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dobbsthedog's review
4.0
Received from NetGalley, thanks!
I really enjoyed this little book! A friend had mentioned ‘Nathan Burgoine a while ago and I hadn’t gotten around to reading anything from him, so when I saw this on NG I knew I had to request it! Even though it’s the fourth book in the series… 😅
Writing reviews for novellas is always tricky, because they are short and I hate spoilering things. I will say that I really liked both the main characters, I loved the forced proximity trope, as it’s one of my faves, and I liked the ending.
This book jumped back and forth in time, which I don’t always enjoy, but it worked well to tell this story.
I will definitely be picking up the rest of this series ASAP.
I really enjoyed this little book! A friend had mentioned ‘Nathan Burgoine a while ago and I hadn’t gotten around to reading anything from him, so when I saw this on NG I knew I had to request it! Even though it’s the fourth book in the series… 😅
Writing reviews for novellas is always tricky, because they are short and I hate spoilering things. I will say that I really liked both the main characters, I loved the forced proximity trope, as it’s one of my faves, and I liked the ending.
This book jumped back and forth in time, which I don’t always enjoy, but it worked well to tell this story.
I will definitely be picking up the rest of this series ASAP.
jce's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
I enjoyed this so much! I found both MCs so likeable and was really enchanted by the setting and the sense of community in the book. I loved that while it includes some favorite tropes, the story still had surprises in store. This whole series is delightfully low on drama, every book I've read is super chill while also feeling very grounded in real life. I've been having a terrible time reading lately, my brain just won't cooperate, but I fell into this story very easily and finished it in two days. It hit just the right notes for a quick holiday novella. I really appreciate books like this one that are full of sweetness and feels but don't have on page sex scenes. I like spice, but I am also so thankful for well written romance with a variety of levels of on page sex.
My one qualm with the book was that it had a lot of characters from past books and a lot of references to things that happened in past books. I've read all but one of the books in this series, but I felt a little confused trying to place everyone and was lost on a couple of the references, one of which was mentioned a bunch of times, so I wish it had been explained in more detail. But even if you haven't read the other books in the series (though you should, they're a treat), I think you'll find a lot to enjoy here!
My one qualm with the book was that it had a lot of characters from past books and a lot of references to things that happened in past books. I've read all but one of the books in this series, but I felt a little confused trying to place everyone and was lost on a couple of the references, one of which was mentioned a bunch of times, so I wish it had been explained in more detail. But even if you haven't read the other books in the series (though you should, they're a treat), I think you'll find a lot to enjoy here!
travelingbibliophile_'s review
4.25
MY RATING 4,25/5 STARS
Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange of an honest review.
“I was right about you. It’s tedious being right all the time, but there you are.”
I read the first book in this companion series last year and I really adored it, so I was super excited when I saw this one.
This is a Christmas short story that has two timelines. The first one focuses on the present day where we have the cute Christmas romance blossoming between Felix and Kevin. The second one instead focuses on Felix taking care of one of his patients, Danya, the previous year. The alternating timelines worked really well for the story, and made everything seem very fleshed out, especially considering how the romance part of the book only takes place over a few days.
Handemade Holidays, the first book in the series, focused a lot on Christmas ornaments, and I really adored how we got to see the same theme of the ornaments being present in this book as well.
The romance plot was really great, and I had a great time seeing Felix and Kevin bond and getting to know each other more throughout the story. What made this story even better was Danya, and how he amazing he was in general, but I also loved his relationship with Felix and everyone in the village.
This is one of those lovely short Christmas reads that can easily be read in one sitting, so if you think this sounds like something you’d enjoy I’d definitely recommend checking it out!
Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange of an honest review.
“I was right about you. It’s tedious being right all the time, but there you are.”
I read the first book in this companion series last year and I really adored it, so I was super excited when I saw this one.
This is a Christmas short story that has two timelines. The first one focuses on the present day where we have the cute Christmas romance blossoming between Felix and Kevin. The second one instead focuses on Felix taking care of one of his patients, Danya, the previous year. The alternating timelines worked really well for the story, and made everything seem very fleshed out, especially considering how the romance part of the book only takes place over a few days.
Handemade Holidays, the first book in the series, focused a lot on Christmas ornaments, and I really adored how we got to see the same theme of the ornaments being present in this book as well.
The romance plot was really great, and I had a great time seeing Felix and Kevin bond and getting to know each other more throughout the story. What made this story even better was Danya, and how he amazing he was in general, but I also loved his relationship with Felix and everyone in the village.
This is one of those lovely short Christmas reads that can easily be read in one sitting, so if you think this sounds like something you’d enjoy I’d definitely recommend checking it out!
0ri's review
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0
I needed a bunch of Kleenex to get through this book. So many feels. Very glad Felix got his redemption!
anniekslibrary's review
4.0
Over the past few years, I've made it a little tradition to read as many holiday romances as I can in the lead-up to Christmas. Every year so far, I've had one of the books in this series to read, and I've really enjoyed them all. I wanted to kick off this year's holiday reading with a book I would be sure to enjoy, which is why I picked this one.
And I'm so glad I did, because this was a beautiful novella. It's actually my favourite in the series so far, I loved it so much. The dual timelines worked so incredibly well here, making the story very emotionally hardhitting. At some moments I felt myself tearing up because I was so moved. While I loved the romance, I actually think Danya stole the show in the story, he was just the absolute best. And because of him, I also ended up loving the romance even more.
And I'm so glad I did, because this was a beautiful novella. It's actually my favourite in the series so far, I loved it so much. The dual timelines worked so incredibly well here, making the story very emotionally hardhitting. At some moments I felt myself tearing up because I was so moved. While I loved the romance, I actually think Danya stole the show in the story, he was just the absolute best. And because of him, I also ended up loving the romance even more.
natureofreading's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
This book is short and sweet. I loved the way it is framed and how we bounce back and forth between the present and the past. It allowed for a little more depth for such a short book.
The characters are sweet and while I prefer novels because I love me some serious character and relationship development, I didn't find this story overly lacking. Felix and Kevin are written well and the way they come together didn't feel forced.
Overall, I really enjoyed the story and look forward to more by the author.
This book was provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
The characters are sweet and while I prefer novels because I love me some serious character and relationship development, I didn't find this story overly lacking. Felix and Kevin are written well and the way they come together didn't feel forced.
Overall, I really enjoyed the story and look forward to more by the author.
This book was provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
qace90's review
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
I received an advance copy from the publisher via Netgalley for review purposes; this in no way influences my review.
Gosh, I adore this book and this series! ‘Nathan’s books are the perfect blend of sweet and funny that always brings such light to my joy. There’s elements of grief within Felix Navidad but the way everything turned out just makes my heart feel like a helium balloon. If you’re in the mood for something sweet full of found family and the important of community and queer elders, this novella is sure to be a bright spot in your day!
Gosh, I adore this book and this series! ‘Nathan’s books are the perfect blend of sweet and funny that always brings such light to my joy. There’s elements of grief within Felix Navidad but the way everything turned out just makes my heart feel like a helium balloon. If you’re in the mood for something sweet full of found family and the important of community and queer elders, this novella is sure to be a bright spot in your day!
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