My first Christmas read of the year and it was a banger!

Everything about this story was magical.
The characters were all amazing and so loveable.

Clara was an absolute queen who didn’t take shit from no one. Her energy and kindheartedness spoke volumes throughout.

Jack was a pure cinnamon roll book boyfriend. Adored him from start to finish. The miscommunication did annoy me but he did redeem himself.

If you only read one Christmas book this year, then definitely pick up this one.

Davenport Innovation Creative (DIC) has landed in hot water, and Clara Davenport is the one sent to fix the mess. What should’ve been a simple misunderstanding over a doll design spirals into a full-blown PR disaster when the small town of Fraser Falls calls the company out online. Determined to set things right, Clara heads to town—only to discover that the late Harry, the supposed creator of the doll, has been gone for years. The real thorn in her side? Jack, Harry’s grandson: handsome, sharp-tongued, and leading the charge against her family’s business.
Clara’s mission is simple: earn the town’s trust, get the viral video taken down, and head home. But Jack complicates everything—not just because he’s bent on making her life difficult, but because the chemistry between them is undeniable. Their banter sparks immediately, equal parts snarky and charged, and honestly? It had me feral. Their dynamic is playful, tense, and laced with the kind of “soft horny” energy that makes you read between the lines and grin like an idiot.
Here’s the thing: I don’t usually go for holiday romances. I tend to find them cheesy, and Hannah Grace’s earlier books (Icebreaker and Wildfire) were just okay for me. But then came Daydream, which I adored—and now this one, which I stayed up until 3 a.m. to finish. It almost earned a five-star rating from me (so, so close!), but Jack’s stubbornness grated on me a few times. His anger toward DIC was understandable, but taking it out on Clara felt unfair when she had nothing to do with the original problem. Still, their connection more than made up for it.
And let me just say: this book is the rare small-town romance that actually deserves the Gilmore Girls comparison. It has all the essential ingredients—witty banter, town meetings, quirky side characters who feel fully fleshed out, a cozy café, and yes, even a Luke Danes moment where Jack shows up in sweatpants, a black shirt, and a baseball cap. I nearly screamed.
The holiday charm, the sharp dialogue, and Clara’s refreshingly honest approach to the situation made this feel like watching the perfect limited series or Hallmark rom-com—but hotter. Easily my favorite Hannah Grace book yet.
Huge thanks to Atria Books for the ARC! A Merry Little Lie releases September 30, 2025, and I’ll be recommending it to every small-town rom-com lover I know.

What a beautiful love story! Hannah and Jack gave me all the feels! Perfect amount of banter and chemistry. I highly enjoyed it. The beautiful cover was out of this world as well

Christmas in September? That's exactly what I need, so I was overjoyed when I received the ARC of «Holiday Ever After». It's a simple story with a Christmas vibe and I loved it with all my heart precisely because of its simplicity. A small town, a grumpy guy and a PR woman, a dog named Elf! I could just stop there, because Elf steals the reader's heart just as quickly as Jack and Clara do. At the center of the plot is the Christmas toy business, which can be just as unfair and cruel as any other. I liked the chemistry between Jack and Clara, as well as the vibe of saving a small town on the Christmas Eve. I laughed and enjoyed every moment, so the pre-Christmas book marathon has officially begun (thanks Hanna ♥️). I really hope this will be the beginning of a new series, because there are so many cool side characters here who deserve their own book (Honor and Max, Luke and Dove - yes, I am taking about you guys). Add a touch of Christmas spirit by grabbing a copy of “Holiday Ever After” on September 30th.

Thank you NetGalley for giving me the chance to read and review this festive feel-good romance. Another Hannah Grace special.
Clara Davenport has been working towards a promotion within her family’s business. Her father tasks her with heading to Fraser Falls to sort out the problems caused by a video criticising the practise of the company. She knows she’ll have her work cut out for her, but is determined to do the right thing.
Upon arrival she finds herself unexpectedly falling for Jack Kelly, one of the key opponents to the behaviour of Clara’s coworkers. He’s determined not to be hoodwinked by a Davenport again, but as Clara falls in love with the town and her new friends it gets harder for Jack not to admit his feelings.

4.5✨
As a lover of Maple Hills I was excited to read Hannah’s first book outside of the series.

Holiday Ever After is a cute holiday romance following Clara (big city PR guru) and Jack (toy maker and town fixer) after Clara’s family toy business rips off the design of a doll made in Fraser Falls. Clara must work to befriend the people of Fraser Falls in order fix the PR disaster and gain the promotion she’s desperate for.

If you love a small town (hallmark-esque) festive romance with a rivals to lovers, grumpy x sunshine PR scandal you’ll love this! Holiday Ever After is a fun rom com with small town charm (hello nosy neighbours), the cutest doggo Elf and lots of banter!

Clara is the most organised, perfectionist queen and Jack is grumpy with a heart of gold, always helping everybody in town. They are the perfect match for each other. The flirting and the banter had me giggling and kicking my feet!

The only character I didn’t like was Clara’s Dad (need I say more).

Hannah did a great job of her first holiday romance and crafting such a perfect setting in Fraser Falls (hello I need to be able to visit!!) I had such a cute fun time! I devoured this in 24 hours and it cemented Hannah as an auto-buy author for me.

Thank you NetGalley, Hannah Grace and Little Brown Book Group (Piatkus) for providing an eARC in exchange for my honest review - Holiday Ever After publishes September 30th.

Jack and Clara gave me actual butterflies, and I mean the kind that sneak up on you when you’re not expecting it. From the very first interaction, their banter hooked me. Their dynamic is sharp, funny, a little bit snarky... exactly the kind of enemies-to-lovers spark I adore.

Some highlights I loved:
💌 The banter was funny, biting, and swoony all at once.
🎄 The festive, small-town vibes that made me want to decorate a tree immediately.
🐶 The side characters (yes, especially Elf the dog 🐾). I’m a sucker for a strong supporting cast, and this one nailed it.
💕 The FEELS. That first time Jack called Clara “baby”? Yeah… I melted. Completely gone.

This book definitely leans into Hallmark Holiday movie territory (and that’s not an insult, it’s actually what made it so charming). It’s got the cosy small-town setting, a sprinkle of holiday magic, and characters you just want to root for. It felt like curling up with a mug of hot cocoa while it’s snowing outside: warm, familiar, a little predictable but I mean in the best possible way. We all know how those Hallmark movies will end but we love them away. It's the same vibe.

That said, my only gripe was that the ending felt a little rushed, and I would have liked the changes and dynamics to be delved into more... But I guess that means we need a book two? What a shame (not)

One of my favourite parts about Hannah Grace’s writing is her ability to balance romance with friendship and growth. This wasn’t just about love; it was also about community, connection, and finding comfort in unexpected places. While I loved the Maple Hill series, I honestly think Good Spirits captures an even warmer kind of magic.

It’s festive without being over-the-top, romantic without being cliché, and lighthearted while still tugging at your heartstrings. Basically, everything I want in a holiday romance.
This was an easy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 for me. The writing is joyful and heartfelt, and it doesn’t demand too much from the reader. Instead, it gives you that comforting, fuzzy feeling that makes you want to reread it every winter.

5 ⭐️♾️

Thank you to Little Brown Book Group and NetGalley for the complimentary e-arc of Holiday Ever After. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Endless forehead kisses to whoever approved me for this absolute masterpiece of a book, I’m not sure what Hannah laced in this because I literally inhaled this— it was so freaking hot, addictive, hands down a god tier read of 2025 for me!!

Hannah knows how to write romance because this has rewired my brain chemistry!! 😭😭🩵

Jack Kelly is Hannah’s best mmc yet! I absolutely adored Hannah’s ice hockey college romance, but this was such a festive breath of fresh air of her writing and I loved absolutely everything about it. I truly hope that this isn’t the last we see of Fraser Falls!

Now onto the main stars of the shows; Clara and Jack. I absolutely loved that they were older, their insane banter and chemistry, it had me so, so giddy!! I was savouring their moments together, their forced proximity and the one couch/bed trope that they inevitably face. They are my favourite, favourite couple of Hannah’s, and I truly thought that nothing could top Aurora and Russ! 🤭

This was so perfectly festive, with the grumpiest man, and small town warmth and charm, and the most adorable dog— Hannah also writes the best dogs, pet companion, and Elf was the cutest doggie!

The side characters in this, too, were just as lovable and funny; I truly had the best time in Fraser Falls!

Love, love, love!!

Tropes

holiday romance
city girl x small tow boy
forced proximity
small town

Holiday Ever After - Hannah Grace
…
Fraser Falls feels like an amalgamation of every cheesy holiday movie I watched growing up in the best way. It makes me understand why the Hallmark single city girl chose the small town.
…
Christmas came early for me this year when I got approved for an eARC of Hannah Grace’s new holiday romance!

Clara Davenport is tasked with charming the locals of a small town following a PR nightmare, where her family’s toy business is accused of stealing a doll design from an independent toy maker. Enter Jack Kelly: local Mr “fix it” and said toy maker, who isn’t interested in trusting anything Davenport-related. Except perhaps a sweet, auburn-haired woman who’s about to embed herself with the locals in an effort to really make Fraser Falls thrive this Christmas…

This book gave me all the best Hallmark/Netflix holiday romcom vibes, with a loveable FMC, a MMC who is somehow both a grump and a golden retriever, and a whole host of locals who I adored (and would happily read more about, hint hint). I’d like to visit Fraser Falls please, and special mention to Elf the rescue dog!!

I loved Jack and Clara’s meet-cute. Top marks for banter and flirty vibes throughout, and just the right amount of spice for a wholesome holiday read!

“There’s something about making a man who hates you become obsessed with you that really does it for me.”

Perfect for fans of:
• Workplace rivals to lovers
• Close proximity
• Small town romance
• Found family
• A “fuck it” moment (thank you Hannah Grace)

Honestly, this was almost a 5 star for me, just that pesky lil’ third act break up knocked it down (sorry!)

Thank you NetGalley, Hannah Grace, and Little, Brown Book Group UK for providing an eARC in exchange for my honest review - Holiday Ever After publishes 30th of September!

4.5 stars from me!

“There’s something about making a man who hates you become obsessed with you that really does it for me.”

- This has everything I love in a romance book , small town , holiday vibes , a little bit of hate to lovers . A DOG ! humour and some spice !
- Hannah hit me with all the feels ! I connected to these characters so much, the first time he called her baby ! I melted , I was a goner !

“In my fantasy life, I don’t have a job. The fact that you work in your delusions should be a concern for you.

-the side characters in this did not disappoint and a good cast of side characters is usually what makes a book for me go from that was decent to I loved it ! Especially when one is a dog named elf

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Holiday Ever After by Hannah Grace
Holiday Ever After: A brand new small-town romance from...
by Hannah Grace (Goodreads Author)
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Holiday ever after is such a cute, feel good, festive romance!
Fraser falls sounds like a Hallmark movie dream!

Vibe check -
🎄 small town
🎄 feel good festive romance
🎄 rom com
🎄 meddling neighbours
🎄 furry friend stole the show
🎄 grumpy x sunshine

When Clara arrives in Fraser Falls to deal with a PR nightmare created by the family business, she didnt think she would fall in love with the town quite as much as she does! When our grumpy MMC does everything he can to make the task more difficult, tension boils over. Can Clara save the project and score her dreams position within the family company?

The reason for the 4 stars is mostly to do with the 3rd act breakup. I wasn't a fan and it seemed really lost and out of character from the rest of the book. Otherwise I really enjoyed!

Thank you so much to NetGalley for the ARC 🫶 im so grateful for the opportunity to early read Hannah Graces new book especially being a festive romance! Let's hope there is more to come from Fraser Falls!

Okay, confession: I don’t usually love Christmas rom-coms. They’re often too sweet, too sparkly, and too predictable. But this? This was so freaking cute. A doll scandal as the main plotline? Iconic. Thank you, Hannah Grace, for sparing me from the standard “let’s save the Christmas tree farm with a bake sale” nonsense.

Hannah Grace has been an “if she writes it, I read it” author for me ever since Icebreaker, and once again—she delivered. The banter in this book? Horny and hilarious in equal measure. These two had me grinning like an idiot and internally screaming “KISS ALREADY” every five pages.

I usually roll my eyes when people say a book is Gilmore Girls-coded just because there’s a diner and someone gossips once, but this one actually earns the comparison. The banter is sharp and sarcastic, the town meetings are real and chaotic, and the diner actually matters instead of just being a backdrop. The side characters feel like they have lives of their own, not like cardboard cutouts with names. I swear, I could practically hear Lorelai babbling in the background.

That said, it wasn’t perfect. This book is long. Like, way too long for a holiday romance long. It dragged in places, and the whole Davenport-company-hanging-over-everyone’s-heads subplot? Yeah, that fizzled into nothing. Unless Hannah is secretly teeing up Honor and Max’s book, which I would not be mad about 👀. And while the vibes were cute, it didn’t always feel that Christmas-y. Weirdly enough, the characters debate whether November is too early for Christmas movies… in a book that came out in September. Bold choice, Hannah.

But honestly? Even with the draggy parts, I had such a good time. It’s cute, flirty, and laugh-out-loud funny. The chemistry made me giggle, kick my feet, and go temporarily feral. Not the most magical holiday romance I’ve ever read, but Hannah Grace’s banter remains completely undefeated.

This was straight out of a Hallmark Christmas movie, which I adored. It gives you that warm festive feeling inside, and was so cute.
It was slow to start, but I'm glad I kept with it as the main character's chemistry really picked up.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4 here.

Thank you so much to Piatkus for the ARC via NetGalley and for giving me the opportunity to share my honest thoughts on this book.

Once again Hannah Grace has written another perfect story! Clara and Jack were both entertaining and loveable characters that you can easily relate to.

The whole story focusing on a doll scandal was refreshing as it allows Holiday Ever After not be a cliche Christmas themed book.

I really like Clara and Jack both together and as individuals. Seeing them both evolve into people who know their worth and ask for help was so well written.

Their meet cute at Tommy’s pub was so so fun to read and it had me giggling throughout! Jack going home to get Elf was adorable and him walking her back to the B&B really made it extra cute!

Holiday Ever After had all the small town vibes you could want with each character from Fraser Falls playing a main role, really adding extra depth to the overall storyline.

Flo needs her own honourable mention. Every time she appeared, I just loved the sassiness she brought to the whole story. You could see how much the town meant to her and she wanted the town to be the best it could be.

Holiday Ever After is a cute, small town Christmas read that you’ll love from start to finish so make sure to add it to your Christmas TBR!

4,5⭐️

J’ai lu tous les romans de Hannah Grace, et à chaque fois, c’est un coup de cœur. Holiday Ever After ne fait pas exception — je peux le dire sans hésiter, c’est l’une de mes autrices préférées.

Ce n’est pas une romance de Noël classique (Noël n’y est même pas célébré), mais une belle histoire d’hiver, dans une petite ville au nord de New York. On échappe aux clichés : l’intrigue est solide, les personnages sont bien construits, et l’ambiance est ultra réconfortante.

Clara est envoyée à Fraser Falls pour gérer une crise : sa boîte de jouets est accusée d’avoir volé un concept à un petit créateur… qui n’est autre que Jack, avec qui elle a flirté sans savoir qui il était. Entre tensions, romance, et enjeux professionnels, l’histoire trouve un très bon équilibre.
Le cadre autour de la création de jouets est parfait pour la saison, et les habitants de Fraser Falls apportent une vraie touche found family, chaleureuse et immersive. Mention spéciale au « Small Business Saturday », ma scène préférée !

Ce roman ravira les fans de Gilmore Girls : la ville, les commerçants, les réunions communautaires… on retrouve cette vibe sans que ce soit forcé.

Oui, il y a un third act breakup. Oui, Jack est en tort. Mais pour une fois, le contexte rend ça compréhensible, et ça ne m’a pas gênée.

En bref : une romance hivernale idéale pour novembre/décembre. À lire avec un plaid et un chocolat chaud. ☕️❄️

Pourquoi lire ce roman ?
❄️ Pour son ambiance hivernale cosy
❄️ Pour la dynamique found family
❄️ Pour la romance touchante entre Clara et Jack
❄️ Pour l’intrigue originale autour des jouets
❄️ Parce qu’Hannah Grace est une valeur sûre

Thank you NetGalley for giving me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Read if you love:
☆ small town romance
☆ workplace rivals
☆ city girl × small town boy
☆ close proximity
☆ drunk emails
☆ the cutest furry companion
☆ opposites attract
☆ holiday romance
☆ found family

As someone who doesn't necessarily enjoy reading a lot of Christmas rom coms, this was so fucking cute and sooo well done.

The characters were so unique and they were all so prevalent in the story that you would think they were all main characters! I loved every single one of them and their stories, they brought sooo much to this book!

I love Clara and Jack together, that first meeting might be my favorite meet cute because it was incredible and also sooo fucking hot. Their banter, their relationship, the spice!!!! So so good!

One thing I didn't like and why this is only a 4⭐️ is that 3rd act breakup. How they acted in that scenes didn't match their relationship to that point. It's like they were completely different people for a second there.

Overall, this was a great book and I honestly hope we will get to see more of Fraser Falls!!!

thank you NetGalley for this ARC.

I have been super excited for this book. I love anything Hannah Grace writes this being no exception,

I love Clara and Jack together. I love their banter, the progression of them together and separate.
This small town is probably one of my favourites I’ve come across. I loved everyone we met and they all had such important stories.

This book was so cute and made me smile so often. It’s probably a new favourite of mine of Hannah grace’s and I’m so excited for everyone to read this