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theverycraftyvegan's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I didn’t love the relationship between Leo and Gabby. Maybe it was their large age gap but I kept picturing Leo as the father and wondering why he wasn’t doing a better job at parenting. Oops.
The chemistry between Leo and Marie was just “whomp-whomp” for me. There was no real swoon worthy parts for me. Poor Marie never had a satisfying sexual relationship before Leo so grinding on his thigh one time turned her in to a horny sex fiend. They went at it any chance they got, but the sex scenes were meh.
Side note: Leo is obsessed with Marie’s dimples! Fixated on them. Fake smile dimples and real smile dimples and dimples dimples dimples. I digress.
Marie and her father have a complicated relationship. Early on she described him as “the sad king” and that was just untrue. He might be sad but really he’s just a straight up asshole. He’s mean to Marie, Leo, and Gabby the entire time they’re at the castle. He had a few redeeming moments at the end of the book but those did not warm my heart towards him. It was too little too late. Parents can be sad and not be assholes to our children and everyone around us.
I finished this book but I don’t think I will be continuing with the series. I have many other festive books on my TBR and feel like Jenny Holiday isn’t for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexual content, and Cursing
Moderate: Car accident, Death of parent, Cancer, Grief, and Death
Minor: Alcohol
amberinpieces's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
slow-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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Sexual content
Moderate: Classism
Minor: Car accident, Grief, Blood, Bullying, Death of parent, Death, Alcohol, and Body shaming
writtenbydnicole's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
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? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol, Car accident, Death, Death of parent, and Grief
beckyreadsitall's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Don’t let the illustrated cover fool you, this was perfection. Like a Hallmark movie, but with more depth, shade thrown at Hallmark movies, and way more than just a chaste kiss at the end!
After reading the first two in her Matchmaker Bay series, I am a big Jenny Holiday fan - in fact, I still need to read her backlist!
The dialogue in the book was 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴; the opening chapter had me cackling, and I made my husband read it as well because it was just too good! And there were lines that made me go, ooh, that was good. For example:
“Oh, that forthright honesty, that vulnerability. It was like a paper cut: minor on the surface of things, but after a beat to absorb it, stealthily sharp and stinging.”
Leo was somewhat of a cinnamon roll hero, but he cussed constantly and I FUCKING LOVED IT! Also, so did Marie, because no one talks “to” her really, more around her since she’s a princess.
The steam was good and it’s the first in a series so basically I’m all in and would like the next one 𝘯𝘰𝘸 please, Avon!
Content Warning: Loss of a parent (not on the page, but discussed a lot)
After reading the first two in her Matchmaker Bay series, I am a big Jenny Holiday fan - in fact, I still need to read her backlist!
The dialogue in the book was 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴; the opening chapter had me cackling, and I made my husband read it as well because it was just too good! And there were lines that made me go, ooh, that was good. For example:
“Oh, that forthright honesty, that vulnerability. It was like a paper cut: minor on the surface of things, but after a beat to absorb it, stealthily sharp and stinging.”
Leo was somewhat of a cinnamon roll hero, but he cussed constantly and I FUCKING LOVED IT! Also, so did Marie, because no one talks “to” her really, more around her since she’s a princess.
The steam was good and it’s the first in a series so basically I’m all in and would like the next one 𝘯𝘰𝘸 please, Avon!
Content Warning: Loss of a parent (not on the page, but discussed a lot)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
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