Tacky Christmas sweaters, brightly colored saris, and candle-adorned menorahs light up the pages of Three Holidays and a Wedding, a holiday rom-com overflowing with festivities. Set in December of 2000, when Christmas, Eid, and Hanukkah all fall within days of each other, this novel by Uzma Jalaluddin (Much Ado About Nada) and Marissa Stapley (Lucky) is a celebration of faith and community. Anna Gibson is supposed to have a perfect first Christmas with her boyfriend and his family, whose fine-tuned festivities have strict dress codes and on-the-dot schedules. Maryam Aziz is expected to plan and attend her sister's sudden wedding amid Ramadan celebrations with her family. Anna and Maryam meet at the airport, unaware that they will soon comfort each other through terrifying turbulence and an emergency landing in a small Canadian town aptly named Snow Falls, a place experiencing what the newscasters call "Snowmageddon."
Anna, Maryam, and the wedding party reluctantly check into the Snow Falls Inn. Despite the unending snow, the town's festive charm and surprisingly accepting community begin to thaw the hearts of many. Anna finds an unexpected connection with an actor in town for the sequel to a popular Christmas film, and Maryam navigates being stranded with her lifelong crush, Saif. The women find strength in their new bonds in this novel of self-discovery, unlikely friendship, and a touch of holiday magic. The picturesque Snow Falls is brimming with holiday cheer, highlighting the joy everyone can find during the most wonderful time of the year. --Clara Newton, freelance reviewer