I began my love affair with Ally Carter long ago, with the Gallagher Girls series. Imagine my excitement when I found out she had begun writing adult romance! As always, Ally Carter did not let me down with Maggie and Ethan's story. This is absolutely going to become one of my new favorite holiday reads, and a go-to lighthearted and fun pick-me-up each year when Christmas rolls around! Absolutely loved the mystery element as well — if you loved Only Murders in the Building, you'll absolutely eat this book up!

Maggie Chase and Ethan Wyatt are two rival authors who find themselves on a private plane across the ocean headed to meet their biggest fan over Christmas. After they get there, they discover that Eleanor Ashley, the world famous mystery author, is their host. When Eleanor turns up missing, is it Eleanor's way of picking her successor or are nefarious things afoot? This book is filled with unexpected twists and turns, fabulous banter, and more mystery than meets the eye. A great book that can be read year round, but is especially festive at Christmas.

This was by far my most enjoyable holiday read this year. I've loved all of Ally Carter's YA books, so thought I would give this a try. I loved the Agatha Christie/Clue vibe I got from the setting and enjoyed the rival writers characters that weren't quite what they seemed. You get suspense and romance all mixed in with Christmas. Couldn't ask for more. I immediately read the Blonde Identity after this one, which had a similar feel to it. This was just a lot of fun to help combat the Holiday stress!

In this frothy, fun story, a mystery, romance, and Christmas book are all wrapped up into one.

When two authors are sent tickets to England to visit an unknown fan, chaos ensues when their host suddenly disappears.

Will the novels be able to solve the mystery before they are framed for murder or - worse yet - fall in love? Only time will tell!

Perfect for those looking for a literary escapism.

It a perfect winter read. Filled with mystery and wonder and romance, it’s a new story and yet it’s still familiar world. The novel places the two mystery writers in the leading role. Allowing for their imaginations to run wild and they try to solve the mystery in the manner they would have written it. It’s cleaver and witty and relatable in all the ways it highlights our prejudices and human insecurities. It references all the classic themes of a mystery and reflects on the way an authors mind works.
I did want to put the book down but I also tried my best to prolong my time in this world.

This was my favorite book of 2024. More than just a holiday favorite. It’s like a modern day Nancy Drew that was romance and suspense. It was perfection and I’m a big fan of Ally Carter now!

What a fun holiday plot - two enemies writers get asked to a mysterious estate by a beloved authoress to solve a crime. However, I did not like the two leads together. The mystery was fun but did not enjoy Ethan nor Maggie. I did not get why they really disliked eachother or conversely, liked eachother.

Also, is him asking “do you want to make out?” 8 times supposed to be charming?

Maggie Chase is still reeling a year after her divorce from her husband, refusing to leave her safe space at home. She agrees to a meeting with her publisher and receives a cryptic invitation to attend a Christmas party at the English estate of as reclusive fan. Her first instinct is to say no, but she agrees after an interaction with rival author Ethan Wyatt sets her off. Unfortunately, he appears on the private plane and the reclusive fan turns out to be the famous mystery author Eleanor Ashley, Maggie's favourite in the world. But, as Maggie starts to get over being starstruck, Eleanor goes missing and the clues seem to point to somebody wanting her dead. Can Maggie set aside her hatred for Ethan in order to figure out the truth?

This book is fabulous! The banter between the two leads had me howling and smiling like a fool. Maggie is abrasive and fragile after the years of emotional abuse she went through with her husband. And Ethan, oh man when you find out what he really thinks of Maggie. SWOON! This man is a keeper, he knows Maggie's strength and does not hold her back but helps her up. I could read about these two for days. I especially enjoy how Ethan continuously reaffirms Maggie and reminds her that she is smart, that she is valid, and that her husband was an imbecile who used her for her money.

The story itself is intriguing as well and had a few good twists and turns. Being a reclusive millionaire makes you a mark, even from family. What seems to have started as a game quickly turns into something more sinister. Maggie throws herself into danger, thankfully Ethan is right behind her ready and willing to risk life and limb to keep her safe. Eleanor Ashley is brazen, blunt, sarcastic, funny, charming, and ready to lay down her weapon (her proverbial pen).

The other characters are all well thought out and have elements that add to the humour of the novel. From the nephew who is an incompetent boob who does nothing to help his wife with their children, to his wife who is trying her hardest to make Christmas memorable for the family (including hand knit sweaters for all in attendance to wear). The niece is straight forward, elegant, and the only one who apparently truly cares for her aunt. Then there is a mysterious niece from the U.S. who treats Eleanor like an invalid, and tries to fit in where she obviously cannot. The lawyers son is there to try to show his worth to the firm, but is more interested in eating than helping his client. Another author is also in attendance, a famous British author not quite to Eleanor's level, but respected in his own right. Also, Eleanor's butler seems all too familiar with her and knows more than he lets on. And the local police officer, Eleanor's friend, has a hard time believing Maggie and Ethan that Eleanor is in trouble; in fact, he believes they might be responsible for all that is happening.

At first when Eleanor disappears Maggie finds clues that pertain to Eleanor's novels, which leads Maggie to believe something else entirely is going on. It is only when Maggie is almost killed while wearing Eleanor's coat that she begins to see that there might be a murder plot in place. Thankfully Ethan is skilled in more than just the written word and is able to save Maggie. I found the clues in the book bit to be genius and love that only those who truly love Eleanor's work would be able to work out the truth. I also loved the formatting, switching between Maggie and Ethan's point of view (my favourite way to read romance) and then every once in a while throwing in their interview with the police after the events of the trip.

I enjoyed this book so much I listened to the audiobook twice over the holidays. It had the right amount of mystery, suspense, deception, and lust/love to push the narrative over the top. I want to read more of this author, and more from Maggie and Ethan if I am being honest.

Thank you Avon for my copy! I absolutely ADORED @theallycarter “Blonde Identity” last year and was so excited to see she was coming out with a holiday novel!

Rival authors, Maggie and Ethan, are invited to a famous mystery author’s English countryside estate to celebrate Christmas. When they arrive, there’s a whole assortment of the author’s friends and family as well. When the author disappears from her locked office and vanishes without a trace, Maggie and Ethan try to solve the mystery of her disappearance…while trying to fight their own growing feelings for one another.

Very Clue + Knives Out vibes with some romance sprinkled in! I definitely laughed out loud at times and definitely swooned. I love how Ally writes romantic chemistry and banter. The book is dual POV and having 2 narrators for the audio version really made it for me!

There is nothing -- NOTHING -- like an Ally Carter book, in my opinion. She writes some of the best men, and Ethan was absolutely no exception. He was such a devoted love interest to Maggie, which made it so easy to root for them as a couple -- but also as individuals. The entire book's vibe felt like a warm cozy night in when it's storming outside, and that really embodies what the book's plot is, too, which makes it a match made in heaven. The mystery kept me on my toes, and the romance warmed my heart. I would read so many books of Maggie and Ethan solving mysteries. I would read books of them just sitting together and doing nothing, that's how much I loved them. The genre "cozy mystery" was made for this book.

Also, the ending with Ethan's tattoo made me cry.

This was honestly the best book I read in 2024 out of the 160+ books I finished.

The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year was an intriguing mystery that feels like a combination of the movie Knives Out and Emily Henry's Beach Read with sprinkles of the disappearance of the Queen of Mystery, Agatha Christie. I laughed out loud several times, I gasped in shock, and I had tears in my eyes and felt choked up. It truly has it all from mystery to romance, and it's such an enjoyable novel that I've read it 5 times and purchased copies as gifts for friends.

All the stars ever, and give me a million more like this. Seriously, this better be a series, or other authors had better figure out what the formula to this book is, because I want a stack of them to read.

Absolutely phenomenal. Chef's kiss. Perfection.

I’ve never met an Ally Carter book that I haven’t fallen in love with an this is no exception! I loved Maggie and Ethan’s chemistry, banter, and passion (for each other and mysteries lol) 😉Famous mystery writer Eleanor Ashley was also amazing 😍 (I am in love with her and also want to be her when I grow up)

This book is perfect for fans of Knifes Out, Agatha Christie, he-falls-first romance, and the enemies to lovers troupe 🔪🔎🌹

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Thank you to Ally Carter, Avon and Harper Voyager, and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review 🥰

3.5 stars

This was like a Hallmark Christmas movie mixed with a Knives Out mystery.
Which are two things I happen to be fond of.

Was the romance too cheesy and over the top sometimes? Yes.

Was the mystery a bit too shallow and not big on any major plot twists? Also yes.

But it was sweet and cute and silly and FUN and really a perfect cozy read for the holidays when you're just looking for a little Christmas-y treat.

Thoroughly enjoyed joyed this mash up of a locked door mystery and hallmark romance. A Scottish manor house, trapped by a snowstorm, a cast of characters you want murdered. A fun read perfect for a Sunday afternoon in winter!

I absolutely devoured this book! I was action packed and I love a good “whodunnit” plot. The romance was there. I also really enjoyed Ally’s previous book Blonde Identity and look forward to the next one. These books are so fun!

This sounded like a really fun read- good for Christmastime- I just did not enjoy it. The conversations between the main characters had me cringing the entire time.

While I wasn't sold on the romance in this one, this was a super fun christmas book! It's rare to read a christmas book that isn't centered upon a romance, so this was different for me. I really love the lighthearted mystery in this, especially when woven with the romance aspect. 3.5 stars!

The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter is a fun, fast-paced mystery that brings holiday charm with a twist. Maggie and Ethan are as witty and clever as ever. Carter’s signature humor and suspense keeps you hooked. While the plot feels a bit predictable, the writing and story between the characters make this a charming read. Perfect for fans of light-hearted mysteries and holiday cheer!

SO FUN. I love a closed room murder mystery and this was perfectly cozy and mysterious. I'm loving the return of Ally Carter.

This was a fun and fast paced read. First time reading something from this author and looking forward to similar books.