Joined in 2023 
82 
63 About this deal
The MC is a workaholic, who's pushed away everyone in her life for work, because she's trying to distance herself from her immense grief at losing [redacted]. This book starts on a Christmas Eve where she is on the verge of losing everyone who matter to her.. and then on Christmas morning, she finds herself in a unique/twisted Groundhog Day situation. Every day when she wakes up (that is, on Dec 25 again and again), she wakes up in the body of a different friend or stranger. Each day gives her a new perspective on her current life, and on her failing relationships, and each day takes her further on the emotional journey to finding out what she truly wants out of life. When Eva's world collapsed 3 years ago just before Christmas, she threw herself into work to try and forget - to anaesthetise herself from the pain. Unfortunately all she has done is push those closest to her away - her best friends Hallie and Kian, her work assistant Diana, and even her husband James. When James makes Eva come down to xxxx in Cornwall for Christmas, this could be Eva's very last chance with all the people she loves best. Fortunately the house is full of the memories of the wonderful time spent there with her beloved Grandmother, and due to the magic of the house, her Grandmother decides to show Eva what could happen if she doesn't change her ways. To this end, Eva relives Christmas morning several times, each time in a different body, and sees the life she is heading for if things don't change. Eva has spent the past three years burying herself in her work, trying to forget the heartbreaking events of the Christmas that ripped her world apart. This year, the last thing she wants is to attend her friend’s weekend-long Christmas party. But at her husband James’ insistence, here they are.
This is an absolutely adorable Christmas story about love, friendship, and redemption. Three years ago Eva Glass had a terrible heartbreaking experience. One that she would choose not to remember if it were up to her. Yet she has become angry and very bitter due to the circumstance. And as such she has become a workaholic working on opening her new store. Unfortunately, those around her have paid the price due to her pushing them out of her life. And that even includes her husband who only wants the best for her. In a Nutshell: 'Groundhog Day' meets 'A Christmas Carol.' Not as light-hearted or heartwarming as you would expect from the theme. But if you are looking for a more emotionally intense book, this will work well. I found it appropriate that I finished reading this ARC on Feb 2nd - Groundhog Day. This book is a bit like Groundhog Day meets A Christmas Carol. One Christmas Morning is the debut novel by Rachel Greenlaw. It follows the story of overworked, overwrought Eva, who is desperately trying to get her 'baby,' a luxury homewares shop, launched just after Christmas. The only problem is .. well, everything else. Because she's been working all the hours God sends, all her relationships including her marriage, are beginning to deteriorate around her. Her husband James has demanded that she take some time off over Christmas to spend away with their best friends at an old house in Cornwall Eva used to visit as a child with her grandmother. Eva is completely consumed with the expansion of her business, so much so that she's neglected every other aspect of her life and is causing pain for others. It's up to her Gran to make her see reason. But Gran has passed away, hasn't she?
Eva is in the final days of preparing to open her first real store after a few years running an online business. But it's Christmas Eve and she's promised her husband and friends that she'll come out to Cornwall and spent a few days with them at her grandmother's home Penhallow, sold and now a rental. Eva is driven - for causes unknown - and obsessed with the store to the point of ignoring her husband James and their best friends Hallie & Kian. If she continues down this path, she will be a female Scrooge - with no friends and nothing in her life but work. Penhallow is a little mysterious, perhaps haunted, or at least paranormally active, and it has been since Eva's childhood.. So after a disastrous Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, the house and her gran conspire and Evan awakens, on Christmas Day, again and again, but each day in a different person's body. Gran appears from time to time to guide her. As the story progresses, Eva begins to see herself as others see her and how she has damaged all of her relationships. Most of this story is spent in the head and first-person voice of our protagonist Eva Glass and frankly, connecting with Eva is a challenge. She's struggling with her marriage, her friendships, and her working relationships. She's trying to forget what broke her heart three years ago. She's bottled herself up so tight she's losing herself and everyone she loves in the process. The story then turns into a kind of modern take on A Christmas Carol, where Eva, guided by the spirit of her beloved (but now dead) Gran, must live Christmas Day in the lives of those around her she has chosen to ignore. Will she see the error of her ways and be able to fix all that is nearing destruction??
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Haunting, magical and sparkling with Christmas spirit, One Christmas Morning is a festive love story with a difference . . . A warm and powerful debut' Holly Miller, The Sight of You This debut novel is a compelling combination of magical realism, romance, and seasonal storytelling. It is emotionally intense for a Christmas story, but the redemptive conclusion made living with the protagonist’s angst worthwhile. One Christmas Morning has an interesting twist to the Time-Loop trope, unfortunately it feels overly repetitive and drawn out. Most of this story focuses on the plot rather than the characters. I want to know more about Eva, James, Hallie, and Kian and their friendship. It's always all about the characters for me. Poignant, clever, exceptional – with a light sprinkling of Christmas magic. Loved it.’ Milly Johnson, Together, AgainOf course, by its very nature, the book is quite predictable. ( Though there was one incident at the end that I did not see coming.) So this book is not about the destination but about the journey. And the journey is handled decently.
I really enjoyed this book, as it was very reminiscent of The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle, and a little like The Midnight Library - both of which I loved. I had never read anything by this author before, but the blurb intrigued me, and I am so glad I read it. I think it was a good idea for a novel, but not well executed. I expect a lot from "Groundhog Day" style books. You're already taking someone else's idea, so you have to deliver on characters and story. This did not. I enjoyed One Christmas Morning from 75% on where the quality of the writing improves and the ending is uplifting, but that's a good long time to read before enjoyment arrives, don't you think?Eva has spent the past three years burying herself in her work, trying to forget the heartbreaking events of the Christmas that ripped her world apart. And this year, on the eve of her shop launch, the last thing Eva wants is to drive to the wild moors of Cornwall to attend her friends Hallie and Kian’s Christmas party. But at her husband James’ insistence, here they are. Worse still, Hallie announces she is pregnant, bringing Eva’s pain to the surface. Thirty-two-year-old Eva's life has been all about her new business since the last three years, after some personal tragedy caused her mindset to focus inwards. As her shop is due to launch on New Year's, she is busy even on Christmas, bringing her work and her assistant with her to a Cornwall manor to attend her friends Hallie and Kian's Christmas party. The book I didn't know I needed to read - gorgeous, Christmassy and compelling” - Ella Allbright, The Last Charm
Related:
Great Deal 
New Comment