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3.27 AVERAGE
3.27 AVERAGE
Thank you Netgalley and Avon Books UK for the gifted digital ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
Read this if you:
- Love books about fictional actors and writers
- Like enemies to lovers
- Enjoy witnessing the characters grow throughout the novel and overcome their insecurities
My Thoughts:
I was excited about starting the season of cozy holiday books with this romance novel, but unfortunately I was a bit disappointed. In terms of holiday vibes, the plotline doesn't necessarily match the cover. Or at least, I was not impressed. The story could have happened any season and it wouldn't have made a difference, in my opinion.
The first half of the book was kind of dragging. I just couldn't connect with the characters and I didn't really care about picking up the book. Had it not been an ARC, I would have probably DNF-ed it.
The second half of the book was much better, though. The main characters are well developed with relatable background stories and I was eventually able to connect with them and understand their personalities and their behavior. I loved the fact that both Evie and Duke chose to overcome their insecurities and gave themselves a chance to fall in love.
The ending was cute. For some people it might be a little cheesy, but I wasn’t bothered.
Overall a good storyline with great potential and well developed characters, but I would have loved it more if the first part had been more engaging and if there had been more jolly Christmas vibes.
Read this if you:
- Love books about fictional actors and writers
- Like enemies to lovers
- Enjoy witnessing the characters grow throughout the novel and overcome their insecurities
My Thoughts:
I was excited about starting the season of cozy holiday books with this romance novel, but unfortunately I was a bit disappointed. In terms of holiday vibes, the plotline doesn't necessarily match the cover. Or at least, I was not impressed. The story could have happened any season and it wouldn't have made a difference, in my opinion.
The first half of the book was kind of dragging. I just couldn't connect with the characters and I didn't really care about picking up the book. Had it not been an ARC, I would have probably DNF-ed it.
The second half of the book was much better, though. The main characters are well developed with relatable background stories and I was eventually able to connect with them and understand their personalities and their behavior. I loved the fact that both Evie and Duke chose to overcome their insecurities and gave themselves a chance to fall in love.
The ending was cute. For some people it might be a little cheesy, but I wasn’t bothered.
Overall a good storyline with great potential and well developed characters, but I would have loved it more if the first part had been more engaging and if there had been more jolly Christmas vibes.
This is an entertaining enemies-to-lovers Christmas book, even though the author's previous books were a better fit for me.
An American rom com writer, a British actor, and a German location sounds like a unique combination to me, especially because I live in Germany. The markets, evening walks and the snowstorm create a genuine Christmas atmosphere.
Evie is not simply the reserved type, she comes off as outright rude, and Duke is a real ladies' man, so I was intrigued at first how they would end up as a couple. They both are famous: he is a celebrated actor, she is a well-known author, and it was great to see them as human beings, with their worries, demons, and troubled childhood. They struggle with very similar issues however which made the story boring and repetitive to me. The writing I have found at some places overcomplicated, at others the dialogues were funny and witty.
Thank you NetGalley and Avon Books for an Advance Review Copy.
An American rom com writer, a British actor, and a German location sounds like a unique combination to me, especially because I live in Germany. The markets, evening walks and the snowstorm create a genuine Christmas atmosphere.
Evie is not simply the reserved type, she comes off as outright rude, and Duke is a real ladies' man, so I was intrigued at first how they would end up as a couple. They both are famous: he is a celebrated actor, she is a well-known author, and it was great to see them as human beings, with their worries, demons, and troubled childhood. They struggle with very similar issues however which made the story boring and repetitive to me. The writing I have found at some places overcomplicated, at others the dialogues were funny and witty.
Thank you NetGalley and Avon Books for an Advance Review Copy.
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The first book of 2023 and I enjoyed it but it wasn’t amazing. I really liked Duke as a main character but didn’t warm to Evie. I think I’m not a massive fan of the grumpy/ sunshine trope where the woman is the grump and the man is the sunshine. I really enjoyed the magical setting in Germany - which gave me all the Christmas feels. But this was not as good as “The Lucky Escape” by Laura Jane Williams.
I think it's time I stop reading LJW's books, every single one since "our stop" has disappointed me and in 2023 we don't have time for this anymore
I was just so bored already, the MC was not likeable at all and I just cba to push myself tbh so 🤷♀️
I was just so bored already, the MC was not likeable at all and I just cba to push myself tbh so 🤷♀️
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
3.5 Stars: The beginning of this is definitely filled with cheese. I was living for the setting of the Christmas and the magic of what goes on within shooting a movie. Those were really amazing tidbits to read about. The reason why I don't tend to read much romance at least as the primary genre is sometimes the characters frustrate me, where I want to shake them, and chide them to get out of their own way. I also adored the strong friendships.
The characters did grow in the end where there love was something I admired and want something similar for myself. The "Cite your source" was a very important theme as well as accepting help and love you deserve and need.
The characters did grow in the end where there love was something I admired and want something similar for myself. The "Cite your source" was a very important theme as well as accepting help and love you deserve and need.
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank you NetGalley and Avon Books for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is my second book by Laura Jane Williams. Both were very different in terms of readability.
Let me start by saying the things I loved:
- I loved the ending, how it was described as not a happy ending, but a happy beginning.
- The setting in Germany in a Christmas town was the perfect backdrop for the story. Very festive!
- I loved the Ed Sheeran karaoke and airport chase scenes and how the scenes tied in with Evie’s point of view on real life romance.
- I appreciated that both of the main characters struggle with panic attacks and not feeling worthy or “enough”because of absent, alcoholic parents. I also liked that they both talked about how they’ve been through therapy. This was a very healthy way to show that they are trying to work on their issues.
Now onto the things that did not work for me.
- Evie is insufferably rude. Duke comes across as arrogant. They are characters you’re not meant to love from the get go so it’s easy to see how that miscommunication fits the fake dating storyline.
- I didn’t feel the chemistry between Evie and Duke - at all. The romance scenes were fade to black (which is fine), it the tension build up wasn’t there for me. The scene changes in general were very choppy.
Overall, this is definitely a Christmas/winter themed holiday book. It is also a quick read, and would be great for those who love reading British authors.
This is my second book by Laura Jane Williams. Both were very different in terms of readability.
Let me start by saying the things I loved:
- I loved the ending, how it was described as not a happy ending, but a happy beginning.
- The setting in Germany in a Christmas town was the perfect backdrop for the story. Very festive!
- I loved the Ed Sheeran karaoke and airport chase scenes and how the scenes tied in with Evie’s point of view on real life romance.
- I appreciated that both of the main characters struggle with panic attacks and not feeling worthy or “enough”because of absent, alcoholic parents. I also liked that they both talked about how they’ve been through therapy. This was a very healthy way to show that they are trying to work on their issues.
Now onto the things that did not work for me.
- Evie is insufferably rude. Duke comes across as arrogant. They are characters you’re not meant to love from the get go so it’s easy to see how that miscommunication fits the fake dating storyline.
- I didn’t feel the chemistry between Evie and Duke - at all. The romance scenes were fade to black (which is fine), it the tension build up wasn’t there for me. The scene changes in general were very choppy.
Overall, this is definitely a Christmas/winter themed holiday book. It is also a quick read, and would be great for those who love reading British authors.