Goodreads says, "The new year barely began when Grace White and Henry Adler both lost their spouses. Now, nearly a year later, the first holiday season since their "Great and Terrible Sadnesses" approaches. Although their mothers scheme to matchmake the two surviving spouses, it’s clear that neither is ready to date again. Yet no one understands what they're going through better than each other, and a delicate friendship is born.
When Henry sees an ad for a Christmas movie marathon—once an annual tradition for him and his wife—Grace offers to watch some films with him, despite her aversion to a few of his picks. Her two young kids, Ian and Bella, also join in whenever possible—bedtimes permitting, of course.
With each movie, Grace and Henry’s shared grief eases as they start to see a life beyond the sadness. But as they draw closer, other romantic possibilities leave them both uncertain about their future together. Is their bond merely the result of loneliness and shared circumstances, or have they found something that’s worth taking a shot at . . . again?"
Grace White's husband, Tim, died a little while ago after dealing with cancer. It was heartbreaking, and now she is left with a bar to run and two young kids to raise. Some time has passed, and she is so busy that she can't even think about dating. Then there's Henry Adler, whose wife, Brynn, died in a tragic plane accident a little while ago. He is unable to move on; he can't face the house they shared, and his work performance is spotty to say the least. He has also been spending too much time with his parents. Both of their mothers are in a book club together and share the same concerns about their children. So, in a plan that could only be conceived by meddling mothers, they meet. What ensues is a beautiful friendship as they are the only people who can truly understand what it is like to lose your spouse to an untimely death and what it means to be left behind. They start to spend the holiday season together, watching classic holiday movies and some fun ones like The Family Stone. Sometimes the kids join in, and Henry forms an adorable friendship with them. The more time Grace and Henry spend together, the more they realize they rely on each other for more than just friendship, but they are scared to truly move forward. Grace & Henry's Holiday Movie Marathon by Matthew Norman is such a well-written and heartfelt holiday novel; it's one of my favorites of the year.
I absolutely loved both Grace & Henry in Grace & Henry’s Holiday Movie Marathon. It’s hard to get me to enjoy both characters, but I did. How could you not root for them? The details of Grace’s life—dealing with the bar in Baltimore, her kids and their activities, house problems (like mice!)—all seemed so realistic. She started to rely on Henry for help and friendship. It all unfolded beautifully, much like a favorite holiday movie. The secondary characters are all top-notch, not to mention Grace's dog, Harry Styles, he stole the show, too.
What I loved most about Grace & Henry’s Holiday Movie Marathon was the humor. This is the first novel I’ve read by Norman, and it made me chuckle more often than not. I loved his sense of humor (my exact taste!) and the witty banter between Grace and Henry, as well as all their extended family members. Norman captured family relationships so well; I think many people will relate.
I was just so enamored by Grace & Henry’s Holiday Movie Marathon. I can’t say enough about it; it’s one of the best holiday novels I’ve read in a long time. If you’re looking for a heartfelt holiday book that includes real-life issues, humor, grief, and a blossoming romance, look no further.
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