A romantic and heartwarming holiday novella from USA Today Bestselling author Ali Brady.
This year, Christmas and Hanukkah come together–and for two neighbors stranded in a snowstorm, one magical night could change everything.
Jack had big plans for Christmas: fly home to see the family he misses like crazy, eat his weight in holiday cookies and enjoy plenty of forced-family fun in matching pajamas. Instead, a record-breaking snowstorm leaves him stranded alone in Chicago.
Meanwhile, Nessa’s Hanukkah plans were…nonexistent. With her roommates off on their own adventures and her family busy elsewhere, she was ready to spend the holiday binge-watching TV alone.
When a power outage takes things from bad to worse, the two neighbors join forces to help each other find the holiday cheer they’ve both lost. As they attempt to make latkes out of whatever ingredients they can scrounge up, and stuff each other’s stockings with improvised gifts, the two stumble upon the unexpected joy of blending their own holiday traditions into something entirely new.
While the storm rages outside, sparks begin to fly between Jack and Nessa. But will the magic they found last beyond this one special night?
Ali Brady is the pen name of writing BFFs Alison Hammer and Bradeigh Godfrey. They are the USA TODAY Bestselling authors of romantic, heartwarming, funny novels including The Beach Trap, The Comeback Summer, Until Next Summer, and Battle of the Bookstores. Their books have been “best of summer” picks by The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, Parade, and Katie Couric Media. Alison lives in Chicago and works as an advertising creative director. She’s also the Founder and Co-President of The Artists Against Antisemitism, and the author of You and Me and Us and Little Pieces of Me. Bradeigh lives in Utah with her husband, four children, and two dogs. She works as a doctor and is the author of psychological thrillers Imposter and The Followers.
(4.5 stars) This was an absolutely delightful romance novella, melding the two winter holidays of Christmas and Hanukkah, dealing respectfully with each of them. Jack and Nessa are neighbors in a Chicago apartment building who get snowed in together and unexpectedly find love.
Jack is a stressed-out medical resident who is desperate for a few days of Christmas holiday warmth with his family in Denver, but a major snowstorm has closed down O’Hare in Chicago, stymieing his plans. Nessa is alone for Hanukkah, her roommates having headed out of town and her parents having traveled to celebrate their anniversary. They don’t know each other but have seen each other around. Their “meet cute” involves Jack taking out his anger on some snowmen! And then the power goes out.
Premised on the two holidays occurring together as they are doing this year, the story is sweet and funny. It was wonderful to see how Jack and Nessa shared each other’s holiday traditions, while sparks start to fly between them. There’s a terrific “strip dreidel” game that should not be missed!
It was so much fun to read this via Ali Brady’s substack, but it’s also available from Amazon (paid or included in Kindle Unlimited). There’s even an audio version narrated by two of my favorites: Julia Whelan and Teddy Hamilton!
A perfect short and sweet holiday novella with fantastic Jewish rep. 💙 Highly recommend listening to the audiobook narrated by Julia Whalen and Teddy Hamilton!
This was a spur of the moment holiday novella from a fav author duo, Ali Brady. I love them and was really excited to read this but sadly it felt like more of a rushed cash grab and I thought it lacked any substance. There was a fun strip dreidel scene but that's honestly the only memorable bit for me other than the great narration by Teddy Hamilton and Julia Whelan (however the audiobook version is only available for purchase through Juila's new app). I did appreciate the interfaith romance rep and the way the couple blended their respective holiday traditions.
This is going to be a short and sweet review for a short, and equally sweet, story. Until now, I've only read one other novel by Ali Brady (Until Next Summer, which I will be reviewing soon) and I definitely need to read their other ones!
One Night, Two Holidays: A Christmas and Hanukkah Novella centers around only two characters for the majority of the story. Jack ends up stuck in Chicago during a snowstorm when he's supposed to be with his family for Christmas. Nessa just happens to be home because it's Hanukkah and her roommates left for more glamorous holiday experiences. When a power failure affects the building, Jack and Nessa end up spending Christmas and Hanukkah together and trying to make the most with what they have available. Soon the heat isn't coming from the candles or the fireplace...
I really enjoyed this story the entire way through and kept telling the authors how invested I was. There were a lot of heartwarming moments, as well as a really steamy one. I especially enjoyed the gift exchange and thought it was really creative and well thought out. All in all, it's just a lighthearted rom-com that gives readers reasons to enjoy both holidays!
The queens of some of my favorite summer reads have come out with a winter holiday read and I am in loooooove. The writing and the characters are always my favorite. I’ll be expecting more winter reads now!!
When a freak snowstorm in Chicago leaves Jack stranded at home in Chicago and unable to go see his family for Christmas, he cozies up with his neighbor to keep warm during a power outage and sparks ensue as she teaches him about Hanukkah traditions....
It's a brief novella but it's full of heart, humor, and so much joy... and since it's written by Ali Brady, a little bit of naughty spice 😈🙊
This such a lovely holiday romance, proving that even in the darkest times, there is hope and light and love. I loved Jack and Nessa—two strangers brought together by a storm, who turn a dismal holiday season into the best they’ve ever had. Their banter is delightful, their honesty with each other is poignant, and the sparks flying between them are sizzling! I loved that they embraced each other’s holiday traditions and customs, as they shared their memories of Christmas and Hanukkah, and starting new traditions of their own! This is a heartwarming story that is also spicy—I’ll never see a dreidel and not think about Jack and Nessa’s version!! There are so many emotions and feelings packed into 145 pages!
An adorable holiday novella! In 2024, Hanukkah starts on Christmas, so perfect for a book that brings both holidays together. It’s set in Chicago where Nessa and Jack live in the same apartment building and have admired each other from afar but never met. Nessa is alone for Hanukkah with her parents and roommates away; Jack is supposed to fly home for Christmas but then his flight is cancelled because of a snowstorm. And when the power in the building is out, these two finally meet cute. They share their holiday traditions with each other, and of course make a love connection while they’re at it.
My only problem with this book is that it’s too short, because I could and would read a whole novel about these characters! A fun holiday read.
✔️Christmas & Hanukkah ✔️Snowed In / Blackout ✔️Spicy Dreidel ✔️Right Place, Right Time
I loved the way these characters met! Such a meet cute! And the chemistry from the beginning is everything! A littleeeee insta-lovey but not too much. And only 100 pages - definitely check this one out!!
I'm dividing this review into two parts, the audio narration and the writing.
The audio narration - 3 stars
When I saw the audiobook version of this novella available on Audiobrary, I decided to buy it as a little holiday present for myself. Unfortunately, I learned that, despite my best efforts, I'm just not an audiobook gal. I enjoyed Julia Whelan's narration, but I could not get past Teddy Hamilton's, and I found myself wishing Julia was narrating the whole thing. The entire time, no matter what was happening or being said, Hamilton made the MMC, Jack, sound like he was spitting out his thoughts and dialogue through clenched teeth. It came off as aggressive and abrasive and the exact opposite of how the words were portraying the character. I could tell that I would've enjoyed Jack if I had been reading the words on the page, and I just felt more and more disappointed that I had to experience the character through Hamilton's interpretation.
The writing - 4 stars
I lower my expectations when I'm reading a novella because there's obviously less space for in-depth character or relationship development. So, with that in mind, this was a sweet, charming story. It was the definition of insta-love - as in, INSTA-INSTA love - so I had to suspend a lot of disbelief, but once I let go of my skepticism, it was fun. I especially liked the chapter where they explained their holiday traditions to each other, and there were a lot of other cute moments too. For what it was, it was good (not great) and, at just over two hours, a pretty low time investment.
The writing duo Ali Brady surprised readers this year with a Hanukkah and Christmas novella! With perfect timing because the first night of Hanukkah actually falls on Christmas this year for the first time since 2005, this novella celebrates both holidays. Also, fun fact: one half of Ali Brady (Alison Hammer) is Jewish and the other half (Bradeigh Godfrey) is not. So this felt like a really fun way for them to bring their own traditions and cultures together in one place. Ali Brady dropped a couple chapters each night on their substack for 8 nights…sounds familiar! You could even say that one novella meant to last one day, lasted for 8 days. But I will admit that I waited for the entire story to be released before I binged it all at once. This cute novella is about two neighbors, one Jewish, one Christian, who are stranded in Chicago during a massive snowstorm on Christmas and the first night of Hanukkah, and band together to make the holiday special for each other. I love how they incorporate their own Hanukkah and Christmas traditions to share with each other. I loved the latke making and the stocking stuffing. Ali Brady, who until now has written mostly women’s fiction with some romance on the side, is really venturing into full-out romance with this novella, and their next novel as I understand it. Definitely some spice to this one.
“The heart of the holidays isn’t in flawless plans or finding the perfect gifts. It’s in the unexpected—the surprises you never saw coming, the unplanned moments that shift your perspective and change the way you see the world.”
Jack has plans to spend Christmas with his family but a record breaking snowstorm grounds all flights leaving Chicago. Nessa has no plans for Hanukkah but that doesn’t mean she wanted a power outage. That is, until she realizes Jack (aka Hot New Neighbor) is stranded there too.
This short novella is everything I wanted it to be. It’s quick and fun and steamy but I feel like I really got to know both Jack and Nessa. And I was definitely invested in their story. They’re so playful with each other and they may have just met but they sure had some chemistry.
I love that they learned about both Hanukkah and Christmas and even compared to the two. There’s stockings and dreidels and latkes and even an applesauce or sour cream debate.
If anything, I could’ve done without the epilogue. I wanted to stay inside their cozy, steamy holiday bubble and the epilogue just took me out of that.
Read for -snowed in -Hanukkah and Christmas -fun holiday activities -open door 🔥
If Ali Brady write it, I’m reading it! They are my favorite author duo, and all of their books are warm hugs - but this one has two holidays and thereby twice the cheer!
I normally don’t love a novella because I love to get fully invested in characters and stories, but this one was absolute perfection. Nessa and Jack are perfect strangers, stranded in their Chicago apartment complex at the holidays due to a wild winter storm. And then - the power goes out!
This year, the first night of Hanukkah and Christmas Day coincide, and Nessa and Jack celebrate them together. Will these two holidays, the winter storm, and the lack of electricity bring them together?
Well, it IS a romance novella, so… duh. 😂
I loved their witty repartee, the story, and both characters tremendously. This was a win from the very first page to the last - I only wish it were longer! I’m so invested in these two.
There’s a little open door steam, but after the downright GRAPHIC holiday novels I’ve been assaulted by lately (😂), this felt pretty tame and sweet.
Ali Brady’s One Night, Two Holidays is a delightful read that captures the magic of the holiday season and the unexpected connections it can bring. The story of Jack and Nessa—two neighbors stranded during a snowstorm—brims with charm, humor, and warmth as they navigate blending Christmas and Hanukkah traditions in a way that feels authentic and heartfelt.
The chemistry between the characters is sweet and believable, and the way they help each other rediscover holiday joy is both touching and relatable. Brady does a great job of balancing lighthearted moments (like their improvised holiday cooking) with deeper themes of loneliness, family, and finding joy in the unexpected.
While the story mostly takes place over one night, the pacing is steady, and the cozy, snowed-in setting adds an extra layer of intimacy and charm. However, some readers may wish for a bit more development or time spent exploring their relationship beyond the single magical evening.
Overall, One Night, Two Holidays is a perfect read for fans of feel-good holiday romances. It’s a heartwarming reminder of the power of connection and the beauty of blending traditions. A definite holiday treat!
A snowstorm, a power outage, and compression socks combine to create a magical holiday novella that blends the miracle of Hanukkah with the joy of Christmas.
When Jack’s flight is grounded due to a storm, he’s unable to get to his family for Christmas. Angry and disappointed, he returns to his Chicago apartment where he takes out his frustration on a trio of unsuspecting snowmen. The assault is witnessed by his neighbor, Nessa, whose roommates are gone leaving her to celebrate the first night of Hanukkah alone. When the power goes out, Jack and Nessa combine resources to make it through the night.
This is a delightful holiday themed novella filled with sweet moments and loaded with chemistry. It’s a quick read that captures the beauty and hope of the holiday season.
This was fantastic novella/short story. I loved Nessa and Jack and that was an interfaith relationship. It actually reminded me a lot of my own relationship which I loved. While the story was short, I feel like I learned a lot about the characters and each of their traditions. It got a little spicy and I was here for that too. Overall, the Hanukkah and Christmas celebrations were super fun and I'm so glad I picked it up!
A very sweet, short holiday novella blending the traditions of Christmas and Hanukkah with a bit of spice added in for good measure. So glad I decided to make this my last holiday read of the month! I’ve never read anything by this author before, but I found her writing style fun and easy to read. I also loved the Chicago setting as that city holds a very special place in my heart. If you can get past the rushed pace of short stories, then this is a definitely worth a read! ❤️
One Night Two Holidays by Ali Brady Rating (5/5) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Loved it!! A fun holiday romance blending Christmas and Hanukkah. Would love for you ladies to do a sequel.
I enjoyed the author interview at the end. My favorite Holiday film is While You Were Sleeping too! ❤️ also there is a sneak peak at their upcoming book , Battle of the Bookstores. @thishammer @alibradybooks
Thank you to Alison and Bradeigh for this perfect Christmas Novella! I loved that you both meshed your holiday traditions and shared it with us! While I live nowhere where it could be possible, the book made me want to get snowed in somewhere with my other half and enjoy some of our games 🎄
I loved the message: there’s always light in the darkness, there’s always hope. Certain things about the characters annoyed me and pulled me out of their love story. It’s was very cute though and I loved the combination of Christmas and Hanukkah!
Jack and Nessa get snowed in together on an overlapping Christmas and Hanukkah and find ways to keep their respective traditions alive.
My last holiday read of the season, and an excellent note to end on! This was adorable and perfect and everything I want in a holiday novella, including a fantastic epilogue. I love that Christmas and Hanukkah overlapped this year and having a story to celebrate that feels so perfect! I also loved learning a bit more about Hanukkah traditions.
Highly recommend if you want to pack just a bit more holiday reading in before the end of the year—I devoured this in one sitting.
The focus felt like it was directed too much on getting to the spice rather than generating an actual relationship. It felt like a one night stand read (not my favorite) and while yeah, some cute moments and a good ending, I just wasn't charmed.
Loved this adorable Christmas/Hannukah story!! Best holiday novella I’ve read. Loved both characters and the descriptions of the holiday traditions. Little spicy scene. No notes. Will read again.