At long last: the final handful of Christmas reading reviews, and some general concluding thoughts. This year’s festive reading felt really strong, and I enjoyed everything {always a win}.

Christmas at Sugar Plum Manor | Roseanna M White | Bethany House | 2024 | 🎄🎄🎄🎄
This was sweet. A gentle nod to The Nutcracker, with loads of hope and optimism and whimsy. So much whimsy. I enjoyed the historical setting, with the backdrop of The Season and vying for eligible {well connected!} suitors. Mariah was such a sweet spirit, and I loved her determination to stay true to herself in spite of everyone pressuring her to “grow up and be sensible.” All in all, a refreshingly light and easy festive read, heavy on the sugar plums. {One of these days I will have to read the original Nutcracker text(s), instead of merely enjoying the retellings}.

The Holiday Honeymoon Switch | Julia McKay | GP Putnam’s Sons | 2024 | 🎄🎄🎄🎄
This was fun! It’s very much like The Holiday, only featuring besties instead of strangers, and also has a lot of The Unhoneymooners vibes. I loved the juxtaposition of Holly’s classic NE winter location and Ivy’s Hawaiian paradise – and that they were both so anti-Christmas but found their missing holiday spirit. The friendship between the girls is just as much a major relationship as the budding romances, and the supporting cast of characters are pitch perfect.

Christmas with the Queen | Hazel Gaynor & Heather Webb | William Morrow & Co | 2024 | 🎄🎄🎄🎄
This was my final read of the year, and it was a beautifully fitting last read. It’s a story told over the course of several years, primarily set during the lead-up to Christmas, and it’s so beautifully multilayered. There’s Olive’s journey out of the typing pool at the BBC, and Jack’s heartbreaking climb out of grief and into realizing his dream, and there’s the young Queen struggling to find her footing after an unexpected ascent to the throne. Then there’s the interactions between Olive and the Queen; between Jack and Prince Philip; between Olive and Jack. And there’s a secret there too, begging to come to light. It’s beautifully written, and I loved the glimpses of Queen Elizabeth in the early days/years. The perfect last book of the year, and of my Christmas reading.

General Concluding Thoughts:
All in all, this was a fabulous year of Christmas reading. Everything was enjoyable, I managed to read all 5 books officially listed in my TBR – with another 3 bonus reads, for a total of 8. {Fun fact: I also read 8 festive books last year – apparently that’s my festive magic number, ha}. My absolute favorite book of the season was The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year – which was a bonus read, and I am so very glad I did.

Everything I read was published in 2024, which means many backlist Christmas books still linger on my general TBR. Maybe I’ll do a mini Christmas in July and read a few of the “older” books before the next set of new titles releases – that could be a nice summer distraction, actually. Will consider this in more detail!

I thoroughly enjoyed my festive reading, and even though I kept “other books” in the mix, I’m getting excited about diving into some other areas in the coming months. Including a year-long celebration of Jane Austen {more on this coming soon!}, and after some time away I find myself craving a heavier dose of fantasy/romantasy. There’s something about cold winter days that make me want to wield a sword {or fire!} and ride a dragon … This might be the time that much-contemplated reread of Throne of Glass happens. I’m rambling now, ha … but to bring things to a close: My Christmas is Booked was a lovely success, and I look forward to doing it again.

What was your favorite festive read of the season?

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