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rainbowbookworm's review against another edition
2.0
I've been debating about writing this review because if this was a Hallmark Christmas movie, I would have known beforehand how much suspension of disbelief would have been involved. With that type of film you know to expect saccharine sweetness and an excessively Hollywood happy ending that involves a Christmas miracle.
But I did not have any of these expectations going in and so I found this book to be a bit too much right now... And of course I tried to work around that phrase because I have Greta Gil on my head and I'm perfectly aware that someone's "just too much" is someone else's "just right." However, I must write about my personal journey with this book.
I fell in love with the book's cover and asked the publisher for a digital ARC. The ARC gods smiled upon me and I excitedly started reading. Immediately Morgan does something incredibly stupid which is hinted at in the Goodreads plot summary and she realizes that the only way to save face is to redeem herself by planning a successful fundraiser in her small town. (A small town she had left after her father became a changed man as a result of an act of public humiliation.) This last fact was unbeknownst to me because I bailed on that digital ARC. However, the ARC gods also gifted me with the audiobook ARC-whose cover is not at all appealing compared to the eBook's-and I listened to that one in about a day.
Back to the review: Going back home also means she must face her first true love, Rachel. And face her she does because the second Morgan returns to town she has a car accident and destroys the sign to Rachel's family's tree farm. It quickly becomes evident that Morgan is persona non grata and the reader wonders what she could have done to upset her former friends.
However, one friend had a grand plan that would heal old wounds: The fundraiser Morgan has to plan is to save the Reed farm. This is where the Hallmark movie plot comes in because of course is not just the farm, or the local inn, but the whole town! You see a developer with whom Morgan has a history with wants to buy out these key plots of land. This developer is well-known around town for turning a nearby community into a generic, soulless ski resort. And while yes, the developer is courting small businesses in Fern Falls with their money, Morgan and her allies do not want Fern Falls to to lose its charm.
As they work to save the town Morgan and Rachel discovered that their attraction is still intact. I found that both these characters reverted back to their high school selves because of trauma they have not gotten over, but that didn't make me root for them. In fact, I felt bad for Rachel because she was unaware of Morgan's ulterior motives and it was clear that her heart would be shattered a second time.
I did enjoy the town, the townspeople, and their businesses. And like I said, had this been an actual Hallmark movie, I would have probably found this tale more endearing.
But I did not have any of these expectations going in and so I found this book to be a bit too much right now... And of course I tried to work around that phrase because I have Greta Gil on my head and I'm perfectly aware that someone's "just too much" is someone else's "just right." However, I must write about my personal journey with this book.
I fell in love with the book's cover and asked the publisher for a digital ARC. The ARC gods smiled upon me and I excitedly started reading. Immediately Morgan does something incredibly stupid which is hinted at in the Goodreads plot summary and she realizes that the only way to save face is to redeem herself by planning a successful fundraiser in her small town. (A small town she had left after her father became a changed man as a result of an act of public humiliation.) This last fact was unbeknownst to me because I bailed on that digital ARC. However, the ARC gods also gifted me with the audiobook ARC-whose cover is not at all appealing compared to the eBook's-and I listened to that one in about a day.
Back to the review: Going back home also means she must face her first true love, Rachel. And face her she does because the second Morgan returns to town she has a car accident and destroys the sign to Rachel's family's tree farm. It quickly becomes evident that Morgan is persona non grata and the reader wonders what she could have done to upset her former friends.
However, one friend had a grand plan that would heal old wounds: The fundraiser Morgan has to plan is to save the Reed farm. This is where the Hallmark movie plot comes in because of course is not just the farm, or the local inn, but the whole town! You see a developer with whom Morgan has a history with wants to buy out these key plots of land. This developer is well-known around town for turning a nearby community into a generic, soulless ski resort. And while yes, the developer is courting small businesses in Fern Falls with their money, Morgan and her allies do not want Fern Falls to to lose its charm.
As they work to save the town Morgan and Rachel discovered that their attraction is still intact. I found that both these characters reverted back to their high school selves because of trauma they have not gotten over, but that didn't make me root for them. In fact, I felt bad for Rachel because she was unaware of Morgan's ulterior motives and it was clear that her heart would be shattered a second time.
I did enjoy the town, the townspeople, and their businesses. And like I said, had this been an actual Hallmark movie, I would have probably found this tale more endearing.
lookatjimmy's review
3.0
I wanted to love this one so much more than I did. I always say I'm not into Hallmark clichés unless they're gay but even that wasn't enough for me in this case. I just really disliked the MC and I couldn't understand/get behind the main romance because I truly just don't understand how they possibly ended up together. Maybe if I'd read it during the holiday months my heart might've been a bit more warm and I would've been more receptive, but alas.
As usual, I cared a MILLION times more about the side characters. I know the next book is an Adam/Ben book, so that'll be exciting. But also. Whitney/Tanner book WHEN. Morgan's parents' origin story book WHEN. Inn owners origin story WHEN. Becca Rae origin story WHEN.
As usual, I cared a MILLION times more about the side characters. I know the next book is an Adam/Ben book, so that'll be exciting. But also. Whitney/Tanner book WHEN. Morgan's parents' origin story book WHEN. Inn owners origin story WHEN. Becca Rae origin story WHEN.
groundsatpemberley's review against another edition
4.0
What’s better in a holiday romance than a plaid-clad past love?
If you are a fan of the TV holiday romances (you know the ones), but are disappointed in the lack of representation, this book is for you. You’ve got a charming little town, a struggling tree farm and a second chance at love—what’s more Hallmark than that? Just don’t let the comparison fool you. This book has got more spice than all of those movies combined.
As cute as it was, I've only rated it 3.5 because the inevitable misunderstanding (we all knew it would happen) towards the end felt like SUCH a step back for the characters. The characters had done so much to make up for the mistakes in their past, it just felt strange that they would make the same mistake after all of that.
Issues aside, this is a perfect winter read that will give you all the feels. Grab a latte, curl up next to a fire and just delight in a charming small town and a second chance at love.
Oh and I’ll be sitting here impatiently waiting for a sequel with Ben and Adam.
If you are a fan of the TV holiday romances (you know the ones), but are disappointed in the lack of representation, this book is for you. You’ve got a charming little town, a struggling tree farm and a second chance at love—what’s more Hallmark than that? Just don’t let the comparison fool you. This book has got more spice than all of those movies combined.
As cute as it was, I've only rated it 3.5 because the inevitable misunderstanding (we all knew it would happen) towards the end felt like SUCH a step back for the characters. The characters had done so much to make up for the mistakes in their past, it just felt strange that they would make the same mistake after all of that.
Issues aside, this is a perfect winter read that will give you all the feels. Grab a latte, curl up next to a fire and just delight in a charming small town and a second chance at love.
Oh and I’ll be sitting here impatiently waiting for a sequel with Ben and Adam.
fanboyriot's review
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
♡ Winter Vibes
♡ Second Chance
♡ Hallmark Movie Vibes
📖𓋼𓍊 REVIEW 𓍊𓋼📖
Entertaining from the start, I loved the winter romance vibes. Going back home after publicly causing some work drama things get worse before they get better for Morgan. I really enjoyed this plot, it was so good. While second chance romance might not be my favorite this book writes it so well!
This had all the cozy elements of a Hallmark movie, but with an interesting plot and well written characters. It’s a classic; party planner heads back home only to try and save her home town’s local businesses and reconnect with old friends… and of course fall head over heels for the woman she left behind. Super wholesome and cute with hints of on page spice.
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ (3/5)
Angst Level: 💧 (1/5)
POV: First Person
Release Date: 30, August 2022
Rep: Bisexual (Main Character and Love Interest), LGBTQIA+ (Main and Side Characters)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Abandonment, and Cursing
Minor: Alcohol, Death of parent, Car accident, Vomit, Alcoholism, Grief, Infidelity, and Cancer
hollyinthehumanities's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
hannah_reads_2020's review against another edition
5.0
Everything you want in a cosy, sapphic, Christmas, second chance romance.
Is this book full of tropes? - Yes. Did I care? - No. This book was like a warm hug. I liked that it was from just one perspective, Morgan. The small town girl who fled to the city after high school and never looked back. After being forced by her boss to take a sabbatical from her role as an event planner to celebrities after a PR disaster, Morgan reluctantly accepts an invite home to help plan a fundraiser. But with how she left 7 years ago, how will everyone from her old life react to her coming home.
I really enjoyed watching the relationship between Morgan and Rachel take off. It was subtle to start with and I liked that they talked through most of the issues from the first time like mature adults and the miss-communication trope only came into play with a recent event.
It had the best bits of a Christmas novel, small town, snow, warm drinks, cold days and Christmas trees.
We check off many many tropes in this book
The slightly comically evil corporation trying to take over a small town trope.
A second chance romance trope.
A miss-communication trope.
A friends to lovers trope.
Whilst this novel trends a fairly well worn path in terms of tropes, I loved that it was sapphic and it was just fun.
Is this book full of tropes? - Yes. Did I care? - No. This book was like a warm hug. I liked that it was from just one perspective, Morgan. The small town girl who fled to the city after high school and never looked back. After being forced by her boss to take a sabbatical from her role as an event planner to celebrities after a PR disaster, Morgan reluctantly accepts an invite home to help plan a fundraiser. But with how she left 7 years ago, how will everyone from her old life react to her coming home.
I really enjoyed watching the relationship between Morgan and Rachel take off. It was subtle to start with and I liked that they talked through most of the issues from the first time like mature adults and the miss-communication trope only came into play with a recent event.
It had the best bits of a Christmas novel, small town, snow, warm drinks, cold days and Christmas trees.
We check off many many tropes in this book
The slightly comically evil corporation trying to take over a small town trope.
A second chance romance trope.
A miss-communication trope.
A friends to lovers trope.
Whilst this novel trends a fairly well worn path in terms of tropes, I loved that it was sapphic and it was just fun.
darniy's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
selkiesight's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
3.75