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jaedyn's review
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
I was super excited for this sapphic holiday romance however it quickly turned into a super long-winded series of events stretched out by both FMCs partaking in back and forth on-page therapy sessions. Last I checked, I wasn’t a councillor
Also, to indulge my superficial side, tell me WHY Noelle slowly turned into Johnny Bravo as the story went on?? In what world does romantic gesture and a pomp go hand in hand?!! Not mine, that’s for sure
On the positive side, though, I really enjoyed Miriam’s character. Bar the tell don’t show nature of her trauma dumping, her character was super interesting and her family arc was 10/10 wholesome. I could have read a whole book about her reuniting with her family (which I basically did because I was not there for the chemistry-less romance).
Unfortunately, the cliff hanger epilogue was probably the most interesting part of the book, but that’s probably because of the very blatant hints throughout the rest of the story. However, I won’t be picking it up unless I come across the book by happenstance.
While I wouldn’t recommend this book, I do think we need more queer, Jewish and fat character rep and was please, albeit for only a short while, to find a book where some people may find comfort!
Also, to indulge my superficial side, tell me WHY Noelle slowly turned into Johnny Bravo as the story went on?? In what world does romantic gesture and a pomp go hand in hand?!! Not mine, that’s for sure
On the positive side, though, I really enjoyed Miriam’s character. Bar the tell don’t show nature of her trauma dumping, her character was super interesting and her family arc was 10/10 wholesome. I could have read a whole book about her reuniting with her family (which I basically did because I was not there for the chemistry-less romance).
Unfortunately, the cliff hanger epilogue was probably the most interesting part of the book, but that’s probably because of the very blatant hints throughout the rest of the story. However, I won’t be picking it up unless I come across the book by happenstance.
While I wouldn’t recommend this book, I do think we need more queer, Jewish and fat character rep and was please, albeit for only a short while, to find a book where some people may find comfort!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Alcohol
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
therainbowshelf's review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Two women brought together by grief become instant enemies & hate-work together to save the tree farm their departed loved one left behind. A charming fall/winter enemies to lovers holiday romance. I enjoyed the characters and how they worked through their respective trauma. I wish the dad had been a character and not just a boogie man, and that we got more of the tree farm flavor than the small glimpse.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Alcoholism
Toxic parent, narcissistsarahthescrivnr's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
Moderate: Child abuse and Emotional abuse
Minor: Alcoholism and Death of parent
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
softstuff513's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
relaxing
fast-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
2.5
The readers voices annoyed me, and the main character annoyed me. I did like how Jewish it was. You don’t see that often. And cass reminded me of my great aunt…. Also ended on a really random cliffhanger? (Not a spoiler because the cliffhanger is unrelated to the rest of the story) Is there supposed to be a sequel? The pacing was really weird… felt like it rushed through some parts, and characters kept popping up it was hard to track if they were there the whole time or are flying in and out of state…???
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Grief, Death of parent, and Abandonment
lisacanteven's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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
5.0
Wow this book. I was expecting a light and airy holiday romance. I'm not big on Christmas, so the Jewish rep meant I would get a holiday romance without Christmas. I did definitely love that it actually spans from Halloween to January. I don't enjoy any fall and winter holidays, but I do love the seasons so this was the perfect story.
I immediately fell in love with all the characters. They are so deep yet so lovable. I want to know all their stories. And hopefully I will get to. I really felt like Miriam's character was take so much from my own experience. When you have made someone feel like a character was written for them, you have succeeded. In this case, Helena did this with Miriam for me. The issues Miriam had with her mom were completely different than mine, yet the consequences were very similar. Thank you, Helena.
Please read this book for such a real yet gentle and beautiful look into adults coping in the best ways they know how. Things can get messy, but they can be fixed with some healthy communication. I think this book does a great job of demonstrating how we can have respect and leave room for people's traumas, but we can still expect them to grow. I just loved this book.
I immediately picked up the next book, For Never & Always, because the ending was perfect. The build-up to the next two characters' stories was so good. I am in a chokehold for their book.
I immediately fell in love with all the characters. They are so deep yet so lovable. I want to know all their stories. And hopefully I will get to. I really felt like Miriam's character was take so much from my own experience. When you have made someone feel like a character was written for them, you have succeeded. In this case, Helena did this with Miriam for me. The issues Miriam had with her mom were completely different than mine, yet the consequences were very similar. Thank you, Helena.
Please read this book for such a real yet gentle and beautiful look into adults coping in the best ways they know how. Things can get messy, but they can be fixed with some healthy communication. I think this book does a great job of demonstrating how we can have respect and leave room for people's traumas, but we can still expect them to grow. I just loved this book.
I immediately picked up the next book, For Never & Always, because the ending was perfect. The build-up to the next two characters' stories was so good. I am in a chokehold for their book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Grief, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
overthinkereading's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
“…real things were always harder but that a real life was always better lived.”
This is fundamentally a book about grief, trauma, resilience and healing, wrapped in a sapphic holiday romance-Jewish-“Will they save the farm?!” bow. The trimmings made the book interesting and heartwarming, but truly what will make or break a person’s feelings about this book will be whether they find the characters relatable and can invest in their story of recovery and hope.
CW: family of origin trauma, financial abuse, parental death (off page), grief, alcoholism.
This is fundamentally a book about grief, trauma, resilience and healing, wrapped in a sapphic holiday romance-Jewish-“Will they save the farm?!” bow. The trimmings made the book interesting and heartwarming, but truly what will make or break a person’s feelings about this book will be whether they find the characters relatable and can invest in their story of recovery and hope.
CW: family of origin trauma, financial abuse, parental death (off page), grief, alcoholism.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Biphobia
eemcnall's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Death of parent