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jillmlong's review
2.0
I love the cover of the book unfortunately the story doesn't live up to the cover. This story felt more like a 101 screenplay class. There was to much behind the scenes and not enough in the sheets.
lorireads2much's review
lighthearted
relaxing
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
3.0
beyondevak's review
4.0
Quick Summary: An unexpected tearjerker
My Review: The Summer of Christmas by Juliet and Keith Giglio was a special box of Cracker Jacks. What I mean to say is that it was a sweet treat with an unexpected prize inside.
This clean romance was a friends to lovers to enemies to lovers story. It was a second-third chance true love conquers all piece that evoked a lot of emotions. I was a goner before I knew it.
What I Loved About the Story:
- The title of this book was brilliant! It certainly captured my attention.
- Although the story was about one main couple, there were so many other characters who made strong appearances. These characters, in truth, were so interesting that I had to check to make sure that this wasn't a series kickoff. There is a lot of room to build on this community.
- The initial meet-cute that I and N had was sweet. The fact that their friendship blossomed from something so innocent was notable. Being able to see how their relationship further developed from that was part of the charm of this story.
- The conflict that I and N initially had took their lives on such different trajectories. It was hard to witness. As a reader, I was totally Team I. I mean! I was devastated right alongside I.
- N's intentions at the time of the great conflict were not so clear. What he said warranted suspicion. The phone calls. The change in behavior. In my opinion, the authors did a spot on job with building that scene up. There was so much tension.
- The catty claws that came out between I and A. The battle on stage and off stage was palpable.
- I loved how N's family still had a heart for I. I also appreciated how they loved N enough to tell him the truth about their feelings on what he had done to I.
- l loved the final rewrite, as well as everything that came before its realization. Being faced with one's own mortality can make things real quicker than anything else. I'm glad that I got my HEA, but I was on pins and needles the whole time.
What I Was Not Feeling About the Story:
- The nod to A Christmas Carol was hard to digest. The N situation was somewhat believable. The I situation was too strange. The whole sequence did not go with the rest of the story. It squeaked by, for me. Some readers may like this acknowledgement, but I could not get with it, as it relates to this story. I understood what was happening, however, I felt that it was not necessary to bring about spirits or ghosts or whatever that was.
- The lack of boundaries, particularly evidenced where A was concerned, was like a pulling of the leg. I found it odd that I's family and friends would allow her to steal their daughter's/friend's things, not to mention her life. That was creepy. I know some may refer to what A was doing as method acting, but I have to say that it didn't jive well. Also, I found it peculiar how A was able to get back in the good graces of I and her loved ones so quickly.
My Final Say: The Summer of Christmas is a recommended read for those looking for a clean romance with a twist. Guaranteed, this story will make you laugh, cry, get mad, and toss away your pillow. It is a sweet treat with a secret prize on the inside that I am certain you will enjoy.
Rating: 3.75/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher, and to NetGalley, who provided access to a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. The words I have shared are my own.
My Review: The Summer of Christmas by Juliet and Keith Giglio was a special box of Cracker Jacks. What I mean to say is that it was a sweet treat with an unexpected prize inside.
This clean romance was a friends to lovers to enemies to lovers story. It was a second-third chance true love conquers all piece that evoked a lot of emotions. I was a goner before I knew it.
What I Loved About the Story:
- The title of this book was brilliant! It certainly captured my attention.
- Although the story was about one main couple, there were so many other characters who made strong appearances. These characters, in truth, were so interesting that I had to check to make sure that this wasn't a series kickoff. There is a lot of room to build on this community.
- The initial meet-cute that I and N had was sweet. The fact that their friendship blossomed from something so innocent was notable. Being able to see how their relationship further developed from that was part of the charm of this story.
- The conflict that I and N initially had took their lives on such different trajectories. It was hard to witness. As a reader, I was totally Team I. I mean! I was devastated right alongside I.
- N's intentions at the time of the great conflict were not so clear. What he said warranted suspicion. The phone calls. The change in behavior. In my opinion, the authors did a spot on job with building that scene up. There was so much tension.
- The catty claws that came out between I and A. The battle on stage and off stage was palpable.
- I loved how N's family still had a heart for I. I also appreciated how they loved N enough to tell him the truth about their feelings on what he had done to I.
- l loved the final rewrite, as well as everything that came before its realization. Being faced with one's own mortality can make things real quicker than anything else. I'm glad that I got my HEA, but I was on pins and needles the whole time.
What I Was Not Feeling About the Story:
- The nod to A Christmas Carol was hard to digest. The N situation was somewhat believable. The I situation was too strange. The whole sequence did not go with the rest of the story. It squeaked by, for me. Some readers may like this acknowledgement, but I could not get with it, as it relates to this story. I understood what was happening, however, I felt that it was not necessary to bring about spirits or ghosts or whatever that was.
- The lack of boundaries, particularly evidenced where A was concerned, was like a pulling of the leg. I found it odd that I's family and friends would allow her to steal their daughter's/friend's things, not to mention her life. That was creepy. I know some may refer to what A was doing as method acting, but I have to say that it didn't jive well. Also, I found it peculiar how A was able to get back in the good graces of I and her loved ones so quickly.
My Final Say: The Summer of Christmas is a recommended read for those looking for a clean romance with a twist. Guaranteed, this story will make you laugh, cry, get mad, and toss away your pillow. It is a sweet treat with a secret prize on the inside that I am certain you will enjoy.
Rating: 3.75/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher, and to NetGalley, who provided access to a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. The words I have shared are my own.
_sampleedit's review against another edition
Terrible. All tell, no show. Do not recommend.
smalltownbookmom's review
4.0
3.5 rounded up
This was a pretty fun second chance at love, small town romance with a unique twist. Christmas in July but make it a behind the scenes Hallmark movie. This story features Ivy, a debut screenwriter who has returned to her hometown where they're filming her Christmas movie that she based on her first love and high school sweetheart Nick - aka the guy who dumped her on Christmas and who she hasn't seen in years.
The plot of this one was a little convoluted but I enjoyed it. Ivy is in a relationship with her movie producer but seeing Nick again is bringing up all kinds of unwanted feelings. Add in a heaping dose of jealousy when he starts hanging out with the actress playing Ivy and things really get interesting.
Good on audio, this was a solid debut I'd recommend to fans of Nora goes off script by Annabelle Monaghan or super predictable Hallmark holiday romcoms. Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my advance review copies!
This was a pretty fun second chance at love, small town romance with a unique twist. Christmas in July but make it a behind the scenes Hallmark movie. This story features Ivy, a debut screenwriter who has returned to her hometown where they're filming her Christmas movie that she based on her first love and high school sweetheart Nick - aka the guy who dumped her on Christmas and who she hasn't seen in years.
The plot of this one was a little convoluted but I enjoyed it. Ivy is in a relationship with her movie producer but seeing Nick again is bringing up all kinds of unwanted feelings. Add in a heaping dose of jealousy when he starts hanging out with the actress playing Ivy and things really get interesting.
Good on audio, this was a solid debut I'd recommend to fans of Nora goes off script by Annabelle Monaghan or super predictable Hallmark holiday romcoms. Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my advance review copies!
illstoptheworldandreadwithyou's review
2.0
While the concept for this one is cute, the execution is lacking.
It makes sense that this one was written by a couple of screenwriters with television Christmas movie credits. I can see this concept being adapted for the small screen, but their writing style unfortunately did not translate well to novel form.
Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
It makes sense that this one was written by a couple of screenwriters with television Christmas movie credits. I can see this concept being adapted for the small screen, but their writing style unfortunately did not translate well to novel form.
Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
booklovingmom_'s review
2.0
I am honestly not sure where to start when reviewing this book. I guess we will start with the fact that I love the cover and the narrator of the audiobook was good, but that’s about all the good I have to say. The description of The Summer of Christmas sounded hood and like something I would love to read, but this book fell really short for me. This would have easily been a DNF for me, but I liked the narrator enough to keep going.
I feel like there was way too much going on in this book, like the authors had too many storylines they wanted to visit so they just shoved them all in. I also found the characters to be annoying and the whole thing to cheesy for me, and this is coming from a Hallmark Christmas movie fan! It also really bothered me how much the pandemic was mentioned. Yes, I know that’s a huge part of the world, but I read to escape and I don’t want to be reminded of the terrible things going on right now in every other chapter.
I really wish I could say I liked this book, but the only redeeming quality was the narrator. I can’t say that I would recommend this book, even though I wish I could. I hate coming across books that I can’t find a redeeming quality in because I know how hard the writer worked on this.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the audiobook, I’m sorry I didn’t like it.
I feel like there was way too much going on in this book, like the authors had too many storylines they wanted to visit so they just shoved them all in. I also found the characters to be annoying and the whole thing to cheesy for me, and this is coming from a Hallmark Christmas movie fan! It also really bothered me how much the pandemic was mentioned. Yes, I know that’s a huge part of the world, but I read to escape and I don’t want to be reminded of the terrible things going on right now in every other chapter.
I really wish I could say I liked this book, but the only redeeming quality was the narrator. I can’t say that I would recommend this book, even though I wish I could. I hate coming across books that I can’t find a redeeming quality in because I know how hard the writer worked on this.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the audiobook, I’m sorry I didn’t like it.
aprilalwayswithabook's review
2.0
It was ... not bad? I really disliked the constant explanations of "industry" talk. We aren't idiots, I swear we can pick up context clues. The other is ALLLLLLLL THE comments about how the pandemic had stopped handshakes and hurt businesses. Seriously. Say it once. Again. Not an idiot. The rest of it was cute, very light, just brain candy. Some of the characters seemed disingenuous. I liked Griffin a lot. Can we have a book about Griffin?
reneeereads's review
1.0
This book has as many random plot lines as sprinkles I put on my ice cream. I wish I could unread it.