August 29, 2022
This endearing Christmas romance from Reichert (The Kindred Spirits Supper Club) introduces a magical land where it’s Christmas all year round. Jack Clausen is a resident of the magical Julemarked, a Brigadoon-like town that can be accessed through Christmas markets all over the world, appearing on December 1 and disappearing at midnight on Christmas Eve. Astra Snow and her three best friends take an annual trip to Milwaukee’s Christmas market, one of the portals to Julemarked, which has brought Astra and Jack together for the past 15 years—though only Jack remembers their meetings. This year, something changes: Astra recognizes Jack from her dreams. Jack is thrilled and hopes to convince Astra to stay with him in his magical home—but he only has 24 days to do so. Though Jack knows all their history, their relationship is entirely new to Astra, so the decision to leave her friends and family won’t be easy. The clock’s on their relationship as Christmas Eve approaches, which, combined with some surprising twists, keeps the pages flying. Readers won’t want to put this down. Agent: Rachel Ekstrom, Folio Literary.
September 1, 2022
Reichert (The Kindred Spirits Supper Club) offers up a new romance with a magical twist just in time for the holiday season. Every year, Astra and Jack meet at the Milwaukee Christmas market--but only Jack remembers these encounters. He works in his family's bakery in the Julemarked. Their world consists only of days in December when the businesses of their enchanted street spread holiday cheer around the globe. Market visitors forget its existence after it moves on to the next town, which means Astra shouldn't feel such a strong connection Jack. But this time is different. She asks him to go dancing, leading to a breathtaking kiss that turns their world upside down. After she learns about the Julemarked's true nature, Astra and Jack begin a whirlwind romance leading to the inevitable question of how they can be together. While it takes a while to figure out, the novel's inevitable happily-ever-after feels satisfying with a best-of-both-worlds outcome. VERDICT Reichert's cozy romance is a nice blend of a sweet love story and Christmas magic.--Courtney Pentland
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