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cleo_reads's review against another edition
emotional
4.0
Emotionally satisfying sapphic holiday romance. Some of the plot (and a lot of the descriptions of making art and making a living as a visual artist) required a suspension of disbelief but I enjoyed the romance.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism and Abandonment
toffishay's review against another edition
I really struggled to get into this book honestly. The setting seems so fun, but the characters are really difficult to like. <SPOILER> The romance being set up between Noelle and Miriam is hard to root for because the enemies to lovers stuff is so strong. Like Noelle is too mean right away to Miriam and then her about turn feels a little abrupt. And the idea of being mean to the girl you like because you can't handle your feelings is boring. Miriam is made more unlikable by the treatment of Tara. <END SPOILER> Everything was just a little too cranked up for me to care.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism and Abandonment
Minor: Death of parent, Emotional abuse, and Death
wraith_demjin's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Abandonment
Moderate: Grief, Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, and Alcohol
Minor: Domestic abuse
binreads's review against another edition
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I have lots of thoughts...My main qualm with this book was that I wish it didn't repeat itself so much. By the third act, I was skimming at that point because it was so overkill. Also, it's all basically a trauma dump. For a book called Season of Love....I expected a bit more joy but god it's so sad.
I was more interested in the side characters like Hannah, The Matthew's and Cass than the main two! (I'm actually am intrigued to read the second book set to come out Fall 2023 about Hannah and Blue)
Unfortunately, I really disliked Noelle and made it difficult to read her parts. She's way too overly judgmental and I found she had almost no redeeming qualities. Miriam was alright but nothing about her really made me root for her. I also found her artist career completely unrealistic?
Hated the 'fade to black' before the intimate *spice* moments, I feel like I might've understood Noelle and Miriam's relationship more deeply.
I'm going to mark the rest as spoilers because I'm about to go into DETAIL:
Wow, where do I start...Noelle and Miriam have so many issues, I think they both needed some serious therapy or some more time before committing to this relationship.
Noelle from the start is very judgemental of Miri, but never took a MOMENT to think "Hey, this girl left her entire family and hasn't come back for years. That's strange. Something traumatic must've happened to her for her to do that." Especially with Noelle's background with her parents' being alcoholics, herself being a recovering alcoholic, and all of her own trauma she has experienced, you'd think she would not judge people so quickly.
I found her incredibly rude and just an outright hypocrite. When they find out Miri's father is trying to ruin everything, and Miri has that moment where she wants to run again, why didn't Noelle just give the girl time to THINK???? Her father was horrible to her, she knows this and yet blames Miriam for being scared, and her first thought going back to what she knows which is to run. Uh, hello she left for YEARS and didn't speak with her literal family yet you think she'd immediately be cured from her traumatic past and stay for someone she's known for a few months?? Noelle ultimately only thinks for herself and what outcome benefits her.
Miriam was more digestible. Her art selling for thousands of dollars at the end made no sense to me though because wasn't Tara taking care of her financially? I still don't understand the whole fiance thing, what was the point of all that? It added nothing to the story. I feel like her and Tara being partners would've left the same impact. Or if Miriam was just single to begin with. But speaking of Tara, she was actually a very interesting character and I'm sad she was just washed down to a ridged person.
Noelle and Miriam's love story was all over the place, started out bad and felt rushed. Miriam leaves her so called fiance and has already for the most part moved onto Noelle within a day. Which again, Noelle suddenly is head over heels for Miri after totally being a horrible person towards her.
Also, did anyone else think Cole was gay? Was he straight? Did I miss something?
I loved Miri’s cousin Hannah and the little insight we get into her complicated relationship with Levi. God, that ending with them!?!?!? Why couldn't we have gotten more of that!!!!! That's why I wanna give this next book a chance!!!
I also did not for the life of me understand the whole abusive father angle. Why would he hate his daughter so much just because she didn't want to go into his business? And for him after all these years to still actively try and harm her future? The whole drug scheme? Ziva's character felt so surface level and maybe that's the point of her character but if so, why would she still be invited around when she actively didn't do anything to help her own daughter?
Cass seemed great and I blame nothing on her.
Overall the story is about saving the Carrigan's, but it spends waaaaaaaaaay too much time on that for it to be solved so quickly in the end.
I was more interested in the side characters like Hannah, The Matthew's and Cass than the main two! (I'm actually am intrigued to read the second book set to come out Fall 2023 about Hannah and Blue)
Unfortunately, I really disliked Noelle and made it difficult to read her parts. She's way too overly judgmental and I found she had almost no redeeming qualities. Miriam was alright but nothing about her really made me root for her. I also found her artist career completely unrealistic?
Hated the 'fade to black' before the intimate *spice* moments, I feel like I might've understood Noelle and Miriam's relationship more deeply.
I'm going to mark the rest as spoilers because I'm about to go into DETAIL:
Wow, where do I start...Noelle and Miriam have so many issues, I think they both needed some serious therapy or some more time before committing to this relationship.
Noelle from the start is very judgemental of Miri, but never took a MOMENT to think "Hey, this girl left her entire family and hasn't come back for years. That's strange. Something traumatic must've happened to her for her to do that." Especially with Noelle's background with her parents' being alcoholics, herself being a recovering alcoholic, and all of her own trauma she has experienced, you'd think she would not judge people so quickly.
I found her incredibly rude and just an outright hypocrite. When they find out Miri's father is trying to ruin everything, and Miri has that moment where she wants to run again, why didn't Noelle just give the girl time to THINK???? Her father was horrible to her, she knows this and yet blames Miriam for being scared, and her first thought going back to what she knows which is to run. Uh, hello she left for YEARS and didn't speak with her literal family yet you think she'd immediately be cured from her traumatic past and stay for someone she's known for a few months?? Noelle ultimately only thinks for herself and what outcome benefits her.
Miriam was more digestible. Her art selling for thousands of dollars at the end made no sense to me though because wasn't Tara taking care of her financially? I still don't understand the whole fiance thing, what was the point of all that? It added nothing to the story. I feel like her and Tara being partners would've left the same impact. Or if Miriam was just single to begin with. But speaking of Tara, she was actually a very interesting character and I'm sad she was just washed down to a ridged person.
Noelle and Miriam's love story was all over the place, started out bad and felt rushed. Miriam leaves her so called fiance and has already for the most part moved onto Noelle within a day. Which again, Noelle suddenly is head over heels for Miri after totally being a horrible person towards her.
Also, did anyone else think Cole was gay? Was he straight? Did I miss something?
I loved Miri’s cousin Hannah and the little insight we get into her complicated relationship with Levi. God, that ending with them!?!?!? Why couldn't we have gotten more of that!!!!! That's why I wanna give this next book a chance!!!
I also did not for the life of me understand the whole abusive father angle. Why would he hate his daughter so much just because she didn't want to go into his business? And for him after all these years to still actively try and harm her future? The whole drug scheme? Ziva's character felt so surface level and maybe that's the point of her character but if so, why would she still be invited around when she actively didn't do anything to help her own daughter?
Cass seemed great and I blame nothing on her.
Overall the story is about saving the Carrigan's, but it spends waaaaaaaaaay too much time on that for it to be solved so quickly in the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Grief
Moderate: Alcoholism, Alcohol, Death of parent, and Addiction
internationalreads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Death, Grief, Sexual content, Child abuse, Abandonment, Alcoholism, Terminal illness, and Toxic relationship
kshertz's review against another edition
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
4.5
Oh I loved it! A queer romance on a Christmas farm?! An artist and a lumberjack? A love for sexy butches? As a tall thicker sober person I fell in love with Noelle. I have never seen myself reflected in a character so much. To be the object of desire like Miriam? It meant a lot to me. It was new and different. They were flawed and mature. They worked through their shit together and independently. More Kringle would be all I wanted. I loved it. I even forgive it for not having really any smut (very closed door).
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Gaslighting, Addiction, Alcoholism, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, and Emotional abuse
savvyrosereads's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? Yes
3.5
Out now! [Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!]
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Miriam Blum hasn’t gone home in ten years—and with good reason. But when her beloved great-aunt dies, Miriam finds herself pulled back to life on the Christmas tree farm where she used to spend her childhood holidays, and faced with the possibility of a love story that might change her life.
I absolutely adore the concept for this one—a sapphic holiday rom-com with a Jewish MC but set on a Christmas tree farm? I knew I needed to read this one, and I’m so glad I did!
Season of Love is absolutely adorable, but it also packs a lot of emotion and meaningful messaging into a fun quirky rom-com. The characters are excellent and the “saving the family farm” storyline was extremely well done (and did make me tear up a bit).
If I’m quibbling, I did feel like this book was a bit more character-driven than plot-driven, at times, which isn’t usually my preference for rom-coms and is the reason this wasn’t an “omg yay ten million stars” review. But I still enjoyed this so much, and cannot wait for the sequel (Hannah is the best and I need her story desperately!!)
Recommended to anyone, but especially if you like: character-driven romance; diverse holiday representation; found family themes
CW: Child abuse; emotional abuse; death of parent/loved one; grief; alcoholism.
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Miriam Blum hasn’t gone home in ten years—and with good reason. But when her beloved great-aunt dies, Miriam finds herself pulled back to life on the Christmas tree farm where she used to spend her childhood holidays, and faced with the possibility of a love story that might change her life.
I absolutely adore the concept for this one—a sapphic holiday rom-com with a Jewish MC but set on a Christmas tree farm? I knew I needed to read this one, and I’m so glad I did!
Season of Love is absolutely adorable, but it also packs a lot of emotion and meaningful messaging into a fun quirky rom-com. The characters are excellent and the “saving the family farm” storyline was extremely well done (and did make me tear up a bit).
If I’m quibbling, I did feel like this book was a bit more character-driven than plot-driven, at times, which isn’t usually my preference for rom-coms and is the reason this wasn’t an “omg yay ten million stars” review. But I still enjoyed this so much, and cannot wait for the sequel (Hannah is the best and I need her story desperately!!)
Recommended to anyone, but especially if you like: character-driven romance; diverse holiday representation; found family themes
CW: Child abuse; emotional abuse; death of parent/loved one; grief; alcoholism.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Abandonment, Death, Domestic abuse, Addiction, Death of parent, Grief, Alcoholism, and Child abuse
emmas_bookshelf's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Honestly all the stars in the world to this queer, Jewish, holiday romcom which is an absolutely stunning debut from Helena Greer. When her aunt Cass dies right before opening season of the Christmas Tree Farm & Inn she runs, Miriam heads to New York to sit shiva and confront family and feelings that she has avoided for over a decade. When Cass’s will is full of surprises, several lives change course and sooooo many hijinks ensue. I loved this book, I got so invested in every single one of the character’s storylines, and was rooting for them to save the farm and find love. Also, all the representations? Fat rep, queer rep (in many forms), Jewish rep, people of color, and I’m probably missing more. It was wonderful. This is such an excellent book and I really really truly recommend! Also, I caught that Dick Casablancas reference and know Helena must be a marshmallow. IYKYK.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Emotional abuse, Abandonment, and Alcoholism
bi_n_large's review against another edition
emotional
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Death, Grief, and Abandonment
Minor: Sexual content, Antisemitism, and Misogyny
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