A new and exciting advent calendar trend is captivating parents and children alike, moving away from traditional chocolate or beauty calendars. Supermarket giant ASDA has emerged as a key player in popularizing this festive shift with their innovative book advent calendar, which offers a reusable and engaging way to count down to Christmas.

Central to this trend is ''A Heart for Christmas: An Advent Novel,'' a romance novel designed for teenagers aged 14 and older. Priced at £10 at ASDA and Amazon, and £20 at Waterstones, the book has garnered impressive five-star ratings online. Its concept mirrors that of a classic advent calendar: readers open one sealed, perforated chapter each day, embarking on a festive romance journey until Christmas.

Written by Sophie Jomain, the novel is described as a slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers romance. Beyond its narrative, the book boasts stunning gilt edges, full-color artwork, and a ribbon marker, making it an ideal pre-Christmas gift for fans of authors like Lynn Painter, Rachel Cohn, and David Levithan. The unique format ensures each of the twenty-four chapters is a daily reveal.

The story follows eighteen-year-old April, who heads to the picturesque foothills of Mont Blanc in the Alps for her first Christmas at her father’s chalet. Two years after a heart operation, April is determined to embrace life and experience the world she feels she's been missing. Her journey takes an unexpected turn when she meets Augustin, her best friend's older brother and her skiing instructor. What begins as an acquaintance transforms as Augustin encourages her to take risks, leading April's heart to truly heal and perhaps even find a Christmas miracle.

''A Heart for Christmas'' has achieved significant success, becoming a sell-out bestseller in Europe. Its popularity has also surged online, particularly on TikTok, where one fan, Libbie May Fitzpatrick (@libbiemayfitzpatrick), shared her excitement. Her video, posted in September, rapidly accumulated close to 670,000 views, sparking widespread enthusiasm and discussion among users.

The book advent calendar concept has been met with overwhelmingly positive reactions from shoppers. Many express a preference for this engaging reading experience over traditional chocolate calendars, highlighting its charm and novelty. While ''A Heart for Christmas'' caters to teenagers, it is noted that a similar book advent calendar for younger children is also available, inviting parents to check their local stores for the kids' version.