Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.48 AVERAGE
3.48 AVERAGE
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Gonna be honest hated Dana.
I was waiting for Julie to break down more, and it seems a bit of an abrupt ending.
I was waiting for Julie to break down more, and it seems a bit of an abrupt ending.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia, Violence, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Gun violence, Infertility, Pregnancy
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-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
4.5 ⭐️ (rounded up). For the months of November and December I try to read all holiday romance books. This was a great book to start off the season. It had all the right “Christmas feels” but also some family drama. I liked all the characters (except Gwen…at first…but she definitely grows on you). My favorite was Heath. The storyline of Julie dating a younger guy with younger kids, was a bit worrisome at first but it really worked and it really was probably my favorite part of the book. Julie, was a strong, kind, “always in control” woman who was afraid to completely fall in love with Heath just because he was 12 years younger. But his character was written so well that you forgot at times he was younger…he was mature, strong and just an all around great guy. I also really enjoyed both Dana/Axel and Nick/Blair storylines. The 1/2 star off was mainly because I felt the parts with Blair and her mom (Gwen) were very repetitive. Overall, I LOVE how everything came together in the end for everyone. A chaotic, unexpected Christmas that turned into the best Christmas for everyone. I highly recommend turning on your Christmas lights, and getting cozy in your favorite reading spot with a copy of this book! 🎄
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The story follows the perspective of three women.
Julie (54, divorced, mother of two adult children) is dating a man twelve years her junior(with two much younger children of his own) and has complicated feelings on the matter.
Dana, Julie’s younger child, is recovering from repeated heartbreak by one of Julie’s best employees.
Blair, Julie’s daughter-in-law is struggling with her mother moving to be closer to her, despite them never having had a relationship.
Despite the original Christmas plan being that Julie and her new beau would spend the holidays together, her kids decide they want to have a big family Christmas in memory of their father who died earlier that year. With the whole family and a few surprise guests, the holidays turn to chaos.
The story itself is decent and I wanted to know what was going to happen. That said, I knew what was going to happen; this book was incredibly predictable. The dialogue was painfully robotic, almost as though it was written by AI.
I’m not sure I was the correct audience for this book, despite loving the cover and the blurb. I was expecting a little spice from other reviews, but that wasn’t delivered. A lot of talk about sex having happened, but nothing really open door.
Julie (54, divorced, mother of two adult children) is dating a man twelve years her junior(with two much younger children of his own) and has complicated feelings on the matter.
Dana, Julie’s younger child, is recovering from repeated heartbreak by one of Julie’s best employees.
Blair, Julie’s daughter-in-law is struggling with her mother moving to be closer to her, despite them never having had a relationship.
Despite the original Christmas plan being that Julie and her new beau would spend the holidays together, her kids decide they want to have a big family Christmas in memory of their father who died earlier that year. With the whole family and a few surprise guests, the holidays turn to chaos.
The story itself is decent and I wanted to know what was going to happen. That said, I knew what was going to happen; this book was incredibly predictable. The dialogue was painfully robotic, almost as though it was written by AI.
I’m not sure I was the correct audience for this book, despite loving the cover and the blurb. I was expecting a little spice from other reviews, but that wasn’t delivered. A lot of talk about sex having happened, but nothing really open door.
lighthearted
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
lighthearted
reflective
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
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
I found the book unusual for Susan Mallery. Usually I am immediately swallowed up by her stories, but felt this one had a slow beginning. I felt the ending was too abrupt.
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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