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creativelifeofliz's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was a fun take on a Hallmark style romance and I enjoyed all the chaos.
theferalmoodreader's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
sisterfairyclarence's review
5.0
I’ve read a lot of romance novels in the last six months (initially I wanted to hate the genre because everyone makes fun, but it hooked me so fast), and nearly as many holiday novels as not in the last two. This has to be the best holiday-themed romance novel I’ve read. All of my critiques are so minor and picky (and based on my own weirdness) so they’re not even worth mentioning.
To be clear, I would pick it up to continue reading during commercials and when my other half was making dinner. I was glued.
To be clear, I would pick it up to continue reading during commercials and when my other half was making dinner. I was glued.
astornant's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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? N/A
5.0
I loved every second of this book
lost_windsock's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I'm always a huge fan of Lee Blair, and she brought it yet again with this holiday Dahlia Springs book! I adored both Reed and Warren, and every single supporting character and dog! This story was just so fun, so sweet, so heart-felt. It was really fun seeing some of the other couples from previous books, and overall, this book was just a pure delight.
mmromancereviewed's review
5.0
I'm loving the world of Dahlia Springs that Lee Blair has created and her Christmas story brings all the low-angst small town goodness from the Tap That Brewery series and puts it in a standalone Christmas romance...
24 Dares of Christmas could easily be made into a Hallmark romance - the grumpy grinch who arrives in town to pet-sit his aunt's adorable dogs, the neighbour who could easily have taken care of them, a fugly advent calendar full of dares and a town full of holiday spirit... toss in bi-awakening journey, the chance to help Warren resolve his financial issues and wrap it up in holiday magic and you have this book...
It was well written, well paced and a treat to read!
24 Dares of Christmas could easily be made into a Hallmark romance - the grumpy grinch who arrives in town to pet-sit his aunt's adorable dogs, the neighbour who could easily have taken care of them, a fugly advent calendar full of dares and a town full of holiday spirit... toss in bi-awakening journey, the chance to help Warren resolve his financial issues and wrap it up in holiday magic and you have this book...
It was well written, well paced and a treat to read!
natanacreativepineapple's review
5.0
I have read Lee’s short story called “Perfect Blend” and I now cannot wait to read their Tap That Brewery series. The little town of Dahlia Springs is the most perfect Hallmark town ever. I want to join the cocktail crawl and see the smiles of all these wonderful characters. Each person is given such a unique personality that I was able to picture myself in the room during conversations to follow along or guess what sassy comment was going to come next.
Reed is a bit of a stiff businessman who has fallen into such a routine that he doesn’t realize what he is missing out on, until the dares left by his aunt show him what life may have to offer, and then he has to return to the city.
Warren is an absolute sweetheart. He is kind and willing to help anyone. His cheer level is off the frickin charts with sweaters for every occasion and an eye for decorating.
As a self-declared Hallmark and sappy romance lover, I DID NOT WANT TO STOP READING. This book had me so hooked that I would rush through chores so that I could get right back to find out what Aunt Katherine would make the Grinch do next! This is the perfect read for during the festive season, or to pull out for Christmas in July and remember all the joy that holidays can bring. Hallmark with steam was a nail hit right on the head with this novel.
Reed is a bit of a stiff businessman who has fallen into such a routine that he doesn’t realize what he is missing out on, until the dares left by his aunt show him what life may have to offer, and then he has to return to the city.
Warren is an absolute sweetheart. He is kind and willing to help anyone. His cheer level is off the frickin charts with sweaters for every occasion and an eye for decorating.
As a self-declared Hallmark and sappy romance lover, I DID NOT WANT TO STOP READING. This book had me so hooked that I would rush through chores so that I could get right back to find out what Aunt Katherine would make the Grinch do next! This is the perfect read for during the festive season, or to pull out for Christmas in July and remember all the joy that holidays can bring. Hallmark with steam was a nail hit right on the head with this novel.
notguilty's review
5.0
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Do you love super sweet, absolutely adorable Christmas romances? Me too! And 24 Dares of Christmas is exactly that. Low-angst and uplifting.
Returning to Dhalia Springs for a Christmas romance was the perfect way to start my holiday reading. I love that small town and its lovely supportive people. The home of great food and our favourite brewery, Tap That.
You’ve got Reed a workaholic corporate type, hiding out at his Aunt’s in Dhalia Springs after his break up with his girlfriend and upcoming move to Seattle. His plan is to eat, watch TV and avoid the holidays.
What he wasn’t expecting was an interfering Aunt and her extremely good-looking tenant, Warren. He is small-town personified. Mixed with an elf. He loves Christmas, the small town, and his large boisterous family.
These two click immediately and become the best of friends. Practically inseparable. Warren is determined to help Reed with his Christmas dares and help him enjoy the holiday season. Funny thing…the more time they spend together, the more time they want to spend together. Next thing you know…
Trust me the ending will make you grin, though be fair, it’s more like you won’t have stopped grinning, because I smiled the whole way through this story.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to find myself some peppermint kaluha and a coffee.
Also, please tell me that Lucas will get a story, that guy is screaming for his.
4.5 Stars
Do you love super sweet, absolutely adorable Christmas romances? Me too! And 24 Dares of Christmas is exactly that. Low-angst and uplifting.
Returning to Dhalia Springs for a Christmas romance was the perfect way to start my holiday reading. I love that small town and its lovely supportive people. The home of great food and our favourite brewery, Tap That.
You’ve got Reed a workaholic corporate type, hiding out at his Aunt’s in Dhalia Springs after his break up with his girlfriend and upcoming move to Seattle. His plan is to eat, watch TV and avoid the holidays.
What he wasn’t expecting was an interfering Aunt and her extremely good-looking tenant, Warren. He is small-town personified. Mixed with an elf. He loves Christmas, the small town, and his large boisterous family.
These two click immediately and become the best of friends. Practically inseparable. Warren is determined to help Reed with his Christmas dares and help him enjoy the holiday season. Funny thing…the more time they spend together, the more time they want to spend together. Next thing you know…
Trust me the ending will make you grin, though be fair, it’s more like you won’t have stopped grinning, because I smiled the whole way through this story.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to find myself some peppermint kaluha and a coffee.
Also, please tell me that Lucas will get a story, that guy is screaming for his.
4.5 Stars
itssarahc's review
5.0
If you like Hallmark movies and want to read one in book form, then look no further than this book right here. It has all of the trademarks: big city workaholic comes to a small Christmas friendly town and falls in love, has to choose between love and career, all of it. And Lee Blair does it beautifully, following a familiar recipe and adding her own little signatures to make this book sing.
My cheeks STILL hurt from reading it and I finished it last night.
Reed and Warren were amazing characters who balanced each other so well. They both had some real shit to deal with. Reed was reeling from a recent breakup and kind of hated his job. Warren was struggling with debt and figuring out his life path after his business went under. They were both lonely. And then, they met - because Reed came to stay at his Aunt's while she was out of town and Warren happened to live in his aunt's back yard. An easy friendship developed between them and from there, Reed realized that it wasn't just friendship.
I've read a lot of bisexual awakenings, and I really loved Reed's. I loved that it mentioned the late night google searches and buzzfeed quizzes that are pretty known territory to anyone who has ever questioned their sexual or gender identity in the modern era. I loved how he was confused as to how he made it to his thirties without knowing this about himself. (I loved that this book had two MCs in their 30s trying to figure their life out because #relateable.)
And I loved watching them grow together, bonding over dogs and dares and holiday fun.
The entire book is incredibly sweet. The communication between the two MCs was amazing. I left the book once again wishing I could move to Dahlia Springs, because everything about that town - from the Tap That Brewery to Mabel being a busybody to the insane holiday traditions - makes me love it even more. I loved reading about Warren's family and I loved seeing Reed start to change his opinions on how he grew up as well - without suddenly not being still a bit hurt from how he always viewed it.
Nowhere in the narrative does it make Reed or Warren feel bad for how they feel about anything. Plus, bonus points to Lee Blair for not villainizing Reed's ex, Amber.
This book was a dual POV with a very low angst. It was sweeter than hot cocoa with extra marshmallows, had a ton of fun Christmas references, had some great cameos from all the other Dahlia Springs people, and was just fun. I loved it and I do not regret it being my first holiday book of the year.
** DISCLAIMER: I recieved an advanced copy from GRR and this is my fair and honest review. **
My cheeks STILL hurt from reading it and I finished it last night.
Reed and Warren were amazing characters who balanced each other so well. They both had some real shit to deal with. Reed was reeling from a recent breakup and kind of hated his job. Warren was struggling with debt and figuring out his life path after his business went under. They were both lonely. And then, they met - because Reed came to stay at his Aunt's while she was out of town and Warren happened to live in his aunt's back yard. An easy friendship developed between them and from there, Reed realized that it wasn't just friendship.
I've read a lot of bisexual awakenings, and I really loved Reed's. I loved that it mentioned the late night google searches and buzzfeed quizzes that are pretty known territory to anyone who has ever questioned their sexual or gender identity in the modern era. I loved how he was confused as to how he made it to his thirties without knowing this about himself. (I loved that this book had two MCs in their 30s trying to figure their life out because #relateable.)
And I loved watching them grow together, bonding over dogs and dares and holiday fun.
The entire book is incredibly sweet. The communication between the two MCs was amazing. I left the book once again wishing I could move to Dahlia Springs, because everything about that town - from the Tap That Brewery to Mabel being a busybody to the insane holiday traditions - makes me love it even more. I loved reading about Warren's family and I loved seeing Reed start to change his opinions on how he grew up as well - without suddenly not being still a bit hurt from how he always viewed it.
Nowhere in the narrative does it make Reed or Warren feel bad for how they feel about anything. Plus, bonus points to Lee Blair for not villainizing Reed's ex, Amber.
This book was a dual POV with a very low angst. It was sweeter than hot cocoa with extra marshmallows, had a ton of fun Christmas references, had some great cameos from all the other Dahlia Springs people, and was just fun. I loved it and I do not regret it being my first holiday book of the year.
** DISCLAIMER: I recieved an advanced copy from GRR and this is my fair and honest review. **
xanthe87's review
5.0
*4.5*
This is such an enjoyable festive romance! My first of this holiday season and I can't wait for more.
Reed and Warren are both not happy with their current lives, for one reason or another. Reed has come to stay at his aunt's for December while she's away and has the added bonus of getting to know Warren who lives on her property. I love the idea of the 24 dares advent calendar, it's a lot of fun that gives Reed the chance to get out, into the festive spirit that he normally ignores and socialising with the town of Dahlia Springs. It's a wonderful friendship that develops that quickly has attraction growing, something new for Reed when it's towards another man. He's very much a go with the flow kind of guy as he eases into exploring with Warren and steps up to help the town try and win some fundraising by taking on their social media for their winter festival. Warren, whilst loving what is building between them, has worries of his own regarding his recent past but also what is possible for the two of them in the future as Reed is meant to be moving to Seattle for a job.
Despite this, it's a pretty low angst romance that has all of the festive cheer expected in small town US, with hilarious family antics, dogs that are all too happy to wear Christmas jumpers, and 24 dares to bring two men together over the holiday season.
Fans of Tap That Brewery series will recognise several faces here. It's great being back in a small town that really has so much holiday cheer. A mix of Warren and Dahlia Springs give Reed the push he needs to get into the spirit of the season.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.
This is such an enjoyable festive romance! My first of this holiday season and I can't wait for more.
Reed and Warren are both not happy with their current lives, for one reason or another. Reed has come to stay at his aunt's for December while she's away and has the added bonus of getting to know Warren who lives on her property. I love the idea of the 24 dares advent calendar, it's a lot of fun that gives Reed the chance to get out, into the festive spirit that he normally ignores and socialising with the town of Dahlia Springs. It's a wonderful friendship that develops that quickly has attraction growing, something new for Reed when it's towards another man. He's very much a go with the flow kind of guy as he eases into exploring with Warren and steps up to help the town try and win some fundraising by taking on their social media for their winter festival. Warren, whilst loving what is building between them, has worries of his own regarding his recent past but also what is possible for the two of them in the future as Reed is meant to be moving to Seattle for a job.
Despite this, it's a pretty low angst romance that has all of the festive cheer expected in small town US, with hilarious family antics, dogs that are all too happy to wear Christmas jumpers, and 24 dares to bring two men together over the holiday season.
Fans of Tap That Brewery series will recognise several faces here. It's great being back in a small town that really has so much holiday cheer. A mix of Warren and Dahlia Springs give Reed the push he needs to get into the spirit of the season.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.