And I’m not a blurb reader so when my turn came at the library I dove right in. Turns out the three holidays in question are Ramadan, Christmas and Hanukkah which all coincide right around the same time as Maryam’s sister’s wedding. A winter storm derails things, however, and Maryam’s entire family find themselves stranded (along with Anna – who was Maryam’s seatmate on the flight) in a picture-postcard holiday town of Snow Falls where Hallmark movies make their magic. It’s there that both Maryam and Anna find their true selves and maybe even a little love connection with their respective suitors.
I’m always down to clown when it comes to Hallmark holiday movies, but you have to SERIOUSLY suspend some disbelief with this one with the town alone that is somehow this huge melting pot of inclusion and diversity and everyone knows everything about everyone’s religions without needing to ever ask a single question, but is simultaneously tiny and no one has ever heard of it. Obviously that’s not a bad thing – it just isn’t very realistic. I actually loved the family bits and traditions and religious practices the most out of the entire book. Maryam’s Dadu in particular was a gem. But both Anna and Maryam were of the one-dimensional doormat sort, so that was unfortunate, the “romance” was pretty meh and all the extra goings on like the holiday pageant were just a bit too much. 100 pages could have easily been cut and maybe this would have worked better for me.
Lisa Unger is definitely a go-to gal for me when I need to guaranty myself I’ll enjoy what I’m reading. This was the perfect option for the holiday seLisa Unger is definitely a go-to gal for me when I need to guaranty myself I’ll enjoy what I’m reading. This was the perfect option for the holiday season for many reasons: stabby stabby, missing person, former missing person, murder podcast, a cold case, novella length and . . . . .
Pretty much the only thing necessary for me to write here is that this is now BOOK FOUR in the series and I’m still putting my name on the library waiPretty much the only thing necessary for me to write here is that this is now BOOK FOUR in the series and I’m still putting my name on the library waiting list whenever a new one is announced. (If you aren’t familiar with me, I’m generally one and done when it comes to books in a series – even if I like them okay.) The people at Cooper’s Chase are indeed a rare exception to the rule and yesterday this was like catching up with some old friends.
This time around the Thursday Murder Club is tackling a case of a dead acquaintance, a handful of small-time crooks and some missing heroin. And thanks to the local cops being booted off the job when some higher-ups come to town, both Chris and Donna are sort of A-okay with Elizabeth and the gang helping to Nancy Drew this one.
I can’t imagine NOT wanting to continue reading these as long as Richard Osman keeps churning them out. And while I could maybe have done without the page count involving the “catfishing” subplot, at some point you have to introduce the next murder victim so maybe that was the entire point. I enjoyed getting to know a little bit more about Ibrahim’s backstory and the potential for Joyce’s magical meringue to finally snag her a new fella in the future. But I should have known when dealing with octogenarians that eventually we would lose one and oh my god . . . .
My husband was ready to call 911 during the Sunday Funday football games when I started sobbing uncontrollably.
Maybe the best thing of all when it comes to these books is the timing. What a delightful Christmas gift to look forward to every year. Oh, and the fact that I have a little red fox who has come to visit in the woods behind our house since Thanksgiving. I've named him Stephen....more
About mid-July publishers begin offering up Christmas selections and much like the Pokemon – I gotta catch ‘em all. Having had much success with Kerry Winfrey previously, this was a no-brainer and I instantly accepted Berkley’s offer of a widget without even taking a glance at what this was about. I assumed from the title it would be a fake dating trope and dove right in on Sunday morning. To tell you the scream I scrummed when I realized this was a modernization of a very underrated holiday classic . . . .
Christmas In Connecticut was Hallmark holiday gooeyness before Hallmark movies were even a thing. The premise here is woman gets a job writing for a magazine as a Martha Stewart type – all about life on her goat farm and décor and fabulous food . . . . but really she only does the social media management and her sister actually owns the farm. All is well until the boss invites himself for Christmas Eve-Eve and Laurel has to fake it ‘til she makes it – complete with a pretend husband in the form of her brother-in-law’s bestie who she can’t stand.
When it comes to holiday romances, this was a winner.
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review....more
I didn’t want to review this book until I had finally watched the Prime Movie version – which I finally got around to this weekend. You see, the premiI didn’t want to review this book until I had finally watched the Prime Movie version – which I finally got around to this weekend. You see, the premise of the print version was sure to be an absolutely adorable romcom: two different fellas are shopping at . . . .
One for a generic Christmas present for his girlfriend, the other for the Queen Mary of all Tiffany’s gifts for his. They find their bags doing the ol’ swippy swappy during an accident. Then it’s all about how to correct that epic boo-boo while realizing maybe who they thought was “the one” actually wasn’t until the end when . . . .
Like I said, super cute premise, but the book left a lot to be desired. Mainly it was the pacing. The story moved at a snail’s slog only to really ramp up to 100MPH at the very end. The book version also had me feeling super sorry for the intended recipient of the ring for most of the story as well. She really needed to be presented as a bad choice right from the beginning in order for this idea to work. Good news is, the movie version was just as cute as I hoped it would be and while Reese Witherspoon’s book club selections often leave me shaking my head, she (and her production company) are real good at the screen versions of romcoms. Maybe skip the book and just watch this one instead....more
A pox upon the houses of everyone involved with the titling/marketing of this as some sort of Christmas romcom! Ugggggh! You did this oh so
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A pox upon the houses of everyone involved with the titling/marketing of this as some sort of Christmas romcom! Ugggggh! You did this oh so very lovely book such a disservice. While there did end up being a kiss under the mistletoe, this had a much more than a simple romp in the manger to offer and I totally understand why some have complained it was a sort of bait and switch from what they had been expecting. Luckily I have read (and loved) this author before and knew she would provide much more meat on the Christmas roast than other seasonal offerings.
The story here is of Eleanor who is gathering with her former boarding school chums for a week-long reunion prior to two of them getting married. The last time they were together was after the tragic loss of one of their group and where Nory did a diddle that she would like to pretend she never did with another of their pals.
I’d call this part Four Weddings and a Funeral and part The Big Chill (and if you know me you know I’m ALWAYS looking for something that gives me The Big Chill vibes). There’s some seriousness with respect to talk of race and class, as well as some melancholy, but there’s also plenty of laughs . . .
“Tell me about him.”
“He’s the gardner . . .”
“Oh, Lady Chatterley! I do say!”
“I knew you’d say that.”
And love.
Per usual, the third act breakup made me want to punch everyone around me in the face and I also thought this was probably nearly 100 pages too long. But still. It made my Grinch heart grow three sizes and I felt like I made some new friends.
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, NetGalley!...more
(which pretty much is an attempt at reviewer shaming for less than 4 Stars) put a bad taste in my mouth. But I would have overlooked it and went on to give my usual 3 Star review with zero guilty conscience had I liked the story. (And let’s clear things up - 3 Stars is perfectly okay. For me it means I liked the book and wouldn’t steer other away from it.)
The problem here was too many ingredients spoiling the soup. What should have been a cutesy teenage holiday enemies to (strictly PG) lovers where the two children of feuding restaurant owner parents join forces to save the local mall and said businesses hit bogged down in side stories regarding a photo competition and workout sessions and part time jobs at Santa’s photo booth and a holiday arcade. When it comes to holiday books the old KISS method should be followed. Keep it simple.
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, NetGalley! ...more
Dannnnnnng y’all. I sure hope Santa wasn’t relying on my Christmas spirit to get his sleigh to fly! How can the fake dating trope end up a flop for meDannnnnnng y’all. I sure hope Santa wasn’t relying on my Christmas spirit to get his sleigh to fly! How can the fake dating trope end up a flop for me??? Wellllllll lemme tell you - unlikeable characters, no story (and we’re talking a holiday romcom so it’s not like I expected a whole lot) and instalove with zero chemistry) to name a few things. ⭐️⭐️ and back to the murder books I go!
Oof. I’ll give the author credit for being ballsy enough to take on the house swap trope a la The Holiday, but she had to know how much taking on a hoOof. I’ll give the author credit for being ballsy enough to take on the house swap trope a la The Holiday, but she had to know how much taking on a holiday favorite would open her up for criticism. Here’s a brief list of things I hated:
1. Zero plot aside from the borrowed trope.
2. Well there were pitiful attempts like a mother with Alzheimer’s and a son who was more than willing to ignore her with one of the couples and a controlling family with a controlling girlfriend whose warning signs the female lead was more than willing to ignore with the other couple.
3. Carys. *vomit emojis forever*
4. Kitchen sink Covid hobbies like bullet journaling and “plant mom life” (*shudder*) that added nothing to the nonexistent story.
5. Instabanging but no chemistry.
6. Speaking of - waaaaay too graphic sex for unsuspecting victims who simply fall for all cartoony cover holiday books.
7. A Jewish character just for the sake of trying to be inclusive? I mean they threw a one day “Chanukah” booze party but included zero religious or food or gift traditions??? Don’t even bother with that half-assery.
8. Two weeks and these idjits are upending their entire lives for each other? Especially when they both seem to be pretty co-dependent to begin with and are trying to break the habit.
Stevie turned their relationship with Sola into a science experiment (and even worse) and now has a deadline of midnight to complete the gr
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Stevie turned their relationship with Sola into a science experiment (and even worse) and now has a deadline of midnight to complete the grandest of grand gestures and win her back.
Kaz has loved Porsha since forever and needs to poo or get off the pot and potentially miss his chance of being more than just friends.
Evan-Rose finds herself stuck in the airport with her ex(ish) girlfriend Van … and her Summer fling Eric.
Jordyn and Omari haven’t really spoken since a kids almost a year ago, but have been trapped in the same car together for over eleven hours now.
Jimmi is trying to keep her band together when she has an unexpected run-in with her first kiss.
Ava and Mason who have recently broken up because high school sweethearts can’t last forever, right?
These intertwined characters are all attempting to make it through a historic Atlanta snowstorm as connected vignettes. Similar to the film version of Let It Snow and completely satisfactory for the teen in your life … or the oldster if they’re like me and still like to dabble in YA. I’ll definitely be checking out Blackout by this same author combo and if this ever becomes a movie I guarantee I would watch it twelve thousand times.
@girlwiththepinkskimask wasn’t lying, kids. This right’chere was a real Bangersaurus Rex! There I was reading literal masturbatory gingerbread Christm@girlwiththepinkskimask wasn’t lying, kids. This right’chere was a real Bangersaurus Rex! There I was reading literal masturbatory gingerbread Christmas stories while she has been attempting to do God’s work and recommending this sucker on the daily.
Let’s start off with some full disclosure: I requested every single Christmas romcom from NetGalley that was available. I did not read blurbs, I did not look at Goodreads’ ratings or reviews. I just went in knowing I wanted a heaping plate as well as seconds and thirds when it came to smooching under the mistletoe. I had no idea Holiday Romance would end up pretty much a “had me at hello” moment when the two leads (acquaintances via him - whose girlfriend is about to break up with him and her - who is friends with said soon-to-be ex) are seated next to each other on their flight back home for the holidays. Then they coincidentally meet AGAIN for their flight the next year. You know what that is????
That’s the ol’ “When Harry Met Sally” and it is a favorite.
So long story short, ten years have gone by with these two travellers occupying each other’s space for their hop back across the pond for the holidays. She’s the grumpy, he’s the sunshine. When flights get cancelled she decides to let her Grinch heart grow three sizes and uses all of her banked up frequent flyer miles to do whatever it takes in order to get him back home to his family in time for Christmas. And then she starts catching feelings.
This one will make you feel all floopy inside. The banter is great, the smex isn’t squickalicious, the “break up” in the third act only lasts about twelve nanoseconds. Go get it.
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, NetGalley! ...more
Sort of a waste of a really cute premise. Whatever her name was gets plowed over by the Christmas bus and gets a chance for a re-do if she
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Sort of a waste of a really cute premise. Whatever her name was gets plowed over by the Christmas bus and gets a chance for a re-do if she can match up half a dozen couples before her expiration date rolls around again. Unfortunately it’s halfway through the story before the matchmaking even begins and very little effort is spent by the lead even making said sparks fly. They are either the one who got away, a current crush or happy accidents that happen almost instantly and the details are left completely off page. I wanted to get to know the couples and was prepared for some slapstick sort of delivery while whatshername attempted to play Cupid. Instead we spent a whole lot of time pining over her real douchecanoe of a boyfriend she’s trying to keep from dumping her (while an obvious rebound guy is waiting in the wings) and hear all about how “quirky” she was with her mismatched wardrobe and unfortunate haircut. Bah humbug.
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, NetGalley!...more
The time where I fake it ‘til I make it by barfing Christmas spirit all over the house once the clock strikes midnight on November 1st. This year I doubled down on my crazy by requesting eleventy-two Christmas rom coms from NetGalley and what better way to kick things off than with my go-to gal Lyssa Kay Adams and the Bros we’ve all come to love.
This time around it’s Colton and Gretchen’s turn. He’s a country music superstar, she’s an immigration attorney with her own pro bono clinic. The two had a spicy one-off at their pals’ wedding and Colton has been pining ever since. A potential business deal and some undeniable mutual attraction draws these two back together a year later in a flip on the grumpy/sunshine with the female lead playing the part of a Grinchy Scrooge. It delivers when it comes to witty banter and most importantly the smexytimes . . .
My only complaint is the usual one with the unnecessary conflict that causes a break-up/almost instantaneous make-up at the end because god forbid the two main characters actually speak to each other like dang adults. I realize I’m in the minority when it comes to this opinion and that it is a driving force behind what sells books so it will be included for the remainder of time. This one was extra annoying, though, that the lead was just going to walk away from her entire life. Way to be a real shitty representative for your at-risk clients, Gretchen! All in all, though, these Bros and their Hoes are my peeps so 4 Stars.
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. ...more
And drop 8-10 inches of snow on our heads. The good news thanks to the dilemma the physical office downtown is more willing to close, allowing us suburbanites the ability to work from home in our PJs. The better news is with zero commute time and no lunch plans on said snow days I can snag a Kindle copy of what should have been a seasonally inappropriate book like this one and get it read in no time.
Annie is a 40-something restaurateur who catches her husband boffing a member of the staff and determines the camel’s back to be officially broken. Looking for a fresh start she takes on a caretaker role at a seaside property while she determines the next phase of her life. And that’s where everything gets clichéd and charming in all of the best possible ways.
I ended up really enjoying my time spent with the folks of Willow Bay. This could so easily be converted into a Hallmark movie and I would watch the ever loving crap out of it. I love stories that are heavy on the people and light on the romance. The book club gals were an absolute hoot. And what girl doesn’t love a curmudgeonly Mr. Darcy sort of leading male???? I found I was really able to let myself get absorbed into this place and was fond of every single one of its residents. If you ever need a little snow day, feel good escape, I recommend this one. ...more
Although I had an advanced copy of this book I kept putting it off and putting it off. First, because I was waiting for a snowstorm. Then when it was Although I had an advanced copy of this book I kept putting it off and putting it off. First, because I was waiting for a snowstorm. Then when it was still 75 degrees outside on Christmas week because I just wasn’t in the mood for another “holiday romance.” But then I saw it was by the same author who wrote Dear Emmie Blue and, welp . . . .
I am soooooo happy to report this did not disappoint. The setting here is a snowstorm and travelers who are going absolutely nowhere on the highway. Add in to that Noelle having a bit of a cry and a minor panic from not being able to reach her mother who she helps care for and Sam, a kind stranger with a working phone charger in the car next door, and you have what most people assume would be . . . .
Orrrrrrrrrrr maybe not because after spending eight wonderful hours together traffic finally starts moving and the two part ways. Only to keep running into each other accidentally over and over again. Is it just chance? Or is it something more?????
I think my favorite romances might be the ones where the actual romance takes a back burner. I love Lia Louis’ characters. They are real and funny and dealing with actual life stuff rather than fuzzy nonsense. I could have lived without Noelle being such a doormat, but that comes with the territory sometimes so I have to give it a pass. And when the storyline is just a bit reminiscent of one of my favorite romance movies . . . . .
Yesterday was errand running and painting and time just got away from me so this little 200-pager was exactly what I needed to say I read a book on myYesterday was errand running and painting and time just got away from me so this little 200-pager was exactly what I needed to say I read a book on my first day of vacation. Fool Me Twice At Christmas was a Hallmark movie in book format featuring two families who own a chocolate factory and the endless escalation of what they think is going on with their kids who used to be a couple, but are now just faking it for the parents. Obviously it won’t change your life, but it was a sweet escape for a couple of hours while the Bears embarrassed themselves on Monday Night Football....more
This is a story about Josie and Max and their Christmas Eve meet-cute that turns into a whirlwind holiday romance – only for Max to ghost her. But as the two run into each other again and again over the course of the next year it seems maybe they aren’t meant to be apart.
I am always looking for a couple of holiday reads for December and the ending for this one was quite clear simply from the blurb. I still gave it a shot however, because people were very up in arms that a book can only be labeled a “romance” if it has a HEA. Really????? Me Before You is one of my favorite romance books that used this same trope – the only difference is that it did it well and made me fall in love with both Louisa and Sam Claflin Will (and bumblebee tights). Sadly, this one just felt contrived and a blatant attempt to pull at the heartstrings. Didn’t work, though, because . . . .
Okay, so this is the type of book where although the leading lady is going to go on these twelve dates with twelve randos the reader is instantly intrOkay, so this is the type of book where although the leading lady is going to go on these twelve dates with twelve randos the reader is instantly introduced to a male friend that OBVIOUSLY is going to end up being Mr. Right and so we just have to wait it out until they get their shit together. And guess what????
Kelly (and the Book Boar)
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