This was a struggle. I tried, but I couldn't get through it.

ARC provided by publisher through Netgalley.

I found it so interesting that Ramadan, Hannukah and Christmas all took place in one fell swoop one year, and seeing the traditions of all three holidays in one book was truly an exciting read.

I do feel that Canada was a little caricatured in this book, and I would have liked to see it look a bit more realistic.

Overall the book is a little chaotic, and the friendship was a rather platonic version of Insta Love that I didn't really enjoy.

This was the perfect holiday read! I love how all the stories intertwine and create the perfect magical holiday story. I loved all the characters and their friendship grow. The setting was beautiful too. I really imagined myself being a part of the story and it was a wonderful reading experience.

This is a cute, heartwarming, wintery read, and I definitely waited to write this review until it was almost Christmas because that's the season (I did not, in fact, wait for Christmas, I'm just a massive procrastinator). The writing of both authors blended really well. I liked all the relationships that developed over the course of the story, the small town setting, and Maryam's family shenanigans. But I do have some gripes. For one, while I like Anna's arc in general, I think that Nick was written in a way that was totally over the top so that it would be easy to portray him as a not great guy, and Anna as still a good person in the end. It lacked all subtlety, and I think it could've been handled better. But this is a minor complaint—the next one mattered more to me.

So far, I've read every book that Uzma Jalaluddin has written. I love the fact that she writes halal romances, because it's still rare to find books like that. But this didn't quite hit the mark. Unlike with her other books, there were moments where Saif and Maryam leaned against each other, hugged, and while it doesn't say so in so many words, there is even a moment that feels like the prelude to a kiss. It felt jarring to read those moments because I wasn't expecting to find them between Saif and Maryam, and I will admit that it lowered my enjoyment overall, because that is not what I pick up Jalaluddin's books for.

While this didn't unfreeze my cold Grinch heart (what can, to be fair?), it was just what I was looking for. The writing and characters made it so easy to dive into the story and pick it up whenever a free moment would arise, and it was overall a light and enjoyable read. I would *love* to see this adapted to the screen.

A really fun and charming read with an enjoyable premise and gorgeous characters. I would highly recommend.

In a year where Christmas, Hanukkah and Ramadan all happen to overlap, Anna Gibson and Maryam Aziz meet at the airport and find themselves next to each other on a flight to Toronto. Anna is due to spend the holidays with her boyfriend's wealthy family for the first time and Maryam and her family are on their way to her sister Saima's hastily planned wedding. But the snow means that the whole flight become stranded in the small town of Snow Falls and there seems to be no clue as to when they'll be able to get to Toronto. But the town of Snow Falls has more than a few surprises for both Anna and Maryam.

I loved the cute, unique concept of celebrating multiple religious holidays at the same time. I've never read a book that celebrates them simultaneously and I can only imagine that this must have happened in the year 2000 and that this was why the book was set then. I have to say that I did keep forgetting that it wasn't set in the present day, as there was only the odd clue sprinkled in. However, I'm not sure it overly mattered.

I really don't think that the intensity and strength of Anna and Maryam's friendship is realistically attainable between two people who have only known each other a few days and come from such different cultures. Luckily, I can usually suspend my disbelief with romance novels. I loved Dadu's character and that we got to know so much about his love story.

The romances felt a bit vague and I didn't really pick up on any insane chemistry between either couple. However, it was a fun, easy, light-hearted read that is perfect for switching off with over the holidays.

Back in 2000, Hanukkah, Christmas, and Ramadan (and Eid) all fell into the same week. These two authors took that information and RAN with it, and I for one think it's a brilliant concept. If you love holiday books, this one is a must, because it has holiday vibes times three, and even a desi wedding.

There's really so much to love about this book. Not just all the holiday vibes, but also the cosy winter vibes of being stranded in a small town, snowed in at the inn. Making new friends, spending times with family, and maybe even falling in love. But most importantly, having a break from your regular day-to-day as a great katalyst for some introspection of what you really want in life.

I loved that this was not just a romance, although there is a romance arc for both characters. I loved the focus on Maryam and Anna's budding friendship and on family dynamics. I will say Anna took a while to grow on me, whereas I felt more connected to Maryam from the start, but by the end, I was invested in both of their storylines.

This was cute!!

This is probably the most I’ve ever thought a book felt like a Christmas Hallmark movie. It gave me the exact same feeling. I think something Hallmark does so well is making the perfect cozy Christmas setting and that’s what I think was a standout with this book, the setting, the town, the Christmas coziness was just so sweet!

I loved the idea of the 3 big religious holidays being within days of each other and getting to really see what it was like to celebrate each of them, such a fun idea and the fact that it was set in the year 2000 was perfect too, I love reading anything set in the 90’s/early 00’s so that was the icing on the cake for me!

This is definitely the most ‘festive/Christmas heavy/actually is set at Christmas and talks about it a lot’ book I’ve read so far this year, so if you’re looking for the Christmas cozy vibes then this one is for you!

“One snowstorm.
Two strangers.
Three times the holiday magic . . .
When strangers Maryam Aziz and Anna Gibson are seated next to each other on a flight - Maryam travelling to her sister’s impromptu wedding, and Anna to meet her wealthy boyfriend’s parents over the holidays - neither expect that severe turbulence will scare them into confessing their deepest hopes and fears to one another. Unfortunately, Maryam’s lifelong crush Saif happened to be sitting two rows behind them and heard it all, including the part where she professed undying love for him.
An emergency landing finds Anna, Maryam and Saif snowbound at a quirky hotel in the picture-perfect town of Snow Falls - where fate has Anna’s actor-crush filming a holiday romance. As Maryam finds the courage to open her heart to Saif, and Anna feels the magic of an unexpected new love, they might just realise there’s nowhere they’d rather be for the holidays.”

* ARC from NetGalley
The book is currently 99p on kindle right now too ✨

Two strangers, Maryam Aziz and Anna Gibson sit together on a flight to Toronto before the holidays. Maryam is travelling with her family and friends for her younger sister's wedding, while Anna is about to meet her wealthy boyfriend's family for the first time. But a snowstorm causes a diversion to Snow Falls, a picturesque Canadian town. Both women are forced to evaluate their lives and what their hearts truly desire.

Set in 2000 when Christmas, Hanukkah and Ramadan all fell within days of each other, we see all 3 of these holidays highlighted throughout the story, with Jewish and Islamic customs especially being highlighted. Because of this, and the fact there's 2 main characters who each have their own romance plot, the book is a bit chaotic and all over the place. But in the best way! It really did remind me of a Hallmark movie, one that has a lot of mini dramas to sort out and has people rushing around to get it all done. Maryam and Anna both sign up to help in the town's holiday show as well because why not! The book feels slightly too long, probably because so much is covered in this story.

The setting is super cute, a very diverse and accepting town in Canada, where a popular Christmas film is recording a sequel at the same time everyone is stranded by the diversion. So of course this becomes part of the story. I think having a town like this as the setting is perfect as it really does help you picture everything. If you're a fan of these types of holiday films, lean into the slightly cheesy, chaotic story and enjoy the ride!

This is very very hallmarky. I had trouble truly connecting to the characters and everything seemed so bland to me. Even the serious moments were difficult to connect to. It was very cute and romantic in a snowy town hallmark way.

Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher

One major snowstorm, two strangers, and three holidays...
When strangers Maryam Aziz and Anna Gibson are sat next to each other on a flight to Toronto, Maryam, for her sisters Christmas wedding and Anna to meet her boyfriend, Nick's, wealthy family for the first time, severe turbulence has them confessing their hopes and fears. Unfortunately for Maryam, her lifetime crush Saif is seated behind her and hears every word. Due to an emergency landing in Snow Falls, Maryam, Anna, and Saif are stranded at Snow Falls Inn, where Anna meets handsome Josh Tannenbaum With the holiday fast approaching and no way to leave the town, Maryam has to deal with her sisters meltdown over her possibly cancelled wedding and dealing with her own love life, and Anna has to decide whether she really wants to spend the rest of her life with Nick or if she wants to give her new love a try.

This was so much fun to read with some very deep elements scattered throughout. I loved Maryam and Anna as mcs the way their friendship developed, and they managed to help each other through their issues. I loved Maryams family and how they welcomed Anna. This is so well written that I flew through this. I enjoyed reading about Hannukah and Ramadan as I haven't read many books that feature both those holidays. I highly recommend if you're looking for a different holiday romance to read this Christmas.

This was the best kind of holiday read - it was easy and fun and hopeful. It was the perfect winter read and defo made me get into the festive spirit a lot more.

I loved the setting of Snow Falls and having to be snowed in was the best set up for the events that followed. The convergence of the 3 holidays of Ramadan/Eid, Christmas and Hanukkah was lovely to read about and I actually remember the time it converged and how nice that was for friends and family to come together to celebrate everyone’s holidays.

The friendship between Maryam and Anna was my favourite part, even among the various romances and drama in the story.

This book was kindly provided by NetGalley and the publishers in exchange for an honest review.

3.5/5

This was my first holiday read of the year (in October, no less!) and it definitely set me up for the festive vibes!
Tick box 1: I'm a big fan of Uzma Jalaluddin so knew this would be set in Canada - but set in the fictional small town of Snow Falls, with lots and lots of snow! YES PLEASE! Having lived in Canada, I found myself visualising the scenes in my head as I read, which was lovely.
Tick box 2: the story blended Christmas, Hannukah and Eid. Not only did I adore reading about all the various traditions, but even all the minor characters showed respect for each other's beliefs which was so lovely and a stand out point for me
Tick box 3: I love love love an absolutely awful character, and this book had 2 in Maryam's bridezilla sister Saima, and Nick, Anna's boyfriend. An excellent juxtaposition to everyone else!
Tick box 4: Anna and Maryam's unexpected friendship was so wholesome, I loved that so much. Their individual characters, not so much.

I appreciated the diabetes rep, but at the same time it also give me the ick as it just wasn't correct. I understand it was there to explain why Dada wasn't fasting, but some extra research would have made the details more believable. There's no way he would eat dates, that's one of THE worst things for your glucose levels. And his family "keeping him constantly fed" also made me laugh - they would fully know not to do this!

I would still recommend this to everyone despite some niggles with the characters and plot, it fully gave me all the festive feels.

Wow, I think this is a book that everyone should read, as it shows aspects of Christmas, Hannukah and Ramadan, and how people from multiple religions can respect each others traditions and live and celebrate together.

All set in a tiny Canadian town that just happens to have an airport. I loved the setting so much, as well getting to know our main characters, and what their holiday traditions would be if they were at home.

And thus how they can be adjusted to the situation they find themselves in.

Add in a Wedding that is due to be at the end of Ramadan, and Maryam and Anna who although from different cultures have far more in common than they first think, and you have a really rather special book.

When I wasn't reading this, I was thinking about it. It's set in 2000 which was the first time in 30 years that all 3 of these major holidays converged over the same time frame. Although Christmas and Hannukah overlap fairly regularly, Ramadan being in the mix too really did add another element to the story that was fascinating.

I really loved every word and I really don't want to spoil anything for you. There is romance, there are festivities, there is character development, there is wow a boyfriend at the start of the story that I really took an instant dislike to, and a whole lot more besides.

Add in traditional foods, a really multicultural town, a holiday hoopla, and a whole lot more, this was just one fabulous book. Definitely one to add to your festive TBRs this year.

Thank you to Corvus and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

Just felt like a bit of a shame that all of the references had to be explained for readers and some of the stereotypes felt a bit too obvious.

"Three Holidays and a Wedding" by Uzma Jalaluddin and Marissa Stapley is a delightful romantic anthology. These charming stories explore diverse characters celebrating love, culture, and the magic of the holiday season. Each tale is heartwarming and captivating, making it a perfect read for those who appreciate love stories set against festive backdrops.

Due to some unforeseen issues, I’ve had some technical problems with NetGalley and kindle well. Gary hasn’t been sending over the documents to Kindle and kindle hasn’t been downloading them so unfortunately I haven’t been able to get a copy of this book and it is outside of the download period so unfortunately I cannot leave a review for this book because I don’t have access to the copy to read to be able to review at

Thank you to Netgalley, the publishers and of course the author for gifting me this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Omg this book! My heart dropped in my boots when I read that Saif had heard the whole conversation, I wanted the ground to swallow them up!
A really nice story that really gets you in the holiday / festive mood and not too steamy which is nice sometimes.

The perfect holiday read, escapist and nicely predictable in many ways, it is also diverse in a way many Christmas rom-coms aren’t. The co-authors wrote a main character each in alternating chapters and you really can’t see the joins. Our heroines Maryam and Anna are trapped in a small town in Canada on the way to Maryam’s sister’s wedding and Anna’s newish boyfriend’s high-end festivities, Maryam has her three-generation family and Anna doesn’t even have a proper coat, but they find lodgings at a local inn run by a lesbian couple and start to enjoy their “snow days”, finding the small town has a whole range of inhabitants and the ability to cover Christmas, Hanukkah and Eid celebrations at the same time (the book is set in 2000 when the three coincided, with some poetic licence).

There’s romance and rethinking of priorities, there are laughs and good food, truths and community – a lovely warm book that it would be great to curl up with on an actual snow day.