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idesofjaim's review
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Better-than-Hallmark in book form but certainly for all of those who love Christmas and a holiday romance!
This book was the perfect choice to take with me on vacation as the weather starts to cool down (and it has left me with a serious craving for hot cocoa). Emerald Hollow has the cozy small town vibes that those into this theme with love, complete with endearing love interest. Holly is our protagonist and is written very well; I have enjoyed the stories surrounding a Claus heir and how they have carried on the legacy. Sofia and other supporting characters were also great, and I loved the Kebler and Kringle elves being the two group names!
What I think really drew me in was the collection of Cheer to sustain the North Pole, which is a great take on the whole idea of being in Santa Claus being what keeps Christmas going. The concept of how the North Pole plays into the idea of how the regular world interprets/stereotypes the Clauses and their home versus how the North Pole actually functions was also really great. It's certainly a big task to create a new spin on Santa Claus and Christmas, and I think it was accomplished well.
Where it loses half a star for me is (trying very hard to not be spoiler-y here!):
1. I feel like the way Ash's ex-business partner and friend was set up as a villain led it to feel anti-climatic when they finally confronted each other. It just seemed like he would be more evil. I feel meh about it.
2. The way it's written about how Ash's hot cocoa is so close to the North Pole recipe feels like it's hinting at some sort of deeper secret of how that came to be, but then it gets played out as something that's all part of the magic. Not a huge knock for me because it ultimately works, it just felt as though there was something more.
3. I don't know that the Epilogue added anything for me. It felt like when you're watching a movie expecting for there to be a bonus scene and there isn't.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. While it's clear Holly and Ash are drawn to each other from their first meeting, the rest of the book was a good slowburn.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This book was the perfect choice to take with me on vacation as the weather starts to cool down (and it has left me with a serious craving for hot cocoa). Emerald Hollow has the cozy small town vibes that those into this theme with love, complete with endearing love interest. Holly is our protagonist and is written very well; I have enjoyed the stories surrounding a Claus heir and how they have carried on the legacy. Sofia and other supporting characters were also great, and I loved the Kebler and Kringle elves being the two group names!
What I think really drew me in was the collection of Cheer to sustain the North Pole, which is a great take on the whole idea of being in Santa Claus being what keeps Christmas going. The concept of how the North Pole plays into the idea of how the regular world interprets/stereotypes the Clauses and their home versus how the North Pole actually functions was also really great. It's certainly a big task to create a new spin on Santa Claus and Christmas, and I think it was accomplished well.
Where it loses half a star for me is (trying very hard to not be spoiler-y here!):
1. I feel like the way Ash's ex-business partner and friend was set up as a villain led it to feel anti-climatic when they finally confronted each other. It just seemed like he would be more evil. I feel meh about it.
2. The way it's written about how Ash's hot cocoa is so close to the North Pole recipe feels like it's hinting at some sort of deeper secret of how that came to be, but then it gets played out as something that's all part of the magic. Not a huge knock for me because it ultimately works, it just felt as though there was something more.
3. I don't know that the Epilogue added anything for me. It felt like when you're watching a movie expecting for there to be a bonus scene and there isn't.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. While it's clear Holly and Ash are drawn to each other from their first meeting, the rest of the book was a good slowburn.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment
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