Can life be like a made-for-TV Christmas movie?
Mally Allister prides herself on being nice and predictable, just like the trope-filled festive films she turns to for comfort every winter.
But when she faces the prospect of spending Christmas alone in her London flat, Mally is sent on a writing assignment to try to recreate the cheesy Christmas movie experience in her humdrum British hometown.
With the help of familiar faces from her formative years, including her teenage crush Tom, Mally starts ticking off the classic holiday romance movie tropes in unexpected ways.
But can real life ever live up to the magical movie experience?
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My Review
This is a warm, witty tribute to the beloved Hallmark-style Christmas movie, complete with snow-dusted streets, second chances, and small-town magic—but with a smart, self-aware twist.
At the heart of the story is Amelia “Mally” Allister, a corporate-minded woman with a deep love for cheesy holiday films. She’s created an entire bingo-style drinking game based on their tropes, never imagining she’d one day live them out herself. When her exuberant (and borderline pushy) best friend Elle challenges her to write a heartfelt feature article for The Helix, Mally agrees—on the condition that she returns to Scarnbrook, the hometown she’s avoided for two decades due to a family tragedy.
What follows is both humorous and surprisingly heartfelt. Dunlop cleverly weaves the classic Christmas romance clichés—mysterious reappearances, small-town charm, and rekindled teenage crushes—into Mally’s real life, as she finds herself unintentionally checking off each trope. Yet beneath the whimsical surface, the novel touches gently but powerfully on grief, healing, and the complexities of returning to a place that no longer feels like home.
Mally is relatable in her awkwardness and emotional hesitations, and though the romance is sweet, it’s her personal growth and reconnection with her roots that drive the story. Supporting characters add richness, though Elle, while dynamic, comes off as overbearing—a flaw that seems intentional and well-executed.
Overall, it is a cozy, clever, and touching seasonal read. It’s perfect for fans of meta-romance, light-hearted drama, and anyone who enjoys a bit of introspection with their festive cheer.
My Rating
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