berkleybuddyreads #prhaudio #ltbreaderteam #berkelywritesstrongwomen #onceuponadecember #amyreichert

"Once upon a December, a girl met a boy, but she didn't remember."

This Christmas romance pulled me in from the very first page with its enticing, subtle magic. With Christmas already being a magical time of year, the enchantment surrounding the Julemarked (a European Christmas market) fit perfectly in this storyline and gave this romance such a unique, refreshing take.

Main characters Astra and Jack have met numerous times over the last 14 years at the Julemarked. The catch? Astra never remembers, despite feeling like she's running into an old friend every time they bump into each other, often at Kringle All The Way, the Danish kringle shop Jack and his brothers run.

For Jack, every December has him waiting with anticipation for Astra, the beautiful woman he only ever sees when the Julemarked makes its way to the Milwaukee Christmas Market. Jack has always loved being surrounded by Christmas and his immediate family, never seeking to step out of his magical world into the real one. That is, until he realizes what he could have with Astra.

Oh my heart, Once Upon a December may be one of my very favorite books of the year. I've always been awed and thrilled by the magic of the holiday season, and this book was sprinkled with it in the most beautiful way.

And the audiobook narrated by @sharononscreen is incredible! Thank you to @prhaudio partner for my gifted copy!

As a huge holiday reading fan, this was the perfect Christmas read for me. It made me both laugh and cry, crave Kringle, go on a deep Internet dive about nisser, and left me smiling and teary-eyed. I adored Astra's friends, their loyalty and their unbreakable bond; loathed Trent with the fire of a thousand suns; wanted to give Bernie the biggest snuggles and hugs; and made me hopeful that Amy will write more books in this series because I'd love to see a Ronnie-John story or a Mads story!

The world-building in this one was everything, and what could be more perfect than a librarian and a lover of books falling for a baker?

Have I sold you on this one yet? I sure hope so!

I am a long fan of Amy's writing and I'm loving her new foray into magical realism type romance. This one was so fun, cozy, wonderful and gave me all the holiday feel-good feelings.

Astra loves Christmas, especially the one weekend a year she and her three best friends spend in downtown Milwaukee at the Christmas market. They find a little alley called the Julemarked, which has an amazing bakery that makes the best kringles in the world. This bakery is run by Jack and his family, who are actually part of a secret magical world that transports the Julemarked around the globe and is perpetually December. Jack remembers Astra- she's been coming to the bakery for 15 years but has absolutely no memory of it. At first, I thought this one might be a little too twee for me, but Reichert weaves beautiful love stories into the plot. Although at first the novel seems to be a romance between Jack and Astra (and it is), it is also about the love between these four best friends. It reminded me of my three best friends in the absolute best way!

“Life is lived best in the company of loved ones”
⠀
I loved this quote from Once Upon a December, by Amy E. Reichert, because I know that I am absolutely at my happiest when I have my family all around me.
⠀
I have several of this author’s books on my shelves to be read. The ones I have read have been very enjoyable, so I happily signed up to review this holiday book.
⠀
Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year, but I am not sure that I would enjoy the season as much if it was the only season I got to experience. Jack Clausen lives and works in this on-a-kind magical Christmas market that Astra visits each year it appears in Milwaukee.
⠀
These two have a connection, but Astra doesn’t remember it from year to year and Jack doesn’t know if she ever will. I don’t know how to classify this romance trope but I liked it!
⠀
The friendship group Astra has is fantastic. She has an awful ex, but the most wonderful dog. As always, the dog is my favorite character in a cast of great characters.
⠀

I loved Astra and her friends! If you like your romance set at Christmas with some magic that plays with time and space, this is for you! It’s fun and mystical and just an all-around cozy read.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Alright now THIS is how a magical Christmas story is supposed to be!! After my last *disastrous* magical story I was weary about that element, but this one was written so well and was such a fun and heartfelt read. I really loved the past/present timeline and thought over all it was a pretty unique read! I wouldn’t say I was on the edge of my seat absolutely dying to get back to it, but it definitely kept my attention (especially at the end) and I enjoyed listening to it a lot! Love wise it is a bit insta-love, but weirdly also slow, and I have a terrible memory so I think it might have a semi steamy scene? But if it does it isn’t crazy so I’d classify it as closed door..

If you are looking for a magical, not super heavy but heartfelt holiday story definitely check this one out!

[thank you @berkleyromance for the gifted copy, all opinions are my own]

read. The tale of Jack and Astra is one that will stick with you long after the last page is regretfully turned. I didn’t want to leave the magical Julemarked a place where it’s perpetually Christmas time. Think of a Hallmark holiday movie. Now without giving much away Astra and Jack meet at the Julemarked and how it all unfolds is quite fantastical. The story weaves back and forth between present day or the outside as it is referred too and the Julemarked. It’s not hard to follow which makes for easy reading. Jack has a close knit family and Astra is healing from a divorce when they meet an instant connection forms. Can their love overcome what lies ahead and the decision which Astra will need to make. Throw in a great group of amazing girlfriends and you’ve got the makings for a great story. Totally connected with the characters and came away feeling like these women could have been my friends as well. Highly recommend this one as it has all the elements of a Christmas read. The ending is satisfying and you’ll be sorry to leave these people. Ty #NetGalley for the ARC all opinions are my own.

This was just the perfect palate cleanser for the holidays that I needed. I loved everything about this magical love story.

I liked this different twist on a holiday read. I like how Astra thinks she might know Jack but doesn't know from where exactly. I really like the "magical" feeling one gets from reading this read.

This adorable novel is so unique!

Thank you @PRHaudio for my audiobook copy!

Astra is living her life, loving the Yuletide market that she visits with her friends each year. While at the market she meets Jack Clausen, and then proceeds to forget each year she’s visited. The only remembrance are these tiny little wooden carvings with little JCs on the bottom.

The story is told from the past leading to the present, which I loved with this novel!

Jack, as a unique baker (who also carves in his free time!) is like this little Yuletide surprise…and the market is too! This market in Milwaukee is actually it’s own secret little world complete with little treasured books and an aging process that slows everyone down. Their world is literally Christmas and December year round…it is mind blowing and just lovely.

I really enjoyed Astra’s struggles and being torn with her decisions. It really made the story beautiful. The narrator is great, so I highly recommend the audio version as well!

Astra Noel Snow loves going to the Milwaukee Christmas market with her best friends every year. They eat, drink, dance, and go to the mysterious Julemarked area of the market where they buy kringle pastries from a handsome man. Jack Clausen is one of the workers at the bakery. He’s looking forward to seeing Astra again that Christmas, but she won’t remember him. The Julemarked is a market that only exists from December 1st to 24th, and then jumps to a different city to open as a Christmas market there. Only a few special people can remember the Julemarked from one year to the next. Jack is hoping this will be the year that Astra finally remembers him. After spending a night together, they make plans to meet again at the end of the month. When Astra can’t find him for their date because the Julemarked has disappeared for the year, she spends her time searching for answers so she can finally have her happily ever after.

This was an unusual story. The world of the Julemarked was hard to wrap my head around. It was confusing at first. The people who live and work at it only ever experience the month of December in different cities around the world. They don’t know what year or location they will end up for each month. It was disorienting and unexpected.

I really didn’t like Jack. He had a closed mind when it came to deciding on his and Astra’s relationship. He wanted her to give up everything for him without even thinking about it. There was also the dreaded pregnancy trope, which seemed forced.

Unfortunately Once Upon a December didn’t work for me.

Thank you Berkley for providing a digital copy of this book.

Do you like to read books that are set locally?

I was delighted to discover that Once Upon a Christmas is set in Milwaukee. Astra Noel Snow is a librarian at a branch of the Milwaukee Public Library. She loves her yearly tradition of joining her best friends at the Milwaukee Christmas Market. Julemarked is a special street with many wonderful Christmas shops including a bakery that specializes in Kringles. The Clausen brothers run the shop. Jack Clausen loves watching Astra come to visit the shop every year. Jack wants to ask Astra out, but he has a problem. Julemarked is a magical place that moves around the world through the year, never guaranteed to be back in the same spot. Every four weeks it’s a new December somewhere else in the world and Julemarked is there. Once it leaves a location, the people there magically forget about it until it returns. Will Jack and Astra be able to find a happily ever after?

I liked that Once Upon a December had a very unique premise. Julemarked was a magical alley. It all seems wonderful, especially that you are basically immortal, until you realize that to have someone from the outside join that life, you would have to give up everything that you love about your normal life. Or if you leave Julemarked, you are also leaving the world that you love and immortality. This makes it an interesting conundrum for dating.

I loved that Astra was a librarian and thought it was interesting learning about her job. I also, loved all of the Wisconsin and Milwaukee references. I have lived in Milwaukee in the past and currently live in Northeast Wisconsin. It was fun to visualize where they were talking about in Milwaukee. It was also fun that they bake different flavored kringles, which are a Wisconsin traditional pastry. Does anyone outside of Wisconsin know what they are?

The only part of the book that annoyed me was how much of a door mat Astra was for her ex-husband Trent. She was still doing his mending and basically allowing him to barge into her home at any time. I don’t understand why she didn’t change her locks. I was glad when she finally stood up for herself.

Overall, Once Upon a December was a fun, unique, and delightful Christmas romance.

Review Copy from NetGalley. Thank-you! I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Story

This was such an odd reading experience. So many things came to me as I was reading that annoyed me or confused me that I actually had to keep track in a note on my phone... I don't ever do that anymore! Before I get too far into the details, I'll chat about the story concept itself... which was actually the best part! 

Astra has a holiday weekend with her three best girl friends each winter and they usually shop around this little winter market. Each year it's come to town, she's encountered Jack (working at the kringle bakery) and he always seems familiar. The market itself (Julemarked) is actually magical and travels around the world every December, popping up in a new location. He's remembered her over the years and always waits for the market to land back in Milwaukee. They age differently in the Julemarked because they're really only "alive" for a month each year. In any case, all that backstory to say that this was a unique story. When Astra finally remembers him and slowly starts to gain memories of the market back, the two start to fall for each other.

Everything about Astra irritated me: the way she bent over backwards for her ex husband about her dog, answering his calls, and even hemming his pants. She talked constantly how he essentially forced her into abandoning her friends for the few years they were together and how she never wants to do it again (yet she spends half of the book wondering if she should go ahead and move into the Julemarked with Jack, a man she barely knows and loves out of nowhere). They fell in love instantly under the guise of "hey this girl happens to sometimes remember the market when no one else does so that means she could probably live here with us."

There were so many weird random conversations with no relevance to the plot and a lot of stupid debates about what she should do. Her parents lived in Florida and she visited them a few times but it was like all of these friends and family members were caricatures and not actually characters with backgrounds. I didn't care for the couple much because the buildup of their relationship "over the course of fifteen years" was so minimal. They kept saying this as if it wasn't ONE random day every few years. They probably saw each other 4-6 times over the course of that 15 years.

The writing style was also very odd - I can't tell if it was third person omniscient or just somewhat alternated between their perspectives? 

Wintery Setting & Holiday Feels

I have to give this book props and stars because it was a cute winter setting. I loved reading about the Julemarked and Milwaukee in winter overall. I think it absolutely could have been emphasized more, as I usually do in holiday books, but still pretty good winter feels. The story also didn't ONLY take place during one holiday season. I won't spoil it, but there were lots of scenes and chapters in other months of the year that didn't fully give me Christmas vibes.

Overall

I'm giving this one three stars even though it didn't really resonate with me. I don't think it was a BAD read necessarily but there were so many things that bugged me when I was reading. The overall concept was actually pretty cool because I kept wondering how they could make their relationship work - would she sacrifice her family and friends to live much longer in the Julemarked with Jack? Would he somehow decide to live with her in the outside world despite never having the desire before they met? Those pieces kept me reading and the overall magic of the market was enjoyable.