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beckyyreadss's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
4.0
I wanted to read this series because it has been all over the book community. I was dying to read this book; Colton has always been the shy one within the book club and was not going to wait till November or December to read this book. It was like watching a Christmas episode in a series you are binging. I loved these two together and the chemistry between them.
This book has two points of view. The first is country music’s golden boy Colton Wheeler and he felt the most perfect harmony when he was with Gretchen Winthrop. But for her, it was a love him and leave him situation. A year later, Colton is struggling to push his music forward in a new direction. If it weren’t for the most magical time of year and the support of the Bromance Book Club, he’d be wallowing in self-pity. The second point of view is Gretchen Winthrop and it’s hard for her not to feel. Little Scrooge-ish about the excess of Christmas when her clients are scrambling to afford their rent as an immigration attorney. So when her estranged, wealthy family reaches out with an offer that will allow her to better serve the community, she’s unable to say no. She just needs to convince Colton to be the new face of her family’s whiskey brand. No big deal. Colton agrees to consider Gretchen’s offer in exchange for three dates before Christmas. With the help of the Bromance Book Club, Colton throws himself into the task of proving to her there’s a spark between them. But Gretchen and Colton will both need to overcome the ghosts of Christmas part to build a future together.
I still adore these men and these characters and their friendships. I will always love grumpy x sunshine and I love country stars and Christmas. This book was just a man who only has eyes for one girl and that is Colton to a tee. I adore how Colton began a different man even though Gretchen didn’t want him to change but he was protecting her. Gretchen’s family can go and do one because they were all assholes expect Uncle Jack. I adore Uncle Jack; he was great, and I wanted to high-five and scream from the rooftop when he stood up for Gretchen. I loved to see all of the couples and the kids together and Vlad playing Santa Claus and that they were all together to prove to Gretchen that she didn’t need her family because this is the family they have. I love that these men were also telling Colton to pull his shit together and how much grand gestures mean to women.
I just didn’t like how predictable it was getting, especially as this was the fifth book, and you knew how it was going to go down with the third-act conflict and how the boys come together to help with the grand gesture.
Overall, I liked this series and like how fast paced the books have been and I will be reading more of Lyssa’s work in the future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexual content, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, and Physical abuse
Minor: Infidelity, Violence, and Deportation
bryelle's review against another edition
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
3.0
This book felt a little rushed at the end. Very cute though.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse
samisreading's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual content, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Alcoholism, Injury/Injury detail, and Deportation
greenlivingaudioworm's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
noriboo's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
4.0
🌶🌶🌶
•••
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this!
Colton and Gretchen have good banter between the two of them. I liked how their relationship developed and how the third act break-up was done. Navigating toxic family and unhelpful patterns can be hard. I think that the author did a good job at making Gretchen and Colton well-rounded emotionally mature characters, who falter at times but, in the end, aren't too proud to apologise.
•••
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this!
Colton and Gretchen have good banter between the two of them. I liked how their relationship developed and how the third act break-up was done. Navigating toxic family and unhelpful patterns can be hard. I think that the author did a good job at making Gretchen and Colton well-rounded emotionally mature characters, who falter at times but, in the end, aren't too proud to apologise.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content and Violence
Minor: Child abuse
morgonwashere's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Even though I was reading this in April and not in a Christmas romance novel mood. The book makes me wish I had some candy canes and hot chocolate.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse
meghanm404's review
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Bullying, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Violence, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, and Deportation
creativelifeofliz's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This book really took me on a rollercoaster of emotions. I struggled to fully support Gretchen and Colton in all their choices since they were being so frustrating for so long. Full warning: this book gets pretty dark so read the content warnings.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, Classism, and Deportation
Moderate: Alcoholism, Physical abuse, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Infidelity
mrsmishler's review
emotional
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexual content, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Child abuse
prettylightsandcitynights's review
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Sexual content
Minor: Bullying, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Violence, Gaslighting, and Deportation
The majority if the content warnings apply to background information about the main female protagonist's childhood and her interactions with her family in present day. Avoid this book if familial neglect/abuse/gaslighting is triggering.