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A review by aahrobot
A Jingle Bell Mingle by Sierra Simone, Julie Murphy
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
This one was my favorite of the Christmas Notch series which honestly surprised me. When I first met Sunny back in book one, she felt...too much. I'm naturally a low energy person, so she just felt like I wouldn't resonate with her character (I was a little disappointed that she was the FMC of book three).
I am beyond glad that I was proven wrong. Sunny isn't too much. She's a (sort of) misunderstood, mostly happy, secretly sad ball of fun. It took me a bit longer to get into this book (not because of the writing - just because of life), but when I did, I couldn't put it down. The love that grows naturally between Sunny and Isaac felt relatable, messy, and obsessive, but also very much like, 'whoa, wait, not this guy??' in the best way.
Isaac was settled in his grief and content to be alone. Sadness and withdraw felt easier than dealing with life and I can resonate with that sentiment. I feel we get to see every emotion, not only with Sunny, but with Sad Boy Isaac. Melancholic, witty, and funny.
Their love felt refreshing and honest. We saw the mess, we felt the pain, and we chose to love anyway (even when it is incurable and painful). Getting to know Sunny and Isaac was fun for me. I enjoyed the whole grumpy/sunshine theme because it wasn't cheesy or typical. It was a man dealing (or not dealing) with his grief and a woman who embodies sunshine not only in name, but in life (even if she doesn't always feel as happy as she looks).
This was a great read. It was perfectly Christmas-y with a dash of fun mystery and love. It was light with a little dust of raw emotions, pure spice, and plenty of <i>Twilight</i> references.
I am beyond glad that I was proven wrong. Sunny isn't too much. She's a (sort of) misunderstood, mostly happy, secretly sad ball of fun. It took me a bit longer to get into this book (not because of the writing - just because of life), but when I did, I couldn't put it down. The love that grows naturally between Sunny and Isaac felt relatable, messy, and obsessive, but also very much like, 'whoa, wait, not this guy??' in the best way.
Isaac was settled in his grief and content to be alone. Sadness and withdraw felt easier than dealing with life and I can resonate with that sentiment. I feel we get to see every emotion, not only with Sunny, but with Sad Boy Isaac. Melancholic, witty, and funny.
Their love felt refreshing and honest. We saw the mess, we felt the pain, and we chose to love anyway (even when it is incurable and painful). Getting to know Sunny and Isaac was fun for me. I enjoyed the whole grumpy/sunshine theme because it wasn't cheesy or typical. It was a man dealing (or not dealing) with his grief and a woman who embodies sunshine not only in name, but in life (even if she doesn't always feel as happy as she looks).
This was a great read. It was perfectly Christmas-y with a dash of fun mystery and love. It was light with a little dust of raw emotions, pure spice, and plenty of <i>Twilight</i> references.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
Minor: Cancer and Terminal illness