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trashboatwinter's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Biphobia, and Panic attacks/disorders
readingqueerly's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
3.75
A fun holiday romcom on that involves fake dating (but not between who you think), two second chance romances, and learning to love both yourself and other people.
All in all, Alison Cochrun showed again that she can write deeply flawed characters who are in desperate need of help and growth, and who eventually find that.
The MC faces quite a few issues that I've had to confront myself with all the pain and hardship that has come with that. It's not easy to admit that you're biggest obstacle in life is you yourself.
This book did take a little bit to get going for me, but once it did, I really enjoyed the reading experience. The characters were fun and loveable, the plot moved well, and the representation of both queerness and disability made for a fun festive read.
All in all, Alison Cochrun showed again that she can write deeply flawed characters who are in desperate need of help and growth, and who eventually find that.
The MC faces quite a few issues that I've had to confront myself with all the pain and hardship that has come with that. It's not easy to admit that you're biggest obstacle in life is you yourself.
This book did take a little bit to get going for me, but once it did, I really enjoyed the reading experience. The characters were fun and loveable, the plot moved well, and the representation of both queerness and disability made for a fun festive read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Emotional abuse
tjminus's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I did realize how much I would enjoy reading a holiday romance during the holiday season! This book definitely delivers on that front, if that is what you are looking for.
Overall this book, was a fun sapphic romance. This is also an adult romance with almost no spice, mostly just allusions and then just one love scene. So if you are looking for less spice in your romance picks, this could be a title for you. There were some moments of great, descriptive writing that really brought the reader into the thought process of our protagonist, Ellie. I also liked how Cochrun handled the time jumping by using the webcomic as a story element, I think it would have been cool to add illustrations to it as well.
Our protagonist is also demisexual (ace-spec rep!), but unfortunately the demi rep falls flat for me. It felt like Ellie's demisexuality is used as a crutch to bolster the relationship between her and Jack. To almost prove to the reader that there connection is stronger than it is sometimes.
And for some reason, I wish Ellie and Andrew had more of an relationship, if that makes sense. Like we never see like an awkward "Who's sleeping the bed?" moment between them once they get to the cabin. Then towards the end of the book, we the readers are just to accept that they are becoming close friends and she is becoming close to rest of the Kim-Prescott family.
Definitely a book I would recommend to someone looking for an easy romance to enjoy.
Overall this book, was a fun sapphic romance. This is also an adult romance with almost no spice, mostly just allusions and then just one love scene. So if you are looking for less spice in your romance picks, this could be a title for you. There were some moments of great, descriptive writing that really brought the reader into the thought process of our protagonist, Ellie. I also liked how Cochrun handled the time jumping by using the webcomic as a story element, I think it would have been cool to add illustrations to it as well.
Our protagonist is also demisexual (ace-spec rep!), but unfortunately the demi rep falls flat for me. It felt like Ellie's demisexuality is used as a crutch to bolster the relationship between her and Jack. To almost prove to the reader that there connection is stronger than it is sometimes.
Definitely a book I would recommend to someone looking for an easy romance to enjoy.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Sexual content, Panic attacks/disorders, and Cursing
katrinarose's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
This was a really cute queer Christmas romance. It did have a few tropes I do not like (insta-love and miscommunication), and some of the characters acted very unrealistically at times, but the cheesy Hallmark-movie vibe of it allowed me to overlook it because I enjoyed the overall vibes so much. I felt like Ellie and Jack were very well-developed individually as well, which is a non-negotiable for a good romance in my opinion. I liked this better than The Charm Offensive and would recommend if you’re looking for a pretty lighthearted, cute, gay romance for the holidays!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Alcohol
Moderate: Biphobia and Mental illness
chasingpages1's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Abandonment, Alcohol, Biphobia, Infidelity, Mental illness, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Lesbophobia, Emotional abuse, Grief, Classism, and Cursing
cor_luz's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Biphobia
kbairbooks's review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
4.0
Ugh my heart. I really enjoyed this read. The anxiety rep was so good (in my opinion), the therapy aspects at the end I enjoyed, the familial relationships of the Kim-Prescotts I enjoyed, the details, the story snippets, the air stream, and the bakery. I think my biggest meh thing about this book is that I didn’t necessarily vibe with the two main characters at times? And I didn’t feel their connection as well as I have for other romance books. But overall I liked the story, the growth, and the delicious christmassy queerness of it all.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Panic attacks/disorders, Abandonment, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Biphobia, Body shaming, Infidelity, and Classism
kyrstin_p1989's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
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
4.0
Adorably sweet, this book follows Ellie as she attempts to work through all the fears she has that keep her from truly living. The characters are lovable and interesting, especially the grandmothers. This book would make a fantastic movie so I really need Netflix to get on it, like yesterday.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Grief, Infidelity, Abandonment, Biphobia, Child abuse, Classism, Drug use, Lesbophobia, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Outing, and Ableism
itsheyfay's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Abandonment, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Emotional abuse, and Infidelity
Moderate: Homophobia, Ableism, Lesbophobia, Toxic relationship, Biphobia, and Child abuse
Minor: Racism, Transphobia, and Drug use
happyblkhippie's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
It's okay. Not an easy fun read! I almost didn't finish this book tbh. The pace was too slow for me.
The dialogue was hard to get through for me. I do appreciate the not so perfect relationship dynamics and mental health representation, but the MC was a bit whiney and insufferable at times. Didn't love the "half moon smile" and Swiftie references every other chapter. Overall okay. Wouldn't read again.
The dialogue was hard to get through for me. I do appreciate the not so perfect relationship dynamics and mental health representation, but the MC was a bit whiney and insufferable at times. Didn't love the "half moon smile" and Swiftie references every other chapter. Overall okay. Wouldn't read again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Grief
Moderate: Gaslighting, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Infidelity, Cursing, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Drug use, Body shaming, Classism, and Alcohol
The over mentioning of Taylor Swift songs/lyrics and half moon smile gave me the ick.