ems_rxlibrary's review
emotional
lighthearted
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
4.25
I loved so much about this book! The tension was top notch and I loved the two main characters. I loved the banter and humor throughout this book.
One thing I didn’t like as much was how painfully obvious it was that they were in love with each other and were the last to know about it. The third act breakup was frustrating!
One thing I didn’t like as much was how painfully obvious it was that they were in love with each other and were the last to know about it. The third act breakup was frustrating!
Spoiler
And then when he confesses his love for her she tells him that he doesn’t actually love her…I don’t typically like when a person tells someone else what they are feeling.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent and Toxic relationship
jonezzzing's review
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Grief, and Cursing
Minor: Death of parent
lmy612's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-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
5.0
This was such an easy book to love. The characters are cute and the story was sweet. There was even a little bit of a mystery built in pertaining to the tree farm’s ongoing string of bad luck. And I loved how that was resolved!
Talking briefly about the spicy scenes in the spoiler below. No actual spoilers.
Talking briefly about the spicy scenes in the spoiler below. No actual spoilers.
Spoiler
The sex scenes were written so sensually. I think they were the most tastefully romantic things I’ve ever read or listened to. No vulgar descriptive words required to convey the tension, passion, romance, and sex between characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent, Infidelity, and Abandonment
Minor: Cancer, Cursing, and Grief
marleywrites's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
5.0
This book was fantastic. I was rooting for the couple from the very first page and was so happy with their development. I love Luka and I wanted to shake Stella so many times. I’m so glad I decided to read this book- it deserves every bit of hype it’s gotten.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent, Cursing, and Grief
Minor: Alcohol
khloereads86's review
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
I really enjoyed this book. It was a super cute christmassy romance and I’ll definitely think of continuing the series. Luka was so sweet, and I liked Stella for the most part too I just got a little annoyed with her towards the end. She’s relatable in wanting to do everything on her own and take care of everyone she cares about first. Their love story was pretty cute, I wish the book was a little longer so we could see more of the sweet little moments. The reason I’m rating this so low is because I just didn’t get as much of that warm fuzzy I’m-not-going-to-stop-thinking-bout-this-book feeling as I’d like, and the one part near the end was very frustrating.
I also wish we saw more of the stuff with Evelyn because that was what the plot was supposed to be about and that and the whole “who’s screwing with the farm” stuff seemed really underwhelming to me even though I liked her. It also would’ve been great if this was dual pov because Luka was better than Stella.
Spoiler
I don’t understand how she was in love with him for that long and he tells her he loves her like that and she doesn’t believe him even when she sees how hurt he is. Also how did they spend 9 years as friends that’s seriously slow burn but we don’t even get to see itI also wish we saw more of the stuff with Evelyn because that was what the plot was supposed to be about and that and the whole “who’s screwing with the farm” stuff seemed really underwhelming to me even though I liked her. It also would’ve been great if this was dual pov because Luka was better than Stella.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Cursing
Moderate: Alcohol and Death of parent
alexisgarcia's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
this was a very cute christmas romance. it was a pretty basic plot but that is expected from a book like this. the side plot did seem kinda weird and random though. also the ending was slightly underwhelming.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Cursing, and Death of parent
readingwithmeredith's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Cute story but VERY open door. Had to skip major sections and that knocked a few stars off for me. Had seen this book all over but didn’t realize just how open door it was. I also felt like this story was poorly written in the way it developed. It felt so slow at times and the whole premise of the book and the reason for them fake dating didn’t even happen until so late in the book, which bothered me and felt anticlimactic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Sexual content
Minor: Death of parent
blueeyedshook's review
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Cute book that felt just like a spicy Hallmark film. I mean, like, identical to at least one if not more Hallmark Christmas movies...and then add a little spice. There was nothing unexpected. But I think that's kind of the point of these types of stories. Comfort and joy. Comfort and joy describes the book well. The characters--even the secondary ones--are great. Immediately rooted for Luka and Stella. Although, I've gotten tired of all the spice that is so often included. I'm not a prude, but I did skip through it. It's especially awkward to listen to in audioform.
My complaint though is that it quickly switched tropes from fake fiance to best friend lovers. I mean, Luke agreed to be Stella's fake fiance, and then they basically just started dating...except Stella was so annoyingly thick headed that she didn't think they were actually dating...just that it was still for show.....even when they were alone...even when he brushed her leg under the table...even when he was making her breakfast and doing things for her that friends don't do but boyfriends and fiances DO, she still wrote it off. That was the worst part. I could take the trope switch, but her being so dense that she can't see that he's actually in to her and it is no longer fake...that was just annoying.
Honestly, I picked the book up for the cover because HOW COULD YOU NOT?! It's probably the best Christmas cover I've ever seen. Hands down.
Cover: 5 stars
Title: 5 stars
Premise: 4 stars
Narration: 4 stars
Everything else: 2.75 stars
Prudie ratings:
Language: f-words and g-d's, but I'd still give it a 4/5
Sex: 2 sexual scenes and content (I skipped but it was spicy) 4/5
LGBTQ: a very secondary character barely mentions being interested in a member of the opposite sex 2/5
My complaint though is that it quickly switched tropes from fake fiance to best friend lovers. I mean, Luke agreed to be Stella's fake fiance, and then they basically just started dating...except Stella was so annoyingly thick headed that she didn't think they were actually dating...just that it was still for show.....even when they were alone...even when he brushed her leg under the table...even when he was making her breakfast and doing things for her that friends don't do but boyfriends and fiances DO, she still wrote it off. That was the worst part. I could take the trope switch, but her being so dense that she can't see that he's actually in to her and it is no longer fake...that was just annoying.
Honestly, I picked the book up for the cover because HOW COULD YOU NOT?! It's probably the best Christmas cover I've ever seen. Hands down.
Cover: 5 stars
Title: 5 stars
Premise: 4 stars
Narration: 4 stars
Everything else: 2.75 stars
Prudie ratings:
Language: f-words and g-d's, but I'd still give it a 4/5
Sex: 2 sexual scenes and content (I skipped but it was spicy) 4/5
LGBTQ: a very secondary character barely mentions being interested in a member of the opposite sex 2/5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing
katievh's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Alcohol, Cursing, Infidelity, and Grief
lizzieb29's review
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Death of parent, Grief, and Cursing