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A review by mo_xreadingspac3
How My Neighbor Stole Christmas by Meghan Quinn
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
2.5
I finally managed to finish this last Christmas book — hallelujah.
This book had all the ingredients for a festive, cozy rom-com — enemies-to-lovers, fake dating, tons of holiday cheer, and more. In that sense, it was enjoyable. The plot seemed promising, the banter between the protagonists was funny and sharp at times, and the slow-burn tension had me invested… at least at first.
Maybe it’s just me, but I didn’t find Storee easy to root for the first part of the story because she came off as selfish. That said, as the story progressed, I saw her soften and embrace the Christmas spirit more. The same goes for Cole, but in reverse: at first, I understood his pain and resentment, but by the 50% mark, I couldn’t get behind some of his choices. I know change and vulnerability don’t happen overnight, but the way he handled things didn’t sit well with me.
The first half was honestly pretty cringy. The Christmas spirit was present, and the small-town setting added a cozy touch, but it took some patience to push through. Luckily, things improved in the second half once the characters finally started communicating.
The side characters, like Aunt Cindy and Storee’s sister, sometimes felt more like caricatures than real people, though they had a few standout moments. Max, on the other hand, was the perfect best friend for Cole and honestly, the only character I adored from start to finish.
That said, the holiday atmosphere was on point. This might still be a fun read if you’re in the mood for a light, slightly chaotic Christmas rom-com and don’t mind some questionable spice. But you might be left a little underwhelmed if you’re looking for more emotional depth and character development.
This book had all the ingredients for a festive, cozy rom-com — enemies-to-lovers, fake dating, tons of holiday cheer, and more. In that sense, it was enjoyable. The plot seemed promising, the banter between the protagonists was funny and sharp at times, and the slow-burn tension had me invested… at least at first.
Maybe it’s just me, but I didn’t find Storee easy to root for the first part of the story because she came off as selfish. That said, as the story progressed, I saw her soften and embrace the Christmas spirit more. The same goes for Cole, but in reverse: at first, I understood his pain and resentment, but by the 50% mark, I couldn’t get behind some of his choices. I know change and vulnerability don’t happen overnight, but the way he handled things didn’t sit well with me.
The first half was honestly pretty cringy. The Christmas spirit was present, and the small-town setting added a cozy touch, but it took some patience to push through. Luckily, things improved in the second half once the characters finally started communicating.
The side characters, like Aunt Cindy and Storee’s sister, sometimes felt more like caricatures than real people, though they had a few standout moments. Max, on the other hand, was the perfect best friend for Cole and honestly, the only character I adored from start to finish.
That said, the holiday atmosphere was on point. This might still be a fun read if you’re in the mood for a light, slightly chaotic Christmas rom-com and don’t mind some questionable spice. But you might be left a little underwhelmed if you’re looking for more emotional depth and character development.