Once Upon a December by Amy E. Reichert -a Review

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Description:
With a name like Astra Noel Snow, holiday spirit isn’t just a seasonal specialty–it’s a way of life. But after a stinging divorce, Astra’s yearly trip to the Milwaukee Christmas market takes on a whole new meaning. She’s ready to eat, drink, and be merry, especially with the handsome stranger who saves the best kringle for her at his family bakery.

For Jack Clausen, the Julemarked with its snowy lights and charming shops stays the same, while the world outside the joyful street changes, magically leaping from one December to the next every four weeks. He’s never minded living this charmed existence until Astra shows him the life he’s been missing outside of the festive red brick alley.

After a swoon-worthy series of dates, some Yuletide magic, and the unexpected glow of new love, Astra and Jack must decide whether this relationship can weather all seasons, or if what they’re feeling is as ephemeral as marshmallows in a mug of hot cocoa

Review:

Once Upon a December by Amy E. Reichert is a Christmas themed standalone romance.  Astra Noel Snow, our heroine, attends with her close friends the annual Milwaukee Christmas market.  Astrid is coming off a divorce, with her ex constantly bothering her, especially since they share their dog, Bernie.   She is happy to spend time with her friends, enjoying her freedom, as they are drinking, eating, shopping and being merry.

Jack Clausen, is part of Julemarked, with its charming shops and lights, including his wonderful bakery. What is Julemarked?  It is a small Christmas town, that magically leaps from one December to the next every four weeks.  This time Julemarked is in Milwaukee, and Jack meets this beautiful girl who gets his attention, as she and her friends stop in the bakery to buy his family made kringle. On Christmas day, Julemarked will magically move to the next destination, and no one even remembers it.  Each year that passes, at Christmas time, Jack sees the girl of his dreams, and she doesn’t remember him.  After of few years, he finally asks her name, and ends up going with her and her friends to have fun at the bars.  Astra and Jack become attracted to each other, but when she goes to meet him for a New Year’s Eve date, he never showed up; and when Christmas came again in Julemarked, Astrid did not remember him.

Finally, after a number of years, Astra begins to remember Jack, and soon they begin to fall in love, with Jack convincing Astra to join Julemarked, which will allow them to be together, enjoy life and even live longer; not to mention Astra’s dog Bernie will go with them. Just when Astra decides she wants to be with Jack, a tragedy happens in the last minute, forcing Astra to be there for her friends. Will Astra ever see Jack again?

I loved the addition of Astra’s wonderful friends, who were always there for each other.  They were also there each Christmas holiday to visit Julemarked. I adored Bernie, the dog that Astra shared with her ex (he was a jerk), and loved how they girls all helped Astra get Bernie back totally. It was also fun to watch when Jack would go out with Astra and her friends to discover the outside world.

Once Upon a December was a magical, inspirational, heartwarming, lighthearted wonderful Christmas romance; filled with holiday spirit.  All the characters in this story were great.  Once Upon a December was so very well written by Amy E. Reichert.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher