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3.49 AVERAGE
3.49 AVERAGE
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
lighthearted
medium-paced
Picked this book because I wanted something holiday themed to listen to in between watching Hallmark Christmas movies. It did the trick.
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
I really loved the first half of this book. The relatability of the family and their dynamics drew me in right away. I felt like the author rushed the ending. Everyone’s story was tied up with a bow but it happened so quickly I didn’t feel like they got the detail it deserved.
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
A very excellently crafted book. I loved watching the characters all come together in an honest way. The changing perspective was interesting too. All in all, a high quality holiday read, and I might need to check out more of Susan Mallery's work!
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A whole lotta drama. Lol. I loved it! Julie was so sweet! She wanted to make sure everyone felt included and no one was alone for the holidays, even if that meant they were intruding on her plans. She didn’t get frustrated with anyone or about anything until the very end, which surprised me 😅
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
This isn't a good book. It just had good marketing.
My first issue was that the dialogue was expository for the reader's sake in a way that was so unrealistic. For example, the siblings have a stiff conversation where they talk about how long their dad has been gone for and how the other holidays went without him.
I also felt the characters were hollow. Gwen is a caricature of a monster-in-law. Dana is insufferable. She's either moping about her on-again off-again boyfriend or obsessing over weight loss and a restrictive diet. The dieting in particular was a wild storyline to include in a holiday book that people will likely read between indulging at Christmas parties. This is not the representation of fat people we are missing in fiction.
My first issue was that the dialogue was expository for the reader's sake in a way that was so unrealistic. For example, the siblings have a stiff conversation where they talk about how long their dad has been gone for and how the other holidays went without him.
I also felt the characters were hollow. Gwen is a caricature of a monster-in-law. Dana is insufferable. She's either moping about her on-again off-again boyfriend or obsessing over weight loss and a restrictive diet. The dieting in particular was a wild storyline to include in a holiday book that people will likely read between indulging at Christmas parties. This is not the representation of fat people we are missing in fiction.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Eating disorder