Countdown With You: A Strangers to Lovers Holiday Sweet Romance

by Ava Sparrow

I didn’t believe in fate—until a stranger, a lost bag, and New Year’s Eve proved me wrong.

I planned to spend the night alone. No crowds. No surprises. No broken expectations.

Then I picked up the wrong bag.

Inside was a handwritten list 10 New Year’s Promises — Must Complete Before Midnight.

It belongs to Theo Wilder—a charming street musician who believes strangers are just stories waiting to happen… and that some moments are meant to be shared.

I’m not like him. I’m a list-maker. A planner. A woman who feels safest when nothing changes—especially after the hardest year of my life.

But Theo insists the promises belong to both of us.

So, just for one day, we cross a winter-lit city completing small acts of kindness—dancing in the street, helping strangers, sharing quiet moments that feel unexpectedly warm.

And somewhere between hot chocolate and laughter, I start to feel alive again.

As midnight approaches, one final promise remains—the one neither of us is brave enough to name. Fear steps in. Mine. His. And the question we both

Is one perfect day enough to change the beginning of a year—or the course of a heart?

Countdown With You is a cozy, heart-healing holiday romance filled with New Year’s Eve magic, gentle strangers-to-lovers chemistry, and a guaranteed happily-ever-after.

Genres: Fiction, Romance

525 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 6, 2026

About the author

We are Ava Sparrow, the writing duo behind your favorite Sweet Romance novels. Our passion is spreading love and happiness through our books, which delve into the various phases of love and relationships. Each story concludes by making the love even sweeter than it ever was.

Join us on this journey of love, laughter, and happily ever afters!

Reviews

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a heartwarming holiday story about finding the courage to move on after loss and grief. Two strangers brought together through a lost bag and a list of 10 New Years promises that must be completed before midnight. Theo is a street musician and Maya is a teacher. She is a planner who likes routine and her plan is to spend a quiet night in on New Year’s Eve. When Theo returns her bag to her the last thing she expects is to join Theo to across the city to complete the list and small acts of kindness. As they get to know each other the chemistry between Maya and Theo is evident but can they find the courage to take their new friendship beyond one night?

I really enjoyed this story. This is my first book by this author and won’t be my last. Thank you to Ava Sparrow and arc of this book in exchange for my review.

[Cait's Reading Nook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Countdown With You by Ava Sparrow is a novel set during New Year’s Eve, sharing Theo and Maya’s story. Theo is a free spirit, and Maya is a planner.

I enjoyed how this story and how it celebrates the holiday season and unexpected connections. Theo and Maya spend New Year’s Eve day together, and the more time they spend together, their feelings for each other grow. This story celebrates being vulnerable and new beginnings.

Readers who enjoy opposites attract, strangers-to-lovers and slow burn romance stories will enjoy this book. It’s a heartfelt story for the New Year.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Vernon Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two strangers, a lost bag and New Year's Eve is the basis for an interesting evening of romance. Two very different people with enough similarities to be a foundation for a budding relationship. Can they each get past their fear and insecurities to make it a night that will change their lives forever? Ava Sparrow delivers a delightful story that will warm your heart. At 535 pages this was longer than most of the books I read but I enjoyed it and it kept my attention. I received a complimentary copy from the publisher.

[Debdutch · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Countdown with You” by Ava Sparrow

-An emotionally healing strangers-to-lovers romance that begins on New Year’s Eve. I received a free copy and am voluntarily sharing my honest thoughts.

Theo, a street musician, and Maya, a teacher, connect through a misplaced notebook and bag. A gentle, hopeful story about courage, connection, and finding a new beginning. I really enjoyed this story and recommend it.

[Shannon Binegar-Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW this is such a powerful story about letting go of the past and moving forward. Letting go doesn’t mean forgetting. You will need quite a few tissues with this raw emotional romance. I was a sobbing mess more than a few times. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by booksprout.

[Debbie Blane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the unique premise for this story. It was fun, sweet and remained interesting. A thank-you to author Ava Sparrow for writing a special book.

[Barbara Hackel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two backpacks accidentally mixed up brings two people together. A sweet story of past memories and present healing.

[Cheryl Browne · Rating 5 out of 5]

count down

It was a amazing stories of grief! Theo and Maya were wonderful characters and both needed the experience of the night!