Counting Down to You by Emily Stone Publishes 10/6/26

 


This was a charming Christmas time romance with some real heart behind it. 


Ali is grieving the loss of her best friend Robyn who died because she never got a heart transplant.   Ali is really struggling as the two of them had a ritual where they would create challenges for each other using an advent calendar at Christmas time. Robyn made one last one that Ali is going to follow.  One of the first challenges sends her to the Alps in France where Ali takes a temporary job as a guest relations manager.  While there she begins to make some new friends and fake dates her boss Leo all while completing the different challenges Robyn made for her.  The only problem is Ali begins to really fall for Leo but there is a secret he has been hiding that could destroy everything.  


First of all I loved the setting of this novel.  It is a perfect Christmas time romance and definitely made me want to get away for a ski weekend.  There was a lot of depth to this novel that dealt with some serious issues.  It was not just a surface level romance.  I enjoyed reading the different challenges and seeing what Ali would have to do next.  This is such a great idea and I kind of want to steal it.  Ultimately though, this was just a great story that made me think and entertained me.  I definitely recommend it to anyone who likes romances with substance behind them. 

4 out of 5 stars

Thank you to Dell and NetGalley for this ARC.

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