One Day in December: Book Review
Holiday books can be a gamble—trust me, I learned that the hard way last year when I set out to binge as many festive reads as possible between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Some were just meh, others were decent but lacked that wow factor, and more than a few were downright terrible (or overly preachy). But now and then, a holiday book completely knocks your fuzzy socks off. For me, that book was One Day in December by Josie Silver. It not only scratched the holiday-read itch, it reignited my love for contemporary romance—and maybe even restored my faith in humanity (but that’s a post for another day).
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Quick Look
- love triangle
- told over several years
- friendship story
- London setting
Published October 16, 2018
Publisher's Synopsis
Two people. Ten chances. One unforgettable love story.
Laurie is pretty sure love at first sight doesn’t exist anywhere but the movies. But then, through a misted-up bus window one snowy December day, she sees a man who she knows instantly is the one. Their eyes meet, there’s a moment of pure magic . . . and then her bus drives away.
Certain they’re fated to find each other again, Laurie spends a year scanning every bus stop and cafe in London for him. But she doesn’t find him, not when it matters anyway. Instead they “reunite” at a Christmas party, when her best friend, Sarah, giddily introduces her new boyfriend to Laurie. It’s Jack, the man from the bus. It would be.
What follows for Laurie, Sarah, and Jack is ten years of friendship, heartbreak, missed opportunities, roads not taken, and destinies reconsidered. One Day in December is a joyous, heartwarming, and immensely moving love story to escape into and a reminder that fate takes inexplicable turns along the route to happiness.
My Review
OMFG, y’all. Read this book. Scratch that—listen to it. One Day in December completely wrecked me in the best way possible. I was hanging on every single word, totally swept up in the emotion, the tension, the heartbreak, and the hope. The audiobook narrators? Phenomenal. They brought the characters to life with so much heart and nuance, I felt like I was right there with them.
I finished this while doing some last-minute holiday shopping, and let me tell you—people definitely stared as I stood frozen in the middle of Bath & Body Works, completely caught up in the ending. I had tears streaming down my face, clutching my phone like it was a lifeline. Zero regrets.
Let’s talk tropes. I consider myself a romance newbie, still figuring out what I like. But thanks to this book, I think I’ve discovered a new favorite: star-crossed lovers. The will-they/won’t-they pull in this story was chef’s kiss—I was desperate to know how it would all play out.
Now, I know love triangles can be polarizing, but this one worked for me. It added a layer of tension and emotional depth that made everything feel so much more real. Was it a little cringey at times? Sure. But that awkwardness—the potential for hurt, the risks, the stakes—gave the story weight. It made the messy, complicated relationships feel true to life.
Also, can we talk about the insta-love moment? Normally not my thing, but in this case, it made sense. The way it unfolded felt believable, and the story gave enough time and complexity to the relationships that it didn’t feel flat or forced.
Though One Day in December isn’t your typical feel-good holiday romance, it’s got that holiday adjacent vibe that earns it a spot on my seasonal TBR. It’s the kind of book that sneaks up on you with its emotional punches and lingers long after the final page (or in my case, final track).
Bottom line: If you want a romance that’s heartfelt, messy, and completely consuming—this is the one.
My Rating
If you're craving a gut-punch romance that’ll leave you misty-eyed and emotionally wrecked, One Day in December is a must. Raw, real, and unforgettable, it belongs on both your holiday reads and all-time romance lists. Do yourself a favor—grab a copy ASAP!
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