3.83 AVERAGE

jaded_8's review

4.0
emotional funny hopeful medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

I love Mary and all of her wonderful stories. There’s so much comfort to be had in her writing. *sigh*
readforever8's profile picture

readforever8's review

5.0
challenging emotional hopeful lighthearted fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
amyisis7's profile picture

amyisis7's review

4.0
emotional hopeful reflective fast-paced

imkevbo's review

4.0
emotional fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

A lovely Christmas read!

kandy0409's review

3.5

I find it harder to get over the heartbreak than Mary’s MCs do. This is like a few of Mary’s books that has one MC trying to win back the other MC. But again it’s too easy, and too quick for my liking. This is a novella so I know it’s short but I didn’t feel like I got to know or like Dawson. I hated how easily he left Chris, and even if he had decided to pursue his career, if he loved Chris like he said he would have at least given him a proper goodbye after Chris visited him. I just didn’t buy into his love, and it was a big ego to think that Chris would just wait and be available (it never occurred to him that he wouldn’t be). And the lack of support from Chris’s friends, at the hard situation he is put in, how they throw them together  without checking in with him, frustrated me.
I have vented a bit here, and I still appreciate the talent of the author and enjoy her books. There were still things I liked, as I do with all of Mary’s books, but I’m left more with dissatisfaction unfortunately.
hopeful medium-paced

This novella has some good characters and some convincing conflict, mostly internal. I remain a fan of Calmes's women characters and children--lots of authors should take notes. 

While I dislike repetition, here it felt necessary for any attitude-changing. As with any romance I enjoy, my heartstrings were plucked in vulnerable moments. 

readerjq's review

4.0
hopeful lighthearted relaxing slow-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

miabdour's review

4.5
emotional hopeful lighthearted slow-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: Yes

Oh, Mary Calmes—she’s my comfort read, my cozy blanket, and chai tea author. She knows the deal. Every time, I get exactly what I need:
Number one: two characters who are helplessly, adoringly in love with one another. I’m talking melting-chocolate-gooey, makes-you-say-“awww” out-loud kind of love.
Number two: her trademark honorable main character. The one who lets all the women in his life run him , tender, gentle, approachable, honorable, kind. That almost ideal male role model who makes everyone in their orbit feel safe and taken care of.
And then there’s always the more fragile, lovable MC. The one who loves desperately but just can’t seem to stop messing up—yet somehow, they’re so redeemable you can’t hold a grudge. 
That’s Mary Calmes through my eyes. Highly recommend! wish it was a full length novel! 
christanina's profile picture

christanina's review

4.75
emotional funny hopeful lighthearted 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