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Carol: Being a Ghost Story of Christmas
MARNIE IS DEAD, TO BEGIN WITH.
There is no doubt whatever about that.
So who the hell sent Carol this text?
Born Christmas Day eighteen years ago, Carol Davis is known for anything but holiday spirit.
Sharp-tongued and self-centered, she’s made her way to the pinnacle of high school by walking over anyone who stands in her way, be they enemy, friend, or even family.
Visited by the ghost of her best friend on the anniversary of her December drowning, Carol learns that a horrible fate awaits her and only by facing the Spirits of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come can she avoid the coming darkness.
With each spectral visitation, she’s taken down a familiar yet fresh path of discovery, uncovering the innocent girl she used to be, accepting the bitter young woman she has become, and yearning for a future where she can dare to love again.
As the clock strikes midnight on Christmas Eve, Carol has one last chance to turn her life around, but have the Spirits come too late to change the course of destiny?
There is no doubt whatever about that.
So who the hell sent Carol this text?
Born Christmas Day eighteen years ago, Carol Davis is known for anything but holiday spirit.
Sharp-tongued and self-centered, she’s made her way to the pinnacle of high school by walking over anyone who stands in her way, be they enemy, friend, or even family.
Visited by the ghost of her best friend on the anniversary of her December drowning, Carol learns that a horrible fate awaits her and only by facing the Spirits of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come can she avoid the coming darkness.
With each spectral visitation, she’s taken down a familiar yet fresh path of discovery, uncovering the innocent girl she used to be, accepting the bitter young woman she has become, and yearning for a future where she can dare to love again.
As the clock strikes midnight on Christmas Eve, Carol has one last chance to turn her life around, but have the Spirits come too late to change the course of destiny?
Audible Audio
Published August 7, 2025
56 people are currently reading
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About the author
Darin Kennedy
35 books78 followersDarin Kennedy, born and raised in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, is a graduate of Wake Forest University and Bowman Gray School of Medicine. After completing family medicine residency in the mountains of Virginia, he served eight years as a United States Army physician and wrote his first novel in 2003 in the sands of northern Iraq. His debut novel, The Mussorgsky Riddle, was born from a fusion of two of his lifelong loves—classical music and world mythology— and is slated for publication by Curiosity Quills Press in Fall/Winter 2014. His short stories can be found in various publications, as well as two short story compilations available on Amazon, and he is currently hard at work on his next novel. Doctor by day and novelist by night, he writes and practices medicine in Charlotte, North Carolina. When not engaged in either of the above activities, he has been known strum the guitar, enjoy a bite of sushi, and rumor has it he even sleeps on occasion. He is represented by Stacey Donaghy at Donaghy Literary Group. Find him online at darinkennedy.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
November 24, 2025
Carol by Darin Kennedy
Retelling of the classic Christmas Carol.
In this retelling, the protagonist, or Scrooge, is a seventeen year old high school girl who lost her parents and younger sister when she was eight years old. She also lost a friend at sixteen. When she first moved in her an aunt and uncle, she overheard a conversation that led her to believe she wasn’t wanted and that the couple had no choice but to raise her.
Preface this to say that I cry at all the tv versions of the story. It’s always heartbreaking to see the sorrow and loss that the character goes through. This version is no less devastating. The dead friend that starts the journey for Carol is a bit creepy, but it’s supposed to be, right? Then the three ghosts that follow represent past, present and future as we follow Carol in her current high school with typical teen issues, pressures, and the added loss of family.
Of course, the moral of the story is to be a better person. That still stands. A bonus in this story is a boy. A longtime friend that’s she’s pushed away the last few years. We get a bit of romance in this version as a bonus.
Suffice it to say, I cried through most of this book. For the loss, for the hurt, for the years of withdrawal and lack of emotional connections and worse, empathy.
There are no new revelations in this story, but that’s exactly how it should be.
Nevertheless, it’s a story with impact. With heart. And a feel good happy ending.
Although I cried continuously, it’s going to be one of the best books I read all year.
Beautiful. Thoughtful. And with a message to love yourself, your family, and the world.
Retelling of the classic Christmas Carol.
In this retelling, the protagonist, or Scrooge, is a seventeen year old high school girl who lost her parents and younger sister when she was eight years old. She also lost a friend at sixteen. When she first moved in her an aunt and uncle, she overheard a conversation that led her to believe she wasn’t wanted and that the couple had no choice but to raise her.
Preface this to say that I cry at all the tv versions of the story. It’s always heartbreaking to see the sorrow and loss that the character goes through. This version is no less devastating. The dead friend that starts the journey for Carol is a bit creepy, but it’s supposed to be, right? Then the three ghosts that follow represent past, present and future as we follow Carol in her current high school with typical teen issues, pressures, and the added loss of family.
Of course, the moral of the story is to be a better person. That still stands. A bonus in this story is a boy. A longtime friend that’s she’s pushed away the last few years. We get a bit of romance in this version as a bonus.
Suffice it to say, I cried through most of this book. For the loss, for the hurt, for the years of withdrawal and lack of emotional connections and worse, empathy.
There are no new revelations in this story, but that’s exactly how it should be.
Nevertheless, it’s a story with impact. With heart. And a feel good happy ending.
Although I cried continuously, it’s going to be one of the best books I read all year.
Beautiful. Thoughtful. And with a message to love yourself, your family, and the world.
January 6, 2023
Excellent re-telling of A Christmas Carol. Even though you know the story, this modern version keeps you coming back for more!
December 15, 2020
This is a book I wish I could send back in time to my younger self. I’ve loved A Christmas Carol and many creative reimaginings of the story over the years, but this is the first version I know of that centers a teen girl. Kennedy updates the story for a modern audience while maintaining the horror, humor, and pathos of the original.
January 5, 2022
A delightful reimagining of the Dickens classic, with our Scrooge being played by a teenaged girl. The updated setting and modern set of problems as well as a younger lead breathed fresh life into the tale, while still preserving the lesson learned and the appeal to your heartstrings of the original work.
December 6, 2025
This is a modern, Y/A version of Dickens' A Christmas Carol. It's darker than the source material and the ghosts are scarier. The "Scrooge" is a girl who hates Christmas (which is also her birthday) because of two terrible tragedies that occurred on this day in her past. Instead of greed, her problem is apathy (which I think is an excellent idea). Though a retelling, there are a lot of layers to this story, with something to appeal to multiple generations of readers. I think it would make a great family read-aloud to kick off the Christmas holidays while sparking discussion about topics from what it means to be a family (and how to be a good friend) to overcoming grief and apathy, as well as repentance, restitution, and forgiveness.
While I enjoyed the book, I do wish the author had made some different choices for the main character toward the end of the book. Specifically, (spoiler alert) regardless of the fact that the main character is a young person and that she made some valiant choices after her rock bottom action, I found it somewhat off-putting that the biggest mistake she made ended up being treated as lightly as it was in this story.
While I enjoyed the book, I do wish the author had made some different choices for the main character toward the end of the book. Specifically, (spoiler alert) regardless of the fact that the main character is a young person and that she made some valiant choices after her rock bottom action, I found it somewhat off-putting that the biggest mistake she made ended up being treated as lightly as it was in this story.
April 5, 2024
I gave this 4 stars because I took into consideration the fact that it is a Christmas book, but I would not recommend reading it out of season. I felt like the characters were well done and Carol was a protagonist you can easily get behind. My only complaints are that I wish there had been more details on Carol’s friendship with Marnie, I hardly felt the presence of Marnie in this book even though she is a titular character. I also didn’t like how Carol was portrayed as a hero at the end when she literally caused the accident.
January 10, 2023
Amazing
I love retellings of classic stories. This Christmas Carol retelling was no different. I loved how Carol grew as a person from her hauntings. Now she has more compassion and a brighter future.
I love retellings of classic stories. This Christmas Carol retelling was no different. I loved how Carol grew as a person from her hauntings. Now she has more compassion and a brighter future.
December 30, 2020
I absolutely loved this modern, young adult retelling of A Christmas Carol. It was fresh and creative, while still staying true to the sentiment of the original. Outstanding read for any time of year and any age.
December 26, 2025
Such a fun, modern retelling of a Christmas Carol. As the author describes it: “Mean Girls meets Scrooge.”
October 27, 2025
This is a fantastic re-telling of A Christmas Carol
The book cover caught my attention.
Characters were well done
Teenage Scrooge
Fresh and creative
The book cover caught my attention.
Characters were well done
Teenage Scrooge
Fresh and creative
December 24, 2022
Perfect book when the fam is not feeling well and it's snowing outside. Good contemporary darker retelling of a Christmas Carol in time for the holidays.
June 17, 2025
"Carol" by Darin Kennedy was an interesting read. It was a telling of the Christmas Carol where 17 year old Carol is given a glimpse of the past, present, and future of her life. It was definitely an eye-opener for Carol after being in a foul mood after losing her family a decade before and then losing her good friend the year before. Christmas just is not her favorite time of year. My favorite scene is the court scene. It was nice to see the difference in Carol's life from the beginning of the story to the court scene. My favorite character was Christopher.
December 30, 2025
3.5
I was pleasantly surprised by this one! I love almost any Christmas Carol retelling, and this one was great on audio. It also had more depth than I was expecting, with the main character finally facing her grief.
I was pleasantly surprised by this one! I love almost any Christmas Carol retelling, and this one was great on audio. It also had more depth than I was expecting, with the main character finally facing her grief.
November 21, 2022
I love Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, so I was thrilled when Kennedy shared he was releasing a contemporary version. I love his books and this story, so it was going to be good, AND IT WAS!
Unlike the typical Hallmark retelling, Carol offers a very different approach to the story. Carol, a teen, hates Christmas for good reasons, but unlike Ebenezer Scrooge, she does have friends. The relationships aren’t great though because of her attitude. Still, people love and care for Carol.
One of my favorite parts was how the ghost of her best friend comes to warn her—I got cold chills during those scenes. That’s saying something when I already knew sort of what to expect. Kennedy did carry the general personalities of the three ghosts of Christmas into this story, but they are not carbon copies. And it’s fun watching Carol “school” them on how they should behave.
The conclusion, which is nothing like the orignal’s, is very realistic and satisfying.
I highly recommend this story!
2022: I just reread this story and still heartily enjoyed it! It’s a fresh take on a story that’s been retold and reimagined hundreds of times. Kennedy does a great job!
Unlike the typical Hallmark retelling, Carol offers a very different approach to the story. Carol, a teen, hates Christmas for good reasons, but unlike Ebenezer Scrooge, she does have friends. The relationships aren’t great though because of her attitude. Still, people love and care for Carol.
One of my favorite parts was how the ghost of her best friend comes to warn her—I got cold chills during those scenes. That’s saying something when I already knew sort of what to expect. Kennedy did carry the general personalities of the three ghosts of Christmas into this story, but they are not carbon copies. And it’s fun watching Carol “school” them on how they should behave.
The conclusion, which is nothing like the orignal’s, is very realistic and satisfying.
I highly recommend this story!
2022: I just reread this story and still heartily enjoyed it! It’s a fresh take on a story that’s been retold and reimagined hundreds of times. Kennedy does a great job!
November 21, 2022
I begin by stating that my love of Charles Dickens and his way with words started at age 13 when I read Great Expectations as part of 8th grade English class. My enjoyment of Darin Kennedy's writing is much more recent, beginning a few years ago when my husband brought back The Mussorgsky Riddle from a Science Fiction/Fantasy convention he attended. He originally bought it as a gift for our daughter, a born Russophile, but once I began reading it I could not put it down.
In the Author's Note at the end of the book, even Darin Kennedy admits that there were already many retellings of A Christmas Carol covering almost every possible angle before he wrote this book. I am glad that he persisted against publishers' skepticism and found a way to produce this story.
This is a fresh, modernized take on that classic tale that I would give far more than 5 stars if it were an available option. Unlike the original, the reader already knows the plot and is allowed to believe they know the ending until the actual climax and denouement when the author takes a bit of license with the tale in bringing it to its conclusion. I won't spoil the pleasure of finding out how he does it in this review.
I will state that this story is what so many in our world need to read because it provides a much needed wake-up call to the masses who have built walls of indifference and apathy around themselves in order to survive the day-to-day drudgery of life in a rut of their own making. As so many authors try to remind us, we need to start caring again - for our planet and for each other.
In the Author's Note at the end of the book, even Darin Kennedy admits that there were already many retellings of A Christmas Carol covering almost every possible angle before he wrote this book. I am glad that he persisted against publishers' skepticism and found a way to produce this story.
This is a fresh, modernized take on that classic tale that I would give far more than 5 stars if it were an available option. Unlike the original, the reader already knows the plot and is allowed to believe they know the ending until the actual climax and denouement when the author takes a bit of license with the tale in bringing it to its conclusion. I won't spoil the pleasure of finding out how he does it in this review.
I will state that this story is what so many in our world need to read because it provides a much needed wake-up call to the masses who have built walls of indifference and apathy around themselves in order to survive the day-to-day drudgery of life in a rut of their own making. As so many authors try to remind us, we need to start caring again - for our planet and for each other.
December 10, 2022
There's no question that Carol has had a rough life. Born on Christmas day, her parents & sister were killed in a plane crash on Christmas Eve while trying to make it home to celebrate her birthday as a family. After that, all she had left were the aunt & uncle who took her in. And then years later, 3 days before Christmas her best friend drowned. So to describe Christmas as her least favorite day was putting it mildly. So is calling her bitter, sharp tongued, and often cruel.
Then, on the anniversary of her best friend's death, Carol finds herself face to face with Marnie's ghost. And in the manner of Charles Dickens' famous Christmas story, Carol must face three spirits and attempt to rediscover the true meaning of Christmas, or face the consequences of that failure.
I absolutely loved this story. Yes, we all know the familiar tale of Ebenezer Scrooze and the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future, but this book gives us a completely fresh look at an old favorite story. This version gives it a modern twist that does not lose any of the appeal of the original tale. Instead it makes it all the more relatable to this day and age. Parts of this book had me in tears, my heart aching for Carol , while others had me just wanting to talk some sense into a girl who had walled herself away from everyone who cared about her.
This is definitely a Holiday story that I would strongly recommend reading. It may be a retelling of a story you already know, but I don't think you'll regret reading it. Whether you loved the original classic version or not, this one will capture your attention and hold it. I know that I didn't want to put it down.
Then, on the anniversary of her best friend's death, Carol finds herself face to face with Marnie's ghost. And in the manner of Charles Dickens' famous Christmas story, Carol must face three spirits and attempt to rediscover the true meaning of Christmas, or face the consequences of that failure.
I absolutely loved this story. Yes, we all know the familiar tale of Ebenezer Scrooze and the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future, but this book gives us a completely fresh look at an old favorite story. This version gives it a modern twist that does not lose any of the appeal of the original tale. Instead it makes it all the more relatable to this day and age. Parts of this book had me in tears, my heart aching for Carol , while others had me just wanting to talk some sense into a girl who had walled herself away from everyone who cared about her.
This is definitely a Holiday story that I would strongly recommend reading. It may be a retelling of a story you already know, but I don't think you'll regret reading it. Whether you loved the original classic version or not, this one will capture your attention and hold it. I know that I didn't want to put it down.
December 18, 2025
I had read A Christmas Carol two years ago on the first day of winter and this modern retelling is just as good. Ebenezer Scrooge is reimagined as a spoiled selfish 17-year old girl named Carol Davis, who is raised by her aunt and uncle and is counting down the days of when she comes into her inheritance in order to leave her small town. During the course of the book, we slowly learn about Carol’s past and how her presence affects those around her: With her gone, Philippe falls back into alcoholism, her best friend, Roberta becomes Carol 2.0 after her little sister, Tameka dies of leukemia, and her aunt and uncle have a strained marriage that eventually ends in divorce. I cried when I read the part about Carol’s sister, Joy, being hospitalized for pneumonia and the part when her aunt tells eight-year old Carol’s parents—and sister—died in a plane wreck en route to be with her on her birthday! I was happy with the ending of Carol and Christopher becoming a couple and Carol opening up a foundation to help children everywhere.
December 19, 2025
I just didn’t like Carol and wasn’t convinced of her character change. This book is 4 times longer than the original work and I spent most of it being angry and eventually went up to 4x speed just to finally get through the second half so I could be done with it. I think the idea was good, a high school mean girl learning the error of her ways, but I think the desire to stick so close to the source material even having the entirely unrealistic idea of a school activity happening on Christmas Eve hindered the believability. If the world didn’t include Dickens’ story maybe the reasoning would be there, but since Carol was very aware she was living that story it was a waste to cram things into the days before Christmas.
October 18, 2022
Carol
For anyone who enjoys a retelling of the old Dickens classic, this one is a very good read. Most modern versions revolve around the professional adult world. Using the setting of the high school world and the nerds, jocks, mean girls and regular students gives this story a new twist.
Just the right blend of sentiment and snark to keep the reader engaged, even though we all know how the plot line goes.
For anyone who enjoys a retelling of the old Dickens classic, this one is a very good read. Most modern versions revolve around the professional adult world. Using the setting of the high school world and the nerds, jocks, mean girls and regular students gives this story a new twist.
Just the right blend of sentiment and snark to keep the reader engaged, even though we all know how the plot line goes.
December 23, 2023
The book cover got my attention, I thought it was beautiful. I do enjoy A Christmas Carol stories so decided to read this book. I’m glad I did. It is a delightful reimagining of the classic story of The Christmas Carol. The story setting is more modern and about a teenager girl who is like a Scrooge who have been having a set of problems. She was visited by 3 different spirits to reflect on her past, present, and future. The book was enjoyable to read.
November 23, 2024
A Christmas Carole with a twist
I loved this story of a seventeen year old girl who has experienced so much loss in her life. As she was heading towards her eighteen birthday, she was visited by her friend Marnie , who died a year ago, and the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future. It is a real twist on Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carole but it was such a modern version. It was.really worth the read!
I loved this story of a seventeen year old girl who has experienced so much loss in her life. As she was heading towards her eighteen birthday, she was visited by her friend Marnie , who died a year ago, and the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future. It is a real twist on Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carole but it was such a modern version. It was.really worth the read!
November 28, 2025
Contemporary Christmas Carol. I liked it mostly. obviously I didn't like the main character at first (you aren't supposed to, she is scrooge, right?) and all through out the book I wanted to change her decisions and have her be nice. I never grew to love her, but I was glad to see her growth. There was swearing throughout the book that really detracted from the story and message and because of that I don't recommend this one.
December 8, 2025
A Very creative retelling of A Christmas Carol. A teenage girl lost her mother, father & baby sister in a airplane crash when she way very young. Raised by her Aunt - she's created a very tough shell & isn't the nicest young lady - but people give her a pass because of what happened.
Three spirits visit her -- along with high school happening at the same time. Very sweet message that it's never too late to change your life if you really want to.
Three spirits visit her -- along with high school happening at the same time. Very sweet message that it's never too late to change your life if you really want to.
December 29, 2025
This is a unique take on a classic. It is written for YA readers, but as an adult I thoroughly enjoyed Carol's transformation. It is different from other adaptations that I have read or seen, in that this author takes some liberties with the story, but those changes all seem to fit the overall theme of Dickens original masterpiece. I am normally a purist when it comes to adaptations, but I really enjoyed this take on a classic story.
May 14, 2021
An emotional and satisfying tale with lots of Dickens references, but not at all the same story. A young adult version that brings the story into the current time period with a whole new set of circumstances. Enjoyable and touching in many parts. The characters felt like real people that you might encounter as a teenager.
January 5, 2023
I don't give 5 star reviews much, truly can't recall the last of the 158 books I read last year that I even bothered to rate at all...and I never expected much of a Christmas YA novel.
But it kept me up too late reading a week after Christmas and gave me plenty of unexpected tears and noteworthy quotes.
I look forward to revisiting it next holiday season, as well as gifting it
But it kept me up too late reading a week after Christmas and gave me plenty of unexpected tears and noteworthy quotes.
I look forward to revisiting it next holiday season, as well as gifting it
July 4, 2023
"Life is life, honey. We're all here on borrowed time. You love the people in your life while they're here and remember them after they're gone. That's just the way it is." Should have read this sooner. It tore at my heart so many times as I have experienced loss myself...losing 5 family members in the span of 7 years.
December 31, 2023
This is a clever take on A CHRISTMAS CAROL from a teenage girl's point of view. Carol is a real problem to her aunt and uncle who have cared for her since her parents and sister died in a plane crash 10 years ago. This year Carol's best friend died, making Carol even worse than usual. When Carol's dead friend makes a visit to Carol, Marley-like, the fun begins. I enjoyed this book a great deal.
January 11, 2025
A fun story that I enjoyed to the last page! The story is at the same time humorous, spooky, and filled with heart! I particularly loved the climax and the end, both of which had me excitedly turning pages until the very last sentence! Kennedy sold me this book at a con personally and I couldn’t be happier to own it!
December 5, 2025
I have always loved finding new adaptations of a Christmas Carol. This one will be among my favorites. I love the development of Carol as the center piece of the story. We see what things both real and her perception of events that shaped her. There are some very unique elements with the central figure being a teen. But the best parts of the beloved story are here, too. #CMCon26
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews