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Christmas Bucket List
One week after her fiancé calls off their wedding, the last place Aubrey wants to be is with her overly demanding mother on their annual Christmas vacation. What’s even worse is that Eli, her brother’s best friend, is tagging along. Eli had been around the Striker family for most of his life following both of their parents’ deaths. Now this vacation may be his chance to figure out if something can flurry between him and the younger Striker sibling.
Determined to not let her Christmas be ruined by breakups and drama, Aubrey creates a bucket list of things she wants to do during the three week vacation. But she’s not alone. As he learns more of Aubrey’s hidden past, he takes it upon himself to make sure that Aubrey gains back her love for the holiday. But is that the only reason he offers to do twelve things in three weeks with her?
Check out Aubrey and Eli’s story to find out if the bucket list enough to help two broken souls heal and allow hidden sparks to ignite by the end of the holiday.
Determined to not let her Christmas be ruined by breakups and drama, Aubrey creates a bucket list of things she wants to do during the three week vacation. But she’s not alone. As he learns more of Aubrey’s hidden past, he takes it upon himself to make sure that Aubrey gains back her love for the holiday. But is that the only reason he offers to do twelve things in three weeks with her?
Check out Aubrey and Eli’s story to find out if the bucket list enough to help two broken souls heal and allow hidden sparks to ignite by the end of the holiday.
271 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 24, 2023
28 people are currently reading
99 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
November 18, 2023
Perfect book to curl up with for the holiday season.
Aubrey is heading back home for the holidays after her fiancé has called off their wedding. What she did expect was for her brother's best friend Eli to be there.
This book is not only good, but also heavy with deep subjects. We are dealing with parental death, trauma and eating disorders. Chrissy was able to take all this and put it into a beautifully written story. As someone who has suffered an ED most of my teenage and adult life, I love how Aubrey rose up from her past.
The spice is great too. I love Eli and Aubrey's relationship. They had amazing chemistry throughout the entire book. lt did almost feel a little insta love, but that was because they have loved each other since they were young.
All I have to say is the Christmas light scene... HOLY MOLY 🤤
If you love:
🟣 Curvy FMC
🟣 One Bed
🟣 Brother's Best Friend
🟣 Praise Kink
This book does have a lot of trigger / content warnings. Please check before reading.
Aubrey is heading back home for the holidays after her fiancé has called off their wedding. What she did expect was for her brother's best friend Eli to be there.
This book is not only good, but also heavy with deep subjects. We are dealing with parental death, trauma and eating disorders. Chrissy was able to take all this and put it into a beautifully written story. As someone who has suffered an ED most of my teenage and adult life, I love how Aubrey rose up from her past.
The spice is great too. I love Eli and Aubrey's relationship. They had amazing chemistry throughout the entire book. lt did almost feel a little insta love, but that was because they have loved each other since they were young.
All I have to say is the Christmas light scene... HOLY MOLY 🤤
If you love:
🟣 Curvy FMC
🟣 One Bed
🟣 Brother's Best Friend
🟣 Praise Kink
This book does have a lot of trigger / content warnings. Please check before reading.
December 15, 2023
I really enjoyed this Christmas book; this is my first book by Chrissy Nicole. I loved the story line and the representation of what it's like living with mental health. I loved that Eli was the brother's best friend and overall had a history with Aubrey I thought the characters had great Chemistry. I also thought the bucket list was a great way of breaking away from depression and having fun even though it will still be there when you get back. I loved everything about how you grow up and have hard times and, in the end, you overcome them, but it just takes the time and sometimes you just need someone to help you or support you. Overall, this was a great Christmas read with great real-life material.
I received this as an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
I received this as an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
November 21, 2023
Thanks to the author for the ARC!
Overall the book was a quick read, and there are definitely potential triggers, so would review those before diving in. I enjoyed the book but wished there was a bit more focus on the actual bucket list - seemed like those parts were breezed over a bit. It’s a cute book to cozy up with, and will also have you emotional in parts because I get the feeling many of us can relate to Aubrey.
My one critique is that the word “darling” was used wayyyyy too many times for my liking.
Good book to get into the holiday spirit with!
Overall the book was a quick read, and there are definitely potential triggers, so would review those before diving in. I enjoyed the book but wished there was a bit more focus on the actual bucket list - seemed like those parts were breezed over a bit. It’s a cute book to cozy up with, and will also have you emotional in parts because I get the feeling many of us can relate to Aubrey.
My one critique is that the word “darling” was used wayyyyy too many times for my liking.
Good book to get into the holiday spirit with!
November 25, 2023
I don't even know where to begin. I love this story so much. This book handles mental illness so well and helped heal a part of me I did not know was still broken. Thank you for this book, for normalizing mental health, and for adding in those coping techniques for all of us who need them. The mental health aspect, although a significant part of the plot, does not overshadow the cute Christmas story, which manages to be the perfect level of cute Christmas fun without reaching hallmark-level cheesy.
FMC recently went through a breakup when fiances called off the wedding right before Christmas. She now has to play nice with her mother during the family Christmas vacation, and on top of that, she has to share a room with her brother's best friend as he was invited to replace her missing ex-fiances. Her ex caused her to lose her love of Christmas, and she created a Christmas bucket list with eleven items to complete to survive the family vacation. MMC Eli finds the list and convinces her to allow him to join. They both have demons they need to face, and the bucket list helps guide them along the way while fanning the flame of attraction that's always been there for both of them.
FMC fights anxiety, depression, and several other mental health illnesses and has since her father killed himself when she was a child. MMC can relate as he found his deceased mother
# brother best friend
# he admits he's fallen first
# protective MMC
# one bed
# Mental Health Representation
FMC recently went through a breakup when fiances called off the wedding right before Christmas. She now has to play nice with her mother during the family Christmas vacation, and on top of that, she has to share a room with her brother's best friend as he was invited to replace her missing ex-fiances. Her ex caused her to lose her love of Christmas, and she created a Christmas bucket list with eleven items to complete to survive the family vacation. MMC Eli finds the list and convinces her to allow him to join. They both have demons they need to face, and the bucket list helps guide them along the way while fanning the flame of attraction that's always been there for both of them.
FMC fights anxiety, depression, and several other mental health illnesses and has since her father killed himself when she was a child. MMC can relate as he found his deceased mother
# brother best friend
# he admits he's fallen first
# protective MMC
# one bed
# Mental Health Representation
December 4, 2023
Christmas Bucket List, by Chrissy Nichole, is my first by this author. This is different from your typical Christmas book. It’s more about self-discovery, mental illness, and recovery that happens during a Christmas vacation. Going into this book, I expected a cozy Winterland read, but I got much more than that.
The book’s main character is Aubrey, who is on vacation with her overly demanding mother, her brother and his wife, and his brother’s best friend, Eli. Eli has been a part of the family since he was young and has secretly been in love with Aubrey for years. Aubrey, still reeling from her recent breakup with her fiance, is struggling with depression and binge eating disorder. To try to love Christmas again, Aubrey makes a bucket list of Christmas-type activities to do while on vacation. She is caught off guard when Eli finds the list and convinces her to let him join her.
Even though the title suggests a Christmasy book, the book primarily focuses on Audrey’s struggle with depression and her eating disorder. It is a journey of loving herself and allowing someone else to love her unconditionally. Coming from a person who is also a big girl with mental illness and binge eating disorder, this hit way too close to home. It brought tears to my eyes several times because I intimately knew what she felt. This book may not be for everyone, but it definitely was for me. Thank you for writing this, Chrissy.
Does Audrey come to terms with her recent breakup? Does she and her mom ever see eye to eye? Does Audrey allow someone to love her when she barely loves herself? You should read it and find out.
Thank you to Chrissy Nicole for gifting me an eARC of the Christmas Bucket List. I am leaving this review voluntarily. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The book’s main character is Aubrey, who is on vacation with her overly demanding mother, her brother and his wife, and his brother’s best friend, Eli. Eli has been a part of the family since he was young and has secretly been in love with Aubrey for years. Aubrey, still reeling from her recent breakup with her fiance, is struggling with depression and binge eating disorder. To try to love Christmas again, Aubrey makes a bucket list of Christmas-type activities to do while on vacation. She is caught off guard when Eli finds the list and convinces her to let him join her.
Even though the title suggests a Christmasy book, the book primarily focuses on Audrey’s struggle with depression and her eating disorder. It is a journey of loving herself and allowing someone else to love her unconditionally. Coming from a person who is also a big girl with mental illness and binge eating disorder, this hit way too close to home. It brought tears to my eyes several times because I intimately knew what she felt. This book may not be for everyone, but it definitely was for me. Thank you for writing this, Chrissy.
Does Audrey come to terms with her recent breakup? Does she and her mom ever see eye to eye? Does Audrey allow someone to love her when she barely loves herself? You should read it and find out.
Thank you to Chrissy Nicole for gifting me an eARC of the Christmas Bucket List. I am leaving this review voluntarily. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
December 31, 2023
This was a great, spicy Christmas story. I love it all so much. The characters were so relatable. I like the journey that they went on in the story. Aubrey was an interesting character. How she started to where she ended in the story was a fantastic journey of becoming your own hero and taking care of yourself. However, allow others to help you during your dark time.
I love how she and Eli work together. I also enjoy the dual POV of both Eli and Aubrey. It was interesting to see their thoughts. It was nice to see where their minds were at during certain times. It made me root for them even more during the read.
This was an emotional roller coaster of a read. I fell in love with some characters, others I grew to like, and others was ready to destroy. All the characters were well-created. These are people that you can meet. I loved the ride I went through. I didn't want it to stop. I got a cozy feel and loved the spicy parts. As well as shed some tears during their pain.
This was my first book by Chrissy Nicole, and I loved it. I want to read even more of her books and meet more of the characters she has created.
I love how she and Eli work together. I also enjoy the dual POV of both Eli and Aubrey. It was interesting to see their thoughts. It was nice to see where their minds were at during certain times. It made me root for them even more during the read.
This was an emotional roller coaster of a read. I fell in love with some characters, others I grew to like, and others was ready to destroy. All the characters were well-created. These are people that you can meet. I loved the ride I went through. I didn't want it to stop. I got a cozy feel and loved the spicy parts. As well as shed some tears during their pain.
This was my first book by Chrissy Nicole, and I loved it. I want to read even more of her books and meet more of the characters she has created.
November 25, 2023
Going into this story, I expected a very sweet hallmark style book. Don't get me wrong, it very much is in so many ways, but in other ways, it's a book of darkness and healing and struggle. Something I think people forget to think about during the holidays. In my head, while reading this, I was not kind to Aubrey. I was angry and frustrated with her reactions. But as I read on, I sat there and realized how much Aubrey was me years ago. I was angry because it was me when I was fighting my demons. I was frustrated with her not standing up for herself because I was the same. Too scared too broken to even try. This book does a beautiful job of bringing the wonder and childlike awe of the holidays and mixing it with the darker side of humanity. Our fears. Our demons. Our grief. It's so much more. And to do it in under 300 pages, well, that's talent! I love the ending. I love the healing and the process both Aubrey and Eli went through. I would love a novella about Eli's healing with his dad.
December 17, 2023
Thank you for selecting me to get an ARC!
I really enjoyed this book. My first of this author. Being titled Christmas Bucket List, I anticipated this being a cheesy Christmas check list. It wasn’t what I expected at all. Yes, there was a bucket list, but the book takes you on a journey of healing, overcoming mental illness, and self discovery all while on a family Christmas vacation.
There is a web of trauma mixed with knowing self worth that keeps you rooting for the MC.
Aubrey. A curvy gal who thinks that she will never amount to anything but her various mental illnesses and lack of true love. Eli. That man. 👏🏼 Such a warm and kind soul who showers Aubrey with everything she never knew she needed that happened to be her brothers lifelong best friend. A mother who makes you want to yell and scream because how can you treat your daughter that way! A sister in law she never knew felt more like an actual sister. A brother who finally stands up for his sister and the rotten way she had been treated her whole life.
Ahh!! This book. You will not be sorry that you read it!
I really enjoyed this book. My first of this author. Being titled Christmas Bucket List, I anticipated this being a cheesy Christmas check list. It wasn’t what I expected at all. Yes, there was a bucket list, but the book takes you on a journey of healing, overcoming mental illness, and self discovery all while on a family Christmas vacation.
There is a web of trauma mixed with knowing self worth that keeps you rooting for the MC.
Aubrey. A curvy gal who thinks that she will never amount to anything but her various mental illnesses and lack of true love. Eli. That man. 👏🏼 Such a warm and kind soul who showers Aubrey with everything she never knew she needed that happened to be her brothers lifelong best friend. A mother who makes you want to yell and scream because how can you treat your daughter that way! A sister in law she never knew felt more like an actual sister. A brother who finally stands up for his sister and the rotten way she had been treated her whole life.
Ahh!! This book. You will not be sorry that you read it!
December 16, 2023
I’m not usually one to read holiday books, but I was pleasantly surprised by this book! This little romance starts with Aubrey going on Christmas vacation with her judgmental mother and older brother, along with his wife and best friend, right after her abusive fiancé calls off their wedding. After being forced to share a room with her brother’s best friend, she makes a Christmas Bucket List full of things she always wanted to do (but always felt like she couldn’t). Eli, her brother’s best friend, will be damned if Aubrey doesn’t get to complete every single thing on her list. Sparks fly, and Christmas lights get tangled. 😉
I really loved that this book shows just how hard it is to love yourself and others when you have a mental disorder. The spice is spread pretty evenly throughout the book, and the scenes definitely deliver.
The only thing holding me back from giving this book a five is really noticeable punctuation errors and leaving words out here and there.
I really loved that this book shows just how hard it is to love yourself and others when you have a mental disorder. The spice is spread pretty evenly throughout the book, and the scenes definitely deliver.
The only thing holding me back from giving this book a five is really noticeable punctuation errors and leaving words out here and there.
December 5, 2023
Thank you so much to the author for an ARC of this book! I loved it so much and didn’t want to put it down. For a holiday romance it had substance but was still a quick read. Please check the trigger warnings for this book, but the author does a great job writing about these topics. The way she writes about both Aubrey’s and Eli’s issues and how they work together to help each other is unmatched.
I love the brothers best friend trope in this book. I’m a sucker for that trope and loved how it was protested in this book. It also gives small town feels since they are all at the vacation home for Christmas. Aubrey and Eli make a Christmas bucket list and go through each activity together. Such a cute fun Christmasy read!
I love the brothers best friend trope in this book. I’m a sucker for that trope and loved how it was protested in this book. It also gives small town feels since they are all at the vacation home for Christmas. Aubrey and Eli make a Christmas bucket list and go through each activity together. Such a cute fun Christmasy read!
November 23, 2023
Thank you so much for the ARC! My honest opinion?
I loved this book. I couldn't put it down for the entire day that I read it. It was a Hallmark movie played out in a book that centers around mental illness. But it also has the drama of a good romance towards the end.
Neither characters are millionaires or in the mafia. They're average people working executive jobs living simple lives. And it was the simple gestures and effort that made me want to be loved just like Eli loves Aubrey.
A great holiday read ♥️
I loved this book. I couldn't put it down for the entire day that I read it. It was a Hallmark movie played out in a book that centers around mental illness. But it also has the drama of a good romance towards the end.
Neither characters are millionaires or in the mafia. They're average people working executive jobs living simple lives. And it was the simple gestures and effort that made me want to be loved just like Eli loves Aubrey.
A great holiday read ♥️
November 16, 2023
As an ARC reader for this book I was pleasantly surprised. The book is sweet and filled with so much hope. As a therapist I was pleased to see this author include the hardships of mental health and the positive spin of how one can overcome these difficulties. From the beginning of the book I was devastated by Aubrey’s experience’s and at the same time jumping up for joy for her resiliency. I loved loved Eli’s character and his own mental challenges. The last chapter had me crying. 🥲.
November 7, 2023
This book is a fantastic read for anyone who is struggling to be seen in terms of mental health. Aubrey’s views of herself are less than stellar, and in swoops Eli, who understands that he can’t make her see herself the way he does. She has to do that herself. There is fantastic character growth and an impressive story line.
November 28, 2023
Late ARC review. Thank you to this Arthur for sending it to me. I really enjoyed this book , I feel like I really had a lot in common with the main female character. I loved Aubrey and Eli together. This is a great dual point of view brothers best friend romance with a bit of spice. Deff recommend.
December 18, 2023
A Healthy Read
Mental Health is a harsh but real illness. People may not realize that they are hurting you with their words or behavior - then others do it intentionally. Acknowledgement is the first step and of course understanding. Life is hard and cruel but it can also be lovely if you recognize it.
Mental Health is a harsh but real illness. People may not realize that they are hurting you with their words or behavior - then others do it intentionally. Acknowledgement is the first step and of course understanding. Life is hard and cruel but it can also be lovely if you recognize it.
November 22, 2023
Beautiful written book. I love that the focus is on how the FMc mental health affects her daily and family life. I enjoyed the cute holiday aspects and the spice but really connect with both the MMC and FMC and their struggles from when they were young to now.
December 6, 2023
Honest ARC review!!!
This is a hallmark movie in book form! I loved all of it! Do not get me wrong, I wanted so badly for Aubrey to defend herself. I was also furious when Jake really didn't step into his rightful role to protect her. As the book continued, I realized that is was her fight to win. She had to heal the broken pieces in order to feel her true worth. This book truly brought those feelings and insecurities to life, and I felt them. I was that girl at one point. I am so glad that Eli was there to help Aubrey find herself again. I would love to read his healing journey. I would also love to hear Jake journey. Overall, I loved this holiday read. It was a quick read that I could read while curled up in front of the fireplace!!
This is a hallmark movie in book form! I loved all of it! Do not get me wrong, I wanted so badly for Aubrey to defend herself. I was also furious when Jake really didn't step into his rightful role to protect her. As the book continued, I realized that is was her fight to win. She had to heal the broken pieces in order to feel her true worth. This book truly brought those feelings and insecurities to life, and I felt them. I was that girl at one point. I am so glad that Eli was there to help Aubrey find herself again. I would love to read his healing journey. I would also love to hear Jake journey. Overall, I loved this holiday read. It was a quick read that I could read while curled up in front of the fireplace!!
December 4, 2023
This was a heartwarming story about a young woman overcoming her own personal struggles. I feel like a lot of people will be able to relate to Aubrey’s trauma. I’m so happy that she was able to be a better version of her thru it all!! I’d definitely recommend!
November 7, 2023
My latest ARC book. This book definitely takes you on an emotional roller coaster. But seeing Aubrey’s journey to loving herself just as she is was worth every second and every tear. A++++
December 21, 2023
Cute Christmas romance with a little bit of spice. There were some grammar errors which bugged me but overall I liked the book
December 29, 2023
Aside from the awkwardness of some of the names in this book, i loved it! The characters journeys were absolutely beautiful and very satisfying to read. Another great book!
January 12, 2024
I LOVED THIS BOOK!!! It was so wonderful and the mental health rep was amazing!!! I would give 10 stars if I could
November 21, 2023
This books is the perfect Christmas read! I loved the mental health representation, I related to it a lot! Aubrey and Eli are the perfect representation of the brother’s best friend trope. This is a must read this holiday season.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews