Digital audiobook narrated by Sharon Freedman.

This is a delightful holiday rom-com set in a magical Julemarked in Milwaukee (my home town). The Julemarked appears in different cities, within that city’s Christmas Market. Time is different in the Julemarked. The only clock has 25 numbers and chimes only a minute before midnight on Christmas Eve, to let the residents of the magical place know that they are about to shut down for the next year. But it’s not really a year in their land. So, they don’t age as we regular humans do. And the Julemarked doesn’t necessarily come back to the same city every year.

Anyway … Jack Clausen and his family run Kringle All the Way, baking and selling the delicious yuletide pastry. Astra and her girlfriends stumble upon the shop one year and they marvel at the delicious treats. And Jack falls – HARD – for Astra. But she’s of the real world and he can’t have a relationship with her until (and if) she remembers him.

Is there a way for these two to be together? Can either of them leave all their friends and family behind to be with the one they love?

Besides the wonderful fairytale at the heart of this story, I really enjoyed all the references to my city. Reichert is something of a foodie and an unabashed Milwaukee booster, so it’s no surprise that she takes her readers on a little culinary tour of Milwaukee. I was listening to the audiobook while I was in Texas for a family event, and I kept wanting to “run out to XXX to get some YYY” but, of course, I couldn’t because I wasn’t at home. Well, that was better for my waistline, albeit frustrating!

Oh, and for those who search for that kind of thing, there’s a wonderful dog, Bernie, in the story, too.

Sharon Freedman does a fine job of narrating the audiobook. There are a lot of characters, and it can be challenging to keep Astra and her three girlfriends straight when they are together, but Freedman was up for the task. ( )

This was cute, although a bit all over the place. I would watch this as a Hallmark sci-fi movie in a heartbeat. And now I want a cherry kringle and to visit all the holiday markets this December. ( )

Jack works in the Julemarked, a magical place. Somehow (Christmas magic?) the entire market moves every four weeks to another December to do the market in a different place. When it leaves, it’s like it was never there, the next year, people won’t remember the ones who work there. Mostly. Confusing? A bit. But Jack is smitten with Astra who he has encountered several times, even though she doesn’t remember him. Yet. It’s a cute romance, fluffy without a lot of substance, a light read for Christmas, if you don’t get caught up in trying to explain everything. ( )

This magical Christmas romance full of quirky characters who all love Christmas will make you smile. It's full of love, magic, best friends, a huge dog and a love of holiday traditions.

Astra Noel Snow has always loved Christmas -- with a name like that it's no surprise. A bitter divorce from a man who tried to keep her isolated from her best friends, makes her look forward to her new life and spending time with her friends as they all return to the Milwaukee Christmas market. She's decided to celebrate and enjoy her time with her college friends who have always been there for her. Jack Clausen lives in the Julemarked with its snowy lights and charming shops. It stays the same and magically disappears at the end of each December only to start December in another city in the world. He works at a bakery with his family and enjoys his magical life. People who live in this magical area can go into the real world when they want but Jack enjoys his life and gets nauseous when he goes into the real world. That is until he meet Astra. He is drawn to her immediately when they meet in the bakery and wants to get to know her better but he realizes that may be impossible. Once the Julemarked disappears from a city, people aren't able to remember anything about it. When they go the next time its in their city, it's always a new experience. After several dates, Astra and Jack fall in love and have to make the ultimate decision. Will Jack stay in the real world where he is unhappy or will Astra give up her life and forget her friends and family? Will they be able to compromise and find their happily ever after life together??

I don't really enjoy books that use magical realism in their plots but it really worked well for this Christmas story. I liked the two main characters but I really liked the relationship between Astra and her girlfriends. They had been friends for years and always looked out for each other. This book will make you smile and look forward to the magic of Christmas that is available to all of us. ( )

Such a cute and fun Christmas novel. I'm usually not a big reader of holiday themed books but this one hit the spot for me. At the heart of the story we have Jack who is infatuated, possibly even in love with Astra and we have Astra, who doesn't remember meeting Jack the countless number of times they have seen each other. Think 50 first dates with a little yuletide magic. Everything worked about this novel, the female friendships, the romance and sweet unique plot. This was my first Amy E. Reichert and will not be my last. I've already added her books to my to read list. Once Upon A December feels like a cup of hot cocoa, a knit scarf and a comfy chair in front of a fireplace. I'll be recommending to anyone who wants a feel good holiday themed book.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an opportunity to read and review honestly an advanced digital copy. ( )