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danajoy's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.5
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Wreck the Halls feels like a cheesy Christmas movie. In the month of December every year I subject my partner to watching only Christmas films. Over the five years we've been together we've watched A LOT of them. Often whatever ridiculous Hallmark movie has a catchy title/gimmick and is available on one of our streaming services. Usually they are only loosely festive, mostly just set at that time of year and that is the sort of Christmas book that Wreck the Halls is.
Essentially, its following Melody and Beat, the children of the now very estranged musical duo Steel Birds as they embark on a public quest to reunite the band for a Christmas Eve concert while being live streamed. Their names are ridiculous and campy and they have this true instalove bond.
I'd say not to think too hard about the live stream logistics. When they first met Melody was going through a bit of an awkward teen phase and being ridiculed in the press and Beat was publicly standing up for her. That first scene of them when they were young was so endearing and it was lovely to see the little nickname stick throughout.
Like the other Tessa Bailey's I've read this is funny and sexy. The banter was good. Beat references having a kink a fair bit but it isn't anything too audatious.
The conflict feels a little like its coming mostly from them rushing into things and the live stream getting in the way of heart to heart communication. They barely know eachother but he's planning to propose on a whim but isn't that just like a dumb Christmas movie?
A easy, quick read. Don't expect it to be wildly festive, just a sprinkle. It's on the more ridiculous end of the romance spectrum so suspend your disbelief and have a cute wintery time - complete with snowball fights, meeting the (fueding) parents, corporate galas and workplace sports team finals.
3.5* rounded up to 4
Wreck the Halls feels like a cheesy Christmas movie. In the month of December every year I subject my partner to watching only Christmas films. Over the five years we've been together we've watched A LOT of them. Often whatever ridiculous Hallmark movie has a catchy title/gimmick and is available on one of our streaming services. Usually they are only loosely festive, mostly just set at that time of year and that is the sort of Christmas book that Wreck the Halls is.
Essentially, its following Melody and Beat, the children of the now very estranged musical duo Steel Birds as they embark on a public quest to reunite the band for a Christmas Eve concert while being live streamed. Their names are ridiculous and campy and they have this true instalove bond.
I'd say not to think too hard about the live stream logistics. When they first met Melody was going through a bit of an awkward teen phase and being ridiculed in the press and Beat was publicly standing up for her. That first scene of them when they were young was so endearing and it was lovely to see the little nickname stick throughout.
Like the other Tessa Bailey's I've read this is funny and sexy. The banter was good. Beat references having a kink a fair bit but it isn't anything too audatious.
A easy, quick read. Don't expect it to be wildly festive, just a sprinkle. It's on the more ridiculous end of the romance spectrum so suspend your disbelief and have a cute wintery time - complete with snowball fights, meeting the (fueding) parents, corporate galas and workplace sports team finals.
3.5* rounded up to 4
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol and Body shaming
Minor: Infidelity
hdabru's review
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I found this one to be Bailey’s most enjoyable one yet. Now granted, I know everyone has their favorite tropes and vibes, and this may not be everyone’s, but it absolutely was mine. Apparently I’m into fixer daddy vibes, total simping, soulmate level connection, where he could be who he was but she didn’t lose any agency or feminism.
I was hoping for no third act breakup and I did find this one a bit contrived, as I had hoped that the other, darker obstacle would be all that separated them, and frankly I do think it would have been enough for that necessary “will they? Won’t they?” at the climactic point of the book. But I think the meh-level third act breakup was the only downside.
One of my favorite aspects of this book was the cast of secondary characters. 3 dimensional, interesting, added to the story, had great banter, made the book. Even the addition of live streaming and social media following was well done. I think this one could easily be a Christmas-time cozy reread.
I was hoping for no third act breakup and I did find this one a bit contrived, as I had hoped that the other, darker obstacle would be all that separated them, and frankly I do think it would have been enough for that necessary “will they? Won’t they?” at the climactic point of the book. But I think the meh-level third act breakup was the only downside.
One of my favorite aspects of this book was the cast of secondary characters. 3 dimensional, interesting, added to the story, had great banter, made the book. Even the addition of live streaming and social media following was well done. I think this one could easily be a Christmas-time cozy reread.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Infidelity
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