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A review by emily_loves_2_read
The Christmas Letters by Jenny Proctor
4.0
The Christmas Letters
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Author: Jenny Proctor
I requested a digital advanced readers copy from Jenny Proctor and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.
Synopsis: Can an old letter spark a new flame?
When Tess Ravenel gets herself stuck inside a bathroom stall in one of Charleston’s most historic buildings, she isn’t exactly thinking about her dating life. But then the paramedic who comes to her rescue has a voice that sounds like butter and enough charm to make her forget she’s seconds from having a panic attack. If only he were interested. Andrew McKay has a mysterious Christmas pen pal, a woman who replied to a newly found letter he sent to Santa back when he was a kid. After weeks of correspondence, it’s clear she’s funny, smart, interesting...and an awful lot like Tess Ravanel—the woman he’s already blown off twice for good reason. Tess and Andrew couldn’t be more different, but when their worlds collide, fate (and a little Christmas magic) set them on a crash course for love.
My Thoughts: This was originally published in 2019 but Proctor has significantly revised and refreshed. I did not read the original but love this version. This was short novella. It was the perfect amount of holiday cheer with a romance that is curated organically, such a rare circumstance in today’s online world. One of the best novellas I have read. Tess first meets Andrew when she is stuck in the women’s bathroom at a cafe, having a panic attack. His voice calms her and eventually gets her out. Tess does some volunteer work addressing Dear Santa letters and when she finds one from Andrew many years ago, it spurts an old fashioned writing journey. When their worlds collide, even though they are from different worlds, will this be enough to bring them together? Or will the worlds being too different matter? This follows the tropes of friends to lovers and forced proximity.
The story is a dual narration by Tess and Andrew, in their respective perspectives. Tess comes from money and her parents laid out her life at birth, she does not want to live that life and walks away from most of it. Andrew is hardworking and cares for his grandma. Their meet cute meeting during Tess’s panic attack was truly epic, where social status did not matter, the only thing that mattered to Tess was Andrew’s soothing voice. The characters were developed well in the short story with witty banter, tension, chemistry, and creatively woven throughout the story. The characters are well liked and extremely relatable. The supporting characters were amazing and added another layer to the book, especially Grandma Pearl. The author’s writing style was closed door, swoony, funny, and kept me invested the whole ride.
This was a perfect short read with some old-fashioned letter writing, some funny moments, with some heartfelt moments. I love this author, so will read a thing she puts out. If you liked the movie, You Got Mail, then this will be up your alley with similar vibes. I highly recommend picking up this short novella.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Author: Jenny Proctor
I requested a digital advanced readers copy from Jenny Proctor and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.
Synopsis: Can an old letter spark a new flame?
When Tess Ravenel gets herself stuck inside a bathroom stall in one of Charleston’s most historic buildings, she isn’t exactly thinking about her dating life. But then the paramedic who comes to her rescue has a voice that sounds like butter and enough charm to make her forget she’s seconds from having a panic attack. If only he were interested. Andrew McKay has a mysterious Christmas pen pal, a woman who replied to a newly found letter he sent to Santa back when he was a kid. After weeks of correspondence, it’s clear she’s funny, smart, interesting...and an awful lot like Tess Ravanel—the woman he’s already blown off twice for good reason. Tess and Andrew couldn’t be more different, but when their worlds collide, fate (and a little Christmas magic) set them on a crash course for love.
My Thoughts: This was originally published in 2019 but Proctor has significantly revised and refreshed. I did not read the original but love this version. This was short novella. It was the perfect amount of holiday cheer with a romance that is curated organically, such a rare circumstance in today’s online world. One of the best novellas I have read. Tess first meets Andrew when she is stuck in the women’s bathroom at a cafe, having a panic attack. His voice calms her and eventually gets her out. Tess does some volunteer work addressing Dear Santa letters and when she finds one from Andrew many years ago, it spurts an old fashioned writing journey. When their worlds collide, even though they are from different worlds, will this be enough to bring them together? Or will the worlds being too different matter? This follows the tropes of friends to lovers and forced proximity.
The story is a dual narration by Tess and Andrew, in their respective perspectives. Tess comes from money and her parents laid out her life at birth, she does not want to live that life and walks away from most of it. Andrew is hardworking and cares for his grandma. Their meet cute meeting during Tess’s panic attack was truly epic, where social status did not matter, the only thing that mattered to Tess was Andrew’s soothing voice. The characters were developed well in the short story with witty banter, tension, chemistry, and creatively woven throughout the story. The characters are well liked and extremely relatable. The supporting characters were amazing and added another layer to the book, especially Grandma Pearl. The author’s writing style was closed door, swoony, funny, and kept me invested the whole ride.
This was a perfect short read with some old-fashioned letter writing, some funny moments, with some heartfelt moments. I love this author, so will read a thing she puts out. If you liked the movie, You Got Mail, then this will be up your alley with similar vibes. I highly recommend picking up this short novella.