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A review by accidentalra
A Holly Jolly Ever After by Sierra Simone, Julie Murphy
4.0
In A Holly Jolly Ever After, we watch recently divorced Winnie, determined to overcome the internalized shame of the “purity culture” she was raised in, find both herself and her unexpected match in former boy-band star Kallum, whose leaked sex tape made waves in act three of the first Christmas Notch novel, A Merry Little Meet Cute.
Personally, I enjoyed this novel so much more than its predecessor, in part because it somehow manages to achieve a nearly impossible (but utterly satisfying) balance between instantly spicy and slow-burn-ingly sweet. Every smutty scene was not only delicious, but also moved the plot forward in necessary and believable ways. What can I say? This book uses the "sex lesson" trope to perfection! Watching Winnie learn how to experience pleasure, how to ask for what she needs, and how to set boundaries was just...everything—gratifying, empowering, affirming. I loved every minute of it.
As for Kallum, all I can say is, "Yes," and “More, please.” Watching him grow into himself, from a man who vaguely wanted to find his ‘one’ into the man who was willing to work for her, was a treat. And I adore how he's described—with his dad bod, sexual confidence, and dancer's fluidity. It was beyond satisfying to watch as he discovers that being considered the 'funny and fat one' isn't a life sentence, and that the only thing keeping him in that role is insecurity. By the time he and Winne earn their HEA, I sincerely felt like they had earned it.
After a personal sense of disappointment with my first visit to Christmas Notch, this novel totally made up for it. I cannot wait to see what happens next!
[I received an ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review.]
Personally, I enjoyed this novel so much more than its predecessor, in part because it somehow manages to achieve a nearly impossible (but utterly satisfying) balance between instantly spicy and slow-burn-ingly sweet. Every smutty scene was not only delicious, but also moved the plot forward in necessary and believable ways. What can I say? This book uses the "sex lesson" trope to perfection! Watching Winnie learn how to experience pleasure, how to ask for what she needs, and how to set boundaries was just...everything—gratifying, empowering, affirming. I loved every minute of it.
As for Kallum, all I can say is, "Yes," and “More, please.” Watching him grow into himself, from a man who vaguely wanted to find his ‘one’ into the man who was willing to work for her, was a treat. And I adore how he's described—with his dad bod, sexual confidence, and dancer's fluidity. It was beyond satisfying to watch as he discovers that being considered the 'funny and fat one' isn't a life sentence, and that the only thing keeping him in that role is insecurity. By the time he and Winne earn their HEA, I sincerely felt like they had earned it.
After a personal sense of disappointment with my first visit to Christmas Notch, this novel totally made up for it. I cannot wait to see what happens next!
[I received an ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review.]