Member Reviews
I was initially drawn to the book because it's a Christmas-themed romance and you have the time loop Groundhog day-inspired element that piques your curiosity (it's a big trope now). Overall, I thought it was cute, it's set in the hectic decor of a department store, so it's festive aplenty. But unfortunately, I thought it dragged way too much. I think that some heavier editing and cutting would've helped the pace a great deal.
Groundhog Day meets Hallmark Christmas movie. It was a fun read although definitely repetitive which I get is the point but at times just felt a little longer than it needed to be. I liked Annie but what I liked most about the book was not the love story between her and Braden but the growing relationships with the people in her apartment building. I was more invested in those stories and those people that I found myself wanting to skim the parts at the department store to get back there. It was an enjoyable read and would make a lovely movie.
A fairly predicable Christmas rom com, and while I didn't love it I did enjoy reading it. I just think its one of those Christmas reads that you read just once.
Just finished this and I put down my phone with a smile on my face. This is a gorgeous well-thought-out story with so much depth and meaning. The starting is a little slow so you'll have to bear with it, but it picked up later on and I'm so glad I didn't lose hope. I've read another book by the author previously and I liked that one better, or maybe that's just hindsight.
The story follows Annie who gets stuck in a time loop, reliving the day before Christmas over and over again. At times I felt that the writing was repeating itself with every redo, but I love how the author added little twists and changes to the plot to keep it lively while omitting details we already knew. There are a lot of characters in the story but we meet them slowly so it isn't overwhelming. Braden is such a sweet love interest, he's someone everyone wants in their life. Supportive, considerate and so attractive. I also wish we saw more of Tina- Annie's best friend- because she was mentioned so many times but wasn't on the page much. I highly recommend this book, it's such a treat and perfect for those cozy Christmassy vibes.
I enjoyed this time loop Christmas romance by Baird, but it really took until about midway before it hit its stride. The relationships that Annie develops really make the story for me. If you are a fan of Groundhog day this is a must read.
A fun festive read. Annie is stuck in a time loop, reliving Christmas eve. Can Braden help her get to the next day? I liked how we saw both points of view.
Love a little Groundhog Day/time loop- esque story and this one was great with extra loop holes. Absolutely all the Christmassy vibes with hints of Miracle on 34th Street and all things hallmark holiday movies. A wholesome romance with a great HEA, but also not just about the love interest but others around the protagonist.
Annie goes into work at Lawson’s Finest on Christmas Eve expecting a promotion – not to be told her job might be eliminated in the new year. She also wasn’t expecting her gorgeous window display to be destroyed by two dastardly kids, or for her run-in with the department store’s security guard to come to anything. After a terrible day, she just wants to celebrate Christmas in peace.
And then, she wakes up and has to do the whole day all over again. It’s a Groundhog Day type storyline that sees Annie making changes to her day to create a better outcome and herself out of the time loop! Can she do it? And what about her feelings towards Braden? Is he starting to remember her at all?
Why Kirsten loves it
This sweet romance was just adorable! I love how Annie and Braden’s relationship evolved. I adored the store’s Santa and the various secondary characters. My only complaint is that certain things got a little redundant at times.
The premise and time loop structure was cute and fun, a novel take on a holiday romance. It felt a little surface level and I didn’t love the structure of flashbacks interspersed throughout. However, it was enjoyable as a quick holiday read and certainly put me in a Christmassy mood!
3.5 stars
ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Christmas Eve Love Story is a Christmas Groundhog’s Day-style time trap full of heart, hijinks, and a hunky security guard that’ll have you weak in the knees!
Annie is a wonderful character that takes pride in her work, is caring and empathetic, and a little quirky. Watching her experience déjà vu daily was entertaining and a little exasperating. I loved how hard Annie tried every day to create a better outcome than the day before. No matter how annoying it was waking up every day to Christmas Eve, Annie never gave up hope.
I absolutely love this book! I love the sweet romance! I love the witty dialogue. I love the beautifully written storyline. And I love how much heart, soul, and Christmas cheer was crammed into the pages.
I struggled to write this review because I didn’t want to share too much and spoil the magic of the story for readers. Even though I found the words, they still don’t feel adequate enough to express how special I think Christmas Eve Love Story is.
It’s a beautiful story that encapsulates the wonder, whimsy, and the true spirit of Christmas.
I truly loved this book! The feelings of Christmas magic and the time loop aspect were great! I also really enjoyed the FMC Annie. I usually have a hard time finding holiday/Christmas books that help me get into the “holiday spirit” but this one did not disappoint.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC to review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Yeah, that was cute in a Christmas-y way. Now, like a lot of Christmas things I feel like, it wasn't groundbreaking either. The romance was sweet but the characters didn't have amazing chemistry either I feel like, and I'm not the biggest fan of Groundhog Day type of scenario so this fell a little flat in my opinion. 2.75 stars.
This was a sweet Christmas romance with a twist, a time travel element.
Annie Jones is horrified to discover kids have ruined her Christmas Eve window display in a department store. Security guard Braden Tate helps her fix it, but then she wakes up and it is Christmas Eve again.
The time loop leads to some touching moments and overall, the story feels genuine. Some reviews have mentioned that it dragged slightly, the constant repetition, and it does somewhat, but it is still a good read.
Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this ARC in return for my honest review.
Annie is stuck repeating Christmas eve day over and over. will she get a chance to get to Christmas day? sweet Christmas story.
Groundhog day meets Christmas. It was cute, but if you don't enjoy magical realism or time travel it might not be for you. Setting was good, characters were good, ending was good. I personally have a hard time with the time lapse aspects.
This is a charming holiday romance with a magical time-loop twist. The story centers on Annie Jones, an assistant artistic director at Lawson’s Finest in NYC, who experiences a stressful Christmas Eve filled with chaotic events, from misbehaving twins ruining her display to a sweet encounter with security guard Braden Tate. However, when she wakes up the next morning expecting Christmas Day, she finds herself reliving Christmas Eve instead.
Caught in a time loop, Annie faces the challenge of either repeating the same exhausting day or using it as an opportunity to make things better. Over multiple replays of Christmas Eve, Annie’s warm and optimistic nature shines through as she connects with her neighbors and strives to improve each day. Her growing relationship with Braden, a fellow lonely soul, forms the heart of this sweet holiday story.
While the plot can drag at times, the romance between Annie and Braden, combined with the festive time-loop premise, offers a cozy, uplifting tale perfect for the holiday season. Annie’s efforts to spread joy and positivity make this a feel-good read.
I dove into Christmas Eve Love Story looking for a heartwarming holiday read, and it delivered! Annie Jones, a talented window designer at Lawson's Finest, finds herself stuck in a time loop on Christmas Eve, and I was instantly hooked. The idea of reliving the same day until she figures out what’s missing in her life is such a fun twist, reminiscent of Groundhog Day but with a festive flair.
Annie’s journey is relatable as she navigates the chaos of the holiday season while trying to mend her Christmas window display. The added charm of the all-too-realistic Santa and the friendly security guard, Braden Tate, brought a delightful warmth to the story. I loved how their connection blossomed as Annie kept getting new chances to make meaningful choices.
The exploration of community, friendship, and love throughout the repetitive day was beautifully done. Watching Annie realize what truly matters in life was heartwarming, even if some of her choices were a bit predictable.
Overall, this was a delightful read perfect for the holiday season. If you’re looking for a cozy story that captures the magic of Christmas and the importance of second chances, I’d definitely recommend this one. I finished it with a smile, ready to embrace the holiday spirit!
Loved this! I’ve already recommended it to so many friends! I just discovered this author last year with The Holiday Mix Up, so I was so excited to read this one.
Christmas Eve Love Story by Ginny Baird is a delightful tale with shades of Ground Hog Day and Miracle on 34th Street. On December 24th Annie Jones has a myriad of things befall her before arriving at work as assistant artistic director at Lawson’s Finest in NYC. As Annie sloughs through a trying day she makes the acquaintance of a wonderful new Santa, a handsome security guard Braden Tate who usually works nights, and a terror in the form of twin boys who wreck her display. Although the hectic day ends on a sweet note as she has coffee with Braden, the storm that follows her home and the disaster she thwarts as she arrives home isn’t enough to offset the issues that meet her on arrival at home. Annie settles in for the evening, even filling her cat Leo’s stocking before turning in and looking forward to a relaxing Christmas Day.
Rrrrrring! Annie’s alarm awakens her but it shouldn’t be set. But when she checks her phone she finds that it isn’t Christmas Day after all but a repeat performance of Christmas Eve. Is this a chance to redo a taxing day or being caught on a hamster wheel? Annie will discover the answer as the days to come unfold.
This is such a fun story. Annie is significant as a model for the person at the hub as events and people revolve around in a flurry to arrive at the perfect Christmas Day and the perfect ending! I very much enjoyed this book and I do recommend it!
This is such an adorable book. The writing was so smooth and easy to read, the story flowed so well and it was just as cheesy and adorable as I would want a christmas book to be. Not many people can write the time loop story in a unique and grabbing way but I really enjoyed this story. I highly reccomend this book, I had such a great time reading it and dearly loved the diverse character assortment!