Scan barcode
A review by beyondevak
The Summer of Christmas by Keith Giglio, Juliet Giglio
4.0
Quick Summary: An unexpected tearjerker
My Review: The Summer of Christmas by Juliet and Keith Giglio was a special box of Cracker Jacks. What I mean to say is that it was a sweet treat with an unexpected prize inside.
This clean romance was a friends to lovers to enemies to lovers story. It was a second-third chance true love conquers all piece that evoked a lot of emotions. I was a goner before I knew it.
What I Loved About the Story:
- The title of this book was brilliant! It certainly captured my attention.
- Although the story was about one main couple, there were so many other characters who made strong appearances. These characters, in truth, were so interesting that I had to check to make sure that this wasn't a series kickoff. There is a lot of room to build on this community.
- The initial meet-cute that I and N had was sweet. The fact that their friendship blossomed from something so innocent was notable. Being able to see how their relationship further developed from that was part of the charm of this story.
- The conflict that I and N initially had took their lives on such different trajectories. It was hard to witness. As a reader, I was totally Team I. I mean! I was devastated right alongside I.
- N's intentions at the time of the great conflict were not so clear. What he said warranted suspicion. The phone calls. The change in behavior. In my opinion, the authors did a spot on job with building that scene up. There was so much tension.
- The catty claws that came out between I and A. The battle on stage and off stage was palpable.
- I loved how N's family still had a heart for I. I also appreciated how they loved N enough to tell him the truth about their feelings on what he had done to I.
- l loved the final rewrite, as well as everything that came before its realization. Being faced with one's own mortality can make things real quicker than anything else. I'm glad that I got my HEA, but I was on pins and needles the whole time.
What I Was Not Feeling About the Story:
- The nod to A Christmas Carol was hard to digest. The N situation was somewhat believable. The I situation was too strange. The whole sequence did not go with the rest of the story. It squeaked by, for me. Some readers may like this acknowledgement, but I could not get with it, as it relates to this story. I understood what was happening, however, I felt that it was not necessary to bring about spirits or ghosts or whatever that was.
- The lack of boundaries, particularly evidenced where A was concerned, was like a pulling of the leg. I found it odd that I's family and friends would allow her to steal their daughter's/friend's things, not to mention her life. That was creepy. I know some may refer to what A was doing as method acting, but I have to say that it didn't jive well. Also, I found it peculiar how A was able to get back in the good graces of I and her loved ones so quickly.
My Final Say: The Summer of Christmas is a recommended read for those looking for a clean romance with a twist. Guaranteed, this story will make you laugh, cry, get mad, and toss away your pillow. It is a sweet treat with a secret prize on the inside that I am certain you will enjoy.
Rating: 3.75/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher, and to NetGalley, who provided access to a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. The words I have shared are my own.
My Review: The Summer of Christmas by Juliet and Keith Giglio was a special box of Cracker Jacks. What I mean to say is that it was a sweet treat with an unexpected prize inside.
This clean romance was a friends to lovers to enemies to lovers story. It was a second-third chance true love conquers all piece that evoked a lot of emotions. I was a goner before I knew it.
What I Loved About the Story:
- The title of this book was brilliant! It certainly captured my attention.
- Although the story was about one main couple, there were so many other characters who made strong appearances. These characters, in truth, were so interesting that I had to check to make sure that this wasn't a series kickoff. There is a lot of room to build on this community.
- The initial meet-cute that I and N had was sweet. The fact that their friendship blossomed from something so innocent was notable. Being able to see how their relationship further developed from that was part of the charm of this story.
- The conflict that I and N initially had took their lives on such different trajectories. It was hard to witness. As a reader, I was totally Team I. I mean! I was devastated right alongside I.
- N's intentions at the time of the great conflict were not so clear. What he said warranted suspicion. The phone calls. The change in behavior. In my opinion, the authors did a spot on job with building that scene up. There was so much tension.
- The catty claws that came out between I and A. The battle on stage and off stage was palpable.
- I loved how N's family still had a heart for I. I also appreciated how they loved N enough to tell him the truth about their feelings on what he had done to I.
- l loved the final rewrite, as well as everything that came before its realization. Being faced with one's own mortality can make things real quicker than anything else. I'm glad that I got my HEA, but I was on pins and needles the whole time.
What I Was Not Feeling About the Story:
- The nod to A Christmas Carol was hard to digest. The N situation was somewhat believable. The I situation was too strange. The whole sequence did not go with the rest of the story. It squeaked by, for me. Some readers may like this acknowledgement, but I could not get with it, as it relates to this story. I understood what was happening, however, I felt that it was not necessary to bring about spirits or ghosts or whatever that was.
- The lack of boundaries, particularly evidenced where A was concerned, was like a pulling of the leg. I found it odd that I's family and friends would allow her to steal their daughter's/friend's things, not to mention her life. That was creepy. I know some may refer to what A was doing as method acting, but I have to say that it didn't jive well. Also, I found it peculiar how A was able to get back in the good graces of I and her loved ones so quickly.
My Final Say: The Summer of Christmas is a recommended read for those looking for a clean romance with a twist. Guaranteed, this story will make you laugh, cry, get mad, and toss away your pillow. It is a sweet treat with a secret prize on the inside that I am certain you will enjoy.
Rating: 3.75/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher, and to NetGalley, who provided access to a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. The words I have shared are my own.