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mabellene's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death of parent, and Death
Moderate: Cancer
Minor: Vomit and Pregnancy
susanpevensie's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Death of parent
cassiealexandra's review
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
I loved this book. My only warning/negative would be that if you aren't into cheesy, sappy romance and holiday shenanigans, this may not be for you. Back to what I liked...
This was a laugh-out-loud funny book to me. The banter between Miles and Olive was so good. There were literary references galore between these 2 high school English teachers, especially Jane Eyre, which is a favorite classic of mine. All the tropes in this one were well-done - fake dating, he falls first, and "rivals" to lovers. The rivalry and hatred is in Olive's imagination, but because she hasn't given Miles a chance at friendship in their 9 months of working together, the "enemies" to lovers was believable to me (unlike in some other titles).
I admit that I came into this a little skeptical. Why? I'm not sure. I think I expected a sweet closed-door romance that would be moderately funny, light, and heartfelt. I was kind of blown away by how funny and also emotional this book was. I got misty eyed and cried several times. The experiences of both Miles and Olive with a death of a loved one and the very real and complicated feelings Olive had about her mother being remarried were so much deeper than my expectations.
Overall, I loved this book and am ready to read all of Cindy Steel's backlist!
— NOTES —
Genres: romantic comedy
POV: first-person, singular
Content: grief, death of a loved one
Romance: kissing
Initial impression: Okay, more to come, but loved. Hands down my favorite of the semi-cheesy, sappy, holiday reads. So heartfelt and funny. Had me smiling through the whole thing, except for the moments I got misty-eyed. Putting Cindy Steel’s backlist on my TBR for those feel-good mixed with emotion moods of mine.
This was a laugh-out-loud funny book to me. The banter between Miles and Olive was so good. There were literary references galore between these 2 high school English teachers, especially Jane Eyre, which is a favorite classic of mine. All the tropes in this one were well-done - fake dating, he falls first, and "rivals" to lovers. The rivalry and hatred is in Olive's imagination, but because she hasn't given Miles a chance at friendship in their 9 months of working together, the "enemies" to lovers was believable to me (unlike in some other titles).
I admit that I came into this a little skeptical. Why? I'm not sure. I think I expected a sweet closed-door romance that would be moderately funny, light, and heartfelt. I was kind of blown away by how funny and also emotional this book was. I got misty eyed and cried several times. The experiences of both Miles and Olive with a death of a loved one and the very real and complicated feelings Olive had about her mother being remarried were so much deeper than my expectations.
Overall, I loved this book and am ready to read all of Cindy Steel's backlist!
— NOTES —
Genres: romantic comedy
POV: first-person, singular
Content: grief, death of a loved one
Romance: kissing
Initial impression: Okay, more to come, but loved. Hands down my favorite of the semi-cheesy, sappy, holiday reads. So heartfelt and funny. Had me smiling through the whole thing, except for the moments I got misty-eyed. Putting Cindy Steel’s backlist on my TBR for those feel-good mixed with emotion moods of mine.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent and Grief
atamano's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Death of parent
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Vomit, Pregnancy, and Sexual content
rosyburrow's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Cancer, Death of parent, and Mental illness
jessversteeg's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I basically never give books a 5* rating but this one had me squealing, giggling, cringing, and swooning. The plot is much better than the average romance with actual things happening to move it forward, which was a welcome surprise!
I couldn’t put it down last night and I will regret it today when I’m too tired to think. I’m 100% reading another book by Cindy Steel and she may be my fav new romance author
I couldn’t put it down last night and I will regret it today when I’m too tired to think. I’m 100% reading another book by Cindy Steel and she may be my fav new romance author
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and Grief
Moderate: Cancer
readingwithmeredith's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Death of parent, and Death
that_awkwardpart's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
It's a fun holiday read . It's closed door. But the Christmas theme is very strong and festiv.
But it makes you feel bad about reading books because you should live the moments... Not really what I want from a book.
The story is fun to read.
But it makes you feel bad about reading books because you should live the moments... Not really what I want from a book.
The story is fun to read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Vomit, Death, Death of parent, and Grief
booktrovertreader's review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Grief
dani_reis's review
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Minor: Cancer, Toxic relationship, Death, Terminal illness, Vomit, Death of parent, Medical trauma, and Pregnancy