rachelcranko's review against another edition
3.0
genuinely ashamed of how much i liked this book.. the characters were insufferable and i hated them quite a bit and there was that one scene with the eggnog that made me stand up and jump around with such horrid second hand embarrassment but it was also sweet and i did enjoy the ending
dairling's review against another edition
4.0
Did I insert Dan and Blair into this, absolutely. Just a really cute fluffy perfect for winter book.
spookynerd13's review against another edition
2.0
It was cute at times, but I found the main character incredibly annoying, naive, full of herself, and not very nice to her friends.
amy_inthecatacombs's review against another edition
4.0
At least 3.5 stars. I did like it and breezed through it. There is underage drinking and 2-4 uses of the d word. I think it was only 3, but I'm not positive.
bizzybee429's review against another edition
4.0
This was so effing fun. I love the holidays, I love romcoms, I love cookies, I love secret santas, and I loved this book. I said in my pre-read that it looked like While You Were Sleeping and you know what? I was kind of right. They were similar in the best way. I’m so happy right now.
Characters
The characters were surprisingly well-developed, which I have found to be rare in recently released YA contemporaries. A lot of people said Charlie was their least-favorite, and I can definitely see why, but I loved her because I related to her so much. I had my fair share of wanting to yell at her through the book, of course, but that just made it all the more enjoyable for me.
J. D. was probably my favorite character, and just. wow. what an all-around good guy. He’s so sweet to Charlie throughout the entire book and it breaks my heart (in the best way) the way their relationship progresses. He is so selfless and just wants Charlie to be happy??? frick.
Morgan was another one of my favorites. Not only was she an awesome best friend and her and Ira the cutest couple, but!!!! finally!!!!!! Jewish rep in holiday stories!!!! give me those Hanukkah traditions!! I am so excited!! This is so rare!! Honestly read this book JUST for the Jewish rep
Teo who?? I don’t know him
Plot
I said this before and I’ll say it again: While. You. Were. Sleeping. Do you know how much I love that movie? Do you know how much I love Sandra Bullock?? Do you know how similar this book was to While You Were Sleeping (while still being an entirely different concept and idea)????? SO MUCH. SO EFFING MUCH.
The plot was kind of predictable but you know what? I don’t care. The story was so perfect, the romance was so beautifully set up in a slow-burn, and aaaskaskldfjkas it was seriously so fricking beautiful. My one wish was that it had been longer. I need more Charlie and J. D. in my life stat.
Also lol there were such hilariously written scenes where you laugh but you’re also like cringing but in a great way, in a The Office kind of way because it’s so real and so kdjksdk it’s just. oh my gosh. I don’t want to spoil anything, so I won’t, but just. Please read this. Please
Romance
Talked a little about this earlier but honestly!! I am so happy with this beautiful slow-burn romance between two people who are absolutely perfect for each other and this is some jim and pam level otp right there (yeah I said it)
Honestly I do not think I have read a SINGLE ya contemporary, nay, ya novel, that has a more excellently crafted romance plotline with such amazing and flawed characters. Charlie and J. D. complement each other in an awesome way, and every scene where they interact contributes in little ways to turning their relationship from annoy-each-other-to-death to mad-for-each-other and aaaaaa I’m just so happy. I could talk about them for years. I want to reread this already.
Writing
The writing is incredibly easy to follow and makes the novel more enjoyable! It’s def written as more of a lower/middle YA novel but it’s rarely immature in the language/style used. The dialogue is a little choppy at times, but I can forgive some non-contractions when everything else is so wonderfully perfect.
So listen,,,,,,,,,, you should definitely read this. Spread this holiday cheer. Please read it (and then talk to me about it). Please
Characters
The characters were surprisingly well-developed, which I have found to be rare in recently released YA contemporaries. A lot of people said Charlie was their least-favorite, and I can definitely see why, but I loved her because I related to her so much. I had my fair share of wanting to yell at her through the book, of course, but that just made it all the more enjoyable for me.
J. D. was probably my favorite character, and just. wow. what an all-around good guy. He’s so sweet to Charlie throughout the entire book and it breaks my heart (in the best way) the way their relationship progresses. He is so selfless and just wants Charlie to be happy??? frick.
Morgan was another one of my favorites. Not only was she an awesome best friend and her and Ira the cutest couple, but!!!! finally!!!!!! Jewish rep in holiday stories!!!! give me those Hanukkah traditions!! I am so excited!! This is so rare!! Honestly read this book JUST for the Jewish rep
Teo who?? I don’t know him
Plot
I said this before and I’ll say it again: While. You. Were. Sleeping. Do you know how much I love that movie? Do you know how much I love Sandra Bullock?? Do you know how similar this book was to While You Were Sleeping (while still being an entirely different concept and idea)????? SO MUCH. SO EFFING MUCH.
The plot was kind of predictable but you know what? I don’t care. The story was so perfect, the romance was so beautifully set up in a slow-burn, and aaaskaskldfjkas it was seriously so fricking beautiful. My one wish was that it had been longer. I need more Charlie and J. D. in my life stat.
Also lol there were such hilariously written scenes where you laugh but you’re also like cringing but in a great way, in a The Office kind of way because it’s so real and so kdjksdk it’s just. oh my gosh. I don’t want to spoil anything, so I won’t, but just. Please read this. Please
Romance
Talked a little about this earlier but honestly!! I am so happy with this beautiful slow-burn romance between two people who are absolutely perfect for each other and this is some jim and pam level otp right there (yeah I said it)
Honestly I do not think I have read a SINGLE ya contemporary, nay, ya novel, that has a more excellently crafted romance plotline with such amazing and flawed characters. Charlie and J. D. complement each other in an awesome way, and every scene where they interact contributes in little ways to turning their relationship from annoy-each-other-to-death to mad-for-each-other and aaaaaa I’m just so happy. I could talk about them for years. I want to reread this already.
Writing
The writing is incredibly easy to follow and makes the novel more enjoyable! It’s def written as more of a lower/middle YA novel but it’s rarely immature in the language/style used. The dialogue is a little choppy at times, but I can forgive some non-contractions when everything else is so wonderfully perfect.
So listen,,,,,,,,,, you should definitely read this. Spread this holiday cheer. Please read it (and then talk to me about it). Please
katkinney's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Macmillan for the chance to read and review this cute holiday romance by Shani Petroff. I really loved the realistic look at the trials and tribulations of high school crushes, and how sometimes you end up feeling a bit foolish on the path to finding that guy or girl who's truly a good fit for you.
Charlie is a fun MC to read about since she's a bit on the crazy-organized side and isn't afraid to let everyone around her know she expects no less from them. She's got a really cool best friend, and when sh e decides she needs a date for an upcoming social event, and sets her sights on a certain guy who doesn't really have her on his radar, the only way she can get his attention is to enlist the help of his not as suave cousin, J.D.
Watching the slow development on things between Charlie and J.D. was my favorite part of the book. He was just a super sweetheart, and so devoted to everyone around him. And best friend Morgan has this wise beyond her years mentality which is great relief when Charlie's issues with organization start to make her and everyone around her a bit bonkers. A nice light read.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the author.
Please excuse typos. Entered on screen reader.
Charlie is a fun MC to read about since she's a bit on the crazy-organized side and isn't afraid to let everyone around her know she expects no less from them. She's got a really cool best friend, and when sh e decides she needs a date for an upcoming social event, and sets her sights on a certain guy who doesn't really have her on his radar, the only way she can get his attention is to enlist the help of his not as suave cousin, J.D.
Watching the slow development on things between Charlie and J.D. was my favorite part of the book. He was just a super sweetheart, and so devoted to everyone around him. And best friend Morgan has this wise beyond her years mentality which is great relief when Charlie's issues with organization start to make her and everyone around her a bit bonkers. A nice light read.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the author.
Please excuse typos. Entered on screen reader.
emjrasmussen's review against another edition
I picked this up on a whim from the library because it looked cute. And it WAS cute! It's a bit predictable, but it's a fast, fun, fluffy read perfect for Christmastime. If you're a fan of wholesome Christmas romances or romance novels where the protagonist takes FOREVER to realize who she really wants to be with, I'd recommend this one.
P.S. there's a Jewish best friend and a Latino love interest (or I suppose I should say love interests, plural)!
P.S. there's a Jewish best friend and a Latino love interest (or I suppose I should say love interests, plural)!