I didn't expect to love this as much as I did, because fake dating isn't among my favourite tropes. But I really liked how it was done here. 4.5 stars
I didn't expect to love this as much as I did, because fake dating isn't among my favourite tropes. But I really liked how it was done here.
I enjoyed everything about this book – from the idyllic wintery setting to the relationships between the characters. I loved the family dynamics. There were a few bumps in the road, but overall I liked all the family members, and some friends.
I liked Megan and I adored Christian. Could he have been any more perfect? I loved how the relationship between them developed. It felt very natural and sweet.
The thing I enjoy the most about this author's writing is the way she writes characters and dialogues, and the humor. You know how so many books have the word "hilarious" on their covers, but they never are? Well, I found this one pretty funny at times.
Regarding that, I have to say that I absolutely loved the friendship between Christian and Zoe. I know I said in my review for the previous book that I didn't like Zoe, but I'm taking it back. The banter between them is perfect....more
A lovely short story about Adrien and Jake. It's wonderful to see how far they've come since the first time they met. I liked the Christmas vibes, butA lovely short story about Adrien and Jake. It's wonderful to see how far they've come since the first time they met. I liked the Christmas vibes, but there's also something more. I only wish it was longer. ...more
I really enjoyed the first half of the book with all the travelling and trying to get home for Christmas. I liked the friendship between Moll3.5 stars
I really enjoyed the first half of the book with all the travelling and trying to get home for Christmas. I liked the friendship between Molly and Andrew and their banter was fun. And Andrew seemed so swoony.
Sadly, I started to lose interest in the second half of the story. I didn't find it as exciting anymore and I feel the story started dragging a bit. I appreciated getting to know Andrew's family, but Zoe not so much.
Even though I didn't end up loving it as much as I expected, it was still an enjoyable read overall. ...more
What I liked: All the side characters: Charlie's mum and dad. His sister and his brother-in-law. All their wonderful kids, especially Lizzie and the 'wWhat I liked: All the side characters: Charlie's mum and dad. His sister and his brother-in-law. All their wonderful kids, especially Lizzie and the 'what-is-your-next-dinosaur' boy. ...more
This was such a sweet and heartwarming Christmas novella. Josh Lanyon is one of the rare authors who can make me feel for characters in a story this sThis was such a sweet and heartwarming Christmas novella. Josh Lanyon is one of the rare authors who can make me feel for characters in a story this short.
I really liked Noel and Robert. They have the same dynamics as Adrien and Jake, and it totally works for me. I liked their backstory, especially Noel's phone messages and books. I only wish we got to learn more about the first night they met. But everything in the present day was lovely, including the perfect setting, friendly neighbours and llamas!
Thank you for the recommendation, AngelFire! ...more
**spoiler alert** I really enjoyed the first 75% of the book. I liked Colton, I loved all the scenes that included the members of the book club and th**spoiler alert** I really enjoyed the first 75% of the book. I liked Colton, I loved all the scenes that included the members of the book club and their wives/girlfriends, and I was only mildly annoyed by Gretchen's inability to stand up to her brother Evan and by Colton having to convince her over and over again that she is worth it.
I do feel that both Colton and Gretchen went to extremes with their grumpy/sunshine personalities, to the point that it became repetitive and one-dimensional. He was too pushy at times and she was too stubborn and rude, but I still enjoyed their dynamics and their banter.
However, it was the last 25% that completely ruined the book for me. Gretchen's family drama overshadowed everything else in the story – the romance, the book club, the book they were reading, Colton's career and even Christmas. All the members of her family felt one-dimensional and unrealistic, especially Evan. The accusations against him were serious, but the whole situation was handled in a way that felt OTT and ridiculous.
I wanted to shake Gretchen so badly. Not only did she let Evan walk over her for the entire book, but she also broke up with Colton because of him, at 85% mark, and just left. After everything they talked about! Of course, everything was resolved quickly in the end - in a way that I didn't find satisfying or believable at all. There was also a grand gesture that made no sense.
This had a potential to be a fun and heartwarming Christmas story, but it only managed to make me angry....more
I quite enjoyed this story for the first half or so, but it started dragging for me in the second half. I skimmed over the intimate scenes and I foundI quite enjoyed this story for the first half or so, but it started dragging for me in the second half. I skimmed over the intimate scenes and I found the rest of it predictable.
Also, I expected it to feel more Christmassy and lighthearted. It wasn't necessarily heavy, but something about Logan's character and the writing style in this one left me feeling exhausted. ...more
This is a perfect read for Christmas time. It's sweet, warm and cozy – the type of story that makes you smile and feel good. It's very slow paced, butThis is a perfect read for Christmas time. It's sweet, warm and cozy – the type of story that makes you smile and feel good. It's very slow paced, but I preferred it that way.
I really enjoyed the small town setting of Lighthouse Bay with the Christmas Lane and Luca's shop and the winter/holiday activities. The characters are all wonderful – Mal and Luca, Mal's son Otis and his whole family and all their friends.
I loved Mal and Luca as characters, we definitely feel the same way about certain things, and I loved the way their relationship developed. It was very romantic.
I only wish (view spoiler)[we got to experience their first Christmas together, since all the chapters seemed to be leading up to it. The epilogue takes place one year later and, while I liked seeing them all together at Christmas time and learning about their accomplishments, I didn't find it believable that Mal would still be living in the house he doesn't like with half of his things still unpacked. I'm sure he and Luca would have started living together a lot sooner. (hide spoiler)]
It feels like I've read a completely different book from everyone else.
Everything was surface level, underdeveloped and rushed. I didn't feel any connIt feels like I've read a completely different book from everyone else.
Everything was surface level, underdeveloped and rushed. I didn't feel any connection to the characters and, quite frankly, I didn't care. I only finished it because it was short, but I was very tempted to dnf it halfway through. ...more
I enjoyed everything about this story except for the intimate scenes between the MCs. The way they were written, they only ruined the magical atmospheI enjoyed everything about this story except for the intimate scenes between the MCs. The way they were written, they only ruined the magical atmosphere for me. With a story like this one, I would have preferred something more romantic and swoony. ...more
It took me a while to get into this story. I couldn't connect to the MCs right away, nor with how their relationship developed.
But as we got to know It took me a while to get into this story. I couldn't connect to the MCs right away, nor with how their relationship developed.
But as we got to know Gideon and Paul better, the story improved for me. The time they spent with Paul's brother and his girlfriend was one of my favourite parts.
Surprisingly, another favourite part of this story was the community and the messages in their neighbourhood app. Those were really fun. ...more
Sadly, this story didn't work for me. I think my main problem is that I did not vibe with the author's writing style.
The MCs weren't well def1.5 stars
Sadly, this story didn't work for me. I think my main problem is that I did not vibe with the author's writing style.
The MCs weren't well defined, especially Henry's character. Most interactions between them felt kind of awkward and unnatural. I didn't feel any chemistry between them and I skimmed through the intimate scenes. There's some miscommunication towards the end that felt very contrived and cliché, or rather the reasons for it.
Also, I don't like it when the side characters have no personality and their only purpose in the story is to be nosy about the main characters' love life. It's one of my pet peeves. ...more
I loved the setting. I loved Reynolds and Arlo as main characters. Even though the story is short, I coThis was such a lovely, sweet, feel good story.
I loved the setting. I loved Reynolds and Arlo as main characters. Even though the story is short, I could feel the connection and chemistry between them.
The ending felt a bit rushed, but other than that I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Edit: Read in January. Review reposted, since it got deleted yet again. ...more
I don't have my original review anymore. I remember that I had a few niggles, but overall it was a sweet story and I enjoyed the scavenger hunt. I don't have my original review anymore. I remember that I had a few niggles, but overall it was a sweet story and I enjoyed the scavenger hunt. ...more
A short insta-love story. The setup is a bit ridiculous, in a good way, and there's not much relationship development, but the story is very 3.5 stars
A short insta-love story. The setup is a bit ridiculous, in a good way, and there's not much relationship development, but the story is very entertaining and original. Jonas is hilarious. Loved him.
I originally read this story as a part of the Winter Wonderland Giveaway. This new version has an epilogue added to it.
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