October starts my favorite quarter of the year — all the fall and Christmas things! So, I was perfectly in the mood to read this new book by Rachel Scott McDaniel: About Last Christmas. A contemporary story is a new subgenre for Rachel, whose historical tales I have enjoyed.
She’s trying to avoid a holiday disaster. He’s trying to earn his way off her naughty list. Both need a Christmas Miracle.
Greta Carlton is beautifully content running her antique shop in the snow-globe town of Silver Creek, sipping vanilla gingerbread lattes, and staying clear of drama. But a whirlwind encounter with a handsome stranger leads to a whimsical evening, stirring her heart to believe in movie-style romance. That is, until Leo disappears into thin (and snowy) air. Ten months later, he walks into her shop like the Ghost of Christmas Last, needing a favor.
She’s still mad.
He’s still charming.
Greta doesn’t have time for men with dimpled grins and the proclivity for vanishing. She’s got her own holiday project with an approaching deadline. Though the more she learns about Leo, the more she realizes he’s the only thing standing between her and a Christmas catastrophe. They agree to help each other reach their holiday goals. As they untangle feelings as stubborn as knotted Christmas lights, Greta wonders if second chances are like antiques—unexpected, imperfect, and everything you didn’t know you were looking for.
About Last Christmas is a sweet holiday romance wrapped in witty banter, heartfelt twists, and the dreamy thrill of finding love in the glow of twinkling lights.
About Last Christmas has a damsel in distress, snow, sledding, tree-trimming, and twinkle light kisses. A balance of humor and community and sweatpants. It also has a charming (or comically deranged, depending on your sense of humor — which I mean in the most complimentary way) setting for the “only one bed” trope. Elements of healing and understanding are a significant part of Greta’s journey I appreciated, themes that overflow into all of her relationships.
In the story, the tiniest details come full circle! My favorite aspects are similar to things I happen to love about McDaniel’s historical novels, too: WIT and a strong sense of identity for the characters. The story is told entirely from Greta’s first-person POV, a viewpoint that allows Leo to play the hero with a smart, enigmatic, and selfless charm. The romance is set up with a hilarious meet-cute and extends to a second chance situation that allows for some mystery, sweet tension, and fantastic grand gestures.
My thanks to the publisher for the ebook review copy. This is my honest review.
This story is perfect for the season – especially if you’re in the mood for a little romance, slight suspense, and blizzards. Oh, and wonderfully familiar faces from the 
This is a powerful, timely story featuring the relationship of Mary and Joseph before and through Jesus’ birth. While it is a fictional account, it stays true to Biblical events and poses a few “what-if?” scenarios which portray Mary and Joseph in a relatable light. It deftly communicates the wonder of God’s plan, the ordinary people like Mary, Joseph, you and me that He chooses to use. It’s highly recommended, especially to read this time of year!
Both comfortably read as a standalone novellla AND a return to Rachel’s famed Royal Wedding series, this book spins a modern-day Christmas fairytale with enchanted moments of Divine light. It’s a perfect story for the Christmas season with down-to-earth characters. I enjoyed the second-chance storyline and the way it directs the characters to seek God’s plan for their dreams.I loved the moments of Christmas tradition and the way they were beautifully tied in with an emphasis on the gift of Christ at Christmas. The happily-ever-after ending left me smiling!
The Green Mockingbird 