Clara Davenport wants to solve Fraser Falls’s biggest problem. According to Jack Kelly, Clara is Fraser Falls’s biggest problem.
All Clara Davenport has ever wanted to do is climb the ladder at Davenport Innovation Creative, her family’s toy business. Everything was going according to plan, until the company was accused of stealing a doll design from an independent toy maker, creating a flurry of bad publicity. With a promotion dangled in front of her like a carrot to a reindeer, Clara is tasked with charming the locals of the small town to solve the PR nightmare, by any means necessary.
Jack Kelly would be happy to never hear the name Davenport ever again. Less than a year after a guy in a fancy suit appeared on his doorstep with a sleigh-full of promises, the company that once falsely claimed they wanted to sign him to their small business program has copied his design. So when Clara prances into town hoping to convince Fraser Falls that her company is not the enemy, Jack is determined not to be fooled by Davenport twice.
But Clara has a plan to win over the community only to realize that beneath Jack’s frosty demeanor lies the key to the town’s heart—and maybe her own.
All Clara Davenport has ever wanted to do is climb the ladder at Davenport Innovation Creative, her family’s toy business. Everything was going according to plan, until the company was accused of stealing a doll design from an independent toy maker, creating a flurry of bad publicity. With a promotion dangled in front of her like a carrot to a reindeer, Clara is tasked with charming the locals of the small town to solve the PR nightmare, by any means necessary.
Jack Kelly would be happy to never hear the name Davenport ever again. Less than a year after a guy in a fancy suit appeared on his doorstep with a sleigh-full of promises, the company that once falsely claimed they wanted to sign him to their small business program has copied his design. So when Clara prances into town hoping to convince Fraser Falls that her company is not the enemy, Jack is determined not to be fooled by Davenport twice.
But Clara has a plan to win over the community only to realize that beneath Jack’s frosty demeanor lies the key to the town’s heart—and maybe her own.
Title: Holiday Ever After
Author: Hannah Grace
Publisher: Atria
Expected Publication Date: September 30, 2025
Review:
Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this title to read and give an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
Was I excited to get approved for this book? YES! I may have squeaked a bit and then freaked out as I only had a week to read and review. I happily dropped everything and dove in. Hannah Grace has created such a great little Christmas story that warmed my heart and sucked me right in! I love a good enemies (rivals) to lovers story, too.
Clara Davenport's family company has encroached on a small town's doll toy and made their own in exactly the same way. But Clara wasn't involved in what happened and now she's been sent in to fix it. No one trusts her, of course, seeing as her last name is Davenport. But she's determined to win over all the people in the town and also make things right. I really liked Clara, though I did feel like she let her father walk all over her. She's a bit of a people pleaser as she tries to climb the corporate ladder at her family's company. I loved her growth and change as she learned about small town life and how everyone helps each other. I did find her ability to slip into the town's way of life a little hard to grasp. I also thought they trusted her a bit quickly. But I did love all the relationships she created and how she didn't give up.
Jack Kelly doesn't want anything to do with anything Davenport after they stole his idea. He runs his family toy business but he's overwhelmed as he tries to do it all on his own. His meet cute with Clara is great, though you know it's going to turn around as soon as he finds out who she is. But I loved his golden retriever vibe. He does feel beholden to the town for keeping him in line and giving him a good life.
Grace has great pacing in this book. Things move quickly but it makes sense since Clara only has a month to do what she needs to do to win the townspeople over. And Grace does such great banter between her characters. Not just the main characters but all of them. It really kept the book moving along. And she packs in the chemistry and swoon between Clara and Jack.
I really enjoyed this small town holiday story. It's a great read leading up to Christmas season. It wasn't too holiday-y but you definitely got the vibe.
4.5/5 stars
Author:
Hannah Grace is an English author, writing adult contemporary romance between characters who all carry a tiny piece of her. When she’s not describing everyone’s eyes ten-thousand times a chapter, accidentally giving multiple characters the same name, or googling American English spellings, you can find her oversharing online, or, occasionally, reading a book from her enormous TBR. Hannah is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Icebreaker, Wildfire, and Daydream and a proud parent to two dogs.
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