Callie's sister, Anita, puts together an advent calendar challenge to get Callie back into the Christmas spirit. Upon doing the daily tasks, Callie slowly finds her happiness. 

I loved Holly Cassidy's The Christmas Wager so I knew this year's festive installment was going to be a goodie too. The sisterly challenge was so much fun and the romance was incredibly sweet. I adored this Hallmark type read. It was exactly what I needed and left me with a huge smile on my face by the end. If you're after a perfect holiday book, look no further.

The premise is cute, the overall story is cute; however I just couldn't stop thinking about the things that bugged me about the book. Namely the overuse of the word bauble. I wish the author could have described any other Christmas decor other than baubles over and over and over again. I couldn't get past the window being open in December in upstate New York. An accidental door left open too long could have brought the same silly mishap. Lastly is just personal with getting a cat from a breeder. I just can't get on board with it.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Christmas Countdown by Holly Cassidy
Expected Publication date: October 22, 2024

Date read: July 12, 2024



All Callie wants for Christmas is to hibernate. She's still reeling from being dumped by her childhood sweetheart, and under no circumstances will she go home for the holidays considering her ex will be right next door with his new, perfect partner. Callie is officially in grinch mode, but her meddling sister, Anita, won’t let her give up on life, love, and Christmas quite so easily. So Anita stages a Christmas intervention for Callie with a homemade Advent calendar challenge—cheerful tasks to push Callie out of her comfort zone and into the holiday spirit, inspired by a childhood tradition. Callie reluctantly plays along, but when she comes face-to-face with a charming baker who just might be the spoonful of sugar she needs, her strict rules on love and the holidays are tested. As they strike a deal to do the activities together, could the twenty-four little doors on Callie’s Advent calendar not only open up one, but two closed-off hearts?

You know how sometimes, after you've had a long, stressful day, you just want to sit back with a hot chocolate and throw on the latest Hallmark Christmas Romance and unwind? Well, that's what this is, except in book form.

There's nothing super complex in this story, and it's incredible predictable, and pretty cheesy (the two towns mentioned are Fallbrook and Pineville, which are just about as eye-rollingly Hallmark as you can get). And yet, it's also all pretty adorable and like a sweet little hug after a tough day.

I liked both main characters a lot - they were both sweet and fun and I enjoyed Callie's clumsiness. Marco is just the perfect sweet guy who comes to her rescue, but isn't pretentious about it. The "villains" of the book - Callie's ex-boyfriend, Oliver, and her boss, Grant - are just as horrible as they need to be, but never feel truly over the top. (Grant's sexism made me so mad, though!).

Overall, this is just a cute Hallmark Christmas romance that's an easy read for when you're feeling stressed or trying to get into the holiday spirit. Not the kind of book if you're looking for surprises or a lot of substance, just an enjoyable, predictable romance. Recommended for readers who love romance, and especially for those who look forward to Hallmark Christmas movie season every year.

Rating: 4/5 stars

Content warning: sexism, gaslighting

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book

Emoji review: 💔❄️👭🐱🎁📆🧁🎄🧀🛷

One word review: Loved!

𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘪𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦: 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘴 • 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴 • 𝘩𝘰𝘵 𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘧𝘴 • 𝘤𝘶𝘵𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘴 𝘯𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘥 𝘋𝘢𝘻𝘦𝘺 • 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 • 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘧 𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 • 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘣𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘴 • 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘥𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘱𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 • 𝘱𝘶𝘯𝘴, 𝘭𝘰𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘱𝘶𝘯𝘴 • 𝘴𝘦𝘢𝘮𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘸𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 • 𝘤𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘥𝘰𝘰𝘳 • 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘥𝘳𝘢𝘮𝘢 • 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺 • 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 • 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘴 •

💭: This book took me by surprise, I didn’t think I would love it as much as I did.

I devoured it in one day and plan to re-read it once published. Future buddy read anyone?

I needed a “feel-good” and heartwarming story as I was in a bit of a slump.

I’m sad to say I finished this book rather quickly and now have my first ever “bookish” hangover.

The Christmas Countdown is a must read for anyone looking for a comfort read, that checks all the boxes for a great rom-com.

The Christmas Countdown is a heartwarming cozy romance perfect for the holiday season! After being dumped by her boyfriend of ten years, Callie is in no mood to celebrate the Christmas season and just wants to be left alone to heal her wounds. Her sister is going home for the holidays, and not only wants Callie to be there, she really does want to lift her spirits. Resurrecting a childhood tradition of a homemade Advent calendar, Anita pushes Callie into the holiday spirit with some tasks from their childhood favorite memories. Callie finds a partner who also is shying away from the holidays this year to help her with her tasks. Will they both find more than just some holiday spirit along the way?
A Hallmark movie type of book with more sweet than spice will have you longing for a hot chocolate and a croissant! Full of fun pun humor, sweet baked goods, a too good to be true partner in crime (Marco), tender moments, and a lot of sisterly love this book makes for a great way to kick off your holiday season!

This was a DNF for me tried a few times to continue it but just wasn't for me. Lots of good review though seems if you like cozy, sweet holiday books this will be for you. I want to thank NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam for the arc just not the book for me for will always recommend someone else to give it a try.

After a break-up with her long-term boyfriend, our MC, Callie, finds herself in anything but the holiday spirits. To get her out of the slump and comfort zone, her sister, Anita, hatches a plan to fill the weeks leading up to the Christmas with fun, holiday activities with the help of the adorable baker Marco, This would absolutely make a wonderful holiday read! The main complaint was that the ending & resolution felt a bit rushed.

- Cozy, winter vibes that truly made me excited for Christmas even months in advance
- Low spice but high cheese
- Great female friendship dynamics (between sisters and friends) & family antics!
- Love to see accountant representation in books!
- Pun & sweets-filled

If you like Hallmark Christmas movies, this book is for you!
Sweet story, lots of puns, cheese factor & happy ending-it’s all there.

While this is not totally my style, it was well written, plotted creatively and the characters were sweet.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4

Thank you to NetGalley and GP Putnam’s Sons Publisher, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This novel is such a cute holiday romance 🥰 Callie's given up on love after her EX of 10 years broke her heart and Marco has been burned by his ex, so they are both anti-love and anti-Christmas this year. This novel is full of fun holiday/winter cheer and activities such as sledding, festive singing, cookie baking and so much more. If you enjoy Hallmark movies and sweet holiday romances this is a must read for 2024.

I felt the ending was rushed that why this is 4 out of 5⭐️

Thank you Putnam and Netgalley for the ARC.

Publication: October 22nd, 2024

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5

cute Christmas romance ❄️🎄❄️🎄

This is my second romance Christmas book of hers and it never fails.
I enjoyed the story, Callie is not the biggest fan of Christmas she still trying/getting over being dumped by her childhood sweetheart, and she does not want to go home for Christmas because her ex lives next door. Her sister Anita is not letting her give up on Christmas just yet, so she makes the Advent calendar challenge. will she get in the Christmas spirit or possibly learn to fall in love with someone along the way?

it gives hallmark vibes but the best way possible 🎄❄️🌟❤️

Thank You Netgalley and Penguin Group Putnam| G.P. Putnam's Sons

The publisher provided ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Christmas books aren't always my cup of tea. They just always have a hallmark vibe and while that's not necessarily bad sometimes it just gets overplayed for me. That's what this was for me. I enjoyed it, but I didn't love it.

Several months after being dumped by her boyfriend of a decade, Callie is still struggling with a broken heart. Callie’s sister, Anita, is determined to get her out of her funk and into the Christmas spirit. She’s revised their family Advent calendar tradition and filled the daily gift boxes with treats and tasks. Callie grudgingly accepts the challenge.

I thoroughly enjoyed this uplifting Christmas romp. All the tasks seemed so fun, and I loved reading as Callie opens up to the delightful Marco and finds herself again. This story will captivate your heart and make you long for the holidays.

Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam for this complimentary ARC. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Christmas Countdownis a delightful holiday rom-com perfect for cozying up with during the festive season. Callie’s journey from heartbreak to rediscovering joy and love, thanks to an advent calendar of holiday challenges, is both heartwarming and fun. Her reluctant transformation, spurred on by her meddling sister and an unexpectedly charming baker, is sweet and relatable. Cassidy weaves holiday magic with humor and tender moments, making it a feel-good read. It’s the perfect seasonal escape.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

A heartwarming Christmas love story and I loved the meaningful gifts, and the challenges. The relationship between the sisters was very comparable.

Overall, this was quite charming. I loved all of the baking-related aspects and learning more about Swiss treats (Callie’s father is from Switzerland). Callie and her love interest are adorable together, and I liked how their relationship progressed. The narrative is clunky/heavy on exposition at times, though that did not prevent me from enjoying this sweet story. I recommend to anyone looking for a holiday Hallmark movie in book form.

"Callie is officially in grinch mode...
She's given up on love and Christmas…but fate has other plans." - excerpt from The Christmas Countdown

You know I'm not a romance reader if you read my reviews. I recently had the chance to read an ARC of "The Christmas Countdown" by Holly Cassidy (also known for her excellent suspense novels as Hannah Mary McKinnon). Get ready for some serious holiday cheer with this heartwarming story.

Meet Callie, who moves to a new town with her childhood sweetheart and lands a job with the same company, only for him to dump her and break her heart! What a low blow, right? But when she's feeling at her lowest, her sister creates a unique Advent calendar to lift her spirits. And when Callie crosses paths with a charming and incredibly attractive baker, her Christmas takes an exciting turn. You'll adore Callie and her journey!

The Christmas vibes are strong with this one! This is a must-read if you're a fan of feel-good holiday movies with a touch of romance (Hallmark vibes, anyone?).

Thanks to Penguin Group Putnam and Holly Cassidy for providing this ARC through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

THE CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5. What a fun holiday read to binge! Callie is fresh off a 10 year break up, and not in the holiday spirit. When her sister tries to cheer her up, by reviving a Christmas countdown of treats and activities advent style from their childhood. When her sister must travel for work, Marco a local chef steps in to help complete the list. This was a great holiday hallmark book! I genuinely couldn’t put it down cause it was so festive and cozy! Def a recommendation for this holiday season! Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

4.5 stars!!!!

This is a cozy, sweet Christmas romance. I loved the concept of this story and I am inspired to possibly make my own Christmas Countdown of sorts.

The mid to latter portion of Chapter 23 would be dream come true in my real-life!!! lol 😂 Kudos to the FMC for standing up for herself and knowing her worth!!!

Thank you to Putnam and Holly Cassidy for this amazing, sugary-sweet 😉 romance for the Christmas holiday. Also, thank you and NetGalley for allowing me to review this ARC!! 🧚

**Closed-door Christmas Romance**

Summary: Callie is feeling down after her boyfriend of ten years, Oliver, breaks up with her and immediately starts dating someone new. She would like to skip the holidays altogether, but her sister Anita won’t allow that to happen. Anita organizes a Christmas Countdown Advent Calendar with challenges and treats on alternating days, forcing Callie to get out of the house and engage with the world. At first, she reluctantly participates, but finds that she is actually (gasp) enjoying the Advent activities. She makes new friends and meets Marco – a handsome, charming baker who gets Callie’s pulse racing and might be able to convince her to believe in love again.

Thoughts: After a series of taut, stressful thrillers, this was the tonic my mind needed! It felt a bit strange reading a Christmas themed novel in August, but I quickly adapted. This was a fun and charming novel with a likeable and perfectly imperfect protagonist in Callie. I enjoyed her adventures opening the Advent calendar and some of the scrapes she managed to get herself into! (Although I don’t know if I would have her patience with her interfering and nosy sister.) There were some good chuckles interspersed throughout and the spice was kept to a respectably comfortable level for my liking. I quite enjoyed this sweet Christmas-themed romantic comedy. It is just the thing to read leading up to the holidays when you want to relax after battling the crowds at the shopping mall!

A lovely Christmas love story and I loved the advent Christmas tree gifts and challenges and the relationship between the sisters