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12 Days of Book-Club-Mas
Our Advent Calendar recipients will receive an anthology of about 400 pages featuring 12 short stories (each ~20 pages long) featuring one of the 12 gifts. Each story is written by a different author who wrote these tales specifically to bring our selected gifts to life! As you read each short story, you'll be prompted at key moments within them to open the corresponding gift for the day. These gifts are all incredibly useful, beautiful items, perfect for the bookworm in all of us! These gifts are not Christmas themed (only the wrapping is wintery to match the season!) and each item can be used and enjoyed year-round.
396 pages, Paperback
Published December 1, 2024
21 people are currently reading
70 people want to read
About the author
Brandy Pelletier
5 books108 followersBrandy Pelletier spends her days as a reading specialist and her nights and weekends reading anything she can get her hands on. She’s wanted to become a published author ever since second grade, when her original story “How the Giraffe Got Its Long Neck” was published in her school district’s annual writing anthology.
When she’s not blasting Taylor Swift or attempting to tackle her ridiculously long TBR, she can be found collecting book boyfriends and dreaming of living in a witch cottage with her miniature schnauzer, Pippa.
Follow Brandy on Instagram @thebrandyland.
When she’s not blasting Taylor Swift or attempting to tackle her ridiculously long TBR, she can be found collecting book boyfriends and dreaming of living in a witch cottage with her miniature schnauzer, Pippa.
Follow Brandy on Instagram @thebrandyland.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
December 25, 2024
Day 1: a cute, simple romance. 3/5
Day 2: what.. did I read? This was confusing. 1/5
Day 3: another cute romance. Nothing too special but better than day 2. 3/5
Day 4: this romance was perfectly paced to be a short story without leaving me wanting more 4/5
Day 5: amazing! I need the full story. But with spice. 5/5
Day 6: fun story about friendship. And let’s be real - we all know what singer the author was referring to. 3/5
Day 7: this gave all the good vibes 3/5
Day 8: very cute! Had a fun time reading it 4/5
Day 9: Obsessed. 100% obsessed. I *need* more of this. 6/5
Day 10: the story was sadly boring. I understood the sentiment of the story but… meh. 2/5
Day 11: meh. Had potential to be better than what it was. Gave “The Spell Shop” vibes 2.5/5
Day 12: this… was not it for me. But the gift is cute and comfy 2/5
Day 2: what.. did I read? This was confusing. 1/5
Day 3: another cute romance. Nothing too special but better than day 2. 3/5
Day 4: this romance was perfectly paced to be a short story without leaving me wanting more 4/5
Day 5: amazing! I need the full story. But with spice. 5/5
Day 6: fun story about friendship. And let’s be real - we all know what singer the author was referring to. 3/5
Day 7: this gave all the good vibes 3/5
Day 8: very cute! Had a fun time reading it 4/5
Day 9: Obsessed. 100% obsessed. I *need* more of this. 6/5
Day 10: the story was sadly boring. I understood the sentiment of the story but… meh. 2/5
Day 11: meh. Had potential to be better than what it was. Gave “The Spell Shop” vibes 2.5/5
Day 12: this… was not it for me. But the gift is cute and comfy 2/5
December 21, 2024
Some of the stories were pretty good, but some nothing to do with Christmas at all. And especially the last one.
December 27, 2024
Got this book (and the huge box of gifts) as an early Christmas present from my best friend Jenny. It's from the Once Upon a Book Club, and they package their books with gifts that you open when you reach certain pages, usually items referenced within the story.
"Back to You" by Brandy Pelletier which I enjoyed. I'm a sucker for a romance story, and this one was wonderful.
"Choices" by Jenna Pashley Smith. I liked that it had an Indiana basis for some of the memories, but one of the problems with having a bored main character with boring memories is that the reader is likely to be bored too. I didn't really grasp how in a mere handful of decades that Earth is part of an interstellar thing, or what the point of the satellite was. It took me four sittings to get through this one.
"Bloom Where You Are Planted." I had a hard time getting into this one. The characters were not that interesting. Only Freya had any depth at all. And so many coincidences - she's been involved with a lot of kidnappings and murderers. I don't know. This story just didn't feel well plotted out.
"Perfect on Paper" by Katie Fitzgerald, was perfect. I enjoyed this one a lot. My favorite (so far) in this volume. It was touching, cute, and romantic.
"Little Fortunes" by Megan Lacroix, and it was a cute little tale about competing fortune tellers, assumptions, and futures interfered with.
"The Concert" by Emily Danger and Jasmine Kuliasha. Cute little story about a last few days for childhood friends before they separate to go to different colleges.
"The Siren's Cure" by Dahlia Reid. I liked it to a point, but I never found myself really caring about the characters or the plagued people. The book angle didn't really feel organic to the story. And on page 205, "Then capturing her would be for not" should have been "...would be for naught." I wanted to like this one, but just didn't. It had no emotional heft.
"The Luckiest Find" by Cate Collins was next. I am a sucker for a romance, and this one really satisfied. I liked it. Thought the characters were great, the setting was wonderful, and the romance was solid.
"The Vampire's Library" by Avalon Griffin. I liked the title right off, and I loved the premise. A temp hired to catalogue a vampire's library. I've gotten to catalogue a library once, and I loved the assignment. Also, it had a bit of romance (not quite as developed as I would have liked), violence, spells, and ghosts. I very much enjoyed the story (and loved the gift that came with it).
"Where We're From" by Zahra Wadia. It started okay, then lost me in the middle with all the dense conversations but without dialogue, like the opposite of "show, don't tell." I was told of the conversations, but none of them were shown to me. That middle section was horrible. Then it got better at the end.
"The Secret of Northwood" was a cozy little tale about a new witch and a bunch of faeries. It was a cute little story.
"Cryptid Country" about a sham hunt for Bigfoot. This one really disappointed me. Basically a lot of pronoun games, and no one really likes each other, which makes the reader not give a shit.
There were some really enjoyable stories, but some really unenjoyable ones, too. A real mixed bag. I liked the actual gifts that came in the box though. I really wish these stories were more strongly Christmas related, though.
"Back to You" by Brandy Pelletier which I enjoyed. I'm a sucker for a romance story, and this one was wonderful.
"Choices" by Jenna Pashley Smith. I liked that it had an Indiana basis for some of the memories, but one of the problems with having a bored main character with boring memories is that the reader is likely to be bored too. I didn't really grasp how in a mere handful of decades that Earth is part of an interstellar thing, or what the point of the satellite was. It took me four sittings to get through this one.
"Bloom Where You Are Planted." I had a hard time getting into this one. The characters were not that interesting. Only Freya had any depth at all. And so many coincidences - she's been involved with a lot of kidnappings and murderers. I don't know. This story just didn't feel well plotted out.
"Perfect on Paper" by Katie Fitzgerald, was perfect. I enjoyed this one a lot. My favorite (so far) in this volume. It was touching, cute, and romantic.
"Little Fortunes" by Megan Lacroix, and it was a cute little tale about competing fortune tellers, assumptions, and futures interfered with.
"The Concert" by Emily Danger and Jasmine Kuliasha. Cute little story about a last few days for childhood friends before they separate to go to different colleges.
"The Siren's Cure" by Dahlia Reid. I liked it to a point, but I never found myself really caring about the characters or the plagued people. The book angle didn't really feel organic to the story. And on page 205, "Then capturing her would be for not" should have been "...would be for naught." I wanted to like this one, but just didn't. It had no emotional heft.
"The Luckiest Find" by Cate Collins was next. I am a sucker for a romance, and this one really satisfied. I liked it. Thought the characters were great, the setting was wonderful, and the romance was solid.
"The Vampire's Library" by Avalon Griffin. I liked the title right off, and I loved the premise. A temp hired to catalogue a vampire's library. I've gotten to catalogue a library once, and I loved the assignment. Also, it had a bit of romance (not quite as developed as I would have liked), violence, spells, and ghosts. I very much enjoyed the story (and loved the gift that came with it).
"Where We're From" by Zahra Wadia. It started okay, then lost me in the middle with all the dense conversations but without dialogue, like the opposite of "show, don't tell." I was told of the conversations, but none of them were shown to me. That middle section was horrible. Then it got better at the end.
"The Secret of Northwood" was a cozy little tale about a new witch and a bunch of faeries. It was a cute little story.
"Cryptid Country" about a sham hunt for Bigfoot. This one really disappointed me. Basically a lot of pronoun games, and no one really likes each other, which makes the reader not give a shit.
There were some really enjoyable stories, but some really unenjoyable ones, too. A real mixed bag. I liked the actual gifts that came in the box though. I really wish these stories were more strongly Christmas related, though.
June 1, 2025
It’s always so fun to short stories and get little presents along the way!!
December 31, 2024
I have to say I really liked the majority of these stories way more than last years volume of stories.
March 7, 2025
4 ⭐️
The stories were really great this year. My only complaints are that it didn't reach me in time before leaving for my Christmas trip, so I didn't get to read it leading up to Christmas. Also, these "short" stories get longer every year, and it can be difficult to fit them in during the busiest time of year. I miss the much shorter stories.
The stories were really great this year. My only complaints are that it didn't reach me in time before leaving for my Christmas trip, so I didn't get to read it leading up to Christmas. Also, these "short" stories get longer every year, and it can be difficult to fit them in during the busiest time of year. I miss the much shorter stories.
December 26, 2024
While not all stories were 5 Star worthy, this reading experience was worth all the stars in the world! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I loved the attention to detail in each story and accompanying gift. I will use every single gift, physical and figurative, from this reading experience. I will ABSOLUTELY recommend the 12 days of Book-Club-Mas Advent calendar to all my fellow book/reading lovers. 👏🏽😍
December 22, 2024
Some of these stories were really cute and some of them were just not my cup of tea.
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December 24, 2024I am so wonderfully in awe of all the beautiful and imaginative stories my fellow writers created in this anthology!
March 5, 2025
First, If you aren't familiar, this book comes as part of the Once Upon A Bookclub Advent Calendar. You get the book, it comes with 12 different stories one to read each day leading up to the 12 days of Christmas. Each story is going to correspond with a gift to open that day. The concept and the gifts are amazing. I love the idea, I love the gifts. The stories were good, not all of them hit home but they weren't harmful in any way. I do wish they were Christmas themed though because I do think that would keep me interested in them longer. I wanted festivities or even the downsides of Christmas but these were all over the place. The story I liked the most (but can't remember the title) is the one about the lending library and how they would pass notes through the library. I thought that one was so cute and it's the one that actually stuck with me.
Check out a podcast that I host with my boyfriend where we talk books and book related things:
https://open.spotify.com/show/6Xjyht7...
and our Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/talkbooky/
Check out a podcast that I host with my boyfriend where we talk books and book related things:
https://open.spotify.com/show/6Xjyht7...
and our Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/talkbooky/
December 30, 2024
I gave this an overall rating of 3, there were multiple stories I didn't like, and none that were Christmas related.
The only gift I truly loved and am obsessed with, is the Pride and Prejudice jewelry box. Many of the other items are going to friends because they just sit around and take up space.
Day 1: Back to You: I think this was supposed to be like a second chance love story, but I found it hard to believe considering the first time they were literal children, and now they're 23. Gift: a hard cover book (The Poet's House) with a post card from the story in it. ⭐️⭐️
Day 2: Choices: This was very weird. Set in the future with a job that doesn't make sense, just to have a "choice" on the last page. Did not enjoy this one. Gift: a clock with no numbers, and a quote from The Little Prince.
⭐️
Day 3: Bloom Where You're Planted: I wasn't expecting a whole dun it to have a name like this. Why was the ex kidnapping people and leaving clues? Why did the neighbor kill the aunt? Meh. Gift: a set of wildflower themed bookmarks.
⭐️⭐️
Day 4: Perfect on Paper: This was an adorable little romance. Loved that Grant met Astrid where she was, and made sure she was comfortable. Gift: a hard cover book (Flying Solo) with a little yellow note sticking out.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Day 5: Little Fortunes: Liked the idea of dueling fortune tellers, but not sure why we needed the robbery gone wrong? It didn't seem to fit the story to me. Gift: blue/white trinket dish.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Day 6: The Concert: School besties doing a road trip with a Switfie bucket list. I'm not a Swiftie so most went over my head. There were a LOT of exclamation points in this story, it was a bit much. Best friend time was cute but thought it was a bit much. Gift: a bucket list book
⭐️⭐️
Day 7: The Siren's Cure: A siren gets caught by a pirate (aka the mage) to help out humans with a plague that's ravaging an area, the relationship between the two sirens is a strong friendship which was great. The ending with the mage seemed rushed. Gift: paperback book (Dead to Her) with a seaweed bookmark.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Day 8: The Luckiest Find: Book shop friends talk lucky finds with a book of the week, Emma talks about how her Aunt Harry made her brave and made her realize she can be whatever she wants, she falls for the bookstore owner, pretty cute. Gift: Pride and Prejudice book jewelry box with an art deco style ring.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Day 9: The Vampire's Library: This was super cute! A witch who doesn't believe in herself because of past trauma meets a vampire who is all alone with a massive library. They both help each other, and fall for each other as well. Honestly this would work great as an actual book and not just a short story! Gift: a book review notepad and pen
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Day 10: Where We're From: A story about a girl out of college who lost her dad, who she became out of touch with over the years. She's learning to see him again through his home and neighbors. Was pretty slow. Gift: paperback book (The Stolen Lady) with a note tucked in.
⭐️⭐️
Day 11: The Secret of Northwood: An adorable coming of age type of book, but for a witch who is learning what she can do after her godmother passes away. A sweet little magical tale that left me wanting more! Gift: glass measuring cups with words
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Day 12: Cryptid Country: A sister taking her little brother to find Bigfoot. This is set in Appalachia VA, and the MMC is a backwoods con-man. It irritated me a bit, as that's not how people always are in this area. (It's where I live.) Sister goes missing, search ensues. Seemed lame to me, as it was mostly just the MMC talking crap about the sister/brother it seemed. Did not enjoy. Gift: The Snow Queen blanket (Hans Christian Anderson)
⭐️
The only gift I truly loved and am obsessed with, is the Pride and Prejudice jewelry box. Many of the other items are going to friends because they just sit around and take up space.
Day 1: Back to You: I think this was supposed to be like a second chance love story, but I found it hard to believe considering the first time they were literal children, and now they're 23. Gift: a hard cover book (The Poet's House) with a post card from the story in it. ⭐️⭐️
Day 2: Choices: This was very weird. Set in the future with a job that doesn't make sense, just to have a "choice" on the last page. Did not enjoy this one. Gift: a clock with no numbers, and a quote from The Little Prince.
⭐️
Day 3: Bloom Where You're Planted: I wasn't expecting a whole dun it to have a name like this. Why was the ex kidnapping people and leaving clues? Why did the neighbor kill the aunt? Meh. Gift: a set of wildflower themed bookmarks.
⭐️⭐️
Day 4: Perfect on Paper: This was an adorable little romance. Loved that Grant met Astrid where she was, and made sure she was comfortable. Gift: a hard cover book (Flying Solo) with a little yellow note sticking out.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Day 5: Little Fortunes: Liked the idea of dueling fortune tellers, but not sure why we needed the robbery gone wrong? It didn't seem to fit the story to me. Gift: blue/white trinket dish.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Day 6: The Concert: School besties doing a road trip with a Switfie bucket list. I'm not a Swiftie so most went over my head. There were a LOT of exclamation points in this story, it was a bit much. Best friend time was cute but thought it was a bit much. Gift: a bucket list book
⭐️⭐️
Day 7: The Siren's Cure: A siren gets caught by a pirate (aka the mage) to help out humans with a plague that's ravaging an area, the relationship between the two sirens is a strong friendship which was great. The ending with the mage seemed rushed. Gift: paperback book (Dead to Her) with a seaweed bookmark.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Day 8: The Luckiest Find: Book shop friends talk lucky finds with a book of the week, Emma talks about how her Aunt Harry made her brave and made her realize she can be whatever she wants, she falls for the bookstore owner, pretty cute. Gift: Pride and Prejudice book jewelry box with an art deco style ring.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Day 9: The Vampire's Library: This was super cute! A witch who doesn't believe in herself because of past trauma meets a vampire who is all alone with a massive library. They both help each other, and fall for each other as well. Honestly this would work great as an actual book and not just a short story! Gift: a book review notepad and pen
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Day 10: Where We're From: A story about a girl out of college who lost her dad, who she became out of touch with over the years. She's learning to see him again through his home and neighbors. Was pretty slow. Gift: paperback book (The Stolen Lady) with a note tucked in.
⭐️⭐️
Day 11: The Secret of Northwood: An adorable coming of age type of book, but for a witch who is learning what she can do after her godmother passes away. A sweet little magical tale that left me wanting more! Gift: glass measuring cups with words
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Day 12: Cryptid Country: A sister taking her little brother to find Bigfoot. This is set in Appalachia VA, and the MMC is a backwoods con-man. It irritated me a bit, as that's not how people always are in this area. (It's where I live.) Sister goes missing, search ensues. Seemed lame to me, as it was mostly just the MMC talking crap about the sister/brother it seemed. Did not enjoy. Gift: The Snow Queen blanket (Hans Christian Anderson)
⭐️
January 7, 2025
*3.5/5 stars*
I love this advent calendar, even though I never actually get a chance to finish it during advent lol. This gifts are useful for the most part, plus 4 of the gifts are books. Most of these stories were good with a few standout ones. I'm not complaining. I had fun with it!
Day 1: Back to You: 4/5 stars. Cute little second chance romance story. Gift: Hardcover book (The Poet's House)
Day 2: Choices: 2/5 stars. Odd sci-fi story with AI and bleh. Didn't love this one. Gift: a Little Prince themed clock (meh)
Day 3: Bloom Where You're Planted: 3/5 stars. A mystery story, I enjoyed it enough. It didn't wow me, but it held my attention. Gift: A set of wildflower bookmarks
Day 4: Perfect on Paper: 5/5 stars. Super cute romance with the two characters exchanging letters through a Free Little Library. Loved it! Gift: Hardcover book (Flying Solo)
Day 5: Little Fortunes: 2/5 stars. Dueling fortune tellers sounds fun, but this was so boring to me, and the ending came out of left field. Gift: super cute trinket dish
Day 6: The Concert: 4/5 stars. Two besties doing a Swiftie themed bucket list on their way to the Eras Tour? Um yes. It was very fun and cute! Gift: a bucket list book (fun!)
Day 7: The Siren's Cure: 3/5 stars. Interesting enough, it wasn't bad, just wasn't my favorite. Gift: Paperback book with a bookmark(Dead to Her)
Day 8: The Luckiest Find: 4/5 stars. Really cute little romance centered around a bookstore. I loved the backstory of the bookstore. So sweet! Gift: Really pretty Pride and Prejudice book jewelry book with a ring inside
Day 9: The Vampire's Library: 5/5 stars. I could have read a full length novel on this one! Lovved it. So fun! Gift: A sticky note book review notepad with a pen
Day 10: Where We're From: 3/5 stars. Kind of eerie, kind of sad. It was okay, but I feel like it was a little too much to be a short story. It needed to be longer to be able to really feel the depth it was trying to accomplish. Gift: Paperback book (The Stolen Lady)
Day 11: The Secret of Northwood: 4/5 stars. A witchy fairy story? Yes. I really liked this one. Gift: really pretty set of ceramic measuring cups (love, probably my favorite gift)
Day 12: Cryptid Country: 1/5. What was this? The writing was awful, and the attempt to "write" in country accents was cringy. It felt offensive, to be honest lol. Gift: The Snow Queen blanket
I love this advent calendar, even though I never actually get a chance to finish it during advent lol. This gifts are useful for the most part, plus 4 of the gifts are books. Most of these stories were good with a few standout ones. I'm not complaining. I had fun with it!
Day 1: Back to You: 4/5 stars. Cute little second chance romance story. Gift: Hardcover book (The Poet's House)
Day 2: Choices: 2/5 stars. Odd sci-fi story with AI and bleh. Didn't love this one. Gift: a Little Prince themed clock (meh)
Day 3: Bloom Where You're Planted: 3/5 stars. A mystery story, I enjoyed it enough. It didn't wow me, but it held my attention. Gift: A set of wildflower bookmarks
Day 4: Perfect on Paper: 5/5 stars. Super cute romance with the two characters exchanging letters through a Free Little Library. Loved it! Gift: Hardcover book (Flying Solo)
Day 5: Little Fortunes: 2/5 stars. Dueling fortune tellers sounds fun, but this was so boring to me, and the ending came out of left field. Gift: super cute trinket dish
Day 6: The Concert: 4/5 stars. Two besties doing a Swiftie themed bucket list on their way to the Eras Tour? Um yes. It was very fun and cute! Gift: a bucket list book (fun!)
Day 7: The Siren's Cure: 3/5 stars. Interesting enough, it wasn't bad, just wasn't my favorite. Gift: Paperback book with a bookmark(Dead to Her)
Day 8: The Luckiest Find: 4/5 stars. Really cute little romance centered around a bookstore. I loved the backstory of the bookstore. So sweet! Gift: Really pretty Pride and Prejudice book jewelry book with a ring inside
Day 9: The Vampire's Library: 5/5 stars. I could have read a full length novel on this one! Lovved it. So fun! Gift: A sticky note book review notepad with a pen
Day 10: Where We're From: 3/5 stars. Kind of eerie, kind of sad. It was okay, but I feel like it was a little too much to be a short story. It needed to be longer to be able to really feel the depth it was trying to accomplish. Gift: Paperback book (The Stolen Lady)
Day 11: The Secret of Northwood: 4/5 stars. A witchy fairy story? Yes. I really liked this one. Gift: really pretty set of ceramic measuring cups (love, probably my favorite gift)
Day 12: Cryptid Country: 1/5. What was this? The writing was awful, and the attempt to "write" in country accents was cringy. It felt offensive, to be honest lol. Gift: The Snow Queen blanket
January 23, 2025
It’s been a minute.
I’ve been in a funk.
I haven’t posted in a while.
Here’s what I have to share…
Fourth Wing was kicking my ass and I needed something to lighten my mood. Even though slight irritation came along with receiving my 12 Days of Book-Club-Mas AFTER the holiday season, who wouldn’t be thrilled to open gifts for a near two weeks? I decided to pause Fourth Wing and proceed with my bookish box.
I was pleased that the 12 short stories were not Christmas oriented; it softened the blow. Each story had its own unique genre and storyline. I struggle with short stories as I just don’t process them the same way as a whole novel. My brain wanted more details, but like, that’s not the point right?
Some stories I enjoyed more than others and there was more good than bad. Reading them back to back was not ideal for me. I would have been better off isolating each one.
The gifts were as followed:
✨4 new books to add to my overflowing TBR list
✨Trinket tray
✨Clock
✨Book review sticky pad with white pen
✨Super soft bookish blanket
✨Pride and Prejudice themed jewelry box with gold ring
✨Ceramic measuring cups
✨Bucket List book
✨Set of 5 bookmarks
All items were of great quality minus the bookmarks which were flimsy. I could find use with it all, but I can’t help feeling I could have done without. That said, I most definitely got my money’s worth all things considered.
Book Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 Stars
Box Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 Stars
Overalll Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 Stars
I’m on the fence with if I’d purchase this years…
Fourth Wing, I’m coming for you!
I’ve been in a funk.
I haven’t posted in a while.
Here’s what I have to share…
Fourth Wing was kicking my ass and I needed something to lighten my mood. Even though slight irritation came along with receiving my 12 Days of Book-Club-Mas AFTER the holiday season, who wouldn’t be thrilled to open gifts for a near two weeks? I decided to pause Fourth Wing and proceed with my bookish box.
I was pleased that the 12 short stories were not Christmas oriented; it softened the blow. Each story had its own unique genre and storyline. I struggle with short stories as I just don’t process them the same way as a whole novel. My brain wanted more details, but like, that’s not the point right?
Some stories I enjoyed more than others and there was more good than bad. Reading them back to back was not ideal for me. I would have been better off isolating each one.
The gifts were as followed:
✨4 new books to add to my overflowing TBR list
✨Trinket tray
✨Clock
✨Book review sticky pad with white pen
✨Super soft bookish blanket
✨Pride and Prejudice themed jewelry box with gold ring
✨Ceramic measuring cups
✨Bucket List book
✨Set of 5 bookmarks
All items were of great quality minus the bookmarks which were flimsy. I could find use with it all, but I can’t help feeling I could have done without. That said, I most definitely got my money’s worth all things considered.
Book Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 Stars
Box Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 Stars
Overalll Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 Stars
I’m on the fence with if I’d purchase this years…
Fourth Wing, I’m coming for you!
May 2, 2025
Rating: 5/5
I received a eARC of audio for my honest opinion.
This short story was featured in an anthology with 11 other authors, and Once Upon a Book Club made it into a book. Each author is given 20 pages, and the reader will read 1 story a day for 12 days. It’s so cute, I just received a copy of Avalon Griffin’s short story and let me tell you it’s so cute. I can’t believe that it was only 20 pages, you will meet a witch who doesn’t believe in herself anymore because of the past, and a lonely vampire... but just wait this lonely vampire has a massive library. A temp is hired to catalogue the vampire’s library and that is where you will meet the witch named Chime and a vampire named Gabriel. I wish that this short story was a novel. That is how good the story was. There is slow-burn romance, loss, understanding, forgiving and so much more.
I received a eARC of audio for my honest opinion.
This short story was featured in an anthology with 11 other authors, and Once Upon a Book Club made it into a book. Each author is given 20 pages, and the reader will read 1 story a day for 12 days. It’s so cute, I just received a copy of Avalon Griffin’s short story and let me tell you it’s so cute. I can’t believe that it was only 20 pages, you will meet a witch who doesn’t believe in herself anymore because of the past, and a lonely vampire... but just wait this lonely vampire has a massive library. A temp is hired to catalogue the vampire’s library and that is where you will meet the witch named Chime and a vampire named Gabriel. I wish that this short story was a novel. That is how good the story was. There is slow-burn romance, loss, understanding, forgiving and so much more.
December 25, 2024
12 days of book-club-mas star ratings
1. Back to You ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
2. Choices ⭐️⭐️⭐️
3. Book Where You’re Planted ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
4. Perfect on Paper ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
5. Little Fortunes ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
6. The Concert ⭐️⭐️⭐️
7. The Siren’s Cure ⭐️⭐️⭐️
8. The Luckiest Find⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
9. The Vampire’s Library ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
10. Where We’re From ⭐️ it was not for me
11. The Secret of Northwood ⭐️⭐️
12. Cryptid Country ⭐️ it was not for me
1. Back to You ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
2. Choices ⭐️⭐️⭐️
3. Book Where You’re Planted ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
4. Perfect on Paper ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
5. Little Fortunes ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
6. The Concert ⭐️⭐️⭐️
7. The Siren’s Cure ⭐️⭐️⭐️
8. The Luckiest Find⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
9. The Vampire’s Library ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
10. Where We’re From ⭐️ it was not for me
11. The Secret of Northwood ⭐️⭐️
12. Cryptid Country ⭐️ it was not for me
Read
December 25, 2024This is a fun anthology of stories to read prior to Christmas. While they aren't Christmas themed, they still make for an exciting countdown. There were many genres covered. Some stories I liked better than others -- and some I thought could have been expanded into a longer novel! The gifts are thoughtful and unique. 4 are always books, which is nice. This is my second year doing the box and I think I preferred 2023 overall to 2024 but enjoyed both.
January 4, 2025
Got this as my advent calendar for the year and then promptly forgot until after Christmas. There were a nice mix of stories (sci fi, fantasy, modern romance, etc.). The stories were all ~30 pages long so not huge time commitment. I enjoyed each of the stories for what they were - some more than others. The gifts were so-so. I’m only keeping a couple of them.
January 23, 2025
3/5 ⭐️. The majority of the stories didn’t knock my socks off. Although I gave an overall 3, The Vampire’s Library by Avalon Griffin was my favorite and gets 4.5 stars by itself. This was such a cute close proximity romance and who doesn’t love a book about books. My least favorite was Cryptid Country. I just couldn’t wrap my head around the point of the story. No romance and no drama.
December 25, 2024
A book of short stories that were NOT Christmas related, even though the book was part of a Christmas advent calendar. There were some enjoyable stories, but others were not so good, so I gave it a three-star rating.
December 26, 2024
First time doing this advent calendar book from my Once Upon A Book subscription! I loved it! Came with 12 gifts to go along with every short story! This will be an annual Christmas Tradition for myself!
December 26, 2024
I enjoyed most of the stories. I didn’t love a couple of them. I was a little disappointed that none were really Christmasy. I was hoping for winter/christmas type stories to read for the holiday season.
December 31, 2024
I thought this was a great mix of genres. I loved the mystery and fantasy stories. Least favorite was The Concert but I could see myself liking it if I was at a similar stage in life as the characters. Well done OUABC!
April 10, 2025
This anthology was so lack luster it took me forever to finish. Not even the gifts kept me interested because most were so bad. I was obsessed with last years, but this years was so bluh. Gifts and stories alike. This makes me question getting next years.
May 31, 2025
Back To You 5⭐️
Choices 1 ⭐️
Bloom Where You're Planted 1⭐️
Perfect On Paper 3⭐️
Little Fortunes 5⭐️
The Concert 1⭐️
The Siren's Cure 5⭐️
The Luckiest Find 5⭐️
The Vampire's Library 5⭐️
Where We're From 3⭐️
The Secret of Northwood 3⭐️
Cryptid Country 2 ⭐️
Choices 1 ⭐️
Bloom Where You're Planted 1⭐️
Perfect On Paper 3⭐️
Little Fortunes 5⭐️
The Concert 1⭐️
The Siren's Cure 5⭐️
The Luckiest Find 5⭐️
The Vampire's Library 5⭐️
Where We're From 3⭐️
The Secret of Northwood 3⭐️
Cryptid Country 2 ⭐️
Read
December 23, 2025Some parts I loved, some were meh, some I skipped and others made me sad in ways I wasn’t expecting. I’m choosing not to rate this book because I don’t think that would be fair. It’s an experience, not just a book, and for that, it gets all the stars.
December 14, 2024
Always fun to read some short stories from different authors. The gifts are a fun addition! I really liked the one about the bucket list, it was super cute!
December 23, 2024
3.5 Many cute, sweet and different interesting stories. Great gifts
December 24, 2024
Always love this group of short stories
December 25, 2024
I was hoping this would be more Christmas related stories. Some of the stories were OK, but I realize that I do not like reading a bunch of short stories as much as I thought I would.
December 25, 2024
A good collection of short stories for this book advent calendar. Some of the stories I wished to never end, others I wanted them to finish rather quickly.
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