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3.63 AVERAGE
3.63 AVERAGE
Let's talk about this cozy new book by Emily Stone that'll give you serious wanderlust! It bounces from the picture-perfect Cotswolds to sunny Italy and everywhere in between.
Meet Lexie - she's got this sweet tradition of writing Christmas wishes and popping them into her special jar (basically the only constant thing in her super nomadic life). Sure, she stopped believing her wishes would actually come true way back when her dad left, but old habits die hard, right?
Then BAM! Life throws her a curveball - she inherits her dad's company, but there's a catch. She's got to share it with this guy Theo, who's gorgeous but kind of a grump. And get this - they're stuck together for a whole year according to her dad's will. Cue the eye rolls and reluctant partnership!
Just when they're both counting down the days until they can go their separate ways, they end up on this work trip to Italy. And wouldn't you know it? Sparks. Start. Flying. Plus, there's this whole mystery about her dad that's about to turn everything Lexie thought she knew upside down.
The book's got all the festive feels, but it's not just your typical holiday romance. It digs deeper into how people deal with loss and grief, following both our main lovebirds and the people around them as they work through their emotional baggage. Think cozy Christmas vibes mixed with real talk about life's messier moments.
Oh, and did I mention the story takes you on a gorgeous European tour? We're talking Spain, France, Vienna - it's like a holiday getaway wrapped in a book!
Overall, if you’re looking for a cosy Christmas novel that has a bit more depth than the normal Christmas reads, then this one is definitely for you.
Meet Lexie - she's got this sweet tradition of writing Christmas wishes and popping them into her special jar (basically the only constant thing in her super nomadic life). Sure, she stopped believing her wishes would actually come true way back when her dad left, but old habits die hard, right?
Then BAM! Life throws her a curveball - she inherits her dad's company, but there's a catch. She's got to share it with this guy Theo, who's gorgeous but kind of a grump. And get this - they're stuck together for a whole year according to her dad's will. Cue the eye rolls and reluctant partnership!
Just when they're both counting down the days until they can go their separate ways, they end up on this work trip to Italy. And wouldn't you know it? Sparks. Start. Flying. Plus, there's this whole mystery about her dad that's about to turn everything Lexie thought she knew upside down.
The book's got all the festive feels, but it's not just your typical holiday romance. It digs deeper into how people deal with loss and grief, following both our main lovebirds and the people around them as they work through their emotional baggage. Think cozy Christmas vibes mixed with real talk about life's messier moments.
Oh, and did I mention the story takes you on a gorgeous European tour? We're talking Spain, France, Vienna - it's like a holiday getaway wrapped in a book!
Overall, if you’re looking for a cosy Christmas novel that has a bit more depth than the normal Christmas reads, then this one is definitely for you.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment
Moderate: Cancer, Infidelity, Sexual content
Minor: Homophobia, Toxic relationship, Lesbophobia
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I’m finally free of this book!!! FINALLY!!!
This book was the most boring holiday book I have ever read. The plot was so repetitive and the conflicts felt like the same ones just in a slightly (and I mean the tiniest change) in context. Theo and Lexie are fine together, but this book just was not it for me overall.
Thank you Netgalley and Ballantine for the advanced copy!
This book was the most boring holiday book I have ever read. The plot was so repetitive and the conflicts felt like the same ones just in a slightly (and I mean the tiniest change) in context. Theo and Lexie are fine together, but this book just was not it for me overall.
Thank you Netgalley and Ballantine for the advanced copy!
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
A cute Christmas romance. I loved all the travel locations they go to.
emotional
reflective
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
Cute romance that also deals with some heavy issues. Lexie has just learned she has inherited 1/2 of her dad’s travel agency after he dies. However, Lexie isn’t sure she wants it. Both because she likes her never settling down lifestyle and because she was very estranged from her father who left her when she was young and then barely saw her after. Theo is an employee of the agency who inherited the other 1/2. They clash as Theo thinks she didn’t care about her dad and Lexie thinks this is just one more time her dad showed he cared more about her sister who got the “easy, no strings” inheritance. Plus, she thinks Theo hates her. But working together begins to reveal the truth and soften hearts. I really like Theo and Lexie. Both are dealing with their own form of parental trauma and having to decide if they know the whole truth, what they are willing to forgive, and how much they will let their pasts determine their futures. Really sweet story that does have a rather abrupt ending.
hopeful
lighthearted
This book is heartwarming, emotional and a celebration of family, second chances and traditions. Stone takes you on an adventure to different parts of Europe and explores the complicated relationship Lexie, the main character, had with her father and her journey of self-discovery after his death. Plus, there is an epic Christmas in July scene that made this a perfect summer read. Despite all the greatness, I was hoping for more chemistry between Lexie and Theo. I wasn’t gushing over them as much as I have with Stone’s other main characters.
Read if you like:
-Romance stories with depth
-Holiday reads
-Enemies to lovers
-Complicated family relationships
-Grief and loss of loved one themes
Thank you Dell Romance for the ARC!
Read if you like:
-Romance stories with depth
-Holiday reads
-Enemies to lovers
-Complicated family relationships
-Grief and loss of loved one themes
Thank you Dell Romance for the ARC!
emotional
sad
slow-paced