A Modern Midlife Christmas Carol

by Alana Oxford

Christmas cheer was dead, to begin with.

The world rests on Eliza’s shoulders. The kids, her husband, work, her elderly mother and don’t forget her newest friend, perimenopause. It’s too much to carry, but she’s been doing it for years. It’s just what a good wife and mother does, isn’t it?

When another Christmas rolls around, Eliza is drained by all the expectations and logistics of the holiday season. She’s fast approaching her breaking point, only no one around her notices she’s on the edge.

After an incident at her in-law’s on Christmas Eve brings things to a boiling point, she finds herself with three unexpected visitors. The spirits of the past, present, and future take her on a journey through her life to shake her out of the rut she’s gotten into. Their messages leave her with new reconnect with her past, reclaim her present, or forge a new future, and you, the reader, decide which option is best!

Genres: Christmas, Adult, Holiday

168 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 15, 2024

About the author

Alana Oxford is a Michigan author of romcoms, sweet romance, and humorous women's fiction. She wants her stories to bring sunshine and smiles to her readers. She enjoys improv comedy, moody music, everything book related, and has an ongoing love affair with the United Kingdom.

Reviews

[Shelley's Book Nook · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Reviews Can Also Be Found On:
The Book Review Crew Blog

I enjoyed this festive book so much. Eliza doesn't know how to just chill out and enjoy Christmas. When three ghosts come to visit her on Christmas Eve (sound familiar?) they try to get her to relax and learn to enjoy the holiday.

Eliza is part of the sandwich generation raising two teens, working full time and helping out her widowed, elderly mom…so she's got lots to stress about. Add in some asshole in-laws and a husband that won't take no for an answer to visit them and you have what makes for a fun, festive, unique, eye opening and relatable read.

I liked all three endings but the second one was my favorite. I also liked that the author did that like The Choose Your Own Adventure books I read when I was a kid.

I hope everyone had a fabulous holiday! 🎁🎁🎁

[Heather Adores Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐
Genre ~ holiday novella
Setting ~ Michigan & Ohio
Publication date ~ October 15, 2024
Est Page Count ~ 168 (4 chapters + 3 endings)
POV ~ single 3rd

Every year Eliza, husband, Jacob, and teenagers, Bella & Bobby, spend Christmas with her widowed mother. But this year Jacob decides for the family they are going to his brother and sister in law, Edward and Dymond’s, house. Only Jacob is excited to make the 5 hours trip there.

Eliza narrates a relatable tale to those midlife moms/wives who don’t necessarily feel appreciated. She works full time, keeps the house running and makes time for her aging and demanding mother. Always fun to add perimenopause to the mix to add a little extra oomph to day to day life. Edward says something that sets her off and that night she’s visited by 3 spirits.

The Ghost of Christmas Past, Fran, her great grandmother, brings her back to early on in her marriage, pre kids, when life was simpler and they were so in love.

“It’s not all sunshine and roses,” Fran said. “The balance of happy and sad, easy and difficult, is what makes a life memorable.” Are you living your best life??

The Ghost of Christmas Present has her listening in on conversations going on in the house. Things are brought to light that makes her think things are not always as they seem.

The Ghost of Christmas Future provides a shocking look at what’s to come.

The author gives us 3 possible routes Eliza life will take, leaving it up to the reader to decide which is the best path. Overall, a quick, enjoyable read. I think it would be fun to be visited by spirits myself. Would you want to know what’s in your future?

Connect with me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter

[TL *Humaning the Best She Can* · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to Shelley for alerting me this existed :) When you're in the minority and not a fan of Christmas romance, it's tough finding books when you wade through pages and pages of the former (my brain usually gets fed up and quits).
-----
This was a good read, good length for the story but I wouldn't have minded seeing more how the family turned out and if Eliza met certain people.

I was wary of the three endings included... wonder if the author had trouble deciding 🤔 maybe?

The second one was my least favorite but they all had good elements to them.
I'll just stick with the third ending personally.

Adulthood can be a lonely juggling act that can be tough to handle and at times you feel like Atlas holding up the weight of the world 🌎 and you want to hide somewhere and just be in the quiet space.

One of the messages from the book is we have to make time to care for ourselves mentally and physically. We all need to be kinder to ourselves and curve out some time to recharge.. even if it's just a long walk.

Take care everyone ❤️ 🫂

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free copy of, A Modern Midlife Christmas Carol, by Alana Oxford, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. It's Christmas time, but Eliza is to stressed to enjoy it. When 3 spirits visit her on Christmas eve, will they change her attitude? A good read, I wish it was longer.

[Asia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'll read almost any book about a perimenopausal woman, but this book exceeded even my hopes! I can't remember the time I read a book with a heroine I could relate to so much. And the clever choose-your-own ending was great too. Bravo, Alana!

[Book Escapes Babs · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the book opens, we meet an exhausted and perimenopausal mother of two, Eliza, whose life revolves around her kids, her husband, her mother and all their associated dramas. When offered the chance to spend Christmas with her in-laws, Eliza is torn but finds a way to go and not feel too guilty about abandoning her mother.
What ensues is a challenging multi-state car journey that results in her arriving at her in-laws' home and having to deal with being nice to people that she doesn’t particularly like. Eliza’s brother-in-law is a misogynistic oaf, and she soon feels the friction getting to her. Her sister-in-law is a much younger trophy wife with whom she cannot find any common ground. After tolerating the atmosphere for as long as she can, a headache appears, and Eliza retires to the spare bedroom to nurse her spiralling mood.
With the synopsis and the book title, you can’t fail to spot the references to the Dickensian classic tale of the three visiting ghosts who help Ebenezer Scrooge reconsider his life choices. There is a lighter touch to this retelling, but the options are still laid bare for Eliza to experience, and her future looks a little less cosy than her reality. The characters are perfectly developed, and I felt a natural affinity for Eliza.
Each of Eliza’s visitors followed the Dickensian blueprint, but the execution felt fresh, and I was genuinely invested in the tale's twists. Remarkably, the alternative scenario was not filled with doom and gloom but was still not appetising.
If you are in the market for a fresh look at a Christmas classic that will bring you more than a couple of smiles and maybe the odd chuckle, then look no further. I loved it

[Bookworm86 · Rating 4 out of 5]

BLOG TOUR REVIEW

Review for 'A Modern Midlife Christmas Carol' by Alana Oxford

Well, it may only be October and Halloween has not passed yet but I have started to enjoy reading some Christmas books already and why not? I have never read any books by this author before now but I am glad I have rectified this and I am definitely look forward to reading moew books by her. Did you ever used to read the 'Choose Your Own Adventure' books as a child? Well if not, Why on Earth not people they were the best?!?! Anyway, moving on, if you have read those books then this is one for you to try. i must admit that I was hoping for a bit more 'choose your own' sections rather than just the endings but for the first time reading an interactive boko as an adult I still thoroughly enjoyed it!! In this book we meet Eliza who is not having a very merry Christmas at all. She finally thinks she has the majority of the work done when her husband Jacob decides that as his brother and his wife Edward and Dymond have invited their family to their massive home for Christmas then that is where they all must go!! Eliza is absolutely livid, and who can blame her!! not only does she now have to tell her Mother that they will no longer be spending Christmas with her as planned so she will have to spend it alone but she now also has to pack everything, buy extra presents and instead of driving 20 minutes to her Mother's home from their home in Michigan they will now have to drive 5 hours to Ohio!!! When they finally arrive Eliza is left struggling with all the luggage, watching her children Bella and Bobby be hit by their 3 year old cousin Derby, watching Jacob be talked down to by Edward and then when Edward finally throws a derogatory accusation at her enough is enough and she heads to the empty guestroom for the night. It is here where she is spoken to by Scrooge in a picture frame and visited by the three very different spirits of Christmas being 'The Ghost Of Christmas Past' 'The Ghost Of Christmas Present' and 'The Ghost of Christmas Future'. It is then that the readers chose which path they want to take based on what they seen and heard in what the Ghosts showed Eliza. I wont tell you anymore about the storyline as at 168 pages it isn't very long and I don't want to spoil it for future readers. With a storyline filled with festivities (or lack of), ghosts, family, stress and so much more I can guarantee you will not regret it!!! I think many Mothers can relate to Eliza where they have the stress of looking after their children and trying to make them happy, keeping their partners happy, keeping their family happy and all while juggling household affairs, cooking, Christmas shopping and so much more. Eliza is also struggling with being perimenopausal and putting herself and her needs last. The storyline is definitely a unique one allowing the readers to chose their own ending. I just had to know what happened in each so ended up reading all three. I must admit that I personally would have hosen the 'Future Christmas' for Eliza although after reading the endings I am not sure whether it would have been the right one fore her. It really is an extremely thought provoking book and it really does go to show the struggles mums deal with trying to make events such as Christmas festive for their family while trying to juggle everybody else's happiness putting theirs on the back burner. Alana's fantastic descriptions really brought the story and all of the characters to life ensuring you could see the Christmas lights, taste the chocolate martini and feel empathy for Eliza. I could not stand Edward to really did need a good slap being such a stuck up horrid bully, I did think Dymond was a bit of a drip but my opinions did change for her, I was also not a fan of Jacob which was another reason I would have sent Eliza in to the future. It truly is a very relatable storyline and one that I absolutely devoured in one sitting as I just could not put it down! Alana really does do a brilliant job of weaving 'A Christmas Carol' in to modern times and I loved seeing the different perspectives that the Ghosts showed Eliza. The storyline is unique and I think it is such a fantastic plot I really would love to see this turned into a movie!! I would be the first barging their way in front to get tickets!! I am definitely looking forward to reading more books by this incredibly talented author and hope she is going to bring more interactive ones like this out soon!!

Congratulations Alana on a realistic, interactive, unique and thoughtful book that I devoured in one sitting!! here is to your next success!!

Overall an absolutely fantastic, unique and thought provoking modern day telling of 'The Christmas Carol; where you get to chose Eliza's ending.

#AModernMidlifeChristmasCarol #AlanaOxford #8NPublishing #RachelsRandomResources #rararesources

@AlanaOxford @8NPublishing @RachelsRandomResources @rararesources

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[Kirsty (BookBlogger) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Modern Midlife Christmas Carol by Alana Oxford

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

The world rests on Eliza’s shoulders. The kids, her husband, work, her elderly mother and don’t forget her newest friend, perimenopause. It’s too much to carry, but she’s been doing it for years. It’s just what a good wife and mother does, isn’t it?

When another Christmas rolls around, Eliza is drained by all the expectations and logistics of the holiday season. She’s fast approaching her breaking point, only no one around her notices she’s on the edge.

After an incident at her in-law’s on Christmas Eve brings things to a boiling point, she finds herself with three unexpected visitors. The spirits of the past, present, and future take her on a journey through her life to shake her out of the rut she’s gotten into. Their messages leave her with new possibilities: reconnect with her past, reclaim her present, or forge a new future, and you, the reader, decide which option is best!

My Opinion

This is a modern twist on A Christmas Carol.

When Eliza finds out that there has been a change of plans for Christmas, she finds that she is stressed and unable to enjoy the holidays. Following an outburst of emotion she is visited by three spirits, giving Eliza a chance to see her options.

At less than 200 pages this was a quick read and I was able to finish it in one evening. This was definitely one of those books where I would have been happy if it was slightly longer.

Rating 4/5

[Storied Conversation · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this heartwarming yet reflective holiday tale, Eliza, her husband Jacob, and their teenagers, Bella and Bobby, usually spend Christmas with Eliza’s widowed mother. But this year, Jacob decides they’ll visit his brother Edward and sister-in-law Dymond’s house instead. The only problem? It’s a five-hour drive, and no one but Jacob is thrilled about it.

Eliza is a relatable character, balancing a demanding job, running the household, and caring for her aging mother—all while navigating the challenges of perimenopause. Feeling underappreciated and overwhelmed, she’s pushed to her limit when her brother-in-law Edward makes an offhand comment. That night, Eliza is visited by three spirits.

First, the Ghost of Christmas Past, in the form of her great-grandmother Fran, takes Eliza back to her early marriage, reminding her of simpler, happier times. The Ghost of Christmas Present allows her to overhear eye-opening conversations that challenge her view of those around her. Finally, the Ghost of Christmas Future offers a stark, unsettling glimpse of what could happen if things don't change.

In the end, the author presents three potential futures for Eliza’s life, leaving the reader to decide which path is the best. This quick and enjoyable story mixes holiday spirit with introspection, asking readers to reflect on their own lives and whether they’d want a peek into their future.

Thank you to the author, the publisher, and Rachel's Random Resources for providing me with an ARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Joanne Lewis · Rating 3 out of 5]

As the title suggests, this is a modern twist on the story of A Christmas Carol, whereby it is Eliza, rather than Scrooge who is visited on Christmas Eve by the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future.

The midlife element is crucial as Eliza, suffering from the effects of perimenopause and dreading her descent into the second half of her life, needs a new perspective on her current lifestyle.

She certainly has a lot on her plate and readers of a certain age will empathise with her struggles to juggle an elderly and persistent mother, the angst of two teenage children and a husband who appears to be reluctant to share the load.

I really enjoyed the way in which the ghosts presented the different aspects of her life, causing her to reflect not only on how to change the course of the future, but also to recall the positives from her past and present. There were some touching moments, particularly from Christmas past which definitely make you pause and consider the magic Christmas can bring.

I particularly liked the choice of three separate endings based on Eliza’s reflections on Christmas morning, especially as there were elements to all three which were both plausible and practical. I’m still undecided as to which one I would pick which is testament to the quality of the writing.

With thanks to the author and Rachel at Random Resources for the opportunity to participate in the publication day push.

[Jody Reads Smut · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being a wife and a mother, I clearly identified the unseen struggles of having to tend to her family, her job, her mother, and the coming of perimenopause. Wow, the author gives a very small glimpse into the emptiness of a woman who failed to become the perfect wife and mother that she was expected to be.

On one Christmas eve after suffering for years Eliza snaps and has a melt down in her in-laws home. This digressive turning point results in what can be described more or less a supernatural apparition of the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future. In this way, the spirits are able to provide Eliza – and the reader – with a new take on her life options by showing her different eras in her life, as well as her busy present, and an unseen future.

This is where it really gets exciting. At the end of each chapter the author makes the reader decide which way Eliza has to go – stay under the expectations, claim herself in the present, or build a new future. I also really appreciated how this more active structure made me feel like I was riding along with Eliza and forced me to think about my own life pretty intensely.

Though the story is relatively short, one discerning eye cannot ignore “A Modern Midlife Christmas Carol ” nor receive inspiration from the convincing characters and incapability to come up with believable story in its format. I believe any woman who gets a glimpse of the slow encroachment of loneliness due to gender norms would relate to this book. I will have this book and Eliza’s choices in my head for a while.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review this book.

[Heidi Lynn’s BookReviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, I want to thank Alana Oxford and Rachel’s Random Resources for providing me with this book so I can bring you this review.

Ohh A Modern Midlife Christmas Carol by Alana Oxford was the perfect read for me! Why do you ask? Because after reading all those psychological thrillers I read sometimes I just need a light, easy read that is going to make me laugh and this is just what Alana did. Plus, It was holiday themed and as long as you don't jinx the Buffalo, NY snow I will read Christmas books! Seriously though this is a quick fast paced read that can be read in one sitting and you will be smiling from ear to ear.

Alana wants to dedicate this book to all the women in their 40’s (me) and beyond who are creating their stories every day.

If I were Eliza I too would be livid with Jacob for canceling Christmas with My mom three weeks prior to go to his brothers house and leaving their traditions behind.

There was a modernized twist to the old Ebineser Scrooge Christmas Carol that intertwined nicely with the storyline.

There were many comical and sweet moments in this book.

Alana did something that was unique and outside of the box at the end of the story she had three different endings and you got to see where the story would have led had you taken that path. Of course I wanted to read all three of them so I did.

[Darla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eliza Skragg has reached her boiling point!

After all the Christmas preparations and stress of the season, even a chocolate martini is not enough to help her simmer down.

A Christmas Eve blow up leads to the appearance of three spirits. Yes, you know what they represent.

What is unique about this retelling is that there are three alternate endings.

Here are some of my favorite parts:

👩Eliza is such a relatable character. If you are over 45 you have experienced the feeling of disconnect from your spouse that is the result of a busy family schedule, the guilt of not spending enough time with your aging parent, and the relentless To Do lists during the holidays.
🍸That chocolate martini sounds delicious! It's been awhile since I have had a really delicious martini. Perhaps that will be on my list for celebrating New Year's.
🍪Christmas cookies for breakfast is their longstanding tradition. Sounds good to me. Can it be any worse than pancakes and syrup?
📚The three different endings reflected one of her glimpses into the past, present, and future. I know which one I liked best!

I want to thank my GR friends Shelley and Heather for bringing this book to my attention during a past holiday season. It was an entertaining read and a clever retelling of the classic.

[Deborah J Miles · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was rather taken with the light-hearted cover and the enticing blurb which suggests a re-telling of A Christmas Carol, only this time, the reader gets to decide the ending.

A Modern Midlife Christmas Carol tells the story of Eliza Skragg, a harassed wife and mother of two teenaged children. Eliza juggles many demands on her time and, with no consideration from anyone, she is coming to the end of her rope. After an incident at her in-laws home, Eliza is visited by three spirits representing her past, present and future. They show her her life as it was, as it is, and how it might be, leaving her with a big decision to make.

I romped through this novel in two days, such is its appeal. Written in the third person, we see the world through Eliza's eyes. I loved the telling of this imaginative story which resonated with me. It was great to have three different endings to choose from. For a time, I was torn between all three endings, as each ending has its own merit. I imagine Eliza would have been similarly challenged. Rightly or wrongly, I eventually decided on the future option. I wonder which ending you would choose?

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is actually the first time I've ever read a Choose Your Own Ending book!

I'm not quite midlife myself, but the story of a 40-something year old woman experiencing her own version of A Christmas Carol was very alluring to me. The story was a bit more depressing than I expected, but that could possibly be because I could easily imagine myself experiencing what was going on with Eliza's life.

I found myself more partial to the first two endings. Without spoiling it, I felt that the third ending relied too heavily on a certain something that pushed Eliza into that direction when she might not have if she didn't magically have that certain something. I would have preferred it more if what she had seen with the future ghost was enough to reevaluate her life and marriage, not because she had such a tangible nudge in that direction.

Overall, the writing was very good and, this being the first book I've read by the author, I wouldn't mind looking into her other works.

Thank you to NetGalley and 8N Publishing for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm reviewing this as part of a tour with Rachel's Random Resources.

This is a modern and unique take on a beloved classic. I felt the author portrayed Eliza in a way that would encourage readers to empathise with her and relate to her. The festive season is a time to cherish and make happy memories with our loved ones, but it can also be a chaotic and stressful time, and a time when we feel inclined to reflect on our lives and the past choices we made.

As I carried on reading, I began to feel more emotionally invested, considering what I might do or feel, in Eliza's situation. The reader gets to choose what happens at the end, with a choice of three endings. I thought that seemed really interesting, and I really enjoyed that element of the story. This was easy to read in one sitting too.

Thank you to Rachel's Random Resources, and to the author and publisher, for the opportunity to read and review this.

[Leanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Modern Midlife Christmas Carol is the story of Eliza and I think a lot of people can relate to her struggles. Eliza is juggling a lot of baggage between in laws, her children, her husband and her mother there is literally no time for herself. On Christmas Eve at her brother in law's house Eliza has had enough and really loses it. Eliza than gets a visit from past, present and future Christmas spirits. I was a little bit sceptical when I realised this is a modern retelling of the beloved Christmas Carol story but it definitely does it justice and is a page turner of its own right! The plot is relateable and the way I sometimes feel at Christmas time. It was funny and the characters are well represented to their parts in the story. I felt so much joy after reading and I am quite torn about which ending I would choose as they all have their merits! I guess I choose all three. Hahaha 😂

[Chanel Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've never read any books from Alana Oxford before, but this is a perfect introduction to her and I definitely want to check out her other books.

This was a quick read, with less than 200 pages - but it was a fun one. I loved the similarities to the classic tale, A Christmas Carol with the visit of the 3 Spirits, when Eliza is at a crossroads, stressed about changed Christmas plans, they offer her a chance to look at the paths she has available to her.

The story is told at a good pace and my favourite part is that there are 3 different endings - which YOU the reader, get to decide - So reminiscent of the Choose Your Own Adventure books I used to love as a child!

Obviously, I read all 3 endings, out of curiosity :D

It's October, but I'm surely feeling the Christmas Spirit now that I've read this sweet and funny book.

Grab a copy - Enjoy!

Chanel x

[Mary Tippett · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is probably the best written holiday themed book I have read this year. Throughout the whole story, I was amazed how well the author captures the encroaching loneliness of midlife that affects many of us. The incredibly creative and vivid descriptions of the three spirit visitors felt strangely "real" and a cut above the standard Christmas Carol's. From the few reviews I've read on this delightful tale, I can see that the three optional endings appeal to most (if not all) readers. I would have preferred just one ending, and if I had my druthers, that ending would have leaned heavily into number one, while incorporating aspects of two and three. The bleeding of the "spirit" world into reality with a remnant left behind felt jarring for me. My reservations about the choose-your-own-ending device aside, I absolutely loved this book and will highly recommend it to others!

[Staceywh_17 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A relatively short read that's both entertaining and enjoyable, A Modern Midlife Christmas Carol is exactly that and is a brilliant spin on the Dickens classic.

I think it was something that all of us women could relate to; the stresses of Christmas, splitting time between families and the dreaded shopping...

The characters were realistic in their portrayal, especially Eliza who's going through perimenopause.

The best part of the book for me was the interactive element of decision making...At the end of the chapters it's down to us as the reader to decide which way Eliza's future pans out.

Told in third person AMMCC is an enjoyable well paced read that's thoroughly enjoyable and a great way to lose yourself for a few hours.

[Jane Hunt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this modern retelling of a Christmas classic from a midlife female viewpoint. Eliza is a believable and relatable character in which I invested. The dynamic between Eliza and her husband and children is also recognisable. There is humorous dialogue and events, which are appealing, as are the many poignant moments. The visit from Christmas' Past, Present and Future are well-written, and the chance to opt for alternative endings makes it an interactive read. I enjoyed the writing style.

I received a copy of the book from the author.

[Karelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok- even though I’m not a fan of ‘choose your ending’ I will say I did enjoy this one! (The story itself)

I feel like I’ve never read a book like this so that I’m itself wind points for me. I like when authors try new characters and bring on things that make me by like ‘oh, had never seen that in a book’

I feel like these are things many people can relate to and it felt like a cute read that does not shy away from the weight that comes with certain topics and situations

[Kirstyn (readwithkirstyn) · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Modern Midlife Christmas Carol by Alana Oxford offers a contemporary twist on the classic holiday tale. The story follows a midlife protagonist who reflects on her past and present during the festive season, prompting themes of self-discovery and redemption. Oxford's writing is approachable and relatable, capturing the challenges and joys of midlife. While the plot may follow familiar themes, it provides a cozy and reflective reading experience for those looking to embrace the holiday spirit.

[Joelle Cullen · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5
This was such a relatable Christmas novella! The main character had me hooked right away! It made me feel like I wasn't alone in my day-to-day stresses, especially those that arrive around the holiday season. The writing flowed naturally, and I thought this twist on The Christmas Carol story was so creative. I also enjoyed the different endings, the second being my favorite! I'm so glad I came across this author!

[MG · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute, quick festive read. It started off slowly for me, but it held my attention once the ghosts started showing up. The characters felt realistic, which was nice. The story was a bit bland at times, but I liked the characters and the overall message/themes.

I read an ARC of this book from NetGalley. All comments are my own.

[LibraryLaur · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such an enjoyable and relatable read. I think every woman over 40 can relate to Eliza's story. I kind of wish I could be visited by the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future. I loved the ending(s) too!

[Georgette · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun, relatable, quick read. This book was like a warm cup of tea that was just right. Loved the choose your own ending concept without having to race from this page to that…and all three endings were equally perfect. Highly recommended.

[Jessica Highfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a fun modern take on A Christmas Carol! As a woman who tends to take on too much and has a hard time setting boundaries, I found Eliza’s holiday woes so relatable. This book explores the expectations placed on women by society, and challenges me (as the reader) to think about how those expectations shape the way that I live my life. It’s empowering to watch the Eliza choose herself and own her power despite her fears. It reminds me that I can do the same. I’ve also never read a “choose your own” ending book, and that was a super fun concept. If it were me, I think I would have chosen ending two. I love to travel.

If you ever feel weighed down by your holiday to-do list, I think you’ll find this book cathartic (and fun) to read!

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you like a Christmas Carol and relate to the sandwich generation or simply the way so many of us are overextended, then you will enjoy this modern novella by Alana Oxford, It is a quick, cozy holiday story featuring 40ish mom Eliza who is not only raising her teenagers but also helping care of her 84 year-old mother. Her husband, Jacob, is a bit clueless and accepts an invite to his brother's house for Christmas-when he and Eliza had already promised her mom they'd spend Christmas with her. What ensues is the busyness of the season, with Eliza left to do a lot of the prep work for the trip and then some family disasters upon arrival at her brother-in-law's home-which is the catalyst for her visit from the three spirits on Christmas Eve. In a fun twist, Oxford has alternate endings readers can choose. It's a quick read and it may hit a little close to home for some but overall a decent holiday novella.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange in my honest feedback.

[Victoria Postlewait · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a cute, quick, light, enjoyable read! This is pretty much a modern day version of a Christmas Carol with a very relatable FMC. Our FMC is tired of being dismissed, overlooked, caring for everyone, one day she has a mini breakdown and meets her three spirits of the past, present and future. We see how her life could be different with stronger boundaries, more self care, letting her family do things for themselves. I always like the types of books that forsee how life could be different given the right set of circumstances. Overall our FMC learns to stick up for herself and actually focus on her needs for once, a very relatable story! Thank You netgalley for this ARC!