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3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Jenny Bayliss's A Season for Second Chances continues to be one of my favourite books of all time, and I keep looking for the same sweet and meaningful magic in her other winter-set books. While that book continues to reign supreme, I have to admit that even when I begin to think that Bayliss might not be hitting the mark this time, she always pulls me back in by the end and leaves me feeling those warm fuzzies I'm looking for in my wintery reads. A December to Remember ended up being another really special reading experience.
Here's what wasn't doing it for me at first: the details of the premise was a little too ridiculous for me. One dad, three sisters from different mothers who spent one month a year together with their dad. He was an excentric man, and the daughters and community members had positive things to say about him, and yet he also was distant to his daughters 11 months of the year. When he died, he pulled them together through the reading of his will and the distributing of his possessions with a wintery quest in the hopes of rekindling their sisterly bond. The characters of the sisters, also, were a little harsh for me. Perhaps I am being picky, but the promise of a story surrounding three sisters sets my expectations quite high, as it mirrors my experience, and yet, I couldn't seem to relate to these sisters. At least at first.
But then Jenny Bayliss showed me why she is one of my favourite author's at this point.
The sister characters became characters I wanted to root for. In fact, I would argue that the descriptions of these three sisters and their personalities actually align excellently with the personalities of me and my sisters in our birth order (and I don't often find this). As an example, this quote resonated with me personally, unfortunately:
Here's what wasn't doing it for me at first: the details of the premise was a little too ridiculous for me. One dad, three sisters from different mothers who spent one month a year together with their dad. He was an excentric man, and the daughters and community members had positive things to say about him, and yet he also was distant to his daughters 11 months of the year. When he died, he pulled them together through the reading of his will and the distributing of his possessions with a wintery quest in the hopes of rekindling their sisterly bond. The characters of the sisters, also, were a little harsh for me. Perhaps I am being picky, but the promise of a story surrounding three sisters sets my expectations quite high, as it mirrors my experience, and yet, I couldn't seem to relate to these sisters. At least at first.
But then Jenny Bayliss showed me why she is one of my favourite author's at this point.
The sister characters became characters I wanted to root for. In fact, I would argue that the descriptions of these three sisters and their personalities actually align excellently with the personalities of me and my sisters in our birth order (and I don't often find this). As an example, this quote resonated with me personally, unfortunately:
“She swallowed her sadness about Joe and stored it in the way that all good women trying to balance a million things had done for centuries: repress now, take antacids later.”
As I read through this book, I reflected again on how Jenny Bayliss tends to write contemporary fiction that doesn't hinge on a new or blossoming romance. Instead, she connects readers with the relationships in life that are potentially even deeper, rooted, in this case, in childhood and shared history and shared DNA. She writes a story where magic and security are found in the strength and ingenuity of a community of women.
And finally, as this novel drew to a close, a theme emerged so beautifully through the final letter that was read out, and it was a theme that resonated with me deeply. While December is over for me now, I am not so far away from the most recent winter solstice. I am on the other side when the nights are getting shorter, but I am in the months of winter where it doesn't feel so. And yet, I do not like to rush winter. I love to look for the joy to be found in the hunkering down, but often need to be reminded to do so. And so I thank Jenny Bayliss for not long reminding me in this novel, but for providing some of that found joy in this current season of winter.
“The winter solstice marks the longest night of the year and the promise that soon the sun will be back again. But winter is not merely a trial to be got through while we wait for warmer times. You must embrace the cold days and long dark nights and learn to find the joy in them, for there is much joy to be found. Hunker down and revel in the warmth of soft blankets when the weather is howling outside. Make the time to take time, not just for others but for yourselves. Read books, light candles, take long baths, watch the flames flickering in the fireplace or the rain dribbling down the windowpanes. Open your eyes to the beauty in the winter landscape and count your blessings every single day. Slow down. There will be time enough for buzzing around with the bees when the sun comes back. For now, let the moments stretch long and lazy. Recuperate, rejuvenate, reflect, and let winter soothe you. Let this winter solstice be the first of many times this winter that you come together to give thanks and appreciate the people in your life. Gratitude is everything. It is infinite, and even in death I know that the warmth of my gratitude for all of you lives on in the spirit of this season." -Augustus”
emotional
funny
hopeful
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:
Yes
A very sweet Christmas story that wasn't entirely a Hallmark rom com - yes, there was some rom, but it was mostly a story about family and community. Loved it.
wasn't what I expected - the scavenger hunt part was only a few pages; constantly going on about ivf and surrogacy; characters acted a lot younger than they were supposed to be
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I loved this book! I think all three of the sisters’ stories was really well told and I felt connected to them all. This book focused on the purpose of connection, family, community, and thankfulness! Heartwarming and overall great vibes.
This book is a moving and joyful read that catches the charm of the holiday season. Its engrossing characters, beautiful setting, and romance deliver a cozy and uplifting experience. I recommend this for those seeking a feel-good holiday novel to accompany them by the fireplace during the holiday season.
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes