This was a cute, cozy holiday romance with a fun spin on A Christmas Carol. It takes that familiar framework and gives it a fun, romantic twist that mostly works, even if it overstays its welcome just a bit.

The hook is great. Nolan is the Ghost of Christmas Past, and he’s used to haunting people who are all about bad behavior, bad choices, and just generally bad vibes. Harriet York, however, is not that person. She’s kind to a fault. A chronic people pleaser. The type who bends herself into knots to make everyone else comfortable. So when Nolan is assigned to her, they’re both confused. She doesn’t need punishment. If anything, she needs a break and a really big hug.

That mismatch is what gives the story its spark. Watching Nolan and Harriet try to figure out why they’ve been thrown together is the mystery for most of the book. Their travels through Harriet’s past aren’t about big, dramatic sins but about patterns. Moments where she swallowed her own needs, and ways she’s quietly disappeared inside her own life. It’s a softer kind of reckoning, and I appreciated that the book leaned into emotional nuance instead of moral judgment. And then the twist comes and shifts things a bit. (I can’t say more than that.)

Nolan is a delight. Yes, he’s a sexy ghost, but he’s also tired, lonely, and stuck in a job that’s become routine. His confusion over Harriet slowly turns into curiosity, then affection, then something deeper. Their chemistry builds naturally, helped by the fact that they’re constantly talking, reflecting, and learning together. This doesn’t feel like instalove. It feels like two people (ok a person and a former person) who actually see each other.

The twist on the traditional Christmas Carol setup is clever, and for the most part, it works well. There’s clearly something bigger happening behind the scenes, and I enjoyed slowly realizing that Harriet isn’t the only one with unresolved business. The story asks some interesting questions about worth, purpose, and what it really means to “deserve” help or happiness.

That said, I did feel the length. The middle section drags a bit, with a few too many similar emotional beats. I found myself thinking the book could’ve been tighter without losing any impact. The pacing didn’t ruin the experience, but it did soften some of the momentum. Also, as is typical, when the spice begins things get repetitive and there’s a lot of detailed sex that, in my opinion, does very little to move the story forward. This is where I felt the story really dragged.

And then there’s the explanation of what was happening all along at the end. I won’t spoil anything, but I’ll say this: I wasn’t entirely sold. I understood what the author was going for, and I didn’t hate it, but it didn’t fully click for me either. It felt a little overcomplicated for a story that worked best when it stayed emotional and character-driven.

Still, there’s a lot to like here. Harriet is easy to root for. Nolan is charming and surprisingly tender. The holiday atmosphere is cozy without being cloying. And the overall message landed well for me.

This is one of those books I’d describe as solid comfort reading. Not a standout favorite, but absolutely enjoyable. I’m invested enough in the world and the concept that I’ll happily return for the next book and see where things go.
If you’re looking for a holiday romance with a magical angle, gentle introspection, and a fresh spin on a classic tale, this is a nice pick for the season.

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