When Claire Macintosh showed up to the gala for the Museum of Literature, where she works as director, she was ready for the next step. Or she thought she was. But when she thought about her boyfriend stepping up to propose to her, she fled to her office. And then she ran right out the door. She actually ran out so fast, she had left her purse and her phone behind. But she just can’t marry Trey, no matter what her mother says.

When she runs out of the museum in her gown and strappy sandals, she discovers a horse-drawn carriage being steered by Santa, and without giving it a second thought, she jumps in and grabs the reins. It’s only when she gets away from the museum that she realizes what a bad position she has put herself in. She has no money, she doesn’t have her phone, and she’s just committed grand theft sleigh. But a closer look at Santa reveals yet another problem.

Reporter Sam Carpenter dressed up like Santa and borrowed a carriage to try to get a story about the ultra-wealthy Macintosh family. So when Claire jumped in and hijacked his night, he was not upset. He even loaned her his Santa jacket, since her gown wasn’t really appropriate for December in New York City. She wants to get to her cabin in Maine for Christmas Eve, and he wants a story. Maybe they can come to some sort of agreement?

But when they get mugged, and Sam is forced to give up his wallet and his phone, then they have to get creative to find a way to Claire’s cabin. It’s a journey of Santa and his elf to get to Maine, and they are going to need to make some friends and take some chances. And maybe they find a special gift for themselves this holiday as well.

It Happened One Christmas Eve is the third novella in Jenn McKinlay’s Museum of Literature Romance series. These novellas are quick reads but packed with humor, warmth, and more than a little heat. This story speaks to a lot of classic Christmas literature, like A Christmas Carol and A Visit from St. Nicholas. I got to listen to this novella, and narrator Sara Young made this a fun holiday romance with her expert reading.

Even though It Happened One Christmas Eve is shorter than a novel, it is packed with action and fun, and even that classic holiday discussion of whether Die Hard is a Christmas movie or not. There are some big coincidences, but it’s Christmas. There are supposed to be miracles at Christmas, so I had to forgive those. But these characters are fun and interesting. I would have loved to have more time with them, especially as things get a little rushed right at the end, but this is a fun romance for a quick holiday read or for a short book to help round out your reading goals as the year comes to an end.

A copy of the audiobook for It Happened One Christmas Eve was provided by Dreamscape Media through NetGalley, with many thanks.