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A review by clawdeenwolf_
Baggage Claim by Juliana Smith
3.0
3.5/5 stars
An all-round cutesy Christmas romance that had me giggling and kicking my feet throughout the whole book. Finn is my kind of book hottie, straight out of a cheesy romcom.
This put me in the mood for the holidays so bad. From the movie-like meet cute on the plane to the end, I was here for all the predictable scenes and flirting - nice banter by the way. As for the pacing, it was perfectly timed, not too soon as to ruin their chemistry, but not too long as to drag it out unnecessarily.
Olive felt very real and relatable to me. At first I found her a bit plain because it seemed like her personality only revolved around her obsession with becoming this new character, from avoiding her family to changing her physical appearance. However, it's extremely realistic for a person who wants to improve or escape their old self, even if it's not done in the healthiest way possible. Precisely because of this, the character has a very rich backstory.
As for everyone's reaction to the whole reveal situation, the mother spoke with as much sincerity as her role of a mother allowed her. And as sympathetic as she was to Olive about how she didn't have to forgive anyone, I have to draw the line at "they only felt for each other because they are soul mates." Come on, you were doing great up to that point. The same goes for the cheater and the sister. You're literally seeing how uncomfortable and anxious she gets every time something related to that comes up and she keeps asking you to leave her alone. Just do it.
In the end, it was a really enjoyable book although I was quite frustrated by the decisions made and thoughts spoken by some of the characters by the end of the book.
An all-round cutesy Christmas romance that had me giggling and kicking my feet throughout the whole book. Finn is my kind of book hottie, straight out of a cheesy romcom.
This put me in the mood for the holidays so bad. From the movie-like meet cute on the plane to the end, I was here for all the predictable scenes and flirting - nice banter by the way. As for the pacing, it was perfectly timed, not too soon as to ruin their chemistry, but not too long as to drag it out unnecessarily.
Olive felt very real and relatable to me. At first I found her a bit plain because it seemed like her personality only revolved around her obsession with becoming this new character, from avoiding her family to changing her physical appearance. However, it's extremely realistic for a person who wants to improve or escape their old self, even if it's not done in the healthiest way possible. Precisely because of this, the character has a very rich backstory.
Spoiler
The only problem was the insufferable third-act breakup. I understand where he's coming from and that he doesn't want to put her in a position where she has to be looking out for everyone, but it's so unnecessary when they could just talk about it. However, i get that it is legitimate that he needed space and it was an honest reaction even though some might think he needed to be there for Olive. Plus him standing up to the her family... what a king. He did very well.As for everyone's reaction to the whole reveal situation, the mother spoke with as much sincerity as her role of a mother allowed her. And as sympathetic as she was to Olive about how she didn't have to forgive anyone, I have to draw the line at "they only felt for each other because they are soul mates." Come on, you were doing great up to that point. The same goes for the cheater and the sister. You're literally seeing how uncomfortable and anxious she gets every time something related to that comes up and she keeps asking you to leave her alone. Just do it.
In the end, it was a really enjoyable book although I was quite frustrated by the decisions made and thoughts spoken by some of the characters by the end of the book.