Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam for the ARC of The Christmas Countdown by Holly Cassidy.

A cute holiday read, with some a blooming relationship between two people try get past issues from their previous relationships. Callie doesn’t think she’ll be ready to date any time in the future and Marco has some trust issues from his previous girlfriend. Things we all can relate. And going into the holidays nonetheless. Callie’s sister, Anita, tries to help cheer her up with an Advent calendar, but then has to bail. But conveniently wraps Marco up in it. Bet we can all see where this is going. Granted it was fairly predictable and nothing over the top, it really was a good heartwarming holiday romance.

I absolutely loved this book!!

The pacing and storyline was great. I loved the use of the countdown as a way to move the story forward.

I LOVED the MC. I loved her so much. She was beautifully complex and multi layered. I loved that this was both a story of healing and falling in love.

HIGHLY recommend adding this to your holiday romance reading list this year!

The Christmas Countdown
By Holly Cassidy

G.P. Putnam's Sons - October 2024

Contemporary Romance


Callie Meyer had grown up with and fell in love with her next door neighbor Oliver. She had moved away with him, and they had started careers in the same company. All had seemed perfect until he dumped her. Luckily her sister, Anita, lived in the same city and she went to live with her.

Unfortunately, Anita loved Callie and wanted to help her get into the Christmas holiday. So she came up with an Advent Calendar that alternated between gifts and activities. Callie reluctantly agreed, but with conditions. Soon she stopped dreading the activities to looking forward to them. Especially after she met baker Marco Lancaster. He's witty, fun, and eager to join in the festive tasks.

With Marco, the Advent Calendar changed from being something Callie tolerated to something she never wanted to end.

The Christmas Countdown is the perfect romance read for the holidays. I have enjoyed all types of advent calendars, still do some in fact. This was a brilliant idea, having both gifts and the gift of activities for the sisters to do together. I really enjoyed Callie and Marco's antics as well as watching Callie blossom as Marco help her heal during the holiday season.




Kathy Andrico - KathysReviewCorner.com

This book was everything we need!!!!!!! Even through the heartache, and all these crazy changes that come with that, I loved how her sister Anita came through for her and created this advent calendar that used to do when they were kids to give her some type of Christmas motivation, since Callie was NOT being festive this year. This calendar gives her something new to do every day and she can dot these tasks with someone, so of course this was the perfect set up for her and Marco. Marco is someone she met while doing her first advent adventure, lol and Anita makes sure that everything falls in line for her is the sweetest thing ever. This romance flowed so sweetly, they were literally perfect for each other, puns and all.

Another charming romance by Holly Cassidy! Callie has just broken up and now lives with her sister. Her mother was the biggest shipper of her and her ex, whose family is also her neighbor, so Callie can't really go home this Christmas. She can barely get into the Christmas spirit. That's when her sister intervenes, giving her something like and Advent calendar that mixes gifts and dares that Callie must fulfill or she'll lose all the gifts. As we readers expect, the dares are great excuses for fun and romance.

This was a cute romance and the main couple had great chemistry. There was a moment that it wasn't so perfect, around climax, but I guess people aren't perfect, even when they're characters. Aside from that, perfect boyfriend!

Also, it takes place in a small town, so you get to live all those heartwarming moments from small towns. It's all perfect for the season, I was getting into Christmas along with Callie. Plus, the sisters. I loved their interactions! And the cat. Best. Character. And not for shortage of good characters.

This is a great romance if you want an early taste of the Holidays.



Honest review based on an ARC provided by Netgalley. Many thanks to the publisher for this opportunity.

The Christmas Countdown is a great holiday book. Callie recently had her heart broken and her sister, Anita gives her an advent calendar to get her in the Christmas spirit.

Thank you Net Galley and G.P. Putnam’s Sons for this arc.

This was a super cute and darling holiday read - got me in the spirit and it's only October!

I thought this was really well written, had a nice flow to it and wasn't too Hallmarky.

This felt like the written version of a Hallmark movie, which I mean in the best and most literal way. I think if I haven't seen this plot on their channel already, I will in the next five years when they adapt this charming and wonderful novel.

I do wish to an extent that I had been able to curl up with this book in late December around the fireplace rather than while the 78 degree sun still beams through my windows, but alas, beggars cannot be choosers, and sometimes a Christmas romance finds you in late Summer.

If you’re searching for the perfect cozy read to get you into the holiday spirit, look no further than The Christmas Countdown. This delightful novel follows Callie, who, after a heart-wrenching breakup, is not in the mood to celebrate the festive season, somewhere we've all been before.

What shines through in this book is the sheer abundance of Christmas charm. From baking cookies to sledding and sipping on Swiss hot chocolate, the story is jam-packed with festive activities and romance that make you wish the Christkindl market was already back in town.

Callie’s world is turned upside down when her childhood sweetheart and boyfriend of ten years moves her to a new state, only to dump her within a month and start dating the local TV reporter. Stuck at the talent acquisition firm where they both work—albeit in different departments—Callie tries to maintain her distance. But when restructuring forces them to share a workspace, and she learns he’s engaged less than six months after their breakup, Callie decides to cancel Christmas. She’s done with festive cheer this year.

Enter Callie’s well-meaning sister, who convinces her to take on a series of advent gifts and tasks designed to pull her out of her funk. Reluctantly, Callie agrees. As December progresses, she begins to find joy in unexpected places—gaining new friends, building a sense of community, and slowly rediscovering herself.

This was such a cute holiday day read. Enjoyed both Callie and Marco, and even their nicknames for one another. I however wish this was a dual pov to get more of a perspective from Marcos point of view.

4.5 stars


I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This book was everything I want from a Christmas RomCom. It was sweet and funny I loved all the characters in this book. Would definitely recommend.

This one gets five stars because it's a great Christmas read. It's light, but still has heart. Hopefully, it'll get you excited about the season as well!

Callie's childhood sweetheart and boyfriend of ten years moves her to a new state. And, he promptly dumps her within a month of the move and begins to date the hot local television reporter.

Callie's stuck it out at the talent acquisition firm that she and her ex work at--they are in different departments and don't really see each other. When restructuring has them sharing a work space at the same time it's announced that he is engaged less than six months after their breakup, Callie goes full grinch mode. No Christmas this year.

When Callie's sister meddles and puts her up to a set of advent gifts/tasks in order to bolster her spirit and get her out of her shell, she begrudgingly acquiesces. As the month of December moves on, Callie sees that she is gaining community, friends and moving on.

This one is heart warming, fun and so cute! Thank you NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Son for an advanced reader copy of The Christmas Countdown.

This was a quick and fun holiday read. It is a cozy love story about learning about oneself, how to let go of things, understanding why things happen and finding new ones.
Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam- G.P. Putnam's Sons for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

The Christmas Countdown by Holly Cassidy is a joyful romcom full of Christmas cheer! I absolutely adore Holly’s Christmas books. They immediately transport me to the holiday season. Truly a Hallmark movie in book form.

The Christmas Countdown is about Callie who recently got out of a ten year relationship. To help cheer her up, her sister Anita plans an advent calendar countdown for the month of December to reignite her love for the season.

When looking for a light book to bring me joy, Holly Cassidy is one of my favorites. I’ve loved her past Christmas book too! I can’t wait to see what she writes next, because I know I will love it!

Thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam’s and Sons for an advanced copy of this book!

3.5/5

This was a quick fun read. I really loved the Hallmark vibes. It was such a cute Christmas book!

Basically the FMC Callie gets dumped by her childhood sweetheart just before the holidays. Christmas is normally her favorite Holiday, but she’s just not into this year due to the circumstances. Cue meddling big sister who creates an advent present full of gifts and tasks she has to open/perform each day. The hopes are to help her little sister find not just her Christmas spirit, but find herself as well.

In the midst of all this she meets a cute guy who is just as quirky as her. The romance was sweet, and I liked the themes of being up front and honest with your partner.

I would definitely recommend for a cute holiday vibe read!


Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Holly Cassidy is great! My second book by her and I enjoyed it just like that last one. Christmas time is my favorite and add in some romance and I am so happy. I love the advent calendar idea so much. Callie was really down this Christmas and her sister found the perfect way to lift her spirits with the advent calendar. Finding love along the way was just a sweet bonus! An uplifting Christmas story!

I've been reading so much horror and thrillers lately and this Christmas romcom was the perfect palate cleanser. The Advent calendar challenge that Callie's sister made for her was so fun. There were all the fun winter activites you can think of- sledding, hot chocolate, christmas cookies, you name it. This is a closed door romance and it was so sweet. If you're looking for a fun Hallmark movie vibe Christmas romcom about finding happiness again, this is it!

I am not a huge Christmas/holiday novel reader but I am so happy that as a member of Book Lovers The Buzz, I was given the opportunity to read this novel by the amazing Hannah Mary McKinnon writing as Holly Cassidy.

I loved this book - it was so warm-hearted and I felt like I was wrapped in a soft blanket as I read it. I loved Callie and her relationship not only with Marcos (such great chemistry!) but also with her sister, Anita, another great character. And Dazey, Anita’s cat, was so adorable!

I felt like I was in the story with the characters with the descriptive writing - I could picture the Christmas/winter setting, the colorful Christmas trees with family-made ornaments, caroling, ugly Christmas sweaters and advent calendars. I liked that the story was a mix of romance, humor, family relationships, and finding oneself.

I was pulled into the story from the very beginning and I was beaming all the time that I was reading it. I so enjoyed my escape into the lovely world of this novel. A Christmas read to definitely pick up!

Thanks to the publisher for this complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

Thank you Putnam and PRH Audio for the gifted eARC and ALC.

The Christmas Countdown is The Comeback Summer (Ali Brady) meets Christmas and I adored it!

It’s a really solid Christmas read that’s super festival while still feeling unique. It feels weird to call a Christmas book a comfort read, but that’s what it feels like. There’s a sweet romance with a hot baker hero (Marco) and a smart girl boss heroine (Callie). We see a real depiction of sisterhood, where you’d do anything for them but also they ate the last cookie and now they’re dead to you. It’s not fluff, there’s meaningful conflict, but it’s not so angsty that it hurts to read. I love the premise of an advent calendar counting down to Christmas, with alternating treats and tasks to get Callie out of her comfort zone — it reminded me of Ali Brady’s The Comeback Summer but at Christmas in the BEST way.

Overall ratings
Exact star rating: 4.5
5-pt star rating: 5

Attribute ratings
Characters: 3.5
Atmosphere/Setting: 5
Writing Style: 4
Plot/Pacing: 4.5
Intrigue: 4.5
Logic: 4.5
Enjoyment: 5

🎅Ho Ho Ho all the little elves @bookloversthebuzz #gpputnamssons #partner have been singing praises about this one! It’s adorable!

I know it’s spooky season but you know you’re going to blink your eyes and it’s going to be Christmastime! Thankfully you don’t need to wait long because this one pubs this month and you should be grabbing it to add to your holiday stack! In this charming book we follow Callie who was recently broken up with by her ex and she just wants to be left alone. She’s sad, feeling lonely and a little bit sorry for herself. She is anything BUT in the Christmas spirit….until her sister talks her into completing a Christmas advent challenge in hopes it will snap her out of her funk and helps her move past her breakup. She agrees to play along and as fate will have it, she meets a sweet and thoughtful baker. They agree to complete the challenges together and in the end it helps both of them in ways they were expecting!

Not only do I love Hannah Mary McKinnon thrillers, I now can happily say I love Holly Cassidy romcoms! This story will make you want to light a fire, bake some cookies and cozy up with someone you love. Simply put, this book was fun, entertaining and heartwarming! I enjoyed this book with all the fun games, ugly sweaters, ornaments and Christmas cookies. The characters were easy to love and I found myself rooting for them the whole way through. I liked the sister relationship of this story too and really could appreciate the root of their relationship being love and friendship. Even though sometimes it came across pushy, intentions were coming from the right place. This book is perfect for the holiday season so grab your hot cocoa and a copy of this book!