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4.11 AVERAGE
4.11 AVERAGE
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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:
No
It was such a cuteeeeeee read 😭💝
my heart is full with these two babies
my heart is full with these two babies
Eeek this is so sweet! I didn't think I would be swayed by a meet-cute sweet contemporary rom com. After all, I'm more of a romantasy person. Where's my morally grey tall dark and handsome in a magical medieval setting?
Instead of a summer fling, we had a Christmas fling, perfect for winter reading. The two's banter drew me in right away. It was cute in a way and I couldn't help but go "Awww...." When things started heating up, we faced our true villain of the story, life. Frankie just kept getting cockblocked over and over. You could not help but cheer a little when they finally did it. Then we had the other villain, the two's pasts. Could they step past their insecurities and jump off the deep end together?
The evil me was hoping for a sad ending. Let them leave this Christmas fling in their memory and return to their old lives and move on their separate ways to different people. Well, SPOILER ALERT, this was a rom com so it had to be a happily ever after ending.
Oh yes, the smut was GOOOODDDDD!
Spice scale (as defined by Mysterious Galaxy):
Instead of a summer fling, we had a Christmas fling, perfect for winter reading. The two's banter drew me in right away. It was cute in a way and I couldn't help but go "Awww...." When things started heating up, we faced our true villain of the story, life. Frankie just kept getting cockblocked over and over. You could not help but cheer a little when they finally did it. Then we had the other villain, the two's pasts. Could they step past their insecurities and jump off the deep end together?
The evil me was hoping for a sad ending. Let them leave this Christmas fling in their memory and return to their old lives and move on their separate ways to different people. Well, SPOILER ALERT, this was a rom com so it had to be a happily ever after ending.
Oh yes, the smut was GOOOODDDDD!
Spice scale (as defined by Mysterious Galaxy):
Writing: solid af | Plot: yerrrrr!!! | Ending: HEA
SYNOPSIS
Ophelia heads to Coconut Creek in Florida to spend 3 weeks over Christmas and New Years with her bestie. BUT FATE HAS OTHER PLANS!!!! AND FATE IS A FREAK!!!
MY OPINION
This is one of those rare books where the vibes are so top-tier from the jump, I don't have one critical thought while reading. You could shove a red flag down my throat (pls don't) and I wouldn't blink. The plane scene????????? I was HOOKED. This book is funny from tip to taint (sorry).
Some quick notes:
1. This is VERY spicy. Extremely open doors. In fact, there aren't any doors most of the time unless you count a car door.
2. There is no third act breakup!!!!
3. Yes this is an insta-love situation; the whole shebang takes place over 21 days.
4. Don't bother reading the blurb; it makes it sound like something it's not. It's two hot people who come together to DO stuff .... and SAAAAYYYYYY stuff.
5. This is an age-gap romance. She's 26, he's 35. **shrugs**
6. He's ex-military. Don't knock smutty books because I did learn something new—now I know what Delta Force is (I think). AnYwAyS, I went to college in Hawaii so yes I'm familiar with the rumors that all military men want to get married within 3-5 business days of meeting and they drive trucks b/c they have small ding dongs. Frankie def comes on STRONG, but he has BDE (iykyk) and he's not that type of military guy. The entire time I was picturing Bradley Cooper from American Sniper (before the ptsd) meets younger Gerard Butler (let me have this one thanks).
7. Yes this takes place in Florida but there's no Florida Man vibes. The most Florida-y it gets is the random torrential downpour that occurs between 3-5pm everyday.
8. THE BANTER IS CHEFS KISS!!!! But I won't lie, it's definitely a lil toxic... but like, harmlessly toxic.
The only thing keeping this from a 5 is Ophelia's backstory felt a bit forced. Seemed like she needed something but it didn't really track. Like Meghan in [b:Snowed In|195487194|Snowed In|Catherine Walsh|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1690895181l/195487194._SY75_.jpg|197225466], I couldn't really get a grasp of her personality. Was she the demure Type A teacher, or the tequila-soaked seductress? I'm still not sure. Okay one more thing: I wish they had gone on more dates. I know this is already on the long side, but we needed MORE 1:1 romantic vibes.
I'm eagerly awaiting book #2!!!! If you're looking for a spicy, slightly toxic romcom with holiday cheer, this is THEE one. Also, if you've read this and liked it... may I recommend [b:Only in Your Dreams|198249643|Only in Your Dreams|Ellie K. Wilde|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1696655701l/198249643._SY75_.jpg|201096288]? The spice gives similar energy...........
SYNOPSIS
Ophelia heads to Coconut Creek in Florida to spend 3 weeks over Christmas and New Years with her bestie. BUT FATE HAS OTHER PLANS!!!! AND FATE IS A FREAK!!!
MY OPINION
This is one of those rare books where the vibes are so top-tier from the jump, I don't have one critical thought while reading. You could shove a red flag down my throat (pls don't) and I wouldn't blink. The plane scene????????? I was HOOKED. This book is funny from tip to taint (sorry).
Some quick notes:
1. This is VERY spicy. Extremely open doors. In fact, there aren't any doors most of the time unless you count a car door.
2. There is no third act breakup!!!!
3. Yes this is an insta-love situation; the whole shebang takes place over 21 days.
4. Don't bother reading the blurb; it makes it sound like something it's not. It's two hot people who come together to DO stuff .... and SAAAAYYYYYY stuff.
5. This is an age-gap romance. She's 26, he's 35. **shrugs**
6. He's ex-military. Don't knock smutty books because I did learn something new—now I know what Delta Force is (I think). AnYwAyS, I went to college in Hawaii so yes I'm familiar with the rumors that all military men want to get married within 3-5 business days of meeting and they drive trucks b/c they have small ding dongs. Frankie def comes on STRONG, but he has BDE (iykyk) and he's not that type of military guy. The entire time I was picturing Bradley Cooper from American Sniper (before the ptsd) meets younger Gerard Butler (let me have this one thanks).
7. Yes this takes place in Florida but there's no Florida Man vibes. The most Florida-y it gets is the random torrential downpour that occurs between 3-5pm everyday.
8. THE BANTER IS CHEFS KISS!!!! But I won't lie, it's definitely a lil toxic... but like, harmlessly toxic.
The only thing keeping this from a 5 is Ophelia's backstory felt a bit forced. Seemed like she needed something but it didn't really track. Like Meghan in [b:Snowed In|195487194|Snowed In|Catherine Walsh|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1690895181l/195487194._SY75_.jpg|197225466], I couldn't really get a grasp of her personality. Was she the demure Type A teacher, or the tequila-soaked seductress? I'm still not sure. Okay one more thing: I wish they had gone on more dates. I know this is already on the long side, but we needed MORE 1:1 romantic vibes.
I'm eagerly awaiting book #2!!!! If you're looking for a spicy, slightly toxic romcom with holiday cheer, this is THEE one. Also, if you've read this and liked it... may I recommend [b:Only in Your Dreams|198249643|Only in Your Dreams|Ellie K. Wilde|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1696655701l/198249643._SY75_.jpg|201096288]? The spice gives similar energy...........
Great romance read! Really fun, realistic witty banter, great fmc and mmc,obviously hea. Good story line, both Frankie and Ophelia have some depth to their character that they are working through, and really great love scenes, could be a bit much in some parts, I’m sure people will love it, I’m not really into the dirty talk, and it was well written, when I don’t cringe or roll my eyes, it’s a win! It was super fun to read!
fast-paced
The cutest book omg I love a cute easy read it was so nice and happy throughout. I loved all the characters so much.
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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:
Yes
A true 5⭐️ book. I LOVED reading this. This book reminded me of why I love to read.