This was a unique retelling of Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol, set in modern times in New York during Christmas. A Christmas Carol is my favorite “ghost story” and Christmas story. I’ve seen almost every movie adaptation, including the retellings, so I was a little skeptical about how this one would rate against other stories that I’ve seen. But I was pleasantly surprised that it turned out much better than I thought it would. It didn’t disappoint at all. I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed the narrator. 

The plot and world-building are intelligent and immersive. This was such an interesting, clever way to retell this story. I loved learning about this world and how things worked. I’ll admit that it is predictable and a bit cheesy at times, but it was delightful, nonetheless. There is a bit of a twist at the end, which wasn’t so predictable, that caught me off guard, but made for a satisfying ending to an entertaining and magical story. 

Since this is a young adult (YA) book, it definitely felt and read YA at times, especially with the romance. You can tell it’s a juvenile book for teenagers and young people. It was a little too sweet and immature for me, but it was still tolerable. It is a clean romance, no spice, and I don’t remember any language. If there was, it was very mild. I didn’t swoon or ship the main couple, but it was cute.  

Even though Holly is a selfish, spoiled, entitled brat, I was rooting for her the entire time and wanted a redemption story for her. She’s an unlikable character who is easy to like (if that makes any sense). Her humor is dry and sarcastic, which I found funny and entertaining. Ethan, the love interest and this year’s “Scrooge,” also felt the same way – an unlikeable character who was easy to like because of his charm, charisma, and wit. I was challenged with settling on each of their motivations and deciding if I liked them or not, but ultimately, I did and wanted them both to “learn the errors of their ways.” The ending may not be what readers wanted to happen, but I was still content with the resolution. 

If you’re craving a reimagining of a Christmas classic that is a bit silly but will make you feel good, then pick up this book. It’s sweet, heartwarming, whimsical, and perfect for the holiday season when you want to get into the Christmas spirit. Definitely recommend!