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3.27 AVERAGE
3.27 AVERAGE
Evie is a best selling author and is tasked with being onset at the making of the movie of her latest best selling book. She has left her mother in the care of others and does not want to be there and its made worse by the movie lead who she thinks is up his own ass.
Duke has his own difficult story from his past that he is trying to deal with and his relationship with his co-star has just ended. He loves Evie’s books and is intrigued by her but she thinks his conversations and actions are just annoying and there is not ounce of truth in him,
Set in Germany they are encouraged to fake date to make sure the money for the movie keeps coming in and press surrounding the filming is more positive after the tabloids catch Evie and Duke arguing on set.
It’s a romantic and cute storyline and the characters are easy to fall in love with. There are deeper issues discussed but its a great festive read.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Duke has his own difficult story from his past that he is trying to deal with and his relationship with his co-star has just ended. He loves Evie’s books and is intrigued by her but she thinks his conversations and actions are just annoying and there is not ounce of truth in him,
Set in Germany they are encouraged to fake date to make sure the money for the movie keeps coming in and press surrounding the filming is more positive after the tabloids catch Evie and Duke arguing on set.
It’s a romantic and cute storyline and the characters are easy to fall in love with. There are deeper issues discussed but its a great festive read.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
emotional
medium-paced
3⭐️
This was a cute story, but it didn't succeed in holding my attention as well as I had hoped. The characters' attraction wasn't significant to me, and at times I found both Evie and Duke to be annoying. However, this book raises several serious issues, like how society's standards can affect one's self-worth and confidence, as well as abuse in the entertainment world.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!
This was a cute story, but it didn't succeed in holding my attention as well as I had hoped. The characters' attraction wasn't significant to me, and at times I found both Evie and Duke to be annoying. However, this book raises several serious issues, like how society's standards can affect one's self-worth and confidence, as well as abuse in the entertainment world.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I loved the premise of this one and it had a lot of my favorite tropes. I thought the book started off super cute and I liked Evie’s background as the child of Hollywood stars. I also liked Duke as a leading man looking for love. I loved the idea of Evie and Duke filming on location in Bavaria (who doesn’t love German Christmas markets and snow?) But as the novel got further in, I found myself losing interest. I found myself not connecting with the characters as much as I’d hoped. I would definitely try another book by this author though—this one just didn’t work out for me. 3/5 stars.
Eve Bird knows that just like the glitter and glamour of Hollywood, the holidays aren't all they're cracked up to be. She's a successful author, making a name for herself without using the already famous name of her estranged Father - but now that her books are taking off, she finds herself in the last place she'd ever wanted to be: the spotlight.
Here, on the film set for the adaptation of her own book, she's there to watch the romance she's written come to life despite the fact her real life is anything but a romance novel and she's going to keep it like that. She likes knowing what happens next, and romance is far too unpredictable. Leading man Duke Carlisle is thinking about the next chapter of his life too, after the very public and dramatic end of his relationship with co-star Daphne. And seeing his favourite romance novelist on set has definitely got him dreaming of love again.
Like it or not, both Eve and Duke are stuck on this set and forced together in a wintery wonderland full of happy ever afters - but it's just for December, right?
"How unlike you to edit the script as you go."
Laura Jane Williams has a simply magical way of creating an authentic love story with a contemporary twist and still makes time for indulgently sweet romance. In the words of our main character, Williams offers a unique romance for modern women who don't have time for that, "Heteronormative nonsense that could be sorted out with a proper conversation."
Taking everything you love about the cheesiest of romance novels and the most festive hallmark classics and flipping them on their head, this story is so refreshingly clever but still has that comfortable familiarity. The festive vibes were perfect, with just enough Christmas Cheer to get you in the mood but not so much that you're overwhelmed by the season - set in wintery Bavaria, full of lights and mulled wine and excitement with a cosy glow that lasted all the way through.
The characters were brilliant - Duke was dry, cleverly sarcastic and brimming with personality underneath his good looks and charm. Eve was stunning, bold, motivated and unapologetic - the kind of person who deserves all the love in the world but won't let herself be defined by it. And as for her best friend Magda, she is the best friend we'd all kill for. The people were the star of the show (and the whole tree too!), moving the story forward in a character-driver, natural pace and giving us time to sit with the characters and soak in the surroundings.
In between the conflict, the romance, the snow and the busy filming schedules, there's always time for bold and timely statements that everyone can relate to - about the mistreatment of people in entertainment, about family, about feminism. It honestly and sensitively addresses important subjects like addiction, abandonment and illness with authenticity and genuine care.
This is one of those stories that might make you tear up a little but will also lift your spirits and fill you with joy. Witty, warm and wonderful - this perfect winter read is just further proof that Laura Jane Williams isn't just for December.
Here, on the film set for the adaptation of her own book, she's there to watch the romance she's written come to life despite the fact her real life is anything but a romance novel and she's going to keep it like that. She likes knowing what happens next, and romance is far too unpredictable. Leading man Duke Carlisle is thinking about the next chapter of his life too, after the very public and dramatic end of his relationship with co-star Daphne. And seeing his favourite romance novelist on set has definitely got him dreaming of love again.
Like it or not, both Eve and Duke are stuck on this set and forced together in a wintery wonderland full of happy ever afters - but it's just for December, right?
"How unlike you to edit the script as you go."
Laura Jane Williams has a simply magical way of creating an authentic love story with a contemporary twist and still makes time for indulgently sweet romance. In the words of our main character, Williams offers a unique romance for modern women who don't have time for that, "Heteronormative nonsense that could be sorted out with a proper conversation."
Taking everything you love about the cheesiest of romance novels and the most festive hallmark classics and flipping them on their head, this story is so refreshingly clever but still has that comfortable familiarity. The festive vibes were perfect, with just enough Christmas Cheer to get you in the mood but not so much that you're overwhelmed by the season - set in wintery Bavaria, full of lights and mulled wine and excitement with a cosy glow that lasted all the way through.
The characters were brilliant - Duke was dry, cleverly sarcastic and brimming with personality underneath his good looks and charm. Eve was stunning, bold, motivated and unapologetic - the kind of person who deserves all the love in the world but won't let herself be defined by it. And as for her best friend Magda, she is the best friend we'd all kill for. The people were the star of the show (and the whole tree too!), moving the story forward in a character-driver, natural pace and giving us time to sit with the characters and soak in the surroundings.
In between the conflict, the romance, the snow and the busy filming schedules, there's always time for bold and timely statements that everyone can relate to - about the mistreatment of people in entertainment, about family, about feminism. It honestly and sensitively addresses important subjects like addiction, abandonment and illness with authenticity and genuine care.
This is one of those stories that might make you tear up a little but will also lift your spirits and fill you with joy. Witty, warm and wonderful - this perfect winter read is just further proof that Laura Jane Williams isn't just for December.
This book has such a cute cover and blurb and frankly that is why I'm giving this another star but the plot is medicore at it's best. The tropes and the Hollywood setting was good but I couldn't connect with the characters at all. Evie was just plain rude and impulsive which annoyed me. And the way things escalated so quickly which lead Evie & Duke to fake date was so unrealistic. I wanted to like this book but I just couldn't bring myself to enjoy it somehow. I know that some readers would love this book if you're a fan of the author's writing style but unfortunately this didn't work for me. I mean, it did have some cute moments and Duke was a different guy than the typical brooding heroes we get so read about. He loved reading romance books and just overall was a sensitive person who still stood up for the people he cared about. But as the book progressed, I started to skim through some pages because some conversations felt irrelevant and I couldn't figure out where they ended tbh.
I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review
I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review
Couldn’t connect with main characters, female protagonist was quite rude
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read this. My opinions are my own.
I did enjoy a lot of the aspects of this book: the atmosphere and vibes, and Duke.
I did enjoy a lot of the aspects of this book: the atmosphere and vibes, and Duke.
Just For December by Laura Jane Williams has quickly jumped to the top of my Christmas/ Holiday reads.
Duke and Evie, have been unlucky in life and love. To the outside world, it looks like they both have it good. Duke, is a Hollywood star and Evie, is a famous author. When the two meet in Germany to film the adaptation of Evie’s book, they get off to a bad start. To make matters worse, the movie is shrouded in negative press. As a result, the producers decides Duke and Evie must fake a relationship in hopes of garnering good press. If they can pull it off, they just might get the movie back on track.
This book is so much more than meets the eye. Yes, it is a romance. Yes, it has the fake dating trope. But, it is rooted in reality.
Duke and Evie are realistic, relatable characters. Both have developed walls to guard their hearts after growing up with less than ideal childhoods. They have mommy and daddy issues that run deep. Sadly, they are both unaware of how their unhealed trauma has effected their adult lives.
The journey of self-discovery and healing was beautiful. I loved how Laura Jane Williams wasn’t afraid to go deep. She beautifully articulates negative self-talk, negative self-worth, and the false notion that you are undeserving of love or success.
While this isn’t your conventional holiday romance, it is a beautiful story. It renewed my hope in life and love. I will be thinking about it for days or weeks to come.
Special thanks to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
Duke and Evie, have been unlucky in life and love. To the outside world, it looks like they both have it good. Duke, is a Hollywood star and Evie, is a famous author. When the two meet in Germany to film the adaptation of Evie’s book, they get off to a bad start. To make matters worse, the movie is shrouded in negative press. As a result, the producers decides Duke and Evie must fake a relationship in hopes of garnering good press. If they can pull it off, they just might get the movie back on track.
This book is so much more than meets the eye. Yes, it is a romance. Yes, it has the fake dating trope. But, it is rooted in reality.
Duke and Evie are realistic, relatable characters. Both have developed walls to guard their hearts after growing up with less than ideal childhoods. They have mommy and daddy issues that run deep. Sadly, they are both unaware of how their unhealed trauma has effected their adult lives.
The journey of self-discovery and healing was beautiful. I loved how Laura Jane Williams wasn’t afraid to go deep. She beautifully articulates negative self-talk, negative self-worth, and the false notion that you are undeserving of love or success.
While this isn’t your conventional holiday romance, it is a beautiful story. It renewed my hope in life and love. I will be thinking about it for days or weeks to come.
Special thanks to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.