I wish Jenn McKinlay’s romcom, It Happened One Christmas Eve, was easily available to all readers. It’s a delightful novella, but it’s only available on Kindle or Audible through Amazon. I’m sorry. But, I did want to finish the trilogy about New York’s Museum of Literature. This story was just released on December 6, and it’s perfect for the holidays.

Claire Macintosh is the director of the Museum of Literature, but her mother has finally put her foot down. Hildy Macintosh is controlling, and she insists Claire marry now that she’s forty. Claire’s mother threatens to withhold her financial support to the museum. So, Hildy has planned an elaborate “surprise” proposal from Trey, Benedict Thurmond the Third. Claire thinks he’s just “meh”, but her beloved museum and her own position is under threat. She’s dressed elaborately, ready to face her boyfriend and the crowds at the museum party, but two drinks of whiskey gives her courage. Claire runs out to the white horse and carriage, outfitted to look like an enormous reindeer and sleigh with Santa at the reins, and she skillfully kidnaps Santa’s sleigh heading to Central Park. Santa just barely catches the sleigh and jumps on board.

“Santa” was to provide the engagement ring at the party, but he’s actually a reporter, Sam Carpenter. When Claire insists she just wants to escape to her cottage in Maine, Sam agrees to help, as long as he gets an exclusive story. But, Claire and Sam’s escapades are just beginning. They involve a mugging, a train, a retirement home, and a soldier on leave. And, they both might discover there’s more to life than their careers.

Jenn McKinlay said she was inspired by the 1934 movie It Happened One Night with Clark Gable as a renegade reporter trailing a runaway heiress played by Claudette Colbert. I’m sure this Christmas story won’t last ninety years. But, for now, It Happened One Christmas Eve is a charming romance that even made me cry at one point. A little romance, a little literature, a slight nod to O. Henry’s The Gift of the Magi, some humor, Santa and an elf. What’s any better in a Christmas novella?

Jenn McKinlay’s website is https://jennmckinlay.com/

It Happened One Christmas Eve by Jenn McKinlay. JMO Ink, 2022.


FTC Full Disclosure – I bought a copy for my Kindle.