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mushmysteriesandmore's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
sooz_767's review against another edition
4.0
I've just finished this on Christmas morning and it was perfect timing! Now I'm all happy and warm and feeling so festive!
This follows Poppy whose boyfriend sort of proposes 12 days before Christmas then goes to Spain to visit his mother leaving her to decide. Back at home Poppy has dreamt of setting up her own catering company and receives an offer she can't refuse to cook for a family at a log cabin over Christmas.
This is just a wonderful story about friendship, relationships, Christmas and warmth. I was expecting this to be completely surface level and fluffy (and wouldn't have been mad at it!) but it actually had a little depth to be interesting. A nice surprise!
Yes it's completely cheesey at times but it's a festive romance so of course it will be!
This follows Poppy whose boyfriend sort of proposes 12 days before Christmas then goes to Spain to visit his mother leaving her to decide. Back at home Poppy has dreamt of setting up her own catering company and receives an offer she can't refuse to cook for a family at a log cabin over Christmas.
This is just a wonderful story about friendship, relationships, Christmas and warmth. I was expecting this to be completely surface level and fluffy (and wouldn't have been mad at it!) but it actually had a little depth to be interesting. A nice surprise!
Yes it's completely cheesey at times but it's a festive romance so of course it will be!
syzygi's review against another edition
3.0
Not really sure how I feel about it anymore, was a while ago I read it, but I do remember that it was fairly cliched and an easy read.
cabbagecakes's review
emotional
funny
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
snorthington's review against another edition
3.0
What a perfect book to cuddle up with as the snow swirls outside and the twinkle lights decorating the house shine!
I really enjoyed this book about relationships, family, finding your passion and courage, and celebrating the holiday season. The family and friendship relationships all felt real, and though the ending is full of happiness, the book wasn't overly sweet.
I received a digital ARC of this book through the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for my review.
I really enjoyed this book about relationships, family, finding your passion and courage, and celebrating the holiday season. The family and friendship relationships all felt real, and though the ending is full of happiness, the book wasn't overly sweet.
I received a digital ARC of this book through the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for my review.
chelseamayxxx's review
emotional
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
4.0
It’s a slowly burner up to chapter 13 but after chapter 13 it gets more interesting and more joy able to read. Something I wouldn’t normally ready but I would definitely recommend this book and I will read it again in the future
_fallinglight_'s review against another edition
2.0
Read this bc I wanted a Christmas themed book and something that took me out of my comfort zone to challenge my tastes (I'm also kinda aro so that adds to the challenge) so I chose this food Christmas romance. And I have realized these things are not for me. I have sadly developed an aversion to first person present tense books so this was one thing already working against it for me. I really couldn't get in the mc's skin and I was really attacked with sudden urges to abandon this book. There were moments I really loathed Poppy.
I don't like the premise of people already in committed relationships suddenly thirsting over some random and then justifying the other person's behavior for their almost cheating or cheating flat out. I don't care that Harrison Ford (snort really?) turned out being a selfish, self-absorbed probability weirdo. Of course the boyfriend had to be a humongous jerk and rando A Prince Charming™️. And yet I'm also mad it wasn't Poppy who dumped him first! But then how else would you clearly side with Jed who is just a piece of hunk meat and say “yeah he's Mr. Righttttt *heart eyes*”. Also about the “romance” am I really to believe this is how attraction works??? Ok then maybe (I haven't ever been in a relationship guys, maybe that explains everything, but I digress) but why should EYE be into this dude I don't know anything about him and if he's “emotionally” smarter than Harrison I really don't GAF bc Jed Turner isn't an actual person, I mean, what else makes him human????? This woman went through developing everyone's character (sorta) except the love interest! It's just literally physical attraction and some hints of his personality and then crickets.
For the most part I didn't care about anything that happened here. And I'm questioning the need for the abandonment/daddy issues in this story... was it really necessary??? Maybe, I guess to explain why Poppy somehow didn't see Harrison's prick ways but damn did it make her so SO insufferable! Also I absolutely hated how Poppy was suspicious and judging Mark of possibly cheating on her best friend (Erin is the only character I liked by the way; she really is sweet and great best friend) and there was no self-awareness, not even ironically, that she was doing the same thing she was putting on him! And then there's the Clemmy and Ryan thing and OMFG how I HATE that trope that the person A has this one sided crush for years and they're made as the right choice bc they're so kinda and sweet and devoted and only they deserve the person they're “in love with” and all that ENTITLES them to be corresponded bc reasons and then conflict happens and the other person B is practically pushed to admit that yeah they love person A too i.e., Clemmy and Ryan. Hate it! Please let that trope die. But as unbelievable and contradictory as it might be, I didn't hate the actual ending as I thought I would, but I'm always easily touched by endings which might be bc I'm getting a thrill for finishing the book and not giving up.
Anyway, this book DEFINITELY isn't for me and I'm glad I'm done with it and never see it again. It goes without saying these issues are my own and this review is my way to vent and if it helps you or you agree with it, awesome. If not, take it with a grain of salt.
I don't like the premise of people already in committed relationships suddenly thirsting over some random and then justifying the other person's behavior for their almost cheating or cheating flat out. I don't care that Harrison Ford (snort really?) turned out being a selfish, self-absorbed probability weirdo. Of course the boyfriend had to be a humongous jerk and rando A Prince Charming™️. And yet I'm also mad it wasn't Poppy who dumped him first! But then how else would you clearly side with Jed who is just a piece of hunk meat and say “yeah he's Mr. Righttttt *heart eyes*”. Also about the “romance” am I really to believe this is how attraction works??? Ok then maybe (I haven't ever been in a relationship guys, maybe that explains everything, but I digress) but why should EYE be into this dude I don't know anything about him and if he's “emotionally” smarter than Harrison I really don't GAF bc Jed Turner isn't an actual person, I mean, what else makes him human????? This woman went through developing everyone's character (sorta) except the love interest! It's just literally physical attraction and some hints of his personality and then crickets.
For the most part I didn't care about anything that happened here. And I'm questioning the need for the abandonment/daddy issues in this story... was it really necessary??? Maybe, I guess to explain why Poppy somehow didn't see Harrison's prick ways but damn did it make her so SO insufferable! Also I absolutely hated how Poppy was suspicious and judging Mark of possibly cheating on her best friend (Erin is the only character I liked by the way; she really is sweet and great best friend) and there was no self-awareness, not even ironically, that she was doing the same thing she was putting on him! And then there's the Clemmy and Ryan thing and OMFG how I HATE that trope that the person A has this one sided crush for years and they're made as the right choice bc they're so kinda and sweet and devoted and only they deserve the person they're “in love with” and all that ENTITLES them to be corresponded bc reasons and then conflict happens and the other person B is practically pushed to admit that yeah they love person A too i.e., Clemmy and Ryan. Hate it! Please let that trope die. But as unbelievable and contradictory as it might be, I didn't hate the actual ending as I thought I would, but I'm always easily touched by endings which might be bc I'm getting a thrill for finishing the book and not giving up.
Anyway, this book DEFINITELY isn't for me and I'm glad I'm done with it and never see it again. It goes without saying these issues are my own and this review is my way to vent and if it helps you or you agree with it, awesome. If not, take it with a grain of salt.
louise1608's review against another edition
4.0
What a lovely book this was. Poppy is a shy type and very timid. She has grown up believing she isn't good enough to do what she loves and just basically lets herself get walked all over. She kills herself over a dead-end job day after day and settles in a relationship that you can see is one-sided and not good for her yet convinces herself she is happy. All of that changes this Christmas time though when her boyfriend proposes but then also doesn't? (seriously weird relationship!!!!) and then he leaves her alone to think over his proposal while he spends Christmas in Spain with his mother. During her time alone after a chance encounter due to a misdialed phone call Poppy ends up following her dreams and catering Christmas for a family of 7 at the beautiful log fire cabin. The characters are all so lovely and the book is just so heartwarming and cosy that it just makes you feel warm while you're sat reading it by the Christmas tree! Poppy really grows during the book and becomes a whole new person. Finally realising what she has to do to be who she wants to be and do what she wants to do in life!