Scan barcode
beccaand's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent, Alcohol, Abandonment, and Grief
Minor: Cancer, Infidelity, and Alcoholism
lizzie_b99's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I've only read Christmas romances rarely, but I think this is a good intro to the genre! I'd be interested in reading the other titles in the series to see the other characters' stories (and maybe some cameos of Luka and Stella).
Graphic: Grief, Sexual content, and Cursing
Moderate: Abandonment, Death of parent, and Cancer
nicolecurlsuptoread's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
āļøāļøāļøĀ½ ā¢ 3.5/5
š¶ļøš¶ļøš¶ļøš¶ļø ā¢ 4/5
š Youāll dig this if you like
Ā» Fake dating
Ā» Slow burns
Ā» Friends to lovers
Ā» Unrequited crushes (for both!)
Ā» Found family
ā I struggled a bit with this book. Listening to the audio while reading with my eyes is usually a great experience, but there were some significant differences between the audio recording and e-book which were jarring and confusing. I would recommend the written version over the audiobook if itās accessible for you, even just for the epilogues. There are two extra chapters in the written version.
ā I didnāt like Stella very much through the book; she defined obtuse, and I couldnāt connect with her. Luka saved the story for me, as did Beckett and Layla. Even though I didnāt love Lovelight Farms, I will read the following books because I want to see how their stories play out.
ā Stella and Lukaās relationship was what redeemed this story. The little pieces of themselves theyāve shared over time and missed opportunities. Love masquerading as close friendship for a decade, with a now or never opportunity. This was a great way to shape friends to lovers.
š What stood out
Ā» Beckett becomes a cat dad without hesitation and is immediately crowned the chosen one by mama cat and her kittens. Cue swoon!
Ā» The thread of the pine air fresheners š²
Ā» Firefighters and townsfolk volunteer as official North Pole representatives to take wish lists from kids so no child has to sit on a strangerās lap. š
š Moments
Ā» Luka asks Stella to slow dance in the kitchen; itās how his parents argued/ had big discussions ā¤ļøā¤ļø He admits he thinks itās so his dad "could politely restrain his mother". I think it would be tough to stay angry while dancing in a hug.
š« Triggers: debt, parental abandonment, death of parent to cancer. Please check warnings.
Moderate: Death of parent, Sexual content, Abandonment, Cancer, and Terminal illness
Minor: Alcoholism
literarypenguin's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The friends to lovers trope was the best I have read in this book! The friendship between Luka & Stella is so realistic. It was really believable and the progression of their friendship into a romance was very believable as well. I loved their friendship and how honest they were with each other, how they both understood each other so well. They know each others ups and downs, highs and lows. The dancing in the kitchen scene really got me, it was beautiful and precious in all the best ways!
Stella as a character was great! Her background with her family with her mom and her father was equally parts warm hearted and sad. How she had to make herself resilient and her fear of abandonment was valid. She had every reason to be this way after everything she went through since she was a child. That is why I thought Luka was perfect for her, he broke down her walls and reassured her that just because she loves people doesn't mean they are going to be gone the next day. Her resilience to live her dream of owning a Christmas Tree farm was awesome to see and I found myself rooting for her several times throughout the book.
Luka was a wonderful male lead character. I adored his family, all his aunts and his mother were so sweet and loving! The part about his dad was also sad but heartwarming. He was very funny as well many of his lines in the book had me laughing! His willingness and love for Stella was cute. I liked how involved in Stella's business he got and how he supported her through every decision and moment.
The town itself is such a character as well! All the residents of this town were great and they had such big personalities. My personal favorites were Sheriff Dane, Beck, and Layla. The kittens were so adorable as well! How Stella grew to love this town and everyone in it just shows how important relationships in small towns can be.
I loved this series, the Christmas vibes, the romance, and the story! I can't wait to read all the books in the series and continue the cuteness!
Graphic: Sexual content and Death of parent
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Cancer
allingoodtime's review
- 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
3.5
Graphic: Grief and Cancer
kylasmv15's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Death of parent, Abandonment, and Sexual content
Moderate: Grief and Cursing
Minor: Alcohol, Cancer, and Emotional abuse
courtneyreadsitall's review against another edition
2.0
I honestly donāt think I liked this book at all. The book leads up to this contest for the farm to earn money and the character coming for the contest is barely in it, the contest was barely in it. I felt like the first 2/3 of the book was building up for this and then it was barely mentioned. jThe worst thing about the book is the main character. I found her so annoying.
1. Those two were never best friends and they excessively said they were but I donāt know two best friends that sleep cuddled up against each other.
2. Some of the dialogue was awkward and not realistic.
3. The part I disliked the most was when Luka professed his love for Stella. Stella spent this entire book talking about how she has unrequited feelings for Luka and they finally have sex and itās great and the next day he says āI wanna be your boyfriend, for real. Iām in love with you.ā And she denies him and tries to say his feelings are confused because of the fake dating arrangement and heās like āno Iām IN LOVE WITH YOU and have been for a long time and I agreed to this fake dating to see if youād take a chance on me or if there was a chance youād feel the same way. Did you expect me to have sex with you and then everything go back the way it was?ā And sheās like yeahā¦ WHAT? Youāve spent 200+ pages talking about how you love him and he doesnāt feel the same and when you find out he does, you deny him?
The whole thing made me very frustrated.
Overall, not a great read for me.
Minor: Death of parent and Cancer
ambercunningham's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Grief, Alcohol, Cancer, Sexual content, Abandonment, Death of parent, and Emotional abuse
shaipanda's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
The relationships between the characters felt real and fleshed out and I really believed in the couples tho I wish weād gotten a bit of a closer glimpse into at least one of the side character romances that are briefly mentioned
Overall so so glad I finally got around to reading this I had a great time :)
Graphic: Death of parent, Sexual content, and Grief
Moderate: Alcohol and Abandonment
Minor: Cancer, Infidelity, and Alcoholism
rickireadss's review
4.5
ā ļø: death of parent, grief, abandonment, cancer, alcohol
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, and Abandonment
Minor: Alcohol and Cancer