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gwenswoons's review
lighthearted
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
This was ok, I feel like it was nice to finish off the Christmas Notch series but oof did it feel like it went on too long for me. I actually oddly loved these main characters and enjoyed the setting and their backstories and the way the novel deals with grief, but it felt too long and both so ordinary and so exasperating in the conflicts. So much total lack of self-awareness, such consistently bad communication! Maybe I am aging out of this genre or maybe I need to just wait for Annabel Monaghan’s books to satisfy conflict and obstacles that are adult and not just like “well, too bad these people are both way too self-absorbed and not in therapy so the book has to go on for another 200 pages.” Oddly I liked the MCs maybe even more than the other CN books but it just felt endless. I love Julie Murphy’s/Sierra Simone’s sex writing and the returns of lots of familiar characters and story lines, but I guess I’m hoping this (plus the tiny digital bonus they published after it) is the end of the road for this universe, because I am clearly in that terrible completionist mindset for this story world and I NEED TO STOP bc I’m done. Finally, I would like to catalog yet another objection to these random bookends with totally separate characters/love stories — I complained in my last review about this I’m almost sure — I can only hope it means there’s one fewer book coming but jfc you can’t just have a first and last chapter with randos who we know but whose story it is NOT?? What is going on??? Scrolling back up to lower my star rating rn after this rant, thank you very much.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
justnicoleco's review against another edition
funny
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? It's complicated
4.25
This is the third book in the Christmas Notch series. These books are always lighthearted reads. I don't know how they do that as these books touch on series topics; body shaming, body positivity, grief, the porn industry, love, and loss. While the characters are not racially diverse there is body and age diversity in all the characters. Overall a great read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Okay, all these books fall under the category of "smut". So if you don't like detailed sex scenes, then pass on this book.taliaalongi's review against another edition
emotional
funny
fast-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: Sexual content, Grief, and Death of parent
claireafterall's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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
Graphic: Sexual content and Grief
Moderate: Cancer, Death, Terminal illness, and Death of parent
Minor: Fatphobia, Car accident, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
aglimpseinto's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
sunshinekmp's review against another edition
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
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Cancer, Death, Car accident, and Alcohol
Minor: Cursing, Fatphobia, Pregnancy, and Classism
poplinpeony's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-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
2.5
Queer, Christmassy and extremely spicy
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
readingonfordearlife's review against another edition
funny
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
kyrstin_p1989's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-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
This duo always knocks a book out of the park. Equally parts hilarious and touching, I loved this sexy little Christmas rom-com. Sunny and Isaac are fabulous characters — who can dislike a sad boy and a sassy girl?!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body shaming, Death, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Classism