Yes, I know it’s still summer, but I am always in the mood for a Christmas story, especially when it’s over 90 degrees outside! And I’m a sucker for a good Groundhog Day theme, so this book hit the spot. I think publishers are getting wise to this as well, since this book just released this week.

Through the Snow Globe is an August 2023 release by Kensington Publishers

This post contains affiliate links, see disclosures for more detail. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.

About the Book:

What if you could have one more day with someone you lost?

Diana Merriman, a physical therapist, is probably the only person in the small town of Snow Haven, North Carolina, who isn’t looking forward to Christmas. It’s been three weeks since her fiancé Linus was critically injured when a car hit him as he biked home from the toy store he owns and manages. Watching him open his eyes is the only gift she wants, but she can’t help losing a little more hope every day.

But an unexpected visit from a friendly neighbor and finding a snow globe of Snow Haven—a gift Linus had hidden in the closet—the night before Christmas Eve changes things in ways Diana never would have imagined. Because on Christmas Eve Diana wakes up to find that it’s not—Christmas Eve, that is. Instead, it’s somehow December 4 all over again, the day Linus got hurt, and as mystified as Diana is, she immediately starts a plan to save her partner from his fate.

Nothing is that simple, of course. Instead of a single repeat of that day, Diana finds herself in an endless loop of December 4, experiencing every possible variation of events. Along the way, she uncovers startling truths about herself, her relationship, and even her career that illustrate the ways she’s retreated from her life—and in the face of life’s slights and outright blows, from her deepest feelings. Suddenly hope is second only to joy as Diana opens her heart to the people she loves in every way she can.

My Thoughts:

I gave this book 4 stars

I’m such a sucker for Groundhog Day type stories, especially when set at Christmas. This was a very cute story.

Diana Merriman, a physical therapist, is engaged to Linus, who owns a toy store. Their relationship is magical, but for some reason, Diana has been dragging her feet about setting a date for the wedding. The day of December 4, Diana has a lot on her plate, but has agreed to discuss wedding plans that evening after they get off work. However, Linus is hit by a car on his way home, and three weeks later, he is still in a coma without much hope for recovery. On Christmas Eve, Diana finds a snow globe in the closet that Linus had intended to give to her. Her quirky neighbor puts an enchantment on it saying that Diana can relive one day, but she can’t change things. Diana wakes up the next morning and Linus is there–and it is December 4 yet again. And then it happens again. Why does she keep returning to this day? What does she need to learn?

I couldn’t really relate to Diana, but I didn’t have the background she did. It took her longer than I liked to realize that she needed to let others in and embrace the life she has instead of isolating herself away from pain. But in the end I could see why she needed to return so many times to relive that day, because each time she learned more and more about herself.

This book is sweet and endearing, and is a delightful holiday read to show the importance of family, friendship, and vulnerability. The romance is lovely, but it takes a back seat to Diana’s self discovery and journey toward maturity, and I was fine with that once I realized what was going on.

If you’re looking for a gentle, sweet holiday read, then this is a superb choice.