3.5

I have a lot of feelings about this book. If I were to describe this book to someone, I'd say it's a Christmas themed version of 50 First Dates plus magical realism with Danish folklore(maybe?) and minus the tragic backstory and Adam Sandler.

What I loved about the book:
*Healthy Women Friendships
*The swoon
*The slow burn (listen, the courtship took place over the course of 14 years. Therefore, slow-burn)

What I didn't love:
*Jack laughing about being asked about Santa Claus. My guy, you live in a magical, traveling Christmas Alley. But Astra is being silly for think Santa might being in the same realm? Figure it out.
*Jack saying "

Spoiler

you are asking me to die for you by living on the outside

" Pardon? You aren't immortal you Danish Diva.
*

Spoiler

the moment Astra fainted, I knew it would be a pregnancy. Because why wouldn't it be? But it was Astra being like "I stopped taking Birth Control after my divorce but I was only with Jack a few times so I couldn't be pregnant." Like wut. It is 2023, we have the internet. Anyone with two brain cells could tell you that you only need to have sex once to get pregnant. That moment had me verbal say what? while eating lunch at work. And what am I supposed to do? Explain the book? Absolutely not.