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asteroula_t's review against another edition
4.0
A 'Tis the Season read!
Christmas spirit and festive atmosphere in this small town, Elmwood, brings people together, helps them identify their needs, and rediscover themselves.
Well, that sounded quite heavy, but the story is fun, funny, and the sweetest Christmas Romance.
A second chance for Court and Ivan is the only thing they needed in their lives... and they didn't even know it!
It starts as a crush but it naturally evolves into a lifetime of black trees and misshapen latte art!
Lovely characters, a lovely small town and quite humorous writing...
Thank you @gay.romance.reviews for giving me the chance to visit Elmwood!
Christmas spirit and festive atmosphere in this small town, Elmwood, brings people together, helps them identify their needs, and rediscover themselves.
Well, that sounded quite heavy, but the story is fun, funny, and the sweetest Christmas Romance.
A second chance for Court and Ivan is the only thing they needed in their lives... and they didn't even know it!
It starts as a crush but it naturally evolves into a lifetime of black trees and misshapen latte art!
Lovely characters, a lovely small town and quite humorous writing...
Thank you @gay.romance.reviews for giving me the chance to visit Elmwood!
lydiaaa's review
emotional
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
3.5
ajcollignon's review
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? No
3.75
tdl2188's review against another edition
5.0
This book was such an amazing read. I love their relationship build up. This was a great little book to read.
isalaur's review
fast-paced
5.0
I really enjoyed this holiday story. Small town, hockey, sorta-not really second chance (one MCs unrequited childhood crush now coming to fruition), grumpy/sunshine. It’s got lots of angles to pull you in. Only distracting thing for me is that I’ve been on a binge of holiday romances lately and it just so happens most of them have been small town and involved hockey. I kept having a parallel universe thing where I mashed up all the towns and characters. I think they’d all get along so it just might work!
I loved Ivan! His sunny outlook and his optimistic attitude, a real glass half full guy who loves the holidays, especially Christmas. Court took a bit more to pull me in as he is the grumpy on this scenario and so woe is me and get me out of here that you just want to shake him and tell him to look around and see what he’s got. So watching him gradually realize that dreams change and he can readjust makes for a nice read. There are a couple points where I got teary and just wanted to reach through the screen and hug Ivan and the crisis point just about breaks your heart. But it doesn’t last long and we know things will work out so it’s pretty low angst.
I am very invested in Elmwood so I’m looking forward to what comes next.
I loved Ivan! His sunny outlook and his optimistic attitude, a real glass half full guy who loves the holidays, especially Christmas. Court took a bit more to pull me in as he is the grumpy on this scenario and so woe is me and get me out of here that you just want to shake him and tell him to look around and see what he’s got. So watching him gradually realize that dreams change and he can readjust makes for a nice read. There are a couple points where I got teary and just wanted to reach through the screen and hug Ivan and the crisis point just about breaks your heart. But it doesn’t last long and we know things will work out so it’s pretty low angst.
I am very invested in Elmwood so I’m looking forward to what comes next.
xanthe87's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
4.0
I love this series from Lane Hayes as it brings my love of hockey romance into a small town that's actually pretty liberal and they're also fairly low angst.
Ivan and Court knew each other as children, being in the same school year but definitely not the same social circles. Ivan was shy and turned into an emo teen whereas Court was the sports player and on course to leave to play pro hockey. Ivan now has his own cafe in their home town and Court is back after being cut from the team, not something he is happy about and wants to fix.
I really enjoyed the balance between the two characters. They're very much opposites with Ivan being the quieter of the two, though definitely not when it comes to the bedroom, but he also has a set plan for his life and what he wants for it, whereas Court can't really see past hockey and apparently the end of that is coming quicker than he likes. It's an entertaining friendship that builds between them and also has a strong attraction, especially on Ivan's side to start with considering his long held childhood crush. They have good chemistry and I enjoyed Court reluctantly getting involved in things around the town.
It was good getting interaction with the other town residents, especially characters from the previous books, JC being a favourite with his dour, witty attitude.
A recommended festive read that has a childhood crush have the chance at true love in the small town they grew up in
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.
Ivan and Court knew each other as children, being in the same school year but definitely not the same social circles. Ivan was shy and turned into an emo teen whereas Court was the sports player and on course to leave to play pro hockey. Ivan now has his own cafe in their home town and Court is back after being cut from the team, not something he is happy about and wants to fix.
I really enjoyed the balance between the two characters. They're very much opposites with Ivan being the quieter of the two, though definitely not when it comes to the bedroom, but he also has a set plan for his life and what he wants for it, whereas Court can't really see past hockey and apparently the end of that is coming quicker than he likes. It's an entertaining friendship that builds between them and also has a strong attraction, especially on Ivan's side to start with considering his long held childhood crush. They have good chemistry and I enjoyed Court reluctantly getting involved in things around the town.
It was good getting interaction with the other town residents, especially characters from the previous books, JC being a favourite with his dour, witty attitude.
A recommended festive read that has a childhood crush have the chance at true love in the small town they grew up in
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.
chambersaurusrx's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
karen_reads's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
lauraste's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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? No
4.5
Devoured this gem in a day. Ivan, our favorite barista gets his happily ever after in the form of hunky Court.
This was such a feel good, sexy, sweet, heartwarming Christmas story, I was swooning the whole time.
Plus we also got sneak peaks of the other couples’ lives which was a major plus.
Cannot wait for a certain realtor to get his story!