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gillianw's review
4.0
4 stars
Awww, this was lovely! I love Christmas novellas (despite not being the biggest fan of Christmas) and I'm a sucker for quiet, holiday stories about lonely people finding love and companionship on what can be a difficult day to spend alone. Aigee and Christopher were well-suited, even when arguing and I loved how they ended up calling a truce in the most wonderful way.
If you enjoy Christmas stories, you definitely need to add this one to your TBR.
Awww, this was lovely! I love Christmas novellas (despite not being the biggest fan of Christmas) and I'm a sucker for quiet, holiday stories about lonely people finding love and companionship on what can be a difficult day to spend alone. Aigee and Christopher were well-suited, even when arguing and I loved how they ended up calling a truce in the most wonderful way.
If you enjoy Christmas stories, you definitely need to add this one to your TBR.
books_songs_tea's review
hopeful
lighthearted
- 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
2.5
the_novel_approach's review
3.0
I am such a fan of Christmas in September—or, of the holiday stories, at least—and this sweet little morsel of an enemies-to-lovers romance has thrust me right into the spirit of the season.
I felt such a kinship with Alan ‘Aigee’ Garmond, based in our shared affinity for books and our love of writing about them. Aigee doesn’t have a formal education, not one that might lend credence to his opinion of the books he reviews for Munro’s Magazine, the small paper published by the bookstore where he works, but that doesn’t stop him for sharing his love of those he reads. It doesn’t matter if everyone, or anyone, agrees with his opinions; it only matters that what he writes about those books is his truth, and that becomes the focus of Christopher Forman’s very public animosity towards the amateur reviewer.
Christopher works for a much larger publication, and has taken to criticizing Aigee in his writing. Christopher’s words are his weapons, and he belittles Aigee’s opinions, and insults the cheerful and optimistic man at every opportunity. I like how this played into the timing of the story because these sorts of public feuds did happen—Oscar Wilde and the artist James Whistler carried on a rather famous one. It’s the 19th century’s version of trolling on social media, yet somehow more civilized. The way things finally come to a head between Aigee and Christopher was not only touching but put ‘Kit’ in the uncomfortable position of feeling ashamed for his behavior.
Personal preferences being what they are, I’d have liked to have had a bit more story development, after the cease in hostilities between these two very different men and before the sex. Aigee is such a kind and gentle man, humble and endearing, and he gave Kit an easy pass on his boorish behavior. But, if you’re prepared to give up some deeper exposition and allow for the season and good will towards his fellow man being enough to build a relationship on, this book will work just fine for you. That’s what makes holiday romances so warm and fuzzy, after all, and why the book is called Yuletide Truce.
If you’re not in the mood for a Christmas romance right now, keep this one on your nice list. It’s a happy ending guaranteed.
Reviewed by Lisa for The Novel Approach
I felt such a kinship with Alan ‘Aigee’ Garmond, based in our shared affinity for books and our love of writing about them. Aigee doesn’t have a formal education, not one that might lend credence to his opinion of the books he reviews for Munro’s Magazine, the small paper published by the bookstore where he works, but that doesn’t stop him for sharing his love of those he reads. It doesn’t matter if everyone, or anyone, agrees with his opinions; it only matters that what he writes about those books is his truth, and that becomes the focus of Christopher Forman’s very public animosity towards the amateur reviewer.
Christopher works for a much larger publication, and has taken to criticizing Aigee in his writing. Christopher’s words are his weapons, and he belittles Aigee’s opinions, and insults the cheerful and optimistic man at every opportunity. I like how this played into the timing of the story because these sorts of public feuds did happen—Oscar Wilde and the artist James Whistler carried on a rather famous one. It’s the 19th century’s version of trolling on social media, yet somehow more civilized. The way things finally come to a head between Aigee and Christopher was not only touching but put ‘Kit’ in the uncomfortable position of feeling ashamed for his behavior.
Personal preferences being what they are, I’d have liked to have had a bit more story development, after the cease in hostilities between these two very different men and before the sex. Aigee is such a kind and gentle man, humble and endearing, and he gave Kit an easy pass on his boorish behavior. But, if you’re prepared to give up some deeper exposition and allow for the season and good will towards his fellow man being enough to build a relationship on, this book will work just fine for you. That’s what makes holiday romances so warm and fuzzy, after all, and why the book is called Yuletide Truce.
If you’re not in the mood for a Christmas romance right now, keep this one on your nice list. It’s a happy ending guaranteed.
Reviewed by Lisa for The Novel Approach