Once upon a December

By: Amy E. Reichert

Narrated by: Sharon Freedman

Length: 9 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

"An absolutely perfect holiday hug."—New York Times bestselling author Christina Lauren

"This feel-good novel brings tidings of joy."—Woman's World

A one-of-a-kind Christmas market offers holiday magic in the new romance from the author of The Kindred Spirits Supper Club.

With a name like Astra Noel Snow, holiday spirit isn’t just a seasonal specialty—it’s a way of life. But after a stinging divorce, Astra’s yearly trip to the Milwaukee Christmas market takes on a whole new meaning. She’s ready to eat, drink, and be merry, especially with the handsome stranger who saves the best kringle for her at his family bakery.

For Jack Clausen, the Julemarked with its snowy lights and charming shops stays the same, while the world outside the joyful street changes, magically leaping from one December to the next every four weeks. He’s never minded living this charmed existence until Astra shows him the life he’s been missing outside of the festive red brick alley.

After a swoon-worthy series of dates, some Yuletide magic, and the unexpected glow of new love, Astra and Jack must decide whether this relationship can weather all seasons or if what they’re feeling is as ephemeral as marshmallows in a mug of hot cocoa.

©2022 Amy E. Reichert (P)2022 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"Delightful in every possible way! With Reichert's trademark bone-deep wisdom threaded beautifully throughout a riotous, otherworldly, and marvelously unexpected novel, Once Upon a December is an absolutely perfect holiday hug."—Christina Lauren, New York Times bestselling author of In A Holidaze

"A book full of Christmas magic for grown-ups? What's not to love! For all those who still revel in the enchantment of the festive season, this is the book for you. Friendships, romance and magical Christmas markets abound in this feel-good novel."—Jenny Bayliss, author of Meet Me Under the Mistletoe

"The story of Astra Noel Snow and Jack Clausen has everything a magical Christmas story needs: a compelling protagonist, a handsome love interest, a bit of mystery and of course magic."—USA Today

This was Disappointing...

This ending up being a bit of a disappointment for me. I went in expecting two people to meet in a Christmas Market and fall in love. And while at the heart of this book, that is what happens, I didn't expect this romance to be so fantastical. I guess I misunderstood the "magically leaping from one December to the next every four weeks," line from the synopsis. I did like the magic elements to the story, but the romance lacked for me. Astra and Jack end up spending 80% of the book apart with flashbacks of their past meetings that Astra can't remember taking up a good portion of that. It wasn't an epistolary romance where they are still talking but in different places. They can't actually communicate with each other when the Julemarked isn't in town. I didn't love the lost memory portion though it did mark sense in terms of the magic system. But once Jack and Astra start dating to see if they are actually a fit, I despised how literally everyone, including Jack just assume she'll be leaving everything behind and moving into the Julemarked. Jack doesn't even consider doing the same. He acted like him leaving everything behind was somehow worse than her having to. I did like that Astra's choice at that end and while Jack does come back to her, I was a little underwhelmed.

I loved that Christmas market vibes and while I was happy with the ending, the romance was lacking for me. Overall, it's a cute Christmas romance, but not a new favorite unfortunately.

Sweet christmas story about love and friendships!

This was such a sweet christmas story. I loved the fact that it didn't only revolve around the love interest. The friendships were so good and I loved seeing the divorce conflict as well. It made the story seem more real and relatable. This is a great sweet and fun christmas read.

Don't waste your money

The story was long and very boring. The time jumping made no sense. Complete waste of money.