Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.48 AVERAGE
3.48 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
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
Loved it!
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
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:
Complicated
This story ended up so much more than I thought it would. The main storytellers (POVs) are the women, mostly Julie. She’s the matriarch of the family and always keeps everything together and everyone on task. So much so that she doesn’t know how to ask for help or tell her loved ones she doesn’t have time for what they want. To be quite frank, they have come to take her independent and giving nature for granted, although she doesn’t see that.
There is so much going on in this story, but the author does a wonderful job of never letting it get confusing. There are so many elements to this Christmas getaway, from a new (younger) boyfriend, an unwelcome mom, an ex-wife, and so much more. Along the way Julie learns to let go and allow others to help her. She also learns what it means to have a true partner.
I enjoyed this story from start to finish. It made me miss the big family Christmas Eve celebrations my family used to have. I’m definitely in the holiday spirit (even though it’s October) after this book.
There is so much going on in this story, but the author does a wonderful job of never letting it get confusing. There are so many elements to this Christmas getaway, from a new (younger) boyfriend, an unwelcome mom, an ex-wife, and so much more. Along the way Julie learns to let go and allow others to help her. She also learns what it means to have a true partner.
I enjoyed this story from start to finish. It made me miss the big family Christmas Eve celebrations my family used to have. I’m definitely in the holiday spirit (even though it’s October) after this book.
**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely**
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Grief, Abandonment
Minor: Gun violence
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
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:
Complicated
This novel was like watching a cozy holiday movie at Christmas time. What started out as a completely quiet and uneventful holiday season, intended for some needed couple time, turned into an all-out family affair at the cabin. This book was a nice exploration of family themes and how much they people that fit into those boxes can easily stretch beyond our immediate blood relations. It also talks bout how the strong ones in our family can forget that they can also depend on others to pick up the slack , and it's okay to not be totally okay. There was a lot of kindness and consideration throughout the interactions of the characters in this novel, even when hard conversations were occurring. If you're looking for a book to give you all the feels of a classic holiday movie, then I recommend giving this one a go.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the gifted e-arc.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the gifted e-arc.
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
tense
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
Hooray! A holiday novel I can get behind this year. I worried this was just going to be a powder keg of drama - several people with complicated dynamics in a cabin for a week leading to Christmas. But I loved the stories that developed and the sense of redemption through several of the family lines!
Thanks to NetGalley and Canary Street Press for the advanced copy!
Thanks to NetGalley and Canary Street Press for the advanced copy!
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-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