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

emotional funny hopeful reflective tense 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

4.5

If you’re looking for chemistry, this book has it. Winnie and Kallum are scorching, even before anything even happens! Their first intimate scene is so filthy yet so innocent. Once you read this book you’ll see exactly what I mean. Whew!

Winnie grew up the poster child for the purity movement. From the television shows she was on to the movie where she met her now ex-husband, it was all about her “pure” image. She did not just live that lifestyle on-screen. Her parents and later her husband had her living the life of a “pure” woman. She’s finally free of that life, but she’s also 32 and has no idea what to do with this freedom. She only has one friend left and the studios that used to love making movies with her want nothing to do with her. It was so inspiring to watch Winnie learn to stand up for herself in both her personal and professional life. There were times she almost gave into the pull of those toxic thoughts she was barraged with her whole life, but she just got stronger and stronger.

I felt Kallum was a bit misunderstood. Sure, he’s the clown. He makes stupid mistakes when he is too old to be making those mistakes. Yet he’s got a huge heart and just wants to do right by those around him. Quite frankly, some of the mistakes he makes along the way had other people involved and I often felt his family was quite harsh with him. They are loving and supportive, but they still seem to treat him as a child. It’s no wonder he often still acts that way.

There is a lot I’d love to say about this story that would end up spoiling things, so I won’t. I will say that if you think you dislike Winnie’s parents and ex from her recollections of her life, just wait until later in the book when they are on the page. Ugh! They are all terrible people. Also, there is a lot of sex-positivity in this story that I appreciate and have come to expect from this series. When Winnie made a somewhat brutal decision that I didn’t agree with, her inner dialogue had me coming around to her side and understanding her motivation. Then, Kallum’s reaction to that decision was so perfect and wonderful and showed the growth his character made when faced with love and possibly losing that love. I know I’m being vague, but again I’m trying not to spoil things.

As with the other books in this series so far, don’t let the cover fool you. While there are laughs and a lot of positive aspects of this story, it also tackles many serious issues and it definitely bangs! 
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