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cheye13's review
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
This was a pleasant little story. I appreciated how the leads' different experiences played off each other. Not overly Christmassy, more winter-focused in gneneral, which I appreciated. It was predictable from the start, a little more heavy-handed than the typical romcom, but I didn't mind. A very good Schitt's Creek comp title, I felt.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Classism and Sexual content
Minor: Infidelity
absent/emotionally distant parents, divorcefanboyriot's review against another edition
emotional
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
5.0
Read For:
🏳️🌈 Achillean
☃️ Holiday Romance
🫶 Enemies to Lovers
☺️ Wholesome Ending
🎄 Small Town Christmas
Loved this!! The holiday atmosphere and the small town vibes made this such an enjoyable read. Worth the hype for sure.
I wasn’t sure if I’d like Matthew or not, the spoiled rich kid usually is an ick for me but this was written so well. He was a well detailed character and had depth to his personality. The character development was so pleasant to read.
This was such a cute holiday rom-com!
POV: First Person
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Rep: Gay (MC), BI (LI), Anxiety (MC), Mental Health, Poly Relationship (Past), BIPOC
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Sexual content and Abandonment
Minor: Homophobia, Miscarriage, Toxic friendship, Gaslighting, Drug use, Infidelity, Outing, Cursing, and Alcohol
morganperks's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Well, I'll be darned if the small-town romance didn't thaw my stone-cold heart and make it grow three sizes. 5 stars. Only cause I'm feeling sappy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, Alcohol, and Sexual content
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Classism, and Abandonment
Minor: Infidelity, Miscarriage, Homophobia, Gaslighting, Outing, Drug use, and Misogyny
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
An adorable Christmas rom-com, just what I was in the mood for! I realize I never really read that many holiday books during the Christmas season, so it's even better when it's a gay holiday book. This read kind of like a Hallmark movie to me, which is just the vibes you want in a Christmas novel. There's just something comforting about reading a romance where you know where it's going. Especially around the holidays!
If you pay atteniont, there are a lot of little hints for the Grinch peppered throughout the novel, and some of them were clever! I thought it made the book ever more fun to read. You don't want to sympathize with Matthew at the beginning, but as we get to know him more, you get to unpack some of his anxieties and stress. I really came to like him by the end.
There were some repetitive things that I wasn't a huge fan of (mostly, the repetition of "dude." I know it was supposed to be a character thing, it just drove me crazy). But there was great chemistry between the two main characters and I thoroughly enjoyed this!
If you pay atteniont, there are a lot of little hints for the Grinch peppered throughout the novel, and some of them were clever! I thought it made the book ever more fun to read. You don't want to sympathize with Matthew at the beginning, but as we get to know him more, you get to unpack some of his anxieties and stress. I really came to like him by the end.
There were some repetitive things that I wasn't a huge fan of (mostly, the repetition of "dude." I know it was supposed to be a character thing, it just drove me crazy). But there was great chemistry between the two main characters and I thoroughly enjoyed this!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, and Sexual content
Moderate: Classism, Cursing, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Drug use, Outing, and Infidelity
melaniereadsbooks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Thank you to Dream Scape Media and Netgalley for an ALC of this book.
When Matthew hides out from social media scandal with his grandparents for Christmas, he finds himself temporary roommates with Hector. Both from different worlds, the two butt heads immediately, until they team up to throw a Christmas charity event.
This was so cute! It was funny at times but also sweet and slow when it had to be and I absolutely loved it. I loved the relationship development. I loved the hallmark movie esque setting and plot and how deep Matthew's character went. The anxiety rep was really good and I loved how it all ended. Such an adorable holiday romcom!
Funny story- After reading this book from Netgalley, I went to buy it when it came out. I was at Barnes and Noble and couldn't find it because they had been remodelling and things were kind of all over the place. I asked for help and the employee couldn't find it either. I figured I would order it online and went to get a coffee at the starbucks. While I was ordering, another employee came up to me holding the book! They asked if I was the one looking and I said yes and was visibly excited to have gotten it. The Starbucks cashier asked what book and I told them, holding it up, I said, "It's a gay Christmas romcom!" The cashier gaped and then three other people in the cafe pivoted their heads to see what book I was holding! I think I found some fans that day.
Can't recommend this enough if you are in the mood for some adorable holiday romance!
When Matthew hides out from social media scandal with his grandparents for Christmas, he finds himself temporary roommates with Hector. Both from different worlds, the two butt heads immediately, until they team up to throw a Christmas charity event.
This was so cute! It was funny at times but also sweet and slow when it had to be and I absolutely loved it. I loved the relationship development. I loved the hallmark movie esque setting and plot and how deep Matthew's character went. The anxiety rep was really good and I loved how it all ended. Such an adorable holiday romcom!
Funny story- After reading this book from Netgalley, I went to buy it when it came out. I was at Barnes and Noble and couldn't find it because they had been remodelling and things were kind of all over the place. I asked for help and the employee couldn't find it either. I figured I would order it online and went to get a coffee at the starbucks. While I was ordering, another employee came up to me holding the book! They asked if I was the one looking and I said yes and was visibly excited to have gotten it. The Starbucks cashier asked what book and I told them, holding it up, I said, "It's a gay Christmas romcom!" The cashier gaped and then three other people in the cafe pivoted their heads to see what book I was holding! I think I found some fans that day.
Can't recommend this enough if you are in the mood for some adorable holiday romance!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Mental illness
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Cursing, Classism, and Abandonment
Minor: Drug use and Infidelity
decklededgess's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-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
trigger warnings: anxiety/panic attacks, financial problems, infidelity, toxic friendships, sexual content, alcohol
This book was so fucking cute!! I loved the Grinch x Schitt's Creek combination of plot. The tension between the two leads that sets up the enemies to lovers dynamic was exquisite. They both had valid reason to PROPERLY hate each other but the gradual growth and understanding of each other felt honest and symbiotic as they worked together to host the gala event. Matthew's grinch heart thawing as he learnt to appreciate the humanity in interaction instead of the social clout in appearance was really wonderful as well. A really well rounded and fun winter read!
This book was so fucking cute!! I loved the Grinch x Schitt's Creek combination of plot. The tension between the two leads that sets up the enemies to lovers dynamic was exquisite. They both had valid reason to PROPERLY hate each other but the gradual growth and understanding of each other felt honest and symbiotic as they worked together to host the gala event. Matthew's grinch heart thawing as he learnt to appreciate the humanity in interaction instead of the social clout in appearance was really wonderful as well. A really well rounded and fun winter read!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity, Alcohol, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Toxic friendship
purplepenning's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug abuse, Cursing, Alcohol, Sexual content, Toxic friendship, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Drug use, and Classism
Minor: Misogyny, Miscarriage, and Infidelity
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