A review by makeitsewquiltco
A Holly Jolly Ever After by Sierra Simone, Julie Murphy

lighthearted slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.5

I need to stop reading books just because someone on Instagram recommends them. I didn’t do any research about this book, just put it on hold at the library, so when it came available, the plot was a total surprise to me. I don’t mind a raunchy story, I like smut, but this was…weird? It got very dirty right off the bat, with very little lead up, and the way the two main characters first hooked up was incredibly unbelievable.

The book’s main tropes are two of my absolute least favorite—surprise pregnancy and miscommunication. Add in aN FMC who felt like she changed WAY too much at the beginning and then immediately regressed back after the pregnancy reveal, and I just couldn’t get back on board. In retrospect, I think I deeply dislike the FMC. She talks about her narcolepsy as a main personality trait but then I’m unsure if she ever shares that with the MMC?? Like she has somehow hidden it her whole career and then just…continues to hide it from him too.

It felt entirely too long, the plot could have wrapped up at least twice before the end of the book. The MMC was likable and properly flawed while still developing as a character, so he was by far the bright spot for me. I was also happily surprised by the amount of LGBTQ representation.