Reviews

Nochebuena: a holiday novella by Stephanie Shea

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dinosourkisses's review

3.5

I love that this is a story about rekindling romance in a marriage rather than finding a new relationship, it's a nice changeand very cute.

*4.5 stars*

It is not an exaggeration to say this is the best novella I’ve ever read. Usually novella’s leave me feeling so unsatisfied (even if it’s a novella contributing to a pre-existing world i.e. the heartstopper novellas etc), but this was spectacular. The character and relationship development was better than some full length novels manage.

This novella has us meeting a fully established couple, five years into marriage who are struggling to connect due to the weight of life. However, despite the fact that we don’t see them meet, fall in love, get married (as this has all already happened, it’s amazing how invested I was in their relationship.

Truely hats off to Stephanie, she achieved something amazing with this book and did it so beautifully. Definitely keen to check out her other work.

tessisreading2's review

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

WLW contemporary romance novella about a marriage in trouble - Cami and Sutton have known each other for ten years, been together for five, and their communication issues are finally coming to a head. They have to find their way back to each other against a backdrop of family and work stress and their own myriad issues. The writing was excellent - as always from Shea - and I particularly loved the way in which neither character's commitment to the relationship was ever in doubt; they both loved each other very much but needed to find ways to communicate their stresses and concerns to each other as their lives grew and changed and got more complicated (both personally and professionally). Shea does so well at creating realistic characters and emotional arcs. This one also had a full cast of engaging side characters (who managed not to take up too much space in the short narrative), including appearances from several protagonists of Shea's other books.

lezreadalot's review

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4.0

Instead, the soft give and take of their lips, tickle of fingertips along her nape, relief in every breath carried the weight of emotions too big for words. The simplicity and grandeur of I love you.

I'm so glad that novellas like this exist, to remind me that when I get picky about other novellas, it's not without reason. A great romance CAN be written in under 200 pages. This is just about 125 pages, a sweet little marriage-in-trouble romance about wives struggling with different things in their personal lives, and how that has come between them, and how they need to put in the work to solidify their bond. And it was sooooo cute, so well-written, so full of chemistry and romance. It can be really hard writing a convincing romance in so few words, and in some ways, it's even harder with an established romance, because I have to believe that there's something here that's worth fighting for. Cami and Sutton were absolutely wonderful together. We see how their foundation is a little shaky, but ultimately super solid, and they're both so willing to fight for each other. Shea made me fall for this relationship in so few words, and they had a beautiful romantic and physical connection that made me melt. I loved all the Christmas activities and all the family scenes. Sutton puts her whole chest into wooing her wife again, and it made me so happy.

Lovely little holiday novella all in all. Marriage in trouble isn't my favourite trope, but it worked so well here. I need to remember to get back into reading Shea's backlist.

rachelslacey's review

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5.0

This is such a beautiful story! A married couple who've drifted apart get a second chance at Christmastime (and that Gia reunion epilogue was PERFECTION!!!)

reeg_reads's review

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4.0

Nochebuena is the perfect warm hug, slightly angsty, Christmas magic book for the holidays. The book follows wives, Camila and Sutton, as they navigate through a rough patch in their marriage that hits another bump when Camila’s parents announce they are divorcing. What I love about this book is how realistic it is. No matter how strong a relationship might be, there’s bound to be a time where you run into a rough patch. And a sucker for Christmastime magic, I adored how Camila’s holiday traditions played a huge role in getting Camila and Sutton to actually talk about their feelings, wants for the future, and how to save their marriage. Camila and Sutton are extremely cute together and I would love a prequel of how they got together (hint hint nudge nudge). If you’re a fan of Stephanie Shea, like I am, then you won’t be disappointed.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.