lauramparis's review
funny
lighthearted
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Alcoholism, Abandonment, and Death of parent
sarahmae531's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I thought it was a nice book. I enjoyed the overall story line and the best friends to lovers + fake dating tropes. The writing at times seemed kind of juvenile, but nothing too unbearable.
I had some people recommend this as a steamy Christmas read, and while the few scenes that were steamy were steamy, I wouldn’t classify the whole book as being very spicy..
On the fence on whether I’ll pick up the other two books in the series.
I had some people recommend this as a steamy Christmas read, and while the few scenes that were steamy were steamy, I wouldn’t classify the whole book as being very spicy..
On the fence on whether I’ll pick up the other two books in the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Alcoholism
bookcasey's review against another edition
hopeful
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? Yes
3.0
There’s pretty much no diversity in the book, and the cops are helpful “good guys” (lol) so this holiday story is as white as an actual Hallmark movie. That said, the spicy aspects of the book are really comfortable and cozy, which isn’t something you find too often. Tropes include . So if you’re looking for something easy and are willing to overlook the lack of diversity, it’s actually a pretty cute romance.
Spoiler
friends to lovers, found family, and a good dose of not sharing their feelings
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcoholism, Cancer, and Death of parent
kaylahcc's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Alcoholism
Minor: Death of parent
whichdirection's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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
4.5
So so so cute, very well written. Awesome chemistry between them the whole time, really rich side characters and world.
2 sex scenes (plus a bonus chapter that is another sex scene on the KU version, idk if there’s another version)
2 sex scenes (plus a bonus chapter that is another sex scene on the KU version, idk if there’s another version)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Abandonment, Alcoholism, Grief, and Infidelity
Minor: Death of parent, Alcohol, and Cancer
Abandonment:Spoiler
Estelle’s father left her mother when she got pregnant, he had a wife & another child (born shortly after Estelle) that didn’t know about her. Overcoming her fear of being abandoned is the main part of her character development, as she worried Luka & her two business partners will leave her.Spoiler
Estelle’s father shows up to Thanksgiving Dinner intoxicated and ends up passing out, it is implied that that happens a lotSpoiler
Estelle’s father was unfaithful to his wife when he impregnated Estelle’s mom, but additionally it’s mentioned about 90% of the way through the book that his wife is leaving him because he was cheating with multiple ppl at his officeSpoiler
Estelle’s mom died of Cancer before the events of the novel, she mentions her mother & missing her/keeping her memory alive multiple times; Luka’s father died when he was a kid (exact cause unknown, but not cancer) and they mention it & his & his mother’s grief multiple timesamandalorianxo's review
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
This is a novel I have seen floating around social media due mainly because of the new covers with a new artist in charge of drawing the designs. It’s a somewhat different take on the cartoon drawings but it is what it is ya know. Anyway going in I was expecting more from this one. A lot more. I wanted details about the ins and outs of running a tree lot, Stella’s friendship with Layla & even a little more info on Luca. But instead I got a heroine who signs up for an IG influencer to check out her farm but that didn’t show up until way later in the story. Repetitive dialogue, world building descriptions and self-sabotage. Character developing? Eh, not as built up in this one. I was told the other books in the series are better so maybe I’ll give them a chance but we’ll see.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Alcoholism, Abandonment, and Death of parent
kirbylover16's review
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
Overall boring and disappointing. It takes 60% of the story to finally start the social media plot. Luca deserves better. There's barely any plot and almost nothing about the tree farm. Stella is so annoying and whiney. The conflicts are only conflicts because Stella is dense. Luca tells her over and over that he loves her. It's not even fake dating. Beckett is the best character but gets no screen time. Besides the setting and diabetes Stella must have from eating all those baked goods there's no Christmas in this story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Alcoholism
sami_leigh's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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
4.75
Friends-to-lovers done BEAUTIFULLY! Highlights include a fake-dating trope, a cast of supporting characters you will fall for instantly, small town vibes, and Christmas! The characters have depth and go through journeys of personal growth that have you relating to and cheering for them. Humour is effortlessly woven into both the dialogue the first person, single POV narration of Stella (a.k.a La La 😍).
I will never look at grilled cheese the same.
I cannot WAIT to read Beckett’s story!
“I want all of your trees.” 🥹🙌🏻
🌶🌶.5
I will never look at grilled cheese the same.
I cannot WAIT to read Beckett’s story!
“I want all of your trees.” 🥹🙌🏻
🌶🌶.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent and Grief
Minor: Alcohol, Injury/injury detail, and Alcoholism
katierose_reads's review
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This debut has me completely speechless. Genuinely. What can I even say!?
Every single character in this story is well thought out, fully developed and completely believable!
From Luka our hero, to Dane the local sherif, they all feel so completely real and tangible.
I want. No. NEED. To hear everybodies individual stories. Needless to say I was beyond thrilled when I saw that we'd be getting Beckett and Layla's stories this year!
(PS: if you wanna write Charlie's story too, I would NOT be mad).
This is a friend's to lovers story that just works!
Stella and Luka have been friends for about 9 years when she asks him to be her fake boyfriend (I love a fake dating trope!).
Their slow burn realisation of their feelings for each other will 100% have you feeling all warm and fuzzy inside, and absolutely on the brink of happy tears!
(cut to me crying out 'THIS IS SO CUTE!' To my boyfriend and him gently placing a box of tissues next to me. Just in case. 😂)
On top of all that, this book is also so wonderfully written. The pacing is perfect, the language is beautiful and the dialogue is so so natural. Something I feel debuts can often struggle with.
I picked this up on a whim as I wasn't sure what to read over the new year period, but I am so glad I did! It's heartwarming, genuine, beautifully written and an all round joy!
Please please please pick it up if you can!
Every single character in this story is well thought out, fully developed and completely believable!
From Luka our hero, to Dane the local sherif, they all feel so completely real and tangible.
I want. No. NEED. To hear everybodies individual stories. Needless to say I was beyond thrilled when I saw that we'd be getting Beckett and Layla's stories this year!
(PS: if you wanna write Charlie's story too, I would NOT be mad).
This is a friend's to lovers story that just works!
Stella and Luka have been friends for about 9 years when she asks him to be her fake boyfriend (I love a fake dating trope!).
Their slow burn realisation of their feelings for each other will 100% have you feeling all warm and fuzzy inside, and absolutely on the brink of happy tears!
(cut to me crying out 'THIS IS SO CUTE!' To my boyfriend and him gently placing a box of tissues next to me. Just in case. 😂)
On top of all that, this book is also so wonderfully written. The pacing is perfect, the language is beautiful and the dialogue is so so natural. Something I feel debuts can often struggle with.
I picked this up on a whim as I wasn't sure what to read over the new year period, but I am so glad I did! It's heartwarming, genuine, beautifully written and an all round joy!
Please please please pick it up if you can!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent and Alcoholism
megloveswords12's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Alcoholism, and Toxic relationship
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