Notes from the Shelf

A Heart for Christmas by Sophie Jomain
Genre: YA Romance
Pages: 388
Rating:  ★★★☆☆

This post contains spoilers.

Book Blurb

My name is April, I’m 18 years old, and I was born with what could have been a fatal heart defect.

I received a heart transplant not quite two years ago, and since then my life has changed irrevocably. This year I’m spending Christmas with my father in the Alps, with a body I need to reawaken…but that I’m so scared of damaging. It’s terrifying, but I want to believe in miracles.

And maybe I should, because not long after arriving, I see Augustin for the first time in years, and everything gets turned upside down. My life us only just beginning, I’m sure of it.

Check out my initial thoughts on the Advent book style here

My Thoughts on the Plot

The plot itself was fairly simple and, at times, leaned a bit childish for my personal taste. I didn’t realize going in that this was a Young Adult novel (I somehow skipped reading the blurb before buying it, which is on me), and once that became clear, a lot of my initial reactions made more sense. April is 18 and her love interest is 22, which isn’t inherently a problem, but the emotional tone skewed younger than I expected. Some of the inner monologue and relationship tension came across as whiny rather than heartfelt, especially given the very serious medical history the story is built around.

That said, the book very much felt like a Hallmark Christmas movie in novel form, which I was more or less expecting. There’s a cozy Alpine setting, a reunion romance, emotional vulnerability, and a strong belief in miracles and fresh starts. While it didn’t surprise me or push any boundaries, it delivered exactly what it set out to do. If you enjoy sentimental holiday romances with low stakes and a hopeful tone, this will probably work better for you than it did for me.

My Thoughts on the Advent Book Style

This was easily my favorite part of the experience. The advent-style format, where you read just one chapter per day, was genuinely enjoyable and surprisingly effective. During a busy season filled with end-of-year work stress and holiday obligations, committing to a full book can feel overwhelming. Reading a single chapter each day felt manageable and intentional, almost like a small daily ritual.

Physically, the perforated pages were a bit tricky at first. I struggled to separate them cleanly without tearing, but I got the hang of it as the days went on. Once I adjusted, it became part of the charm rather than a frustration.

What I really appreciated was how each chapter ended on a mild cliffhanger. It was enough to make me curious and excited for the next day, but not so dramatic that I felt tempted to cheat and read ahead. I didn’t skip a single day, and by the end, it became something I actively looked forward to after work. That sense of anticipation felt very fitting for the holiday season and made the reading experience feel special rather than rushed.

Final Thoughts

Overall, I liked the concept more than I liked this specific book. The story itself was just okay for me, largely because of the YA tone and predictable plot, but the advent book format really won me over. I would absolutely pick up another book in this style if more options were available.

I’d especially love to see advent-style books aimed at an older audience—maybe adult romance, spicier romance, or even other genres like mystery or horror. The idea of slowing down and savoring a story one chapter at a time is something I’d happily do again, just with content that better matches my personal reading preferences.

Check out my Winter Reading Challenge Bingo Card

Love what you’re reading here? Support the blog and fuel my next cozy reading session by buying me a coffee.