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theespressoedition's review against another edition
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Welp - I certainly wouldn't consider this a "Christmas book," despite the title and the cover art. It begins a day or two before Christmas but primarily takes place throughout the year (mostly in the summer).
That being said, it was a cute story overall. It kind of felt like it was going to be an enemies-to-lovers trope at the beginning, or maybe even grump and sunshine (though our MC was definitely not all that sunny). It wasn't really either. It was more "misunderstood neighbor who you have the hots for even though he's married and naive but trying to start over in life live in a small town and have small town experiences together." That was a mouthful.
I liked some of the twists because I didn't fully see them coming. I suspected, was deterred, and then was pleasantly surprised when the reveals would happen.
The book club dynamic was definitely my favorite part and the secondary characters were far more interesting to me than our main characters.
It was mostly lighthearted and cute!
That being said, it was a cute story overall. It kind of felt like it was going to be an enemies-to-lovers trope at the beginning, or maybe even grump and sunshine (though our MC was definitely not all that sunny). It wasn't really either. It was more "misunderstood neighbor who you have the hots for even though he's married and naive but trying to start over in life live in a small town and have small town experiences together." That was a mouthful.
I liked some of the twists because I didn't fully see them coming. I suspected, was deterred, and then was pleasantly surprised when the reveals would happen.
The book club dynamic was definitely my favorite part and the secondary characters were far more interesting to me than our main characters.
It was mostly lighthearted and cute!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer and Grief
Minor: Miscarriage
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