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3.63 AVERAGE
3.63 AVERAGE
This book was such a delight to read. It’s about love, family, self discovery and celebrations throughout the year. It does take place throughout a year so while it does have holiday themes it can be read year round. There are festive Christmas elements and year long holiday celebrations. I really loved the travel aspects of the book.
The audiobook was narrated by Meg Travers. She did such a good job narrating this story and giving various voices to Lexi and Theo.
The audiobook was narrated by Meg Travers. She did such a good job narrating this story and giving various voices to Lexi and Theo.
Thank you Ballantine and PRH audio for review copies!
I have enjoyed Emily Stone's past books but A Winter Wish didn't quite land for me as well as others have; this is still a fun winter read and I recommend it for readers who like grumpy/grump themes and enemies to lovers, as well as Hallmark type holiday movies (nothing wrong with loving those things).
For readers who chafe at miscommunication tropes, this one has a few of them and that, along with one other theme, are what reduced my enjoyment. The miscommunication felt prolonged and overly drawn out and I kind of felt a "hurry up and resolve" feeling emerge while I read/listened to the book. I also did not care for the "the will obligates you to work here for a year or longer" theme- it might just be me but this felt super controlling from a father who had no rights to ask for that kind of commitment from a child (no one should use a will to mandate some's life) and then the whole way that story unfolded, even into later parts of the book with letters from the father, never landed for me, I felt it was manipulative and hurtful, especially as it seemed to make it harder for the MC Lexie to process her own feelings. On the other hand, the plot worked for helping Lexie process her childhood, to go on a journey of self-discovery, I get that and respect it but I truly think that the goals for Lexie's character could have been achieved and explored in similar ways without the direct mandate of her deceased father.
I have enjoyed Emily Stone's past books but A Winter Wish didn't quite land for me as well as others have; this is still a fun winter read and I recommend it for readers who like grumpy/grump themes and enemies to lovers, as well as Hallmark type holiday movies (nothing wrong with loving those things).
For readers who chafe at miscommunication tropes, this one has a few of them and that, along with one other theme, are what reduced my enjoyment. The miscommunication felt prolonged and overly drawn out and I kind of felt a "hurry up and resolve" feeling emerge while I read/listened to the book. I also did not care for the "the will obligates you to work here for a year or longer" theme- it might just be me but this felt super controlling from a father who had no rights to ask for that kind of commitment from a child (no one should use a will to mandate some's life) and then the whole way that story unfolded, even into later parts of the book with letters from the father, never landed for me, I felt it was manipulative and hurtful, especially as it seemed to make it harder for the MC Lexie to process her own feelings. On the other hand, the plot worked for helping Lexie process her childhood, to go on a journey of self-discovery, I get that and respect it but I truly think that the goals for Lexie's character could have been achieved and explored in similar ways without the direct mandate of her deceased father.
emotional
funny
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It was fine. It didn’t bring anything new to the genre.
Travel was big and made me want to go to those places.
Break up and back together seemed hokey
Travel was big and made me want to go to those places.
Break up and back together seemed hokey
funny
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
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
sad
Strong character development:
Yes