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Holly Jolly July by Lindsay Maple
4.0

Oh wow—this book was such a delightful surprise! It’s the perfect blend of cozy romance, personal growth, and just the right dash of revenge. The storyline cleverly mixes a sweet first love with a heroine who’s trying to rediscover who she is—all while being smack in the middle of filming a cheesy Christmas movie. But what really set this book apart for me was how the author brilliantly wove together the plot of the movie being filmed and the actual story of the characters. It’s like watching the magic unfold on screen and behind the scenes at the same time.

This was my first time reading anything by this author, and I’m honestly so excited to dive into more of their work. The tone is charming and comforting—like a warm blanket and hot cocoa—but there’s also this unexpected little edge thanks to the revenge subplot that keeps things extra fun. It’s cute, it’s heartfelt, and it has just enough sass to keep you flipping pages. If you love holiday rom-coms but wish they had a little more bite, this is one to add to your list.