What do you think?
Rate this book
Rewriting December
Rewriting Decemberby Nicole CrystalA romance novel about two broken souls who find healing and redemption in each other's arms. Cora Cooper and Jake Rhoades first cross paths when a tragic car accident brings them together one snowy December night. Years later, a chance meeting at a coffee shop rekindles their connection, but both are scarred by painful pasts. As Jake and Cora navigate their growing feelings amidst the ghosts of December's past, they must learn to trust in love again if they hope to have a future together. With tender give and take, two fractured hearts begin building something truly right in this moving tale of second chances.
268 pages, Hardcover
Published April 30, 2024
12 people are currently reading
6920 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
December 25, 2024
I won this book through a Goodreads giveaway
Jake was absolutely perfect, but Cora infuriated me at moments with some of her decision making. Overall it was a cute story!
Jake was absolutely perfect, but Cora infuriated me at moments with some of her decision making. Overall it was a cute story!
December 10, 2025
4/5⭐️
1/5🌶️
This was such a sweet story, and perfectly read in during the month of Christmas! Though not expressly a Christmas tale, I'm so glad I read it in December. We have some MCs who are both a little bit messy in their own ways, both reeling from an abundance of sadness and turmoil in their pasts. December is a shared month of misery for the two, as they both seem to have the worst luck and experiences during that time of the year. A series of shared coincidences cannot be ignored, however, and our two MCs finally realize how fate has seemingly pushed them together for the past six years. A fair amount of strife and angst follows our MCs around over the course of the story, but their chemistry is sizzling and absolutely undeniable. So many feelings during this read, so many moments of touching realizations and vulnerability... but this was countered by so much love and joy between our MCs. I loved them together! I was impressed by this story and the unknown entanglement of our MCs' shared pasts. I giggled, cried and feel so heartened by the ending. I'm so glad I was able to read this book!
1/5🌶️
This was such a sweet story, and perfectly read in during the month of Christmas! Though not expressly a Christmas tale, I'm so glad I read it in December. We have some MCs who are both a little bit messy in their own ways, both reeling from an abundance of sadness and turmoil in their pasts. December is a shared month of misery for the two, as they both seem to have the worst luck and experiences during that time of the year. A series of shared coincidences cannot be ignored, however, and our two MCs finally realize how fate has seemingly pushed them together for the past six years. A fair amount of strife and angst follows our MCs around over the course of the story, but their chemistry is sizzling and absolutely undeniable. So many feelings during this read, so many moments of touching realizations and vulnerability... but this was countered by so much love and joy between our MCs. I loved them together! I was impressed by this story and the unknown entanglement of our MCs' shared pasts. I giggled, cried and feel so heartened by the ending. I'm so glad I was able to read this book!
November 29, 2025
Very cute Christmas read. I really enjoyed learning about Cora and Jake and the depth of their personalities. There was a lot of trauma for them both to work through, making the HEA ending all the sweeter. The side characters were also developed really well and the relationships of all those interlinked worked really well. A lot of really cute moments. And who doesn’t love a hot, lead musician?! It was a great idea to learn of all of the years and Decembers past and their relevance too!
January 17, 2025
✨Dual POV
✨Witty Banter
✨Second Chances
✨Closed door spice
✨Swoony
✨Growing & Healing
‼️ I don’t know why this book isn’t more popular ‼️
This was an addictive read. I do not know what took me so long to get my act together and read this but gosh dang I am glad I did.
This is a swoony story about Cora and Jake. With a past they recognize in their present. There’s so much tension. There’s growing and leaving things behind. There’s realizing you can grow and heal and still love. I have been doing little heart eyes at this book for the last day.
If you’re in need a palette cleanser, this is cutesy, sweet, swoony, addictive.
Thanks Voracious Readers for letting me DEVOUR this gem. 💎
✨Witty Banter
✨Second Chances
✨Closed door spice
✨Swoony
✨Growing & Healing
‼️ I don’t know why this book isn’t more popular ‼️
This was an addictive read. I do not know what took me so long to get my act together and read this but gosh dang I am glad I did.
This is a swoony story about Cora and Jake. With a past they recognize in their present. There’s so much tension. There’s growing and leaving things behind. There’s realizing you can grow and heal and still love. I have been doing little heart eyes at this book for the last day.
If you’re in need a palette cleanser, this is cutesy, sweet, swoony, addictive.
Thanks Voracious Readers for letting me DEVOUR this gem. 💎
January 28, 2025
Besides how utterly annoying Cora’s ex boyfriend is I enjoyed this book. I won another of her books in a Goodreads giveaway and enjoyed this author. Looks like she only has one other book out thay I will try to find and would definitely read more of hers.
December 21, 2024
Rewriting December is a snowy, meant-to-be romance with heart and meaning all throughout. Super sweet read for December, that I'd recommend.
July 26, 2025
This was my first book by author Nicole Crystal and I was impressed with how the story developed and progressed. There was just enough unknown to keep me interested and invested and lots of sweet and swoony too. I was rooting for both main characters (Jake and Cora) pretty early on and as I learned more about them and what they had been through? Even more so.
This book had much less spice than I’m used to but I love a slow burn and the tension and romantic elements were well done and satisfying. I enjoyed the growth of characters and the realistic healing journey of both through grief.
👋 Therapist Take: this one was full of deeper themes and reminders of the importance of finding meaning, believing in the power of new beginnings and the importance of healthy communication (even when things get sticky). I love a holiday story, but more than that I love when people who struggle find one another and the journey gets easier.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to the author and Voracious Readers Only for the ebook.
This book had much less spice than I’m used to but I love a slow burn and the tension and romantic elements were well done and satisfying. I enjoyed the growth of characters and the realistic healing journey of both through grief.
👋 Therapist Take: this one was full of deeper themes and reminders of the importance of finding meaning, believing in the power of new beginnings and the importance of healthy communication (even when things get sticky). I love a holiday story, but more than that I love when people who struggle find one another and the journey gets easier.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to the author and Voracious Readers Only for the ebook.
August 8, 2024
Rewriting December had me hooked from the beginning right through to the end. I received this ebook from Voracious Readers in exchange for an honest review.
This romance novel introduces us to Cora Cooper and Jake Rhoades. Years after a tragic accident that had these two cross paths, Jake once again recognizes Cora in the coffee shop where he works. She was the girl who saved his life. December has been a difficult month for both Cora and Jake since the accident. Both have painful pasts that they need to work through as they grow and learn to trust and love again.
I loved the dynamic between Cora and Jake and understanding what each of them had been through seperatly over the years had me cheering them on. Fate brought them together but will time and healing keep them together? This book was well written and flowed so well, making it easy to read. I loved that the author gave both Cora and Jake the time to fall in love.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a slow burn romance.
Thank you Voracious Readers for allowing me to read, enjoy and give my honest review.
This romance novel introduces us to Cora Cooper and Jake Rhoades. Years after a tragic accident that had these two cross paths, Jake once again recognizes Cora in the coffee shop where he works. She was the girl who saved his life. December has been a difficult month for both Cora and Jake since the accident. Both have painful pasts that they need to work through as they grow and learn to trust and love again.
I loved the dynamic between Cora and Jake and understanding what each of them had been through seperatly over the years had me cheering them on. Fate brought them together but will time and healing keep them together? This book was well written and flowed so well, making it easy to read. I loved that the author gave both Cora and Jake the time to fall in love.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a slow burn romance.
Thank you Voracious Readers for allowing me to read, enjoy and give my honest review.
June 13, 2025
4.25 ⭐️
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
I received a free copy of this book from the author via Voracious Readers Only.
There is a journey of healing with both main characters - Jake and Cora. Throughout the span of five years - their lives criss-crossed but they did not connect.
I believe that Jake had more to restore to his life: more self-discovery; he had to experience growth; had to build an emotional resilience. You can see the progression of Jake’s growth and his conflict with his worthiness. Cora as well had a lot to work through but she had the support of her sister and brother-in-law. Jake chose to push away his family /support system and healed alone for the majority of his pain.
*Slow-Burn romance
*Irritating; manipulative Ex
*All connects at the end with a happily ever after …
A nice romance read!
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
I received a free copy of this book from the author via Voracious Readers Only.
There is a journey of healing with both main characters - Jake and Cora. Throughout the span of five years - their lives criss-crossed but they did not connect.
I believe that Jake had more to restore to his life: more self-discovery; he had to experience growth; had to build an emotional resilience. You can see the progression of Jake’s growth and his conflict with his worthiness. Cora as well had a lot to work through but she had the support of her sister and brother-in-law. Jake chose to push away his family /support system and healed alone for the majority of his pain.
*Slow-Burn romance
*Irritating; manipulative Ex
*All connects at the end with a happily ever after …
A nice romance read!
November 8, 2025
Just finished my ARC of Rewriting December by Nicole Crystal, and it was such a beautiful, cozy holiday read! 🎅🏼✨ I’m giving it 4.75⭐️ because it had everything I love about Christmas romances — warmth, second chances, and that magical feeling that only December can bring.
Nicole Crystal delivers a heartfelt story that makes you want to snuggle up with a blanket, a mug of hot chocolate, and let yourself fall into the holiday spirit. The characters are relatable, the romance is sweet with just the right amount of emotion, and the setting feels like something straight out of a Hallmark movie.
If you’re like me and can’t resist a Christmas love story filled with hope, new beginnings, and festive charm, Rewriting December is a must-add to your winter TBR! 🎄💫
Nicole Crystal delivers a heartfelt story that makes you want to snuggle up with a blanket, a mug of hot chocolate, and let yourself fall into the holiday spirit. The characters are relatable, the romance is sweet with just the right amount of emotion, and the setting feels like something straight out of a Hallmark movie.
If you’re like me and can’t resist a Christmas love story filled with hope, new beginnings, and festive charm, Rewriting December is a must-add to your winter TBR! 🎄💫
August 3, 2025
Let me start by saying I got this book through Voracious readers only and I actually did enjoy reading this book. I liked that the book was about finding second chances and happiness. I enjoyed the missed connection that they could have had. I think the problem that the couple faced wasn’t really big enough but that’s just me. I think parts of the story wasn’t realistic enough for me. I absolutely love rom com stories of people falling in love but I could have used a little more back ground from the story. I would recommend to readers who are wanting a cute rom com to get into.
The cons of the story for me were the negative self talk (that was just irritated me (yes we all have it but it was way too repetitive for me). I also had a really big problem with the paragraphs on each page and the blank pages through out the book. I think it needed to be a little more realistic. I think it was a little all over the place in parts.
Overall, it was a good read, I love rom com stories and this was really cute, I wouldn’t read it again but it was def cute. I would recommend tho to other people who want a cute, easy to get through story.
The cons of the story for me were the negative self talk (that was just irritated me (yes we all have it but it was way too repetitive for me). I also had a really big problem with the paragraphs on each page and the blank pages through out the book. I think it needed to be a little more realistic. I think it was a little all over the place in parts.
Overall, it was a good read, I love rom com stories and this was really cute, I wouldn’t read it again but it was def cute. I would recommend tho to other people who want a cute, easy to get through story.
December 12, 2024
A heartfelt story of love and redemption through the journeys of Cora Cooper and Jake Rhoades. They connect through a tragic accident at first on a snowy December night, that leads to a powerful bond; Years later, they bump into each other at a coffee shop rekindling their feelings, but both characters have baggage of their painful pasts. This novel beautifully illustrates the power of love to mend broken hearts and offers a touching reminder of second chances. Perfect for fans of emotional romance, that will linger in your thoughts long after reading. A perfect read for December!
October 15, 2025
I don't read many romance books these days but love it when I find one as sweet as Rewriting December. The blurb really grabbed me.
I loved Jake and Cora's story and all the mystery and intrigue surrounding them.
I also loved the literary and musical themes in the story, they added to the sweetness.
Jake and Cora's lives were full of drama and things between them far from straightforward forward but I was really rooting for them. Their love story was definitely a rollercoaster ride.
The story flowed really well and there were plenty of incidents that kept me wanting to turn the pages.
I loved Jake and Cora's story and all the mystery and intrigue surrounding them.
I also loved the literary and musical themes in the story, they added to the sweetness.
Jake and Cora's lives were full of drama and things between them far from straightforward forward but I was really rooting for them. Their love story was definitely a rollercoaster ride.
The story flowed really well and there were plenty of incidents that kept me wanting to turn the pages.
July 22, 2025
I received this book through Voracious Readers. Once I started reading it I knew I had to finish it to see how Cora and Jake ended. I was not disappointed at all. Have it 5 stars, it kept my attention until the end. Was upset when it ended because I wanted to see them continue their love story.
I did not like Logan and how he tried to manipulate Cora to go back with him, I screamed internally every time she would key him in. So happy she came to her senses and realized Jake was her happily ever after.
I did not like Logan and how he tried to manipulate Cora to go back with him, I screamed internally every time she would key him in. So happy she came to her senses and realized Jake was her happily ever after.
May 30, 2025
I received this book from Voracious Readers for my honest opinion.
I loved this book. I enjoyed the characters and the fateful love story. I loved how every chapter connected the dots between the main characters and their lives. I will definitely be checking out the prequel about the supporting characters.
I loved this book. I enjoyed the characters and the fateful love story. I loved how every chapter connected the dots between the main characters and their lives. I will definitely be checking out the prequel about the supporting characters.
September 27, 2025
Cora and Jake were so sweet in this book. They are both trying to break their “December curse”. This book was so well written and I felt so bad for Jake. He truly cared about people around him and felt too deep but was struggling so bad with his past and loss. Their mistrust in each other just made it that much sweeter at the end when they finally get it right.
December 13, 2025
Rating: 🎄🎄🎄🎄
I loved this book, I loved the plot of the book and how the main characters grow and change . I also loved how they were able to change their most cursed month of the year. It was a good book , I would definitely read more from this author and recommend this book . Even though I loved the book I give four stars because there were parts that I found were dragged out.
I loved this book, I loved the plot of the book and how the main characters grow and change . I also loved how they were able to change their most cursed month of the year. It was a good book , I would definitely read more from this author and recommend this book . Even though I loved the book I give four stars because there were parts that I found were dragged out.
December 14, 2025
A very well thought out love story between Jake and Cora whose paths have crossed a few times before but now the timing is right. He's a bartender, barista, and musician with a traumatic past and she's fresh out of a bad relationship.
Their story is full of connection, lust, love, support, and some misunderstandings requiring important, deep conversations. Overall, a great read that is well written.
Their story is full of connection, lust, love, support, and some misunderstandings requiring important, deep conversations. Overall, a great read that is well written.
December 9, 2024
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway!
4.5/5 stars. Rewriting December had me hooked right from the start. The main characters are both lovely and I love their developing relationship. I also loved the growth after trauma tropes. This was a fun wintery read.
4.5/5 stars. Rewriting December had me hooked right from the start. The main characters are both lovely and I love their developing relationship. I also loved the growth after trauma tropes. This was a fun wintery read.
May 26, 2025
Absolutely loved this book!
Rewriting December is a beautifully emotional story about second chances, healing, and unexpected love. Nicole Crystal’s writing pulled me in and didn’t let go—Cora and Jake’s journey is tender, raw, and unforgettable.
Rewriting December is a beautifully emotional story about second chances, healing, and unexpected love. Nicole Crystal’s writing pulled me in and didn’t let go—Cora and Jake’s journey is tender, raw, and unforgettable.
November 14, 2025
Great book. I loved the chemistry between Jake and Cora. This isn’t just a love story but it is about healing and forgiveness. Would recommend this book!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author via Voracious Readers Only.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author via Voracious Readers Only.
December 1, 2024
I loved the love story between Cora and Jake and to see Jake flourish was so sweet! Quick easy read! Nice December read :)
Thanks Nicole for gifting my book club the signed copies!
Thanks Nicole for gifting my book club the signed copies!
November 25, 2025
It was well written and i couldn't stop reading until the end. I love the characters as well continue writing will like to read more. I will probably read it again.
December 30, 2025
This tale of invisible strings had me sucked in from the very beginning. Very cute December read!
April 11, 2025
It was a cute story. The plot was good and kept me interested. Not a lot of spice but I enjoyed reading it!
May 16, 2024
If you are looking for a page turning, heartwarming read this is it. This love story was so vivid I could see the whole relationship developing into a beautiful, complicated partnership!! I highly recommend this book- perfect for a poolside read or rainy weekend in!!
November 4, 2024
This was a great book! I enjoyed reading it.
November 16, 2025
Rewriting December is a heartfelt second-chance romance with relatable characters and emotional beats that explore past mistakes, forgiveness, and rekindled feelings. The story flows smoothly, with moments of sweet, slow-building tension that make the romance satisfying.
It’s not in the darker, morally grey lane I usually crave, so it didn’t fully capture me, but it’s a comforting, feel-good read for fans of second-chance contemporary romance.
It’s not in the darker, morally grey lane I usually crave, so it didn’t fully capture me, but it’s a comforting, feel-good read for fans of second-chance contemporary romance.
February 2, 2025
Rewriting December was a cute story. Some aspects of the book like switching POV every chapter, both characters mentioning the same thing that happened in their respective chapters, and the characters being so stuck in their ways they kept repeating experiences until about half way through the book made it a bit harder for me to get through the book. The story did pick up after about half way. Cora and Jake seemed like they finally started to move on and grow. I was also glad to see they got a happy ending after everything.
Thank you to Nicole Crystal and Goodreads for giving me the chance to read Rewriting December. Things aligned so well I started reading Rewriting December at a perfect time: December 2024. 😄
Thank you to Nicole Crystal and Goodreads for giving me the chance to read Rewriting December. Things aligned so well I started reading Rewriting December at a perfect time: December 2024. 😄
May 30, 2025
Update (May 2025): just as good the second time around! This one’s becoming a pick-me-up read.
Original review:
Maybe it’s my own current situation speaking, but this book gripped and gutted me from the get-go. The prologue was a bit of a shock (I wasn’t expecting to start a Christmas romance with a bloody car crash scene!), but I immediately connected with Cora and her insecurities, and the ways she and Jake related to each other lined up so perfectly with each of their personal histories of relationship trauma. It was beautifully constructed, and SO internally consistent.
Cora has had a series of relationships, coming off the back of a very distant childhood. She basically doesn’t speak to her parents, her sister Arden raised her, and she constantly feels like she’s disappointing her parents. That leads to her putting too much value on the opinions of each boyfriend, and generally losing her self-worth — while pushing Arden away. It’s a potent combination, made lethal when her fiancé Logan cheats on her.
Jake, poor guy, was in a three-year relationship that imploded , and Jake has been eaten alive by the guilt and inability to forgive, and doesn’t think he’s worthy of love. That, of course, comes from constantly saying “how high” whenever that girlfriend said “jump” and not seeing that as a warning sign.
Logan is a manipulative, over-confident psycho who is convinced that he can win Cora back just by existing (and if that fails, then by black-naming Jake).
Then there’s a whole cast of variously supportive side characters.
Six years before the story takes place, Cora saves Jake after a massive highway pile-up they were both involved in (and this is the bloody prologue I mentioned). There are a lot of other friend-and-family links between them, but they somehow avoid meeting until Cora ends her engagement with Logan and moves in with Arden — who happens to live in the building where Jakes works in a coffee shop.
Look, it’s a lot of coincidences, but every story is based on the author’s choice of coincidences!
From there, we dive into a tangled web of blind dates, fake dating, INCREDIBLE tension (the chemistry is seriously on point), dumb trauma-driven decisions, and redemption. It was honestly a joy to see Cora and Jake work through the many pitfalls of their individual and shared trauma, and build a healthy relationship after so much hurt.
I did have a few “issues” reading this book:
* PLEASE stop referring to people’s eyes as “hues” — it’s really annoying! Almost as bad as orbs.
* A bit more proofreading would help. There are constant its/its errors, words missing, extra words, and a few other bits and bobs that throw off the reading experience.
* We’ve been told that Jake has blue eyes, brown hair, a beard at the start, and a rugged jawline. And that he’s handsome. Then later, Cora goes on about his “striking” face — but how is he striking? The initial description seemed a bit generic to call him “striking” later on…
All in all, a good read, would recommend, and I really want to read Rewriting the Rules now (Mark and Arden’s story).
*I received a free copy of this book from Voracious Readers Only in exchange for an honest review.*
Original review:
Maybe it’s my own current situation speaking, but this book gripped and gutted me from the get-go. The prologue was a bit of a shock (I wasn’t expecting to start a Christmas romance with a bloody car crash scene!), but I immediately connected with Cora and her insecurities, and the ways she and Jake related to each other lined up so perfectly with each of their personal histories of relationship trauma. It was beautifully constructed, and SO internally consistent.
Cora has had a series of relationships, coming off the back of a very distant childhood. She basically doesn’t speak to her parents, her sister Arden raised her, and she constantly feels like she’s disappointing her parents. That leads to her putting too much value on the opinions of each boyfriend, and generally losing her self-worth — while pushing Arden away. It’s a potent combination, made lethal when her fiancé Logan cheats on her.
Jake, poor guy, was in a three-year relationship that imploded , and Jake has been eaten alive by the guilt and inability to forgive, and doesn’t think he’s worthy of love. That, of course, comes from constantly saying “how high” whenever that girlfriend said “jump” and not seeing that as a warning sign.
Logan is a manipulative, over-confident psycho who is convinced that he can win Cora back just by existing (and if that fails, then by black-naming Jake).
Then there’s a whole cast of variously supportive side characters.
Six years before the story takes place, Cora saves Jake after a massive highway pile-up they were both involved in (and this is the bloody prologue I mentioned). There are a lot of other friend-and-family links between them, but they somehow avoid meeting until Cora ends her engagement with Logan and moves in with Arden — who happens to live in the building where Jakes works in a coffee shop.
Look, it’s a lot of coincidences, but every story is based on the author’s choice of coincidences!
From there, we dive into a tangled web of blind dates, fake dating, INCREDIBLE tension (the chemistry is seriously on point), dumb trauma-driven decisions, and redemption. It was honestly a joy to see Cora and Jake work through the many pitfalls of their individual and shared trauma, and build a healthy relationship after so much hurt.
I did have a few “issues” reading this book:
* PLEASE stop referring to people’s eyes as “hues” — it’s really annoying! Almost as bad as orbs.
* A bit more proofreading would help. There are constant its/its errors, words missing, extra words, and a few other bits and bobs that throw off the reading experience.
* We’ve been told that Jake has blue eyes, brown hair, a beard at the start, and a rugged jawline. And that he’s handsome. Then later, Cora goes on about his “striking” face — but how is he striking? The initial description seemed a bit generic to call him “striking” later on…
All in all, a good read, would recommend, and I really want to read Rewriting the Rules now (Mark and Arden’s story).
*I received a free copy of this book from Voracious Readers Only in exchange for an honest review.*
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews