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A review by _fallinglight_
Christmas at the Log Fire Cabin by Catherine Ferguson
2.0
Read this bc I wanted a Christmas themed book and something that took me out of my comfort zone to challenge my tastes (I'm also kinda aro so that adds to the challenge) so I chose this food Christmas romance. And I have realized these things are not for me. I have sadly developed an aversion to first person present tense books so this was one thing already working against it for me. I really couldn't get in the mc's skin and I was really attacked with sudden urges to abandon this book. There were moments I really loathed Poppy.
I don't like the premise of people already in committed relationships suddenly thirsting over some random and then justifying the other person's behavior for their almost cheating or cheating flat out. I don't care that Harrison Ford (snort really?) turned out being a selfish, self-absorbed probability weirdo. Of course the boyfriend had to be a humongous jerk and rando A Prince Charming™️. And yet I'm also mad it wasn't Poppy who dumped him first! But then how else would you clearly side with Jed who is just a piece of hunk meat and say “yeah he's Mr. Righttttt *heart eyes*”. Also about the “romance” am I really to believe this is how attraction works??? Ok then maybe (I haven't ever been in a relationship guys, maybe that explains everything, but I digress) but why should EYE be into this dude I don't know anything about him and if he's “emotionally” smarter than Harrison I really don't GAF bc Jed Turner isn't an actual person, I mean, what else makes him human????? This woman went through developing everyone's character (sorta) except the love interest! It's just literally physical attraction and some hints of his personality and then crickets.
For the most part I didn't care about anything that happened here. And I'm questioning the need for the abandonment/daddy issues in this story... was it really necessary??? Maybe, I guess to explain why Poppy somehow didn't see Harrison's prick ways but damn did it make her so SO insufferable! Also I absolutely hated how Poppy was suspicious and judging Mark of possibly cheating on her best friend (Erin is the only character I liked by the way; she really is sweet and great best friend) and there was no self-awareness, not even ironically, that she was doing the same thing she was putting on him! And then there's the Clemmy and Ryan thing and OMFG how I HATE that trope that the person A has this one sided crush for years and they're made as the right choice bc they're so kinda and sweet and devoted and only they deserve the person they're “in love with” and all that ENTITLES them to be corresponded bc reasons and then conflict happens and the other person B is practically pushed to admit that yeah they love person A too i.e., Clemmy and Ryan. Hate it! Please let that trope die. But as unbelievable and contradictory as it might be, I didn't hate the actual ending as I thought I would, but I'm always easily touched by endings which might be bc I'm getting a thrill for finishing the book and not giving up.
Anyway, this book DEFINITELY isn't for me and I'm glad I'm done with it and never see it again. It goes without saying these issues are my own and this review is my way to vent and if it helps you or you agree with it, awesome. If not, take it with a grain of salt.
I don't like the premise of people already in committed relationships suddenly thirsting over some random and then justifying the other person's behavior for their almost cheating or cheating flat out. I don't care that Harrison Ford (snort really?) turned out being a selfish, self-absorbed probability weirdo. Of course the boyfriend had to be a humongous jerk and rando A Prince Charming™️. And yet I'm also mad it wasn't Poppy who dumped him first! But then how else would you clearly side with Jed who is just a piece of hunk meat and say “yeah he's Mr. Righttttt *heart eyes*”. Also about the “romance” am I really to believe this is how attraction works??? Ok then maybe (I haven't ever been in a relationship guys, maybe that explains everything, but I digress) but why should EYE be into this dude I don't know anything about him and if he's “emotionally” smarter than Harrison I really don't GAF bc Jed Turner isn't an actual person, I mean, what else makes him human????? This woman went through developing everyone's character (sorta) except the love interest! It's just literally physical attraction and some hints of his personality and then crickets.
For the most part I didn't care about anything that happened here. And I'm questioning the need for the abandonment/daddy issues in this story... was it really necessary??? Maybe, I guess to explain why Poppy somehow didn't see Harrison's prick ways but damn did it make her so SO insufferable! Also I absolutely hated how Poppy was suspicious and judging Mark of possibly cheating on her best friend (Erin is the only character I liked by the way; she really is sweet and great best friend) and there was no self-awareness, not even ironically, that she was doing the same thing she was putting on him! And then there's the Clemmy and Ryan thing and OMFG how I HATE that trope that the person A has this one sided crush for years and they're made as the right choice bc they're so kinda and sweet and devoted and only they deserve the person they're “in love with” and all that ENTITLES them to be corresponded bc reasons and then conflict happens and the other person B is practically pushed to admit that yeah they love person A too i.e., Clemmy and Ryan. Hate it! Please let that trope die. But as unbelievable and contradictory as it might be, I didn't hate the actual ending as I thought I would, but I'm always easily touched by endings which might be bc I'm getting a thrill for finishing the book and not giving up.
Anyway, this book DEFINITELY isn't for me and I'm glad I'm done with it and never see it again. It goes without saying these issues are my own and this review is my way to vent and if it helps you or you agree with it, awesome. If not, take it with a grain of salt.