4.5 stars

CW: death

I didn’t expect to enjoy this as much as I did, and I fully believe I could’ve read this in a day if I’d had the time. While I’ve never read or watched any versions of A Christmas Carol, this was a fun retelling that mixed the classic with the modern in a way that I could still understand.

The protagonist Holly is selfish and unlikable, with a tendency to focus on wealth and look down on those she views as beneath her. I don’t agree with many things that she said or did throughout, but I couldn’t help rooting for her anyway. She’s a wonderful three-dimensional character, and I think her development arc was written very well. I didn’t expect the ending whatsoever, and I appreciate that ultimately it ended without a romance.

This book plays on the nagging suspicions in your mind and takes them in a direction you’d never expect. Some say they found it predictable, though that wasn’t the case for me. Characters had roles that surprised me, and it was clear how intricate and well-planned the story really is.

Cynthia blends festive and paranormal elements into a very intriguing novel that I see myself rereading and recommending in the coming months.

I received this book from the author as part of a promotional social media tour. A review was not required. This doesn’t affect my opinions or the contents of this review.