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amberinpieces's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
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: Alcoholism, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Alcohol
Minor: Biphobia, Death, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Antisemitism, Death of parent, and Classism
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
betweentheshelves's review
emotional
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
3.5
My final holiday read of 2023! This was sort of a Jewish-Christmas mash-up, as a lot of the characters are Jewish but they are trying to save Carrigan's Christmasland. The premise was fun, the characters were pretty well rounded for the most part, and it had some excellent holiday vibes.
I do think the book itself was slightly longer than it needed to be. Part of that was because of how much time takes place, I think. It just felt a little drawn out. But I did enjoy the romance! It felt realistic to me.
If you do pick this up, be warned there are some pretty heavy themes of grief and dealing with past traumas from abuse. It's still a rom-com, but definitely with some heavier themes.
I do think the book itself was slightly longer than it needed to be. Part of that was because of how much time takes place, I think. It just felt a little drawn out. But I did enjoy the romance! It felt realistic to me.
If you do pick this up, be warned there are some pretty heavy themes of grief and dealing with past traumas from abuse. It's still a rom-com, but definitely with some heavier themes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, and Grief
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, and Death of parent
Minor: Sexual content and Antisemitism
caseythereader's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
4.5
- SEASON OF LOVE is the rom-traum-com of your dreams. I loved the unpacking of years of family history, the self-discovery, and the tenderness with which it was all treated.
- Not to mention, we hardly ever see traditionally published sapphic romances featuring fat and/or butch characters, so this was a real treat.
- Honestly, SEASON OF LOVE is just a perfect example of what romance can do - explore hard experiences and topics with a gentle hand, and show the characters and the readers that everyone deserves more and better for themselves.
- Not to mention, we hardly ever see traditionally published sapphic romances featuring fat and/or butch characters, so this was a real treat.
- Honestly, SEASON OF LOVE is just a perfect example of what romance can do - explore hard experiences and topics with a gentle hand, and show the characters and the readers that everyone deserves more and better for themselves.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Abandonment
Moderate: Alcoholism and Death of parent
Minor: Sexual content and Antisemitism
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
shelvesofivy's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Grief
Moderate: Alcoholism, Biphobia, and Sexual content
Minor: Child abuse, Death, and Antisemitism
readingqueerly's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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
4.5
My first and probably my only holiday book that I'll read for this year. But I'm so incredibly happy that I read this one as my only one. This book was really a great read. While being a light-hearted holiday romcom, it somehow als managed to being up quite some big and scary topics involving trauma and grief. But also healing from that and learning to trust again and feeling your feelings. So much was packed into these 360 pages and yet it was all so well balanced. The heavy topics were given enough weight and words to feel important, but the lighter scenes provided great respite and fuzzy feelings.
On top of all this, there was so much representation: a bi and Jewish MC (who actively practices on page with her family), her butch and (implied) plus size love interest, a healthy and close yet completely platonic relationship between a man and woman, multiple queer and POC background characters, and probably a bunch more I forgot.
If you're looking for a nice holiday read this last December week, I do recommend.
On top of all this, there was so much representation: a bi and Jewish MC (who actively practices on page with her family), her butch and (implied) plus size love interest, a healthy and close yet completely platonic relationship between a man and woman, multiple queer and POC background characters, and probably a bunch more I forgot.
If you're looking for a nice holiday read this last December week, I do recommend.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Grief
Minor: Biphobia and Antisemitism
penandpages's review against another edition
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse
Moderate: Death and Grief
Minor: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Homophobia, Sexual content, and Antisemitism
pancake_reads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
tense
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse
Minor: Antisemitism
emily_mh's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
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
This is first and foremost a Christmassy romance, so I first want to focus my review on how well this book carries that out. In terms of Christmassy-ness, it does so IMMACULATELY. This story is a never-ending mug of Christmas warmth. It completely transported me away from where I read it in a spring heatwave. There are reindeer, iceskating, sleigh rides, Christmas markets, tree decorating, a cosy inn, a cute wintry village, a Christmas tree farm, mouth-watering food, a giant (magical) cat, fireplaces, library nooks... it had it ALL. But Miriam's (one of the two MCs) Jewish identity is never lost amongst this which I also loved - most of the side characters are also Jewish! In terms of romance, this book is divine. Miriam and Noelle had such palpable chemistry, but the way they grew to love each other on a deeper level was perfection. They had so many deep, vulnerable, and confronting conversations and faced so many complex challenges together. You could just SEE how well they worked as a couple, and how much they cared for one another. As a side note, the love GENERALLY depicted in this book is top tier. It positively drips with love and found family. There's parental love, familial love, romantic love (of course), and SO MUCH INCREDIBLE platonic love. Seriously, there's a platonic love quote in this book that brought me to tears because it's the most beautiful thing someone has ever said to another person, ever.
So, this book has already utterly nailed what it set out to do. Yet on top of all that, it had so much unexpected depth. Miriam and Noelle are both working through some really difficult and traumatic experiences. The fact that they grew as individuals, not only together, brought so much to this book and made it more than a Christmassy romance, but without in any way reducing the lighthearted, relaxing, Chrissmasy and romantic atmosphere. I also loved the show of womanhood! Women and their bonds with one another are front and centre. It reminded me of all the good stuff women point out about being a woman under that TikTok sound "How I love being a woman!" There was just so much softness and devotion, but in no way did it ignore the difficult parts of relationships.
So it's safe to say that I loved this book to its core! I am absolutely stoked this is going to be a series and I will be able to see other characters' love stories!
So, this book has already utterly nailed what it set out to do. Yet on top of all that, it had so much unexpected depth. Miriam and Noelle are both working through some really difficult and traumatic experiences. The fact that they grew as individuals, not only together, brought so much to this book and made it more than a Christmassy romance, but without in any way reducing the lighthearted, relaxing, Chrissmasy and romantic atmosphere. I also loved the show of womanhood! Women and their bonds with one another are front and centre. It reminded me of all the good stuff women point out about being a woman under that TikTok sound "How I love being a woman!" There was just so much softness and devotion, but in no way did it ignore the difficult parts of relationships.
So it's safe to say that I loved this book to its core! I am absolutely stoked this is going to be a series and I will be able to see other characters' love stories!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Gaslighting
Minor: Ableism, Biphobia, Chronic illness, Drug use, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Sexual content, Slavery, Blood, Vomit, Antisemitism, Medical content, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: loss of a loved one, family estrangement, financial abuse Minor: self-injury, divorce, climate change