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A Museum of Literature Romance #3
It Happened One Christmas Eve
Claire Macintosh is about to get engaged to a man she doesn't love at the holiday gala she is hosting as director of the Museum of Literature. Her mother, Hildy Macintosh, has made it clear that if the museum is to continue to receive the enormous donations from the family trust that Hildy has approved all these years then Claire will marry the man Hildy has chosen for her and start to produce some grandbabies. At forty and single, Claire feels she has no choice. But when the horse and carriage arrive at the gala with the driver dressed as Santa to deliver Claire's engagement ring, she just can't go through with it. She hijacks the horse and carriage with Santa still on board and escapes!
Reporter Sam Carpenter thought he was being so clever convincing his friend to let him step in as Santa so he could get up close and personal to the subject of his upcoming magazine expose. He is completely unprepared for the events that unfold and finds himself dashing through Central Park with a runaway would be fiancé. Now the only way to save his story is to broker a deal with Claire Macintosh. In exchange for his help in getting her to her cottage in Maine by Christmas Eve, she'll grant him an exclusive interview. As their journey takes a series of unexpected twists, turns, and misadventures, both Claire and Sam realize that there's more than their careers on the line. And it's going to take a Christmas miracle to find their happily ever after.
Reporter Sam Carpenter thought he was being so clever convincing his friend to let him step in as Santa so he could get up close and personal to the subject of his upcoming magazine expose. He is completely unprepared for the events that unfold and finds himself dashing through Central Park with a runaway would be fiancé. Now the only way to save his story is to broker a deal with Claire Macintosh. In exchange for his help in getting her to her cottage in Maine by Christmas Eve, she'll grant him an exclusive interview. As their journey takes a series of unexpected twists, turns, and misadventures, both Claire and Sam realize that there's more than their careers on the line. And it's going to take a Christmas miracle to find their happily ever after.
Audiobook
First published December 6, 2022
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About the author
Jenn McKinlay
70 books5,267 followersJenn is the New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestselling author of several mystery and romance series. She is also the winner of the RT Reviewers’ Choice Award for romantic comedy and the Fresh Fiction award for best cozy mystery. A TEDx speaker, she is always happy to talk books, writing, reading, and the creative process to anyone who cares to listen. She lives in sunny Arizona in a house that is overrun with books, pets, and her husband’s guitars.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 598 reviews
January 3, 2025
3.5
What a delightful way to spend two hours (with Christmas tunes in the background)— it gave me all the holiday feels! And the clever meet cute got a bonus holiday ⭐️!
Sure it was silly and fairly unbelievable but the bookish theme was a fun bonus and there was a one-horse open sleigh!! Just the story to put me in the holiday spirit!!
I’m definitely ready to decorate, put up the tree and start the wrapping!!! 🎅🎄🤶
(Reviewed 11/25/24)
What a delightful way to spend two hours (with Christmas tunes in the background)— it gave me all the holiday feels! And the clever meet cute got a bonus holiday ⭐️!
Sure it was silly and fairly unbelievable but the bookish theme was a fun bonus and there was a one-horse open sleigh!! Just the story to put me in the holiday spirit!!
I’m definitely ready to decorate, put up the tree and start the wrapping!!! 🎅🎄🤶
(Reviewed 11/25/24)
December 3, 2022
It Happened One Christmas Eve by Jenn McKinley
A Museum of Literature Romance series #3. Can be read as a stand-alone.
Clare thought she was resigned to marry the man her mother has chosen but when the time comes for the proposal via Santa, Clare impulsively grabs the sleigh for a quick escape. Sam thought that he would get background for his story dressed as Santa at the engagement party. Instead he finds himself on the run with the escaping “no thank you” bride. An untimely mugger, adds to the evening’s upset as Sam and Clara work together to get to Maine.
A romp of fun and adorable romance. Unlikely events but that’s the humor and entertainment value with a holiday novella.
🎧 I listened to an audiobook narrated by Sara Young who also narrated the first two books in this series. Her performance is wonderful with a light and pleasant tone and with clear emotion. Her character voices are distinct. I think the humor and absurdity of the events comes through clearly in the audiobook with a lightheartedness you may not get from reading the story. I listened to this at 1.3 which I felt was the most comfortable for casual conversation.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley and Dreamscape Media.
A Museum of Literature Romance series #3. Can be read as a stand-alone.
Clare thought she was resigned to marry the man her mother has chosen but when the time comes for the proposal via Santa, Clare impulsively grabs the sleigh for a quick escape. Sam thought that he would get background for his story dressed as Santa at the engagement party. Instead he finds himself on the run with the escaping “no thank you” bride. An untimely mugger, adds to the evening’s upset as Sam and Clara work together to get to Maine.
A romp of fun and adorable romance. Unlikely events but that’s the humor and entertainment value with a holiday novella.
🎧 I listened to an audiobook narrated by Sara Young who also narrated the first two books in this series. Her performance is wonderful with a light and pleasant tone and with clear emotion. Her character voices are distinct. I think the humor and absurdity of the events comes through clearly in the audiobook with a lightheartedness you may not get from reading the story. I listened to this at 1.3 which I felt was the most comfortable for casual conversation.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley and Dreamscape Media.
December 16, 2024
Very sweet, completely devoid of substance, but this is ok, it's what I was looking for! Rich smart woman, running away from lacklustre insipid fiancé on the night of a ball when he is to announce to the world they are to be betrothed. Unfortunately for her it took a couple of whiskies to decide on the obvious, but nevertheless she dodged a bullet there.
The saviour came in the form of a Santa and horse and cart, and a very haphazard trip through New York on a freezing night without her wallet or phone, sandals and all.
I do love reading about New York, so this was some added value. All in all it was a sweet Christmas read which I've generously rated 4 stars.
I listened to this via the Libby app and my public library. The narration was fun.
The saviour came in the form of a Santa and horse and cart, and a very haphazard trip through New York on a freezing night without her wallet or phone, sandals and all.
I do love reading about New York, so this was some added value. All in all it was a sweet Christmas read which I've generously rated 4 stars.
I listened to this via the Libby app and my public library. The narration was fun.
December 22, 2022
1.5 stars. My least favorite book of the series.
December 2, 2022
This was a super cute story. It reminds me of those holiday movies on Lifetime. However, the "conflict" was the smallest thing and didn't seem fluid. Really no climax or anything too exciting hence the low rating. I did like it otherwise just expected it to be something else. Loved the quirkiness of the main characters though!
I received this book from NetGalley and the publishers to read and review. All statements above are my true opinions after fully reading this book.
I received this book from NetGalley and the publishers to read and review. All statements above are my true opinions after fully reading this book.
December 21, 2024
If you’re looking for a short and sweet Christmas adventure- look no further. It Happened One Christmas Eve is a winner. Claire Macintosh is a woman not in love. Her boyfriend is just ok and defiantly not the love of her life he however he is who her very powerful mother wants her to be with. He’s got money and status. Perfect to keep her very posh family in the right regard. If Claire wants the many donations her family gives to her Museum of Literature she’ll stay in line and do what’s expected. Enter a bit of liquid courage at her Holiday Gala and boom she’s stealing a horse and carriage piloted by Santa. Santa? Except Santa is a reporter waiting for a scoop and the expected engagement. They make a pact. He’ll help her get out of town and let the embarrassment settle and she’ll give him a story and further his career. What comes next is pure magic.
If you need a touch of whimsy and Santa and his jolly Elf look no further this is the book for you.
Shout out for the age representation. A female character who is 40 and waiting for Mr.Right very relatable and exquisitely well crafted.
If you need a touch of whimsy and Santa and his jolly Elf look no further this is the book for you.
Shout out for the age representation. A female character who is 40 and waiting for Mr.Right very relatable and exquisitely well crafted.
December 25, 2022
I listened to this novella while making Christmas dinner and it was PERFECT 😍
November 25, 2022
This wasn't for me.
It was too sweet of an HEA.
There was the tiniest bit of conflict, but it felt kinda forced.
If this had been a friends to lover trope I think the sickly sweet nature of the story would have worked better. As it were, this is strangers falling in love on a road trip, and it didn't really work for me.
Thanks to NetGalley & Dreamscape Media for my audio.
It was too sweet of an HEA.
There was the tiniest bit of conflict, but it felt kinda forced.
If this had been a friends to lover trope I think the sickly sweet nature of the story would have worked better. As it were, this is strangers falling in love on a road trip, and it didn't really work for me.
Thanks to NetGalley & Dreamscape Media for my audio.
November 21, 2024
3.5 Stars!
I might be biased because I'm a huge fan of the inspiration for this book, the 1934 Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert film It Happened One Night. This is basically the movie but with a holiday twist. It's simple, fun and sweet. It has insta- love so if that's something you don't enjoy this may not be the book for me but I'm way more lenient when it comes to Christmas romances.
I liked it. I was having a sort of bad day and now I'm smiling. What more can you ask for?
I might be biased because I'm a huge fan of the inspiration for this book, the 1934 Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert film It Happened One Night. This is basically the movie but with a holiday twist. It's simple, fun and sweet. It has insta- love so if that's something you don't enjoy this may not be the book for me but I'm way more lenient when it comes to Christmas romances.
I liked it. I was having a sort of bad day and now I'm smiling. What more can you ask for?
December 1, 2022
I wish I would have known how short the story is. While it’s cute, it’s missing the meat. It felt like reading an outline vs. a fully developed story.
Now, that being said, I did enjoy it. Great idea and likable characters. The HEA is quite unrealistic and too sweet, even for me. But worth the time spent listening to it.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Now, that being said, I did enjoy it. Great idea and likable characters. The HEA is quite unrealistic and too sweet, even for me. But worth the time spent listening to it.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
November 16, 2022
This was such a fun holiday novella! Full of holiday antics as Claire, director of the Museum of Literature is being strongly 'encouraged' by her mother to marry in order to receive continued funding balks on the eve of her engagement, running away in a one horse sleigh with the Santa sent to deliver her ring.
Her Santa savior turns out to be a reporter looking for a story but as these two flee the city to Claire's holiday home the chemistry becomes undeniable. Refreshingly flirty, this forced proximity, road trip romance with a middle aged female lead was the perfect entertaining read and good on audio. Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early ALC in exchange for my honest review!
Her Santa savior turns out to be a reporter looking for a story but as these two flee the city to Claire's holiday home the chemistry becomes undeniable. Refreshingly flirty, this forced proximity, road trip romance with a middle aged female lead was the perfect entertaining read and good on audio. Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early ALC in exchange for my honest review!
November 23, 2022
She’s a Christmas Cinderella except she’s running away from price charming. This was a cute romance with a lot of little secrets that were revealed. I liked how they had the Santa suit and got to do some fun good deeds while they were on their road trip.
🌀Synopsis
Claire Macintosh lives life by her parent’s rule and that includes getting engaged to a man she doesn’t really love. She knows he’s about to propose but decides instead to run away. Her getaway car? A sleigh that Santa was driving to drop off the ring.
Realizing she has no money or phone, Santa, who’s real name is Sam, decides to help. His requirements? She give him a personal interview when they get to their destination.
Throughout their travels they’re able to perform some Christmas miracles and good deeds. They find out a lot about each other and are able to make it a very special Christmas together. She’s not the only one he’s interviewing though and now she has a choice to make.
🌀Synopsis
Claire Macintosh lives life by her parent’s rule and that includes getting engaged to a man she doesn’t really love. She knows he’s about to propose but decides instead to run away. Her getaway car? A sleigh that Santa was driving to drop off the ring.
Realizing she has no money or phone, Santa, who’s real name is Sam, decides to help. His requirements? She give him a personal interview when they get to their destination.
Throughout their travels they’re able to perform some Christmas miracles and good deeds. They find out a lot about each other and are able to make it a very special Christmas together. She’s not the only one he’s interviewing though and now she has a choice to make.
November 30, 2023
I loved the story! The two main characters really tickled my funny bone with their antics! Great, fun story for the holidays! I highly recommend!
December 6, 2022
Happy Pub Week to Jenn McKinlay and It Happened One Christmas Eve. Thank you Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for an advanced listeners copy in exchange for my honest review.
It Happened One Christmas Eve is a holiday novella that tells the story of Claire Macintosh who is 40 and works at the Museum of Literature. Her mother threatens to cut off her funding if she doesn’t get married so she arranges a marriage for her. Claire doesn’t want this so she hijacks a horse and carriage with Santa on it. Santa turns out to be a reporter named Sam Carpenter, who is trying to get a story about her father’s company. As their journey takes a series of unexpected twists, turns, and misadventures, both Claire and Sam realize that there’s more than their careers on the line. And it’s going to take a Christmas miracle to find they’re happily ever after.
There are times when I love a novella, and it’s usually during the holidays, but with this one I wanted more. I felt like the ending was rushed and I would have loved more of Sam and Claire’s story.
I loved when Claire and Sam meet, and their adventures getting from New York City to Maine. It was cute when they were playing the parts of Santa and an elf, and entertaining the passengers on the train. Once they arrived in Maine, it was like insta-love though, and I really wanted more build up.
This is book three in the A Museum of Literature Romance series, but can be read as a standalone. I wasn’t aware it was part of a series when I requested it, and I would like to read the other stories in this series at some point. I really liked the narrator, Sara Young, and thought she was perfect for this book.
It Happened One Christmas Eve is a holiday novella that tells the story of Claire Macintosh who is 40 and works at the Museum of Literature. Her mother threatens to cut off her funding if she doesn’t get married so she arranges a marriage for her. Claire doesn’t want this so she hijacks a horse and carriage with Santa on it. Santa turns out to be a reporter named Sam Carpenter, who is trying to get a story about her father’s company. As their journey takes a series of unexpected twists, turns, and misadventures, both Claire and Sam realize that there’s more than their careers on the line. And it’s going to take a Christmas miracle to find they’re happily ever after.
There are times when I love a novella, and it’s usually during the holidays, but with this one I wanted more. I felt like the ending was rushed and I would have loved more of Sam and Claire’s story.
I loved when Claire and Sam meet, and their adventures getting from New York City to Maine. It was cute when they were playing the parts of Santa and an elf, and entertaining the passengers on the train. Once they arrived in Maine, it was like insta-love though, and I really wanted more build up.
This is book three in the A Museum of Literature Romance series, but can be read as a standalone. I wasn’t aware it was part of a series when I requested it, and I would like to read the other stories in this series at some point. I really liked the narrator, Sara Young, and thought she was perfect for this book.
December 23, 2022
So….a woman doesn’t want to get married….and doesn’t. And that’s the whole plot.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 31, 2022
Cute but no depth
December 10, 2022
The perfect., cozy, romantic Christmas novella with amazing characters and banter and makes you just want to hug them both!
November 27, 2022
This novella was a cutesy holiday romance that burns quickly. There wasn’t much depth to it, but since it was so short I listened to the entire book. It ends with an HEA and I think is a good palette cleanser. Otherwise it is one I wouldn’t necessarily recommend.
December 4, 2022
*Audiobook ARC
This story was just adorable. I wasn’t sure if I would like it at first. I instantly loved the audio narrator and the characters were great too…except Trey. I adored Claire’s dad but won’t say why because…no spoilers.
At first I was cringing when Sam called Claire “McElf” but after I heard it a few times I was like Omg this is the cutest thing ever.
If you enjoy HEA books and cute flirtation you’ll enjoy this short but sweet Christmasy story.
This story was just adorable. I wasn’t sure if I would like it at first. I instantly loved the audio narrator and the characters were great too…except Trey. I adored Claire’s dad but won’t say why because…no spoilers.
At first I was cringing when Sam called Claire “McElf” but after I heard it a few times I was like Omg this is the cutest thing ever.
If you enjoy HEA books and cute flirtation you’ll enjoy this short but sweet Christmasy story.
December 7, 2022
This was a super cute Christmas romance. I just wish it had been longer so we could have more of the mishaps and witty dialogue that I love from Jenn McKinlay. I also thought that the disagreement that caused their break-up wasn't as relationship ending as it turned out to be. Otherwise, a good Christmas story.
December 10, 2022
Don’t read this. This book was VERY dumb. It was just like random and stupid stuff that is so outside of my realm of belief that I couldn’t enjoy it. Idk what else to even say. Like it starts off with “poor little rich girl” who runs away from an engagement to a man she doesn’t love…fine. Then she hops in a literal sleigh with a Santa who is actually a reporter doing a story on her rich family or something. They then go around New York, with the mission of getting to Maine for some reason, and do a bunch of random stupid shit. Like they sing Christmas carols on a train, and ask kids what they want for Christmas, and stay at an old folks home bc they’re so desperate for a place to stay, and pick up hitch hikers and deliver them to their families for Christmas and then they finally get to her Maine cabin (Bc she’s rich and has multiple homes across the country). And once they’re there she’s turning on the hot tub and it like ‘wow I’ve done it all. We’ve survived being homeless and poor and hungry’ and it’s just so out of touch bc they did that for like….a few hours. There are a few moments where she points out her privilege but not enough to feel like she actually gets it. The big betrayal at the end is dumb and not very good. Then she just returns home like a few days later and her mom tells her she’s going to get engaged to the original guy she doesn’t like but then the Santa guy shows back up and AFTER THE BETRAYAL SHES SUPPOSED TO BE SO OFFENDED BY she decides she’s going to marry him…it’s just stupid and not worth reading. It only took a few hours to read and I wish I could get them back.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 5, 2022
This book is cutesy, but in desperate need of more meat. The characters weren't really developed enough. The dialogue and the banter were disappointing. The conflict was very underwhelming. And the resolution or HEA was incredibly rushed and unrealistic. I think the narrator did a good job, all things considered. I hate to say it but this one just didn't work for me. Thank you to Dreamscape and NetGalley for an ALC in exchange for my honest opinion.
December 24, 2022
Holiday Sale 99 cents!
When Claire Macintosh, director of New York's Museum of Literature, gets drunk on the most important night of her life and steals a carriage and Santa Claus, she never dreams of the adventure that awaits. Fleeing an unwanted engagement at the risk of losing her job, Claire runs off without money or phone. All she wants is to spend Christmas Eve in her cozy cabin in Maine reading. ALONE. She's forced to rely upon reporter, Sam Carpenter for help. He's never been a friend to Claire and the socialites and she's wary of accepting help but if she's going to make it to Maine, she's going to have to trust him and his wits.
This is a really cute, fun romcom novella. It's based on the same trope as Georgette Heyer's romantic comedies of young misses fleeing unwanted marriages, the tropes in Snowdrift and Other Stories (insta love after a weekend stuck together in a snowstorm) plus the classic Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert film "It Happened One Night." (If you haven't seen it, watch it). I'm not a fan of instalove but I do like it when it involves a lot of comedy as this story does. It's funny and heartfelt too. Finally, Jenn McKinlay got the balance of sexiness just right for me. There's one closed door love scene after some pressing together of bodies. It comes at the right moment and for the right reasons and isn't just a plot device.
I like Claire well enough but I can't relate. Her mother is a HORRIBLE person who doesn't love her daughter or care about her daughter's happiness. She's willing to ruin her daughter's career as well as the careers of many others who work at the Museum of Literature by withholding funding unless her daughter marries Benedict Thurmond III "Trey", a wealthy lawyer who works with Claire's father. That's the wedding of Hildy's dreams. It's clear even Claire's father doesn't love his own wife and the marriage is not happy. I don't see why they don't get divorced and Hildy climb her own social ladder. I HATE mothers like that and there's no place for her in the 21st century. Get back to the Regency romance you crawled out of Hildy! If I were Claire, I would have some MASSIVE fights with my mother. Claire is 40-years-old and acts 20. She can't stand up to her mother yet she's made the museum a success all on her own. She's confident in business but not with family.
Claire has been a socialite her whole life, she can't help that, and her dating life was tied to business. I admire that about her but it got her in the tabloids, courtesy of Sam Carpenter. Sam sounds like he'd do anything for a juicy story, especially one that makes socialites look bad. I think, though, he's a good guy at heart. I grew to like him very much throughout the novel. He's fun, has a sense of humor, thinks on his feet, is street smart and kind. What he does for the people they meet along the way is so beautiful and touching. His parents were incredible people for sharing the magic of Christmas with their children. (FYI: Santa Claus IS real!) Sam is very sweet and caring. I like him better than Claire. At least he knows what he wants out of life. To be fair, he had a happier childhood and an amazing model marriage to go on.
There aren't any sidekicks or major secondary characters to discuss without ruining the plot but one is very memorable. The two sets of characters from the first two books have brief cameos and Olive appears as a catalyst for action.
I enjoyed this holiday romcom the most of all three Museum of Literature stories. I still wish the museum were real so I could apply for a job there with Olive and her Books of Dubious Origin archive!
When Claire Macintosh, director of New York's Museum of Literature, gets drunk on the most important night of her life and steals a carriage and Santa Claus, she never dreams of the adventure that awaits. Fleeing an unwanted engagement at the risk of losing her job, Claire runs off without money or phone. All she wants is to spend Christmas Eve in her cozy cabin in Maine reading. ALONE. She's forced to rely upon reporter, Sam Carpenter for help. He's never been a friend to Claire and the socialites and she's wary of accepting help but if she's going to make it to Maine, she's going to have to trust him and his wits.
This is a really cute, fun romcom novella. It's based on the same trope as Georgette Heyer's romantic comedies of young misses fleeing unwanted marriages, the tropes in Snowdrift and Other Stories (insta love after a weekend stuck together in a snowstorm) plus the classic Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert film "It Happened One Night." (If you haven't seen it, watch it). I'm not a fan of instalove but I do like it when it involves a lot of comedy as this story does. It's funny and heartfelt too. Finally, Jenn McKinlay got the balance of sexiness just right for me. There's one closed door love scene after some pressing together of bodies. It comes at the right moment and for the right reasons and isn't just a plot device.
I like Claire well enough but I can't relate. Her mother is a HORRIBLE person who doesn't love her daughter or care about her daughter's happiness. She's willing to ruin her daughter's career as well as the careers of many others who work at the Museum of Literature by withholding funding unless her daughter marries Benedict Thurmond III "Trey", a wealthy lawyer who works with Claire's father. That's the wedding of Hildy's dreams. It's clear even Claire's father doesn't love his own wife and the marriage is not happy. I don't see why they don't get divorced and Hildy climb her own social ladder. I HATE mothers like that and there's no place for her in the 21st century. Get back to the Regency romance you crawled out of Hildy! If I were Claire, I would have some MASSIVE fights with my mother. Claire is 40-years-old and acts 20. She can't stand up to her mother yet she's made the museum a success all on her own. She's confident in business but not with family.
Claire has been a socialite her whole life, she can't help that, and her dating life was tied to business. I admire that about her but it got her in the tabloids, courtesy of Sam Carpenter. Sam sounds like he'd do anything for a juicy story, especially one that makes socialites look bad. I think, though, he's a good guy at heart. I grew to like him very much throughout the novel. He's fun, has a sense of humor, thinks on his feet, is street smart and kind. What he does for the people they meet along the way is so beautiful and touching. His parents were incredible people for sharing the magic of Christmas with their children. (FYI: Santa Claus IS real!) Sam is very sweet and caring. I like him better than Claire. At least he knows what he wants out of life. To be fair, he had a happier childhood and an amazing model marriage to go on.
There aren't any sidekicks or major secondary characters to discuss without ruining the plot but one is very memorable. The two sets of characters from the first two books have brief cameos and Olive appears as a catalyst for action.
I enjoyed this holiday romcom the most of all three Museum of Literature stories. I still wish the museum were real so I could apply for a job there with Olive and her Books of Dubious Origin archive!
December 12, 2025
2.5 ⭐️ ‘It Happened One Night’ (the 1934 film with Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert) is arguably the original rom-com and this was a festive, fun twist on that classic story. Nothing can quite recreate that magic, but I can appreciate the attempt to adapt it to modern-day NYC.
Claire Macintosh is the director of NYC’s Museum of Literature dealing with her overbearing socialite mother’s ultimatum: if she wants to keep receiving her mother’s enormous donations from the family trust, Claire must accept a proposal from a man she doesn’t love (but whose pedigree is up to her mother’s standards) and start a family. When Santa arrives in a horse-drawn carriage with her ring, Claire doesn’t see a romantic gesture, she sees a getaway ‘car’ and hijacks the ride. However, Santa was really a reporter in disguise named Sam Carpenter; he had been hoping to get close to her father and boyfriend, the subjects of his next exposé. He never expected for Claire to whisk him away, first through Central Park and then on a mission to reach her cabin in Maine by Christmas Eve, nor did he anticipate the wild ride they’d go on together, one that has them falling fast for one another.
Spoilers to come…
Just like the black and white movie that inspired this story, we have an heiress running away from an engagement to someone she doesn’t love and then falling for the writer who helped her escape.
Unlike the film, the stakes here were never high, despite there being a scene where they are literally robbed at gunpoint. Their misadventures seemed forced or unrealistic as they sing carols on the train and get free passage, stay at a retirement community for free, and return a stranded soldier to his family during a snow storm and get free food. Claire and Sam are not a couple I see together long-term because of her family drama… OH! and the fact that they barely know each other.
I have absolutely zero issue with these MCs being just out of their 30’s (Claire is 40 and Sam is 41), but the insta-love makes them seem juvenile and so much younger than that. I love a happily ever after, but this one was so cheesy I was rolling my eyes as I listened to it. They’ve known each other for TWO DAYS and they’re madly in love and deciding to elope? Yeah, right. That is just not believable behavior from people with fully formed pre-frontal cortexes and professional careers. A two day relationship that ends in a MARRIAGE? In no world, not even a fictional one! If they had just committed to date by the end of the book, that would’ve made sense. If they had been friends first and the road trip opened their eyes to the possibility for something deeper, I think that would’ve made the ending more palatable.
Claire Macintosh is the director of NYC’s Museum of Literature dealing with her overbearing socialite mother’s ultimatum: if she wants to keep receiving her mother’s enormous donations from the family trust, Claire must accept a proposal from a man she doesn’t love (but whose pedigree is up to her mother’s standards) and start a family. When Santa arrives in a horse-drawn carriage with her ring, Claire doesn’t see a romantic gesture, she sees a getaway ‘car’ and hijacks the ride. However, Santa was really a reporter in disguise named Sam Carpenter; he had been hoping to get close to her father and boyfriend, the subjects of his next exposé. He never expected for Claire to whisk him away, first through Central Park and then on a mission to reach her cabin in Maine by Christmas Eve, nor did he anticipate the wild ride they’d go on together, one that has them falling fast for one another.
Spoilers to come…
Just like the black and white movie that inspired this story, we have an heiress running away from an engagement to someone she doesn’t love and then falling for the writer who helped her escape.
Unlike the film, the stakes here were never high, despite there being a scene where they are literally robbed at gunpoint. Their misadventures seemed forced or unrealistic as they sing carols on the train and get free passage, stay at a retirement community for free, and return a stranded soldier to his family during a snow storm and get free food. Claire and Sam are not a couple I see together long-term because of her family drama… OH! and the fact that they barely know each other.
I have absolutely zero issue with these MCs being just out of their 30’s (Claire is 40 and Sam is 41), but the insta-love makes them seem juvenile and so much younger than that. I love a happily ever after, but this one was so cheesy I was rolling my eyes as I listened to it. They’ve known each other for TWO DAYS and they’re madly in love and deciding to elope? Yeah, right. That is just not believable behavior from people with fully formed pre-frontal cortexes and professional careers. A two day relationship that ends in a MARRIAGE? In no world, not even a fictional one! If they had just committed to date by the end of the book, that would’ve made sense. If they had been friends first and the road trip opened their eyes to the possibility for something deeper, I think that would’ve made the ending more palatable.
November 16, 2022
It Happened One Christmas Eve by Jenn McKinlay
This is book #3 in A Museum of Literature Romance series. In this installment Claire and Sam have a Christmas esq adventure. Claire's and her mom made an agreement that she got her the job but Claire needed to get married. Every man her mother sends her way Claire sends them away. Claire's mother put her foot down and well the day of her wedding all hell go loose. Sam wanted to get up and close to the wedding so he volunteered to be Santa for his friend. Claire decides to be a runaway bride and Sam is stuck in the middle.
This was a fun, cute story with Christmas coming up this just gets you in the spirit. This was a fast read but I did think that the ending felt rushed. I think this would make a good Hallmark movie. This was a four star read for me. I recommend to anyone who likes romances and likes Christmas this book is for you.
Sara Young narrated this book she did a good job.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for a free copy of this audio of It Happened One Christmas Eve for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
This is book #3 in A Museum of Literature Romance series. In this installment Claire and Sam have a Christmas esq adventure. Claire's and her mom made an agreement that she got her the job but Claire needed to get married. Every man her mother sends her way Claire sends them away. Claire's mother put her foot down and well the day of her wedding all hell go loose. Sam wanted to get up and close to the wedding so he volunteered to be Santa for his friend. Claire decides to be a runaway bride and Sam is stuck in the middle.
This was a fun, cute story with Christmas coming up this just gets you in the spirit. This was a fast read but I did think that the ending felt rushed. I think this would make a good Hallmark movie. This was a four star read for me. I recommend to anyone who likes romances and likes Christmas this book is for you.
Sara Young narrated this book she did a good job.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for a free copy of this audio of It Happened One Christmas Eve for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
December 13, 2022
Audiobook borrowed from my local library.
Narrated by: Sara Young
Time: 3hrs
•• R E V I E W ••
The story was okay overall. The comedic scenes definitely gave the novella a “life” and I sincerely enjoyed them. The romance part of this book, however, was not for me though. It felt forced and tbh i barely cared for it. If the romance was improved, then it would be better. For a novella, it was an okay read. Still recommend if you’re looking for a fun holiday read.
Narrated by: Sara Young
Time: 3hrs
•• R E V I E W ••
The story was okay overall. The comedic scenes definitely gave the novella a “life” and I sincerely enjoyed them. The romance part of this book, however, was not for me though. It felt forced and tbh i barely cared for it. If the romance was improved, then it would be better. For a novella, it was an okay read. Still recommend if you’re looking for a fun holiday read.
December 22, 2022
This book was just fine. It was trope-y and a little irritating at times and there’s plenty to pick apart, but I didn’t read it to be impressed or blown away or even overly satisfied so pointing out the shortcomings would feel pointless and kind of shitty. It’s the literary equivalent of a hallmark movie: warm hearted and easy and shallow in ways that are welcome in the chaos of the holiday season. Nothing spectacular, no deep characters or impressive plots, just easy.
January 6, 2023
Another super cute story from Jenn. I really enjoyed this one, the beginning is hilarious, and Sam is awesome. I also really loved the part of the story with Iz. That was definitely one of my favorite parts of the entire story. It's funny and sweet and a great Christmas read.
January 24, 2024
3/5 stars, listened as an audiobook. I think I liked this one the most of the three books, it just felt the most realistic. It was a short timeline, but the characters and plot acknowledges that which made it less cheesy and more realistic.
December 23, 2025
1.5 stars
Needed a quick Christmas audio whilst finishing up the Christmas wrapping. This was something. A found it a little too instalove and too much forgiveness all around. A little cringey and the FMC I found really unlikeable.
Needed a quick Christmas audio whilst finishing up the Christmas wrapping. This was something. A found it a little too instalove and too much forgiveness all around. A little cringey and the FMC I found really unlikeable.
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