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bookishmillennial's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
I received an ARC from Forever Publishing & am providing my honest review voluntarily.
Ummmm… that really was…. something. 👁️👄👁️
This is a fluffy Christmas romcom set in Illinois during a blizzard (California girl here was *terrified*) with fun tropes that I usually really enjoy:
Ummmm… that really was…. something. 👁️👄👁️
This is a fluffy Christmas romcom set in Illinois during a blizzard (California girl here was *terrified*) with fun tropes that I usually really enjoy:
- Snowed in
- Forced proximity
- Second-chance
- “It’s just sex”
- Grumpy x sunshine
- Only soft for her
However, it just didn’t hit for me. The FMC was so corny — during one of their sex scenes, she literally says “holy bologna”. Like how do I forgive her for that? I *wanted* to appreciate the smût (which I would say the steam level was 3/5🌶️) but all I could think about was how Becca said that OUT LOUD. Truly the nastiest thing she could do and it will be forever seared into my memory.
Anyway, I appreciated that Becca called out the constant misogyny and sexism she faces as a house mom for a sorority, because it’s true. I struggle with Greek Life because I find it to be a microcosm of the worst of our society at times, but I appreciated that Becca brought up all the good they do.
I found all of Harrison’s excuses to be so wildly disappointing and underwhelming. The reason his marriage fell apart three years ago? The reason he didn’t call Becca after their date two years ago? They all fell flat for me, and I wish they were a bit more fleshed out. I also don’t understand how he struggled so much with communication and then became Mr. Speaks 100 Words Per Minute If It’s Dirty Bedroom Talk. I was getting a sense that maybe he was neurodivergent but then Snowe never expanded on it. I would’ve liked to have that named and part of his arc.
Something else that stood out to me that I enjoyed was the fact that Harrison had mommy/daddy/brother issues as a 35-year-old because that’s so real. I’m 32 and I don’t know if my dynamic with some family members will ever change, but I loved that Harrison eventually stood up for himself because fuck adults who act like complete babies and asshats!
I think this is the author’s first book and I think she absolutely has potential to work on being less didactic/telling, and will show us more next time. I’d still read another book by her!
Overall, this was sweet and cute enough but my annotations were mostly being snarky (“Snowe loves alliteration,” being my most frequent one) and I think maybe this would work better as a Hallmark film!
Anyway, I appreciated that Becca called out the constant misogyny and sexism she faces as a house mom for a sorority, because it’s true. I struggle with Greek Life because I find it to be a microcosm of the worst of our society at times, but I appreciated that Becca brought up all the good they do.
I found all of Harrison’s excuses to be so wildly disappointing and underwhelming. The reason his marriage fell apart three years ago? The reason he didn’t call Becca after their date two years ago? They all fell flat for me, and I wish they were a bit more fleshed out. I also don’t understand how he struggled so much with communication and then became Mr. Speaks 100 Words Per Minute If It’s Dirty Bedroom Talk. I was getting a sense that maybe he was neurodivergent but then Snowe never expanded on it. I would’ve liked to have that named and part of his arc.
Something else that stood out to me that I enjoyed was the fact that Harrison had mommy/daddy/brother issues as a 35-year-old because that’s so real. I’m 32 and I don’t know if my dynamic with some family members will ever change, but I loved that Harrison eventually stood up for himself because fuck adults who act like complete babies and asshats!
I think this is the author’s first book and I think she absolutely has potential to work on being less didactic/telling, and will show us more next time. I’d still read another book by her!
Overall, this was sweet and cute enough but my annotations were mostly being snarky (“Snowe loves alliteration,” being my most frequent one) and I think maybe this would work better as a Hallmark film!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Blood, Medical trauma, Car accident, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail