A review by purplepenning
A Holly Jolly Ever After by Julie Murphy, Sierra Simone

emotional funny hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

3.25

There are no good variables to work with when the answer to the equation is other peoples' idea of perfection.

Another one where I liked the previous book in the series, liked the main and side characters, liked much of what was being addressed, but still didn't love the story or execution. Le sigh.

There's no age when people stop learning about their bodies.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

Moderate: Ableism, Cursing, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Religious bigotry, Chronic illness, Medical content, Toxic relationship, Blood, and Vomit

Minor: Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Infidelity, Misogyny, and Sexism

A note about the sexual content: features a sexual awakening and admirably frank language and scenes of exploration as a character deprograms from the learned shame and inhibitions of purity culture Other content notes: in addition to the unplanned pregnancy trope, there's a

miscarriage scare

that opens the door for

toxic religious parents

to try to regain a foothold in a main characters life