Date Night in December by Jaqueline Snowe
Thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and NetGalley for my gifted ARC.

This book had me at the opening pages and didn’t let go — a cozy, festive second-chance romance wrapped in snow, heartache, gingerbread, and sincerity. Date Night in December felt like coming home in the middle of a storm — safe, a little messy, but full of warmth you forgot you missed. At the heart of this story is a marriage — not a whirlwind new love or a rekindled high school crush, but two people already deep into life together, suddenly facing the painful truth that they’ve grown apart.

Laney Reynolds leaves the city — and her husband — just as December begins, packing up her disappointment and heading to Cherrywood Creek, her charming small-town hometown. The holidays there are a big deal, all twinkle lights, cider booths, and sleigh rides. But for Laney, it’s less about festive cheer and more about finding space to breathe. She’s not falling out of love with Connor. She’s falling out of recognition with the man he’s become — a CEO constantly glued to his phone, too caught up in quarterly numbers to see his marriage quietly dissolving. But Connor’s not as oblivious as he seemed. When Laney leaves, he doesn’t just watch her go. He rents the house next door to her parents and shows up, ready to fight for her. Not with big declarations or sudden miracles, but with consistency, humility, and a willingness to actually listen.

I didn’t expect to connect so deeply with a couple already ten years into marriage, but Snowe writes with such honest tenderness. Their hurt felt real. Their awkward attempts to reconnect, the emotional missteps, the tension between what’s said and what’s meant — all of it resonated. Watching Connor try to re-learn how to love Laney, not just in grand gestures but in the everyday moments, was the emotional core of the book. He’s a man out of his element, ditching conference calls for craft fairs, learning that being present means more than proximity. As he puts it: “Success never looked like this before — a mug of cider, your hand in mine, the silence between us finally feeling safe.”

There’s something extra vulnerable about second-chance romances where the couple has never stopped loving each other — they’ve just forgotten how to show it. That’s what makes this book feel so poignant. Laney isn’t angry. She’s exhausted. Connor isn’t careless. He’s lost. And December gives them space to start over — through snowball fights, tree lightings, and long, messy conversations that finally start to heal what went unspoken for years.

Yes, it’s got that Hallmark vibe — the town is cute as a button, the neighbors are nosy in the best way, and there’s enough cinnamon-scented sweetness to leave you craving a gingerbread latte. But beneath the charm, there’s real substance. Snowe doesn’t shy away from the uncomfortable parts of marriage — the drift, the resentment, the things we don’t say until it’s almost too late. What kept me turning the pages was the emotional depth, the hard-won moments of growth, and the chemistry between Laney and Connor that simmers even when they’re at their lowest.

This book isn’t just about saving a marriage. It’s about remembering why you fell in love in the first place — and deciding that love is worth fighting for again, even if it means becoming a different version of yourself in the process. The romance is swoony, yes, but the true payoff is emotional. And the setting — well, if I could rent a cabin in Cherrywood Creek for a month and drink cocoa while watching a marriage heal across the street, I’d be booking that trip tomorrow.

Date Night in December is cozy and heartfelt, filled with charm, a touch of spice, and just enough real-life messiness to make the resolution satisfying. It’s perfect for readers who want a holiday romance with emotional teeth — something more grounded than fantasy, but still full of the magic December brings.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5 stars)

Date Night in December is a second chance romance between a husband and wife who have recently separated. This book is very similar to a Hallmark Christmas movie:
🎄dramatic separation
🎄love of a small town
🎄evil corporations
🎄family
🎄festivals
This book is okay if you are looking for a quick holiday read. However, it was hard to like the FMC because while her husband had his faults and was a workaholic, she never communicated her needs and expected him to read her mind. It seemed like her reason for separation was harsh when she had not even had a conversation with him about it. It was enjoyable reading about the town festival and some of the festive things they did!

If you want a quick Christmas read with an overly dramatic FMC and lots of things happening then you could enjoy this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever Grand Central Publishing for this ARC!
⭐️⭐️⭐️

I loved this so much it was the perfect mixture of heartwarming, sweet, and spicy. Jaqueline’s writing is captivating.

Laney and Connor's marriage is on the rocks. Laney returns to her small hometown to live with her parents for the month of December. When Connor decides to rent the house next door, the two agree to date for a month to see if they can reignite their relationship and improve their communication.

This has the blueprint of a good Christmas book, but doesn't quite deliver. I felt there was a lot of repetition in their disagreements and discussions of their marital problems. While this may be realistic, it felt drawn out in the novel and simultaneously like they reconciled too quick. However if you want a Hallmark-y second chance romance, this one will meet that bill.

Tropes
* Second Chance Romance
* Small town
* Christmas events

3 stars

Date Night in December is a second chance romance of a married couple. It’s a feel good Christmas story set in a small town. I enjoyed reading it and can’t wait for Christmas. Thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing).

Date Night in December is a delightful winter romance that delivers exactly what you'd hope for from a holiday rom-com — swoony moments, witty banter, and just the right sprinkle of seasonal magic. Jaqueline Snowe captures that festive, feel-good energy so well, making this the perfect book to curl up with on a chilly night.

The lead characters have fantastic chemistry, and their relationship develops with a nice mix of tension, humor, and warmth. I especially appreciated the emotional depth beneath the lighthearted surface — both characters have real, relatable struggles, and their growth felt authentic.

While some plot points were predictable (as is often the case in holiday romances), the charm and heart more than made up for it. It hits all the beats of a satisfying rom-com while still feeling fresh.

If you're in the mood for a cozy, romantic read with holiday sparkle and genuine heart, this one is worth picking up!

Cozy, fun, and full of heart—this story is the perfect winter pick-me-up. The characters are easy to root for, and the romance unfolds in such an enjoyable way. A delightful read to curl up with during the colder months.

Jaqueline never misses and the this holiday romance is at the top of that list!! She never fails to create realistic, imperfect characters that readers can relate to and deeply feel every emotion as if they are walking beside them. I loved the fun holiday feels, the hilarious side characters and chemistry that drives the best banter. Loved this one and everyone who loves a holiday romance will love it too!

Jaqueline Snowe bright the holiday fun along with some BIG emotions. This book takes places in an adorable small town with all sorts of fun holiday traditions and events. Laney has returned to her childhood home for the month of December after leaving her husband. It isn't that she doesn't love him anymore. She does, but she is desperately unhappy with how their relationship has been lately. Upon Laney leaving, Connor decides he is willing to do anything to get her back. He loves his wife fiercely, so he follows her to her hometown.

It was hard was hard to read about Laney and Connor's struggles, but I loved how they learned to communicate with each other on their needs. They didn't sweep anything under the rug. They truly worked on reconnecting and fighting for each other. It was all so emotional. The tough moments were made up for with all the sweet ones. This was a great marriage in trouble read and one of Snowe's best books.

Thank you to Forever & NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I unfortunately DNF this one around 20%. The Christmas small town romance vibes are ✨there✨. I am having a really hard time rooting for the MMC, I thought maybe with time I would change my mind but nope. I do think Hallmark Christmas romcom fans will love this!

This was a really cute second chance romance, but especially because it was an already marrried couple, which we don't often see in contemporary romance. It's very much a cutesy Hallmark type of book, and perfect for the holiday season or a Christmas read. I think marrying (no pun intended) Christmas magic with marriage struggles was a great idea, and the author executes it well. Connor's efforts to win Laney back were what I loved most about this book; he was so sweet and sincere and really tried to be a better man and husband. I do love the growth both Laney and Connor showed and it was refreshing to see how well they communicated. I think at times it was bordering on cringe though and some repetition bothered me, but overall a sweet and adorable read.

Thank you to NetGalley, Jaqueline Snowe, and Forever for the eARC of this book.

The Book:
This second-chance romance is sweet and spicy.
Laney is back in her hometown, in her childhood home after deciding to leave her husband, Connor. Laney feels unseen and unappreciated in her marriage.
Connor is CEO at a big company and after Laney declares she wants a divorce, he realizes that Laney and their marriage is all that matters. So, he follows her to her hometown and rents the house next door to her parents.
Laney agrees to date Connor for the month of December to see if they can save their marriage.

My Thoughts:
I really liked this take on the second-chance romance trope. I don't think I've read any that were second-chance in a marriage, so this felt like a fresh take.
I love small town romance, so this taking place in Laney's small hometown was great and overall, I really enjoyed this as a holiday romance.
This book is a bit spicy and there is a lot of swearing. Generally, these things don't bother me, but I also generally don't notice swearing or this level of spice. I did notice both in this book and to me, the language especially (even when it wasn't swearing) didn't always feel organic, so it stood out.

I have read all three of Jaqueline Snowe's Christmas romance novels and enjoyed them all, but I think Date Night in December is my favorite. Laney and Connor's second chance romance is so sweet. Once I started reading this book, I did not want to put it down. This story is so adorable, and I loved Laney's hometown.

This was a sweet read about how far a man will go to win back the woman he took for granted. Yes, it was a little cheesy at times (in a Hallmark-movie kind of way), but I loved how Connor completely turned his life around to prove to Laney that he was serious about making things work.

The small-town Christmas setting was super cozy—total Hallmark vibes—with a bit of spice added in to heat things up.

Overall, it’s a heartfelt second-chance romance that made me smile.

Thanks to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the free ARC! I’m sharing my review voluntarily.

A great read for the upcoming Holiday season! Such a cute and dreamy story about a couple and coming out of your comfort zone!

I absolutely adored Date Night in December! Set in the charming, Hallmark-worthy town of Cherrywood Creek, this story wrapped me in all the cozy warmth of Christmas magic—twinkling lights, community traditions, and yes, even a little snow-dusted romance. But what truly stood out was the emotional depth beneath the holiday sparkle.

Laney and Connor’s story felt refreshingly real. At its core, this book is a heartfelt portrayal of a marriage on the brink—one that doesn’t shy away from the messy, painful parts of growing apart, and the even messier (but beautiful) work of fighting for your way back. I appreciated how thoughtfully the author explored reconnection, communication, and the effort it takes to rebuild trust.

Jacqueline Snowe didn’t just give us a holiday romance—she gave us a story about second chances, personal growth, and a small town with twists and turns of its own as it fights for year-round life beyond the hustle and bustle of the holiday season.

It takes more than Christmas magic to save a marriage—but it definitely doesn’t hurt. ✨🎄

Laney moves back to her mom and dad's when she decides she has had enough of her husband neglecting their marriage. Connor rents the house next door to try to win her back. Laney agrees to give him the month of December before she files for divorce. Connor helps Laney at all these events he refused to attend in the past. His business has a leak, and he is dealing with a jerk of a father on top of all that. Cute Christmas love story.

Way too many babys, sweeties etc in this book. it got really annoying and not realistic to the characters.

Note: There are multiple graphic lovemaking passages and an abundance of profanity.

Laney and Connor Reynolds have been married for ten years…and now their relationship is in danger of dissolving. Laney has had enough of always being in second place in her workaholic husband’s priorities. She is lonely and does not really like city life so she leaves Connor a note and returns to her parents’ home in the small town of Cherrywood, IL. In shock, Connor is determined to save his marriage, even if it costs him his job. And thus, the story of second changes and romance unfolds in the month of December in the supportive community.

I enjoyed the premise of the storyline but began losing interest with the excessive repetition of Laney’s complaints and Connor’s apologies. What was inspiring was the evolution of their communication and willingness to risk absolute honesty in expressing their feelings to each other. The holiday setting served as a backdrop to the drama and displayed the charm of the small-town celebrations.

My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This review is being posted immediately to my GoodReads account and will be posted on Amazon upon publication.

This book is for the lovers. Who doesn't love watching a man put in the work to win back his wife?

I enjoyed this! It's second chance/marriage in trouble. This is definitely a character driven book. Connor is dead set on winning Laney back and making their marriage work. I really liked seeing him put in the effort and both of them learning to communicate better. The romance here shows that you always have to put in the effort with your partner, even after happily ever after.

I think this will be a nice, heartwarming holiday romance for those who like grand gestures, second chances and small town Christmas vibes.

This holiday romance book follows Laney who plans on leaving her workaholic husband Connor, who had prioritized work over their relationship. Realizing just what he might lose, Connor strikes a deal with Laney, give him a chance to win back her trust and heart.

I enjoyed this book. The story was easy to get into, and the pacing was good. I enjoyed getting to see Connor put in the work to win back Laney, and I was consistently rooting for them as a couple; although, I think that there could have been more groveling. Regardless, I enjoyed getting to watch Laney and Connor gradually gain their spark. Furthermore, I like how this book focuses on the characters learning at how to be better communicators because it makes it a bit more believable that they can work as a couple again.