I quite enjoyed Xmas Break : A Christmas Thriller. It had an interesting storyline that kept my interest and was a quick read.

Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for my ARC.

Isla doesn't want to but she accepts her sister's invitation to a Christmas getaway. This story definitely had spooky vibes. the build up to the end had me on the edge of my seat! This was an enjoyable read and I look forward to more books by the author.

Xmas Break: A Christmas Thriller by J.E. Rowney is a tense, gripping holiday thriller that takes family dysfunction to a chilling extreme. When Isla agrees to join her estranged sister, Clara, for a Christmas at a luxury mountain retreat, she expects an uncomfortable reunion, not a fight for survival. What starts as a chance to mend old wounds quickly spirals into a terrifying struggle as a snowstorm isolates them from the outside world, and dark secrets begin to surface.

Rowney expertly builds suspense, keeping readers on edge as the two sisters navigate a house full of secrets and lies. With nowhere to escape and the storm closing in, the bond between Isla and Clara is tested, forcing them to confront their past and the ever-present question of who they can trust. The claustrophobic atmosphere, combined with the ever-growing sense of danger, creates an electrifying narrative that will leave readers hooked until the very last page.

Xmas Break is a thrilling holiday read that flips the typical Christmas spirit on its head. Perfect for fans of domestic suspense, this book mixes family drama with edge-of-your-seat tension, making it an unforgettable choice for anyone looking for a darker holiday tale.

I read Xmas Break by JE Rowney mostly as it was intended, advent-like, one chapter per day Dec 1-25. It started out strong with the story of estranged sisters meeting up at an isolated, resort-like cabin in the snowy mountains, where the weather continues to get worse, creating a great claustrophobic atmosphere for a thriller. At some point, it became a little repetitive and a little predictable, which dropped it from 4 starts to 3 for me. Overall, the short novel is worth a reader's time, especially for the unique aspect of the advent chapter experience.

This was a little slow but regardless I enjoyed this Christmas story

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the Chance to read and review this book

Thanks to netgalley for the chance to read this book,

Isla is planning to spend Christmas with her estranged sister Clara in a mountain retreat but not all is as it seems.

Loved the buildup. Spooky vibes. The ending left me wishing for something more. But all in all it was enjoyable and worth the read.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC. I read this back in December, like an advent calendar (although I did miss some days so I would sometimes read a couple of chapters a day). A good read!

This book was a rollercoaster of emotions! It started with a bang, pulling me into its suspenseful world. I was eager to unravel the family secrets and determine who was friend or foe. However, the plot took an unexpected turn, leaving me slightly disappointed. Despite the thrilling action, the story lacked depth and complexity. Nevertheless, it proved to be an enjoyable, quick read, perfect for a cozy evening by the fire.

It was a good triller to read in December. I was not able to follow the advent writing of this book of one chapter a day. I wanted to finish it in less time. Overall a great read.

Book Review: Xmas Break by JE Rowney

I had the pleasure of reading Xmas Break by JE Rowney during the Advent season this past December, and it turned out to be a delightful choice for a holiday read. The book is a perfect blend of suspense, family drama, and festive spirit, making it an enjoyable read that kept me hooked from beginning to end.

The story revolves around two sisters who have grown apart due to misunderstandings and misplaced beliefs. What I appreciated most about the book was how it kept me guessing, particularly when it came to identifying the real villain behind the turmoil in their relationship. Rowney does a fantastic job of weaving in suspense and intrigue, keeping the reader on their toes, wondering who could really be responsible for the family rift.

At its heart, the book is about reconciliation and the strength of family bonds, with the underlying theme that blood is thicker than water. It’s a testament to the importance of family, as the sisters are ultimately brought back together after a pivotal incident during Christmas. This event acts as a catalyst for healing, bringing them closer despite all that had driven them apart in the past.

What I loved about Xmas Break is how accessible it is—easy to read and enjoyable, perfect for a cozy holiday read. It has a bit of everything: a bit of mystery, a dash of family drama, and a heartwarming message about forgiveness and the power of love.

XMas Break was a fun read. It's set on Christmas Eve and focusing on the two sisters who try to come together after a long period of estrangement for some holiday cheer. The absolute best part of it was the concept of reading it as an advent calendar- a chapter a day leading up to Christmas. This made the experience so fun!

"Xmas Break: A Christmas Thriller" by J.E. Rowney is a novella with 25 chapters that can be read on the run-up to Christmas, as mentioned in the author's note. I thought this was a neat tie-in to the holiday, but I do not have that kind of will-power so I devoured this book in one sitting. While the writing was a bit clunky, I found this book did deliver on it's promise to be thrilling. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

In this fast-paced Christmas thriller novella, estranged sisters Isla and Clara reunite for a holiday at a luxury mountain retreat alongside their husbands, James and Greg. What begins as an uneasy family gathering quickly spirals into suspense as a raging snowstorm traps them together in a remote, festively decorated cabin. Mysterious photographs of an unknown couple, rising tensions between Clara and Greg, and a sudden power outage set the stage for dark secrets to unravel. As the blizzard outside intensifies, so does the sense of danger inside, with ominous hints of greed, betrayal, and survival looming large over this holiday reunion.

Thoughts: J.E. Rowney's Xmas Break offers an engaging blend of festive thrills and psychological tension in a compact novella format, making it a quick read at under 200 pages. The concept of 25 chapters, reminiscent of an advent calendar, adds a clever holiday twist, though many readers may find themselves devouring the story in one sitting. While the plot follows some predictable thriller tropes, it compensates with its atmospheric wintery setting and nods to Stephen King's The Shining and Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol.

The story builds suspense effectively, with subtle humor scattered amidst the darkness. The characters, particularly Isla, can be frustrating at times, but their dynamics keep the narrative engaging. Though the writing starts off a bit stiff, it gains momentum as the story progresses, culminating in a satisfyingly dramatic conclusion. For readers seeking a light, entertaining Christmas-themed thriller, Xmas Break delivers the perfect blend of chills and holiday cheer.

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley for this advanced copy of X-Mas Break!
While I loved the setting of this book, I think the pacing was too slow and I just could not connect with the characters at all. It all seemed too far fetched and I don’t think the conclusion was very exciting or suspenseful. It all came together almost too “neat” which some people like but not for me. Also the end dragged. 2 different chapters of happy endings where I was expecting something to happen.
Some might love this short Christmas thriller but for me it was just boring.

I loved the advent writing of this book and only reading one chapter a day throughout December it gave me something to look forward to each day and I really enjoyed the story too! Great thriller!

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in return for a fair and frank review.

Unfortunately, for me, this was not a well written book at all. The plot was ridiculous as were the characters. I’m sorry to say there were no redeeming qualities to this book.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review and I feel like I was more brutally honest in my online reviews and am trying to keep this review positive.

So here it is:
Perfect for those looking to dip their toes into the thriller genre.
Not great for those like me who have read multiple thrillers because let's just say it becomes very obvious what is going on which made it hard to appreciate the book.

If you would like to read the full review you can find it on my blog https://booklovereviewer.blogspot.com/2025/01/xmas-break-by-j-e-rowney.html

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I have to say that this book started out incredibly well. The writing was suspenseful and tense. I was looking for little crumbs to follow and ready to tease apart a family mystery and decide who was good and who was a villain. But then it just...fizzled. The action itself was gripping, but the underlying plot was dull. SO, it was a good time but lacked a lot of depth. It is short, so would make a great fireside read for a night.

Thanks you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for allowing me to read this in exchange for my honest review. This was a great, short Christmas thriller. It kept my attention and I didn't want to put it down. It was perfect to get into the holiday spirit. While there were a few weird aspects of the story i overall enjoyed it and would recommend it to others.