Book Report: Holiday Ever After By Hannah Grace
By: Alivia Stonier
Looking for the perfect holiday read with a mix of sarcasm and sweetness? Hannah Grace has you covered in this small town tale, Holiday Ever After.
BEFORE WE DIVE IN…
Genre: Adult contemporary romance, holiday romance
Age Group: New adult
Content Warnings: sexual content (consensual), death of a grandparent (past), alcohol use, and explicit language
Spice Level: 4/5
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ABOUT THE BOOK
“Clara Davenport wants to solve Fraser Falls’s biggest problem. According to Jack Kelly, Clara is Fraser Falls’s biggest problem.
All Clara Davenport has ever wanted to do is climb the ladder at Davenport Innovation Creative, her family’s toy business. Everything was going according to plan, until the company was accused of stealing a doll design from an independent toy maker, creating a flurry of bad publicity. With a promotion dangled in front of her like a carrot to a reindeer, Clara is tasked with charming the locals of the small town to solve the PR nightmare, by any means necessary.
Jack Kelly would be happy to never hear the name Davenport ever again. Less than a year after a guy in a fancy suit appeared on his doorstep with a sleigh-full of promises, the company that once falsely claimed they wanted to sign him to their small business program has copied his design. So when Clara prances into town hoping to convince Fraser Falls that her company is not the enemy, Jack is determined not to be fooled by Davenport twice.
But Clara has a plan to win over the community only to realize that beneath Jack’s frosty demeanor lies the key to the town’s heart—and maybe her own.”
(Goodreads)
READER PROFILE
This might be for you if:
You loved the friend-group energy and cozy winter vibes in Gilmore Girls and want something that leans even harder into found family, holidays, and a romance that actually pays off the tension.
You enjoy the warm, comforting romantic tone of Emily Henry’s Book Lovers but wished the holidays lasted longer, the banter was mushier, and the couple got to be genuinely happy.
You were invested in the cozy wintry setting of Ashley Poston’s The Dead Romantics and want a vibe that’s less paranormal and more “snowflakes, sweaters, and people trying to bake their feelings.”
You love people who are terrified of saying how they feel in stories like Love, Rosie and want something where they actually work through it.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
As described on her website, “Hannah Grace is an English author, writing adult contemporary romance between characters who all carry a tiny piece of her. When she’s not describing everyone’s eyes ten-thousand times a chapter, accidentally giving multiple characters the same name, or googling American English spellings, you can find her oversharing online, or, occasionally, reading a book from her enormous TBR. Hannah is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Icebreaker, Wildfire, and Daydream and a proud parent to two dogs.”
WHAT READERS THINK
“This one was such a cozy, small-town holiday romance with the perfect touch of charm. I’ll admit, it was a bit of a slow build at first, but once it hit its stride, everything fell into place so beautifully. Clara and Jack’s banter had just the right mix of sass and heart, and watching their walls slowly come down was so satisfying.I really enjoyed the way the story balanced the business drama with the community spirit of Fraser Falls, it gave the romance more depth without losing that warm, festive feel. By the end, I was rooting for both Clara’s professional redemption and her happily ever after with Jack. It’s the kind of story that makes you want to curl up with cocoa, twinkle lights on, and just soak up the small-town magic. Definitely a sweet holiday read worth picking up if you love slow-burn enemies-to-lovers with a heartwarming payoff.”
—Dawn Griffith via Goodreads
“This book was delightful, like instant cozy brain. Hannah Grace did it again, but it felt different in the best way. Maybe it is the age of the characters, maybe it is the vibe, but I connected with Jack and Clara more than I have with anyone else in her books. Clara is grounded and capable, not just a holiday heroine with twinkle lights in her eyes, and Jack is grumpy but not cruel, a man who has actually earned his walls. The whole thing reads like the good version of a hallmark movie, the one with real feelings and believable growth, and it had me wanting to move to a small town, drink hot chocolate, and join the winter festival committee immediately. The slow burn is perfect. You know they are going to get there, but the way they build trust and fall in love is so patient and satisfying that the journey is the point. I was giggling and kicking my feet like a kid, which is exactly what I want from a Christmas romance…Overall it is warm, charming, and so re-readable that I already miss the town.”
—Zoe via Goodreads
“This was a fun read. If you enjoy the quintessential hallmark movie, you’ll enjoy this book. I loved all the side characters and reading Clara try to help the town. Jack is the perfect grumpy hero. I also loved that while this is a Christmas romance, it’s more so that it’s a romance that takes place over the holiday season. The perfect holiday romance before December.”
—breedyer412 via Storygraph
BOOK REPORTER’S REVIEW
As somebody that has read all of Hannah’s previous work, I absolutely loved Holiday Ever After. This holiday surprise was such a pleasure. The beginning did have a bit of a slower pace, so it's perfect for people who like to be eased into the world that is being built within the book. Once Jack and Clara have established their place in Fraser Falls, the pace becomes all comfortable and cozy. Clara’s fiery, self-assured character struck me, and is very refreshing to see even in a sweeter holiday setting. Not to mention there was incredible banter and so many lovable characters that pull you into Fraser Falls and make you feel like a long-term resident of the small town and make you feel as though you're a part of the small town yourself. Another expectation diversion from other holiday stories is how you’re presented with characters who aren’t afraid to challenge and help each other grow, both in their emotional maturity and their careers. Despite some complaints across Reader reviews, I also enjoyed that the author diverts expectations through some choices and prioritizes the characters' needs to be treated correctly throughout the plot. Overall a very enjoyable read with themes and characters that can apply all year round while still giving you that winter fix.