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.

What happens when a hardcore mystery/thriller fan who shies away from romance in film, television, books, and even real life takes a chance on a romance novel? Spoiler alert: I loved it.

When Laurie spots a handsome guy through a bus window in London, their eyes meet, and she falls in love at first sight. But after a year of searching, she’s had no luck finding him … until she is introduced to her best friend Sarah's new boyfriend, Jack. Guess who he turns out to be? The ensuing story follows Laurie, Sarah, and Jack over 10 years as they navigate life, love, and all their highs and lows.

While billed as a love story, I found One Day in December to be a charming coming-of-age story at its heart. It’s a book about the post-college years, when life hands you unexpected challenges, and tough decisions have to be made about relationships, careers, friendships, and family. I never expected to be as invested in this book as I was, but I found the characters relatable, their dialogue authentic, and their stories moving. I hope you’ll love this book as much as I did—the perfect read for the holiday season.