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kemperwrites's review against another edition
I got about 3 hours in and still didn’t like the characters or feel I wanted to get to know them further. At first, I liked the back and forth between the two main characters. The setup of the sister Ellie thinking her brother’s new girlfriend is a gold digger could have been really funny if the author had leaned into it. But there was never any space given for letting the reader make inferences. The author explains the main character’s behavior immediately in the next section.
Also, by the fourth time the characters fall or giggle or whatever and then say “what is this, a ROM COM?!”, I was rolling my eyes.
Also, by the fourth time the characters fall or giggle or whatever and then say “what is this, a ROM COM?!”, I was rolling my eyes.
Content Warnings
Minor: Grief, Death, and Homophobia
bellestallard's review
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
a cute holiday rom com. nothing that super stands out but really cute and lovely
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia
Moderate: Emotional abuse
Minor: Death
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
If you're looking for a sapphic Christmas story that's just a bit surface level, this is a lovely seasonal read. It's easy to see where the plot is going, and of course everything works out. It honestly reads kind of like a Hallmark Christmas movie, and I'm okay with that becuase that's exactly what I was looking for!
I do wish some of the characters were a bit more developed, and I had a hard time telling the difference between Margot and Ellie's voices from time to time (even with them having different narrators). They did have pretty good chemistry as a main couple, though.
Also, the side plot about trying to figure out how the dog got pregnant was hilarious and I'm honestly glad I read it just for that.
I do wish some of the characters were a bit more developed, and I had a hard time telling the difference between Margot and Ellie's voices from time to time (even with them having different narrators). They did have pretty good chemistry as a main couple, though.
Also, the side plot about trying to figure out how the dog got pregnant was hilarious and I'm honestly glad I read it just for that.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia, Toxic relationship, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Death, Gaslighting, and Grief
Minor: Infidelity, Alcohol, and Cursing
ruthhelizabeth's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
I received an advance e-copy of this in exchange for an honest review.
It is so good to see a sapphic festive rom com in a hetero dominated market. It's also a really interesting idea - what happens when someone outside of a fake dating couple falls for one half of the couple?
However, this book fell short for me. I felt like Margot and Ellie didn't develop their relationship or have anything in common besides shared love of music, being veggie and fancying each other. These might be interesting things to share on a dating app profile, but a relationship needs a lot more to be successful and I didn't see evidence of that in the book.
A lot of smaller plot points which offered intrigue were never developed or had no real pay off. The writing felt deliberately done to the point it felt stilted and broken, like the scenes needed smoothing over to feel natural.
the scene where Ellie and Margot bond over their shared irritation with clumsy people just felt bizarre, aloof and frankly ableist, just so Ellie would suspect Margot's story was fake?
It is so good to see a sapphic festive rom com in a hetero dominated market. It's also a really interesting idea - what happens when someone outside of a fake dating couple falls for one half of the couple?
However, this book fell short for me. I felt like Margot and Ellie didn't develop their relationship or have anything in common besides shared love of music, being veggie and fancying each other. These might be interesting things to share on a dating app profile, but a relationship needs a lot more to be successful and I didn't see evidence of that in the book.
A lot of smaller plot points which offered intrigue were never developed or had no real pay off. The writing felt deliberately done to the point it felt stilted and broken, like the scenes needed smoothing over to feel natural.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Ableism
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Infidelity and Death
jadehusdanhicks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
5.0
I am obsessed with this perfect Christmas romance.
This filled my heart with the perfect warmth , parallel to snuggling up with a mulled cider on a frosty winter afternoon.
Ellie and Margot are perfection.
Fake dating with the brother of all people (AS A LESBIAN). Honestly jaw dropped. Loved the drama and the cuteness all together. Couldn’t reccomend more
This filled my heart with the perfect warmth , parallel to snuggling up with a mulled cider on a frosty winter afternoon.
Ellie and Margot are perfection.
Fake dating with the brother of all people (AS A LESBIAN). Honestly jaw dropped. Loved the drama and the cuteness all together. Couldn’t reccomend more
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Death, Pregnancy, and Dementia
alexfromistemor's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Thanks so much to Alcove Press and NetGalley for this eARC
This was a very sweet book. There were definitely shades of Kiss Her Once for Me with the fake relationship over the holidays, but at the same time, it was done in a very original, unique way (i.e. not for money or anything, just out of embarrassment and family insecurity). I like that the author didn't try to force the lie/Ellie's investigation into Margot's gold-digger nature for longer than she did, as I could have seen that getting very tiresome to read.
This book also does a very good job looking at emotional abuse. At one point, it's a little like the signs were being copied from a info website about it, but thankfully, the emotions of it, and the chaotic nature, the uncertainty, all of that is handled beautifully.
Something unusual for me here is I need to give a shoutout to a supporting character before mentioned either of the mains: Ben is just soo sweet! I was a little concerned that at some point he might try and make his fake relation with Margot into the real thing, even though she was 'a raging lesbian' (her own self description). But no, he was just a wonderfully positive example of non-toxic masculinity, and just an incredible friend.
Our two leads Margot and Ellie were great. That said, it did get a little on the nose at times just how perfect/in-sync the two of them were (i.e. just how often one would says something they love, or think it, and then the other would talk about their love of it). I do have to agree with another commentator about how much Ellie seemed to infantilize Ben. Finally, Ellie says she never guessed Margot's sexuality...really? Really, Ellie? She lists one of her favourite musical acts as Girl in Red...that didn't clue you in at all? ;P
This is definitely the most PG friendly romance I've read in a while, at least from a spice-level standpoint. The affection among the characters is limited strictly to kissing (I don't think there's even a mention or hint of interest in anything heavier than that). This is fine, of course, but if you're looking for a romance for the sex scenes, this is a skippable book.
One other minor complaint: This book felt pretty long. For as low stakes as the drama was, it felt like a bit much to go through every single day leading up to Christmas, plus Margot & Ben's initial set up and the epilogue afterward. I might have shaved some of that down a bit.
In the end, a cute holiday rom-com. 4 stars.
It should be noted that the eARC for this title was only available as a pdf with very small font, making the reading of it so frustrating I almost gave up a couple times. This is the fault of the publisher, not the writer.
This was a very sweet book. There were definitely shades of Kiss Her Once for Me with the fake relationship over the holidays, but at the same time, it was done in a very original, unique way (i.e. not for money or anything, just out of embarrassment and family insecurity). I like that the author didn't try to force the lie/Ellie's investigation into Margot's gold-digger nature for longer than she did, as I could have seen that getting very tiresome to read.
This book also does a very good job looking at emotional abuse. At one point, it's a little like the signs were being copied from a info website about it, but thankfully, the emotions of it, and the chaotic nature, the uncertainty, all of that is handled beautifully.
Something unusual for me here is I need to give a shoutout to a supporting character before mentioned either of the mains: Ben is just soo sweet! I was a little concerned that at some point he might try and make his fake relation with Margot into the real thing, even though she was 'a raging lesbian' (her own self description). But no, he was just a wonderfully positive example of non-toxic masculinity, and just an incredible friend.
Our two leads Margot and Ellie were great. That said, it did get a little on the nose at times just how perfect/in-sync the two of them were (i.e. just how often one would says something they love, or think it, and then the other would talk about their love of it). I do have to agree with another commentator about how much Ellie seemed to infantilize Ben. Finally, Ellie says she never guessed Margot's sexuality...really? Really, Ellie? She lists one of her favourite musical acts as Girl in Red...that didn't clue you in at all? ;P
This is definitely the most PG friendly romance I've read in a while, at least from a spice-level standpoint. The affection among the characters is limited strictly to kissing (I don't think there's even a mention or hint of interest in anything heavier than that). This is fine, of course, but if you're looking for a romance for the sex scenes, this is a skippable book.
One other minor complaint: This book felt pretty long. For as low stakes as the drama was, it felt like a bit much to go through every single day leading up to Christmas, plus Margot & Ben's initial set up and the epilogue afterward. I might have shaved some of that down a bit.
In the end, a cute holiday rom-com. 4 stars.
It should be noted that the eARC for this title was only available as a pdf with very small font, making the reading of it so frustrating I almost gave up a couple times. This is the fault of the publisher, not the writer.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Grief and Death
Minor: Alcohol
trussell12's review
emotional
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? It's complicated
3.75
To start, I want to say that I really enjoyed reading this book! It has some of my favorite elements; a Christmas theme and the enemies to lover trope!
Though the story starts out straightforward, it fizzes out to a bit of a slow burn romance. Margot, Ben, Grandpa Mo, and Mitsi were my absolute favorite characters. I enjoyed getting to know them through their storylines; I legit wanted to reach out and give them a hug while I was reading!!
However, there were two things that didn’t work for me. First, was Ellie’s character did not seem flushed out all the way; we’re not given much of her background story. She seemed a bit all over the place and quick to latch on to and obsessive over incomplete thoughts/ideas without exploring other possibilities. Though by end, Ellie did grow on me a bit. Secondly, i don’t think Margot was completely able to process what she went through and her past relationship. And we don’t really get to see how that affects her relationship with Ellie; assuming that it does.
If you’re looking for a cozy sapphic Christmas romance, this is definitely the book for you!
Thank you to NetGalley, Alcove Press, and the author for the eARC!
Though the story starts out straightforward, it fizzes out to a bit of a slow burn romance. Margot, Ben, Grandpa Mo, and Mitsi were my absolute favorite characters. I enjoyed getting to know them through their storylines; I legit wanted to reach out and give them a hug while I was reading!!
However, there were two things that didn’t work for me. First, was Ellie’s character did not seem flushed out all the way; we’re not given much of her background story. She seemed a bit all over the place and quick to latch on to and obsessive over incomplete thoughts/ideas without exploring other possibilities. Though by end, Ellie did grow on me a bit. Secondly, i don’t think Margot was completely able to process what she went through and her past relationship. And we don’t really get to see how that affects her relationship with Ellie; assuming that it does.
If you’re looking for a cozy sapphic Christmas romance, this is definitely the book for you!
Thank you to NetGalley, Alcove Press, and the author for the eARC!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Grief and Death
thaliareads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-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
4.0
Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for this ARC!
Margot is recently single and is frankly not interested in entering into a cliched romance. When her client, Ben, invites her to a vacation at his family’s country home in exchange for pretending to be his girlfriend she decides it might just be worth it. What Margot didn’t bargain for is Ben’s sister Ellie. Ellie senses that something is off and is determined to get to the bottom of it. However, as Ellie and Margot spend more time together will they realize how much they have in common? Will something more develop between the two, threatening Ben and Margot’s charade?
This was a super cute holiday read. Starting with the positive, I really liked the cast of characters and overarching plot. It was a setup bound to lead to mayhem, hijinks, and misunderstandings. I enjoyed seeing the friendship develop between Margot and Ben, and I think Ben was probably the most unproblematic man I’ve read in a long time. I think that their conversations related to Margot’s treatment in her previous relationship were handled very well. Moving into the negatives, I just felt like the pacing was off. This could be because I’m partial to faster paced books, whereas this was absolutely slower and more drawn out where I’m not sure it needed to be. Also, while I love Ellie and Margot together and where they ended up as the story finished, I felt like they got started very fast. There were a lot of obstacles in their way like Ellie’s recent hatred of Margot, Margot and Ben’s façade of dating, and even just Margot’s ability to enter into a healthy relationship after her recent split from her emotionally abusive ex. All this aside, if you want a cute and clean sapphic holiday romance, this book is a great pick and a fun read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia, Death, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Alcohol and Grief
Death is prior to the events of the book. Emotional abuse occurs prior to the events of the book but is discussed and the ex-partner is still trying to be in the picture.
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