“To my three daughters, if you are reading this, then I am dead.”

Half-sisters Maggie, Simone, and Star North are referred to as ‘summer sisters.’

“We all had different mamas and lived in different parts of the country. We spent our summers together, and the rest of the year apart.”

After a falling out, they haven’t gotten along in years. So when their father passes away, and they’re forced under the same roof for the reading of his Will, the last thing they expect is to be sent on a wild goose chase.

Their father’s last wishes include a scavenger hunt, meant to get the sisters working together as a team again. His final request is that the girls bring back the town’s Winter Solstice Festival.

The three sisters will have to work together, with the help of the entire town, to bring back all of the previous Christmas memories if they want to pull off this Solstice Festival. Secrets will be revealed, relationships will be tested, and family ties will be challenged.

“Maybe by sifting through the past they could find their way back to when they were summer sisters…”

This was an incredibly heart-warming read about the importance of family, finding yourself within a community, and the meaning of holiday traditions. As an only child, I desperately wish I had a sibling connection like the North Sisters share. Also, as a pagan myself, I might be biased in saying this, but reading about the Winter Solstice celebration was my favorite part. You can just feel the Christmas cheer coming off the pages of the book. When the whole town comes together for a common goal, magical things can happen.

If you’re a fan of Hallmark Christmas Movies, this one is for you. Each sister has their own romance sub-plot line as well, so whether you read it for the family storyline or the romance storyline, this book has it all.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (ARC review, pub date 9/26/23)

The three North half-sisters are called back to a quiet English town after the death of their father for the reading of his will. They are very much estranged, and dealing with hardships of their own. Little do they know, their father is requesting that they perform certain tasks - together - in order to get their inheritance, and it all needs to be completed by the winter solstice.

I absolutely loved this book! The three sisters and their individual stories had me hooked, and I especially liked that one of them was queer and dealing with infertility. I have only read strictly Christmas holiday books prior to this, so it was refreshing to have it focus on the solstice and not have a religious lens. I hope this one gets turned into a movie!

Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam for the digital copy!

Perfect holiday vibes all in this book! Captivating you from the start I love everything about this book. Was able to snuggle up and read it in just a few hours!! Quick pace book is always a huge plus & the execution on plot and character development was beautifully done

Jenny Bayliss’ latest is a heartwarming - and at times laugh out loud hilarious and fun - story of three estranged sisters brought together by their father’s passing and his dying wish for them to revive their English village’s winter solstice celebration. Chock full of well developed characters and a strong sense of place and community, this was an entertaining, festive read with a much welcome and appreciated feminist bent. It does explore several serious topics, which was unexpected in what is otherwise a holiday romcom and may catch by surprise readers seeking a more classically lighter Christmas-themed novel. And I found the middle of the tale moved a bit slowly. But the last chapters made this story well worth reading to the end.

Many thanks to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam’s Sons for the privilege of an ARC. Opinions are my own.

I love all of Jenny bayliss books they feel like finding a perfectly warm soft sweater. She is able to broach large topics like infertility, loss of loved ones, grief with such care that it still makes you feel warm and cozy! Even though I read this in summer I feel like it is a great book for the holidays while not being overly Christmasy.

A December to Remember by Jenny Bayliss is the charming story of the North sisters finding each other and community. Their eccentric and barely there father has just passed away leaving some interesting requests in his will. The sisters who barely saw their father or each other are now estranged adults. To meet the charges of their father's will they must work together. This is truly a story of the North sisters finding each other and learning how to work with each other. Through the process they also grow and build/repair the other relationships in their lives and learn they can depend on others. The small town setting is absolutely charming with numerous quirky side characters. The holiday setting makes it feel magical. A December to remember deserves a spot on your upcoming holiday reading list!

Thank you to @netgalley and @PutnamBooks for the advanced copy! Opinions are my own.

This was so incredibly cute! I think it’ll be so popular come fall time. The vibes and aesthetics are where it’s at! 4.5 stars from me.

Having previously enjoyed The Twelve Dates of Christmas and A Season for Second Chances, I was excited to pick up this ARC.

Note: NetGalley provided a free digital copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.

The focus on the three sisters (half-sister actually) was a nice change. There were romantic sub-plots to each sister but the main focus was the relationships of the sisters. The book begins with the death of the three women’s absent and eccentric father. For the sake of the novel I could swallow the absolutely insane terms of his will, which set the plot in motion but if I were in their shoes, it would not have been accepted as a mild quirk. The beginning of the book was a bit of a struggle for me to get through with all the bickering. I did appreciate the character development and the realness of flawed people. The novel gives you the feel of winter magic by the end and there were several laugh out loud moments, which will keep my reading Bayliss’ work. Overall I enjoyed this story but it wasn’t my favorite Jenny Bayliss novel.

4.25/5 stars

Finally a holiday book that fully delivers on the warmth and charm of the season!

Set in a Stars Hollow ish town in England, three estranged half sisters are brought back together by the death of their father. Each processing major challenges in their own lives, his will sends them on a wild goose hunt. Full of entertaining secondary characters and a quick moving pace an enjoyable holiday read when the season comes.

This holiday romance is brought to you by the author of The Twelve Days of Christmas. The sisters, main characters, of the book start out in the story without the best of relationships. All fathered by the same dad but different mothers and nurturing. They come together because of their father's death. They must complete several challenges to gain the inheritance. Maggie, Simone, and Star must learn to work together and repair the sisterly relationship that was brought upon them by many years of distance.

There are so many things to love about this book. I'm always a sucker for a family/community working together to build or save something. A bookstore, coffee shop, etc. This book definitely fits that trope. As well as the trope of rebuilding family while also building a community of family. The warmth, coziness, holiday feelings, and romance certainly round the book out well. I would highly recommend this as a holiday read, but also reading it anytime of the year. Because who doesn't like a holiday read in the hot summer. A December to Remember will be out September 26th, 2023. Do yourself a favor and pick this one up.

It took me a little bit to really get into this book, but once I actually had time to sit and let myself get invested in the story, I really enjoyed.

Maggie, Simone, and Star are estranged half-sisters who are reunited after their father dies. He leaves instructions in his will for the three of them to bring a winter solstice festival back to their hometown. They only ever spent a month each year together during the summers of their childhoods and have to find a way to work together.

There are really interesting dynamics between the three sisters who all have very different personalities. I really enjoyed seeing them find their way with each other. All three of them have dealt with very real hardships in their lives, and they have faced most of it alone. The journey to understanding each other, mending past hurts, and learning how to be a solid support system for each other was lovely.

There are also romances involved for each sister. Joe and Duncan were gems as love interests for Maggie and Star respectively. Simone’s wife, Evette, is a wonderful counterpart to her, and the love between is obvious and feels very strong despite the struggles they are facing.

This was a heartwarming exploration of the different ways to be a family, sisterhood, and festive spirit. The sisters face heavy realities, but there is a whimsical spirit and hope in their village that makes everything feel lighter. I really enjoyed this one.

Many Thanks to NetGalley and Putnam for the opportunity to read A December to Remember by Jenny Bayliss. Ms. Bayliss does it again. My face hurts from smiling and i may just start reading it again as soon as I finish writing this. ❤

Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam for this ARC in exchange for my honest review! This book will be released 9/26. @jennibayliss does it AGAIN! I have read all 4 of her holiday books and I simply adore her writing and her characters! A Christmas book set in a small quirky town in England? It doesn’t get much better! I loved how this focuses mostly on the relationships between the sisters and how they really end up stepping up for each other throughout the book! Duncan was an absolute treasure and I found myself smiling every time he was on the page! Verity was hilarious as well! I also loved that this focused on the Winter Solstice since I’ve read a few books about this but never knew the history of it. This gave the history without going off on a tangent and it really put me into the festivities! Definitely add this to your Christmas reading TBR, you won’t regret it!

This story made me feel like I was drinking a steaming cup of wassail alongside the characters! I fell in love with the community of Roman Thorpe and the kooky characters. Although, I will say that it took me about halfway through the book to keep all the different characters straight and really get into the story. The plot felt like it had a slow start for me but I truly enjoyed the community coming together to help plan the Winter Solstice event. A perfect sweet book about family for the holidays. Jenny Bayliss is a must-read for the holidays for me every year!

"A December to Remember" by Jenny Bayliss is a heartwarming holiday-themed novel that centers around the charming town of Lighthouse Bay. While the book has its merits, it falls short of being an exceptional read.

One of the book's strengths lies in its vivid descriptions of Lighthouse Bay and the festive atmosphere of December. Bayliss skillfully captures the magic and nostalgia associated with the holiday season, bringing the town and its inhabitants to life. The setting truly shines as a character of its own, enveloping readers in a cozy and enchanting ambiance.

The characters in the story are relatable and well-crafted, each with their own distinct personalities and struggles. The main protagonist, Alice, is a likable and determined woman who undergoes personal growth throughout the narrative. Supporting characters add depth and contribute to the sense of community within the town. The interactions and relationships between the characters feel genuine and provide a sense of warmth.

However, the pacing of the book can be inconsistent at times. While some moments are filled with engaging dialogue and compelling plot developments, there are also lulls in the story that slow down the overall momentum. The plot itself follows a somewhat predictable trajectory, lacking surprises or unexpected twists. It adheres to a familiar formula of feel-good holiday fiction, which may leave some readers craving more originality.

Additionally, the writing style is straightforward and easy to follow, but it lacks a certain depth and sophistication. The prose occasionally feels overly simplistic, missing opportunities to delve into deeper emotional nuances. While this simplicity may appeal to those seeking a light and breezy read, it may leave others wanting more complexity and literary depth.

Despite these shortcomings, "A December to Remember" manages to capture the spirit of the holiday season and deliver a heartwarming story. It provides moments of warmth, love, and self-discovery, making it a pleasant choice for fans of cozy holiday fiction.

In summary, "A December to Remember" by Jenny Bayliss receives a rating of 3 out of 5. It offers a cozy and festive atmosphere, well-crafted characters, but falls short in terms of pacing, predictability, and depth. If you're seeking a lighthearted holiday read that embraces the magic of the season, this book may be worth your time.

Thanks to Netgalley and to Penguin Group Putnam for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review!

A well written English Christmas story. 3 sisters who have the same father but different mothers are thrown back together. Their father has died but left them tasks to complete and they have to be completed all together. Can three sisters put their differences and lives on hold to go on one last scavenger hunt. Can they lean on each other and their community before they lose everything. A quaint English village, a winter solstice event, hot chocolate, and family make this novel not to be missed this upcoming holiday season.

I first became a fan of Jenny Bayliss when I read her ADORABLE book The Twelve Dates of Christmas. I think I smiled my way through most of that book, but unfortunately, her next two books did not have that kind of effect on me. Enter A December to Remember -- and just like that, Jenny Bayliss is back!

This one is not really Christmas-themed but instead focuses on celebrating the winter solstice. Three estranged sisters, sharing the same father, have been instructed to throw together a party for the winter solstice in the town where their father lived and where the three of them spent one month a year. Each sister is carrying secrets (and grudges), but the only way to inherit their father's money is to work together. I laughed and cried throughout this book, and I am so glad that I was able to read it. Everything that we learn about Maggie, Simone, and Star was realistic, and they all were developed well.

It is completely worth reading this novel when it comes out in September (or postponing to December if you prefer). I give it four and a half stars and look forward to hearing what y'all think!

Augustus North was the owner of a curio shop who built up its inventory on the frequent trips he took when he felt the need for a change. It was in his later years that his travels resulted in three daughters, each by a different woman, who spent a month with him and each other in the village of Rowan Thorp each summer during their childhood.

It's been more than 20 years now since the half-sisters have connected, but they come together once more on the occasion of their father's funeral. It is then that they learn that he requires them to complete two tasks together before they can sell his house, as certified by his attorney. Whether they can complete the required tasks, including reviving the town's long-defunct Winter Solstice Festival, is questionable, as the sisters couldn't be more different. Maggie, the oldest, lives in the same town with her father but still almost never saw him. She has a son and daughter by two different fathers and owns a grocery store in town. Simone is a prickly physiotherapist, going through heart-breaking IVF attempts with her wife to have a child. Star, the youngest, is a free spirit like her father, which has gotten her into some trouble, including hooking up with the wrong types of men. In addition, they must address issues with their existing and potential romantic partners.

This is a holiday-centric novel that really does celebrate Christmas and the Christmas spirit. The way they and the townspeople come together to recreate this celebration of animals, each other, and the beginning of the lengthening days, not to mention the customs of Christmas, is moving and life-affirming. The characters are well-drawn and distinctive, and there is just enough whimsy and humorous dialogue thrown in to keep it entertaining. I loved the detailed description of Augustus's shop and its abundance of diverse products--some just kitschy, some a lot more valuable. I think things are wrapped up a bit too neatly at the end, but that's a small quibble. I appreciate the "5 years later" chapter that lets us know how everyone's lives are turning out.

My thanks to PENGUIN GROUP Putnam for the opportunity to read and provide an honest review of this book.

Thank You NetGalley and Publishers for allowing me to read a copy of this prior to publication.
This was a very sweet, heartwarming story about 3 sisters. They all share the same dad, but don’t live in the same place. Their father passes away and we find out whether or not they can work together.
It was a good novel, will put you in the holiday spirit, but it was a bit slow for me.

Absolutely fantastic plot! Could not put the book down once I began reading it. Cannot wait for it to be released. I will recommend it to everyone I know!