Tag: Book Review

Book Review: Just Like Magic by Sarah Hogle

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Holiday Romance
Length: 368 pages
Author: Sarah Hogle
Publisher: Putnam
Release Date: October 4th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Bettie Hughes once knew the comfort of luxury, flaunting a ridiculous collection of designer shoes and a stealthy addiction to CBD oils. That is, until her parents snipped her purse strings. Long obsessed with her public image, Bettie boasts an extravagant lifestyle on social media. But the reality is: Bettie is broke and squatting in Colorado, and her family has no idea.

Christmas, with its pressure to meet familial expectations, is looming when a drunk Bettie plays a vinyl record of “All I Want for Christmas Is You” backwards and accidentally conjures Hall, an unexpectedly charming Holiday Spirit in the form of a man. Once the shock wears off, Bettie knows she’s stumbled upon the greatest gift: a chance to make all her holiday wishes come true, plus a ready-made fiancé.

But as the wiles of magic lose their charm, Bettie finds herself set off-kilter by Hall’s sweet gestures. Suddenly, Bettie is finding her heart merry and light. But the happier she gets, the shorter Hall’s time on earth grows. Can Bettie channel the Christmas spirit and learn to live with goodwill toward all men? Or will her selfish ways come back as soon as the holidays are over?

From the author of Twice Shy comes a sprightly Christmas novel, a rollicking romp through the absurdity of family holidays and the hope of new love.

EMBRACE IT.

Oh my goodness, this book was wholly different than any other holiday read I have come across before. And I adored it???

We have a completely unlikable main character who has some major growth and things to work through. Enter in the book personification of Buddy the Elf and you have the love interest, Hall. I liked these two together! The reverse grump / sunshine trope worked perfectly here and I thought the ending was sweet.

Plot wise, I can’t say much was going on that I could gather. It’s a bit scattered for awhile and yet I burst out laughing more than once. The quips and one liners and all of the name drops somehow fit right in. The quirkyness of the story allowed a lot of free flow.

The spirit of the holiday season was brought to life. I loved many of the second half sentiments and now I feel like I am ready for all things Christmas after this book. Perfect for the season if you’re looking for something lighter and fun.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Holiday Romance
  • Language: a little
  • Romance: kissing
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: brief mentions of psychological abuse from a previous relationship

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ARC Book Review: A Holly Jilly Christmas (Love Stories in Sheet Cake) by Emma St. Clair

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Holiday Romance Novella
Length: 124 pages
Author: Emma St. Clair
Publisher: Self published
Release Date: December 9th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

My life is nothing like the movies we make at the studio where I work–especially not when it comes to relationships.
Which means that there will be absolutely NO romance between me and Case, the grumpy exec I’ve had a crush on from our very first not-so-meet-cute.
We’re simply two coworkers scouting the town of Sheet Cake, Texas as a location for filming.
That’s it.
Though, to be honest, I’m suspicious of why Case came on this trip at all.
Whatever the reason, there will be no Christmas magic, and definitely NO mistletoe kisses.
But when Case actually starts talking to me–gasp!–and reveals the humor and kindness buried beneath his gruff persona, my little crush explodes into something a lot harder to hide.
Except he’s harboring secrets of his own.
And I’m starting to wonder if his cagey behavior is because he’s planning to take credit for my (admittedly brilliant) idea to make this town our central filming hub.
He’s not that kind of man … right?
All I wanted for Christmas was a promotion, and now I’m falling for the man who might be trying to steal it.

A Holly Jilly Christmas is a grumpy sunshine Christmas novella set in the world of Sheet Cake, Texas.You’ll get all the chemistry and laughs in this closed door romance.

Thank you to the author for an eARC.

LOVED SO MUCH.

I have been chomping at the bit to get my hands on this book and when it dropped in my inbox I was on cloud 9. Emma St. Clair books never disappoint and I need y’all to had this to your holiday TBR’s. It is a GEM.

I adored Jillian and Case. It was the perfect forced proximity set-up. A car break-down, small town shenanigans that lead to more? Give it all to me. ALL. This is beyond filled with the best flirtatious banter that had me grinning like a fool and swooning to a puddle. I LOVED IT. Everything was perfectly timed and I can not even with a guy falls first scenario.

There’s a small dose of the holiday season that slides in well between the romance. I loved seeing a few characters from Sheet Cake (and wow, every time I read a book in this series do I want to go make sheet cake ASAP).

This is simple, light, and full of all the feel goodness you want this time of year. I loved every dang page.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Holiday Romance Novella
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: low
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: mentions of loss of parents

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Book Review: Miss Lattimore’s Letter by Suzanne Allain

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Rating: ★★
Audience: Regency Romance
Length: 256 pages
Author: Suzanne Allain
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: August 10th, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The woman who never made a match of her own is making matches for everyone else in this hilarious comedy of manners from the author of Mr. Malcolm’s List.

Sophronia Lattimore had her romantic dreams destroyed years ago and is resigned to her role as chaperone for her cousin. Still, she cannot sit idly by when she becomes aware that a gentleman is about to propose to the wrong woman. She sends him an anonymous letter that is soon the talk of the town, particularly when her advice proves to be correct. Her identity is discovered and Sophie, formerly a wallflower, becomes sought after for her “expert” matchmaking skills.

One person who seeks her out is the eligible and attractive Sir Edmund Winslow. As Sophie assists Sir Edmund in his pursuit of a wife, she wishes she could recommend herself as his bride. However, she vows to remain professional and uninvolved while aiding him in his search (especially since the gentleman surely does not return her affections).

Three unexpected arrivals soon show up at Sophie’s door—the man who once broke her heart, a newlywed who is dissatisfied with the match Sophie made for her, and the man madly in love with Sophie’s cousin—all wanting her attention. But when her onetime beau and Sir Edmund both appear to be interested in her, Sophie can’t figure out if she’s headed for another broken heart­­ or for the altar. How can she be expected to help other people sort out their romantic lives when her own is such a disaster?

NOT FOR ME.

For a quick audio book where I was hoping to have a cutesy regency romance play out.

This was not that case.

What I got instead was a mash-up of way too many points of view for a 250 page book. Every character was having their own storyline and while some of the moments were sweet, it just didn’t work. I felt like I didn’t know any of the characters on a deeper level before things were jumping to the next one and so forth. I think there were at least three different love stories woven in here.

I honestly don’t think I have anything else to say. I finished it in a day and don’t remember most of it now because it was easy to forget.

Overall audience notes:

  • Regency romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses

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Book Review: Single All the Way by Portia MacIntosh

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Holiday Romance
Length: 267 pages
Author: Portia MacIntosh
Publisher: Boldwood Books
Release Date: August 18th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Will Dani find love this Christmas? Or will she be Single All The Way…?

When Dani’s boyfriend (and boss!) dumps her for a younger model, the only silver lining she can see is to be able to spend Christmas at home with her family after years away.

Determined to surprise them, Dani turns up unannounced in her hometown, excited to see that the festive season in Marram Bay is in full swing with Christmas lights twinkling on every corner. But disaster strikes when she finds her parents’ house is empty and they appear to have gone away on holiday!

Christmas alone and single is not ideal, and when Dani starts bumping into old friends, neighbours and potential love interests, she can’t face telling them the truth. So in a panic she claims to be home to throw a Christmas party for the whole town – easier said than done with 12 days to go before Christmas…

As the fake party approaches, little does Dani know that there may be someone there under the mistletoe for her, if she can just let her guard down and see them…

A laugh-out-loud festive romantic comedy from top 10 bestseller Portia MacIntosh, guaranteed to put a smile on your face this Christmas.

A FUN HOLIDAY READ.

This one was a quick, light, good holiday time. I love finding great holiday books for the season and I’d easily add this to my recommendations list. The audio was a good listen and gave the edge to British humor that I got a laugh out of.

I wasn’t sure initially how I felt about the romance. The hero isn’t exactly charming or endearing, BUT he really grew on me. I ended up thinking he was sweet and I thought the chemistry between Dani and him was endearing.

The plot is exactly what you expect of a Christmastime read. A cobbled together holiday party set in a small town. I have no qualms over this because I feel like it’s the spirit of the season for these reads.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Holiday Romance
  • Language: a little
  • Romance: closed door

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