The Bookish Ashley

If you’re looking for a holiday novel that balances heartache, healing, and just the right amount of Hallmark-movie magic, Grace and Henry’s Holiday Movie Marathon by Matthew Norman delivers. This story isn’t your typical mistletoe-filled romance—it’s a thoughtful, emotionally layered look at grief, friendship, and the slow, surprising ways love can return after loss.

A Story Rooted in Loss… and What Comes After

The novel opens on two gut-punch tragedies: Grace White and Henry Adler, strangers to each other, each lose their spouses at the start of the same year. Now, as the holiday season approaches—a season neither is ready to face—both are still navigating what they call their “Great and Terrible Sadnesses.”

Their well-meaning, meddling mothers hope grief will magically transform into romance, but Norman resists that easy path. Instead, he gives us something more honest: a gentle, awkward, beautifully real friendship between two people who understand each other better than anyone else can.

A Movie Marathon That Becomes So Much More

When Henry spots a Christmas movie marathon ad—a tradition he once shared with his late wife—Grace surprises both of them by offering to watch along, even though some of his picks make her cringe.

Soon her kids, Ian and Bella, jump in when bedtime allows. Through each movie, each night on the couch, and each shared memory, the layers of grief slowly soften. Norman captures these small moments with incredible warmth—exactly the kind of cozy, candle-lit emotional pacing a holiday read needs.

The Heart of the Story: Healing, Not Replacement

What sets this book apart is the way it refuses to rush the emotional journey. Grace and Henry are drawn to each other, yes—but both are terrified of misreading their connection. Is this grief glue? A temporary comfort? Or are they brave enough to imagine a second chance at love?

The uncertainty feels real, tender, and deeply human.

What I Loved

A beautifully authentic portrayal of grief—honest without being heavy. A slow-burn friendship-to-maybe-more arc that feels earned. Heartwarming family moments with Grace’s kids that bring levity and charm. A holiday backdrop that enhances the story rather than overwhelming it with clichés. Matthew Norman’s signature humor, which keeps the tone hopeful even in darker moments.

What Kept It from a Full 5 Stars

A few pacing lulls and some side-plot romantic threads felt slightly underdeveloped. At times, I wanted a bit more emotional payoff or clarity—but perhaps that’s part of the book’s point: healing rarely comes cleanly wrapped with a bow.

Final Thoughts

Grace and Henry’s Holiday Movie Marathon is a heartfelt, warm, and poignant story that will resonate with anyone who has faced loss, found comfort in unexpected friendships, or wondered if love can truly come twice.

It’s a perfect December read—curl up with a blanket, a mug of something warm, and let Grace and Henry remind you that hope has a way of sneaking back in, sometimes one Christmas movie at a time.