One woman, two lives—but did she choose the right one?
Practical-minded Paige Pierce has her life in order. She’s got a job she loves, teaching English, and is launching a new “Paws and Read” literacy program for struggling students at her school. Despite her dismal dating record, Paige rarely thinks about her old college boyfriend, Dean Burton. Then dreamy Dean surprises her at her school’s faculty holiday party, upending her world. When she learns Dean’s been hired as their replacement physics teacher, Paige can’t help getting stars in her eyes and wondering what her life might have been like if they’d never said goodbye.
With a rare comet passing overhead and the aid of a mysterious holiday market vendor, the universe grants Paige a chance to find out… The next morning, she wakes up in an alternate reality, greeted by Dean’s sunny optimism, their two kids, and a dog. Suddenly in way over her head with myriad household chores, a precocious little girl and a toddler boy who’s—yikes—potty training, Paige is desperate to scramble her way back home. Until her heart starts melting under the mistletoe, due to Dean’s swoony kisses and the cute shenanigans of their sweet kids and loyal pup, and she finds herself questioning where her home is truly meant to be. Yet the enchantment that’s brought her here won’t last forever.
With the clock ticking on Christmas magic, can the past be undone?
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My Review
This is a wonderfully cozy, festive read that captures the very best of holiday storytelling. From the first page, it feels like stepping into the warm glow of a Hallmark movie, filled with twinkling lights, seasonal magic, and a touch of nostalgia.
The story centers on Paige, a passionate teacher who is pouring her heart into launching a literacy program. At her school’s holiday party, she unexpectedly crosses paths with her ex, Dean, reigniting emotions she thought she’d left behind. The evening takes an even more surprising turn when Dean presents her with a magical advent calendar. Each day, Paige is transported into a dreamlike “what if” version of her life — complete with children, a playful dog, and a home buzzing with love and chaos.
Though the setup feels like a classic Christmas tale, Ginny Baird delivers an ending that is both unexpected and deeply satisfying. Instead of simply reliving the past, Paige discovers a life she never realized she wanted. Overall, it is charming, heartfelt, and filled with holiday wonder — perfect for fans of second chances, magical realism, and uplifting seasonal romance.
My Rating
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