A review by judeinthestars
Merry Weihnachten by E.J. Noyes

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.0

I’m apparently going to be in the minority for this audiobook, so please read more reviews. I’m a big fan of E.J. Noyes but Merry Weihnachten didn’t really work for me. Neither did Abby Craden’s narration, whose fake German accent for Annika threw me off from the beginning. Not only did it interfere with understanding her words and thoughts, which, in turn, made it impossible to adjust the speed, its thickness prevented any suspension of disbelief when Annika was interacting with her parents. Had it been lighter, I could have imagined they were talking and texting in German, and that her thoughts were as well. Even if she did think in English, she probably wouldn’t have the accent then (ask me how I know). If you’re set on listening rather than reading, I recommend checking out the narration sample first.

This book contains classic Noyes wit and sexiness, and goes into the author’s lighter books category. After the excitement and adrenaline of the Halcyon Division series, it felt a tad flat and uneventful to me, but that’s on me for expecting more from a Xmas romance. There are all sorts of far-fetched revelations about Evie’s personality and past, which would be over the top in any other genre but are the hallmarks of Christmas romances. As are the heartwarming scenes in which the MCs introduce each other to their respective holiday traditions. The multiple twists kept me entertained even as they hindered my perception of who Evie is—Annika is a lot more straightforward. While I liked the MCs well enough, my favourite characters are Evie’s best friend/brother-in-law Pete and her niece Chloe. Evie maintains wonderful relationships with them, one of platonic love and tenderness with Pete and a mutually adoring and teasing bond with the teenager.

All in all, Merry Weihnachten is a sexy, mostly lighthearted story, that, just this once, I recommend reading rather than listening to.

I received a copy from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

Read all my reviews on my website (and please get your books from the affiliation links!): Jude in the Stars