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A review by adogmomsbookishlife
Just for December by Laura Jane Williams
3.0
Thank you NetGalley and Avon Books for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is my second book by Laura Jane Williams. Both were very different in terms of readability.
Let me start by saying the things I loved:
- I loved the ending, how it was described as not a happy ending, but a happy beginning.
- The setting in Germany in a Christmas town was the perfect backdrop for the story. Very festive!
- I loved the Ed Sheeran karaoke and airport chase scenes and how the scenes tied in with Evie’s point of view on real life romance.
- I appreciated that both of the main characters struggle with panic attacks and not feeling worthy or “enough”because of absent, alcoholic parents. I also liked that they both talked about how they’ve been through therapy. This was a very healthy way to show that they are trying to work on their issues.
Now onto the things that did not work for me.
- Evie is insufferably rude. Duke comes across as arrogant. They are characters you’re not meant to love from the get go so it’s easy to see how that miscommunication fits the fake dating storyline.
- I didn’t feel the chemistry between Evie and Duke - at all. The romance scenes were fade to black (which is fine), it the tension build up wasn’t there for me. The scene changes in general were very choppy.
Overall, this is definitely a Christmas/winter themed holiday book. It is also a quick read, and would be great for those who love reading British authors.
This is my second book by Laura Jane Williams. Both were very different in terms of readability.
Let me start by saying the things I loved:
- I loved the ending, how it was described as not a happy ending, but a happy beginning.
- The setting in Germany in a Christmas town was the perfect backdrop for the story. Very festive!
- I loved the Ed Sheeran karaoke and airport chase scenes and how the scenes tied in with Evie’s point of view on real life romance.
- I appreciated that both of the main characters struggle with panic attacks and not feeling worthy or “enough”because of absent, alcoholic parents. I also liked that they both talked about how they’ve been through therapy. This was a very healthy way to show that they are trying to work on their issues.
Now onto the things that did not work for me.
- Evie is insufferably rude. Duke comes across as arrogant. They are characters you’re not meant to love from the get go so it’s easy to see how that miscommunication fits the fake dating storyline.
- I didn’t feel the chemistry between Evie and Duke - at all. The romance scenes were fade to black (which is fine), it the tension build up wasn’t there for me. The scene changes in general were very choppy.
Overall, this is definitely a Christmas/winter themed holiday book. It is also a quick read, and would be great for those who love reading British authors.