A wonderfully jolly holiday romance with an extremely fun advent calendar concept where the main character isn't really feeling up the holiday spirit due to a recent break-up after a very long relationship, and is tasked by her sister to take on new holiday related tasks every day to try and get back to feeling the joys of the Christmas season. Every day in the story had a new concept that was all wonderfully tied together really well. Callie and Marco really were made for each other with their love for baking and their love for terrible puns. It was nice to see Callie come to a realization that her previous relationship paled in comparison to her relationship with Marco, and that she really did deserve better than what she got with her ex.

Anita is truly the best sister that anyone could have, and she really just wanted nothing but the best for Callie, and being the best wingwoman, being there when Callie needed advice or to vent, and just knowing what Callie truly needed, even when Callie didn't know it herself. I wish I had someone like Anita. I also liked Callie's office friend (I'm really sad that I can't remember her name right now), who was there to protect Callie from her ex, who worked in the same office space, and the same floor, as Callie. It made me sad that we didn't get to see more of her, especially once Callie quit her job and then her friend did the same. Such a wonderful and supportive character, that we just stopped hearing about after that.

One thing that did throw me off though, were the fade to black spicy scenes. In a book that was based around the Christmas season, and was mostly very wholesome, they just seemed a bit out of place. Especially when most of the book didn't have anything similar to these scenes, and then all of a sudden, BAM, let me throw a few of them at you within a chapter or two, and then nothing else really happens for the rest of the book. It seemed like the author just really wanted to throw them in there so that it could be called an "Adult" book, but I don't really think it was needed at all.

Callie is officially in Grinch mode. She wants nothing to do with the upcoming holidays. Her sister, Anita, stages a Christmas intervention in the form of an advent calendar challenge. Will the plan work?
I love anything small town so I was hooked right away. I also loved the idea of the advent calendar challenge. Callie would go around town doing things that brought her out of her comfort zone, but also helped the community. It was festive and fun!

Loved! The storyline was sweet & perfect! I got a little agitated with Anita for the same reason as Callie but loved how she'd stand up to her...gently. Love the advent calendar style & plot. And Marco...dreamy.

Another holiday hit from Holly Cassidy! Her books always have a unique Christmasy plot and this one was no exception!

Sisterly love forces Callie into a ridiculous set of Advent countdown challenges since her sister, Anita thinks it's just what she needs to get over her recent breakup. Anita comes up with a series of tasks that Callie must complete to lift her spirits and get her in the holiday mood.

When Callie runs into the local baker, he agrees to complete the challenges with her, opening up all sorts of new possibilities that Callie just wants to shut down. The connection between them is undeniable though!

I'm a huge advent calendar fan, so this twist on the traditional opening of gifts was delightful. I loved seeing what Anita came up with and how it forced Callie to explore new adventures and open up her heart.

I highly recommend this!

I loved this delightfully fun book! Holly Cassidy has written the perfect story to read by the fire with a cup of cocoa. I loved the characters and the daily countdown was so clever. Thanks #NetGalley #PenguinGroup #Putnam

I love holiday reading but they can be hit or miss. Too cheesy and I feel like I should’ve just watched a hallmark movie. Too much depth (usually around grief or loss or some sadnes) and I’m like can we get on to the cheer. This one is just right! I enjoyed the advent calendar theme and plot. The characters and dilemma were perfectly written. I only read 2-3 if that in the holiday pre season so I’m glad this was one of them! Thank you for the e-arc!

THE CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN was such a fun + cute story to get in the holiday spirit 🎄

Read if you like:
-Hallmark movies with a little steam
-quaint small towns
-Advent calendars
-food puns
-alll the Christmas activities
-finding your voice

I’ve always loved Advent calendars and this was such a fun take on the idea. Some of the side characters were a bit annoying to me, but I really enjoyed the MCs sweet relationship.

My first & definitely won’t be the last book that I will read by Holly Cassidy. A cute holiday romance that was beyond adorable!

I voluntarily reviewed this book.

3.5 stars
This was a charming, sweet and lighthearted holiday read. It was a little slow, but I did really enjoy the closed door romance.

My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

After being dumped, Callie is boycotting Christmas, but her meddling sister, Anita, won't let her turn into a Grinch that easily. Anita creates a homemade Advent calendar challenge to help push Callie out of her comfort zone and get her back into the Christmas spirit.

Not wanting to disappoint her sister, Callie plays a long and meets Marco, a sweet and charming baker who is willing to help her knock out her sister's challenges. As the two get closer and sparks fly between them, and I really rooted for these two to get their happily ever after.

The Christmas Countdown was super fun and adorable! I absolutely loved the advent calendar concept, and thought this was all around a wonderful holiday read!

Small town romance, meet cute, advent calendar which was a super cute idea! Callie and her sister Anita go on a hunt for a Christmas tree when she runs in to Marco. They don’t see each other again until Anita does some sleuthing and doesn’t tell her sister they are going to a cooking class Marco is teaching.

Thank you @putnambooks, Netgalley and @bookloversthebuzz for the #gifted book and this is my honest opinion.

I know it isn't even Halloween yet but I am ready for all the Holiday books. THE CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN is a fun romantic comedy that had me laughing out loud with all the puns and holiday antics.

Callie has been dumped by her childhood sweetheart and just wants to skip Christmas. Her sister Anita has other plans. She makes an Advent Calendar with tasks and treats to get Callie back in the Christmas spirit. Anita promises Callie they will complete the task days together. When Anita gets called away for work, handsome baker Marco helps Callie with her tasks. Can Callie get her Christmas spirit back? Will she be able to find her confidence and trust love again?

I loved the sisterly bond between Callie and Anita. It definitely put me in the holiday frame of mind as Callie completed the fun tasks of Christmas Caroling, sleigh riding and ice skating. All meant to get Callie out of her shell. The author also put a little of her Swiss heritage in the book especially all the delicious cookies. I highly recommend THE CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN and it would make the perfect Hallmark movie.

A fun Christmas read, as Callie sets out to complete the Christmas advent challenges set for her by her sister.

After suffering a terrible breakup, the FMC refuses to celebrate Christmas. Her sister, in an effort to help Cassie get over her long time love, creates an advent calendar filled with little tchotchkes and tasks to help her get into the spirit of the season.

As an ardent fan of the holidays and all things cold weather, this book tickled my fancy. There are all the classic elements like making cookies and shopping to drinking cocoa and going sledding. As the reader, you feel immersed in the atmosphere and want to take part in the festive experience.

The story is a closed door romance, which I appreciated as it allows you to focus on the theme and development of the romance instead of reading it FOR the sex. Seemed realistic.

I would recommend this book to almost anyone trying to get into the coming Christmas season but also anyone into a cozy romance. It's absolutely a Hallmark channel Christmas movie!

The Christmas Countdown is Holly Cassidy‘s sweet holiday romantic comedy for 2024. Reading this story feels like watching a Hallmark movie because the descriptions are so vivid and the characters are so colorful.

Callie wants to skip Christmas after being dumped by her childhood sweetheart. She refuses to go home for the holidays since her ex will be next door with his perfect new partner. Callie’s meddling sister, Anita, stages a Christmas intervention for her. She devises a homemade Advent calendar challenge inspired by their childhood holiday traditions. Callie is reluctant to participate but changes her mind when she meets a handsome baker. After he agrees to do the activities with her, Callie falls for him and then they are on their way to happily ever after.

This story is really like watching a Hallmark Christmas movie because the descriptions are so clear! While I’m not a fan of Hallmark, the characters of The Christmas Countdown are well-developed and engaging, and the story is engrossing. Anita is hilarious with her meddling ways. The competitive games are interesting challenges and require a multitude of skills. Callie’s journey to happiness is fun to watch.

I received an Advance Review Copy (ARC) from NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The Christmas Countdown by Holly Cassidy is the perfect book to curl up with on a cold winter's night. It's like a warm hug, wrapped in festive cheer.

Callie's having a bit of a rough patch after a breakup, but her meddlesome sister has a plan to cheer her up: an Advent calendar filled with fun holiday activities. It's the ultimate holiday hack, right?

Enter Marco, the charming baker who's as sweet as his pastries. Their chemistry is off the charts, and their holiday adventures are just too cute.

The story is predictable, but it's so cozy and heartwarming that it doesn't really matter. It's the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the holiday season.

So, if you're looking for a book to get you in the Christmas spirit, The Christmas Countdown is a must-read. It's a sweet and simple pleasure.

Wow i loved this book! Truly put me in the Christmas mood and i loved the premise of the story. The character growth of Callie was impeccable. This book was so relatable and truly made me feel the holiday feels. Honestly, would love for a sequel of Hazel and Joe!

Wow! Hannah Mary McKinnon (Holly Cassidy) can do it all! Such a great set up with excellent characters I read this in a day and could not put it down. I loved the Christmas time vibe. And I was 100% invested in the advent calendar! My only regret is that I have never done this with my kids. What a great Christmas treat. Loved it!
Thank you NetGalley, Hanna Mary McKinnon as Holly Cassidy and GP Putnam’s Sons for the opportunity to read and review this book.

4 stars.

"The Christmas Countdown" by Holly Cassidy is a super cute Christmas romcom that will put you in the perfect mood for the holiday season. It's a little corny, but I enjoyed it. Cassidy balances the goofy with the serious and the exploratory well. The story follows the main character, Callie, whose sister has created an advent Christmas calendar series of events for her to do to get her back in the holiday spirit and to bring her back to herself after a bad breakup and a move she didn't want. Along the way, Callie will receive holiday gifts, go on holiday adventures, and maybe even find true love. I found this story to be charming, mushy in a non-annoying way, and very, very festive. I liked the sisterly dynamic between Callie and Anita. Anita has her reasons for inserting herself in Callie's life, and we discover those along the way, too. I also liked the exploration of Callie and Marco's love story. I found myself rooting for them from the very start! Cassidy takes her time to get readers to believe in their romance. Their commonalities made me get invested in their long-term status as a potential couple. I loved how they learned about one another during the advent challenges. The third act made me want to pull my hair out from the miscommunication, but besides that, this book really did it for me. I highly recommend you add it to your holiday TBR!

Thank you to NetGalley, Holly Cassidy, PENGUIN GROUP Putnam, and G.P. Putnam's Sons for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.

Such a sweet and fun read. Perfect for getting into the Christmas spirit and I loved the back and forth between the characters.