Meet Me on Christmas Eve

Love & Holidays #1

by Alana Highbury

From Alana Highbury, Amazon bestselling author, comes a sweet second-chance romance with the magic of Christmas



Now an elite resort owner in snowy Minnesota, Mariana has left her humble past firmly behind her—not to mention an epic heartbreak from 10 years ago. When she decides to expand her business to acquire a quaint Christmas village and reclaim her secret love of the holiday, the last thing she expects is to run into him.


Once a wealthy young man who lost it all, Terry Grant is just as dismayed about their encounter as Mariana is. Resentment about their summer romance and their reversal of fortunes—and the fateful Christmas Eve meet-up that never happened—brews between them as Terry becomes an obstacle in her business plans.


Mariana is determined to listen to her head, not her heart. After all, she survived these past 10 years by avoiding emotions and making smart decisions, not pining after a lost love.
But can she resist him when fate brings them together this Christmas?


This is a sweet romance without explicit scenes, but it does contain some swearing and serious themes.

Genres: Christmas, Romance, Holiday, Contemporary, Fiction, Ebooks, Second Chance

195 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 21, 2023

About the author

Alana Highbury is the author of the Austen Inspired series, along with several holiday romances: Meet Me on Christmas Eve, Snowed In on Valentine's Day, and Dance with Me on New Year's Eve. Her novels blend rom-com, contemporary romance, and women’s fiction. When she’s not writing, you can find her reading, playing board games, cross stitching, or hanging out with her family, which includes a writerly husband and children, two beautiful, lazy cats, and a feisty cockatiel. With master’s and bachelor’s degrees in English, Alana has worked in professional writing and editing roles for two decades, but she’s been an avid fan of romance fiction even longer.

Reviews

[Shrez (Hiatus) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Second chance love stories always have me crying like a baby!

This is a very quick read and is the first book in the Love & Holidays series (which I only realised existed after I read the second book first.. oops).

I enjoyed this book but I did prefer the second one a little more! It is a slooooooooow burn but is worth it!

Now, it is cute, but is not the best because I did get distracted a lot while reading it.

[shereadswith_coffee · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 .

[Maven_Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meet Me on Christmas Eve by Alana Highbury is a cozy, second chance holiday romance about Mariana, a strong, successful owner of a luxury resort in snowy Minnesota who left her humble past and a bittersweet Christmas Eve heartbreak behind her, and Terry Grant, the once-wealthy young man she once loved who now stands in the way of her plans to expand her business by acquiring a quaint Christmas village, forcing both of them to revisit old wounds, unresolved feelings, and the magic of the season they once shared. What begins with business conflicts and hurtful memories slowly melts into an earnest exploration of forgiveness, rediscovered joy, and whether love can find you again when you least expect it.

Picking up Meet Me on Christmas Eve felt like wrapping myself in a warm blanket next to a crackling fire, the kind of Christmas story that carries both sparkle and quiet emotional depth. Mariana’s drive, her pain from a decade-old past romance, and her deep secret love for Christmas made her feel beautifully real to me as she wrestled with the tension between logic and longing.

Terry’s presence as both obstacle and old flame added a deliciously nostalgic pull to the story, and watching them navigate their reversal of fortunes and lingering spark made every snowy scene feel alive with possibility. The Minnesota backdrop, festive village, and gentle holiday details wrapped the romance in a timeless seasonal glow that made me both smile and reflect on how meaningful second chances can be when hearts are ready.

Although some parts lean into familiar Christmas romance rhythms, the emotional honesty and Mariana’s journey toward trusting love again made this a truly comforting read perfect for curling up with a mug of cocoa.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars. I’m giving Meet Me on Christmas Eve this rating because it is a heartwarming, festive romance that balances emotional depth with holiday charm in a way that left me feeling hopeful and cheerful. It’s a tender story for anyone craving a Christmas read that feels like a warm hug.

[Page Johnson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Alana Highbury!

Meet me on Christmas Eve had the potential to be a wonderful story, however all of that potential was overshadowed by the dismal personality of the main character. Mari came across pretentious, entitled and infuriatingly immature.

I think toning down the main character and not rushing the story could have taken this story so much further than where it landed.

This Christmas second chance romance just was not it for me.

[Barbara Behring · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not a big romance reader, though I used to be, so I'm not sure which trope I like best. This book was a sweet romance. I did find both Mari and Terry infuriating at times, but I was always rooting for them. I do plan on continuing the series.

[Claudette De Anda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick festive Hallmark read.

[Amanda Mayfield · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my first time reading anything by this author. I was drawn in by the blurb, but this second chance holiday romance missed its mark for me. Largely because I didn't connect with Mariana, the heroine, and so I didn't care if things worked out for her. It was brought up quite a few times that she no longer showed emotions. At the same time she also talks about wanting to do better for others but never really seems to. Thankfully the characters surrounding Mariana had more appeal - I especially liked her best friend Hazel. The second thing I struggled with was there were a couple of bombshell moments that definitely made me go "WHAT?" But then nothing else happened. I will say that the description of the resort, Christmas village, and holiday festivities were phenomenal. Like I want to hop in the car and go there.

[Crescent Fox Tales · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite but not the worst.. good enough to get you in the holiday mood with our MFC looking to invest in a Christmas town who finds herself running into a past flame from 10 yrs ago.

I loved how motivated and drivin Mariana was but I didn't find myself excited with the plot or her story.. Not to mention Mariana hates Halloween.. which was really the only thing I didn't particularly like about her character.. but like, how can you hate Halloween ?? ..smh..
Simply unforgiveable..lol

Highly recommend this holiday themed book for anyone looking for a clean and wholesome read..it just may not be something you see yourself going back for again.

[Nicola “Shortbookthyme” · Rating 3 out of 5]

A light second chance Christmas romance.
The romance between the main characters wasn’t very intense. The romance angel took forever to happen.
Overall, a ok Christmas read but not one I will want to reread anytime soon.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Nicole Balfe · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐️

[Kaitlyn Bass · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun little cute read. The only spice is a kiss which is also nice. Good character development and a simple read.

[Cassie Crowe · Rating 3 out of 5]

mess (ate it up though)

[ABurch74 · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like sweet Holiday movies, you will love this book. Mari and Terry are long-lost sweethearts that reconnect around Christmas. Mari always loved Christmas as a child; however, she has give. Up celebrating the holiday for the past several years. Read along as she rediscovers the holiday and comes to term with her true self. It is a charming, wholesome read that is a perfect holiday book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾⋆⁺₊⋆ Mia ⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾⋆⁺₊⋆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mari kept tripping. Also why did her mom come out of nowhere? It was barely talked about and then her mother makes a guest appearance in one chapter then was only discussed three times later.

[Kriston Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and the second chance romance is my JAM!! I enjoyed Terry and Mari’s relationship 🥰

I recommend this read!!.l

[Patricia Baxes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh wow…Christmas is wonderful any time of the year!!

What a cute story! It had its sad moments, but was terrific overall. You gotta love a feel good holiday tale regardless the time of the year!

[Christina M. Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

read all in one nite

couldn't put it down! I hac to keep reading to know what would happen next! it was killing me that narration was only her voice and there were no hints of what his brain was thinking! really cute and just the right length of story.

[catiesbooksandthings · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are looking for a fun, heartwarming, holiday romance to get you in the holiday spirit then this book is for you!

Meet Me on Christmas Eve is about two people who both fell in love one Christmas when they are teenagers/young adults. Unfortunately, they were left heartbroken, but fate would bring Mariana and Terry back together as adults by a surprise encounter in the elite mountains of Minnesota. Mariana owns the resort in town where Terry and her met and Terry is the Tree farmer and works at the Christmas village that Mariana is trying to buy. This books takes you for a ride to see if and how they find their way back to each other. After ten years, both have changed, but with snow, egg nod, holiday cheer and second chances, are they able to finally have the love story that they always thought they would?

I really enjoyed this book. It definitely will get you in the holiday spirit. It is jovial, heartwarming and just overall had you routing for Mariana and Terry. This was a quick, fun read! This was a 3.5 start book for me, rounded up to four stars for goodreads.

Thank you netgalley and Alana Highbury for the eARC for my honest review!

[Andra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mariana is a successful businesswoman with a traumatic past who leads with her head and doesn’t do emotions. Until she bumps into Terry, a guy who ghosted her and broke her heart a decade ago, which led her to completely reinventing herself. The spark between them is still there but can they look past their hurts and a decade worth of experiences and find a way to be together?
I absolutely loved this book. It is as much about Mariana’s self-acceptance and growth as it is about romance. The book is told from her POV and she is a thinker, so there is a lot of internal monologue that conveys how the cool and collected image she tries to portray to the world is so very different from the turmoil of emotions she feels inside. The writing style matches the confusion and internal conflict she feels about who she really is and what she really wants so very well. I especially liked the dialogue, where when Mariana is around Terry, she is so flustered she can’t seem to be able to finish any sentences ( a lot of “…”s and “–”s there :-)) I didn’t like Terry much at first, he seemed a bit petty and vindictive, but we see from the start that the passion is still there and when things get explained later, his behaviour makes sense. Despite some serious topics, it is not a heavy and dark book though, a definitely hopeful Christmas vibe is nicely woven into all of it as Mariana absolutely loves Christmas.
From what I gather, this is the writer’s first book and a very fine one, so I definitely recommend reading it and look forward to future works of hers.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Yaro · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.3 ⭐️ | I have mixed feelings about this book. It’s a very light read and it was a great add to my list of books to get me back into reading. The author is a good storyteller and the side characters were really easy to warm up to.

Hazel was very relatable, specially when she would call out Mariana. I think the characters, specifically Mariana, were really immature and that’s where I struggle to connect with them, considering I am in their age range. I did sympathize with Mariana’s background and helped me understand some of her decisions. Nonetheless, I think she was childish, selfish and irritating (got a few eye rolls off of me). I The type of character that you would want to grab out from the book and talk some sense into! LOL I think that also fueled my curiosity and need to finish the book so I could see how this would end. I was irritated by her constant need to prove that she’s changed and that she was a different woman. Terry was alright, a sweetheart and a flirt but I didn’t /love/ him. I think there was space to develop the characters. Also, there were some inconsistencies in the story and some plot holes that bothered me a bit.

Although there are some things that frustrated from the story and the characters, this book is recommendable for people who are just getting into reading or are young adults. It’s a light novel that gets a few chuckles out of you. Hazel is a great friend; we all need a Hazel. The main characters were okay, the love interest was likable but the main character was hard to follow. Her story does help you understand and sympathize but her attitude most of the book can be annoying.

[P.J. · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars

Mariana has reinvented herself. Once an extremely poor child with a sick father who ended up in various foster homes, she is now the owner of a luxury resort in Minnesota. She has her sights set on expanding and wants to buy the cute Christmas village in town. Christmas has always been her favorite holiday as her father always made it incredibly special. That is, until 10 years ago when her summer romance didn't return to meet her on Christmas Eve as planned. Now, she bumps into the same man who has had the opposite fate - he was wealthy and his family lost pretty much everything. Terry is putting a damper on Mariana's plans, both professionally and personally. She is SURE that he's working to keep her from getting the Christmas village and he's definitely the cause of her emotions bubbling over her normal composure.

As a general rule, I'm willing to suspend reality for a plot. But I just couldn't do it in this story. First, the way Mariana gets the money to buy the resort didn't work for me. Like, it's explained in a way that makes sense but then nothing is done with that part of the story. Let's get some of those people involved in her life or just have her win the lottery! It feels like things go from 0 to 100 back to 0 all over the place. We're going to make out? Oh no, we hate each other. Terry makes a snide remark about their old relationship and instead of saying something (and figuring out what happened), we ignore it and just question it mentally? I think the story would have been better served by giving it more meat and less details.

[Carleene Hibbs Reeder · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute second chance Christmas romance. It was short and sweet but also very cheesy and cliche, which is what I expected.

Mariana goes from rags to riches and becomes the owner of a high end resort. She had worked at this resort as a teen and that is where she fell in love with Terry. Their short lived romance was frowned upon by his family and after he left they lost their connection, leaving both with hurt feelings. A decade later they find themselves living in the same small town and are rival enemies.

I would like to say that I fell in love with the characters and was glad to see them explore this enemies to lovers kind of a romance. However, I didn't really like either of the characters and didn't really care about the relationship. Honestly, I felt like they should have moved on. The initial relationship seemed weak to begin with and the reason they lost touch was unrealistic to me. I felt that as adults they could have behaved better. The end was predictable but it was not one that will stay with me or that I will want to return to. I will say it was a clean romance and for that I give it praise.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Kandice · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun quick read and great for getting into the holiday spirit. I thought it was a cute second chance romance although I think more could have gone into the character development. I didn't feel connected to Mari at all, and found here to be a little too flip floppy, and a little boring. I liked how she sort of fell apart when she was near Terry, that helped to add a bit of realness to her but I just didn't feel a strong connection to her. Terry had potential to be a super handsome Christmas tree man but again, I think it fell a little flat.
I enjoyed the premise of the story though and found that for a seasonal read it was a good length and the plot was decent. I chuckled when Marianna and Hazel are talking and Mari says "This isn't a Hallmark movie" (96) because in fact that's exactly what it is. A Christmas tree farm, a small Christmas'y village with a "castle on the hill" love and romance, confused feelings and a cozy fire.
Overall, it was a good read and I look forward to reading more when/if Alana Highbury releases something new!

Thank you NetGalley and Alana Highbury for the advanced copy!

[Viktoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meet Me on Christmas Eve wasn't exactly a life-changer, but it was a decent way to spend a chilly afternoon. Alana Highbury's story of second-chance romance is light and fluffy, just what you'd expect from a Christmas read. Mariana and Terry's history at the resort where she now owns the place (talk about a glow-up!) is the kind of setup that screams "predictable," and honestly, it delivered on that front. They were cute enough, I guess, but I never really connected with them. Their big falling out years ago felt a little contrived, and their "enemies to lovers" dance was more of a polite shuffle than a passionate tango. I wanted to root for them, I really did, but their relationship felt a bit…meh. The whole "rags to riches" thing with Mariana was interesting, but it didn't quite make up for the lack of spark between the leads. If you're looking for a super sweet, clean romance with all the Christmas trimmings, this will probably do the trick. Just don't expect anything groundbreaking. It's a quick, easy read – perfect for curling up by the fire with a mug of hot chocolate. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Give Love a Second Chance ? . . .

Mariana hadn’t always had an easy time. But she learned from her past and became successful by suppressing emotions and making smart decisions based on fact. Mariana Northam of Northam Resorts is now a strong business woman and the old “Mariana LaBelle” no longer exists in her mind.

Deciding to expand her current business, she meets up with a man from her past, Terry Grant, the one who had broken her heart. And that actually became the catalyst that drove her to reinventing herself. And surprisingly the formerly wealthy Terry Grant, who had always had things handed to him until he lost everything, is now here to shake her up and become a roadblock. However, even with 10 years having gone by, there is a spark of something left between these two. Will they talk about the past and find out they didn’t actually have all the facts when they broke up? Is there any chance of forgiveness and maybe starting over? Or will egos get in the way and keep them apart?

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

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! 🎄❤️📚

[Jess B · Rating 3 out of 5]

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!

[Liv · Rating 4 out of 5]

⋆｡°✩ Spoiler Free Reviews ⋆｡°✩

4.5 stars.

OH WOW WHAT A BOOK. Okay so this is obviously a festive christmassy romance novel. It has mental health rep, brief mentions of a car accident, death of a parent, and alcoholism (not from the MC’s). Its also got second chance romance, “I keep seeing you everywhere” and a clumsy FMC, and a savvy businesswoman, and a gruff grumpy a-hole of an MMC. But altogether? AHHH their chemistry was off the charts. No smut but plenty of steam.

Mariana was this ice queen badass woman, who is a little bit naive and a little bit stupid when it comes to common sense but she DOES come around, and she DOES figure her shit out so we like her too!

Terry your name confused me in comparison to your description but fuck it, I had a blast swooning over him every second I got.

[patrick Lorelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story that two people who meet when they are younger and then reconnect later in life. Marina has come back to the lodge where she met Terry once a boy that she thought had loved her. Hence when they were supposed to meet again and he did not show she went on a quest to become self-sufficient. She is now a successful business owner and owner of the lodge that she once stayed at. Who would have thought that she would run into Terry in the Christmas village while walking but also when she asks for things to be done around the lodge, only to find out that he is one of the employees? Surprised she is curious to find out what happened to the boy and family that had money. Also, does she want him in her life? A really good book with good characters. I received this book from Netgalley.com

[Karla · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a second chance story which revolves around Mariana, who was able to turn her life around and changed her identity after being dirt poor, in foster care and have been in a bad breakup. I got so frustrated with her because I expected her to be the alpha female, yet she was the exact opposite! Eternally clumsy, always stammering, very meek, always helpless. Like girl! 😭 I can't fathom how she was able to do the things she did. And she ultimately became the owner of a renowned resort as well, like how? It just wasn't credible.😅 Her ex is Terry, who seemingly ghosted her, but turns out there was more to it than that. Sure the holiday feels were there but yeah this was just meh. Tbh I would've liked a little spice (who am I, haha) but this had none 😅