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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
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
deidrelj's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Cute romance, bogged down with constant explanations on details of Judaism, Hanukkah and her illness. Wish it was just integrated more seamlessly as part of the story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Grief
Minor: Religious bigotry and Genocide
emfass's review
I was so very excited about Jewish representation in a mainstream romance, but this just did not grab me at all. Also found the Jewish rep very in your face with so many explanations, which I suppose one has to do for a wide audience? But I found it very heavy-handed.
There are also a couple of harmful comments within the book (one I got to, about comparing a Jew who loves Christmas to the protagonist's gay best friend being in the closet as a kid, one I heard about about a tasteless joke about Mossad/the IDF) that leave a really really bad taste in my mouth. More sensitivity reading was needed before this book got to publication.
After discussing the book with the Bad Bitch Book Club tonight, I decided I'd rather read other things than push through this one.
There are also a couple of harmful comments within the book (one I got to, about comparing a Jew who loves Christmas to the protagonist's gay best friend being in the closet as a kid, one I heard about about a tasteless joke about Mossad/the IDF) that leave a really really bad taste in my mouth. More sensitivity reading was needed before this book got to publication.
After discussing the book with the Bad Bitch Book Club tonight, I decided I'd rather read other things than push through this one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness
Moderate: Religious bigotry
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