Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Abandonment
emotional
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
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
This was a fun read!
I have to add the disclaimer that I read this Christmas book in April, but despite that, it was really cozy and heartwarming. The holiday setting (hot tub, baking, peppermint mochas, snow, cabins, picking out a Christmas tree) was so warm, fuzzy, and nostalgic, and I wish I had read this in December! The author really encapsulated the holiday season in the best way in this story!
I liked the characters of Gavin and Lena, and found them to be realistic and endearing.
I appreciated the storyline of Gavin having formerly been in foster care. It really added to his character and helped to explain why he was so attached to Lena’s family and didn’t want to do anything to jeopardize his relationship with them.
I found Lena to be relatable and appreciated her struggles with feeling a little bit lost in life, because that’s so real for so many people in their late twenties.
I liked Lena’s family. Their home and relationships felt very cozy and really fit with the setting of the story, especially at Christmastime. It was also nice to see Millie (and Finn!) from Give Me Butterflies again!
I liked the spice. There was more than expected, and it was well done. The mouth on Gavin!
The miscommunication that informed much of the plot of the book felt pretty contrived though. The entire conflict could have been solved through a quick and honest conversation, which realistically should have happened between the two main characters three years ago.
I’m sorry, but it just doesn’t feel realistic for Gavin, a nearly 40 year old man, leave suddenly and proceed to skip spending two Christmases with Lena’s family because he saw her kissing someone else at a party. And it doesn’t feel realistic for Lena to have such an angry, hostile, and aggressive reaction to him showing up this Christmas (when he thought she wouldn’t be there). Like, this whole thing really shouldn’t have been such a big deal.
And one other personal nitpicky thing. It really bothers me when an author chooses a career for a character and clearly doesn’t know much about said career. Like Gavin, I am an architect. Not all of us wear all black all the time, and we really don’t use the term blueprints anymore! But this is a minor personal grievance that few people would take note of or have an issue with!
Overall, this was a cute and fun book. I did have to suspend disbelief about some of the plot devices, but I had a good time overall and would probably reread it for a festive vibe over the holidays sometime.
I have to add the disclaimer that I read this Christmas book in April, but despite that, it was really cozy and heartwarming. The holiday setting (hot tub, baking, peppermint mochas, snow, cabins, picking out a Christmas tree) was so warm, fuzzy, and nostalgic, and I wish I had read this in December! The author really encapsulated the holiday season in the best way in this story!
I liked the characters of Gavin and Lena, and found them to be realistic and endearing.
I appreciated the storyline of Gavin having formerly been in foster care. It really added to his character and helped to explain why he was so attached to Lena’s family and didn’t want to do anything to jeopardize his relationship with them.
I found Lena to be relatable and appreciated her struggles with feeling a little bit lost in life, because that’s so real for so many people in their late twenties.
I liked Lena’s family. Their home and relationships felt very cozy and really fit with the setting of the story, especially at Christmastime. It was also nice to see Millie (and Finn!) from Give Me Butterflies again!
I liked the spice. There was more than expected, and it was well done. The mouth on Gavin!
The miscommunication that informed much of the plot of the book felt pretty contrived though. The entire conflict could have been solved through a quick and honest conversation, which realistically should have happened between the two main characters three years ago.
I’m sorry, but it just doesn’t feel realistic for Gavin, a nearly 40 year old man, leave suddenly and proceed to skip spending two Christmases with Lena’s family because he saw her kissing someone else at a party. And it doesn’t feel realistic for Lena to have such an angry, hostile, and aggressive reaction to him showing up this Christmas (when he thought she wouldn’t be there). Like, this whole thing really shouldn’t have been such a big deal.
And one other personal nitpicky thing. It really bothers me when an author chooses a career for a character and clearly doesn’t know much about said career. Like Gavin, I am an architect. Not all of us wear all black all the time, and we really don’t use the term blueprints anymore! But this is a minor personal grievance that few people would take note of or have an issue with!
Overall, this was a cute and fun book. I did have to suspend disbelief about some of the plot devices, but I had a good time overall and would probably reread it for a festive vibe over the holidays sometime.
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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:
No
This was so cute. It has hallmark vibes but in the best way. The big age gap was well done and never bothered me. It was a fun read even if it was a tad bit basic.
First Christmasy book of the season and it was just what I needed! The audio was great!
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book features a brother’s best friend, age gap (about 10 years), small town romance with some spicy scenes. It’s not quite enemies to lovers — more past frustrations and miscommunications that created animosity. I enjoyed the ways that the town’s setting and characters are woven into the lives of the main characters. The main characters have flaws and pasts that pose hurdles for their relationship. It feels like a cute romance with some depth to it. I enjoyed it!
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
I will mainline every single book Jillian Meadows writes. This book is just as good as the first. Funny, emotional, moving, sweet, and spicy — it hit me right in the heart. Lena and Gavin’s story was a bonus as she is part of Millie’s found family. I can’t wait for Millie’s sisters’ stories — especially Fable and Theo’s!
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really loved the characters and thought they had great chemistry, especially at the beginning. Their chemistry could have been better sustained through a slower burn and more layered miscommunication. The fast pace nature of the book comprised some of the tension which led it to feel more predictable. I also found myself having to look up character names because they were written like they had been previously mentioned but it was actually their introduction. Regardless, I enjoyed the couple and premise.