Scan barcode
the_true_monroe's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
slow-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
While the overall story was not for me, I connected greatly with Greta’s family dynamic, the struggles it caused in her interpersonal relationships, and her transition into her own person outside of the enmeshed family. I loved how her thought process and realizations were thoroughly communicated to the reader but also her partner.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Dementia, Chronic illness, Alcohol, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Vomit, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Drug use, and Transphobia
lost_windsock's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
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
5.0
This book was so wonderful. I thoroughly enjoyed it the whole way through. I felt so hard for both Greta and Truman. I related to Greta's struggles with her family a lot, and the advice she got from Muriel(who was just such a delightful side character) hit me so deeply. I loved Carys and how she was unwilling to accept anything but what she needed, and I loved how she helped Greta realize that was something she needed to give herself too. I also really loved Helen and Veronica, and their whole side plot was just a lot of fun. Truman's plot line honestly got me close to tears several times. The way he was treated by his ex, and the way he let others treat him for most of his life was just so upsetting, especially since he was just the absolute sweetest person. Letting himself tamp down his own creativity, not seeing his own art as art...I just wanted to give him a hug and tell him to shine. I loved the way he ended up meeting Ash, and the theme of everyone in town always recognizing Greta's sweaters made me laugh every time. The tenderness that he was able to offer Ash, who SO needed it, was one of my favorite parts of the book. Those gentle moments of just letting him let go and cry when it was so obvious he hadn't allowed himself that. I enjoyed Truman's side plot with discovering the roots of his favorite book series, and his friends Germaine and Charlotte were a really fun inclusion to the story. Having online friends that support you is real! And the representation of that was so refreshing! Also a big shout out to Ramona, who was a really fun character and whose cryptic texts split up the book into perfect chunks. The holiday themes in this book were actually quite subdued for a holiday book, but I think that made me like it more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Infidelity, Lesbophobia, Sexual content, Dementia, Emotional abuse, and Vomit
annahamburger's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Cursing
Moderate: Dementia, Lesbophobia, Mental illness, Emotional abuse, Drug use, Grief, and Infidelity
Minor: Homophobia, Vomit, Transphobia, Racism, Antisemitism, Child abuse, and Terminal illness
cassielaj's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
4.75
As someone who adores the movie The Holiday, I knew I’d be into this book. And I was correct. This is such a sweet story about making a change and confronting your habits to truly find yourself and what makes you happy. All four of the main characters are lovely, complex people, and their relationships and communication seems so normal and well-adjusted (most of the time). This book does a good job of not falling into too many overdone romance tropes, while still being a heartwarming holiday rom-com to rival the best of them. There’s a lot going on, but it’s so fun and funny and just a lovely read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Dementia, Emotional abuse, and Infidelity
Minor: Transphobia and Lesbophobia
sariereads's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Sexual content, Dementia, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Lesbophobia
pitsikakku's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Alcohol, Drug use, and Dementia
Moderate: Homophobia, Toxic relationship, and Lesbophobia
ladythana's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Dementia, Toxic relationship, and Infidelity
Minor: Drug use, Mental illness, Homophobia, Transphobia, Religious bigotry, and Lesbophobia
imaginaryalchemist's review
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I felt like the characters' romances progressed too quickly, which is possibly due to not having as much time to focus on their respective romances.
I also felt like a lot of the side characters were flat and didn't add much to the story. Greta's story in particular suffered from this. She's introduced to several of Carys' friends and they barely had any relevance to the plot.
I wasn't really a fan of Carys as a love interest, her character kind of rubbed me the wrong way. She seemed needlessly harsh towards Greta. Her reactions seemed a bit overblown a few times. Carys was easily my least favorite of the characters and lessened my enjoyment of Greta's story, which I otherwise enjoyed. I liked seeing her learn to set boundaries with her overbearing family.
For example, Carys' reaction to Greta getting her ice cream and cleaning up after the party made no sense. It felt manipulative and petty.
I preferred Truman and Ash's romance overall. Truman was a little too pushy with his offers to help, but ultimately I felt their romance was really sweet. I felt like the plotline with Ash's mother was resolved a little too easily, as was the mystery with Truman's favorite author.
Minor nitpick, but I did notice some typos towards the end. There were also some sentences I thought were awkwardly worded. It felt like it could have used a bit more revision.
Overall, it was a quick, cute holiday read with plenty of queer representation.
I also felt like a lot of the side characters were flat and didn't add much to the story. Greta's story in particular suffered from this. She's introduced to several of Carys' friends and they barely had any relevance to the plot.
I wasn't really a fan of Carys as a love interest, her character kind of rubbed me the wrong way. She seemed needlessly harsh towards Greta. Her reactions seemed a bit overblown a few times. Carys was easily my least favorite of the characters and lessened my enjoyment of Greta's story, which I otherwise enjoyed. I liked seeing her learn to set boundaries with her overbearing family.
I preferred Truman and Ash's romance overall. Truman was a little too pushy with his offers to help, but ultimately I felt their romance was really sweet. I felt like the plotline with Ash's mother was resolved a little too easily, as was the mystery with Truman's favorite author.
Minor nitpick, but I did notice some typos towards the end. There were also some sentences I thought were awkwardly worded. It felt like it could have used a bit more revision.
Overall, it was a quick, cute holiday read with plenty of queer representation.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Lesbophobia, Transphobia, and Homophobia
The sex scenes do get pretty detailed and might make some people uncomfortable. There are brief mentions of the homophobia, lesbophobia, and transphobia the characters have faced throughout their lives. The beginning of Greta's story in particular deals with a lot of the lesbophobia she faces.nickoliver's review against another edition
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? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol and Dementia
Moderate: Lesbophobia, Infidelity, and Sexual content
Minor: Transphobia
alysereadsbooks's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
4.25
Really enjoyed this one! Got to see this author at a local event and they described their book as a queer version of the holiday, which it was, but better. Still feel good, but dealt with real emotional issues that felt realisitc. Excited to check out more of this author's books
Content Warnings
Moderate: Lesbophobia, Toxic relationship, and Homophobia
Minor: Death of parent