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What Happens This Christmas: A Billionaire Holiday Rom-com with New York Christmas Magic
He has everything he wants…except the woman he married.
Candy Crane leads a glamorous life. Between her billionaire husband, duplex penthouse in Manhattan, and walk-in closets filled with luxury designs, her socialite friends don’t stand a chance at competing with her. So, when her husband informs her he’s divorcing her, she has to think on her feet.
Nick Crane doesn’t make deals to get what he wants…he just gets it. Only, this time, he agrees to spend one more Christmas with his wife. She may be using it as a way to save face with their friends during the holidays, but he’s seeing it as an opportunity to see if there’s any hope for them.
What neither of them counts on is how their last Christmas together would change everything. Maybe the woman he married isn’t gone after all, and a swinging Santas night at a pub is the beginning of forever…again.
Candy Crane leads a glamorous life. Between her billionaire husband, duplex penthouse in Manhattan, and walk-in closets filled with luxury designs, her socialite friends don’t stand a chance at competing with her. So, when her husband informs her he’s divorcing her, she has to think on her feet.
Nick Crane doesn’t make deals to get what he wants…he just gets it. Only, this time, he agrees to spend one more Christmas with his wife. She may be using it as a way to save face with their friends during the holidays, but he’s seeing it as an opportunity to see if there’s any hope for them.
What neither of them counts on is how their last Christmas together would change everything. Maybe the woman he married isn’t gone after all, and a swinging Santas night at a pub is the beginning of forever…again.
384 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 4, 2025
42 people are currently reading
12989 people want to read
About the author
Dani Ryan
16 books211 followersDani Ryan is the combined pen name of bestselling author duo and sisters Dani and Ryan. Dani is the former editor-in-chief at a digital and print publication with an emphasis on fashion and beauty in the wedding sphere. She served to deliver top trend reports and had a pulse on New York Bridal Fashion Week. Ryan previously spent time working at a cosmetics and skincare company. Formerly Ryan was a digital editor for a wedding blog. They live for time spent in New York with their family and Iggy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 162 reviews
November 7, 2025
3 stars.
I, sadly, have mixed feelings about "What Happens This Christmas" by Dani Ryan. It is a holiday 'marriage in trouble' story where the main characters, Candy and Nick, are quite unlikable at times (mostly Candy). Nick is a billionaire who has just asked Candy for a divorce, even though he is still in love with her. He is tired of the fact that her entire life's focus seems to be on shopping, status, and constantly competing with their rich friends about and for things that do not matter. He works at a bar on Long Island just for something to do to pass the time while Candy shops and plans social gatherings. Somewhere along the way, they drifted from one another, like ships passing in the night. Candy wants one more Christmas with Nick before he pulls the plug on their marriage, and he agrees to this request. Instead of having honest conversations with one another, they tiptoe around what they really want and force themselves to play these ridiculous games with one another, which is clearly done by the authors to create tension and potential longing between them. Instead of making me feel like Candy and Nick still wanted to be together, this just annoyed me to no end because THEY WOULDN'T JUST HAVE A CONVERSATION!!!! Candy stays focused on what everyone else thinks about her because she's insecure that she doesn't "fit in Nick's world" because she was not well-off when he met and fell in love with her. To me, it feels like, once she got together with Nick, it was less "losing herself" to/in the marriage and more "money changed her (derogatory)," so she had to keep up with the Jones' which, in turn, made her "cold" to him. There are a lot of holiday goings on in this book, from Christmas trees to Christmas parties, frozen hot chocolate to swinging Santa speed dating, which livens up the story a bit with its light-strewn, decked-out prose. Still, I found it difficult to root for a main character who hates getting a real Christmas tree because of how "ugly" they are with her decor and because of the mess. Honestly, it felt like she hated getting a real tree because Nick liked it so much, that's just the kind of personality she had, and this is coming from someone who uses a fake Christmas tree because her disability makes it difficult to own a real one! I get the appeal of a fake tree, I do, but Candy is just so endlessly unlikable that her complaints come off as nasty and entitled instead of legitimate. I love and am all for complex, "black cat" female main characters, but I did not identify with Candy in the slightest, and I thought she was a total jerk a lot of the time. A lot of what happens here is quite juvenile, and these characters are supposed to be older and more established. Several plot points are introduced and don't ever come back around/come to fruition, so it felt a bit scatterbrained at times. That being said, I think a lot of people will like this second-chance romance. It's short enough to keep you engaged. I might just be the outlier Grinch about it.
Thank you to Dani Ryan and House of Hearts Literary Services for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.
I, sadly, have mixed feelings about "What Happens This Christmas" by Dani Ryan. It is a holiday 'marriage in trouble' story where the main characters, Candy and Nick, are quite unlikable at times (mostly Candy). Nick is a billionaire who has just asked Candy for a divorce, even though he is still in love with her. He is tired of the fact that her entire life's focus seems to be on shopping, status, and constantly competing with their rich friends about and for things that do not matter. He works at a bar on Long Island just for something to do to pass the time while Candy shops and plans social gatherings. Somewhere along the way, they drifted from one another, like ships passing in the night. Candy wants one more Christmas with Nick before he pulls the plug on their marriage, and he agrees to this request. Instead of having honest conversations with one another, they tiptoe around what they really want and force themselves to play these ridiculous games with one another, which is clearly done by the authors to create tension and potential longing between them. Instead of making me feel like Candy and Nick still wanted to be together, this just annoyed me to no end because THEY WOULDN'T JUST HAVE A CONVERSATION!!!! Candy stays focused on what everyone else thinks about her because she's insecure that she doesn't "fit in Nick's world" because she was not well-off when he met and fell in love with her. To me, it feels like, once she got together with Nick, it was less "losing herself" to/in the marriage and more "money changed her (derogatory)," so she had to keep up with the Jones' which, in turn, made her "cold" to him. There are a lot of holiday goings on in this book, from Christmas trees to Christmas parties, frozen hot chocolate to swinging Santa speed dating, which livens up the story a bit with its light-strewn, decked-out prose. Still, I found it difficult to root for a main character who hates getting a real Christmas tree because of how "ugly" they are with her decor and because of the mess. Honestly, it felt like she hated getting a real tree because Nick liked it so much, that's just the kind of personality she had, and this is coming from someone who uses a fake Christmas tree because her disability makes it difficult to own a real one! I get the appeal of a fake tree, I do, but Candy is just so endlessly unlikable that her complaints come off as nasty and entitled instead of legitimate. I love and am all for complex, "black cat" female main characters, but I did not identify with Candy in the slightest, and I thought she was a total jerk a lot of the time. A lot of what happens here is quite juvenile, and these characters are supposed to be older and more established. Several plot points are introduced and don't ever come back around/come to fruition, so it felt a bit scatterbrained at times. That being said, I think a lot of people will like this second-chance romance. It's short enough to keep you engaged. I might just be the outlier Grinch about it.
Thank you to Dani Ryan and House of Hearts Literary Services for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.
November 12, 2025
2.5 ⭐️ Let me just start by saying I do not like rating books 2 stars so I don’t make this very lightly, but tbh this book was simply not it for me.
What Happens This Christmas is a NYC holiday romance about a wealthy married couple who agree to spend one last Christmas together before getting a divorce. It’s full of yearning, tough emotions, god awful dialogue, dry sarcasm and lack of real communication.
Before anyone comes for me, I understand that relationships are not all rainbows and butterflies. Communicating could be hard. Letting outside factors influence your thoughts and decisions while not setting any real boundaries is hard. LIFE IS HARD. But….I found these characters to be extremely unlikable and insufferable. They both had awful personalities…and no, there wasn’t any real character growth either…
Nick was extra broody, massively rich, didn’t care about anyone or anything, complained the entire time about his wife being an “Ice Queen” while he was very much the goddamn GRINCH. It was frustrating that his inner dialogue was “obsessed” and full of pure lust, talking about how hard he wanted to f—k his wife, how much he missed her and regretted so many things, but outside, he was “calm, cool, collected”, entirely too damn nonchalant and spent the majority of his time shitting on her and being entirely dismissive. ICK. I was so confused ngl…I promise you’re allowed to love your wife out loud and proud 🤡
Candy…..babe. She was so damn focused on their status, money and appearances. I don’t even know what to say, other than the fact I’m happy something finally triggered her breakdown because holy shit. The mental obstacles she’d put herself through to please these rich folk had me EXHAUSTED. The longing she had for her own husband, but never admitting to it because it was a “mature marriage” and you simply just don’t kiss or have ~needs~ anymore apparently.
🙂….also don’t even get me started on her sister….the word vomit was so weird, uncomfortable and incredibly unnecessary. Why did she even make an appearance again?? IDK. Anyway, it was awkward, cringe and a whole damn mess if you ask me.
I do hope anyone picking this up has a better experience than I did 🫶🏻
💌 Thank you to Rae at House of Hearts for the eARC. All opinions are my own. Available now on KU.
What Happens This Christmas is a NYC holiday romance about a wealthy married couple who agree to spend one last Christmas together before getting a divorce. It’s full of yearning, tough emotions, god awful dialogue, dry sarcasm and lack of real communication.
Before anyone comes for me, I understand that relationships are not all rainbows and butterflies. Communicating could be hard. Letting outside factors influence your thoughts and decisions while not setting any real boundaries is hard. LIFE IS HARD. But….I found these characters to be extremely unlikable and insufferable. They both had awful personalities…and no, there wasn’t any real character growth either…
Nick was extra broody, massively rich, didn’t care about anyone or anything, complained the entire time about his wife being an “Ice Queen” while he was very much the goddamn GRINCH. It was frustrating that his inner dialogue was “obsessed” and full of pure lust, talking about how hard he wanted to f—k his wife, how much he missed her and regretted so many things, but outside, he was “calm, cool, collected”, entirely too damn nonchalant and spent the majority of his time shitting on her and being entirely dismissive. ICK. I was so confused ngl…I promise you’re allowed to love your wife out loud and proud 🤡
Candy…..babe. She was so damn focused on their status, money and appearances. I don’t even know what to say, other than the fact I’m happy something finally triggered her breakdown because holy shit. The mental obstacles she’d put herself through to please these rich folk had me EXHAUSTED. The longing she had for her own husband, but never admitting to it because it was a “mature marriage” and you simply just don’t kiss or have ~needs~ anymore apparently.
🙂….also don’t even get me started on her sister….the word vomit was so weird, uncomfortable and incredibly unnecessary. Why did she even make an appearance again?? IDK. Anyway, it was awkward, cringe and a whole damn mess if you ask me.
I do hope anyone picking this up has a better experience than I did 🫶🏻
💌 Thank you to Rae at House of Hearts for the eARC. All opinions are my own. Available now on KU.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 4, 2025
“𝗦𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗜’𝗱 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁. 𝗦𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗱 𝗺𝗲 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱, 𝗯𝗼𝗱𝘆, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗹. 𝗜 𝗳𝗲𝗹𝘁 𝘀𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴. 𝗜𝗳 𝘀𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗴𝘂𝗲, 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗜 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗶𝘁.”
4/5 ⭐️
add to your tbr if you love:
🧣 second chance romances
🧣 finding yourself again
🧣 christmas magic
candy has become a socialite, someone who follows a schedule to a t and found a way to be shallow to the point of caring more about appearances than actual feelings; nick never changed being the person he once was.
this beautiful love story begins with the worst, wanting a divorce. to see a person that you completely fell in love with being someone you no longer can find a way to connect to can sometimes be the worst wake up call. candy had to come to terms that she had shut her husband out so well, she didn’t know how to let him back in.
i truly don’t know how to explain the adventure, ups and downs, problems and solutions that these two had to go through, but it reminded me that everything is worth it if you just believe it is worth holding onto. losing yourself to the world is easy enough, but making sure you never lose the person you want to share the rest of your life is is the real challenge.
this story not only reminds you that you can always find a way back to your true self, but you can always find a way back to love as well. a true christmas miracle to fill your heart with warmth indeed! 🤭🥂
ps: cheers to frozen hot chocolate!
4/5 ⭐️
add to your tbr if you love:
🧣 second chance romances
🧣 finding yourself again
🧣 christmas magic
candy has become a socialite, someone who follows a schedule to a t and found a way to be shallow to the point of caring more about appearances than actual feelings; nick never changed being the person he once was.
this beautiful love story begins with the worst, wanting a divorce. to see a person that you completely fell in love with being someone you no longer can find a way to connect to can sometimes be the worst wake up call. candy had to come to terms that she had shut her husband out so well, she didn’t know how to let him back in.
i truly don’t know how to explain the adventure, ups and downs, problems and solutions that these two had to go through, but it reminded me that everything is worth it if you just believe it is worth holding onto. losing yourself to the world is easy enough, but making sure you never lose the person you want to share the rest of your life is is the real challenge.
this story not only reminds you that you can always find a way back to your true self, but you can always find a way back to love as well. a true christmas miracle to fill your heart with warmth indeed! 🤭🥂
ps: cheers to frozen hot chocolate!
November 11, 2025
I commend the author team on writing this book. I don't know how writing the characters of Nick and Candy could have been easy. I've read other billionaire romances before. Nick and Candy were unique - not just because of their names in a Christmas Romance.
Nick - a billionaire who keeps himself busy by bartending at a bar on Long Island near their Huntington home. Nick's love for Candy is so obsessive that he sees what she has become as Mrs. Nick Crane and decides divorcing her is the best course of action.
Candy - as Mrs. Nick Crane, Candy has worked hard to be the perfect Mrs. Nick Crane. Her shopping and decorating habits all reflect on status and on how well she and Nick are doing.
As a reader, I was asked to look past the shallowness of these characters to find the real meaning. What I found was still mostly shallowness. Even in Epilogue, it is an act of shallow vanity to fluff his wife's ego that Nick gives Candy.
I am willing to say this wasn't the right book for me. I know there is a target demographic for it. I hope for everyone in that demographic this is an enjoyable read.
Virginia, Nick's mother, is getting coal in her stocking!
Nick - a billionaire who keeps himself busy by bartending at a bar on Long Island near their Huntington home. Nick's love for Candy is so obsessive that he sees what she has become as Mrs. Nick Crane and decides divorcing her is the best course of action.
Candy - as Mrs. Nick Crane, Candy has worked hard to be the perfect Mrs. Nick Crane. Her shopping and decorating habits all reflect on status and on how well she and Nick are doing.
As a reader, I was asked to look past the shallowness of these characters to find the real meaning. What I found was still mostly shallowness. Even in Epilogue, it is an act of shallow vanity to fluff his wife's ego that Nick gives Candy.
I am willing to say this wasn't the right book for me. I know there is a target demographic for it. I hope for everyone in that demographic this is an enjoyable read.
Virginia, Nick's mother, is getting coal in her stocking!
October 22, 2025
Thank you Hambright PR for the ARC!
I typically love a cozy Christmas romance but this fell a little flat for me. The characters felt shallow (Nick more than Candy) and there wasn’t much holiday magic. I would’ve loved to hear more about how they met, Candy’s relationship with Eloise, etc.
It’s a quick read, and I did love the NYC at Christmas setting and the details about fashion!
I typically love a cozy Christmas romance but this fell a little flat for me. The characters felt shallow (Nick more than Candy) and there wasn’t much holiday magic. I would’ve loved to hear more about how they met, Candy’s relationship with Eloise, etc.
It’s a quick read, and I did love the NYC at Christmas setting and the details about fashion!
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November 4, 2025Available now <3
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October 28, 2025
This is kind of a second chance romance, even though they are still married. Nick has always been in love with his wife but he feels she is slipping away from him, too caught up in the social side of being billionaires, being seen at the right places etc.
Candy has always felt she didn’t meet people’s expectations of who Nick should be married to so modelled herself on what she thought she needed to be.
Nick asks candy for a divorce and she asks for their last Christmas together, unfortunately the mother in law from hell arrives and makes everything so much harder, including trying to set her son up with a woman whilst he is still married.
I spent most of my time shouting at the book, telling them to communicate! If they just told each other how they were feeling they could have understood each other and improved their relationship, however that would have resulted in a very short and dull book.
Candy has always felt she didn’t meet people’s expectations of who Nick should be married to so modelled herself on what she thought she needed to be.
Nick asks candy for a divorce and she asks for their last Christmas together, unfortunately the mother in law from hell arrives and makes everything so much harder, including trying to set her son up with a woman whilst he is still married.
I spent most of my time shouting at the book, telling them to communicate! If they just told each other how they were feeling they could have understood each other and improved their relationship, however that would have resulted in a very short and dull book.
November 4, 2025
I loved the references to NYC at Christmastime, but I had trouble rooting for the main characters, who were superficial and hard to relate to. That said, there were some fun spicy scenes!
P.S. I received an ARC from Dani Ryan and House of Hearts Lit in exchange for my honest review.
P.S. I received an ARC from Dani Ryan and House of Hearts Lit in exchange for my honest review.
October 19, 2025
A glimpse of holiday glamour that misses some sparkle.
3 ⭐️ | 0.5 🌶️
This was my first time reading a Dani Ryan book, and I have to admit: I’m feeling a little conflicted. What Happens This Christmas has all the ingredients for a cozy, emotionally charged holiday read: a crumbling high-society marriage, festive settings, and a chance at rekindled love. But while the premise drew me in, the execution left me a bit underwhelmed.
Candy and Nick Crane are an intriguing pair. She’s the picture-perfect Manhattan socialite, living in a world of designer labels and cocktail parties; he’s a billionaire who’d rather pour pints in a pub than posture in boardrooms. It’s a setup brimming with tension and class contrast, but the story never quite finds its rhythm.
The plot feels scattered at times, moving in several directions without a clear emotional anchor. I didn’t truly feel connected to the story until about halfway through and even then, the characters’ actions often felt more juvenile than heartfelt. Their desire to save their marriage simmers beneath the surface but isn’t explicitly acknowledged until very late in the book, which made it hard to root for them as a couple early on.
That said, Dani Ryan’s writing has promise. Her prose flows easily, and she paints her settings vividly: from glittering penthouses to cozy pubs decked in Christmas lights. I can absolutely see the potential in her storytelling; I just wish this particular book had more cohesion and emotional depth.
All in all, What Happens This Christmas is a quick, light read with festive charm but not quite enough heat or heart for me.
Thank you to Grey’s Promotion for the e-ARC and best of luck to Dani Ryan on her upcoming release (November 4th). I’ll be curious to see what she writes next.
3 ⭐️ | 0.5 🌶️
This was my first time reading a Dani Ryan book, and I have to admit: I’m feeling a little conflicted. What Happens This Christmas has all the ingredients for a cozy, emotionally charged holiday read: a crumbling high-society marriage, festive settings, and a chance at rekindled love. But while the premise drew me in, the execution left me a bit underwhelmed.
Candy and Nick Crane are an intriguing pair. She’s the picture-perfect Manhattan socialite, living in a world of designer labels and cocktail parties; he’s a billionaire who’d rather pour pints in a pub than posture in boardrooms. It’s a setup brimming with tension and class contrast, but the story never quite finds its rhythm.
The plot feels scattered at times, moving in several directions without a clear emotional anchor. I didn’t truly feel connected to the story until about halfway through and even then, the characters’ actions often felt more juvenile than heartfelt. Their desire to save their marriage simmers beneath the surface but isn’t explicitly acknowledged until very late in the book, which made it hard to root for them as a couple early on.
That said, Dani Ryan’s writing has promise. Her prose flows easily, and she paints her settings vividly: from glittering penthouses to cozy pubs decked in Christmas lights. I can absolutely see the potential in her storytelling; I just wish this particular book had more cohesion and emotional depth.
All in all, What Happens This Christmas is a quick, light read with festive charm but not quite enough heat or heart for me.
Thank you to Grey’s Promotion for the e-ARC and best of luck to Dani Ryan on her upcoming release (November 4th). I’ll be curious to see what she writes next.
November 2, 2025
My favorite Dani Ryan book to date!
Let me tell you, when I heard this book was a marriage in trouble book, I started sweating REAL HARD!! Usually when I think of this trope, I think of someone in the marriage diddling the maid/nanny/chauffeur/etc. But I should have known better that our writing duo would never do us like that!
There was honestly so much to love about this book, but my favorite had to be watching the evolution of the couple as they went through the holiday season “knowing” this would be their last with divorce pending January 2. I loved how all of the stress of their engagements as well as the big “D” word looming over her caused Candy to essentially break and not want to hold together her perfect façade anymore. I loved that we got the insight into why she had changed since they had married, and it made perfect sense. However, I loved watching her come back to herself and thus to Nick. And I loved watching Nick lose his guard around Candy, knowing that it wouldn’t matter come the new year. I felt with him not being as guarded, or really being more open because he had nothing left to lose, his vulnerability allowed them to connect again as a couple. With him being more open, I think he also finally acknowledged sides of his mother that weren’t fair to Candy and finally put an end to her cruelness as well. I respected him as a man so much more after that!
I enjoyed all the flashbacks to when they started dating, when Candy found out how the ladies in his circle thought of her, and other such memories. It added so much color both to them as a couple but also to their motives.
Along with their fantastic chemistry and tension, their spice was great as well. I loved watching Candy come apart and simply stop thinking with Nick, while I loved watching Nick obsess over Candy in every way imaginable. Their Daddy Nick / Candy Cane schtick was also freaking adorable!
I loved how the book perfectly captured shopping during the holidays. When I was younger, one of my favorite things to do during the holidays was to run between stores with my mom shopping until our feet hurt so bad we had to go home. This book, while not entirely based on shopping, perfectly captured that nostalgic feeling for me and I loved it!
Thank you to Dani Ryan for the opportunity to read this book. The thoughts and opinions expressed above are honest and my own.
4.5 stars!
Let me tell you, when I heard this book was a marriage in trouble book, I started sweating REAL HARD!! Usually when I think of this trope, I think of someone in the marriage diddling the maid/nanny/chauffeur/etc. But I should have known better that our writing duo would never do us like that!
There was honestly so much to love about this book, but my favorite had to be watching the evolution of the couple as they went through the holiday season “knowing” this would be their last with divorce pending January 2. I loved how all of the stress of their engagements as well as the big “D” word looming over her caused Candy to essentially break and not want to hold together her perfect façade anymore. I loved that we got the insight into why she had changed since they had married, and it made perfect sense. However, I loved watching her come back to herself and thus to Nick. And I loved watching Nick lose his guard around Candy, knowing that it wouldn’t matter come the new year. I felt with him not being as guarded, or really being more open because he had nothing left to lose, his vulnerability allowed them to connect again as a couple. With him being more open, I think he also finally acknowledged sides of his mother that weren’t fair to Candy and finally put an end to her cruelness as well. I respected him as a man so much more after that!
I enjoyed all the flashbacks to when they started dating, when Candy found out how the ladies in his circle thought of her, and other such memories. It added so much color both to them as a couple but also to their motives.
Along with their fantastic chemistry and tension, their spice was great as well. I loved watching Candy come apart and simply stop thinking with Nick, while I loved watching Nick obsess over Candy in every way imaginable. Their Daddy Nick / Candy Cane schtick was also freaking adorable!
I loved how the book perfectly captured shopping during the holidays. When I was younger, one of my favorite things to do during the holidays was to run between stores with my mom shopping until our feet hurt so bad we had to go home. This book, while not entirely based on shopping, perfectly captured that nostalgic feeling for me and I loved it!
Thank you to Dani Ryan for the opportunity to read this book. The thoughts and opinions expressed above are honest and my own.
4.5 stars!
October 19, 2025
This was an adorable holiday read with a little bit of a different take, which I really enjoyed!
Nick and Candy have been struggling in their marriage and Nick decides to end things. But Candy wants one more holiday season with him which he agrees to. This story is written in both of their POVs which was a really nice touch for how their story played out. It was fun to see their inner thoughts while their actions were saying different things. Candy wasn't the high society girl growing up and had grown to love the fancier lifestyle. While Nick was used to that life and didn't care for all that came with it and the judgement from others. It was so heartwarming seeing Candy find her way through that aspect and finally find herself and rekindle their relationship.
The New York at Christmas aspect warmed my heart and made me want to book a trip ASAP. I also loved getting to revisit characters from the Morelli sister's books! I will say, initially the dynamic of them made me hesitant and it took me a minute to fully get into the vibe of them but that changed throughout the story so if you have that feeling as well, definitely keep going! I think it's because it wasn't the typical Hallmark Christmas vibe I'm used to so I had to get out of my head
You will enjoy this if you love:
-Marriage in trouble
-Ice queen x black cat
-He's secretly still obsessed with her
-Shopaholic x billionaire who likes to bartend
Thank you so much Dani Ryan for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!! This one is releasing November 4th.
Nick and Candy have been struggling in their marriage and Nick decides to end things. But Candy wants one more holiday season with him which he agrees to. This story is written in both of their POVs which was a really nice touch for how their story played out. It was fun to see their inner thoughts while their actions were saying different things. Candy wasn't the high society girl growing up and had grown to love the fancier lifestyle. While Nick was used to that life and didn't care for all that came with it and the judgement from others. It was so heartwarming seeing Candy find her way through that aspect and finally find herself and rekindle their relationship.
The New York at Christmas aspect warmed my heart and made me want to book a trip ASAP. I also loved getting to revisit characters from the Morelli sister's books! I will say, initially the dynamic of them made me hesitant and it took me a minute to fully get into the vibe of them but that changed throughout the story so if you have that feeling as well, definitely keep going! I think it's because it wasn't the typical Hallmark Christmas vibe I'm used to so I had to get out of my head
You will enjoy this if you love:
-Marriage in trouble
-Ice queen x black cat
-He's secretly still obsessed with her
-Shopaholic x billionaire who likes to bartend
Thank you so much Dani Ryan for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!! This one is releasing November 4th.
November 15, 2025
ARC Book Review
What Happens This Christmas
A Novel Written By Dani Ryan
Fiction - Romance
Published November 2025
308 Pages
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is a story about a marriage in trouble. A husband, Nick Crane, who wants to divorce his wife, Candy Crane, because she is no longer the person he fell in love with and married. Being married to her billionaire husband has turned Candy into a woman who is obsessed with shopping and appearances. Nick has agreed to Candy’s request to wait until after the holidays to proceed with the divorce.
Candy was not very likable in the beginning of the story. As the story progressed and Candy started to change, she became more likable. There was a bit of miscommunication in this story between Nick and Candy. Neither was brave enough to tell the other that they were still in love and did not want a divorce.
Although the plot sounds depressing, there are many light moments in this story.
“I’d rearrange the stars in the sky if you asked me to.”
What Happens This Christmas
A Novel Written By Dani Ryan
Fiction - Romance
Published November 2025
308 Pages
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is a story about a marriage in trouble. A husband, Nick Crane, who wants to divorce his wife, Candy Crane, because she is no longer the person he fell in love with and married. Being married to her billionaire husband has turned Candy into a woman who is obsessed with shopping and appearances. Nick has agreed to Candy’s request to wait until after the holidays to proceed with the divorce.
Candy was not very likable in the beginning of the story. As the story progressed and Candy started to change, she became more likable. There was a bit of miscommunication in this story between Nick and Candy. Neither was brave enough to tell the other that they were still in love and did not want a divorce.
Although the plot sounds depressing, there are many light moments in this story.
“I’d rearrange the stars in the sky if you asked me to.”
November 2, 2025
Candy has the perfect life—a penthouse in Manhattan with her billionaire husband Nick and closets filled with glamorous designer clothes—until her husband informs her they are getting a divorce. Nick just wants a simple life, but when Candy wants to save face for the holiday season and hold off on their divorce, he agrees. He still loves her, but wants the Candy back that he fell in love with, not the person she has turned into who cares more about status than anything else.
This one was a miss for me. I was hoping this would be a redeeming story where they would see the flaws in the marriage and themselves, but it felt like they were dong everything in their power to sabotage their chances by being immature to each other. I wish they would've communicated with each other in a better way, and then maybe I could've rooted for this second chance romance.
This one was a miss for me. I was hoping this would be a redeeming story where they would see the flaws in the marriage and themselves, but it felt like they were dong everything in their power to sabotage their chances by being immature to each other. I wish they would've communicated with each other in a better way, and then maybe I could've rooted for this second chance romance.
November 4, 2025
3.75 ⭐️
I enjoyed this book, but Candy was definitely hard to love.
Nick is not your typical billionaire, and Candy his wife loves the lavish life she lives- I just got extremely shallow vibes from her and extremely materialistic. I really enjoy holiday romances and NYC around Christmas time but I didn’t feel that too much unfortunately. BUT I feel like if I looked past that I found a couple who yes struggled to express their feelings and talk about their problems but learned to deal with forgiveness, second chances, and no longer taking each other for granted, and reconnecting. I felt like that was very realistic as many marriages go through this and are not perfect.
The end was especially sweet — I don’t want to give any spoilers away but it made me happy 🥲🥰🎄☃️
Thank you Hambright PR for this arc in exchange for an honest review ❤️
I enjoyed this book, but Candy was definitely hard to love.
Nick is not your typical billionaire, and Candy his wife loves the lavish life she lives- I just got extremely shallow vibes from her and extremely materialistic. I really enjoy holiday romances and NYC around Christmas time but I didn’t feel that too much unfortunately. BUT I feel like if I looked past that I found a couple who yes struggled to express their feelings and talk about their problems but learned to deal with forgiveness, second chances, and no longer taking each other for granted, and reconnecting. I felt like that was very realistic as many marriages go through this and are not perfect.
The end was especially sweet — I don’t want to give any spoilers away but it made me happy 🥲🥰🎄☃️
Thank you Hambright PR for this arc in exchange for an honest review ❤️
November 4, 2025
A marriage in trouble, and a fight to rekindle the love that was lost after years of hurt feelings and distance. A very real and emotionally raw look at what does happen in real life marriages sometimes and what it takes to keep the love alive.
Candy is distant and comes off as an ice queen, shopaholic, high society type, but her emotional growth in the book was so great to see, that underneath her armor, she was scared and lonely and unsure of who she was anymore. Nick is tired of pretending to be someone he’s not, even though he’s a Billionaire, he’s down to earth and honesty devoted to Candy in everything he does.
Nick and Candy’s journey of rediscovering their love and choosing it again is what Christmas romance books are made of.
Candy is distant and comes off as an ice queen, shopaholic, high society type, but her emotional growth in the book was so great to see, that underneath her armor, she was scared and lonely and unsure of who she was anymore. Nick is tired of pretending to be someone he’s not, even though he’s a Billionaire, he’s down to earth and honesty devoted to Candy in everything he does.
Nick and Candy’s journey of rediscovering their love and choosing it again is what Christmas romance books are made of.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 2, 2025
A billionaire marriage in crisis romcom set in NYC during the holidays. Nick has asked for a divorce, despite still loving Candy she just doesn’t seem to be the same person he married years ago. Candy is determined to prove him wrong. Both are hoping the holidays will offer the opportunity to spark magic in their marriage again. Big cities, socialites, fashion and spice, this was a quick and fun holiday romance, with a unique take on a second chance. 3.75 stars. Thanks to the authors for the eARC
November 9, 2025
Thank you Grey's Promotions for the ARC.
What Happens This Christmas is a festive second-chance romance that had plenty of potential but didn’t fully land for me. The holiday setting is warm and atmospheric, but the story often felt emotionally shallow. The couple’s lack of communication and their behavior made it hard to root for them.
However the author's writing is engaging, and her descriptions of the holiday scenes are warm and cozy. It was a quick, cozy read, but I just didn’t connect deeply with the characters or their relationship.
What Happens This Christmas is a festive second-chance romance that had plenty of potential but didn’t fully land for me. The holiday setting is warm and atmospheric, but the story often felt emotionally shallow. The couple’s lack of communication and their behavior made it hard to root for them.
However the author's writing is engaging, and her descriptions of the holiday scenes are warm and cozy. It was a quick, cozy read, but I just didn’t connect deeply with the characters or their relationship.
November 12, 2025
If you enjoy holiday romances with a bit of sparkle and social intrigue — think big city, luxury lifestyle, Christmas parties, but also deeper emotional stakes — this book could be a strong pick. The combination of “save the marriage” stakes + glamorous setting + a fixed‑time limit (through Christmas) gives it built‑in tension.
If you prefer your romance to feel light, purely cozy, or low‑drama, then the ambitious setup here might feel heavier than expected. But if you like your holiday read with sparkle and substance, What Happens This Christmas delivers a mix of fun and heart.
If you prefer your romance to feel light, purely cozy, or low‑drama, then the ambitious setup here might feel heavier than expected. But if you like your holiday read with sparkle and substance, What Happens This Christmas delivers a mix of fun and heart.
October 11, 2025
When I started this book I wasn’t sure what to think. For a while, it seemed like the dynamics between characters wasn’t shifting, but slowly, it did and what I found was a beautiful holiday love story of two people rekindling their fire!
This wasn’t the traditional love story in structure, but it was a great read that held my attention the entire time! I really loved this one and would definitely recommend it as a fun holiday read!
This wasn’t the traditional love story in structure, but it was a great read that held my attention the entire time! I really loved this one and would definitely recommend it as a fun holiday read!
November 15, 2025
Nick and Candy Crane might look like they have it together…but behind closed doors they are on the verge of divorce. They agree to spend one last Christmas together to save face…and well let’s just say they have some work to do.
I really liked how there were so many layers to these characters - were they unlikable at times - yes…but is there more than meets the eye - you bet!! We see insecurity and vulnerability and emotions…No spoilers but we get some great character growth!
Under all their problems, they had this great chemistry and we get to see them when they first got together via flashbacks. It was fun to see them start to fight for each other and they had some great banter and steamy scenes too!!
✨ What To Expect:
🎄 Holiday Romance
♥️ Romantic Comedy
🧸 Christmas Magic
💍 Marriage in Trouble
❤️ Lovers to Dislike to Lovers
🧊 Ice Queen x Black Cat
🔥 He’s Secretly Still Obsessed with Her
🍸 Billionaire who Bartends
☕ Shopaholic who Loves Frozen Hot Chocolate
I really liked how there were so many layers to these characters - were they unlikable at times - yes…but is there more than meets the eye - you bet!! We see insecurity and vulnerability and emotions…No spoilers but we get some great character growth!
Under all their problems, they had this great chemistry and we get to see them when they first got together via flashbacks. It was fun to see them start to fight for each other and they had some great banter and steamy scenes too!!
✨ What To Expect:
🎄 Holiday Romance
♥️ Romantic Comedy
🧸 Christmas Magic
💍 Marriage in Trouble
❤️ Lovers to Dislike to Lovers
🧊 Ice Queen x Black Cat
🔥 He’s Secretly Still Obsessed with Her
🍸 Billionaire who Bartends
☕ Shopaholic who Loves Frozen Hot Chocolate
November 13, 2025
✨Snow, spice, and second chances!✨
This book is the perfect blend of cozy holiday charm and sizzling second-chance romance. It had everything I want in a festive read: family chaos, laugh-out-loud banter, and enough chemistry to melt the frost off your windows. I adored the emotional depth tucked beneath the humor and holiday sparkle. This is a total curl-up-with-frozen-hot-cocoa kind of book.
This book is the perfect blend of cozy holiday charm and sizzling second-chance romance. It had everything I want in a festive read: family chaos, laugh-out-loud banter, and enough chemistry to melt the frost off your windows. I adored the emotional depth tucked beneath the humor and holiday sparkle. This is a total curl-up-with-frozen-hot-cocoa kind of book.
January 6, 2026
This book had too many tropes and dynamics that really aren’t for me. I didn’t feel a connection to any of the characters or any stake in the relationship/outcome of the couple.
November 11, 2025
I was super excited to read this one cause marriage in trouble is my fav trope lately, but sadly it didn’t deliver for me.
Other than the story happening in December, there was nothing really Christmassy. The main characters are both rather unlikable, I couldn’t understand any of them.
I don’t understand how they were married in the first place. Their marriage was nonexistent, more like on paper and just living in the same house, but that’s it. And it didn’t really change over the course of the book.
When I pick up marriage in crisis trope, I wanna see how the couple works on their relationship. There was nothing like this in this book.
Tropes:
Marriage in Trouble
Lovers to Dislike to Lovers
Ice Queen x Black Cat
He’s Secretly Still Obsessed with Her
Billionaire who Bartends
Shopaholic who Loves Frozen Hot Chocolate
Thank you Hambright PR and the author for the ARC
Other than the story happening in December, there was nothing really Christmassy. The main characters are both rather unlikable, I couldn’t understand any of them.
I don’t understand how they were married in the first place. Their marriage was nonexistent, more like on paper and just living in the same house, but that’s it. And it didn’t really change over the course of the book.
When I pick up marriage in crisis trope, I wanna see how the couple works on their relationship. There was nothing like this in this book.
Tropes:
Marriage in Trouble
Lovers to Dislike to Lovers
Ice Queen x Black Cat
He’s Secretly Still Obsessed with Her
Billionaire who Bartends
Shopaholic who Loves Frozen Hot Chocolate
Thank you Hambright PR and the author for the ARC
November 11, 2025
2.5 stars / Heavy Spoilers ahead! Sorry I tried to keep it minimal but I couldn't :(
Thank you Grey's Promotions and Dani Ryan for this digital arc. This book was not for me. I had a hard time getting through the story because the main charactes just made me mad. This book follows Candy and Nick as they go through the jolliest time of the year with a pending divorce. Nick still loves Candy but he doesn't like who she has become throughout the years. He wants to be with her, do whatever she wants and love her till his dying day, but he can't get over the fact that she has become addicted to the materialistic stuff that money can buy. Candy does care about all the materialistic stuff because she wants to showcase that she belongs in Nick's billionaire life. She creates appearances that she wants to fit in to a group of "friends" who judge others for not showcasing that rich life appearance.
I really hated Nick. Like I wanted him to stop whining and just DO something. Like, he does know that he has the ability to speak, right? Like I know he doesn't like talking about his feelings, but when you are divorcing someone, at least tell them why. Like why did it take half the book for you to finally say what you wanted to say. Like be an adult, you know, because you are one??!! His decisions were valid for wanting a divorce, but again, if he would have had an honest conversation with Candy, they might not be in this predicament. I also wish we could have seen him more as a bartender and/or talking to his friends (that were literally mentioned once and never again).
I also really hated Candy. I started to like her towards the end, but omg did she make me go mad. Like I understand why she changed but she did not make me feel like she wanted to be in this marriage. Most of her chapters were of her trying to figure out her life post divorce and trying to keep up the appearance of a happy marriage. It did not feel like it to me that she cared about Nick at all. I could feel the sexual tension but I could not feel the love from her. Like at all. It wasn't till towards the end where she is reminiscing that I could see it but even that, I needed more longing and yearning from her.
I wish we got more holiday cheer as well. I know we got the christmas tree farm, the swingers, the frozen hot chocolate and walks down NYC but I wanted more. I wanted to see them get close again. Remember when Nick said that Candy had to try?? Where was the trying? She kept going like everything was fine and dandy and didn't change anything other than there being more fights between them. I also wish we got to see more of Eloise and how their relationship grew throughout the book. AND OMG THE LAST 10 CHAPTERS WERE NOT NEEDED! We did not need a third act breakup. Like just put Candy's emotional scenes where she finally remisces before or after the culminuation of the book. We did not need Goose. It was an additional section that was not needed to complete the story, but rather to add in another block/drama in between Candy and Nick.
Anywho, this book might be for others who like a cozy, christmas romance. It just fell flat to me and I had a lot of issues with how the main couple resolved their issues (never once did they full on have a conversation about what led to their divorce).
Thank you Grey's Promotions and Dani Ryan for this digital arc. This book was not for me. I had a hard time getting through the story because the main charactes just made me mad. This book follows Candy and Nick as they go through the jolliest time of the year with a pending divorce. Nick still loves Candy but he doesn't like who she has become throughout the years. He wants to be with her, do whatever she wants and love her till his dying day, but he can't get over the fact that she has become addicted to the materialistic stuff that money can buy. Candy does care about all the materialistic stuff because she wants to showcase that she belongs in Nick's billionaire life. She creates appearances that she wants to fit in to a group of "friends" who judge others for not showcasing that rich life appearance.
I really hated Nick. Like I wanted him to stop whining and just DO something. Like, he does know that he has the ability to speak, right? Like I know he doesn't like talking about his feelings, but when you are divorcing someone, at least tell them why. Like why did it take half the book for you to finally say what you wanted to say. Like be an adult, you know, because you are one??!! His decisions were valid for wanting a divorce, but again, if he would have had an honest conversation with Candy, they might not be in this predicament. I also wish we could have seen him more as a bartender and/or talking to his friends (that were literally mentioned once and never again).
I also really hated Candy. I started to like her towards the end, but omg did she make me go mad. Like I understand why she changed but she did not make me feel like she wanted to be in this marriage. Most of her chapters were of her trying to figure out her life post divorce and trying to keep up the appearance of a happy marriage. It did not feel like it to me that she cared about Nick at all. I could feel the sexual tension but I could not feel the love from her. Like at all. It wasn't till towards the end where she is reminiscing that I could see it but even that, I needed more longing and yearning from her.
I wish we got more holiday cheer as well. I know we got the christmas tree farm, the swingers, the frozen hot chocolate and walks down NYC but I wanted more. I wanted to see them get close again. Remember when Nick said that Candy had to try?? Where was the trying? She kept going like everything was fine and dandy and didn't change anything other than there being more fights between them. I also wish we got to see more of Eloise and how their relationship grew throughout the book. AND OMG THE LAST 10 CHAPTERS WERE NOT NEEDED! We did not need a third act breakup. Like just put Candy's emotional scenes where she finally remisces before or after the culminuation of the book. We did not need Goose. It was an additional section that was not needed to complete the story, but rather to add in another block/drama in between Candy and Nick.
Anywho, this book might be for others who like a cozy, christmas romance. It just fell flat to me and I had a lot of issues with how the main couple resolved their issues (never once did they full on have a conversation about what led to their divorce).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 16, 2025
Book review: What Happens This Christmas by Dani Ryan.
Thank you to the authors and Hambright PR for my gifted book.
Dani Ryan’s What Happens This Christmas is a fizzy, festive second-chance romance set in the glittering heart of Manhattan, and it does exactly what you want a holiday rom-com to do: makes you laugh, makes you ache (just a little), and leaves you believing that even the most frozen love stories can thaw in time for Christmas. This one’s all about high-stakes holiday tension, marital misfires, and a penthouse full of problems wrapped in designer bows.
Candy Crane lives a life most women only dream of—or so it looks on paper. She’s got the billionaire husband, the high-rise view, the luxury closets, and an Instagrammable lifestyle that screams “success.” But all that sparkle dims fast when Nick, her ice-cold but undeniably handsome husband, tells her he wants a divorce. And not in a quiet, civil way. No, Candy finds herself faced with the ultimate humiliation: navigating a breakup in the middle of the holiday season when appearances matter most. Her solution? Convince Nick to stick around through Christmas so they can maintain the illusion of holiday bliss just long enough to save face with their equally wealthy and watchful social circle.
Nick, despite his billionaire bravado, agrees. Not because he cares about Candy’s image, but because deep down, he’s not sure the story of “Nick and Candy Crane” is really over. Their marriage has hit more than a few potholes, but something about her still draws him in. Maybe it’s the sharp tongue, maybe it’s the chaos she drags behind her like a feathered cape, or maybe—just maybe—it’s the fact that he never stopped loving her. Their “last Christmas together” becomes the perfect setting for awkward nostalgia, spicy tension, and unexpected feelings they both thought had fizzled out years ago.
Ryan writes these characters with the kind of wit and emotional layering that make them feel real—even when they’re squabbling over caviar in a penthouse. Candy could have easily come off as a spoiled caricature, but instead, she’s a fully fleshed-out mess of insecurity, ambition, and late-blooming self-awareness. Her growth is one of the book’s best gifts. Watching her peel off the socialite mask to rediscover who she is outside the marriage—and then watching Nick fall in love with that version of her—is deeply satisfying.
And Nick? He’s no cardboard billionaire. He’s gruff, emotionally clumsy, and occasionally infuriating—but he’s also clearly wounded, and that makes his moments of vulnerability land harder. One minute he’s silently judging Candy’s Christmas party shenanigans, the next he’s catching her mid-spiral and surprising both of them with tenderness. Their chemistry is electric, and every snarky exchange doubles as a spark waiting to ignite. When things finally boil over—because of course they do—it’s earned, not forced.
The side characters, including Candy’s chaotic friends and one particularly unforgettable “swinging Santas” pub night, keep the story buoyant. There’s a strong sense of place—New York feels like a character in its own right, snow-dusted and full of magic. You can practically hear the jingle bells as they walk down Fifth Avenue, fake-smiling through society events, all while their real issues bubble just beneath the surface.
Ryan excels at mixing the glamorous with the raw. There’s plenty of sparkle, but it’s the sharp emotional edges that give this book its bite. It’s not just about rekindling a romance; it’s about reevaluating a life. What happens when the life you built is beautiful—but no longer yours? That’s the question Candy has to ask, and the answer doesn’t come with a bow. One of the standout lines in the novel—“You don’t get to forget who we were just because it’s inconvenient now”—perfectly captures the ache of their situation. It’s not about who they used to be; it’s about who they can choose to become now.
Is it a perfect read? Not entirely. The pacing dips slightly in the middle, and a few plot turns felt a bit too convenient. But honestly? That’s part of the charm. Holiday romances are allowed to lean into a little wish fulfillment, especially when they’re this self-aware and emotionally smart.
In the end, What Happens This Christmas is more than just a holiday romp with wealthy people problems. It’s a story about timing, forgiveness, and rediscovering what’s worth fighting for. It’s about letting go of the life you thought you wanted to find the one that actually fits. And it’s about kissing your husband in the snow—again—for the first time.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)
#WhatHappensThisChristmas #DaniRyan #HolidayRomCom #BillionaireRomance #ChristmasBooks #SecondChanceRomance #RomanticComedy #NetGalleyARC #BookReview #NYCRomance #CozyHolidayReads #RomanceReview #GiftedARC #WittyRomCom #RomanceWithHeart
Thank you to the authors and Hambright PR for my gifted book.
Dani Ryan’s What Happens This Christmas is a fizzy, festive second-chance romance set in the glittering heart of Manhattan, and it does exactly what you want a holiday rom-com to do: makes you laugh, makes you ache (just a little), and leaves you believing that even the most frozen love stories can thaw in time for Christmas. This one’s all about high-stakes holiday tension, marital misfires, and a penthouse full of problems wrapped in designer bows.
Candy Crane lives a life most women only dream of—or so it looks on paper. She’s got the billionaire husband, the high-rise view, the luxury closets, and an Instagrammable lifestyle that screams “success.” But all that sparkle dims fast when Nick, her ice-cold but undeniably handsome husband, tells her he wants a divorce. And not in a quiet, civil way. No, Candy finds herself faced with the ultimate humiliation: navigating a breakup in the middle of the holiday season when appearances matter most. Her solution? Convince Nick to stick around through Christmas so they can maintain the illusion of holiday bliss just long enough to save face with their equally wealthy and watchful social circle.
Nick, despite his billionaire bravado, agrees. Not because he cares about Candy’s image, but because deep down, he’s not sure the story of “Nick and Candy Crane” is really over. Their marriage has hit more than a few potholes, but something about her still draws him in. Maybe it’s the sharp tongue, maybe it’s the chaos she drags behind her like a feathered cape, or maybe—just maybe—it’s the fact that he never stopped loving her. Their “last Christmas together” becomes the perfect setting for awkward nostalgia, spicy tension, and unexpected feelings they both thought had fizzled out years ago.
Ryan writes these characters with the kind of wit and emotional layering that make them feel real—even when they’re squabbling over caviar in a penthouse. Candy could have easily come off as a spoiled caricature, but instead, she’s a fully fleshed-out mess of insecurity, ambition, and late-blooming self-awareness. Her growth is one of the book’s best gifts. Watching her peel off the socialite mask to rediscover who she is outside the marriage—and then watching Nick fall in love with that version of her—is deeply satisfying.
And Nick? He’s no cardboard billionaire. He’s gruff, emotionally clumsy, and occasionally infuriating—but he’s also clearly wounded, and that makes his moments of vulnerability land harder. One minute he’s silently judging Candy’s Christmas party shenanigans, the next he’s catching her mid-spiral and surprising both of them with tenderness. Their chemistry is electric, and every snarky exchange doubles as a spark waiting to ignite. When things finally boil over—because of course they do—it’s earned, not forced.
The side characters, including Candy’s chaotic friends and one particularly unforgettable “swinging Santas” pub night, keep the story buoyant. There’s a strong sense of place—New York feels like a character in its own right, snow-dusted and full of magic. You can practically hear the jingle bells as they walk down Fifth Avenue, fake-smiling through society events, all while their real issues bubble just beneath the surface.
Ryan excels at mixing the glamorous with the raw. There’s plenty of sparkle, but it’s the sharp emotional edges that give this book its bite. It’s not just about rekindling a romance; it’s about reevaluating a life. What happens when the life you built is beautiful—but no longer yours? That’s the question Candy has to ask, and the answer doesn’t come with a bow. One of the standout lines in the novel—“You don’t get to forget who we were just because it’s inconvenient now”—perfectly captures the ache of their situation. It’s not about who they used to be; it’s about who they can choose to become now.
Is it a perfect read? Not entirely. The pacing dips slightly in the middle, and a few plot turns felt a bit too convenient. But honestly? That’s part of the charm. Holiday romances are allowed to lean into a little wish fulfillment, especially when they’re this self-aware and emotionally smart.
In the end, What Happens This Christmas is more than just a holiday romp with wealthy people problems. It’s a story about timing, forgiveness, and rediscovering what’s worth fighting for. It’s about letting go of the life you thought you wanted to find the one that actually fits. And it’s about kissing your husband in the snow—again—for the first time.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)
#WhatHappensThisChristmas #DaniRyan #HolidayRomCom #BillionaireRomance #ChristmasBooks #SecondChanceRomance #RomanticComedy #NetGalleyARC #BookReview #NYCRomance #CozyHolidayReads #RomanceReview #GiftedARC #WittyRomCom #RomanceWithHeart
November 4, 2025
Candy, after going on a shopping spree (as she is wont to do), gets a bombshell dropped on her before she’s even finished with dinner. Her husband, Nick, is divorcing her. No warning, no buildup.
Naturally she’s devastated, but instead of becoming emotional, showing her feelings, she reverts back to her current base setting, which is Ice Queen. She informs Nick that they can’t get divorced before the Christmas season, what would all their friends say? Nick agrees that they’ll stay together until January 2nd, for the sake of appearances.
And that, right there, is the problem. Appearances.
Living this life of the rich and privileged changed Candy, to the point where Nick doesn’t really recognize her. And it’s been a long time since they’ve been intimate, as if Candy doesn’t want to let down her guard anymore. The fact is, women have a much harder time navigating the precious (and impossible) balance of rich people’s societal “norms”. They have to develop a thick skin, show that they can control their emotions, that they are worth being seen by the “right” people.
If I’m being honest, I find that disgusting and sexist. You don’t see the men having to do such things. But, that’s just me. I guess I’m not ever going to be cut out for high society, because it seems like having money doesn’t make you elite. It makes you a snob.
We get to see Brady again, as Nick, who has not divulged that he’s anything more than just a regular guy, works shifts at Brady’s pub (don’t get me started on the Swinging Santas; you’ll just have to read it for yourself). Allegra and Gina also make an appearance, tying everything into this juggernaut of a series the authors have created. Why does he work at a pub when he’s a billionaire? Because he just wants to be Nick, the bartender, not Nick, the billionaire.
A note on Nick’s mother — someone who is nice to you, but mean to your wife, is not a good person. I don’t care if it’s his mother. She has no business criticizing Candy the way she does, and honestly, Nick should have nipped that in the bud a long time ago.
The question is, will Candy ever let herself be vulnerable enough to reconnect with Nick? Will Nick ever realize how draining high society is on his wife? Well, these authors do happy endings, so take what you want from that. You’ll have to read the book to get the particulars, and find out what really happens this Christmas.
Naturally she’s devastated, but instead of becoming emotional, showing her feelings, she reverts back to her current base setting, which is Ice Queen. She informs Nick that they can’t get divorced before the Christmas season, what would all their friends say? Nick agrees that they’ll stay together until January 2nd, for the sake of appearances.
And that, right there, is the problem. Appearances.
Living this life of the rich and privileged changed Candy, to the point where Nick doesn’t really recognize her. And it’s been a long time since they’ve been intimate, as if Candy doesn’t want to let down her guard anymore. The fact is, women have a much harder time navigating the precious (and impossible) balance of rich people’s societal “norms”. They have to develop a thick skin, show that they can control their emotions, that they are worth being seen by the “right” people.
If I’m being honest, I find that disgusting and sexist. You don’t see the men having to do such things. But, that’s just me. I guess I’m not ever going to be cut out for high society, because it seems like having money doesn’t make you elite. It makes you a snob.
We get to see Brady again, as Nick, who has not divulged that he’s anything more than just a regular guy, works shifts at Brady’s pub (don’t get me started on the Swinging Santas; you’ll just have to read it for yourself). Allegra and Gina also make an appearance, tying everything into this juggernaut of a series the authors have created. Why does he work at a pub when he’s a billionaire? Because he just wants to be Nick, the bartender, not Nick, the billionaire.
A note on Nick’s mother — someone who is nice to you, but mean to your wife, is not a good person. I don’t care if it’s his mother. She has no business criticizing Candy the way she does, and honestly, Nick should have nipped that in the bud a long time ago.
The question is, will Candy ever let herself be vulnerable enough to reconnect with Nick? Will Nick ever realize how draining high society is on his wife? Well, these authors do happy endings, so take what you want from that. You’ll have to read the book to get the particulars, and find out what really happens this Christmas.
November 7, 2025
What Happens This Christmas is a billionaire holiday romance, not your typical type though. This story is unique.
Nick and Candy have been married for years. Nick is a billionaire, so they live a pretty high society lifestyle. However, Nick isn't one of those typical billionaires that throws around the fact that he has money. He enjoys working and even bartends in the afternoons just for fun. Candy, however, seemed to have let the pressures of the lifestyle get to her and she's become cold, focusing more on their image as a couple in their financial standing more than focusing on the relationship between them. So Nick does the thing that he thinks is best for both of them. He asks for a divorce.
In all honesty, I read this entire story with two questions in the back of my mind the entire time. Why is he wanting a divorce and couldn't this just have been resolved with a conversation? But as we went further along into the story and you start to understand Candy's character more, I can kind of understand. They both absolutely love each other though and that's what just kept getting me. With all this love for each other, couldn't an honest conversation have fixed all this? Candy asks Nick to wait until after the holidays to divorce and Nick agrees. During this time, they both start slowly rekindling what was lost between them. Nick and Candy sound like a really nice couple that can have a great life if they'd just communicate with each other and while I think they share a really sweet, loving relationship, I wish they had better communication. All this trying to save their marriage happening, and then, in comes the meddling mother in law.
The story has holiday vibes. It is light hearted with nothing heavy happening. This was a unique holiday read for sure.
Nick and Candy have been married for years. Nick is a billionaire, so they live a pretty high society lifestyle. However, Nick isn't one of those typical billionaires that throws around the fact that he has money. He enjoys working and even bartends in the afternoons just for fun. Candy, however, seemed to have let the pressures of the lifestyle get to her and she's become cold, focusing more on their image as a couple in their financial standing more than focusing on the relationship between them. So Nick does the thing that he thinks is best for both of them. He asks for a divorce.
In all honesty, I read this entire story with two questions in the back of my mind the entire time. Why is he wanting a divorce and couldn't this just have been resolved with a conversation? But as we went further along into the story and you start to understand Candy's character more, I can kind of understand. They both absolutely love each other though and that's what just kept getting me. With all this love for each other, couldn't an honest conversation have fixed all this? Candy asks Nick to wait until after the holidays to divorce and Nick agrees. During this time, they both start slowly rekindling what was lost between them. Nick and Candy sound like a really nice couple that can have a great life if they'd just communicate with each other and while I think they share a really sweet, loving relationship, I wish they had better communication. All this trying to save their marriage happening, and then, in comes the meddling mother in law.
The story has holiday vibes. It is light hearted with nothing heavy happening. This was a unique holiday read for sure.
November 12, 2025
⭐️ Rating: 3.5/5
What Happens This Christmas by Dani Ryan is a cozy holiday romance that captures many of the elements readers look for in a seasonal read — festive settings, holiday charm, and the promise of a happy ending. While it checked several of those boxes, I ultimately found it to be a middle-of-the-road experience — pleasant enough, but not particularly memorable.
Dani Ryan’s writing style is accessible and easy to settle into, which made the reading experience comfortable and light. However, the plot itself felt somewhat predictable, and the pacing dragged at times. I found myself wishing for deeper emotional development and a stronger sense of connection between the characters.
That said, there are bright spots. The festive atmosphere was well-done — you can practically picture the twinkling lights and smell the pine needles — and there’s a sincerity to Ryan’s storytelling that shines through even when the narrative feels familiar. For readers who enjoy straightforward, feel-good holiday romances without a lot of complication, this book will likely hit the mark.
For me, What Happens This Christmas was an enjoyable but unremarkable read — not one I regret picking up, but not one that will stick with me once the decorations come down.
If you enjoy gentle, heartwarming Christmas stories that focus more on comfort than conflict, What Happens This Christmas may be a good fit.
Tropes:
🧸marriage in trouble
🧸lovers to dislike to lovers
🧸ice queen x black cat
🧸he’s secretly still obsessed with her
🧸billionaire who bartends
🧸shopaholic who loves frozen hot chocolate
I received an ARC from Dani Ryan and House of Hearts Lit in exchange for my honest review.
What Happens This Christmas by Dani Ryan is a cozy holiday romance that captures many of the elements readers look for in a seasonal read — festive settings, holiday charm, and the promise of a happy ending. While it checked several of those boxes, I ultimately found it to be a middle-of-the-road experience — pleasant enough, but not particularly memorable.
Dani Ryan’s writing style is accessible and easy to settle into, which made the reading experience comfortable and light. However, the plot itself felt somewhat predictable, and the pacing dragged at times. I found myself wishing for deeper emotional development and a stronger sense of connection between the characters.
That said, there are bright spots. The festive atmosphere was well-done — you can practically picture the twinkling lights and smell the pine needles — and there’s a sincerity to Ryan’s storytelling that shines through even when the narrative feels familiar. For readers who enjoy straightforward, feel-good holiday romances without a lot of complication, this book will likely hit the mark.
For me, What Happens This Christmas was an enjoyable but unremarkable read — not one I regret picking up, but not one that will stick with me once the decorations come down.
If you enjoy gentle, heartwarming Christmas stories that focus more on comfort than conflict, What Happens This Christmas may be a good fit.
Tropes:
🧸marriage in trouble
🧸lovers to dislike to lovers
🧸ice queen x black cat
🧸he’s secretly still obsessed with her
🧸billionaire who bartends
🧸shopaholic who loves frozen hot chocolate
I received an ARC from Dani Ryan and House of Hearts Lit in exchange for my honest review.
October 29, 2025
🎄💋 WHAT HAPPENS THIS CHRISTMAS by Dani Ryan 💋🎄
A billionaire holiday rom-com with New York sparkle, messy emotions, and second-chance magic
Candy Crane has everything: a billionaire husband, a Manhattan penthouse, and closets full of couture... until her husband, Nick, drops the ultimate bomb: he wants a divorce. 💔 Just in time for the holidays.
Desperate to save face during the social event season, Candy convinces him to stay through Christmas. But as fake smiles turn into real memories, old sparks start to reignite under the city’s twinkling lights. Maybe the love they lost isn’t gone after all, maybe it just needed a little Christmas chaos to bring it back.
This book has it all including banter sharper than icicles, sizzling tension, laugh-out-loud moments (hello, swinging Santas 🍸), and enough heart to make even a Scrooge believe in second chances. Dani Ryan delivers a festive, emotional rom-com wrapped in glitz, glamour, and genuine growth.
💫 Expect:
💰 Billionaire x socialite
🎅 Second-chance romance
🎁 Fake holiday happiness → real love
🗽 New York Christmas magic
🔥 Banter, vulnerability, and spicy redemption
✨ “Maybe the woman he married isn’t gone after all…” ✨
If Emily Henry and Sophie Kinsella wrote a Christmas movie together, it would look like What Happens This Christmas. Funny, heartfelt, and oh-so-swoon-worthy and this one’s pure holiday perfection.
#WhatHappensThisChristmas #DaniRyan #HolidayRomCom #BillionaireRomance #SecondChanceRomance #ChristmasReads #NYCRomance #FestiveFiction #RomComBooks #BookstagramRomance #EnemiesToLovers #HolidayMagic
A billionaire holiday rom-com with New York sparkle, messy emotions, and second-chance magic
Candy Crane has everything: a billionaire husband, a Manhattan penthouse, and closets full of couture... until her husband, Nick, drops the ultimate bomb: he wants a divorce. 💔 Just in time for the holidays.
Desperate to save face during the social event season, Candy convinces him to stay through Christmas. But as fake smiles turn into real memories, old sparks start to reignite under the city’s twinkling lights. Maybe the love they lost isn’t gone after all, maybe it just needed a little Christmas chaos to bring it back.
This book has it all including banter sharper than icicles, sizzling tension, laugh-out-loud moments (hello, swinging Santas 🍸), and enough heart to make even a Scrooge believe in second chances. Dani Ryan delivers a festive, emotional rom-com wrapped in glitz, glamour, and genuine growth.
💫 Expect:
💰 Billionaire x socialite
🎅 Second-chance romance
🎁 Fake holiday happiness → real love
🗽 New York Christmas magic
🔥 Banter, vulnerability, and spicy redemption
✨ “Maybe the woman he married isn’t gone after all…” ✨
If Emily Henry and Sophie Kinsella wrote a Christmas movie together, it would look like What Happens This Christmas. Funny, heartfelt, and oh-so-swoon-worthy and this one’s pure holiday perfection.
#WhatHappensThisChristmas #DaniRyan #HolidayRomCom #BillionaireRomance #SecondChanceRomance #ChristmasReads #NYCRomance #FestiveFiction #RomComBooks #BookstagramRomance #EnemiesToLovers #HolidayMagic
November 5, 2025
Dani Ryan’s What Happens This Christmas is a compulsive and addictive second-chance romance wrapped in tinsel, tension, and just the right amount of heartache, it’s sharp, glamorous, and unexpectedly raw, like sipping champagne laced with truth serum, Candy Crane’s diamond-drenched life looks spectacular from the outside, but when her husband Nick decides to call it quits right before Christmas, the plot starts to crack, this was entertaining tug-of-war between pride and longing, luxury and loneliness, every page has that compelling prose with that proprioceptive ache of love lost and almost found, the one that makes your heart fibers tighten and your pulse quicken even when you know how it might end!
.
Candy is a fascinating mess, full of beauty and disaster, she's grown accustomed to controlling the story and appearing flawless, to the point where her entire identity crumbles under the strain of maintaining appearance. It's oddly interesting to watch her fumble through her own illusions; she's shallow until she isn't, brittle until she cracks, absolutely something brutally honest is about this lady who has formed her self-esteem around her image and now can't recognise the person staring back. Dani Ryan's unravelling is terrible and entertaining, the kind of emotional spectacle that feels voyeuristic but very human, by the time Candy begins to rediscover the softer, more grounded version of herself, you're pulling for her unconsciously!
.
Nick is moody, attractive, and emotionally weak in the most compelling way, he's a character who feels that control equals safety, but each relationship with Candy threatens to undo him! Their chemistry is electric, taut, unpredictable and brutal and tender, the Authors Dani Ryan expose their dysfunction in very unique and poignant lyrical style, you can feel the tugging of years of hatred rubbing on what remains of their love, when they eventually collide, verbally, emotionally, and physically, it's thrilling!!! It's messy, mature, and absolutely honest romance!
.
Between awkward parties, bitter conversation, and one unforgettable "swinging Santas" night, authors Dani Ryan crafted the holiday background into a stage for renewal, the book is extremely entertaining, but the emotional delicateness makes it hit more than intended! What Happens This Christmas is an addictive and unputdownable holiday romance, it's beautifully written, fast-paced, and full of poignancy It's gorgeous chaos with proper amount of glittering jewels and it confirms that the truth is sometimes the most beautiful thing to open for Christmas. This was a masterpiece holiday romance, indeed a five stars!!!
.
Candy is a fascinating mess, full of beauty and disaster, she's grown accustomed to controlling the story and appearing flawless, to the point where her entire identity crumbles under the strain of maintaining appearance. It's oddly interesting to watch her fumble through her own illusions; she's shallow until she isn't, brittle until she cracks, absolutely something brutally honest is about this lady who has formed her self-esteem around her image and now can't recognise the person staring back. Dani Ryan's unravelling is terrible and entertaining, the kind of emotional spectacle that feels voyeuristic but very human, by the time Candy begins to rediscover the softer, more grounded version of herself, you're pulling for her unconsciously!
.
Nick is moody, attractive, and emotionally weak in the most compelling way, he's a character who feels that control equals safety, but each relationship with Candy threatens to undo him! Their chemistry is electric, taut, unpredictable and brutal and tender, the Authors Dani Ryan expose their dysfunction in very unique and poignant lyrical style, you can feel the tugging of years of hatred rubbing on what remains of their love, when they eventually collide, verbally, emotionally, and physically, it's thrilling!!! It's messy, mature, and absolutely honest romance!
.
Between awkward parties, bitter conversation, and one unforgettable "swinging Santas" night, authors Dani Ryan crafted the holiday background into a stage for renewal, the book is extremely entertaining, but the emotional delicateness makes it hit more than intended! What Happens This Christmas is an addictive and unputdownable holiday romance, it's beautifully written, fast-paced, and full of poignancy It's gorgeous chaos with proper amount of glittering jewels and it confirms that the truth is sometimes the most beautiful thing to open for Christmas. This was a masterpiece holiday romance, indeed a five stars!!!
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