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jamishka's review against another edition
2.0
I wanted to like this book. It was refreshing to see a classic holiday romance with such diversity and representations: a bisexual Jewish main character, a masc lesbian love interest, a fem ex girlfriend and black married gay men with adopted children and it was pro-therapy. I really tried to get into this story, hoping page after page that it would get better. Unfortunately, it didn't.
For me, Miriam and Noelle lacked chemistry. There was mutual attraction but I wasn't buying this enemies to lovers romance. I wasn't interested in either of them as a couple and found myself looking forward to their interactions with the side characters instead of each other.
When I finished this book I wondered if there would be follow ups in regards to the side characters getting their own happily ever after. I see now that Hannah's second-chance romance with Levi has been published and Tara's story is in the works. What about Cole!? I enjoyed these characters (especially Hannah) enough that I'm considering giving Helena her own second chance by reading For Never & Always .
Based on the cover I was expecting Season of Love to be a rom-com but instead there was filled with trauma, abuse and tough subjects like grief from a recent loss, alcoholism, and abandonment. I applaud Helena for tackling these but I wish the cover and synopsis had reflected that better.
I will say that this story had a lot of potential, and it wasn't terrible..it just wasn't good.
For me, Miriam and Noelle lacked chemistry. There was mutual attraction but I wasn't buying this enemies to lovers romance. I wasn't interested in either of them as a couple and found myself looking forward to their interactions with the side characters instead of each other.
When I finished this book I wondered if there would be follow ups in regards to the side characters getting their own happily ever after. I see now that Hannah's second-chance romance with Levi has been published and Tara's story is in the works. What about Cole!? I enjoyed these characters (especially Hannah) enough that I'm considering giving Helena her own second chance by reading For Never & Always .
Based on the cover I was expecting Season of Love to be a rom-com but instead there was filled with trauma, abuse and tough subjects like grief from a recent loss, alcoholism, and abandonment. I applaud Helena for tackling these but I wish the cover and synopsis had reflected that better.
I will say that this story had a lot of potential, and it wasn't terrible..it just wasn't good.
megtropolitan's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
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
3.25
Miriam! GET BEHIND ME! All jokes aside, this was a cute book, we love butch rep (even though I was yelling at said butch most of the book).
agmaynard's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
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? It's complicated
4.0
Nicely done. With both MCs burdened by both longtime trauma and recent loss, this is hardly the romcom as labeled by the author, this time. Progresses well with any repetition understandable as they work through their fears and baggage. The idea that they both need and will have therapy is welcome. Actual family and found family are warm and supportive. Just cozy enough, and a rare exception for me as I don’t read holiday books. Closed door / fade to black, in keeping with the Hallmark flavor. Most of the faith portrayed is Jewish.
katieinca's review against another edition
3.0
Having a hard time deciding between a 3 and a 4 for this one. Pros: great cast of characters, creation of a place I desperately want to visit, body positivity, a Christmas-tree-farm story full of Judaism. Cons, at least for me and what I was looking for: the cover art made me think I was getting more of a rom com, and this is definitely a characters-working-through-trauma sort of romance. Well done, but... yeesh. Issues upon issues. Not the lightest read, so be aware if that's what you're looking for.
pagesofnay's review against another edition
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
4.0
e_curran's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
babs_reviews's review
2.0
First, I want to point out this read had all the diversity you could want just lacking a full execution of depth for the plot and characters.
Miriam and Noelle are pushed together being left a Christmas Tree farm split 4 ways. They have immediate dislike and I really felt like this was only paused enough for them to get together, then back to some toxicity that wasn’t at all the cozy and fuzzy holiday read I was expecting.
This book was meh. I don’t have strong opinions on it negatively or positively. It just is.
The characters were lacking any true depth. I didn’t connect or relate to any of them all that much. The plot was thin as this book was character-driven, hence the blah-ness.
The miscommunication trope is a tough sell with great plot and character depth but this time it felt so overdone and quite annoying.
Eh, maybe I did have some feelings after all.
Miriam and Noelle are pushed together being left a Christmas Tree farm split 4 ways. They have immediate dislike and I really felt like this was only paused enough for them to get together, then back to some toxicity that wasn’t at all the cozy and fuzzy holiday read I was expecting.
This book was meh. I don’t have strong opinions on it negatively or positively. It just is.
The characters were lacking any true depth. I didn’t connect or relate to any of them all that much. The plot was thin as this book was character-driven, hence the blah-ness.
The miscommunication trope is a tough sell with great plot and character depth but this time it felt so overdone and quite annoying.
Eh, maybe I did have some feelings after all.