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reviewingwithv's review
2.0
I have a lot of problems with this book. I really wanted to like it, but I’m so glad it’s over.
*massssssssive spoilers ahead*
Nolan and Bee are insanely toxic for each other. She likes him because he was in a boy band. He likes her because he watches her porn. A match made in heaven *eye roll*.
The spice was fine too. Nothing special, which also shocks me since she’s in the industry and he’s know for being a “f*ckboy”. The things Bee and Nolan said were insanely repetitive too. My “favorite” is the mention of the gingerbread lotion. We get it.
I also did NOT like the end, where Nolan basically claims he didn’t know about her past & tried to save his career while screwing hers up. Are you joking?! That rubbed me the wrong way so badly, and the fact that she just forgave him so easily made me cringe.
All the side characters were insanely irrelevant too. I didn’t want to hear about their drama either.
It was all a mess and it way unnecessarily long.
*massssssssive spoilers ahead*
Nolan and Bee are insanely toxic for each other. She likes him because he was in a boy band. He likes her because he watches her porn. A match made in heaven *eye roll*.
The spice was fine too. Nothing special, which also shocks me since she’s in the industry and he’s know for being a “f*ckboy”. The things Bee and Nolan said were insanely repetitive too. My “favorite” is the mention of the gingerbread lotion. We get it.
I also did NOT like the end, where Nolan basically claims he didn’t know about her past & tried to save his career while screwing hers up. Are you joking?! That rubbed me the wrong way so badly, and the fact that she just forgave him so easily made me cringe.
All the side characters were insanely irrelevant too. I didn’t want to hear about their drama either.
It was all a mess and it way unnecessarily long.
jg34's review against another edition
2.0
Almost dropped it another star because of the public declaration of love. This was one big cringe fest. Also there is no way you could hide being a pornstar ??? The premise made no sense
readwkatie's review
2.0
This book is a Hallmark movie with a boatload of spice. I’m not into spicy reads and the story itself was decent. It was funny with a bunch of adult film industry workers being placed on a wholesome film - the characters were fun and light hearted. For me personally, I wasn’t into this one.
freadomlibrary's review against another edition
3.0
Actual rating 3.5 stars
Trigger warnings: lying, fatshaming, slutshaming, injuries
Read this book for Freezathon created by Julie @bujo.books!
This was the buddy read book for my team in the readathon; I hoped to read it with other people from my team but it didn't work out that way as it took my awhile to get the library copy I put on hold. Overall, it was fine. I liked the setting, specially reading it during December. I liked the characters a lot, including the side characters though some were definitely a little too quirky for me haha. My biggest issue with this book though is that I felt like the physical relationship between the main characters was given more importance in the narrative than their emotional connection. I get it, it's supposed to be a spicy romance, but there's definitely a way to balance sexual attraction and emotional interest in a plot and I don't think that was accomplished well in this book. It definitely would've made the story much more entertaining and engaging. I was also not happy with the way Nolan's mother's mental health diagnosis and treatment was portrayed in the story. It felt really negative and honestly, problematic within the narrative and with what it says about people who struggle with their mental health. I will most likely still continue with this series, because I really liked the side characters, but I am definitely hoping for more depth in the next books.
Trigger warnings: lying, fatshaming, slutshaming, injuries
Read this book for Freezathon created by Julie @bujo.books!
This was the buddy read book for my team in the readathon; I hoped to read it with other people from my team but it didn't work out that way as it took my awhile to get the library copy I put on hold. Overall, it was fine. I liked the setting, specially reading it during December. I liked the characters a lot, including the side characters though some were definitely a little too quirky for me haha. My biggest issue with this book though is that I felt like the physical relationship between the main characters was given more importance in the narrative than their emotional connection. I get it, it's supposed to be a spicy romance, but there's definitely a way to balance sexual attraction and emotional interest in a plot and I don't think that was accomplished well in this book. It definitely would've made the story much more entertaining and engaging. I was also not happy with the way Nolan's mother's mental health diagnosis and treatment was portrayed in the story. It felt really negative and honestly, problematic within the narrative and with what it says about people who struggle with their mental health. I will most likely still continue with this series, because I really liked the side characters, but I am definitely hoping for more depth in the next books.
betharoo's review
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
3.75
This sex-positive, fat-positive, bi-positive rom-com will have you laughing and blushing lots! A sweet story in a spicy holiday package.
dani9's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
There was a lot about the premise that I really liked the sound of.
I've read a lot of sierra simone, but Julie Murphy was new for me.
I really liked the set up, all the characters were really fun and well written. There were funny moments, but this also dealt with some serious topics.
I did find the idea that no one would recognise a popular porn star a bit ridiculous, that was the weak spot in this book for me.
I have read this a few years after publishing, so I know which other characters are getting their own books, really looking forward to kallums and winnies story.
Even though he wasn't a huge character, I loved teddy. I hope his storyline continues in the background throughout the coming books. If not, he needs his own book!
I've read a lot of sierra simone, but Julie Murphy was new for me.
I really liked the set up, all the characters were really fun and well written. There were funny moments, but this also dealt with some serious topics.
I did find the idea that no one would recognise a popular porn star a bit ridiculous, that was the weak spot in this book for me.
I have read this a few years after publishing, so I know which other characters are getting their own books, really looking forward to kallums and winnies story.
Even though he wasn't a huge character, I loved teddy. I hope his storyline continues in the background throughout the coming books. If not, he needs his own book!
suzyq436's review
4.0
A Christmas rom-com usually comes with pretty set expectations. A cute meet-cute, a Hallmark type vibe and sugary sweetness all around. Whilst this story had all that, it was definitely muuuuuch spicier than I eve thought a Christmas rom-com would be. I loved it! It took the classic Hallmark, snow-filled hometown and put a sexy spin to it.
becksgoesbookish's review
3.0
I enjoyed this book, though I do think it could’ve been about 100 pages shorter in the middle, maybe? The entire kitschy Christmas movie set up was very fun and the characters were peak millennial and knew it, which I loved! But I was definitely expecting there to be more spice. I mean Bee’s bag of toys was referenced *multiple* times by both Bee and Nolan, and yet we got zero on page usage of said toys on any character. Like what?! Why not?!
Would I definitely read a second book about Luca and Angel? 100,000%
That being said the audiobook narration was spectacular! So I gave it a bonus star for that.
Would I definitely read a second book about Luca and Angel? 100,000%
That being said the audiobook narration was spectacular! So I gave it a bonus star for that.
1bookobsessionconfessions's review
5.0
The premise of this book seems like a madcap story.
You have the Christmas holidays, a Hallmark type holiday movie being filmed, a former boy band member trying to clean up his career by doing the movie…then throw in a few porn stars.
It made for a really original, hilarious story. It worked for me so well.
It was so funny, warm and really clever. It does have bit of a zany vibe that I really loved.
All of the secondary characters are a tad eccentric, they were so amusing.
The steamy/sexy factor is great, it’s mild considering the porn aspect. I loved the tension of Bee and Nolan’s attraction because they aren’t supposed to act on it. Serious consequences for their careers if they do. So, that added a great layer to the story and romance.
The characters are amazing, both are really good people, smart, caring and open minded.
I love the body image positivity and the sex positivity. Nolan’s non-judgment of Bee’s porn work was awesome to me. I adore him so much.
It was a full story with romance and serious emotions and issues for Bee and Nolan.
A lot of real life issues I feel are important are addressed in the story, it never felt forced or preachy. It flowed along with the natural progression of the story.
It’s such a fun story with big heart.
I loved the way various sexual prejudices were handled and the inclusion of so many different types of people.
Such a refreshing romance. I loved everything about it.
You have the Christmas holidays, a Hallmark type holiday movie being filmed, a former boy band member trying to clean up his career by doing the movie…then throw in a few porn stars.
It made for a really original, hilarious story. It worked for me so well.
It was so funny, warm and really clever. It does have bit of a zany vibe that I really loved.
All of the secondary characters are a tad eccentric, they were so amusing.
The steamy/sexy factor is great, it’s mild considering the porn aspect. I loved the tension of Bee and Nolan’s attraction because they aren’t supposed to act on it. Serious consequences for their careers if they do. So, that added a great layer to the story and romance.
The characters are amazing, both are really good people, smart, caring and open minded.
I love the body image positivity and the sex positivity. Nolan’s non-judgment of Bee’s porn work was awesome to me. I adore him so much.
It was a full story with romance and serious emotions and issues for Bee and Nolan.
A lot of real life issues I feel are important are addressed in the story, it never felt forced or preachy. It flowed along with the natural progression of the story.
It’s such a fun story with big heart.
I loved the way various sexual prejudices were handled and the inclusion of so many different types of people.
Such a refreshing romance. I loved everything about it.