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natyzeereads's review
5.0
I was so excited to return to Mistletoe Valley, especially with the crumbs we got of Kat and Matt during "The Mistletoe Problem." First, can we talk about how adorable the cover is!! I don't know but every time I see the cover in my Kindle library, I stop and smile.
What I didn't expect from this book was for it to be such an emotional journey, but I am not complaining! Kat was such a deep character to learn about, to see why she is the way she is. We meet her when she's not in the best place in her life and she just needs someone to be there for her, but she will not accept any help. Older sisters will be able to relate to how she is feeling. In comes Mistletoe Valley and Matt. The banter and passion started right away.
I really enjoyed learning about Matt's story and what he is going through himself. Matt and Kat had a lot in common that they didn't initially explore with each other. Matt was going through a lot himself, dealing with a sudden breakup with his girlfriend/fiancé of ten years. He's also a big brother to his sister who he cares so much about. He is learning how to be on his own and heal.
When Matt sees Kat, he knows he has to help her. And here the story begins. I appreciated how raw Kat's struggles were. Some of the scenes were not easy to read, but healing and reeling after a major life event leaves you not being okay. Some people cope differently than others, and we saw Kat really struggling. It's hard to see someone hurting and have people around you who want to help, but you can't find yourself able to accept it. I related to Kat a lot in certain circumstances. You don't want other people to see you weak, because you need to be strong for them. That's difficult and we see Kat learning and trying to open up. This journey meant a lot to me to read and yes, there were ups and downs, but it's the "beauty of life" as it's said.
Can I just say I think my favorite parts of this book were the scenes with Averie? She put such a smile on my face but we also learned about her story and how she's healing. I would love to read her story and see her life and how she continues to spread her joy through baking while also continuing her healing process.
Also it was so fun to see Nick and Elle again!! I absolutely fell in love with them during "The Mistletoe Problem" and it was just excellent to be able to meet them again and see how their relationships continue to develop with Matt and Kat.
Anna Barlow, you have done it again! Cannot wait to see what you do next!
To the readers, please make sure you check the TW prior to reading.
Thank you to Book Sirens and Anna Barlow for an ARC for a voluntary and honest review.
What I didn't expect from this book was for it to be such an emotional journey, but I am not complaining! Kat was such a deep character to learn about, to see why she is the way she is. We meet her when she's not in the best place in her life and she just needs someone to be there for her, but she will not accept any help. Older sisters will be able to relate to how she is feeling. In comes Mistletoe Valley and Matt. The banter and passion started right away.
I really enjoyed learning about Matt's story and what he is going through himself. Matt and Kat had a lot in common that they didn't initially explore with each other. Matt was going through a lot himself, dealing with a sudden breakup with his girlfriend/fiancé of ten years. He's also a big brother to his sister who he cares so much about. He is learning how to be on his own and heal.
When Matt sees Kat, he knows he has to help her. And here the story begins. I appreciated how raw Kat's struggles were. Some of the scenes were not easy to read, but healing and reeling after a major life event leaves you not being okay. Some people cope differently than others, and we saw Kat really struggling. It's hard to see someone hurting and have people around you who want to help, but you can't find yourself able to accept it. I related to Kat a lot in certain circumstances. You don't want other people to see you weak, because you need to be strong for them. That's difficult and we see Kat learning and trying to open up. This journey meant a lot to me to read and yes, there were ups and downs, but it's the "beauty of life" as it's said.
Can I just say I think my favorite parts of this book were the scenes with Averie? She put such a smile on my face but we also learned about her story and how she's healing. I would love to read her story and see her life and how she continues to spread her joy through baking while also continuing her healing process.
Also it was so fun to see Nick and Elle again!! I absolutely fell in love with them during "The Mistletoe Problem" and it was just excellent to be able to meet them again and see how their relationships continue to develop with Matt and Kat.
Anna Barlow, you have done it again! Cannot wait to see what you do next!
To the readers, please make sure you check the TW prior to reading.
Thank you to Book Sirens and Anna Barlow for an ARC for a voluntary and honest review.
ckinkopf's review
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
saracar's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? Yes
4.0
quinn_lost's review
emotional
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
4.0
bcope84's review
3.0
I really enjoyed this book. It was very easy for me to relate to FMC as I am also the oldest sister with parents who have a clear path for their children. I have often stepped in to help my younger siblings but have NEVER even considered having them help me. I loved that Kat came off rude or mean because she was trying to protect herself by hiding behind a front. A lot of times, men are portrayed this way, so it was great to see it with a woman. I love the way Anna Barlow tells a story and really illustrates the complex emotions that everyday people face. She allows her characters to be flawed which makes them more relatable and more multifaceted
Things I liked:
Kat's wit and humor
Kat and Ellie's relationship
Kat standing up against her parents and her ex
Kat allowing Matt into her "mess" when she kept almost everyone else out
Anna Barlow's writing
The trigger warnings listed in the beginning of the book fully explained
Things I didn't like:
It seemed like giving up on the idea of marriage came out of nowhere at the end - I didn't know if this was just a reaction to their previous relationships really or if they truly didn't want to be married (I hope that makes sense. If they truly did not want to get married then so be it but at the beginning, she said that only thing she wanted was to get married and to have a kid- but I don't know if that's what she truly wanted or what she thought she should want).
Averie was delightful but I wanted more dimension to her.
TW:
Sexism
Toxic Relationship
Sexual Assault
Childhood trauma
Disordered Eating
Alcohol Abuse
Unhoused situation
I received an advance copy of this and all opinions are my own.
Things I liked:
Kat's wit and humor
Kat and Ellie's relationship
Kat standing up against her parents and her ex
Kat allowing Matt into her "mess" when she kept almost everyone else out
Anna Barlow's writing
The trigger warnings listed in the beginning of the book fully explained
Things I didn't like:
It seemed like giving up on the idea of marriage came out of nowhere at the end - I didn't know if this was just a reaction to their previous relationships really or if they truly didn't want to be married (I hope that makes sense. If they truly did not want to get married then so be it but at the beginning, she said that only thing she wanted was to get married and to have a kid- but I don't know if that's what she truly wanted or what she thought she should want).
Averie was delightful but I wanted more dimension to her.
TW:
Sexism
Toxic Relationship
Sexual Assault
Childhood trauma
Disordered Eating
Alcohol Abuse
Unhoused situation
I received an advance copy of this and all opinions are my own.
cheneric's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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? Yes
3.75
bookdrgn's review
5.0
This was so fun to read.
I love how proud and combative Kat is.
The banter between Kat & Matt was so funny.
I really liked some of the things Kat's therapist told her; they resonated with me and made Kat more relatable.
It's cathartic, reading a character stand up an a$$ ex as I've always wanted to.
I enjoyed their bedroom scenes and Matt's humor.
Averie is such an upbeat character, but she came across a little childlike for a 26 year old. Whether it's written as her coping mechanisms or simply her personality, I don't know. But she's a very interesting and easy character to like.
I received an advance copy of this and all opinions are my own.
I love how proud and combative Kat is.
The banter between Kat & Matt was so funny.
I really liked some of the things Kat's therapist told her; they resonated with me and made Kat more relatable.
It's cathartic, reading a character stand up an a$$ ex as I've always wanted to.
I enjoyed their bedroom scenes and Matt's humor.
Averie is such an upbeat character, but she came across a little childlike for a 26 year old. Whether it's written as her coping mechanisms or simply her personality, I don't know. But she's a very interesting and easy character to like.
I received an advance copy of this and all opinions are my own.
leighanneprin's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-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
molly_reads78's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
4.3/5 stars
The fiancée solution was a super fun read. It is the second book of a interconnected stand-alone a series. This story follows Kat and Matt and their love story. I really loved reading this book, Kat and Matt were such amazing characters. I love how they were so similar but still complimented each other really nicely. I especially loves that Kat never backed down no matter what. This book was such a fun read and I’m definitely gonna read the first book since I haven’t read it. I recommend this to anyone that wants a fun read that also deals with serious themes.
Check trigger warnings before reading.
4.3/5 stars
The fiancée solution was a super fun read. It is the second book of a interconnected stand-alone a series. This story follows Kat and Matt and their love story. I really loved reading this book, Kat and Matt were such amazing characters. I love how they were so similar but still complimented each other really nicely. I especially loves that Kat never backed down no matter what. This book was such a fun read and I’m definitely gonna read the first book since I haven’t read it. I recommend this to anyone that wants a fun read that also deals with serious themes.
Check trigger warnings before reading.