Book: One Christmas Morning
Author: Rachel Greenlaw
Publisher: Avon on Harper Voyage Books
Genre: Women’s Fiction Holiday Groundhog Day story
Pub Date: October 17, 2023
My Rating: 3
Pages: 336

Eva is about to open her new store which she has been preparing for the past three years. She is hopeful her work will help bury a heartbreak from one Christmas.

Eva does not want to attend Hallie and Kian’s Christmas party; Eve’s husband James’ insistence that she needs to be with friends. However, when Hallie announces she is pregnant, it brings back sad memories for Eva. She decided she is going to sneak back to London in the middle of the night but as the clock approaches midnight the ghost of her grandmother appears. Gran tells Eva she needs to stop shutting out loved ones, or she is going to lose everyone forever.
Eva then gets stuck in a Groundhog Day time loop, and spends Christmas day over and over from the perspectives of those closest to her.

I have read and loved the other groundhog type stories; so one with Christmas in the title had me full of anticipation of something good!
However, I had a problem connecting with Eva and some of the other characters.
It isn’t that the story is bad – it just wasn’t what I was expecting.

Want to thank NetGalley and Avon for this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for October 17, 2023.

I am always a little hesitant to read Christmas ARCs in September for the fear that they won't *hit* the same as they do during the season. But in this case that could not be further from the truth. I was transported right into a cozy Christmas wonderland, and it was a wonderful escape from this endless southern summer.

This is a very angsty Christmas story. The blurb gives most of the premise away. This is a match up between A Christmas Carol and Groundhog Day but without the humor. Eva has turned into a workaholic trying to get her new shop up and running. She has ignored her husband and friends for the last three years while trying to move on from personal tragedy.

While at a Christmas house party in Cornwall She realizes her marriage is on the rocks, her life long friendship may not survive the holidays and how poorly she has used and abused her personal assistant. It takes her grandmother appearing to her as a ghost and granting her time when she inhabits other peoples bodies. She feels their emotions and interacts with herself and others.

I found the book compelling reading even though I didn’t necessarily love each interaction. This isn’t about saving Christmas but about moving on from the past and be present for those around you whether friends or spouse. I’ve read several Christmas ARCs in the last few weeks and this is probably the heaviest topic wise. Trigger warners for death of a loved one, miscarriages and infertility. (3.5 Stars).

Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC via NetGalley and I am leaving a voluntary review.

Based on the description, I didn't expect such a serious book. It is not a light hearted Christmas romance, it is much more focused on learning to live with the things you cannot control. It took me a bit to get into it, and after reading some reviews I thought I might not enjoy it, as I am not a huge fan of grief as the main plot point of fiction. However, once this book picked up I actually really loved it. The groundhog days kind of reminded me a bit of the midnight library (pointless) at first, but then she started to figure it out and actually make some progress on realizing how far off track her life had gotten. I loved the setting at the mysterious house on the moors. Towards the end there was some redundancy as feelings were processed, but overall, I really enjoyed this read. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC!

HAPPY CHRISTMAS! Apparently, this is the British version of "Merry Christmas", and the story takes place in England. I could relate to it in several ways, because I was as close to my grandma as Eva was to her gran and mourned her just as much (well, maybe not quite that much, as my personality didn't change). Also, because of the six miscarriages I suffered, I could feel the pain of the two leading ladies/best friends in this story.

Eva finds herself celebrating the same Christmas Day several different times in several different ways but at the same magnificent Cornwall estate. To explain would be a spoiler, so you'll have to read it and find out for yourself. I appreciate NetGalley for giving me my first taste of the Christmas season this year,

Pretty much a clean book with hardly any offensive language.

This cautionary tale that borrows elements from Groundhog's Day in living the same day over and over again and A Christmas Carol. It blends these two styles well in that our FMC must live Christmas Day over again, but not as herself. She must see herself through the eyes of others. And see just what a miserable mess she's made of her life. 

Three years ago, Eva lost her Gran and the baby growing inside of her. Since then she's shut out everyone and thrown herself into building her business and now, poised on the brink of opening her brick and mortar business just after Christmas, she is thrust back to the one place that brings back the memories. Penhallow. It was her Gran's home. And a magical place at that.

"My Gran, my home, is now three years dead. Now she is my ghost." 

Eva is trying to juggle everything, but she just cannot keep the pins in the air because she's not juggling pins. She's juggling angry cats at this point.  Her husband is fed up and to the point of leaving her if she doesn't show some effort. Her best friend is heartbroken by her distance and more. Her assistant is being poached away by another company, and, with getting snowed in down at Penhallow, being poached is started to look over easy!

Through the device of the Groundhog's Day/Christmas Carol theme, we see Eva get her perspective back. She gains the most when being in the body of Sarah, the serving lady who has two boys and is doing her best to keep them afloat. She's put herself through school and is quite savvy, but the most important thing Eva learns is Sarah has balance. She has learned to balance between working, her family, getting an education, and finally having that all important conversation with her boss. 

All in all, in the end, I liked this book. It was a slow read for me but one I wanted to finish. 
🌟🌟🌟 💫

I loved this book so much! It had a great Christmas theme and was written much differently than other books with this plot.

The premise of this book grabbed me. A cross between Groundhog Day and A Christmas Carol sounded promising. And it mostly delivers. Eva is opening a store right after Christmas. It has been her sole focus for quite some time. Eva has neglected her husband, James, and ignored all of her friends. Eva has promised her husband and their lifelong friends, Hallie and Kian, she will take a few days off to celebrate Christmas. In order to do that she insists on her assistant, Diana, driving her to Cornwall where the celebration will take place.

What happens at the celebration is a combination of Groundhog Day, Freaky Friday, and A Christmas Carol. Eva wakes up as a different person each day for four days. Her grandmother, who passed three years ago, is her spirit guide for this journey. Because the gathering is at the house her grandparents used to live in. I loved the idea of Eva seeing herself from someone else's viewpoint. But Eva was very unlikable for me. She took so long to see how awful she was to the people who love her. Then the ending! It's a Christmas story and I want everyone to end up happy! The author does not give everyone a happily ever after and that is a shame. After listening to Eva whine for so much of the book and act horrid to her loved ones they all deserved to get everything they ever wanted.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC!

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishers for this Advanced Readers Copy of One Christmas Morning by Rachel Greenlaw!

Rachel Greenlaw’s One Christmas Morning features a plot drawing on elements of both A Christmas Carol (or A Wonderful Life) and Groundhog Day, set primarily in a manor house in Cornwall, England, and is a well written drama with a touch of magical realism. At its core, this is a novel focusing on self-discovery by a woman who has been dealing with grief by obsessing about her home accessories business while neglecting and pushing away her husband and others close to her. This is not the novel for those seeking a cozy, heartwarming Christmas themed romance akin to a Hallmark Channel Countdown to Christmas movie. Rather, Greenlaw’s story is fraught with emotions - including much grief, angst, anger and frustration, and the tone is on the dark side. The holidays are merely incidental to the plot - the reason for the gathering of friends and family in the manor house. It is a well crafted debut, however, and evidences talent and potential by Greenlaw.

Many thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for a complimentary ARC. Opinions are my own.

I grabbed this book on Net Galley mainly because I love a good Christmas story and the author’s last name is the same as my maiden name. My problem with this one is that I really didn’t like the main character, Eva, for most of the book. She is immersed in work so that she doesn’t have to deal with the grief she has from events of three years ago. You get glimpses of who she was before these incidents as she goes through A Christmas Carol kind of scenario. The end is uplifting, but it took way too long to get there.

If you are looking for a lighthearted Christmas read, this is not it. This is a book filled with trauma, grief, and depth. This is not a reason to not read it, it is very much worth it if that is the type of book you are looking for. Starting out, and through a lot of the story, I didn’t like Eva. I found her frustrating and yes, believe me, I understand grief but sometimes it seemed as if she was purposefully obtuse about those around her. Thankfully, this is at its heart a story of redemption. I’ve seen comparisons to the movie Groundhog Day but I see it more accurately as just a modern Christmas Carol. You’ll walk through Eva’s life in the eyes of those surrounding her so she can truly see who she has become. I did not love Hallie’s plot point towards the end but I’m happy to say it all ends on a sweet note. This is a book designed to make you feel and the author does a good job at it. It is very well written and I do recommend it to readers looking to step out of light and fluffy.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the ARC!

Rating: 3.5. Overall, I enjoyed this book and its take on Groundhog Day meets A Christmas Carole. The story follows Eva, who has experienced tragedy in recent years and therefore has thrown herself into her work. She's been spending all of her time and energy into lauching her shop, which has resulted in her neglecting her relationships with her husband and best friends. This wasn't as light and heartwarming as I was expecting, rather it was much more emotionally intense with some hard topics. But with that said, I did enjoy the book and I look forward to reading more from Rachel Greenlaw.

Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager, and Netgalley for providing me this ARC. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own. Pub date is Oct 17, 2023.

I love a good romance, and this one was wonderful! It had witty banter, and lovable characters. I was rooting for them the whole way through!

If you love Groundhog Day stories, this one is for you! It was a pleasant read of a women’s self discovery and second chances. I personally do not love the Groundhog Day vibe, but overall is was a great read!

Eva is completely consumed with the expansion of her business, so much so that she's completely neglected every other aspect of her life, and is causing pain for others. It's up to her Gran to make her see reason. But Gran has passed away, hasn't she?

This novel reminded me of a mashup of two movies: Groundhog Day and Freaky Friday, as it takes the main plot twists of both. There should have been homage to both movies paid in this book, but I did not see any. The premise is that Eva has neglected everyone and everything for her business. There is a hidden secret and reason for her doing so, and it is revealed at the end, but I figured it out long before that. The book was too long for such a simple ending. I never really felt connected to Eva or any of the characters except Gran.

I think it was a good idea for a novel, but not well executed. I expect a lot from "Groundhog Day" style books. You're already taking someone else's idea, so you have to deliver on characters and story. This did not.

I received a free copy of this book from Harper Collins via Netgalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.

I love a Christmas Book. I wanted more christmas in this one. It does have that element of Magic and Ghosts of christmas past. I didnt think there was enough celebration. The character definitely had some scrooge vibes though. It was a good book, I liked it but it wasnt my favorite christmas read.

One Christmas Morning by Rachel Greenlaw is a heartwarming debut novel that delves into a woman's journey of self-discovery, the power of friendship, and the hope of redemption. This modern interpretation of a timeless story is enriched by its multidimensional characters and their intricately woven relationships. The outcome is a touching narrative that reminds us to cherish the true essence of life and prioritize what truly matters.

In this captivating story, readers are introduced to a woman on a quest to find herself amidst the chaos of her everyday existence. Through her encounters with a diverse cast of characters, she learns valuable lessons about resilience, love, and the significance of second chances. Greenlaw skillfully crafts a narrative that not only tugs at the heartstrings but also prompts introspection and reflection.

The strength of One Christmas Morning lies in its well-developed characters, each possessing their own flaws, dreams, and desires. As the story unfolds, their relationships evolve in a refreshingly realistic manner, showcasing the complexities of human connections. Readers will find themselves emotionally invested in the characters' journeys, rooting for their growth and transformation.

Furthermore, Greenlaw's writing style effortlessly transports readers into the heart of the story, painting vivid scenes that evoke a sense of warmth and nostalgia. The author's attention to detail and ability to capture the essence of the holiday season adds an enchanting layer to the narrative, making it a perfect read for cozy winter nights.

Ultimately, One Christmas Morning serves as a poignant reminder to prioritize the intangible treasures that life has to offer. It encourages readers to reevaluate their own lives, urging them to focus on what truly brings joy and fulfillment. With its heartfelt storytelling and relatable themes, this novel is a delightful addition to any bookshelf, leaving a lasting impression on its readers long after the final page is turned.

One Christmas Morning
Written By Rachel Greenlaw
Publisher Avon and Harper Voyages
Release Date October 17, 2023


Characters: 5/5
Plot: 5/5
Pace: 5/5
Overall Enjoyment: 5/5

This is an absolutely adorable Christmas story about love, friendship, and redemption. Three years ago Eva Glass had a terrible heartbreaking experience. One that she would choose not to remember if it were up to her. Yet she has become angry and very bitter due to the circumstance. And as such she has become a workaholic working on opening her new store. Unfortunately, those around her have paid the price due to her pushing them out of her life. And that even includes her husband who only wants the best for her.
Now, she has an opportunity to spend the Christmas weekend with friends at a place called Penhallow. The place that is magically connected to her and her grandmother. Whom she has vivid beautiful memories of spending time together. On Christmas at midnight, her Grandmother visits her and regales her with stories to try to help Eva regain her friendships and work on her marriage. This happens several times and then when she wakes, she is in one of her friends bodies. It is at that point that she is to realize the damage she has done to everyone else and how desperate they are to regain the friendship they so desperately long for yet again. Each Christmas Day she learns new lessons that will bring her closer to her family and friends.

This is a heartwarming tale that is skillfully written from start to finish. The character’s embody everything that one would find believable and heart felt. There were so many things running through my mind about my life growing up and the lessons I learned about work and spending time with others. Learning to be empathetic and compassionate it also captures how our thoughts of Christmas should be. MAGICAL!

5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley as well as the author and publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my unbiased and honest review.

One Christmas Morning is a lovely modern spin in A Christmas Carol. Eva has immersed herself in work for the past 3 years in order to avoid facing her own grief. As a result she is on the verge of losing everything that matters to her. The story is both heartbreaking and hopeful!