Reviews with content warning for Miscarriage - A Holly Jolly Ever After

This one is for the Hallmark Christmas girlies who also like a side of smut! While this one was not as strong as Merry Little Meet Cute, I did enjoy reading this sequel. I like Kallum and Winnie, definitely two characters you root for. The spice delivered but I felt like I needed a little more for the characters when it came to talking about themselves and their feelings. The two conflicts in the timeline detracted from the growth arc in my opinion. If the book was a little shorter and had stronger communication I think it would have been a home run. I still recommend this for a festive read!

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thanys_thoughts's review

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Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.0

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annahamburger's review

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-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? It's complicated

4.5

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wayfaring_witch's review against another edition

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4.0

It wasn't the fluffy wholesome hallmark holiday romance I expected, but I ended up enjoying the characters and humor. The author found ways to keep tension throughout the book. There is a big tonal shift change in the second half of the book. I can see why many people wouldn't like it, but at that point I was just enjoying the characters growth. A negative is that the "Christmas" part of the book could have been entirely removed and the plot and not much would have changed.

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natashaleighton_'s review against another edition

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emotional funny inspiring 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

A delightfully sexy and utterly Christmassy romance that lovers of Hallmark, spicy Rom-coms and cinnamon roll love interests are going to Devour!

Set in Christmas Notch, A Holly Jolly Ever After follows Winnie Baker, the squeaky clean Hope channel actress still recovering from the scandal of her public (and rather messy) divorce. And Pizza mogul/ former boyband member, Callum Lieberman, as they co-star in the Hope Channels’ new business venture: Hope After Dark. Which sees the pair co-starring in an all new, sexy Christmas movie called Santa, Baby.

Having loved A Merry Little Meet Cute soo much, I knew I needed to get my hands on a copy of its sequel/ companion novel as soon as physically possible—especially when I found out it would follow the pizza loving sweet heart,Callum. And, having done so (a massive thank you to Sofia for sending me a copy btw) I’m glad to report it’s just as sizzlingly swoon-worthy (and unputdownable) as its predecessor!

Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone’s unique styles of writing work so well together, and I love how seamlessly they blend humour and spice into such a heartfelt (yet chaotically sexy) read that I couldn’t help but emotionally invest in.

Continuing with the themes of double standards, sex and body positivity (first explored in book 1), Murphy and Simone also expertly delve into subjects, such as reputation, double standards, self worth and the harmful (media led) societal pressures that affect the way we see ourselves and our bodies. Which as a plus sized reader is something I really appreciated.

It was also really great to finally see some plus sized male rep which I feel is still something of a rarity in the genre (though if you have any recs do be sure to let me know.)

I loved our protagonists, who were both really well developed and full of soo much depth. And the romance was off the charts good! If you enjoy a well written and fabulously steamy romance then you’re gonna absolutely love Winnie and Callum’s on (and off set) interactions.

Winnie, having spent her entire life doing “the right thing” in an effort to keep a spotless reputation has found herself tarnished regardless, so exploring her shame around sex (due to her strict, faith based upbringing) and the role public perception plays in objectifying/policing women’s bodies was really interesting.

I was instantly endeared to her, and loved seeing just how much progress she made in unlearning soo many of the harmful perceptions she grew up with.

Callum, our MMC (and Winnie’s love interest) was also really adorable, cinnamon roll of a character, currently dealing with lifelong insecurities surrounding his weight and former career as the least popular, “fat” member of boyband INK. I really enjoyed getting to explore into a male POV surrounding the public perceptions and pressures that men in the public eye may also face.

His patience and support (of Winnie) was soo heartwarming and I loved how genuinely kind and patient he was in helping Winnie to unpack all that trauma. Plus, his corny pizza related puns added the perfect comic relief to the tenser, more emotionally charged scenes.

Overall, a sizzlingly satisfying, Santa-filled Rom com that’s bursting with festive sexiness (and pizza related puns) to offset the tenser, more emotionally charged scenes. I absolutely loved it! Just be sure to check TWs beforehand.

Also, a huge thank you to Sofia Saghir for the stunning finished copy.

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lealovesbooks's review

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funny inspiring medium-paced

4.5

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keikiqueen's review against another edition

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emotional funny 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

4.0

Still upset about the surprise trope but honestly love this series and was able to move past it

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etidorpha's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring slow-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

4.0

Please see my content warnings.

Winnie Baker is a childhood star of religiously bent television and movies. She married young and stayed in her marriage because that’s what was expected of her.

Kallum is the K of the INK boyband turned midwestern pizza mogul. What he’s most famous for in his 30s though? A Sex tape.

Passion is ignited when they get reacquainted on the set of Hope After Dark’s first film Santa, Baby. Winnie needs instruction in the more sensual aspects of her role and Kallum is all too happy to oblige.

This book was ultimately fun to read, though I felt a little hoodwinked by the big plot twist in the middle (see content warnings if you want more info). Winnie’s story of deconstruction and realizing her self worth was more than in being a pure and virtuous woman was one worth telling and was an enjoyable read.

I do wish that Winnie’s narcolepsy had been dealt with. She’s just falling asleep in bars and I don’t think she ever told Kallum - even though it explains several parts of their pre-Hope After Dark meetups.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🔥🔥🔥🔥

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