Hannah Mary McKinnon using penn name Holly Cassidy, ditches thrillers for a Holiday Romcom book you won't want to skip! Thank you to NetGalley, "Holly" and G.P. Putnam's Sons for the eARC!!

What to Expect:
⭐ Bookish Quiet Friday vibes but at Christmas
⭐ Healing from a broken heart and relationship
⭐ Advent Calendar Tasks to bring out the holiday joy
⭐ Romance that intertwines with the calendar activities
⭐ Closed Door Romance - Low Spice
⭐ Canadian location loads of references to Hockey and specific locations

My Thoughts:
100% Hallmark vibes on this story! it was one of my first holidays reads of the season and the best way to kick it off. What you have to expect from these is similar what you get to the movies. You know what to expect, where the story will go and the development from the characters BUT you find the joy in it no matter what! This is an easy read, well developed characters, great banter and holiday activities. Sure to help anyone heal from a broken heart over the holiday season!

I didn't read her first Christmas book BUT the fact that she swapped from Thrillers to Holiday one time of year is a huge writing change!

Synopsis:
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.

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?

This charming holiday rom-com offers a delightful exploration of heartbreak, self-discovery, and the transformative power of festive traditions. The narrative follows Callie, a young woman grappling with the aftermath of a painful breakup, as she reluctantly embarks on an Advent calendar challenge devised by her well-meaning sister, Anita. Through daily tasks designed to reignite her holiday spirit and belief in love, Callie begins to rebuild her sense of self while navigating unexpected romantic possibilities with a charismatic baker, Marco.
The novel is as much about familial bonds as it is about romance. Anita's lovingly crafted Advent calendar serves as both a narrative device and a testament to the strength of their sibling relationship. The alternating treat and task days create a compelling structure, immersing readers in Callie's journey toward rediscovering joy. The festive activities not only push her out of her comfort zone but also pave the way for genuine connections, particularly with Marco, whose presence brings warmth and charm to the story.
The slow burn pacing allows for a richly detailed portrayal of each day and every interaction, making the reader feel fully immersed in Callie's world. The gradual unfolding of her emotional journey and her growing bond with Marco lend authenticity to the romance, emphasizing shared experiences and mutual support as the foundation for their connection.
Overall, this novel is a heartwarming celebration of love, family, and the magic of Christmas traditions. The Advent calendar concept is particularly inventive, offering a sense of anticipation that mirrors the holiday season itself. Readers looking for a festive read filled with charm, humor, and heartfelt moments will find much to savor in this cozy, feel-good tale.

This is the ultimate cozy holiday read that wraps you up in a blanket of festive cheer and heartwarming romance. From the very first chapter, this book delivers all the cozy vibes you could want—twinkling lights, delicious seasonal treats, and a small-town setting that feels like home. Cassidy’s writing is both charming and comforting, pulling you into the story with ease and leaving you with a contented smile on your face.

The story revolves around Emma, who is determined to make this Christmas unforgettable after a series of personal setbacks. As she embarks on a countdown of holiday activities, including tree decorating, baking, and even a bit of holiday mischief, she finds herself reconnecting with her old love, Jake, who’s back in town for the season. The rekindling of their relationship is sweet and full of gentle chemistry, with plenty of heartwarming moments that make you root for them from beginning to end.

What makes this story so special is its perfect blend of holiday magic and personal growth. It’s not just about romance—it’s about finding joy in the little things, reconnecting with the past, and learning to embrace the present. The slow, heartwarming development of Emma and Jake’s relationship feels like the best kind of Christmas gift, and the book’s pacing allows you to savor each moment.

If you're in the mood for a feel-good, low-stress Christmas romance that will leave you with a warm, fuzzy feeling inside, *The Christmas Countdown* is the perfect choice. It's sweet, uplifting, and full of all the holiday magic that makes this time of year so special.

Thank you so much to the publisher for my gifted ARC!

This was a very a sweet book where Anita is trying to help her sister Callie get back into the holiday spirit and gives her an advent calendar challenge and heals her heart along the way.

I, unfortunately, couldn’t get into the story. I just couldn’t connect with the characters. They were both really bland and boring. I love the premise of the book but I did not like execution.

What a fun one this one was! Callie is done with Christmas and love but her sister convinces her to keep trying. With the help of an advent calendar she finds her heart opening up to love and Christmas.

Thank you #NetGalley and #penguin for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Christmas Countdown by Holly Cassidy is a charming holiday romance that earns a 3.5-star rating for its cozy depiction of festive cheer and budding romance. The story follows Callie, a spirited protagonist that has lost pieces of herself in a recent break up, as she navigates the holiday season with a meticulously planned (by her sister, Anita) countdown to Christmas. Enter Marco, her charismatic love interest, whose unexpected presence adds a delightful twist to her carefully curated plans. Cassidy's writing captures the warmth and magic of the holiday season, with vivid descriptions that transport readers to a winter wonderland. The chemistry between Callie and Marco is sweet and engaging, though the plot occasionally falls into predictable patterns typical of the genre. Despite these familiar elements, the novel's heartwarming atmosphere and relatable characters make it an enjoyable read for those looking to get into the festive spirit. Overall, The Christmas Countdown offers a delightful escape into a world where love and holiday magic go hand in hand.

Thank you to Netgalley for giving me a digital copy of this book.

What a fun and cozy Christmas read! Callie is trying hard to get over her ex but she was with him for 10 years and works with him. Her sister has plans to get her out of her shell and in the Christmas spirit with an Advent calendar of treats and challenges. What happens next is funny
and somewhat unexpected as she hesitantly tackles each task. So much fun!
Thank you Netgalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the digital ARC.

I like the premise of this book with the advent calendar, but there was some issues for me going on in this to really enjoy this book. I didn't like the fact that Callie could not seem to get over her ex, whilst getting with Marco pretty quick. I keep thinking she should take time for herself. Overall, it was also pretty cheesy. I get this had Hallmark vibes, but it just wasn't my favorite

Everything I want in a Christmas book. It was like all my favorite things in one book. Hallmark movie on paper. Everything by this author is always so cute and the banter is 10/10

3.75 🌟
The Christmas Countdown was a cute holiday romance that definitely got me feeling festive. It's making me contemplate making my own advent challenge for next year! I

Thank you NetGalley and Putnam Books for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.would recommend this if you prefer closed door/Hallmark-esque holiday books.

3.5 Stars for The Christmas Countdown

I don't expect masterful literature for my holiday books, but this one pleasantly surprised me. I will admit that when I first started it, I did not like it. So many books depict a FMC that goes through a break-up and instantly becomes a disaster. I didn't like that Callie became helpless after her relationship ended, and that she let her ex-boyfriend take away her desire to celebrate Christmas. She needed to be stronger! But as the book went on, she discovered more of who she was, and became a much better character. I liked it way better once I got about halfway through.

I did think that it was highly unlikely that Callie and Anita would both end up in the same small town, coincidentally. Once I got past that, the book was enjoyable. The third act break-up was kind of silly. Callie's urge to tell Marco what she found out about Vince immediately was also not realistic. Most people would stop and think before they acted.

I also loved that Callie and Marco bonded over Switzerland. I read this book while I was on my honeymoon in Switzerland, so it was cool to taste some of the food that they were talking about.

Overall, I liked this book! The advent calendar premise was really creative, and the bond between Callie and Anita was really special. I would definitely recommend this book to someone looking for a good holiday read.

Honestly, this book has helped me escape my bah-humbug attitude and regain the joy of the Christmas spirit. Sometimes, we need a push to get out of our way. I thought the FMC, Callie, was relatable. I adored the bond between Callie and her sister and her connection with her newfound love interest. You'll love this if you want a feel-good Christmas love story that balances fun with self-discovery.

The Christmas Countdown by Holly Cassidy
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Christmas Countdown is the perfect book to get you in the holiday spirit. It follows Callie who recently went through a major breakup and hasn’t really been in the Christmas mood. Anita, Callie’s sister, decides to bring back an old tradition by making her an advent calendar full of treats and tasks for her to complete, and hopefully find love along the way. I absolutely loved watching Callie grow throughout this story. Her and Marco’s relationship is simply perfect. The Christmas Countdown of full of hallmark movie moments that will have you feeling all warm and fuzzy. Thank you NetGalley, Penguin Group, and Holly for the copy of your book🫶🏻

THE CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN was the perfect start to the holiday season! It was perfectly cheesy and a bit unrealistic, but what else would you expect from a Christmas book? It's giving Hallmark in the best way possible! I felt like the advent calendar tasks plan for Callie was so fun! Honestly, how could that not get anyone in the spirit? I have to say our FMC is such a trooper, and I loved the Christmas market meet cute.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and Putnam Books for a copy of this book!

This was such a cute holiday read! I could easily see this being a fun and festive Hallmark Christmas movie. It was really sweet and entertaining.

As someone who loves advent calendars, the whole premise of this story was perfect! To get out of the holiday slump after a bad breakup, Callie's sister set up an advent calendar for her featuring little gifts and fun activities. Of course, a handsome man enters who is more than willing to help her complete some of the tasks, and their connection is almost immediate. I love the idea of having activities as part of the calendar to enhance the holiday spirit!

I'm happy I picked this one up this season. Add it to your tbr!

After reading an extremely dark and heavy fanfic, this book was exactly what I needed to snap me out of it and get me back into the holiday mood. I love Xmas themed books that feel festive and include lots of fun, holiday themed activities. The Christmas Countdown fits that to a T.

Callie's long term relationship imploded a few months ago, when her ex dumped her right after they moved together from Virginia to upstate NY. She has a job she loves, but since her ex works there also, she's having a hard time with it also. When her older sister, whom she currently lives with, makes her an advent calendar in hopes of getting her holiday spirit back, she's at first reluctant, but as the month of December unfolds, each day with either a new task or a treat, she starts to reclaim the parts of herself that she lost to the failed relationship. Of course, it helps that she unexpectedly meets Marco, a sweet, cute baker, whom she instantly clicks with and who volunteers to help her with the Advent tasks when her sister has to go out of town for work.

Callie and Marco were great together, they just fit so well and Marco quickly showed Callie that she'd actually been settling in her previous relationship and that she deserved more. I loved that they were both smart, functional adults who were a bit stuck in their lives but just needed a bit of a push to move forward. My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC!

The Christmas Countdown is a great option if you're looking for a cozy, holiday romance to add to your bookshelf. The main character is down on the Christmas season due to post-breakup memories, so her sister decides to make an advent calendar with activities/gifts to get her out of the funk. A love interest comes along during said activities and can these new friends become more? I won't spoil the rest, but overall this a fun, quick read. Some of it is a bit cringe and hokey, which makes the writing feel more novice. The story is pretty straightforward and lines up to be quite predictable. All of this aside, I enjoyed following the characters and the less complex vibe of the plot!

Would recommend for anyone looking for a lighthearted, holiday read.

Callie and Marco are the type of characters that make you believe that everyone has their person 🥹 Their meet-cute was so cute! Callie’s relationship with her sister was one of my favorite elements to the story! This story is great for people going through a breakup to show you that everything truly does happen for a reason and it’s usually because the universe has something better for you 🩷

Thank you so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc of this one in exchange for an honest review!

Unfortunately, this book was just not for me. I don't think the writing was bad or anything but it was just too cheesy and over the top for me. I know a lot of people like that so I bet others will love this one.

I will be giving this one three stars because I think it is more a problem with me and less the book itself.