Ali McNamara’s It Always Snows on Mistletoe Square is a delightful addition to the pantheon of heartwarming Christmas tales, offering readers a cozy escape into a world where the past and present intertwine in magical ways. This novel is a testament to McNamara’s ability to blend whimsy with profound emotional depth, creating a story that resonates with both the joy and melancholy of the holiday season.

The story centers around Elle, a protagonist who finds herself at a crossroads in life. Jobless, rudderless, and soon to be homeless, Elle is a character many readers will find relatable. Her journey begins when she stumbles upon an intriguing job advertisement seeking a writer to document the history of a house and its family. The catch? The successful applicant must love Christmas—a sentiment Elle does not share. This premise sets the stage for a narrative that explores themes of self-discovery, the power of storytelling, and the magic of new beginnings.

One of the novel’s most compelling aspects is its setting: Mistletoe Square. McNamara crafts a vivid and enchanting backdrop that feels almost like a character in its own right. The square, with its enormous Christmas tree and a collection of delicate decorations, serves as a portal to the past. Each ornament holds a story, and through these stories, Elle—and the reader—are transported to Christmases of yore. This narrative device is not only charming but also serves to deepen the novel’s exploration of history and memory.

The character development in It Always Snows on Mistletoe Square is nuanced and satisfying. Elle’s transformation from a woman adrift to someone who finds purpose and connection is handled with care and authenticity. Her initial reluctance to embrace the Christmas spirit is gradually replaced by a genuine appreciation for the holiday’s magic, a change that feels earned rather than forced. The eccentric elderly woman and her unconventional housekeeper add layers of intrigue and warmth to the story. Their histories, revealed through the decorations, are rich with emotion and provide a poignant counterpoint to Elle’s own journey.

McNamara’s writing is both engaging and evocative, capturing the essence of Christmas with all its complexities. She deftly balances lighthearted moments with more introspective ones, ensuring that the narrative remains compelling throughout. The stories attached to each decoration are particularly well-crafted, offering glimpses into different eras and lives, each with its own unique challenges and joys. These vignettes not only enrich the main storyline but also underscore the novel’s central theme: that the past is always with us, shaping our present and future in unexpected ways.

In terms of themes, It Always Snows on Mistletoe Square delves into the idea of home—not just as a physical space but as a feeling of belonging and connection. Elle’s journey is as much about finding a place where she feels at home as it is about uncovering the history of the house. The novel also explores the notion of endings and beginnings, suggesting that what may seem like the end of one chapter can often be the start of something new and wonderful.

Comparatively, McNamara’s work shares thematic similarities with other holiday novels, such as Jenny Colgan’s Christmas at Rosie Hopkins' Sweetshop and Sarah Morgan’s Christmas Ever After. Like these authors, McNamara excels at creating a sense of community and warmth, drawing readers into a world where love and hope prevail. However, what sets It Always Snows on Mistletoe Square apart is its unique narrative structure, using the Christmas decorations as a storytelling device that bridges past and present in a deeply meaningful way.

Overall, It Always Snows on Mistletoe Square is a charming and heartfelt novel that will appeal to anyone looking for a festive read that offers more than just holiday cheer. It’s a story about finding one’s place in the world, the enduring power of family and tradition, and the magic that can be found in even the most unexpected of places. Ali McNamara has crafted a tale that is sure to become a beloved addition to any Christmas reading list, leaving readers with a renewed sense of wonder and a reminder that sometimes, the best gifts are the stories we share.