📚🎄Christmas Reads Reviews thread. 📚❄️

Welcome, dear BT members/readers!
This thread is dedicated to sharing reviews,and thoughts on the books you read for our Christmas Reading Theme.

Whether your book includes:

A Christmas setting

Winter atmosphere

December celebrations

A chapter / scene with Christmas spirit

OR the full theme of Christmas: A Celebration of Revival & Hope ❤️

… your reviews are warmly welcomed here!

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1. TheMinion

2. ssttuuttii

3. GumnaamHaiKoii

4. heavenlybliss

5. Minionite

6. minakrish

7. DazzlingDiya

edited (sorry... have to skip it now)

Credit: Ragazza

ssttuuttii Page Log for December 2025 - Christmas Reads

Book (or FF) Title and Author : The Hunting Party - Lucy Foley ❄️❄️❄️1/2

Page Count : 416

Review : The entire book is set between 30th Dec - 2nd Jan when a group of old friends gather to celebrate New Year together as a time held tradition. Additionally, it is set in a winter landscape of Scotland where the group ends up snowed in while a killer hides amongst them.

❄️🎄 December reads • christmas edition 🎄❄️

🎁 1. the plight before christmas
✍️ author: kate stewart
📖 448 pages
↳ Title Self-explanatory

🎄 2. i'll be alone for christmas
✍️ author: kristin mulligan
📖 145 pages
↳ Title Self-explanatory

🧣 3. a ghostwriter's guide to murder
✍️ author: melinda mullet
📖 320 pages
↳ Set in chilly background-winter themed

✨ 4. forever more
✍️ author: k bromberg
📖 32 pages
↳ Set around holidays-winter themed too

🕯️ 5. hercules poirot's christmas
✍️ author: agatha christie
📖 335 pages
↳ Title Self-explanatory

❄️ 6. a killing cold
✍️ author: kate alice marshall
📖 304 pages
↳ Set around holidays-winter themed too

🧤 7. private rogue
✍️ author: james patterson
📖 384 pages
↳ Set in chilly winter, in Afghanistan 🇦🇫 .

🎁 8. you better not pout
✍️ author: mia sosa
📖 51 pages
↳ Holiday themed-Based around Christmas

🎅 9. A Court of Thorns & Roses

✍️: Sarah J Mass

📖 : 419 pages

↳Set in winter ❄️ 🥶

🎄total page numbers: 2,438 🎄

HB's December/Christmas 2025 Log and Reviews

• The First Girl by Claire McGowan - 244 pages - 3 stars

The setting of the flashbacks is in winter. I liked the writing style, it was different than the usual books, yet easy to follow. The plot was too predictable though.

• The Guest by BA Paris - 322 pages - 5 stars

It's Christmas when Pierre finds out about his daughter, which is the base of the story. The pace felt slow sometimes, but I loved the ending. It was a game changer for me, making the book a solid 5 stars rather than the 3 stars I was initially going to give. One of BA Paris's best work.

• The Intruder by Freida McFadden - 292 pages - 3.5 stars

This book is set in Winter with cold winds and storm throughout. A decent read with some strong character moments, but ultimately not one of McFadden’s most memorable thrillers.

• Lotus by Jennifer Hartmann - 108 pages (still reading, but so far I give it 3.5)

Oliver is found after years of being abducted in a snowy mountain, so it must be Winter. It's a second chance romance and so far the pace is slow but I'm hoping it gets interesting later on. I enjoy reading the flashes Oliver gets of his abduction and how the past is slowly opening up. I love how he's so clueless about modern day technology. He got freaked out by Alexa. His bond with his stepbrother Gabe is so precious and Sydney's friendship and loyalty to both of them I don't think I'll like this as much as Still Beating though.

Total page count = 966 pages

Shreya's Christmas/winter log

The Rāmāyaṇa of Vālmīki: The Complete English Translation

I don't think this needs any reviews, but because it was an English translation I was finally able to read Ramayan and I was blown away with the vivid descriptions like the winter season is explicitly described in detail during the time when Ram, Sita, and Lakshman are in the forest.

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

Again no reviews needed. This book is the celebrated beginning of the Narnia series and Narnia is in a perpetual state of winter. A must read for all.

🎄 minakrish’s Christmas Reads Logs:

1. Let it Snow — Myracle Lauren, John Green, Maureen Johnson
   A fun, snowy read overall. Some stories stood out more than others, but the overlapping timelines and festive chaos made it enjoyable.
2. A Christmas Carol — Charles Dickens
   Always a solid reread in December. Familiar, comforting, and still effective at delivering the Christmas message.
3. One Day in December — Josie Silver
   Emotional and engaging. The timing frustrations were part of the experience, and while it dragged in places, I was still invested till the end.
4. Dashing Through the Snow — Debbie Macomber
   Exactly what I expected — cozy, predictable, and comforting. Perfect when you just want something festive and easy.
5. A December Bride — Denise Hunter
   Sweet and wholesome. The fake relationship trope worked well, even if the story stayed on the simpler side.
6. The Christmas Train — David Baldacci
   A quieter Christmas read than I expected, but surprisingly thoughtful. It felt more reflective than plot-heavy, which I ended up appreciating.
7. Christmas in Homestead — Kara Tate
   Very atmospheric and warm. It focused more on family and small-town charm than drama, which suited the Christmas mood.
8. The Christmas Book Club — Sarah Morgan
   One of the stronger reads for me. Emotional, comforting, and very much about relationships and healing.
9. The Christmas Club — Barbara Hinske
   Gentle and feel-good. A little repetitive at times, but still nice to read for the message and festive spirit.
10. The Christmas Escape — Sarah Morgan
    Easily a favourite. Emotional, well-paced, and perfect if you like character-driven holiday stories.
11. Second Chance Christmas — Emily Forbes
    Emotional with a good dose of nostalgia. Slightly angsty, but it fit the second-chance theme well.
12. A Bramble House Christmas — CJ Carmichael
    Cozy and slow in a good way. The home-renovation angle added to the comfort factor.
13. Mrs. Miracle — Debbie Macomber
    Sweet with a touch of magic. A little dated in places, but still warm and comforting overall.
14. Jingle Jammies — Robyn Neeley
    Light, cute, and festive. Not a standout, but a pleasant read that fit nicely between heavier books.

🎄 Total Christmas Reads Page Count: 4,278 pages

Diya's Christmas Log

Total: TBD

"One Day in December" by Josie silver us a emotional and romantic story , it starts on a Christmas Eve, setting the tone for the story. The title itself refers to a pivotal moment on a December day. The festive atmosphere and themes of love, connection, and new beginnings are woven throughout the novel. I really loved reading it.