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3.95 AVERAGE
3.95 AVERAGE
So this is a very, very late review and as such, my memory is fuzzy. Really, the abiding feeling I have towards this book is disappointment. It sounded like the perfect story for me, but I didn't care for the way it was handled. The emotions were all overwrought and the major hook for me, one of the men trapped somewhere...Well, the reason I like that so much is because it usually forces some slow burn to the story. I mean, if you can't physically touch the person you are becoming interested in, you can't kiss them or cuddle with them or anything like that, to me it heightens desire and, honestly, usually makes their moments together all the hotter.
But this book had a fairly tidy work around so that none of that was at play. And I was, honestly, just disappointed.
But this book had a fairly tidy work around so that none of that was at play. And I was, honestly, just disappointed.
Ok so this is a hard one for me to be fair with my rating on. I really did love this book and it would have been a five star read for me but for one thing. I'm an actor. And damn did I HATE the depiction and comments on acting in this book. I'm sure this is how so many doctors feel when watching television medical dramas, but I was grinding my teeth at multiple points at the way Jason described acting. Especially the description of his acting process. It's every bad representation of how hard the job I do is. That being said, and without getting into two big of a rant...everything else about the book, yep I loved it.
Ben and Jason were so sweet together. Ben is just plain adorable. His positive outlook and joy in life is infections. To have been trapped in a snowglobe for over a hundred and fifty years and still find joy in the little things is just a lovely thought. I even came around to liking Dylan by the end of the story and look forward to his getting his own HEA eventually. The almost magical realism idea of the story, as really the only paranormal thing about this is the fact that Ben's stuck in a snowglobe, worked for me. I loved how everything came together to give these boys there HEA.
Ben and Jason were so sweet together. Ben is just plain adorable. His positive outlook and joy in life is infections. To have been trapped in a snowglobe for over a hundred and fifty years and still find joy in the little things is just a lovely thought. I even came around to liking Dylan by the end of the story and look forward to his getting his own HEA eventually. The almost magical realism idea of the story, as really the only paranormal thing about this is the fact that Ben's stuck in a snowglobe, worked for me. I loved how everything came together to give these boys there HEA.
3.5 rounded down
Solid, generally enjoyable Christmas read, with an interesting ~supernatural~ premise. I didn't totally feel like the how of Ben ending up in the globe was ever explained in a way that felt at all satisfying, and the build felt a bit rushed for my tastes, but I'm not really the best target market for holiday books TBH. But I liked this one overall and am curious to read the next!
Solid, generally enjoyable Christmas read, with an interesting ~supernatural~ premise. I didn't totally feel like the how of Ben ending up in the globe was ever explained in a way that felt at all satisfying, and the build felt a bit rushed for my tastes, but I'm not really the best target market for holiday books TBH. But I liked this one overall and am curious to read the next!
ETA: I’m listening to the audiobook before I start the sequel!!!
Ahhhhh Ben is still the sweetest. His little flappy hands haha (yes that apparently has stuck with me in the 7 years since I've read this one lol)
PERFECTION. From start to finish. Eleventy billion stars! All the stars for this book!!!
I don't think that I can leave a review that can do this story justice. All I can say is that this was beautiful, hopeful, completely endearing, and the best "ghost" story I think I've ever read. Also, I just want to put Ben in my pocket, he's TOO ADORABLE FOR WORDS with his flappy hands and never-ending positive outlook on life. This was original and creative, and probably my favorite thing I have ever read from this author.
IT'S FINALLY HERE!
BRB, staying up all night to read this!
Ahhhhh Ben is still the sweetest. His little flappy hands haha (yes that apparently has stuck with me in the 7 years since I've read this one lol)
PERFECTION. From start to finish. Eleventy billion stars! All the stars for this book!!!
I don't think that I can leave a review that can do this story justice. All I can say is that this was beautiful, hopeful, completely endearing, and the best "ghost" story I think I've ever read. Also, I just want to put Ben in my pocket, he's TOO ADORABLE FOR WORDS with his flappy hands and never-ending positive outlook on life. This was original and creative, and probably my favorite thing I have ever read from this author.
IT'S FINALLY HERE!
BRB, staying up all night to read this!
emotional
hopeful
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:
Yes
4.5
Loved this one!
When I first started reading M/M books Marie Sexton was one of the first published author that I read. I devoured all her books and still think she is one of my favorite M/M writers. I was so excited to see she had a Christmas book coming out and not just a short read but a full fledged book.
Winter Oranges did not disappoint, it's not perfect but I enjoyed every second of this book. Both MC's were great, but I really felt like I needed more time with these guys. There is so much for Ben to see and I'm pouty readers don't get to be part of his adventure.
Loved this one!
When I first started reading M/M books Marie Sexton was one of the first published author that I read. I devoured all her books and still think she is one of my favorite M/M writers. I was so excited to see she had a Christmas book coming out and not just a short read but a full fledged book.
Winter Oranges did not disappoint, it's not perfect but I enjoyed every second of this book. Both MC's were great, but I really felt like I needed more time with these guys. There is so much for Ben to see and I'm pouty readers don't get to be part of his adventure.
I'm not really sure how to classify this book. It's sort of fantasy romance but not, sort of paranormal romance but not, with mild time travel romance vibes but also not. Maybe magical realism romance? I DO know one thing I can classify it as though, and that's phenomenal.
If you're into romances where one MC is a ghost, this definitely has those sort of vibes, even though Ben isn't technically a ghost. You do get all of the delicious pining because they can't touch each other vibes though. This is such a cozy Christmas slow-burn, somehow low angst while still making my heart shatter. Despite dealing with some pretty dark content (depression, anxiety, attempted suicide) there are so many bright, hopeful moments as well. When Ben talks about walking through the sunlight and shade, I felt that with every fiber of my being. There's such yearning to be together, and Jason is willing to risk so much to be with Ben, and I just - my heart.
I read both this book and its sequel (Winter Oranges, which is Dylan's story) in one day.
If you're into romances where one MC is a ghost, this definitely has those sort of vibes, even though Ben isn't technically a ghost. You do get all of the delicious pining because they can't touch each other vibes though. This is such a cozy Christmas slow-burn, somehow low angst while still making my heart shatter. Despite dealing with some pretty dark content (depression, anxiety, attempted suicide) there are so many bright, hopeful moments as well. When Ben talks about walking through the sunlight and shade, I felt that with every fiber of my being. There's such yearning to be together, and Jason is willing to risk so much to be with Ben, and I just - my heart.
I read both this book and its sequel (Winter Oranges, which is Dylan's story) in one day.
The climax of the story and ending made this go from a 4-stars story to 5-stars one, and that was even with cheating. I couldn't take the tension and the fear that was growing in me, getting closer to the climax. I had to know how Jason and Ben were going to work things out, so I read ahead. The fact of the matter that even with cheating, once I fully read the climax, I still loved it and the ending. It didn't dimish my pure enjoyment of the story.
That's a good story.
That's a good story.
3.5 Stars
A sweet and utterly charming romance with a touch of the supernatural. I loved everything about this; it gave me all kinds of warm and fuzzy feelings.
A sweet and utterly charming romance with a touch of the supernatural. I loved everything about this; it gave me all kinds of warm and fuzzy feelings.