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First Impression: The Real 12 Days of Christmas could have been more appropriate with images and descriptions, but an enjoyable humorous read overall.

The Real 12 Days of Christmas Book Cover

Before diving into my review, I want to say a huge thank you to Donna Carr Roberts and Book Sirens for providing an Advanced Digital Reader Copy of this festive title. If The Real 12 days of Christmas has caught your eye, here’s my honest review to help you decide if it belongs on your holiday reading list. All opinions are entirely my own.

If I had to describe this book musically, the mood fits perfectly with 12 Tries, a pop ballad with hints of Christmas magic, written in response to the story itself. It captures Travis’s struggle and charm beautifully. You can listen to it here:

The Real 12 Days of Christmas is a modern retelling of the classic carol. It’s packed with quirky characters, a dash of adventure, and a blend of comedy, romance, and emotion. The book is due for publication on 7th October 2025, just in time for families to pick up a copy ahead of the festive season.

Travis Trulove is smitten with Taylor, a woman who doesn’t share his feelings. Undeterred, Travis tries to win her over by appealing to her material side, showering her with gifts she didn’t even know she wanted. As Taylor’s requests grow more extravagant, Travis faces a challenge: with only 12 days until Christmas, can he prove himself worthy of her love?

Many of us know the famous carol with French hens, turtle doves, and that partridge in a pear tree. Roberts cleverly expands on each verse, giving new life and context to every gift. The result is whimsical and imaginative, balancing humor and chaos in equal measure. From wine-drinking, cigarette-smoking French hens to phone-obsessed calling birds, the book turns the traditional song into a playful, if slightly chaotic, adventure.

As an adult reader, I initially found the story charming. However, Taylor’s materialism quickly became grating, and Travis’s extravagance, despite clear hints at his financial limits, felt frustrating. Both characters lacked depth and warmth, which made it difficult to root for them.

I also wasn’t fond of the scenes involving smoking and drinking, both in text and illustration. While children may encounter these habits in the real world, it feels inappropriate to glamorize them in a book aimed at ages 4–8. When television has largely removed such depictions from children’s programming, they don’t belong in a picture book either.

From a child’s perspective, though, the book has definite appeal. The humor will likely land well, and the illustrations, painted with loose brushstrokes and a blurred, dreamlike quality, are sure to catch young eyes. I did notice, however, that the later verses of the story felt less detailed than the earlier ones, as though the pace rushed toward the end.

I genuinely enjoyed the premise of The Real 12 Days of Christmas. The concept of expanding on such a beloved song is clever and full of potential. However, the story loses some of its sparkle towards the end. The twist only clicked for me on a second read, and while it made me smile, it lacked impact.

All in all, I would rate this book 3 out of 5 stars. It’s a fun, festive read that children will enjoy during the holiday season — even if parents may wince at a few questionable choices. I can easily see it being read aloud several times each Christmas, though probably with a few edits from cautious adults.

Quick Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ / G Rated

Have your say: Based on the review, is this a title you are likely to consider as an addition to your setting? Why or why not? The Papergirl Community looks forward to reading your responses in the comments below.

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