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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
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