Scan barcode
bookbruin's review against another edition
3.0
Audiobook Review
Overall 3 stars
Performance 5 stars
Story 2.5-3 stars
This one had a lot of promise (second chance friends to lovers), but I needed more of them reconnecting as adults to really root for Adam and Sara to find their HEA together. It's a novella so I don't expect a ton of character development (if at all), but I didn't feel the supposed strong undeniable connection between Adam and Sara. I also didn't love the way the Elliot plot point was handled. Sara and Elliot really should have had that honest conversation way before Adam ever came back into the picture. The narration by Emily Lawrence and Andrew Eiden was great though and this was a quick and easy listen.
Overall 3 stars
Performance 5 stars
Story 2.5-3 stars
This one had a lot of promise (second chance friends to lovers), but I needed more of them reconnecting as adults to really root for Adam and Sara to find their HEA together. It's a novella so I don't expect a ton of character development (if at all), but I didn't feel the supposed strong undeniable connection between Adam and Sara. I also didn't love the way the Elliot plot point was handled. Sara and Elliot really should have had that honest conversation way before Adam ever came back into the picture. The narration by Emily Lawrence and Andrew Eiden was great though and this was a quick and easy listen.
mimikins34's review
2.0
Ok that one was pretty rough to get through. I found myself yelling at the characters being stupid.
amicarlton's review
4.0
Cute follow up to the fire book in the series. A fun take on the fake dating and for ed proximity tropes with some good he falls first thrown in for good measure. I'm excited to see more holiday books other than just Christmas hitting the stands. The Hannukah ones tend to be really great and have a similar feel as the Christmas ones. So if you've been wishing for Hallmark movie books with a Jewish theme these are the ones for you!
This is part of a series. You won't be lost, they seem like they can be read as standalones - but I accidentally started into book three without reading this one and felt a little wrong. I had already read book one so I recognized the characters and was like huh? So there are definitely spoilers in later books for previous books.
This is part of a series. You won't be lost, they seem like they can be read as standalones - but I accidentally started into book three without reading this one and felt a little wrong. I had already read book one so I recognized the characters and was like huh? So there are definitely spoilers in later books for previous books.
xabbeylongx's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
3.5
Spoilers Ahead:
Liz Maverick delivered, once again, with a very enjoyable book to read.
We follow Sarah - one of the friends from the first book in this series, ‘Eight Winter Nights’ - and Adam. They were once friends in the beginning, but they grew apart. When Adam comes to her, after 10 years of silence, asking her to be her fake date after accidentally telling his mum he was dating her (to get the pressure off of him, of course, which is a totally rational thing to do) and she reluctantly agrees, despite things being weird.
Things are also weird between her and Elliot, her childhood best friend. He said that he liked her, but she didn’t feel the same way. And as she starts developing feelings for Adam, feelings outside of their agreement, things start to get a little complicated.
Their friendship group is less than accommodating, especially Elliot. Tamara helps them with the PR side of things, which helps them. Sarah has moved into his flat due to hers being uninhabitable and freezing. it’s all for this yearly ball they go to together, and after that they plan to break up and go their separate ways.
But both of them don’t want that, although there is a miscommunication. Towards the end of the ball, Adam is jokey, because he wants to cheer Sarah up, but she thinks he’s not taking it seriously, and so she doesn’t tell him that she’s actually in love with him. Luckily, though, he catches up with her, and he tells her how he feels. They start dating, and eventually the whole group starts to hang out again… even Elliot, who’s actually quite friendly with Adam now, despite his misgivings at first (very weird testosterone moments in the book tbh, but mostly from Elliot).
Honestly, I can’t lie, this book took me so long to get into for how short it is, but I felt so bad for Sarah and Adam. Sarah’s friends, I’m sorry, are absolutely shite, and I think she deserves much better. We all know how I felt about Tamara in the last one, so I expected to dislike her again - which shows the consistency of the characters, I guess - but Rachel? I expected better from you. I felt they spent a lot of time just moaning at her, not supporting her, just not really being the people she needed them to be. Which I think is so sad, as she definitely would do that for them. Forever a Sarah defender until the day I die (disregarding the fact she did the same to Elliot as Adam did to her, we’re going to gloss over that fact). Let’s, also, not divert from the fact that Elliot is a massive knobhead? How can he get annoyed at her? She told him that she didn’t like him, and he wasn’t getting the hint? What is she supposed to do, not date until he’s over her? Complete cretin. I can’t stand people like that, how he made himself a victim when someone doesn’t like him… grow up! And, I know you can’t help who you like, but I’d be absolutely fuming at him in turn, for ruining the friendship that way? I almost broke when I heard Sarah say that it wouldn’t be the same again, because that shit hurts. The way he acted as well… unacceptable. Sarah and Adam forever!
Not a massive fan of the miscommunication trope, and this one felt very rushed and a little sloppy if I’m being honest, but I’m overlooking it for my queen Sarah.
A very lovely read, and I can’t wait to read the next one!
corvusdeam's review against another edition
3.0
This was cute and made me laugh a bit. Something very hallmark but it definitely was an adorable mutual pining holiday special ✨ 3.5 ⭐️
sroycereads's review against another edition
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
3.0
alainaj's review against another edition
3.0
DO NOT READ #1, jump straight to this book.
Cute, short, holiday listen! The ending felt a little strange, like there was at least two plot holes, but whatever.
SPOILER/QUESTION
Did Tamara ALSO hook up with Adam? If you read Eight Winter Nights you’ll know she also dated Oz. Not loving that Tamara has been with all of the men in these stories.
Cute, short, holiday listen! The ending felt a little strange, like there was at least two plot holes, but whatever.
SPOILER/QUESTION
Did Tamara ALSO hook up with Adam? If you read Eight Winter Nights you’ll know she also dated Oz. Not loving that Tamara has been with all of the men in these stories.
dippolitot's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
emmerrill's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0