Scan barcode
bg_oseman_fan's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
4.75
It’s a sign of a well written book when even though you know what’s about to happen, you are so engrossed in the story that it doesn’t much matter. Steering into fake dating, love triangle (i mean trapezoid), only one bed, tropes could have easily crashed and burned. instead the characters shine. the lead characters grow and their flaws are addressed frankly and honestly in a way many romance focused books don’t. Parts of this book were too saccharine and could have been more critical of tropes, but I enjoyed Alison’s writing so much!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Alcohol
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Infidelity
Minor: Mental illness, Outing, Sexism, Classism, Misogyny, Cursing, Transphobia, Death of parent, Panic attacks/disorders, Death, and Drug use
stacy837's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Toxic relationship, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Drug use, and Infidelity
Minor: Biphobia, Homophobia, Xenophobia, Transphobia, and Child abuse
mefrias's review
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
This book wasn’t as swoon-worthy as The Charm Offensive but still a good read. It explored many more complex and profound topics, which isn’t what I expected/ was particularly in the mood for, but I was still captivated enough to finish the story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
walskishere's review
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I have mixed feelings about this book. While I think the premise was okay (not sure how I feel generally about the fake-dating trope, as this is only my second book with it), some things about this book irked my soul.
I think Ellie was a pitiful human. There's a way to write a sad character in a tough situation, but it's not how Ellie was written. I found a lot of her actions of the "poor me" variety, which got old quickly. I think the real thing that got me about her behavior is the way that she thought no one else had problems; her problems were the biggest ones in the world. She kept insisting no one else fails except her and it was like I was speaking with a child, who naturally has no self-awareness. This eventually comes to be a part of her character arc, but by the time she gets into therapy and starts to address her trauma and toxic way of thinking, it feels almost like a New Year's resolution. Perhaps this is just due to the timing of the story, but she goes in so hard on it, that that's what it feels like--someone giving 110% to a NY resolution, then abandoning it a few months in.
Another thing that I didn't like about the book is the lack of apology from Jack about the vile things she says to Ellie once Ellie and Andrew are found out. Yes, I can understand someone would actually say those things in this situation, and I'm fine with that. But she never apologizes to Ellie after they make up, which I'm totally not okay with. Yes, Ellie hurt her. Yes, she had a right to be upset. But to say such hurtful things to someone you supposedly love and NOT apologize after agreeing to be together? Wild behavior.
I think the last part of this book that I didn't care for was the unbelievability of the Jack-Ellie mistletoe kiss. I'm ready to suspend my disbelief about fake-dating. But, in WHAT universe would the family, especially Katherine considering the cheating reveal later, be cheering for Ellie and Jack to kiss? There's absolutely no way that EVERYONE in that house would realistically be encouraging that. Meemaw? Sure. Lovey? Perhaps. Andrew? Maybe. Dylan and Katherine? No way.
Runner-up dislike reason: some characters seemed like caricatures?
I did really enjoy the relationships in this book; I just wish some characters appreciated their relationships more. The banter was funny, and the group dynamic at the end was really cool to see. I really appreciate the theme of found family and forgiveness. The class commentary was subtle, but I liked it.
Overall, this is a solid book. I'm not sure if I would read it again, but there were some really, really good parts I highlighted. I might recommend this to the right person.
I think Ellie was a pitiful human. There's a way to write a sad character in a tough situation, but it's not how Ellie was written. I found a lot of her actions of the "poor me" variety, which got old quickly. I think the real thing that got me about her behavior is the way that she thought no one else had problems; her problems were the biggest ones in the world. She kept insisting no one else fails except her and it was like I was speaking with a child, who naturally has no self-awareness.
Another thing that I didn't like about the book is the lack of apology from Jack about the vile things she says to Ellie once Ellie and Andrew are found out. Yes, I can understand someone would actually say those things in this situation, and I'm fine with that. But she never apologizes to Ellie after they make up, which I'm totally not okay with. Yes, Ellie hurt her. Yes, she had a right to be upset. But to say such hurtful things to someone you supposedly love and NOT apologize after agreeing to be together? Wild behavior.
I think the last part of this book that I didn't care for was the unbelievability of the Jack-Ellie mistletoe kiss. I'm ready to suspend my disbelief about fake-dating. But, in WHAT universe would the family, especially Katherine considering the cheating reveal later, be cheering for Ellie and Jack to kiss? There's absolutely no way that EVERYONE in that house would realistically be encouraging that. Meemaw? Sure. Lovey? Perhaps. Andrew? Maybe. Dylan and Katherine? No way.
Runner-up dislike reason: some characters seemed like caricatures?
I did really enjoy the relationships in this book; I just wish some characters appreciated their relationships more. The banter was funny, and the group dynamic at the end was really cool to see. I really appreciate the theme of found family and forgiveness. The class commentary was subtle, but I liked it.
Overall, this is a solid book. I'm not sure if I would read it again, but there were some really, really good parts I highlighted. I might recommend this to the right person.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Abandonment
skudiklier's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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
I didn't know almost anything about this book going in, and wow was I pleasantly surprised by the whole thing. I read almost the entire book in one sitting, because I couldn't put it down. The romance was perfect, and also it was weirdly and unintentionally relevant for me, as someone who just moved to Portland less than two months ago. I loved the bi rep, the anxiety rep, the demi rep, the nonbinary rep, the way they try (and fail) to not fall victim to unnecessary miscommunication as horribly as the straights always do in romances. (Also is it just me or is Ellie also autistic??? I both have anxiety and am autistic so sometimes it's hard for me to tell what social anxiety things are related to which haha. But idk she felt extremely autistic to me and I'm gonna say I also loved the (maybe unintentional) autistic rep as well.) This was a perfect book to start the year with, and I'd definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a lovely queer holiday romance.
Edit to add: I actually kind of forgot what The Charm Offensive was about, and now that I went back to look at my (5 star) review for that book, I'm even more convinced that Alison Cochrun is one of my new favorite romance authors. In both books, I was super sucked in and read them basically in one sitting. But even better, in both books I felt like even the parts of romances that I don't like (e.g., when they have a fight and break up near the end, usually over some miscommunication) were handled much better in these books than in most romance novels. Like, Cochrun clearly puts a lot of effort into making sure the relationships are as healthy and realistic as possible, while still giving us all the normal pieces of a romance and keeping the drama amped up. I'm just so impressed! And I can't wait for Cochrun's next book.
Edit to add: I actually kind of forgot what The Charm Offensive was about, and now that I went back to look at my (5 star) review for that book, I'm even more convinced that Alison Cochrun is one of my new favorite romance authors. In both books, I was super sucked in and read them basically in one sitting. But even better, in both books I felt like even the parts of romances that I don't like (e.g., when they have a fight and break up near the end, usually over some miscommunication) were handled much better in these books than in most romance novels. Like, Cochrun clearly puts a lot of effort into making sure the relationships are as healthy and realistic as possible, while still giving us all the normal pieces of a romance and keeping the drama amped up. I'm just so impressed! And I can't wait for Cochrun's next book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Alcohol, Sexual content, Child abuse, Drug use, Infidelity, and Mental illness
Moderate: Cursing, Biphobia, Transphobia, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Cancer, Stalking, Outing, Vomit, Acephobia/Arophobia, Incest, Misogyny, Murder, Grief, Homophobia, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Death, Racism, Sexism, and Sexual harassment
Toxic parents, cutting off family memberssarrie's review
funny
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I had two complaints with this one. The main character was just insufferable for me, but I did really appreciate her growth by the end and the attempts she makes to get better and better herself so I on deducted a half star for that.
My second complaint was the weird hate on physical activity/fitness. This is a trend I see in traditionally pubbed romances and it's always subtle but annoying. The character/author? will look down on fit people/they're described in stupid or gym rats, etc. Yet within the same book they're objectified. For example in this one the main character states she hates public displays of physical activities, and seems to look down on one of our main side characters - belittling him because he's fit and 'hot'. By the end though she's very into her love interest chopping wood and watching/imagining the muscles involved.
It doesn't make a lot of sense and it wasn't SUPER explicitly hate so it just irked me more than anything but its something I noted (as someone who is ridiculed and shamed and bullied for going to the gym and trying to be strong I am very sensitive to this stuff).
My second complaint was the weird hate on physical activity/fitness. This is a trend I see in traditionally pubbed romances and it's always subtle but annoying. The character/author? will look down on fit people/they're described in stupid or gym rats, etc. Yet within the same book they're objectified. For example in this one the main character states she hates public displays of physical activities, and seems to look down on one of our main side characters - belittling him because he's fit and 'hot'. By the end though she's very into her love interest chopping wood and watching/imagining the muscles involved.
It doesn't make a lot of sense and it wasn't SUPER explicitly hate so it just irked me more than anything but its something I noted (as someone who is ridiculed and shamed and bullied for going to the gym and trying to be strong I am very sensitive to this stuff).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Panic attacks/disorders
modernmatilda's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
5.0
An absolutely incredible, warm, magic romance that will leave you believing in the magic of snow days.
Ellie spent last Christmas falling head over heels for a woman in the bookstore. They spent an incredible day together in the snow. But when morning came, everything fell apart. This Christmas, desperate for money, hope, and an escape, she agrees to be fake engaged to her coffee shop's landlord, Andrew, in order for him to inherit family money (and share a portion of the funds with her). But when she arrives at the cabin to spend Christmas with Andrew's family, she meets his sister... the woman from last Christmas.
Seeing characters in romance novels struggle and grow through their mental health challenges is MY FAVORITE!!!!!!
Ellie spent last Christmas falling head over heels for a woman in the bookstore. They spent an incredible day together in the snow. But when morning came, everything fell apart. This Christmas, desperate for money, hope, and an escape, she agrees to be fake engaged to her coffee shop's landlord, Andrew, in order for him to inherit family money (and share a portion of the funds with her). But when she arrives at the cabin to spend Christmas with Andrew's family, she meets his sister... the woman from last Christmas.
Seeing characters in romance novels struggle and grow through their mental health challenges is MY FAVORITE!!!!!!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Alcohol, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, and Classism
Minor: Biphobia
buttermellow's review
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Abandonment, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Biphobia and Child abuse
grets_reads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Sexual content
Moderate: Abandonment, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Cursing, and Alcohol
Minor: Biphobia, Transphobia, Child abuse, Infidelity, Domestic abuse, and Homophobia
toofondofbooks_'s review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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
5.0
There really just wasn't a single thing to hate about this. Is there insta-love? Yes. Do I hate insta-love? Yes! However, in this one case, I will allow it because I loved this story and I love this couple. Am I not really a fan of Christmas books? Correct, I tend to stay away from them. Did I absolutely love this? Also correct.
My point is, this book had some tropes that on paper, shouldn't have worked for me, and yet they *did.* So basically, if you've been eyeing this one and are unsure about it, give it a try and see if you love it, too.
Bonus points for the Taylor Swift references all throughout this gem.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Biphobia, Child abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Vomit, Ableism, Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Homophobia, and Death
Moderate: Xenophobia, Racism, and Outing
Minor: Cancer