Once Upon a December Book Club Kit
Once Upon a December by Amy E. Reichert is the official December 2024 pick for the Peanut Blossom Book Club for Recovering Readers.
I love picking a sweet holiday romance for December but when I spotted that this month’s pick is set in my hometown of Milwaukee, I was sold!
We’ve lived in the south for over a decade and this was such a fun visit home for the holidays for me.
If you love magical realism and Hallmark movies, then Once Upon a December is going to be right up your alley, too!
P.S. Just joining us? Don’t miss the full 2024 line-up for our book club picks.
Peanut Blossom Book Club
This book club pick is one of the awesome books from our tenth year of book club.
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What is Once Upon a December About?
With a name like Astra Noel Snow, holiday spirit isn’t just a seasonal specialty—it’s a way of life. But after a stinging divorce, Astra’s yearly trip to the Milwaukee Christmas market takes on a whole new meaning. She’s ready to eat, drink, and be merry, especially with the handsome stranger who saves the best kringle for her at his family bakery.
For Jack Clausen, the Julemarked with its snowy lights and charming shops stays the same, while the world outside the joyful street changes, magically leaping from one December to the next every four weeks. He’s never minded living this charmed existence until Astra shows him the life he’s been missing outside of the festive red brick alley.
After a swoon-worthy series of dates, some Yuletide magic, and the unexpected glow of new love, Astra and Jack must decide whether this relationship can weather all seasons, or if what they’re feeling is as ephemeral as marshmallows in a mug of hot cocoa.
How Spicy is Once Upon a December?
🌶️ Heads Up: This month’s book club rates 1 chili pepper on my spicy book rating scale. There is intimacy in the book but it happens behind closed doors.
Once Upon a December Discussion Questions
I believe the best book club questions to spark a lively discussion in your group help readers make personal connections to the story.
You can read about how to write the best book club questions on your own here to get you started.
Question 1:
Does your town have a Christmas market? Have you visited it? Or have you been lucky enough to visit the European Christmas markets? Where do you do your holiday shopping?
Question 2:
The kringle bakery is a predominant theme for the story, does your hometown have a special holiday treat you enjoy? Share a memory of your favorite food during the holiday season.
Question 3:
If you were in Astra’s shoes, what choice would you have made about Jack’s offer? Why?
Question 4:
Do you have a found-family of friends you’d do anything for? How have your friends showed up for you during difficult times?
Question 5:
What did you think of Astra’s relationship with her ex-husband? How would you have treated that relationship if it were you?
Question 6:
Would you enjoy being part of the Julemarked if you could live there with all your loved ones? Which shop would you run?
Book Club Party Menu
I think it is so fun to plan your book club dinner menu or dessert list based on the theme of the book.
If you can get your hands on a true Racine kringle, that would be the most perfect snack to serve for book club since the main male character is a kringle baker.
Trader Joe’s has my very favorite O&H Bakery kringles available seasonally but I’ve never seen a cherry almond one available, just plain almond which is still utterly delicious.
If you can’t get your hands on a kringle, bake my easy cherry cake with almond icing to hit those flavor notes instead!
It’s not a party in Wisconsin unless there’s a cheese and sausage platter. For real.
You can up your charcuterie game by adding some fresh fruits and chocolates to the tray with my tips for arranging this easy cheddar snack board.
And for true festive Milwaukee ambiance, stir up a batch of brandy old fashioned sweet cocktails. The cherry and orange garnish will pair well with your kringle or the cheese board!
You Might Also Enjoy
If you loved Once Upon a December you might also like:
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