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ladygodivas's review against another edition
5.0
first book of the year and first five star too! you know how basic hallmark movies are? well, even though the concept of this book kind of resembles a hallmark movie, it has its own charms that really sets it apart and makes it unique. i thoroughly enjoyed reading this despite all the pop culture references, which could have been annoying if the characters weren't so loveable. i thought the romance would be too cheesy and forced, but it developed naturally and at a good pace and it's sweeter than hot chocolate with marshmallows.
this is the perfect book for the holidays (even though it is january now). i think this book snapped me out of my reading slump. rating it five stars because of the amazing reading experience. simple, yet well done.
this is the perfect book for the holidays (even though it is january now). i think this book snapped me out of my reading slump. rating it five stars because of the amazing reading experience. simple, yet well done.
kelseycorrine's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 but it was honestly an adorable feel good book so i’ll be nice. this book could’ve (and should’ve) been at least 100 pages shorter, it started dragging by the middle. story would’ve been the same, and i wouldn’t have been skimming the last chapter and skipping the second half of the epilogue completely. had me giggling and feeling jolly tho. very quirky and off the rails.
kalschaef's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
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
4.0
brisingr's review against another edition
4.0
not even the Grinch could resist when facing the literal Holiday Spirit (and all its silliness!!)
emileers's review against another edition
5.0
I read a few reviews prior to starting, so I knew that people had said this was weird, but I really thought they either undersold it, or I just didn’t believe it would be as weird as it turned out to be, in the absolute best way possible.
This book was zany, and madcap, and odd, and really fun. There were a million lines that made me laugh out loud, but a character using a child-sized Yoohoo as a neti pot just really sent me over the edge.
This book is hard to explain in part because it is so weird but in part because it’s so imaginative and there’s really nothing to compare this to. This is magical in a way that feels real, not in the way that it gets you in the plot of a Hallmark Christmas movie. The plot is more similar to something more old-fashioned, Christmas movies like Frosty the Snowman (which Hall hates) or How the Grinch Stole Christmas (which Hall also hates). What you need to know is this: Bettie Watson-Hughes has been in the constant grind of the attention and influencer economy for years. She’s tried celebrity lines of clothing/accessories/perfumes to put her on the map, and she’s out of money, and out of excuses or presents for her yearly family weeklong Christmas gathering. Hall, the Holiday Spirit, shows up to raise her spirits, but they both get a little more than they bargained for.
I’ve read nothing like this, but I read most of it in August, and it made me want to drink peppermint hot chocolate and cut out snowflakes. The best way I know how to describe it is that it feels like what Christmas used to feel like when you were a kid. It’s really joyful and weird and fun and I can’t wait to read it again at Christmas.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam in exchange for honest review.
This book was zany, and madcap, and odd, and really fun. There were a million lines that made me laugh out loud, but a character using a child-sized Yoohoo as a neti pot just really sent me over the edge.
This book is hard to explain in part because it is so weird but in part because it’s so imaginative and there’s really nothing to compare this to. This is magical in a way that feels real, not in the way that it gets you in the plot of a Hallmark Christmas movie. The plot is more similar to something more old-fashioned, Christmas movies like Frosty the Snowman (which Hall hates) or How the Grinch Stole Christmas (which Hall also hates). What you need to know is this: Bettie Watson-Hughes has been in the constant grind of the attention and influencer economy for years. She’s tried celebrity lines of clothing/accessories/perfumes to put her on the map, and she’s out of money, and out of excuses or presents for her yearly family weeklong Christmas gathering. Hall, the Holiday Spirit, shows up to raise her spirits, but they both get a little more than they bargained for.
I’ve read nothing like this, but I read most of it in August, and it made me want to drink peppermint hot chocolate and cut out snowflakes. The best way I know how to describe it is that it feels like what Christmas used to feel like when you were a kid. It’s really joyful and weird and fun and I can’t wait to read it again at Christmas.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam in exchange for honest review.
shelbymarie516's review against another edition
3.0
This was quirky, endearing, and down right odd. When Hol (E. Day) shows up I expect a more Christmas Carol styled story but this was not that at all. It was like a crazy ride into the Spirit of Christmas and there was magic, a self absorbed family, and a child like wonder attitude.
the_rabble's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Extremely cute single POV, no spice Yuletide flavored romantic comedy about a down on her luck influencer (late 20s) and a physical embodiment of secular holiday cheer (think Ghost of Christmas Present, but no time "one night" limit.)
Our narrator Betty is designed with rough edges and serious problems- fairly celeb culture focused. There is a solid chance you'll fall in love with Hall, King of the Soft Boys, very quickly.
Magic system is sort of a whimsical Disney/Hallmark movie mash-up and that's totally fine.
There's a lot of pop culture references and some cartoon physics, so it won't be for everyone.
Narrator: Tavia Gilbert does a great job voice acting. The energy is high, the voices are solid, and the prose has some Sam Bee-esque energy that's really charming.
Our narrator Betty is designed with rough edges and serious problems- fairly celeb culture focused. There is a solid chance you'll fall in love with Hall, King of the Soft Boys, very quickly.
Magic system is sort of a whimsical Disney/Hallmark movie mash-up and that's totally fine.
There's a lot of pop culture references and some cartoon physics, so it won't be for everyone.
Narrator: Tavia Gilbert does a great job voice acting. The energy is high, the voices are solid, and the prose has some Sam Bee-esque energy that's really charming.
idaho210's review against another edition
Didnt finish it in time for Christmas and feels weird to read afterwards
princesscheetopuff's review against another edition
It was too slow and too dry to read.
kaulhilo's review against another edition
5.0
i love this book so much so much so much so much so much so much i cannot in any capacity be articulate enough to say just how much, but rtc if at any point my brain starts working again