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3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
lighthearted
fast-paced
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Jackson is an asshole. Constantly doing things solely to piss Emma off. Talking about his cock while they're in a public place of business. The mire I read, the angrier I get.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Sexual content, Toxic relationship
this was a really good and easy fun christmas read! i loved the build up and how it was so fast paced yet the tension of slow paced was still there
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
lighthearted
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.5 stars that probably would have been rounded up but I'm moody after a bad morning
Emma (h) and Jackson (H) live in the same small town and their families have an epic Christmas party feud that's gone on for decades, ever since Jackson's family moved to the area. The feud has divided the town and after Emma and Jackson get into a scuffle in the general store, resulting in major damages, they spend a night in the clink and then the mayor lays down their punishment - they must work together on a Christmas party for the whole town or charges will be pressed. Considering how antagonistic these two were anytime they were remotely near each other, this seemed impossible. Of course, this is a Christmas romance so the forced proximity leads to acknowledgement of their shared attraction which leads to S-T-E-A-M and a better understanding of what the other is truly like at their core. Written in first person, dual POV. No ow/om drama (tiny moments of jealousy/possessiveness) and neither are virgins (no history mentioned for each that I noticed).
I thought the Christmas feud was a little too juvenile to start, but that's also kind of the point, that it was ridiculous how everyone was acting. I appreciated that Emma and Jackson didn't change their minds about the other immediately, it was a progression that felt more natural as the working together let them see the depths behind each other's outward appearances. Both also share a love of their family, although Jackson's family was more traditionally close, while Emma felt more separated from hers. I loved that there was no third act breakup and that there wasn't a huge conflict from their families over the reveal of their romance. Plus, they also stood up for each other where it counted and I love when characters do this. As much as I enjoyed the steamy moments between them, and there were several of them, I do wish that they had softened more to each other before they hit the sack (or other places/surfaces) together. I was also kind of surprised that there was a tiny bit of kink introduced before it felt like true trust would have developed (one use of sl*t, tying hands up, and a moment of throat holding), but that's just me being nitpicky.
Most of the story is Emma and Jackson, with a couple of instances of townspeople or their families on page. Jackson has two adorable pups who immediately loved Emma and vice versa. There's a bit of background for each with family dynamics and their professions. The party planning moments led to some cute scenes, but the sweetest ones were definitely after they both admitted they wanted more from the other. After that comes dating-like times, but with a hint of sneaking around as they don't want the whole town's eyes on them either. The final party scene with the expected clash between families also led to a clearing of the air that fell a tiny bit flat for me given how the feud affected so many other people. But it was also a relief, esp for Emma, who stressed about the party and the fighting. The ending is HFN, 9 months down the road with them moving in together. It was a cute scene to end on. I would recommend this as a fun Christmas read that was quick and had a lot of steam for how long it was, but still had emotional connection.
Emma (h) and Jackson (H) live in the same small town and their families have an epic Christmas party feud that's gone on for decades, ever since Jackson's family moved to the area. The feud has divided the town and after Emma and Jackson get into a scuffle in the general store, resulting in major damages, they spend a night in the clink and then the mayor lays down their punishment - they must work together on a Christmas party for the whole town or charges will be pressed. Considering how antagonistic these two were anytime they were remotely near each other, this seemed impossible. Of course, this is a Christmas romance so the forced proximity leads to acknowledgement of their shared attraction which leads to S-T-E-A-M and a better understanding of what the other is truly like at their core. Written in first person, dual POV. No ow/om drama (tiny moments of jealousy/possessiveness) and neither are virgins (no history mentioned for each that I noticed).
I thought the Christmas feud was a little too juvenile to start, but that's also kind of the point, that it was ridiculous how everyone was acting. I appreciated that Emma and Jackson didn't change their minds about the other immediately, it was a progression that felt more natural as the working together let them see the depths behind each other's outward appearances. Both also share a love of their family, although Jackson's family was more traditionally close, while Emma felt more separated from hers. I loved that there was no third act breakup and that there wasn't a huge conflict from their families over the reveal of their romance. Plus, they also stood up for each other where it counted and I love when characters do this. As much as I enjoyed the steamy moments between them, and there were several of them, I do wish that they had softened more to each other before they hit the sack (or other places/surfaces) together. I was also kind of surprised that there was a tiny bit of kink introduced before it felt like true trust would have developed (one use of sl*t, tying hands up, and a moment of throat holding), but that's just me being nitpicky.
Most of the story is Emma and Jackson, with a couple of instances of townspeople or their families on page. Jackson has two adorable pups who immediately loved Emma and vice versa. There's a bit of background for each with family dynamics and their professions. The party planning moments led to some cute scenes, but the sweetest ones were definitely after they both admitted they wanted more from the other. After that comes dating-like times, but with a hint of sneaking around as they don't want the whole town's eyes on them either. The final party scene with the expected clash between families also led to a clearing of the air that fell a tiny bit flat for me given how the feud affected so many other people. But it was also a relief, esp for Emma, who stressed about the party and the fighting. The ending is HFN, 9 months down the road with them moving in together. It was a cute scene to end on. I would recommend this as a fun Christmas read that was quick and had a lot of steam for how long it was, but still had emotional connection.