Book Review - Three Holidays and a Wedding by Uzma Jalaluddin and Marissa Stapley

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Title: Three Holidays and a Wedding

Author: Uzma Jalaluddin and Marissa Stapley

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Corvus

Publication Date: 28th September 2023

Rating: 5 Stars

One snowstorm.

Two strangers.

Three times the holiday magic . . .

When strangers Maryam Aziz and Anna Gibson are seated next to each other on a flight - Maryam travelling to her sister's impromptu wedding, and Anna to meet her wealthy boyfriend's parents over the holidays - neither expect that severe turbulence will scare them into confessing their deepest hopes and fears to one another. Unfortunately, Maryam's lifelong crush Saif happened to be sitting two rows behind them and heard it all, including the part where she professed undying love for him.

An emergency landing finds Anna, Maryam and Saif snowbound at a quirky hotel in the picture-perfect town of Snow Falls - where fate has Anna's actor-crush filming a holiday romance. As Maryam finds the courage to open her heart to Saif, and Anna feels the magic of an unexpected new love, they might just realise there's nowhere they'd rather be for the holidays.

Wow, I think this is a book that everyone should read, as it shows aspects of Christmas, Hannukah and Ramadan, and how people from multiple religions can respect each others traditions and live and celebrate together. 

All set in a tiny Canadian town that just happens to have an airport. I loved the setting so much, as well getting to know our main characters, and what their holiday traditions would be if they were at home. 

And thus how they can be adjusted to the situation they find themselves in. 

Add in a Wedding that is due to be at the end of Ramadan, and Maryam and Anna who although from different cultures have far more in common than they first think, and you have a really rather special book. 

When I wasn't reading this, I was thinking about it.  It's set in 2000 which was the first time in 30 years that all 3 of these major holidays converged over the same time frame.  Although Christmas and Hannukah overlap fairly regularly, Ramadan being in the mix too really did add another element to the story that was fascinating. 

I really loved every word and I really don't want to spoil anything for you.  There is romance, there are festivities, there is character development, there is wow a boyfriend at the start of the story that I really took an instant dislike to, and a whole lot more besides. 

Add in traditional foods, a really multicultural town, a holiday hoopla, and a whole lot more, this was just one fabulous book.   Definitely one to add to your festive TBRs this year. 

Thank you to Corvus and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.