The Most Wonderful Time
A Novel
-
-
3.9 • 10 Ratings
-
-
- $11.99
Publisher Description
"The Most Wonderful Time is a lovable, unexpectedly thought-provoking Christmas romp of a novel from the ever-sparkling pen of Jayne Allen!" — Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of The Diamond Eye and The Alice Network
The author of the beloved, bestselling Black Girls Must Die Exhausted trilogy returns with an intriguing blend of Such a Fun Age and The Holiday—an irresistible feel-good holiday rom com about heartbreak, hope, love, and the joy that comes from rediscovering oneself.
With Christmas around the corner, Ramona Tucker is desperate to get away. She has been lying to her family about her engagement to Malik, her (ex) fiancé. But breakups are fickle, and Ramona is convinced that she can make her pretend wedding real again—but only if she can avoid everyone discovering her secret at her mother’s over-the-top Christmas Eve party.
Two-thousand miles away in sunny Malibu, Chelsea Flint needs money to hold on to the beloved beachside cottage she shared with her late parents. The taxes are expensive, and her art isn’t paying the bills. Once an irresistible star of the Los Angeles art scene, Chelsea seems to have lost that spark that vaulted her to the top. If she doesn’t rediscover that magic—and sell a painting—soon, it will be her family’s home she’s selling instead.
In a festive holiday home swap, the two women trade houses just in time, thanks to some careful planning by Ramona’s best friend and a sturdy nudge from Chelsea’s gallerist godmother. Ramona’s Malibu dreams of sun and surf are interrupted when her first night brings an unwelcome stranger to her door, where a dose of forced proximity makes her question who she can trust—the meddling neighbor Joan, or Jay, the handsome beachside fitness instructor with a secret of his own. Chelsea, desperate for Ramona to stay, hides what she knows—even if that means jeopardizing her budding connection with charming Carlos, whose dreams for his future could be the very key to unlock Chelsea from the weight of her past.
Combining escapist fun and sizzling contemporary romance, a dose of poignant self-reflection, and a little holiday magic, The Most Wonderful Time is a warm and relatable novel that will delight at Christmas and throughout the year.
A touching holiday read Perfect for fans of uplifting winter romancesA delightful Christmas gift
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Two women swap homes for the holidays in this overly dense contemporary from Allen (the Black Girls Must Die Exhausted series). Malibu artist Chelsea Flint hasn't sold a painting since her parents' deaths, and her agent/friend Helena can no longer foot her bills. Helena suggests a home exchange could help Chelsea rekindle her artistic spark. Meanwhile, in Chicago, Ramona Tucker conceals her broken engagement from her family. Skipping her mother's Christmas gathering while going on a home exchange seems like a great way to buy herself more time before breaking the news. Ramona's brother, Carlos, agrees to dog-sit for her while she's away—and ends up meeting Chelsea when he sneaks into Ramona's house looking for extra dog food. Feelings soon blossom between these two, but they don't know if they could make a relationship work given the distance and Carlos's fear of commitment. On Ramona's first night in Malibu, meanwhile, she's racially profiled by the neighbors and nearly leaves. But after meeting Jay, a yoga instructor who introduces her to surfing, she finds comfort in the ocean and considers finally moving on from her ex. The layered plot puts a sensitive focus on racial issues but has little holiday cheer to balance out the heavier moments. This is unlikely to get readers in the Christmas spirit.
Customer Reviews
Thoughtful Holiday Read with Twists
The Most Wonderful Time by Jayne Allen surprised me in the best way. I went in thinking this would be a simple holiday romance, but Allen layered in unexpected twists about love, life, and second chances. It wasn’t just cozy—it was complicated, sometimes messy, and that made it feel real.
What kept me from giving it a full 4 stars was the pacing. The chapters were long—long—and at times it made the story feel slower than it needed to be. I found myself wishing for tighter transitions or smaller breaks to catch my breath.
Still, if you’re looking for a holiday read that goes beyond surface-level romance and explores deeper emotional shifts, this is one to pick up.