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courtneycole's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
lamom77's review against another edition
4.0
Cute story, not as Christmasy as I was hoping for, but still good.
bookishnan's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
emstrow's review against another edition
5.0
So many likable characters with vastly different personalities. A charming seaside village in winter. Lovely descriptions of the scenery. I laughed out loud a couple of times and found myself rooting for everybody!
It starts in the late summer and ends on Christmas Day, so it’s not exactly a Christmas book like I thought it was, but I’ll happily reread it this fall.
Also listened to snippets of the audio book when I couldn’t sit down to read, and the accents (English and Scottish) enhanced my love for the story.
There is a scene where the book club gals give the newly single Annie a special gift for relieving some “tension.” So if that kind of conversation makes you uncomfortable, skim the book club portion when that comes up…but honestly, it was a hilarious scene. I cracked up.
It starts in the late summer and ends on Christmas Day, so it’s not exactly a Christmas book like I thought it was, but I’ll happily reread it this fall.
Also listened to snippets of the audio book when I couldn’t sit down to read, and the accents (English and Scottish) enhanced my love for the story.
There is a scene where the book club gals give the newly single Annie a special gift for relieving some “tension.” So if that kind of conversation makes you uncomfortable, skim the book club portion when that comes up…but honestly, it was a hilarious scene. I cracked up.
hidingincorners's review against another edition
5.0
Not exactly the holiday romance I was looking for this season, but so SO GOOD!! An excellent follow up to Twelve Dates of Christmas. What a delightful, gentle read! (Well, mostly gentle.)
ers407's review against another edition
3.0
This was a slight disappointment. I really loved The Twelve Dates of Christmas but this just fell flat. It took 200 pages to even meet the love interest. Edited down, it has potential.
clairethedestroyerofgalaxies's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
3.75
sam_is_reading's review against another edition
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
4.0
Look, I'm no expert in romance books but Jenny Bayliss hits for me every time. I've never missed. NEVER. Also this is not strictly a Christmas book - it feels very much like a winter book and, while we don't get traditional winters in LA, I definitely feel like winter right now.
This is one of those books that the town itself becomes a character, and I really enjoyed it. Annie's character development over the course of her time in Willow Bay is nice to read: I like seeing women grow their self-confidence. Plot is mostly predictable but that's also why I chose it - I knew what I was looking for going in & got what I asked for.
I'm enjoying second chance romances because I feel like sometimes the MCs are a bit more mature: John is clearly upset by witnessing what looks to be a reunion between Annie and her [insert strong expletive here] ex Max but doesn't lash out or go crazy. He is upset, takes himself away from the situation, and listens to Annie when she explains. They're definitely enemies to lovers for a bit but because they're both mature adults they're able to admit when they're wrong and call the other out. I think I'm getting old. :/
This is one of those books that the town itself becomes a character, and I really enjoyed it. Annie's character development over the course of her time in Willow Bay is nice to read: I like seeing women grow their self-confidence. Plot is mostly predictable but that's also why I chose it - I knew what I was looking for going in & got what I asked for.
I'm enjoying second chance romances because I feel like sometimes the MCs are a bit more mature: John is clearly upset by witnessing what looks to be a reunion between Annie and her [insert strong expletive here] ex Max but doesn't lash out or go crazy. He is upset, takes himself away from the situation, and listens to Annie when she explains. They're definitely enemies to lovers for a bit but because they're both mature adults they're able to admit when they're wrong and call the other out. I think I'm getting old. :/