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A review by katherineannhickey
Just a Little Christmas by Janet Dailey
2.0
I realize this is not intended to be sophisticated literary fiction, but the low quality of the writing and stale plot rendered this book nearly unbearable to read. The two main characters, Jubal and Ellie, have zero chemistry. They are awkward AF and are so caught up in their respective insecurities to engage in any meaningful, much less interesting, way. The author introduces a mysterious story arc at the beginning (who really owns Jubal’s family farm?) which turns out to be no big deal at all and just a plot device to get the characters to spend more time together.
There are some major inconstancies in the character development that made me wonder if i was reading about the same person. Ellie freaks out when Gracie gets scratched by a dog and takes her to urgent care. Pregnant Ellie also believes she doesn’t need to go to the ER after she hits a deer in the middle of the night and totals he car. Makes sense. Why does Jubal repeatedly use “damn” as an adjective? Why does no one think it appropriate to wake up Clara (Ellie’s mom) when her daughter is having a baby? What is up with Krystle, the town gossip? Why is every social interaction mediated by a teacup poodle? I have so many questions. This book just needed more gravitas. More teeth.
There are some major inconstancies in the character development that made me wonder if i was reading about the same person. Ellie freaks out when Gracie gets scratched by a dog and takes her to urgent care. Pregnant Ellie also believes she doesn’t need to go to the ER after she hits a deer in the middle of the night and totals he car. Makes sense. Why does Jubal repeatedly use “damn” as an adjective? Why does no one think it appropriate to wake up Clara (Ellie’s mom) when her daughter is having a baby? What is up with Krystle, the town gossip? Why is every social interaction mediated by a teacup poodle? I have so many questions. This book just needed more gravitas. More teeth.