Grace & Henry's Holiday Movie Marathon by Matthew Norman: Book Beginnings on Fridays, First Line Friday, The Friday 56, and Book Blogger Hop

Today's Featured Book: 

Grace & Henry's Holiday Movie Marathon

by Matthew Norman

Genre: Fiction

Published: October 14, 2025

Page Count: 337 pages

Summary: 

The new year had barely begun when Grace White and Henry Adler both lost their spouses. Now, nearly a year later, the first holiday season since their "Great and Terrible Sadnesses" approaches. Although their mothers scheme to matchmake the two surviving spouses, it’s clear that neither is ready to date again. Yet no one understands what they are going through better than each other, and a delicate friendship is born.

When Henry sees an ad for a Christmas movie marathon—once an annual tradition for him and his wife—Grace offers to watch some films with him, despite her aversion to a few of his picks. Her two young kids, Ian and Bella, also join in whenever possible—bedtimes permitting, of course.

With each movie, Grace and Henry’s shared grief eases as they start to see a life beyond the sadness. But as they draw closer, other romantic possibilities leave them uncertain about their future together. Is their bond merely the result of loneliness and shared circumstances, or have they found something that’s worth taking a shot at . . . again?

 

BOOK BEGINNINGS ON FRIDAY is hosted by Rose City Reader. What book are you happy about reading this week? Please share the opening sentence (or so) on BOOK BEGINNINGS ON FRIDAY! Add the link to your blog or social media post and visit other blogs to see what others are reading.

Happy Friday and welcome to the FIRST LINE FRIDAY, hosted by Reading is My Superpower! It’s time to grab the book nearest to you and leave a comment with the first line.

All things considered, I'm doing okay. I get that sounds like something someone says when they're not doing okay. I also get that "all things considered" is putting in some real work there because I'm still wearing the black dress I wore to my husband's funeral this morning. But seriously. For real. I'm doing okay.

THE FRIDAY 56 is hosted by Anne of Head Full of Books. To play, open a book and turn to page 56 (or 56% on your e-reader). Find a sentence or two and post them, along with the book title and author. Then link up on Head Full of Books and visit others in the linky. 

"I swear to God, Henry, if you ask me what I'm wearing..."

This is how Grace answers her phone.

"I won't, I promise."

"Actually, I already told you. Yea, Costco sweatpants. And I've combined them with my favorite lounging sweater. Last time I wore it home, my mom said she didn't know Goodwill had a section specifically for shut-ins."

"Jeez."

"She means well," says Grace. "I think. That's what I tell myself."

I really want to read a light holiday book. I've tried two others, and I read them to the end, but they were...well, ho-hum. 

This one is at least starting out well.

We shall see...

The purpose of THE BOOK BLOGGER HOP is to give bloggers a chance to follow other blogs, learn about new books, and befriend other bloggers. THE BOOK BLOGGER HOP is hosted by Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer.    

December 19th - Are you more of a plot-driven reader or a character-driven reader? (submitted by Billy @ Coffee Addicted Writer)

Definitely, without-a-doubt, totally, completely...character-driven. I could care less if there is a plot. Just give me characters, please....