I know it’s January 1st, but I still need to tell everyone about Grace & Henry’s Holiday Movie Marathon. I read this book in one sitting and I had the best time. It’s also so much more than a romance. So keep on reading to find out more about this book and what I thought!

A big thank you to Netgalley and Dell for providing me with an eARC to read and review.

A sentimental advertising creative and a blunt, no-nonsense bar owner find a second chance at love while binge-watching iconic holiday movies in this poignant and heartwarming romance, from the author of Charm City Rocks and All Together Now.

The new year barely began when Grace White and Henry Adler both lost their spouses. Now, nearly a year later, the first holiday season since their “Great and Terrible Sadnesses” approaches. Although their mothers scheme to matchmake the two surviving spouses, it’s clear that neither is ready to date again. Yet no one understands what they’re going through better than each other, and a delicate friendship is born.

When Henry sees an ad for a Christmas movie marathon—once an annual tradition for him and his wife—Grace offers to watch some films with him, despite her aversion to a few of his picks. Her two young kids, Ian and Bella, also join in whenever possible—bedtimes permitting, of course.

With each movie, Grace and Henry’s shared grief eases as they start to see a life beyond the sadness. But as they draw closer, other romantic possibilities leave them both uncertain about their future together. Is their bond merely the result of loneliness and shared circumstances, or have they found something that’s worth taking a shot at . . . again?

Review

This year I was really in my Christmas reads era and I couldn’t put them down. After reading quite a few, I can say that Grace & Henry’s Holiday Movie Marathon ended up being my favorite seasonal read of 2025. This story is heartwarming and one I’ll be thinking of for quite some time. I have to say that this book even had me tearing up a few times.

Grace and Henry have both recently lost their spouses and are trying to get by. Their mothers decide to try and set them up in a less than obvious way. It’s something they both realize from the start and quickly become friends. Grace & Henry’s Holiday Movie Marathon is a great combination of healing, support, family, moving on, and maybe even a tad bit of romance. I enjoyed the memories both of these characters shared about their spouses and how Henry was there for Grace and his kids. That bond felt so special. The author also showed that grief isn’t something that goes the same for everyone and that is often a two steps forward, one step back process.

Add all of these elements with the mention of classic Christmas movies and I was reading a book I just couldn’t put down. I read this book in one sitting in front of my own Christmas tree and it was the best experience. If you’re looking for another holiday read before the end of the year, I highly recommend Grace & Henry’s Holiday Movie Marathon.

Grace & Henry’s Holiday Movie Marathon ended up being one of my favorite seasonal reads of 2025! Do you have any favorite holiday reads? Let me know in the comments. I’d love to hear from you.