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mj_86's review
funny
hopeful
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Moderate: Grief, Cancer, and Ableism
Minor: War, Antisemitism, and Genocide
clarke's review against another edition
1.0
I was so excited for this book, looking forward to reading the chronic illness representation. A fictional character with ME?! I couldn't believe my luck. Unfortunately, the majority of the chronic illness content felt like it was there to educate others, not so fellow chronically ill and disabled people could finally see themselves represented. There were some moments of representation, but the whole 'love interest saviour' and running miles in a ball gown by 'just pushing through' was grim, undermines the entire message, and is not how any of it works. Why mention ME, PEM, and flare ups if you’re just gonna do a marathon with ease at the end? (Also why have the (valid) rant about CFS being a shit name for ME to then only refer to it as CFS thereafter?). She goes from hiding her illness, not daring to use a wheelchair even though it would help, and causing flare ups to not appear weak to saying 'fuck em' in a wheelchair whilst confidently giving out orders in about 5 seconds. That is NOT how it feels irl - I've been using a wheelchair for about a year and I'm still not comfortable with it, the weakness, flare ups, etc. Although I will say that the part about pacing being difficult even after years was accurate.
From the other reviews I have read by Jewish people, there was a similar representation issue there (more educating/explaining things to non-Jewish people than representing Jewish people eg explaining that the holocaust was Bad and other basic shit). Some other reviews also had issue with how their faith was represented and the whole 'closet' Christmas fan stuff, which I think are important to read to appreciate perspectives outside of your/my own. This book also unfortunately makes light of the IOF killing people - something other reviewers are much more educated on and I suggest you read their reviews as they helped me understand more deeply.
This could've been good, great even, but I cannot overlook the above. I am begging for good chronic illness rep (especially ME/fatigue based) but even aside from that, I felt the rest of the plot was fairly flimsy and neither of them are very professional. The big 'betrayal' at summer camp reveal was also glossed over very easily when it was the crux of them not trusting each other for at least half the book. Everyone pushing them to get married when they'd only just seen each other after 18y was also weird as fuck and I'd be extremely uncomfortable?? Idk, in summary it wasn't great representation nor a great story, and makes light of atrocities so yknow.
From the other reviews I have read by Jewish people, there was a similar representation issue there (more educating/explaining things to non-Jewish people than representing Jewish people eg explaining that the holocaust was Bad and other basic shit). Some other reviews also had issue with how their faith was represented and the whole 'closet' Christmas fan stuff, which I think are important to read to appreciate perspectives outside of your/my own. This book also unfortunately makes light of the IOF killing people - something other reviewers are much more educated on and I suggest you read their reviews as they helped me understand more deeply.
This could've been good, great even, but I cannot overlook the above. I am begging for good chronic illness rep (especially ME/fatigue based) but even aside from that, I felt the rest of the plot was fairly flimsy and neither of them are very professional. The big 'betrayal' at summer camp reveal was also glossed over very easily when it was the crux of them not trusting each other for at least half the book. Everyone pushing them to get married when they'd only just seen each other after 18y was also weird as fuck and I'd be extremely uncomfortable?? Idk, in summary it wasn't great representation nor a great story, and makes light of atrocities so yknow.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Abandonment, and Antisemitism
Moderate: Religious bigotry, War, Ableism, Cancer, and Death of parent
foldingthepage_kayleigh's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
4.5
Loved this hilarious read! I found both Rachel and Jacob so relatable in their own ways, which makes you want to root for them so much. It’s also been great to learn more about Hanukkah and other Jewish traditions throughout the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Ableism, and Chronic illness
Moderate: Cancer
Minor: Antisemitism and Alcohol
lost_windsock's review
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
4.0
This book was pretty fun. I really liked the concept of this high profile Christmas author secretly being a famous rabbi's daughter. The fact that she loved the magic of Christmas so much and had to hide it from her family as a really interesting character background. Also the fact that she and Jacob had that complicated history, both thinking the other had broken their trust and their heart, was a fun set-up for a second-chance romance. This book was dropping in Jewish culture, and it felt like a really well-sculpted representation of a loving Jewish community. This book had great flow, great characters and an interesting plot, and I really enjoyed it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Ableism, Cancer, Alcohol, Chronic illness, and Death of parent
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Pregnancy, and Suicidal thoughts
kyrstin_p1989's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
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
4.0
Very cute romance story that is traditional and non-traditional at the same time. I appreciated that the story centers around Hanukkah while exhibiting all the tell-tale signs of a typical Hallmark Christmas movie. The themes of this book are lovely and withstand the test of time and the differences between faiths. The love story is a frenemies to lovers with a bit of miscommunication trope thrown in. All in all, I thought it was a good holiday rom-com to read during Hanukkah.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Racism, War, Bullying, Racial slurs, Abandonment, Death of parent, Ableism, Alcohol, Chronic illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
i__y's review
funny
hopeful
reflective
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness
Moderate: Death of parent, Abandonment, and Antisemitism
Minor: Genocide and Cancer
caitlinjadams's review against another edition
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
4.0
Fun winter read!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Bullying, Death of parent, Chronic illness, Medical content, and Cancer
jenn_reads's review
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
It was fine. I wanted to like it more than I actually did but it treated the reader like an idiot.
It also features the thing that I hate where the book is like 85% done and the main couple finally gets their crap together only for one of them to discover some piece of information and get into a huge fight about it without listening to context.
It also features the thing that I hate where the book is like 85% done and the main couple finally gets their crap together only for one of them to discover some piece of information and get into a huge fight about it without listening to context.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Antisemitism, Cancer, and Death of parent
annahamburger's review against another edition
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Abandonment, Cancer, Death of parent, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Antisemitism, Grief, Genocide, Body shaming, Alcohol, Ableism, Bullying, and Emotional abuse
Minor: War, Pregnancy, Xenophobia, and Infertility
lschuchman's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This was exactly like a hallmark movie, but Hanukkah themed! I loved all the Yiddish words and jewish traditions. Rachel and Jacob had depth as characters and even though the end result was very predictable, how they got there was not!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Cancer and Death of parent