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lady_valhella's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Miriam is a mess, Noel is a toxic. Both have scars from their pasts but Noel is so high up on that horse that she seems to think only her past trauma is legit and all other past traumas can be managed if you just try harder. Tara is the only worth while character in this whole scenario and Miriam does her dirty more than once and Tara has the grace to forgive this woman.
That is just my issue with main stream character and the love triangle.
That is just my issue with main stream character and the love triangle.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, and Cultural appropriation
There are so many other things I disliked about the story and the writing. I just can’t for the life of me understand why Miriam and Noel are into each other and recognize that even with therapy they are bad news for each other. Noel is emotionally abusive IMO. And I am all for WLW but Miriam should have ended up with Cole, especially since Cole and Hannah were never shipped, total missed opportunity there. I am not Bi and cannot speak to what that feels like but I am clutching my pearls at the fact that Miriam is supposedly bi but is only into women unless Timothy Oliphant showed up at her door. I mean Cole is all the things she needs in a partner and I am upset that I have to read a queer book and advocate for the hetro style ship here. Why Tara was ever slightly interested in Miriam is beyond me. And I have never in all my years of reading ever heard an author describe a character as Fat unless, MAYBE, they were describing an undesirable character.moonyreadsbystarlight's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was a neat holiday romance. There was more emotional depth around the events that are described in the blurb than I thought there might be, which was a nice surprise. There was a realistic amount of mess and grieving as well as discussion of trauma. I really loved that other friendships and community were also a big part of the book, not just minor characters shoehorned in.
I liked so much about this, but there were parts of the writing that just weren't for me. I can't describe it much without spoilers or just talking for longer than a book review should be. Even still, it was a good read!
And for those who care, the spicy scenes are fade to black. So, while there's plenty of lusting, this may be good for folks who aren't super into heavy sex scenes.
I liked so much about this, but there were parts of the writing that just weren't for me. I can't describe it much without spoilers or just talking for longer than a book review should be. Even still, it was a good read!
And for those who care, the spicy scenes are fade to black. So, while there's plenty of lusting, this may be good for folks who aren't super into heavy sex scenes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death, Emotional abuse, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Moderate: Alcoholism and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Drug use, Fatphobia, and Antisemitism
theespressoedition's review against another edition
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Grief
Moderate: Alcoholism
Minor: Sexual content
miap09's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
warlocksarecool21's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Overall, I liked what this book was trying to do, but I don’t think it was executed that well. The strongest part for me was Miriam’s starting to heal from her trauma and the idea of a family coming together in their grief to save something they love. I appreciated seeing the complexities of their family dynamic and also the celebration of Jewish culture and traditions. The characters were strong, I liked Miriam and a lot of the side characters but I struggled a lot with Noelle. My main issue was that I felt that neither Noelle or Miriam were ready for a relationship. They had a lot of shit to work through and both need to go to therapy before getting together. (I know at the end they planned to go to therapy but it kind of felt like their love fixed everything instead of actually working through their issues). I appreciated the attempt of the story’s message that even if you experience trauma that you still can hurt people and need to be held accountable but how it went about that was really frustrating to me. I thought Noelle was really hard on Miriam (and projected a lot of insecurities on her) and that it wasn’t her place to get involved with Miriam’s relationship with her family. Their relationship was really frustrating to me in that aspect. I kind of didn’t like Noelle for a lot of the book bc of how she made her flaws and insecurities other people’s problems and it made me uncomfortable due to similarities to someone close to me that I won’t delve into here. I think there was a way to healthily incorporate a relationship into this book but what we got caused a lot of unnecessary angst and frustration for me. The ending for Miriam and Noelle was sweet but I wasn’t entirely sold on their relationship. That aspect of the book wasn’t for me but maybe others will like the messiness of it. I also struggled with the pacing and length as well. The beginning took so long to set up and by the end of the second part I was ready for it to be over.
Definitely read for the exploration of trauma, grief and healing but the relationship isn’t stereotypically fluffy like you’d expect. I might pick up any sequels if they follow the other characters because some of them were really interesting and hopefully I’ll like them more.
Definitely read for the exploration of trauma, grief and healing but the relationship isn’t stereotypically fluffy like you’d expect. I might pick up any sequels if they follow the other characters because some of them were really interesting and hopefully I’ll like them more.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Death, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, and Grief
Minor: Cursing, Sexual content, Death of parent, and Abandonment
megj23's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Child abuse, Toxic relationship, and Abandonment
Moderate: Alcoholism
Minor: Biphobia and Death of parent
bryelle's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This book was a sapphic hallmark like holiday love story. There were parts I didn’t love the dialogue because it felt forced. But it was cute.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Toxic relationship
thebookpaiges's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Antisemitism, Grief, and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Religious bigotry
franklola's review against another edition
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Grief
Minor: Alcoholism and Death
rorikae's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Seasons of Love by Helena Greer is a cute holiday romance about a Jewish woman who inherits her great aunt's Christmas themed inn and one of the women who works at this inn.
Miriam Blum hasn't been home to Carrigan's for 10 years, ever since a particular incident with her abusive father caused her to push her entire family away. This included her great aunt Cass, one of the most important people in her life and who's Christmas themed inn she'd visited yearly since a child. When Cass suddenly passes away, Miriam is called back to Carrigan's, where she has to face the family she has been avoiding. While there she meets Noelle Northwood, who works at Carrigan's tending the Christmas trees. Struggling with their grief, feelings of abandonment, and familial trauma, the two begin to feel something for each other while also working to save the inn that brought them together.
Seasons of Love is an extremely cute Sapphic romance steeped in its two characters strong personalities. Miriam is an artist trying to find her footing while Noelle is dealing with a family that left her long ago. Greer does a great job of exploring both women's personal histories while they also come to know each other better. The story is full of fun and also complex characters, a wonderful Christmas inn that I want to stay at, and so much heart that it's oozing from the seams. If you're looking for a holiday romance, I highly recommend this one. I will note that it is a closed door romance, which was the only thing that left me disappointed about the entire book. I can't wait for the series that this kicks off as this story does a good job of setting up the next couple that will be followed. I can't wait to read more of Greer's books as she is clearly a wonderful writer who creates fun, poignant stories.
Miriam Blum hasn't been home to Carrigan's for 10 years, ever since a particular incident with her abusive father caused her to push her entire family away. This included her great aunt Cass, one of the most important people in her life and who's Christmas themed inn she'd visited yearly since a child. When Cass suddenly passes away, Miriam is called back to Carrigan's, where she has to face the family she has been avoiding. While there she meets Noelle Northwood, who works at Carrigan's tending the Christmas trees. Struggling with their grief, feelings of abandonment, and familial trauma, the two begin to feel something for each other while also working to save the inn that brought them together.
Seasons of Love is an extremely cute Sapphic romance steeped in its two characters strong personalities. Miriam is an artist trying to find her footing while Noelle is dealing with a family that left her long ago. Greer does a great job of exploring both women's personal histories while they also come to know each other better. The story is full of fun and also complex characters, a wonderful Christmas inn that I want to stay at, and so much heart that it's oozing from the seams. If you're looking for a holiday romance, I highly recommend this one. I will note that it is a closed door romance, which was the only thing that left me disappointed about the entire book. I can't wait for the series that this kicks off as this story does a good job of setting up the next couple that will be followed. I can't wait to read more of Greer's books as she is clearly a wonderful writer who creates fun, poignant stories.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Grief, and Abandonment
Moderate: Death of parent