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

emotional funny inspiring fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

4.5

First of all, I have to say, I entirely picked this book up because @burlesquemouse told me about the FMC’s Narcolepsy, and I would have loved this book for the representation alone. Not since Jinkx Monsoon’s first season of Drag Race have I felt so seen. (Like one of the authors is a PWN right?) 

So I came for the Narcolepsy and stayed for the wonderfully smutty plot. I loved the hot Hallmark premise, the absolute batshit-ness of purity culture and of the MC’s respective and very different celebrity realities. It was great too how you could point to some obvious inspirations, but no one was a direct copy of anyone. MINOR SPOILERS: The surprise pregnancy trope isn’t always my fave, but the characters made it work and I did fully appreciate how it ended up making her question his ability to be an adult… cause man. Been there. The stuff with the return of her parents almost gave me hives, but it worked out well. My biggest gripe was with how brushed aside her Narcolepsy ended up being. Like… she doesn’t ever tell him about it? Going to be something he needs to know about!