This charming and whimsical romance follows Daisy, a woman disillusioned by love, who gets a magical glimpse into a future New Year’s Eve where she’s happily in love—with a man she doesn’t recognize, except for his cracked watch. When she meets her grumpy new boss Joshua and notices his broken timepiece, Daisy becomes convinced he’s her destined soulmate. What follows is a sweet and funny journey as she tries to turn their antagonistic relationship into the fairy tale romance she saw in her vision.

The story beautifully explores the tension between fate and free will, asking whether love is something that finds you—or something you choose to build. With humor, heart, and a dash of magic, it reminds us that sometimes chasing the wrong person might lead you exactly where you’re meant to be.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

This Magical New Year's Kiss has all the elements of a heart-warming Netflix Christmas movie - it's romantic, it's magical and it's just a tad unrealistic. But in a way that makes even adults hope that small miracles could still be possible around that time of the year.

I think I will re-read it in December.

What a cute book this was! Not only did I want to meet Jesy, Daisy and Callum at Clementine’s for two-for-ones immediately upon finishing this one, but I also wanted to visit England at Christmas.

This was a sweet story about Daisy and her New Year’s vision. She’s seen what it’s supposed to look like, and she’s going to make sure it’s perfect when the clock strikes midnight.

The ending was a smidge rushed for me, and I felt like I could clearly see where we were heading, but overall I enjoyed this one; it made me feel so festive and ready for the holidays!

Do you celebrate New Year’s Eve or no?

This book is about Daisy who is heading to the pub to meet her friends one evening only to have a flash forward and see herself walk into the bar on new years eve, and not only that she is holding hands with a man and all she knows is that she is in love with him, as midnight strikes she kisses him and it all fades away back to the present day again and the only memory she has of him is that he had a broken watch.

She is on a mission to find him and have her happily ever after, only to find that it might just be her new boss at work and plot twist.....she can't stand him.

I read a lot and i'll be honest i usually figure out where a book is going quite quickly, only this time it took me a bit longer lol. That's all i'll say so that i don't spoil anything.

Really enjoyed it and will definitely read again in the future!

After a truly awful date, Daisy meets up with her two best friends, Jesy and Callum, at their old college hangout. But in the middle of her post-date pity party, she experiences something strange—a flash of the future. It’s New Year’s Eve, and she’s in the arms of a handsome stranger, completely swept up in the feeling of true love.

Snapping back to reality, Daisy can’t wait to share this “Deja New” moment with her friends. With both Jesy and Callum preparing for their weddings, Daisy is more determined than ever to find her own happy ending. So when she ends up working with a new guy she immediately dislikes, she can’t help but notice the small details that line up with her vision. Maybe this is it—the future she’s supposed to have. But as she tries to force the pieces into place, Daisy starts to learn that love (and destiny) isn’t something you can control.

This was such a fun holiday romance with plenty of charm. I especially loved the witty, supportive banter between Daisy and her friends—it really added warmth to the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hera Books for the advanced copy. I’m leaving this review voluntarily!

Absolutely loved this book! It will make a great read for the winter if you're in the mood for something seasonal that isn't necessarily centered around Christmas but still has a magical element to it.

A Magical New Year's Kiss tells the story of Daisy trying to find her dream New Year's Kiss after seeing him in a dream. Honestly, if you have ever done online dating you will relate to Daisy and her quest to find the one. I thought that the characters were all real and relateable.

The twist in this one was pretty easy figure out but I still felt that the book was enjoyable. The reason this was not five stars for me was that it was way too short at the end. I definitely wanted more of the story at the end to see how the post new years story evolved.

This book was published on August 21, 2025. Make sure to add it to your winter TBR for a lighthearted read! Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC copy in exchange for my honest review.

This delightfully quirky contemporary romance follows Daisy, who after a string of dating disasters finds herself mysteriously transported to a future New Year's Eve where she's blissfully in love with a mystery man whose only identifying feature is a cracked watch. When she meets her insufferable new boss Joshua and spots his broken timepiece, Daisy becomes convinced he's her destined soulmate and sets out to transform their enemies-to-lovers dynamic into the fairy tale romance from her vision. Determined to make her dream come true, Daisy follows every tiny clue from her glimpse of the future, even though she can barely tolerate Joshua in real life. This charming story explores destiny versus choice, asking whether true love is something that happens to you or something you create, and whether chasing the wrong prince might just lead you to the right happy ending.

Quick Summary: A lighthearted romance with a touch of magical energy

My Review: A Magical New Year's Kiss by Jennifer Joyce is a 2025 romantic fiction novel. It's scheduled release is 8/21/25.

About the Book: "Should your fairy tale be this much work?

After a bad run of dating, Daisy is shocked when she meets her friends one night and it appears to be New Year's Eve – in the future."

In My Own Words: A glimpse into what could be spurs the actions of a disenchanted dater.

My Final Say: The premise of this novel completely attracted me. The inclusion of a fantastical element made me immediately think of the time shift romances of K-dramas. Although this followed a slightly different course than I had initially anticipated, it was still entertaining in its own way. Ultimately, the story can be summed up as a "you never see it coming" kind of read.

This novel would be a good book club read. There are a number of topics for a discussion. It would prove to be interesting.

Other: Readers who enjoy love right in front of you, rub you the wrong way, but let's try anyway types of stories should like this one.

*** I think this would translate well as an audiobook. ***

Rating: 3.5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Status/Level: ✨.5

Sincere appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher (Hera Books), and to NetGalley. Thank you so very much for granting access to a digital ARC of this title. I am grateful for the opportunity. I look forward to familiarizing myself more with this writer and her work.

happy publication day !!
this was such a cute and cozy read, perfect for the holiday season,
thank u netgalley and the publisher for this arc🩵

I tried to like this book but just didn’t care for any of the characters. I felt the book was very flat to me. Someone else might enjoy it, it’s just not for me.

Daisy is sick of dating the wrong men. On New Year’s Eve she enters Clementine's, the local pub she and her best friends frequent, she finds herself on the arm of a stranger who fills her with love. The only problem is this is months in the future, and she only has small clues as to who the stranger is.
Enter Joshua, her new supervisor at work. There is instant tension between them as Daisy wanted his current job. However, she soon realizes that Joshua is the man she spent New Year’s Eve with. She realizes they are destined to be together- or are they? This sweet romantic comedy with a dash of magical realism is a wonderful way to escape before, during or after the holidays.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Hera Books for the advance copy. All opinions are my own.

I have read quite a few of this author’s books and i always love them and this one was no exception, i fell for it straight away! Right from the very beginning it pulled me into its pages and did not let me go again until i had turned every last page and devoured it all up!

Should your fairy tale be this much work??

I absolutely loved this enemies- to - lovers rom com, topped with a gorgeous sprinkle of magic… Daisy was a wonderful character and i warmed to her straight away and i loved becoming entwined in her story.

There were festive vibes and i thoroughly enjoyed becoming absorbed in the story, it was magical & sweet & romantic, was super cosy & heartwarming, closed door, light hearted, with feel-good vibes and it left me with my heart feeling very full and happy…..

Daisy is so relatable with the string of dating disasters. Daisy somehow ends up in the future in what seems as a dream with a man she shares a New Year's kiss with. Then the dream is gone and she just has a memory of a cracked watch.

Then she meets her new boss, Joshua who has a broken watch. So of course he is the magical guy she shared a kiss with. However, she realizes that she cannot stand her new boss.

There is no spice in this story, but you can feel the tension and chemistry between Daisy and Joshua. I would say this is like a cozy sweet romance with good banter.

Thank you NetGalley and Hera Books for the advance copy. All my opinions are my own.

🧚 Magical realism I 🥰​ Sweet romcom vibes I 🎆 Holiday read​

When I first spotted A Magical New Year's Kiss on NetGalley, I couldn’t resist. The cover immediately caught my eye, the synopsis promised a sprinkle of magic, and with the holidays being my favorite time of year, it felt like just the kind of story I’d enjoy curling up with. I was excited to dive into Jennifer Joyce’s work for the first time. Unfortunately, despite the promising setup, the story didn’t fully click for me.

The book starts with a really fun premise: When Daisy has a strange, magical glimpse into the future, she sees herself on New Year’s Eve holding hands with the man who’s supposed to be her true love. A mysterious stranger with a cracked watch. The vision feels so vivid, so real, that when she later meets her new boss, Joshua — who just happens to wear that very cracked watch — she’s convinced fate has spoken. There’s only one problem: they don’t exactly get along. What follows is Daisy’s determined attempt to mold her vision into reality, trying to turn an enemies-to-lovers dynamic into her happy ending. But is Joshua truly her Prince Charming, or is she forcing a love story that simply isn’t there?

I loved the idea behind this story. That little touch of magical realism mixed with festive romcom vibes is exactly what drew me in. It’s cozy, closed-door, and perfect for readers who like their romance sweet and lighthearted. I also enjoyed the friendships in Daisy’s life and the bar, Clementine’s, which felt like the kind of spot I’d want to spend time with my own friends around the holidays.

That said, while I appreciated the setup, I didn’t always connect with Daisy’s journey. At times, her determination to make her premonition come true made the romance feel a little forced, and I struggled to feel real sparks between her and Joshua. Instead of natural chemistry, it sometimes came across as Daisy clinging to the idea of fate out of fear of being left behind rather than genuine connection. By the time the story shifted toward a different direction (no spoilers!), the twist lacked impact since the groundwork had been laid too early.

For me, the pacing dragged a bit in places, and I wished for more natural growth in the relationships. Still, I think the story captures that mix of hope, longing, and the pressure many people feel in their twenties when it seems like everyone around them is moving forward in love and life.

Overall, A Magical New Year's Kiss is a sweet, festive read that delivers on cozy holiday charm. While it wasn’t a perfect match for me, I can see it being a delightful choice for readers looking for something light, seasonal, and feel-good to slip into during the holidays.

I kindly received this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you so much Hera Books.

((2.5))

This book is light, funny, and perfect for fans of cosy romance with a twist as Daisy’s New Year’s Eve vision of true love sets her on a hilarious mission to turn her grumpy boss into Prince Charming.

📚ARC Review 📚

A Magical New Year’s Kiss ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (3.5 stars)


Daisy has had a bad time with dating, so when she gets a glimpse into the future she’s shocked to see that she has finally found the one. However, she can’t remember what he looks like, only that he has a cracked watch. So when she meets her new boss, Joshua, she’s surprised to see his watch is cracked, just like in her vision. He must be the one!
The problem- she can’t stand him. But Daisy is determined to make things work and turn this enemy into a lover. As they begin to date, Daisy follows the tiny clues from her dream to make this reality come true.
But is he really her perfect man? Or is she chasing after the wrong Prince Charming?


This book was such a cute read. I loved the magical realism and the holiday theme. The characters were great and I enjoyed their banter. I also liked that this was a closed door romance. Overall, it’s a feel- good, holiday rom-com that leaves you feeling all warm and fuzzy.


This book will publish on August 21, 2025. Thank you to Netgalley and Hera Books for my advanced readers copy. This is my honest and voluntary opinion.

This was a fabulous read that really gets one into the holiday spirit! It features a trio of friends from high school who are now in their mid-twenties.
Although most of the book is not during the holidays, it leads up to the big event of New Year's Eve. I loved the banter between our main characters, and had to stay up late to finish reading it last night. This is definitely one I will purchase on my own as soon as it is released next week. I want to revisit it to find the missed clues that happened along the journey. Thank you to Netgalley for this free e-book in exchange for an honest review.

Daisy gets a magical sneak peek into the future—New Year’s Eve, midnight, the perfect kiss with her dream man. The only clue? A cracked watch on his wrist. When her new (and very irritating) boss, Joshua, fits the description, Daisy decides fate must be pointing straight at him. But is he really her Prince Charming… or just a holiday red herring?

It may be months away from the holidays, but I say there’s no such thing as too early for a bit of festive romance. This book serves up cozy vibes, a dash of magic, and plenty of holiday sparkle. The story jumps right in with the dream scene, keeping the pace snappy and the pages turning.

I loved the clever way swearing was handled—it felt cheeky without being over the top. Some abbreviations like cigs pop up, which might bug a few readers, but they didn’t take away from the fun for me. Overall, it is a cute, feel-good holiday rom-com that will leave you warm, fuzzy, and maybe wishing for your own magical midnight kiss.

I thought Daisy to be stubborn. It was obvious she and Joshua weren't the right fit, but she just had tunnel vision where he was concerned. Joshua didn't come across at all well initially. I wasn't overly keen on Jesy either. Callum was my favourite character, and I was disappointed that we didn't get his reaction at the end, or hear his thoughts. But overall a nice, light read for Christmas. With thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hera Books for this ARC.

Daisy is 25 and has two best friends, Jesy, who is about to marry Ant, and Callum who is about to marry Zara. They often meet in a bar called Clementine's, and one day she has a premonition of entering the bar on New Year's Eve on the arm of a handsome stranger with a cracked watch, while Jess looks pregnant. She tries to dismiss this piece of magical realism but then more and more things in that premonition become true - and then she meets the man with the cracked watch. Unfortunately Joshua is her boss, sorry her supervisor, and she can't stand him. Now what?

I thought this was an enemies to lovers romance but it turned out to be a friends to lovers. The set up for this is given way too early in the story so there was no real aha moment. I liked most of the characters, but they are in their twenties, and it shows. Daisy is so naive and desperate to be loved that she ignores her gut and gets together with Joshua, who isn't a bad bloke, but doesn't make her heart sing. But she saw the premonition so it must be true!

This is a feel-good, closed door romance without any real drama. It's festive and reads easily. It's therefore a perfect palate cleanser after something heavier but it's not very memorable.

3.5 szars