This novel reminded me of a mashup of two movies: Groundhog Day and Freaky Friday, as it takes the main plot twists of both. There should have been homage to both movies paid in this book, but I did not see any. The premise is that Eva has neglected everyone and everything for her business. There is a hidden secret and reason for her doing so, and it is revealed at the end, but I figured it out long before that. The book was too long for such a simple ending. I never really felt connected to Eva or any of the characters except Gran. Eva is having Christmas, again and again. On the plus side lots of lovely meals and no calories. On the downside she seems to be condemned to waking up as a different guest of the Cornwall house party each Christmas morning until she can work out just what has gone wrong with her life.

Eva is completely consumed with the expansion of her business, so much so that she's neglected every other aspect of her life and is causing pain for others. It's up to her Gran to make her see reason. But Gran has passed away, hasn't she? The characters in "One Christmas Morning" are well-drawn and relatable. Eva's transformation throughout the story is believable and touching, and the supporting cast adds depth and nuance to the narrative. The relationships between the characters are explored with care, emphasizing the strength found in friendship and the significance of second chances. Eve had two tragic things happen to her three years ago around Christmas time and since then has invested all her time and energy into starting her own business, freezing our her husband and best friend. Right before the opening of her shop her best friend hosts a huge party at a spectacular mansion where Eve and her beloved Gran had gone before. Eve doesn’t want to go because she needs to finish up the details on her shop’s opening but after a row with her husband, agrees to go but brings her assistant a long. Once she is there Eve finds herself somehow waking up on Christmas morning time and time again in a loop but each time in someone else’s body. She starts to see just how far she has fallen away from what really matters in life. Wow! Wow! Wow! I want everyone to read this book that so we can talk about all the twists and turns as I am so worried about inadvertently giving away a spoiler!! Instead I’m going to try and tell you about the story line, as best as I can without giving too much away!Greenlaw said: “ One Christmas Morning arrived like a lightning bolt and I wrote the first frenzied draft in just three weeks. Since then, it has been polished and refined, ready to invite readers to Penhallow, a granite manor house in the midst of the snowswept moorland of north Cornwall, where magic glints at the edges. Working with Maddalena Cavaciuti, Melanie Hayes, and the wider teams at DHA and HQ has been a total delight. I’m thrilled to be working with such an incredible dream team to bring my début novel to the UK.” A mixture of Groundhog Day and it’s a Wonderful Life it looks like Eva is going to get the perspective of true friends and onlookers until she gets her life lesson. Eva has spent the past three years burying herself in her work, trying to forget the heartbreaking events of the Christmas that ripped her world apart. This year, the last thing she wants is to attend her friend’s weekend-long Christmas party. But at her husband James’ insistence, here they are. The storyline is a clever twist on a Christmas Carol. Our main character Eva has lost her way and, without giving anything away, a series of events provide her with some much needed perspective.

Eva has been grieving for the past three years. Deep in get own grief, she keeps pushing her loved ones away. She is not looking forward to Christmas, and her husband asks her to go to a party with him, thinking it will be good for her to get out and have some joy. If you like light Christmassy reads, this book isn't for you at all, or at least, it's not something I'd recommend you read during Christmas. ( You can read it as a non-Christmas story.) Though it has a few heartwarming moments, a major chunk of the book is upsetting or infuriating or depressing, a great part of which is because of Eva. Of course, by its very nature, the book is quite predictable. ( Though there was one incident at the end that I did not see coming.) So this book is not about the destination but about the journey. And the journey is handled decently. Hayes said: “ One Christmas Morning is a beautifully transformative and festive tale of love, self-discovery and second chances. From the moment I met Eva, it was love at first sight. Rachel takes us on a spellbindingly emotional journey with her writing and by the end I didn’t want to let go. I can’t wait to share Eva’s story with readers next year.” I found the book compelling reading even though I didn’t necessarily love each interaction. This isn’t about saving Christmas but about moving on from the past and be present for those around you whether friends or spouse. I’ve read several Christmas ARCs in the last few weeks and this is probably the heaviest topic wise. Trigger warners for death of a loved one, miscarriages and infertility. (3.5 Stars).Poignant, clever, exceptional – with a light sprinkling of Christmas magic. Loved it.’ Milly Johnson, Together, Again

This was a magical read full of emotion and warmth. Some readers might find the topics incredibly emotive but the magic of the plot helps to soften such sensitive subjects. By the closing, it is impossible to ignore the feelings of warmth and contentment… although this might have been down to re-living Christmas dinner so many times! HarperCollins Children’s Books has acquired the “highly original and beguiling” YA debut of Rachel Greenlaw in her Compass and Blade fantasy trilogy. It is said that the people of Rosevear are lawless – that they steal from the ships that wash up on their shores. The islanders see it differently. They call it survival. The writing style is engaging, capturing the essence of the holiday season and evoking emotions in the readers. The author's descriptions create a vivid and immersive world that draws readers into Eva's journey of self-reflection and redemption. What a beautiful and heartwarming story! I am so glad books like this exist. It makes you think about life and put things into perspective.

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Eva is in the final days of preparing to open her first real store after a few years running an online business. But it's Christmas Eve and she's promised her husband and friends that she'll come out to Cornwall and spent a few days with them at her grandmother's home Penhallow, sold and now a rental. Eva is driven - for causes unknown - and obsessed with the store to the point of ignoring her husband James and their best friends Hallie & Kian. If she continues down this path, she will be a female Scrooge - with no friends and nothing in her life but work. Penhallow is a little mysterious, perhaps haunted, or at least paranormally active, and it has been since Eva's childhood.. So after a disastrous Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, the house and her gran conspire and Evan awakens, on Christmas Day, again and again, but each day in a different person's body. Gran appears from time to time to guide her. As the story progresses, Eva begins to see herself as others see her and how she has damaged all of her relationships.