thereadingchallengechallenge's review
emotional
funny
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
3.0
A different take on the holiday romance with lively characters who go on pretty fascinating emotional journeys through the course of the novel. I didn't like Truman's storyline as much as Greta's but I still had fun.
jpwebbs's review
4.0
This book was everything our society needs.
Greta and Truman are both extremely unhappy with their lives. Truman is unable to make decisions for himself and is coming off of a bad breakup in New Orleans, and Greta is 'alone' on an island in Maine. With the help of a mutual friend, they switch places.
The most magnificent aspect of this book in my opinion is the representation of queer characters. Greta is a lesbian and New Orleans opens her mind and her heart, while Truman, also gay, finds himself in Maine.
Parrish doesn't brush over the relationships either, the characters respect each other's pronouns, you learn about the emotional journey many of the characters have had with family and friends, and the reader gets a glimpse into what it's like to be queer in a society that doesn't understand, or sometimes doesn't want to understand.
There are plenty of spicy hetero stories out there, but this time, we get super spicy lesbian scenes, as well as spicy scenes with Truman and his love interest.
This won't be everyone's cup of tea, but Parrish includes many important messages within her novel. Love is love, respecting others' boundaries, family is who you decide it is, making decisions for yourself is not selfish, etc. Society and people may tell you otherwise but at the end of the day, you get to decide how you will live your life and it's absolutely NOT selfish.
Thank you to Netgalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for my eArc in exchange for an honest review.
The Holiday Trap releases on September 6, 2022!
I will post on Instagram on 8/8/2022 at www.instagram.com/jourdanawebber
Greta and Truman are both extremely unhappy with their lives. Truman is unable to make decisions for himself and is coming off of a bad breakup in New Orleans, and Greta is 'alone' on an island in Maine. With the help of a mutual friend, they switch places.
The most magnificent aspect of this book in my opinion is the representation of queer characters. Greta is a lesbian and New Orleans opens her mind and her heart, while Truman, also gay, finds himself in Maine.
Parrish doesn't brush over the relationships either, the characters respect each other's pronouns, you learn about the emotional journey many of the characters have had with family and friends, and the reader gets a glimpse into what it's like to be queer in a society that doesn't understand, or sometimes doesn't want to understand.
There are plenty of spicy hetero stories out there, but this time, we get super spicy lesbian scenes, as well as spicy scenes with Truman and his love interest.
This won't be everyone's cup of tea, but Parrish includes many important messages within her novel. Love is love, respecting others' boundaries, family is who you decide it is, making decisions for yourself is not selfish, etc. Society and people may tell you otherwise but at the end of the day, you get to decide how you will live your life and it's absolutely NOT selfish.
Thank you to Netgalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for my eArc in exchange for an honest review.
The Holiday Trap releases on September 6, 2022!
I will post on Instagram on 8/8/2022 at www.instagram.com/jourdanawebber
hatcubed's review
lighthearted
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Enjoyable read! I liked Truman's character. I did feel that the characters acted inconsistently at times, and it was odd to me that all of the main characters were white despite half of the book taking place in New Orleans.
jeyjey's review against another edition
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
3.5
vmalloy's review
hopeful
inspiring
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
Spoiler
Loved the book. Loved the characters. I felt like the Truman/Ash story was less developed and less earned than the Carys/Greta story.pannamarchewka's review
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
anerirecommendary's review
5.0
I just really enjoyed it. It was everything you want a good romcom to be. I laughed I cried I learned about myself I had a blast
anniekayefic's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
I’ve never read this author before and thoroughly enjoyed it. There are parallel storylines here, intersecting here and there but largely distinct. One is MM, the other FF. Dual narrators made it especially enjoyable as they each characterized their character groups so well. The whole thing was pretty delicious.