jesforeverlostinbooks's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
What a Heartwarming & sweet Christmas story set in a small town where everybody knows everybody… Which is a blessing & a curse. A sweet & tender love story with some depth full of Christmas cheer while helping others… over coming difficulties, healing & finding peace. I absolutely fell in love with Mark & his backstory. A local town firefighter hero who was burned while saving children from a forest fire. He has an idea for an ultimate Christmas gift for his father but needs some help from the art teacher, Riley. Mark is so sweet & so patient with Riley. And who doesn't love a hometown hero??? I loved Riley & Mark's hilarious meet cute! Both of them have healing to do from their pasts. Riley is struggling with commitment & finding a place to belong while Mark is working through PTSD & finding peace with who he is now. This is a sweet romance with the perfect blend of Christmas cheer & character development. If you enjoy Christmastime romances, this is a great choice for reading this holiday season!
mistressviolet's review against another edition
hopeful
relaxing
slow-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 was a good contemporary romance with a light sprinkling of Christmas vibes. A bit slow to start, but I did end up engaging with the characters and plot.
sophaisy's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
slow-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
kdandthepiggys's review against another edition
4.0
I uselly do not like Christmas books but this one surprised me.
It's sweet and wholesome and I fell in love with it and couldn't get enough it was vivid and strong and meaningful i cried I laughed I loved this book has a place in my heart forever the only reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 is because I did find a few plot holes that bothered me but if I need to recommend any holiday books to anyone this year it's this one
This book deals with depression and anxiety and PTSD in a very well written way.
It's sweet and wholesome and I fell in love with it and couldn't get enough it was vivid and strong and meaningful i cried I laughed I loved this book has a place in my heart forever the only reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 is because I did find a few plot holes that bothered me but if I need to recommend any holiday books to anyone this year it's this one
This book deals with depression and anxiety and PTSD in a very well written way.
maggiefae's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Grief and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Blood
a_ab's review against another edition
slow-paced
2.0
I wanted to try a new to me author and tried to pick a safe trial option, which this book definitely is. The book is very Hallmark-movie-like — simplistic and predictable, which makes it safe, but also, I would hope, not fully indicative of this author's writing.
The characterizations felt forced and very paint-by-numbers. All the conflict in the book was very shoddily manufactured and made the characters look like idiots. To the point that I liked them all progressively less as the book went on, while it was very clear that the author intended the opposite effect.
So, based on this book, I don't think this author is for me.
The characterizations felt forced and very paint-by-numbers. All the conflict in the book was very shoddily manufactured and made the characters look like idiots. To the point that I liked them all progressively less as the book went on, while it was very clear that the author intended the opposite effect.
So, based on this book, I don't think this author is for me.
nell163's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
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
4.5
tinmanandheart's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
Very quick read and charming story. I enjoyed Mark so very much.
leslie_books_and_socks_rock's review against another edition
5.0
I knew this had a Hallmarky feel to it but this was so much more! The characters felt real and had a lot of depth that most Hallmark movies miss (I haven’t read their books that they’re now publishing to know if that’s different).
☃️
Mark, known as the small hometown hero, can’t keep living life. He doesn’t know how in this new reality. He was a fireman and badly burned and lost his best friend. Why did he get to survive when his friend didn’t. And why is the town watching him for a nervous breakdown? He can’t get donuts without it being talked about.
☃️
Riley is used to picking up and leaving so often she doesn’t know where home is. She picked the small town of Miracle Creek, WA because an artist she liked lived there and they happened to need an art teacher. Hopefully her past in LA won’t hind her here.
☃️
After a school play, Mark, wearing a hood to hide his scarred face, tried talking to Riley about her artwork. Riley misread him and threatened him with a baseball bat. It took a while for her to agree to be friends and help him with a secret project.
☃️
Mark started to feel alive with friendship again from someone who didn’t know him before the fire. Riley can’t do anything more than friends because she’s going to leave again. Can they help each other and heal each other’s scars?
☃️
This book left me completely satisfied and happy and wishing it was Christmas instead of 90s in July. I can’t wait for this book to come out in September. I received an ebook copy from the publisher Shadow Mountain and Net Galley.
☃️
Plus I love I that it’s set in WA and I love going to Leavenworth.
☃️
Mark, known as the small hometown hero, can’t keep living life. He doesn’t know how in this new reality. He was a fireman and badly burned and lost his best friend. Why did he get to survive when his friend didn’t. And why is the town watching him for a nervous breakdown? He can’t get donuts without it being talked about.
☃️
Riley is used to picking up and leaving so often she doesn’t know where home is. She picked the small town of Miracle Creek, WA because an artist she liked lived there and they happened to need an art teacher. Hopefully her past in LA won’t hind her here.
☃️
After a school play, Mark, wearing a hood to hide his scarred face, tried talking to Riley about her artwork. Riley misread him and threatened him with a baseball bat. It took a while for her to agree to be friends and help him with a secret project.
☃️
Mark started to feel alive with friendship again from someone who didn’t know him before the fire. Riley can’t do anything more than friends because she’s going to leave again. Can they help each other and heal each other’s scars?
☃️
This book left me completely satisfied and happy and wishing it was Christmas instead of 90s in July. I can’t wait for this book to come out in September. I received an ebook copy from the publisher Shadow Mountain and Net Galley.
☃️
Plus I love I that it’s set in WA and I love going to Leavenworth.