Kirkus
Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Two people who recently lost their spouses bond through the magic of holiday movies. Grace White’s husband, Tim, died of cancer, leaving her with a bar to run and two young children to raise. One thing she’s not interested in—finding a new guy. Everyone in her life, however, wants to set her up with every eligible man they know. Henry Adler’s wife, Brynn, died in a plane crash and he’s been sleepwalking through life ever since—avoiding the house where they lived and taking a forced “vacation” from his advertising job. But when their meddling mothers push the two of them together, they realize that maybe they can be partners in sadness—as Grace puts it, “We’re the only people who know what it’s like to be us.” After Henry tells Grace that he and Brynn always had a holiday movie marathon, one thing leads to another and soon Grace and Henry are watchingThe Family Stone together. They make their way through many of the classics, occasionally with Grace’s kids, as they slowly rebuild their lives and face their grief. But as they begin to rely more on each other, they have to ask themselves if they’re ready for second chances. Norman balances sadness with hope to create a lovely romance that feels like it could fit into the best sort of holiday film. It’s impossible not to root for Grace and Henry, two immensely likable characters who deserve to find happiness. The Baltimore setting comes alive and the vibrant supporting characters make this one a joy to read. A winning, bittersweet love story that has just as much hope as it does heartbreak. Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Publishers Weekly
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Grief brings people together in this bittersweet romance from Norman (Charm City Rocks). It’s Baltimore bar owner Grace White’s first Christmas season since her husband Tim’s death almost a year ago. Navigating her new life as a widow becomes even more complicated when she uncovers hundreds of emails that point to Tim having an emotional affair with another woman, tarnishing her memory of their relationship. Advertising exec Henry Adler is also facing the holidays alone, his wife Brynn having died around the same time as Tim did. He feels pressure to move forward with his life, but is emotionally stuck in the past. When Grace’s and Henry’s mothers set them up to meet, the pair form an immediate, though somber, bond. As their friendship deepens, Henry shares his love of holiday films and they agree to watch one a night until Christmas, trying to inject the season with some much needed cheer. A genuine connection blossoms between Grace and Henry, but are either of them really ready to move on? This raw, emotional tale is not the typical holiday romance fare, but readers looking for a tearjerker with a hopeful ending will want to check it out—and have tissues at the ready. (Oct.)

Book list
From Booklist, Copyright © American Library Association. Used with permission.

Grace, a fun-loving, extroverted Baltimore bar owner, and Henry, a quiet advertising creative director, each lost their spouses shortly after Christmas. Now, almost a year later, their first Christmases alone loom ahead. When their mothers, who happen to be old book-club friends, conspire to have Grace and Henry meet, the two quickly become friends. They aren’t ready for dating, but they naturally form a sort of grief-support group for two, bonding by watching classic holiday movies together, often joined by Grace’s two elementary school–aged children. As each month and each movie goes by, their grief begins to ease, and their friendship continues to deepen. But time also brings new opportunities and new people, leaving Grace and Henry unsure about their future together. Norman’s (Charm City Rocks, 2023) characters may be on a difficult journey, but the author leavens it with heart and humor, making for a satisfying romantic read perfect for the holidays and beyond. Recommend this to fans of Katherine Center and Sarah Adams.