Since Day One: A Friends to Lovers Christmas Romance Novella

by Abigail Nadine

When only two weeks remain until the biggest, most magical day of the year, everything is on the line.

Jacob and Missouri have been inseparable since the day they were born. Until Missouri surprises him with the news that she might be moving six states away.

Being secretly in love with his best friend for years, Jacob doubles down on his efforts to woo her before she leaves.

The problem? There are only two weeks until Christmas—their most anticipated day of the year. If there were ever a perfect day to confess his true feelings, one where she’d truly feel the magical spark between them, it would be Christmas Day.

Warm the winter holidays with a wholesome love story that grows from true friendship by following Jacob through this sweet Christmas novella.

Genres: Christmas

151 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 24, 2025

Reviews

[Alicia (aliciasalwaysreading)]

I had the privilege of proofreading this one, and it's super cute!

[Ella Noellee · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️4.5
This was a cute novella! A great book to get to your reading goal🤭💕 I really liked how this book was unique in that it was single pov from his perspective and I really enjoyed seeing it! They were so cutesie🥹

tropes:
♥️friends to lovers
♥️he takes care of her when she’s sick
♥️sweet MMC
♥️he’s loved her for years
♥️Christmas novella
♥️single pov


CONTENT:
- kisses only (closed door)
- no language



⋆꙳•❅‧*₊⋆☃︎‧*❆₊⋆ ⋆꙳•❅‧*₊⋆☃︎‧*❆₊⋆ ⋆꙳•❅‧*₊⋆☃︎‧*❆₊⋆

I sometimes got too caught up in Missouri—in her beauty, her joy, her excitement for life. On occasion, my heart forgot that we were just friends, and it caused me to do something stupid, like buckle her into the car.

⋆꙳•❅‧*₊⋆☃︎‧*❆₊⋆ ⋆꙳•❅‧*₊⋆☃︎‧*❆₊⋆ ⋆꙳•❅‧*₊⋆☃︎‧*❆₊⋆

I didn’t just want her friendship. I wanted to call her mine.

⋆꙳•❅‧*₊⋆☃︎‧*❆₊⋆ ⋆꙳•❅‧*₊⋆☃︎‧*❆₊⋆ ⋆꙳•❅‧*₊⋆☃︎‧*❆₊⋆

“I can help, you know.”
“I know you can, but let me do it. Besides, you can watch from behind and tell me how muscular I am.” I winked at her….

⋆꙳•❅‧*₊⋆☃︎‧*❆₊⋆ ⋆꙳•❅‧*₊⋆☃︎‧*❆₊⋆ ⋆꙳•❅‧*₊⋆☃︎‧*❆₊⋆

“How does everyone know I love Missouri?”
“It’s written on your face, in your eyes. When you look at her, she’s the star that you follow. You take care of her; you’re her safe place where she can be herself. You’ve always been selfless, but when it comes to her, you’re more than that.” She placed a hand on my arm. “I’m proud of the man you are. You deserve someone as special as her.”

⋆꙳•❅‧*₊⋆☃︎‧*❆₊⋆ ⋆꙳•❅‧*₊⋆☃︎‧*❆₊⋆ ⋆꙳•❅‧*₊⋆☃︎‧*❆₊⋆

“Missouri,” I held her hands in mine. “I’ll be okay as long as I’m wherever you are. We’ll figure it out.”
“Are you sure?”
“More sure than I’ve ever been about anything, besides that I love you.” Her eyes flew to mine.
“Say that again.”
I brought her hand up between us and kissed her fingers.
“I love you.”

⋆꙳•❅‧*₊⋆☃︎‧*❆₊⋆ ⋆꙳•❅‧*₊⋆☃︎‧*❆₊⋆ ⋆꙳•❅‧*₊⋆☃︎‧*❆₊⋆

[Paris (parismaereads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Quick Takes:
- 4/5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Genre 📚 Christmas Romance
- Language 🤐 none
- Spice ❤️‍🔥 Kisses only
- Content 🤔 none

I am admittedly not a novella reader, but I made an exception for this unique Christmas romance novella!

Since Day One is a sweet, friends to more romance. It sets itself apart because it is written entirely from the male main character’s point of view, making it a fun change of pace from other Christmas romances on the market!

I personally don’t read many novellas because the shorter length can limit character development. However, I do love them as a quick palate cleaner, or fast read to help reach reading goals at the end of the year!

I grabbed this one on Kindle Unlimited and read it in one sitting, the story was easy to follow, and it ends in the happily ever after that we all know and love!

[Tatum - nuggetybooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Jacob Klein & Missouri Bellview
- MMC single POV
- childhood best friends to more
- It’s always been you
- Supportive family and friends
- Christmas festivities
- Snowed in
- Movie Nights

I got the privilege to beta read this one. 💕 I absolutely loved it and couldn’t get over how sweet their friendship was. It was so unique only getting his POV and seeing his dedication and love for his best friend. They have some of the cutest moments of fun and flirting while doing all the Christmasy things.

This is a closed door Christmas romance novella with no cursing and just kissing.

**thank you so much Abigail for asking me to beta read this one. I had so much fun helping you 💕💕

[Shayla Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since Day One
by: Abigail Nadine
@abigailnadine.author

••I give 4.5 stars!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

~When only two weeks remain until the biggest, most magical day of the year, everything is on the line...

-Since Day One, is a quick but delightful holiday vibing Christmas story! You definitely feel the winter holidays with this sweet love story that grows from true friendship told from your uniquely from the MMC’s perspective. There is plenty of sparkling chemistry, both tender and sweet moments, and delightful holiday vibes throughout. I enjoyed watching characters not only take a chance, but risk vulnerability with opening up hearts, and feelings! Seeing characters not only communicate with each other and with other family members leads to stronger bonds. The clear communication pays off. What comes is a happy and satisfying happily ever after story! Worth the quick but, delightful read, for sure!❄️🎄📚❤️✨

“My life is you. It doesn’t matter where you are. If I’m with you, then I’m living. Staying here without you... It wouldn’t be a life anymore.”

•Content: No language, no violence, no dangers, kisses only (some make outs). Clean-closed door.

“You are worth everything.”

#sincedayone

“I’d rather get five minutes with you than have a whole day without you at all.”

#abigailnadineauthor

“I was filled with a sense of purpose when she came near, like holding her was my whole reason for being.”

#cleancloseddoorromance

“I just like when you’re you.”

#allaboutthebestreads

[Bri M · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a cute romance about two best friends whose feelings change over their years of friendship...or at least Jacob's do and he is hoping to win over his best friend, Missouri.

This novella is packed with cute, hold your breath moments. My top two favorite?

- when he rolls up her coat sleeves 

- their first kiss

These scenes scenes were packed with all the heat while keeping it closed door. 

Seriously, who knew rolling up coat sleeves could be so breathtaking? Definitely a swoon-worthy romance that will have to be on my yearly Christmas reads list. 

Tropes:

🎄 From his pov
💝 Best friends to more 
🎄 Snowy kisses 
💝 He falls first
🎄 Christmas traditions 
💝 Cat daddy 
🎄 Movie nights 

When I found out Abigail was releasing a Christmas novella, I knew it would be on my Christmas TBR and I'm so glad it was!



Key words: romance, Christmas novella, indie author, winter setting, friends to more, cat daddy, movie nights, from his pov, Christmas traditions

[Grace Keller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok…hold the phone. An entire story from the MMC point of view?!? I had no idea what I was missing until now😭😭😭 This was the absolute CUTEST Christmas novella and Jacob is the most adorable MMC I have ever read about. Ugh. I wish I could read it again for the first time ever. 6⭐️ I would have flown through this one had it not been for holiday prep. Only about 150ish pages! Highly recommend if you’re looking for an easy, feel good, swoony read.

[Sidney Hatch · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novella is well written and the writing style is picturesque. You get pulled into the story from the male main character's point of view. I love how entwined the storyline is with Christmas and winter activities.

[Laura A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well that was the sweetest little Christmas romance story!

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super cute short Christmas novella. Can I just say, I love the FMC, Missouri she had a great name.

S𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐎𝐧𝐞 by @abigailnadine.author

🎄Christmas Romance
🚫No Language or Spice
💋Kisses only

I am very particular when it comes to what I read, and I’m so glad I read this Christmas romance novella by Abigail Nadine!

Since Day One is a sweet, friends to more romance. I have never read a romance book or any book for that matter that was from MMC’s perspective & enjoyed this. Definitely a Christmas 5 star ⭐️ read for me.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

Super cute friends to lovers. It was a quick read. It was Jacob finally deciding to go after the girl he wants… his best friend. I liked that it was single POV from the MMC’s perspective!

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book Abigail has published and I’m not sure she knows how to write something bad. 😍 This novella was such a treat! If you want a short, hopeful Christmas season book, I highly recommend this one!

Jacob and Missouri have been best friends since they were babies. Their families are inseparable. they have been best friends “since day one “and it’s completely obvious…that Jacob wants more. 😍

I actually loved finding out all of the ways they were connected! This is truly more than just best friends falling for each other. It’s like they were meant to be! One of the best things about this book is that the entire book is from Jacob‘s perspective. There are very few romcoms that are only from one point of view, much less the MMC’s.

Having the limited perspective, I felt really added to this book. You clearly know what Jacob is feeling and where he stands. You never get to see what Missouri is thinking. It adds to the tension and the yearning. You have that bit of mystery that is not in this genre very often. It was really fun to see their feelings and relationship develop. Since they have such a long history, nothing felt like it was moving too quickly. You could tell that it was the “about time” portion of their story. 🥰

[Jordan Schmitz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Looking for a quick, sweet, spice-free novella for the Christmas season? Abigail Nadine delivers with this adorable novella, full of small town holiday vibes, and a man who’s determined to prove there might be something more between him and his life-long best friend. 🎄❤️

read if you like:
+ romance from HIS pov
+ childhood friends to lovers
+ Christmas vibes
+ he falls first
+ closed-door, kisses only

things to love in this book:
+ same birthday and it’s Christmas🥹
+ families intertwined
+ he’s bad at ice skating
+ she bakes cinnamon pancakes
+ snow globes every year
+ gingerbread house competition
+ fancy Christmas table settings
+ snowy kisses 🥰

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Missouri and Jacob have been best friends since birth. Only Jacob has been keeping a secret for a long time. He’s in love with Missouri and not sure she feels the same way. When Jacob learns that Missouri is planning to move out of state for grad school, he panics. Now he’s determined to woo Missouri and let his feelings be known. Does she feel the same way? What does their future hold?

What I loved:
🎄Witten in his POV
🎄The urgency in Jacob to woo Missouri
🎄The cat
🎄All the Christmas activities
🎄Friends and family are not surprised by Jacob’s feelings
🎄The pacing of this book was perfect

This was such a cute Christmas novella. Fast paced with the timeline being focused on the days leading up to Christmas. The chemistry between Missouri and Jacob is perfect. Throw in an adorable cat and lots of Christmas activities and you have the cutest feel-good book. Be sure to add this to your Christmas TBR!

[Katie Cochran · Rating 5 out of 5]

The cutest Christmas romance novella about two best friends who never had the courage to admit their true feelings! Full of sweet, swoony moments and so many fun traditions.

I appreciate the characters having open and honest communication within their family relationships, even when that means having to admit when they are stressed or upset.

A super easy read that had me cheering for them the entire time!

[Johneice · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a cute Christmas novella! I thought it was nice to read it in the MMC’s POV. I thought it was different from what us readers usually see. I loved how Missouri and Jacob had already had a friendship established, so it wasn’t difficult for them to navigate a romantic relationship. It was so heartwarming to read about how much Jacob adored Missouri! If you want something quick and festive, this is a great choice! 😊

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for my gifted copy. All opinions are my own.

This was such a precious read. I loved the writing and the pacing of novella. The characters were enjoyable to read about. The references to different Christmas movies were a nice touch. The relationship between the FMC and MMC felt so genuine. This was a truly feelgood romance to curl up with this Christmas season. I highly recommend!!

[Caroline Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a cute Christmas novella told completely in the male main characters POV. If you love friends to lovers and need a quick holiday read, this is it!

Content: no spice, no language

[Shelby Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The absolute cutest novella you could read this Christmas season!! I relate soo much to Missouri in many aspects. I love the attention to detail Abigail gives her characters — even in such a short book! I’d love a full novel of Jacob & Missouri for sure. Also, the name “Missouri” is so unique and beautiful. I’ve never heard a girl named that!!

Highly recommend this novella for all the cozy vibes and laughter! 🤭

If you love…
- your favorite holiday movie 🎥
- hot cocoa & fuzzy comfy blankets
- Christmas traditions
- he fell first
- his pov
- childhood friends to lovers

🎄❤️

*No spice, kisses! 🔥