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3.63 AVERAGE
3.63 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A Winter Wish by Emily Stone was just kind of so-so for me. I didn’t feel like there was much plot or that much of anything happened. There didn’t seem to be much chemistry between Theo and Lexie. I was rooting for them to get together, but their relationship just kind of fell flat. There was one chapter, 31, that was told from Theo’s POV, which was totally weird. Why have the entire book written in third-person, single-POV (Lexie’s), then just one random chapter during the third-act breakup told from a different POV? And speaking of third-person, single POV… it should 100% be outlawed in romance books, and that’s a hill I’ll die on. Anyway, I felt that this book was more about Lexie coming to terms with her deceased father than romance.
I received a copy of A Winter Wish from NetGalley. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received a copy of A Winter Wish from NetGalley. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I would like to say, I loved Emily Stone’s previous book, Always in December and her take on holiday romances. The stories always felt fresh, cozy and just a great holiday read to get into the romantic spirit.
I did not have that experience with A Winter Wish, I did not get engaged with the characters or feel bought into their story. I didn’t feel the chemistry or banter, made to feel forced into the relationship and overall wished for just more from them.
It took me awhile to complete this read, but hope to see more from Emily Stone and hope the next characters capture me more
I did not have that experience with A Winter Wish, I did not get engaged with the characters or feel bought into their story. I didn’t feel the chemistry or banter, made to feel forced into the relationship and overall wished for just more from them.
It took me awhile to complete this read, but hope to see more from Emily Stone and hope the next characters capture me more
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Death of parent
Minor: Homophobia
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Lexie doesn’t stay in the same country or city for long. But when her estranged father passes away and names her co-owner of the travel agency that she never knew he owned, she’s forced back into a city that she’s worked for years to leave behind her. (Based throughout the UK and Europe.)
Lexie and Theo (a 5 year tenured employee that her dad took under his wing) are flung into running the company together, and are met with multiple contingencies around how and when they can sell the business. This is a very light enemies to lovers, so I don’t want to list that as a trope, as they move past enemies fairly quick.
TW: cancer, estranged families, off page death.
Grief is a big theme throughout this story, but it didn’t feel as heavy to me like in The Dead Romantics.
While a holiday themed cover, I wouldn’t say this is strictly a holiday themed book as it spans an entire year. (Aka: It can be read year round!)
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Having taken her first big trip at 3 years old, Lexie finds comfort in traveling and never staying in one place for too long. Until one day, she gets a call that changes everything. Her dad, who she’s barely spoken with as of late, has died and left her half of his holiday travel company.
Now Lexie is stuck for at least a year with Theo, her father’s handsome but ill-tempered executive who got left the other half of the company. As they spend the year determining what will become of the company, something else begins to bloom outside of a business partnership.
Could this be different? Could she actually stay in one place and feel comfortable? Maybe all she needs is a wish.
Loved this one. It’s not the same premise at all but I kept thinking about the movie The Leap Year while I was reading this one. This is definitely a VERY cute holiday read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Abandonment
Minor: Homophobia