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🎧 Dual POV but only one narrator (female)
🌶️ 1/5 There was a vague reference to them having had a good night together but this was totally closed door. Chaste kissing only.
🏳️🌈✊ Both MCs are Jewish, as are most of the side characters. FMC has chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) which affects every part of her life. FMC's best friend is gay.
Graphic: Chronic illness, Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment
Moderate: Cancer
Minor: Genocide, Hate crime, Infertility, Suicidal thoughts, Antisemitism, Mass/school shootings, Pregnancy, War
Graphic: Chronic illness
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Ableism, Cancer, Genocide, Antisemitism, Death of parent
If you are familiar with hallmark romances you will know the pacing and tone of this book. There is a gay best friend who is fairly stereotypical (has dated lots, very fashionable, dramatic) which is unfortunate but expected given the lack of nuance in other areas.
This is a popcorn read. Best enjoyed quickly and with little thought to the contents. That is not a criticism because not every work has to be a literary masterpiece. This book was fine, I highly recommend the audiobook, and it was a refreshing break from heavier books in my monthly reading.
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death of parent, Abandonment
Moderate: Ableism, Cancer, Grief
Minor: Genocide, Suicidal thoughts, Antisemitism
I really liked the characters too and the portrayal of diverse Jewish experiences.
While I enjoyed how things worked out in the end, many aspects of how everything came together were confusing, such as how Rachel’s parents apparently had 0 issue with their daughter being obsessed with Christmas but also gave many indications in her childhood that anything Christmas was a huge no-no. I know people can become more open-minded over time, but they just let Rachel go on thinking she had to keep this ‘secret’ without ever hinting at acceptance.
And with Rachel’s best friend, I knew he would have had something to do with the falling out between Rachel and Jacob in summer camp but he revealed it at a very odd moment since even if it has been out of his mind until Jacob’s return, he still acted as if Jacob was the bad guy when he came back to NYC (of course, he did think Jacob gave Rachel mono which she never hinted at knowing it was no true until she randomly told her friend who only then told the truth about his own deception?)
And the photos with Santa scene was super uncomfortable and creepy, despite probably being meant to be a hilarious scene. Adults can enjoy Santa 100%, but Rachel was very inappropriate.
3.75 stars, so rounding to 4!
Graphic: Chronic illness, Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment
Moderate: Ableism, Emotional abuse
Minor: Cancer, Genocide, Homophobia, Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, Lesbophobia, Outing, Cultural appropriation, Alcohol
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death of parent, Abandonment
Moderate: Ableism, Cancer, Grief
Minor: Genocide, Antisemitism, War
Graphic: Chronic illness
Moderate: Cursing, Abandonment
Minor: Ableism, Genocide, Antisemitism, Death of parent
Graphic: Grief, Death of parent
Minor: Genocide, Religious bigotry
Graphic: Chronic illness
Moderate: Antisemitism, Death of parent, Abandonment
Minor: Cancer, Genocide
Graphic: Cancer, Chronic illness, Terminal illness, Death of parent, Abandonment
Moderate: Ableism, Body shaming, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Antisemitism, Grief, Alcohol
Minor: Infertility, Xenophobia, Pregnancy, War
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death of parent
Moderate: Ableism
Minor: Cancer, Genocide, Antisemitism