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smasson13's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-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
4.5
I love Alison Cochrun. Her books are some of the only honestly and well written representation I have seen when it comes to mental illness. As a teacher, it is also soooo easy for me to imagine where she got this wealth of understanding, empathy, and depth from. As a result, this book was almost difficult for me to read due to how close to home it hit.
I really connected with Ellie and loved her character. While I also enjoyed Jack and the host of other characters, I did find more difficulty connecting with them as I found them flatter than I was expecting. Andrew specifically was a character I wanted to love deeply but just didn't know enough about in the end.
What I think was most amazing about this book was that the author did a perfect job at following up her first novel. They both touched on deep and important themes, had soft characters filled with feelings, but still felt wildly different. Alison Cochrun will continue to be a favourite author and I cannot wait to see what she writes next!
I really connected with Ellie and loved her character. While I also enjoyed Jack and the host of other characters, I did find more difficulty connecting with them as I found them flatter than I was expecting. Andrew specifically was a character I wanted to love deeply but just didn't know enough about in the end.
What I think was most amazing about this book was that the author did a perfect job at following up her first novel. They both touched on deep and important themes, had soft characters filled with feelings, but still felt wildly different. Alison Cochrun will continue to be a favourite author and I cannot wait to see what she writes next!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Body shaming, Abandonment, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Alcohol, Cursing, Biphobia, Mental illness, and Toxic relationship
lennie_reads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Emotional abuse, Alcohol, Panic attacks/disorders, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Biphobia and Fatphobia
sarrie'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
the_true_monroe's review against another edition
funny
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Misogyny, Mental illness, and Sexual content
Minor: Racism, Biphobia, and Transphobia
librariangeorgia's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-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
I actually started this after Christmas and finished it on New Years Day - the perfect time to read a Christmasy book...🫣
Timing aside, I absolutely adored this book. Honestly it's hard to find a sapphic book that's not tacky and cheesy. This one though, was so good!
It's a rom-com style book that starts on Christmas Eve 2021 and then jumps to the run up to Christmas in 2022. It's so cute, funny and most of all, relatable.
I loved it and i'll definitely be rereading this Christmas!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Biphobia, Homophobia, Infidelity, Drug use, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, and Transphobia
katisreading's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Infidelity, and Toxic relationship
softwindflower'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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
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
madisonmcd's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
medium-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Biphobia and Ableism