"Meet Me on Christmas Eve" by Alana Highbury tells a captivating story of Mariana, an elite resort owner with a complicated past, and Terry Grant, a man who lost everything. The book explores themes of second chances, regrets, and the power of love during the holiday season.

Mariana, having left behind her humble background and a heartbreak from a decade ago, is now focused on her successful business ventures. However, when she plans to expand her empire by acquiring a Christmas village and embracing her love for the holiday, she unexpectedly comes face-to-face with Terry, the man from her past.

The encounter reignites old emotions and brings forth resentment and regret. Terry, having experienced a reversal of fortunes like Mariana, becomes an obstacle in her business plans. Their shared history, including a failed Christmas Eve meet-up, adds to the tension between them.

Mariana, determined to prioritize practicality over matters of the heart, struggles to resist the pull of their connection. Throughout the book, she grapples with her feelings, attempting to make rational choices rather than succumbing to old desires.

As the holiday season unfolds, "Meet Me on Christmas Eve" explores the complex emotions and choices that Mariana and Terry face. It delves into their personal growth and the possibility of finding love and happiness despite their past disappointments.

Alana Highbury crafts a heartwarming tale set against the backdrop of snowy Minnesota, infusing the story with the spirit of Christmas. It explores themes of forgiveness, self-discovery, and the power of embracing love during a time when miracles are possible.

Overall, "Meet Me on Christmas Eve" promises to be a touching and bittersweet holiday read that will leave readers longing for their own second chances and happily-ever-afters.

If you’re looking for a quick fun festive Holiday “get you in the spirit” read, this is the one ! “ Meet me on Christmas Eve” by Alana Highbury was the perfect book to read by a fire with a cup of hot cocoa!

“Meet me on Christmas Eve” is about two people who both love Christmas. Once, more than friends, but left heartbroken, Mariana and Terry brought together again by a surprise encounter in an elite mountain community in Minnesota. Mariana owns the resort and Terry, the Tree farm. This book takes you on a sleigh ride of how they or if they can find their way back to one another. After ten years had passed, they had both changed, big life changes. Snow, egg nog, holiday decor, friendship, love and second chances, it has it all!

I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants a holiday romance read! It’s jovial, nostalgic and heartwarming.
My favorite character was Hazel, Mariana’s best friend. She was always there for her trying to get her to open up and share her inner most thoughts and dreams.
My favorite part of the book was Mariana trying to get Jane to sell her the Christmas village. Jane owned a Christmas store and Mariana wanted to add this to her resort and make her dream come true. She
Loved Christmas so much, she wanted to bring it full circle into a Christmas wish!

Thank you @netgalley @alanahighbury for the eARC for my honest review .

I thought this was a solid cozy holiday romance. I love a good second chance but really wished we'd gotten to see more of the summer that Mari and Terry fell in love...I think that would have made me want to root for them more in the present day story. I loved how Terry slowly melted Mari's icy heart and allowed her to be her real self. Overall, a great little romance for the Christmas season!

If you are looking for a cute Hallmark-type romance with low spice, Meet Me on Christmas Eve is perfect for you. It's a quick read too!

Mariana is the owner of a high-end celebrity resort in a small town in Minnesota and is trying to buy the Christmas village in town. However, things go awry when she bumps into Terry, her long-lost ex who basically ghosted her. The plot was a little predictable with reversals of fortune, mistaken beliefs, and a second chance romance, but the story is still sweet.

I liked the first quarter of the book but I had a lot of questions towards the end. If the book had been written in dual POV, I think that a lot of questions could have been answered (maybe?). I just wish that more information was known about Terry as the story progressed; you find out all about Mariana's backstory and issues but very little (other than broad strokes) about Terry.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC for an honest review!

A holiday romance novel that will sweep you off your feet. Mariana and Terry's love story is beautifully woven into the snowy backdrop of a Christmas village, making it the perfect read for the festive season. The author skillfully captures the complexities of their past and the emotions that resurface when they unexpectedly meet again.

Highbury's storytelling is both engaging and relatable, as she explores themes of regret, resentment, and second chances. Mariana's determination to prioritize her business over her emotions creates tension and keeps readers eagerly turning the pages.

The beginning hooked me but then it started to get repetitive and then there were time jumps that didn’t really fit with the story. It kind of felt like I missed something while reading.

This sweet second chance romance was fantastic. I could not put it down and read the book strait through in one evening. Mariana has reinvented herself after a difficult past. She has gone from a poor waitress to a resort owner. Just when she is on top of her world, she runs into the man who broke her heart years ago, when he ghosted her after a summer fling .

This book has all the plot points that light romance readers enjoy. There are reversals of fortune, mistaken beliefs, and a second chance at romance. The plot was predictable, but the story is written with such warmth that the book is a delight anyway. I am not alone when comparing this book to a Hallmark Christmas movie, but it truly is a great Christmas romance.

I received an advanced copy of this book for review. But I can honestly say that you will enjoy this little romance.

I thought that the book was well written and I enjoyed the book. I loved the characters and plot. I would not change anything in the book.

Hey, fellow bookworms! If you're craving a holiday romance that's hotter than a mug of cocoa by the fireplace, Meet Me on Christmas Eve is the perfect read you need! This book's got it all—snowy Minnesota, a charming Christmas village, and a love story that's as complicated as your grandma's cookie recipe.

Mariana and Terry are like two sparks ready to ignite, but their past is like a bucket of cold water. And when they unexpectedly bump into each other, it's fireworks, baby! With emotions and business plans clashing, you won't be able to put this book down. Mariana's determined to keep her heart out of the game, but come on, it's Christmas! Can she resist the pull of love this holiday season? Trust me, you'll be rooting for these two to find their happily ever after. So, grab a cozy blanket, a cup of cocoa, and dive into this Christmas romance—it's the perfect recipe for holiday cheer! 🎄❤️📚

My final rating of this book was a 3.5 star. It was a cosy romance read, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I have been wanting to read a Christmas book for a little while and this book completely fulfilled my expectations!

This was a fun little romance. I liked that it wasn't loaded with sex but actually had a good story. I don't read much romance but will recommend it. Thank you.

This book was a perfect read for the cozy, chilly day that we had yesterday. It made me so excited for Christmas. This adorable Christmas romantic comedy is perfect for the holidays. Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.

If you love Hallmark Christmas movies, this book is for you.
Mariana, who is now a successful business owner after a very hard road to get there runs into the man that ghosted her many years ago. Terry who was rich years ago, came back and is working in a retail store. Can the two get over their past and look towards the future?

At first I didn’t really care for either of the characters but they grew on me. I ended up enjoying it more than I thought I would(after reading the first couple chapters)
Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read an advance copy.

An absolutely charming Christmas romance. It felt like one of those delightful and comforting Hallmark movies that I adore during Holidays season.
It's second chance romance therefore it's super angsty, but the author managed to also create a fun and sweet story as well.
Highly recommend

Predictable story but I still enjoyed the setting and the characters. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. I've been into Christmas books lately so this fulfilled my desire for snowy romances. Four stars.

This romantic Christmas novel is just a perfect read for the holiday season.

Mariana was once a down-on-her-luck woman who fell in love with Terry. a wealthy man.

Ten years later their situations have reversed. Terry has lost his fortune and Mariana is a wealthy resort owner.
She has decided to purchase a sweet Christmas village that she is personally attached to and which will help her find her way back to the joy of the season.
Terry is getting in the way of her plans and his presence - after an ugly breakup from the past - is disconcerting to her.

I really enjoyed this novel. It is well written and I cared about the characters.

Classic Christmas RomCom. Girl meets boy. They fall in love. They both want the same resort, so girl cannot be with boy. Girl realizes her mistake. Meanwhile, along the way, girl had to deal with things from her past: mom, dad, mean girls etc. Cute happy ending, of course.