Postmarked December: An Uplifting Christmas Romance Novel

by Jenny Hale

From the USA Today bestselling author of the book-to-TV stories Coming Home for Christmas and Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses , with over one million copies of her books sold, comes a moving holiday listen perfect for fans of Sheila Roberts, Debbie Macomber, and Jill Shalvis.

A year after losing her husband, Toby, to Cancer, Heather Hart's favorite season feels like a ghost town—until a mysterious red and white envelope arrives, asking her to visit a nearby location, with a message seemingly from Toby himself, as it contains details that only he could know.

There, she receives another envelope with a new destination. The messages continue through the holiday. Each new note is filled with clues that send her down Memory Lane and a new place to visit to find out what comes next.

Determined to uncover the origin of the anonymous cards, Heather embarks on a magical excursion, discovering a trail of love, loss, and hope. Along the way, she meets the incredibly charismatic and friendly Nicholas Monroe, who inexplicably appears during her journey like some sort of Christmas miracle. Could he help her unravel the mystery, or will he upend her world with deep secrets of his own?

A captivating, heartwarming journey filled with Christmas magic and the promise of healing love.

Genres: Christmas

266 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication October 6, 2026

About the author

Jenny is an established illustrator and author of children’s picture books, with 20 titles and a million copies in print. Before publishing, she spent 18 years as an advertising illustrator and copywriter. She lives with her husband and writes from a long marble table overlooking Sydney’s bushland.

Reviews

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Postmarked December is exactly the kind of Christmas novel that feels like a soft light in a dark season—gentle, hopeful, and quietly magical. Jenny Hale has a gift for writing stories that honour grief while still celebrating the possibility of joy, and this one is no exception.

Heather’s journey is beautifully handled. The way the mysterious envelopes guide her through memories, healing, and unexpected connection gives the book a lovely sense of movement—like following a trail of lanterns through winter. It’s sentimental in the best way, never cloying, always grounded in genuine emotion. Hale understands how grief reshapes the holidays, and she treats Heather’s heart with compassion and care.

The festive atmosphere is gorgeous without being overwhelming: cosy, wintry, full of small moments that sparkle. And Nicholas Monroe adds a charming, gentle brightness to the story—his presence feels like a breath of fresh air, the kind of character who arrives exactly when someone needs him most.

What really stands out is the balance between mystery, romance, and healing. The clues keep the story moving, the emotional beats land softly but powerfully, and the romance unfolds with the kind of sweetness that makes you believe in second chances.

A heartwarming, comforting Christmas tale filled with love, memory, and the quiet magic of finding hope again. Perfect for readers who want a feel‑good holiday escape with real emotional depth.

With thanks to Jenny Hale, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC

[Sneha R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Jenny and BooksGoSocial publisher for providing me with an ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

It is a warm, heartfelt story that perfectly captures the magic of the holiday season. Jenny Hale has a wonderful way of creating characters that feel real and relatable, making it easy to become invested in their journey.

The story is filled with emotions, family connections, personal growth, and a touch of romance. I especially enjoyed how the author showed the importance of hope, forgiveness, and finding happiness even during difficult times. The holiday setting added a cozy and charming atmosphere that made me want to keep turning the pages.

The writing is simple, smooth, and easy to follow. The characters were well-developed, and I found myself caring about what happened to them. The emotional moments felt genuine, and the message of love, second chances, and family stayed with me after I finished the book.

While some parts were a little predictable, that did not take away from the overall enjoyment of the story. It is the kind of book that leaves you feeling comforted and uplifted.

I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy heartwarming holiday stories, clean romance, and books that celebrate family, love, and new beginnings.

Overall, this was a wonderful and cozy read that is perfect for the holiday season, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for an emotional and feel good story. 🎄📚✨

[Beth Von Voigt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heather is entering her first Christmas season after her husband, Toby, passed away from cancer. He was an amazing musician and they led a very private life. As she’s huddled in their apartment wondering how she is going to move on with her life, she gets a mysterious envelope that sends her on a quest to a place she visited with Toby. When she gets there, another envelope is waiting. Each one she finds leads her to another location and memories of some her and Toby’s best moments. Along the way, she meets Nick, and believes he may just be what she needs to start over. But as her quest continues, she’s torn between living in the past and moving forward.

This story was both heartbreaking and heartwarming all at once. It definitely brought all the feels and the tears! But, it was so worth it! Even though the subject matter of losing a husband was so heavy, the way Heather shows her vulnerability and difficulty moving on is a testament to the author’s ability to get to the heart of the character. I loved how Heather decided to write her thoughts out to Toby. I also loved that Heather had a friend she could lean on to help her navigate this period. This story is the perfect Christmas read and offers so much hope and warmth for the season! I absolutely could not put this book down! *Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy of the book in exchange for an honest review!

[Anna Fowler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fans of Debbie Macomber, RaeAnne Thayne and lovers of Hallmark Christmas movies do not want to miss this amazing read by beloved author Jenny Hale. Readers will be swept away into the world of Heather Hart as she is facing her first Christmas without her beloved husband and navigating the next chapter of her life. She will need to learn that moving forward does not erase the special bond and memories that she shared with him. A journal (a present from a beloved friend) and a series of unsigned postcards will lead Heather on what on the surface appears to be a scavenger hunt; but on a deeper level is learning to let go of the things of the past and move forward. She will be challenged, and forced to face internal and external struggles to move forward allow God to finish the rest of her story.

Please go and check out my full review at:
https://simbasbookreview.wordpress.co...

Simba' enthusiastically gives this book 4 paws. Happy Reading!!

A special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC to read and review. All opinions are my own.

[Jewlsbookblog · Rating 4 out of 5]

Losing her husband Toby a year ago, Heather is still struggling to find her groove. With the encouragement of her best friend Marion, and special notes that reference things only her Toby could have known, Heather is about to embark on a whirlwind journey to find herself and possibly have another chance at love.

This story read like a Hallmark movie! And that’s not a bad thing. I liked the formula. The note concept was interesting to read; they were cryptic yet sort of sweet, but I was along the same line as Marion’s thinking-wigging out someone sent something referring to personal moments. Very disconcerting, but it worked! It got Heather out and about, eagerly waiting to see what would come next. The momentum is totally driven by the next envelope, the next AHA moment, if you will, and the journey was worth the wait.

Thanks to Netgalley for the advance reader copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Kimberly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of Postmarked December by Jenny Hale in exchange for an honest review.

I really liked the premise of this holiday romance and it had all the cozy, small-town Christmas vibes that Jenny Hale is known for. It was also a quick, easy read that would likely appeal to fans of Hallmark Christmas movies.

Unfortunately, the romance didn't quite work for me. Heather spends much of the story grieving the recent loss of her husband to cancer, so I struggled to believe how quickly she developed such strong feelings for Nick. The emotional transition felt rushed, making it difficult for me to fully invest in their relationship.

The plot was fairly predictable, but if you're looking for a light, comforting Christmas romance without too many surprises, this may be a good fit. While the premise had a lot of promise, I was hoping for a little more emotional depth and a more believable progression of the central romance.

[Nana · Rating 5 out of 5]

The year after her husband, Toby, died, his wife, Heather, was still mourning him and wasn't moving on. She suddenly received an envelope in the mail, and when she opened it, she thought it came from Toby., but how was this possible? She did as instructed and went to another location, which was a place where she and Toby had gone. As the mystery and intrigue continue, she isn't sure what is going on, and neither do I. It was a fantastic story to read, and kind of fun to think her husband might be behind this. I think everyone who loses someone hopes that, but the story continues, and the scavenger continues, keeping hope alive, until the day comes.that she sees things differently and things change. It is understanding a love so deep that a bigger surprise was revealed. You really should read this book, I loved it.
I received an ARC from BooksGoSocial through NetGalley.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heartwarming Christmas tale

Toby Hart, award winning song writer in Nashville, died from cancer a year ago. His widow Heather has had a hard time recovering from his passing.

One day she receives a red and white envelope in the mail with a simple note directing her to a place that only her and Toby would have known about to buy a bottle of wine and to get the NEXT envelope. And the journey is on, visiting places that her and Toby visited in the past.

This was a heartwarming story, as Heather, with her best friend Marion, and then later with a new friend Nicholas, track down these envelopes and Heather starts to heal her broken heart.

I liked the story a lot except I thought the romance reconciliation aspect was handled a bit clumsily. I especially liked the ending.

I received this Digital Review Copy from BooksGoSocial through NetGalley. Thank you.

[Besan Fawaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, BooksGoSocial and Jenny Hale for the early copy of postmarked December. This has to be my favorite Novel by Jenny and I have read several of them!
The unique premise of Heather’s deceased husband Toby planning to have her receive letters during her first Christmas without him is as romantic as it gets. Each letter meant to remind her of all their favorite places and memories they made together. Bringing the magic of Christmas back to life as Toby always had, it almost feels like meeting Nicholas during this trip down memory lane was also somehow orchestrated by Toby. Could it be he is matchmaking from above or is Nicholas hiding his own secrets that will turn this journey of healing in heartbreak?

[Sheri Fields · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for this new Jenny Hale ARC. Heather Hart is grief stricken, heartbroken, and to top it off its Christmas. Her husband Toby, has died from cancer and she just can't get get over the loss. Mysterious red and white envelops suddenly start appearing and they appear to be from Toby but how is that possible. They all reference a place, a memory, something only the two of them would know. As she follows the clues she meets Nick and seems to open her heart but something maybe is wrong, she wants to give her heart but she know Toby was so private and she has all these people calling her wanting stories about him...what's she to believe. A love story that's to good to believe but is it...we all need a little romance..enjoy the book,

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, I really liked this book, but I will say that much of it was just so sad. It definitely wasn’t the uplifting, feel-good Christmas story I was expecting, and you may want to have some tissues nearby.

I really enjoyed the premise of the scavenger hunt of sorts that Heather’s husband had set up before he passed away. It was a sweet and creative way to move the story forward while also showing Heather working through her grief.

Surprisingly, I think I enjoyed Heather and Marion’s relationship even more than Heather and Nick’s. Their friendship was one of my favorite parts of the book.

Overall, this was a very good 4-star story. Just don’t go into it expecting all Christmas cheer and mistletoe. There’s a lot of heart here, but also a lot of sadness.

[Alaura Gartner · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book that made me cry twice 😭
I honestly didn’t expect this book to affect me as much as it did. I cried twice, and both times I just had to sit there for a minute because WHAT 😭
I got so attached to the characters and their stories that everything started feeling way too real. There were so many emotions packed into this book—happy moments, painful ones, and a few that absolutely destroyed me.
I finished it with that weird empty feeling you get when you’re not ready to leave the story yet. Definitely one of those books that stays with you after you finish.
Would recommend, but maybe keep some tissues nearby. 🥲

[Marian Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley, BooksGoSocial, and Jenny Hale for the early copy of Postmarked December.

I loved everything about this heartfelt book from the cover to the fantastic characters. Heather Hart is struggling to move forward a year after the passing of her husband, Toby, from cancer. After mysterious red and white envelopes begin to appear each with a new destination she is convinced the letters are from Toby even though she knows it’s not possible. Each letter is meant to remind her of the memories they made and sets her on a journey of self discovery and possibly another chance of love. I loved the friendship between Heather and Marion which perfectly balanced the emotional weight of the story. Jenny Hale once again delivers a heartwarming holiday story that celebrates family, forgiveness, and new beginnings. Highly recommend this heartwarming story for the season.

[Annabel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for this ARC.

Postmarked December is the perfect cosy Christmas novel.
I was invested from the very beginning with Heather’s grief and sorrow. The story picks up with a festive mystery scavenger hunt that gave off PS I Love You by Cecelia Ahern vibes.
I loved the characters and their back stories. Marion is the best friend that everyone wants and Heather was the perfect protagonist for this book as we follow her on her journey of moving through her grief.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and would even read it again come Christmas time.

[Barbara Lack · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very bittersweet book for me. Heather is grieving her husband this first Christmas without him. Before he passes he arranged letters to be sent to her from him. This is supposed to be uplifting but it tugged on my heart and at times made me sad. It is ultimately a happy Christmas ending and their are some wonderful moments. I really liked Nick. There are some profound friendships in this book. It’s about everlasting love.

[TBR · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a heartwarming story with themes of family, forgiveness, and hope. It is a cozy read slightly hindered by the somewhat juvenile writing style. The over usage of straightforward and surface-level similes and metaphors made the story feel more like a creative writing exercise than a lyrical, immersive story. The characters are likable and their growth was satisfying to read.

[Sheila Penwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this story about Heather and Toby HArt and how she is handling her first Christmas without him. She is handling it bad until she starts getting messages sending her to places they have and haven't been. She thinks therefrom Toby but can't figure how he arranged it. Her best friend Marion goes with her some places. A GREAT READ. Follow her journey and see if she turns things around.

[bookloverjb123 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an arc from NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

A story of grief, friendships and moving on set during Christmas time. I enjoyed this read and the glimpses into Heather and Tony’s past was welcome. Although it was sad with a death, the way in which Toby provided and helped Heather move on was beautiful.

Great read to pick up this winter!

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of, Postmarked December, by Jenny Hale, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Heather Hart is a widow of a year. At Christmas time she gets letters with things to do, places to see, etc, she thinks it might be from her late husband Toby. This was a really sweet read, I did think it was a little to soon to move on though.

[Sue Sykes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book reminded me of P.S I Love you in some ways, it was a lovely read and had lovely characters and a lovely storyline.

My thanks to NetGalley and to Publisher BooksGoSocial for the early read 📚

[Susan D824 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of Postmarked December by Jenny Hale. This is the first time reading Jenny Hale and I found this title to be light, cozy and ultimately uplifting. This is perfect for fans of Hallmark movies.

[Jill B · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 rounded up

[Ashton Rohrer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Postmarked December by Jenny Hale was a sweet, heartwarming read. I loved the cozy holiday feel, relatable characters, and touching story. A perfect book for the Christmas season! 🎄📚

[Literary Redhead · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a poignant Hallmark Christmas story! Read it in one happy gulp like a red and green striped peppermint, enveloped by the warmth and holiday cheer. Recommended!