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3.27 AVERAGE
3.27 AVERAGE
I don't know what it is about grumpy Female main characters but they totally do it for me. This Christmas romance between a cynical bestselling romance author forced to come to the set of the film version of her book and fake date the male star completely worked for me!!
A slow burn grumpy/sunshine, dual POV romance that has EXCELLENT mental health rep and emotional depth. These two older characters have never had great luck in love and I so enjoyed watching Evie and Duke slowly get to know sides of each other they never share with other people.
I also loved that therapy was so normalized in this book and that it was the male main character who spoke openly about his feelings and shortcomings. Highly recommend this one. It truly spoke to me this year and just might be my favorite Christmas read of 2023!
TW: parent with Alzheimer's, alcoholic parent, depression, shopping addiction
A slow burn grumpy/sunshine, dual POV romance that has EXCELLENT mental health rep and emotional depth. These two older characters have never had great luck in love and I so enjoyed watching Evie and Duke slowly get to know sides of each other they never share with other people.
I also loved that therapy was so normalized in this book and that it was the male main character who spoke openly about his feelings and shortcomings. Highly recommend this one. It truly spoke to me this year and just might be my favorite Christmas read of 2023!
TW: parent with Alzheimer's, alcoholic parent, depression, shopping addiction
Just For December
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Genre: Romance
Format: Kindle eBook
Date Published: 11/24/22
Author: Laura Jane Williams
Publisher: Avon Publishing
Pages: 384
GR: 3.35
I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley and Avon Publishing and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.
My Thoughts: I finished this last month but am a little behind on publishing my reviews. This was an adorable, sweet holiday read. The story is narrated by both Evie and Duke in alternating POVs, my favorite type of storytelling. This follows fake dating trope, one of my favorites. A lot of reviews indicated a hard time connecting with the characters, but I connected immediately, and stayed connected throughout the story. Evie is standoffish, has been hurt before, has an addictive personality, and a flawed character. I think the one thing that would have solidified her character, is to show parts of her American Life, particularly the struggles through flashbacks. Duke was in a relationship that was not right for him, troubled past with his mother, strong, and makes the perfect hero. I think by introducing another trope to this storyline, it would have increased the plot a bit. However, I still throughly enjoyed the story and loved the storyline. The characters were developed well, had witty banter, chemistry, and were creative. The author’s writing style was crisp, funny, swoony, and kept me engaged. The German Christmas Market was described so well, that I felt like I was there. This story would be perfect for readers of The Holiday or The Santa Suit. I recommend picking up the book or the audiobook.
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Genre: Romance
Format: Kindle eBook
Date Published: 11/24/22
Author: Laura Jane Williams
Publisher: Avon Publishing
Pages: 384
GR: 3.35
I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley and Avon Publishing and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.
My Thoughts: I finished this last month but am a little behind on publishing my reviews. This was an adorable, sweet holiday read. The story is narrated by both Evie and Duke in alternating POVs, my favorite type of storytelling. This follows fake dating trope, one of my favorites. A lot of reviews indicated a hard time connecting with the characters, but I connected immediately, and stayed connected throughout the story. Evie is standoffish, has been hurt before, has an addictive personality, and a flawed character. I think the one thing that would have solidified her character, is to show parts of her American Life, particularly the struggles through flashbacks. Duke was in a relationship that was not right for him, troubled past with his mother, strong, and makes the perfect hero. I think by introducing another trope to this storyline, it would have increased the plot a bit. However, I still throughly enjoyed the story and loved the storyline. The characters were developed well, had witty banter, chemistry, and were creative. The author’s writing style was crisp, funny, swoony, and kept me engaged. The German Christmas Market was described so well, that I felt like I was there. This story would be perfect for readers of The Holiday or The Santa Suit. I recommend picking up the book or the audiobook.
I really really wanted to like this book, but I just couldn't do it. It has such a cute premise and the hopes were so high going in. Grumpy sunshine? Check. Fake dating? Check. Enemies to lovers? Check. Those are three of my favorite tropes, but yet this one just wasn't it for me. I tried to give it the benefit of the doubt, but there were a couple of moments that happened towards the beginning that just were a downhill slide for me. For starters, the way that Duke roped Evie into having to be on set was just WEIRD. He is a professional actor in his thirties. I was genuinely shook to my core. Next, Evie is just MEAN. Like, I am all for a frump in a story, but there are times where she is just downright rude for no real reason at all. Lastly, there was a moment where are two characters are discussing a song that has been in the Top 40 (and was there for a LONG time). Evie was SHOCKED to find out that Duke likes pop music because he knew what the song was. It was a moment where I had to put my Kindle down and just take five minutes before I had to start reading it again.
I know that this book is definitely for others, and I feel like there is a chance that I would enjoy this book a second time around or even other books by this author. Her writing was so descriptive, and it really was beautiful imagining all of the scenery and characters. I just wasn't a fan of this one.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for providing me with an electronic ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I know that this book is definitely for others, and I feel like there is a chance that I would enjoy this book a second time around or even other books by this author. Her writing was so descriptive, and it really was beautiful imagining all of the scenery and characters. I just wasn't a fan of this one.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for providing me with an electronic ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Just for December is a holiday romance about a writer, Evie Bird, and an actor, Duke Carlisle. From the start, Evie seems determined to dislike Duke, but when his charm breaks through her defenses something more develops.
I really wanted to like this book and I thought I would, but I really couldn’t get into this one. I go into all holiday romances expecting the cliche cheeses romances and I want that, but I just couldn’t find an interest in this one. My biggest problem was that I really couldn’t stand Evie, like at all. I found her to be petty, bitter and just straight up annoying. Duke was somewhat better and I found myself liking him most of the time, but my dislike for Evie overshadowed that. I couldn’t get into this romance and am sorry to say this book wasn’t for me.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book!
I really wanted to like this book and I thought I would, but I really couldn’t get into this one. I go into all holiday romances expecting the cliche cheeses romances and I want that, but I just couldn’t find an interest in this one. My biggest problem was that I really couldn’t stand Evie, like at all. I found her to be petty, bitter and just straight up annoying. Duke was somewhat better and I found myself liking him most of the time, but my dislike for Evie overshadowed that. I couldn’t get into this romance and am sorry to say this book wasn’t for me.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book!
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
Trope: Christmas.
DNF for me due to the rude/mean female lead.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
DNF for me due to the rude/mean female lead.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Just for December by Laura Jane Williams
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Avon and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Blurb
Evie Bird is a romance writer whose latest bestseller is being made into a Christmas movie.
Duke Carlisle is a world-famous actor who has landed the role of leading man.
When Evie and Duke meet on set, it’s a frosty encounter – even icier than the cobbled Bavarian streets they're filming on.
But after images of them arguing leak to the press and put the movie in jeopardy, they are left with no choice but to fake date until the cameras stop rolling.
As the pair start to put their differences aside, their feelings gradually begin to thaw… But can sparks ever really fly in a snowstorm?
My Opinion
I have read a few books by Laura Jane Williams now and each one has been a nice read. I read the majority of this in a day as I was drawn into the plot. I enjoyed the setting of this book and it was so easy to picture the characters on the film set. A sweet enemies to lovers plot great for this festive season.
Rating 4/5
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Avon and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Blurb
Evie Bird is a romance writer whose latest bestseller is being made into a Christmas movie.
Duke Carlisle is a world-famous actor who has landed the role of leading man.
When Evie and Duke meet on set, it’s a frosty encounter – even icier than the cobbled Bavarian streets they're filming on.
But after images of them arguing leak to the press and put the movie in jeopardy, they are left with no choice but to fake date until the cameras stop rolling.
As the pair start to put their differences aside, their feelings gradually begin to thaw… But can sparks ever really fly in a snowstorm?
My Opinion
I have read a few books by Laura Jane Williams now and each one has been a nice read. I read the majority of this in a day as I was drawn into the plot. I enjoyed the setting of this book and it was so easy to picture the characters on the film set. A sweet enemies to lovers plot great for this festive season.
Rating 4/5