papercranestitches's review
3.0
The one thing that I will always say for Heidi Cullinan is that she writes complex characters and relationships that you see rarely - if ever - on the pages of a typical romance novel. They're usually intriguing, but sometimes difficult to relate to.
I think that was my case with this novel. I liked the story overall (and the naughty bits particularly) but the way that both of these characters were managed by every damn person in their lives seemed like they would be fucking exhausting as real human beings. Maybe that makes me a terrible person, but I'll own it.
I think that was my case with this novel. I liked the story overall (and the naughty bits particularly) but the way that both of these characters were managed by every damn person in their lives seemed like they would be fucking exhausting as real human beings. Maybe that makes me a terrible person, but I'll own it.
cadiva's review
4.0
3.5*
One thing I can guarantee getting from Heidi Cullinan is a story with a twist and this one was no different.
Not a traditional Christmas romance in any shape or form but very much a tale of connections and emotions and love nevertheless.
Set in the delightful Logan, home to her Minnesota Christmas series, this is the first spin off and it retains much of the wonderful heart and soul of that community feel.
There are appearances from all the Logan couples/triads as this story focusses on Dale's on going creation of Christmas Town but it centres on two quite radically different main characters.
Both are atypical, one on the spectrum, one with chronic anxiety, but together they just work. This book is also kinky, not always to my tastes as humiliation BDSM doesn't really work for me. But here it is completely in keeping with the narrative and never feels out of place.
I don't think this one will be for everyone, but I enjoyed it.
#ARC received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
One thing I can guarantee getting from Heidi Cullinan is a story with a twist and this one was no different.
Not a traditional Christmas romance in any shape or form but very much a tale of connections and emotions and love nevertheless.
Set in the delightful Logan, home to her Minnesota Christmas series, this is the first spin off and it retains much of the wonderful heart and soul of that community feel.
There are appearances from all the Logan couples/triads as this story focusses on Dale's on going creation of Christmas Town but it centres on two quite radically different main characters.
Both are atypical, one on the spectrum, one with chronic anxiety, but together they just work. This book is also kinky, not always to my tastes as humiliation BDSM doesn't really work for me. But here it is completely in keeping with the narrative and never feels out of place.
I don't think this one will be for everyone, but I enjoyed it.
#ARC received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
emilyrpf's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
4.25
emmyscribe's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
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
4.75
regencyfan93's review
5.0
I have a hard time rating books by Heidi Cullinan. I have such high expectations now, that a book which I don't like as much as the others, is still better than most of what I read by anyone else. For a Heidi book, I would rate this 4 stars, but compared to the rest of the world, it gets 5.
The characters are all individuals, not cardboard. Several people are caretakers to either Evan or Terry. I can see that happening in real life. Evan has Charlotte, Terry has Levi, and Dale watches out for everyone.
I enjoyed Evan and his ways. He is aware of and honest about what he needs.
The characters are all individuals, not cardboard. Several people are caretakers to either Evan or Terry. I can see that happening in real life. Evan has Charlotte, Terry has Levi, and Dale watches out for everyone.
I enjoyed Evan and his ways. He is aware of and honest about what he needs.
queen_a's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
theficster's review against another edition
5.0
This book is just too cute I takes us back to Christmas Town, which I loved, and this one was fun.
cadiva's review against another edition
4.0
3.5*
One thing I can guarantee getting from Heidi Cullinan is a story with a twist and this one was no different.
Not a traditional Christmas romance in any shape or form but very much a tale of connections and emotions and love nevertheless.
Set in the delightful Logan, home to her Minnesota Christmas series, this is the first spin off and it retains much of the wonderful heart and soul of that community feel.
There are appearances from all the Logan couples/triads as this story focusses on Dale's on going creation of Christmas Town but it centres on two quite radically different main characters.
Both are atypical, one on the spectrum, one with chronic anxiety, but together they just work. This book is also kinky, not always to my tastes as humiliation BDSM doesn't really work for me. But here it is completely in keeping with the narrative and never feels out of place.
I don't think this one will be for everyone, but I enjoyed it.
#ARC received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
One thing I can guarantee getting from Heidi Cullinan is a story with a twist and this one was no different.
Not a traditional Christmas romance in any shape or form but very much a tale of connections and emotions and love nevertheless.
Set in the delightful Logan, home to her Minnesota Christmas series, this is the first spin off and it retains much of the wonderful heart and soul of that community feel.
There are appearances from all the Logan couples/triads as this story focusses on Dale's on going creation of Christmas Town but it centres on two quite radically different main characters.
Both are atypical, one on the spectrum, one with chronic anxiety, but together they just work. This book is also kinky, not always to my tastes as humiliation BDSM doesn't really work for me. But here it is completely in keeping with the narrative and never feels out of place.
I don't think this one will be for everyone, but I enjoyed it.
#ARC received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
relly's review
3.0
Was wishing for more
3.25 stars 🌟
I’m a big fan of the Minnesota Christmas series which this is a spin off, so I think I was expecting more from this one.
Both Evan and Terry had their own set of issues and this to me made it hard to connect with either character. Evan’s issues were easier for me to pick out and understand, so I had more sympathy for his feelings. It was great seeing the characters from the previous series befriend him and stick up for him, and with each new friend he made and as he became more independent I cheered for him.
But with Terry, as someone who has never suffered from or had friends or family who suffered from what he suffered with, it was hard for me to understand and sympathise with him. The miscommunication went on for a long time and the further it kept going on the less sympathy I had for Terry. When it was explained what was going on I understood better, it was nearly too late at that point, also I thought tat a lot of work was put into getting to that point, but then the recovery and rebuilding was kind of rushed through
I’ll still read the next one next year
3.25 stars 🌟
I’m a big fan of the Minnesota Christmas series which this is a spin off, so I think I was expecting more from this one.
Both Evan and Terry had their own set of issues and this to me made it hard to connect with either character. Evan’s issues were easier for me to pick out and understand, so I had more sympathy for his feelings. It was great seeing the characters from the previous series befriend him and stick up for him, and with each new friend he made and as he became more independent I cheered for him.
But with Terry, as someone who has never suffered from or had friends or family who suffered from what he suffered with, it was hard for me to understand and sympathise with him. The miscommunication went on for a long time and the further it kept going on the less sympathy I had for Terry. When it was explained what was going on I understood better, it was nearly too late at that point, also I thought tat a lot of work was put into getting to that point, but then the recovery and rebuilding was kind of rushed through
I’ll still read the next one next year