- Title: The Afterlife of Holly Chase
- Author: Cynthia Hand
- Publisher: HarperTeen
- Publish Date: Oct 24, 2017
- Pages: 400
- Book Form: Ebook
- Genre: Fantasy, YA, Christmas
- Dates Read: Dec 18 – Dec 19, 2019
- Rating: ★★★★
On Christmas Eve five years ago, Holly was visited by three ghosts who showed her how selfish and spoiled she’d become. They tried to convince her to mend her ways.
– Goodreads
She didn’t.
And then she died.
Now she’s stuck working for the top-secret company Project Scrooge–as the latest Ghost of Christmas Past.
Every year, they save another miserly grouch. Every year, Holly stays frozen at seventeen while her family and friends go on living without her. So far, Holly’s afterlife has been miserable.
But this year, everything is about to change…
This was the perfect holiday read. I was so glad it won the discussion poll over at Book Battle! I was a little hesitant at first. I’ve never read an A Christmas Carol retelling, and I wasn’t sure how it would work. Cynthia Hand did an amazing job of keeping the spirit and key elements in the original story and mixing them with a little fantasy! Honestly, this is something I will probably reread every holiday season.
So we start with Holly. She isn’t a good person. But what does that matter? The three ghosts visit her on Christmas Eve. She thinks it’s a crazy dream or a prank. The next day, she’s dead. Now 5 years have passed and she works for Project Scrooge. They are the ones who pick the hero each year. The ghosts come to them and try to get them to change for the better. This year the Hero is young – like Holly’s age. He’s cute. Is he really that bad?
Holly develops feelings for Ethan, which is totally against all the rules. She just can’t help it. She has to be near him. But falling for Ethan also opens up wounds of her own. Will she be able to keep changing for the better?
I read this book in just over a day. It was so enthralling and fun. I loved the forbidden romance. I also loved how Holly kept growing and changing. I don’t want to give away the ending – it was good! But I just wanted something… different. But I see why Cynthia ended it that way!
If you haven’t read The Afterlife of Holly Chase, you need to put it on your TBR for this holiday season! It’s already on mine again.
Until next time…
Mithah Reads 