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litwithleigh 's review for:
Christmas in Coconut Creek
by Karissa Kinword
Writing: solid af | Plot: yerrrrr!!! | Ending: HEA
SYNOPSIS
Ophelia heads to Coconut Creek in Florida to spend 3 weeks over Christmas and New Years with her bestie. BUT FATE HAS OTHER PLANS!!!! AND FATE IS A FREAK!!!
MY OPINION
This is one of those rare books where the vibes are so top-tier from the jump, I don't have one critical thought while reading. You could shove a red flag down my throat (pls don't) and I wouldn't blink. The plane scene????????? I was HOOKED. This book is funny from tip to taint (sorry).
Some quick notes:
1. This is VERY spicy. Extremely open doors. In fact, there aren't any doors most of the time unless you count a car door.
2. There is no third act breakup!!!!
3. Yes this is an insta-love situation; the whole shebang takes place over 21 days.
4. Don't bother reading the blurb; it makes it sound like something it's not. It's two hot people who come together to DO stuff .... and SAAAAYYYYYY stuff.
5. This is an age-gap romance. She's 26, he's 35. **shrugs**
6. He's ex-military. Don't knock smutty books because I did learn something new—now I know what Delta Force is (I think). AnYwAyS, I went to college in Hawaii so yes I'm familiar with the rumors that all military men want to get married within 3-5 business days of meeting and they drive trucks b/c they have small ding dongs. Frankie def comes on STRONG, but he has BDE (iykyk) and he's not that type of military guy. The entire time I was picturing Bradley Cooper from American Sniper (before the ptsd) meets younger Gerard Butler (let me have this one thanks).
7. Yes this takes place in Florida but there's no Florida Man vibes. The most Florida-y it gets is the random torrential downpour that occurs between 3-5pm everyday.
8. THE BANTER IS CHEFS KISS!!!! But I won't lie, it's definitely a lil toxic... but like, harmlessly toxic.
The only thing keeping this from a 5 is Ophelia's backstory felt a bit forced. Seemed like she needed something but it didn't really track. Like Meghan in [b:Snowed In|195487194|Snowed In|Catherine Walsh|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1690895181l/195487194._SY75_.jpg|197225466], I couldn't really get a grasp of her personality. Was she the demure Type A teacher, or the tequila-soaked seductress? I'm still not sure. Okay one more thing: I wish they had gone on more dates. I know this is already on the long side, but we needed MORE 1:1 romantic vibes.
I'm eagerly awaiting book #2!!!! If you're looking for a spicy, slightly toxic romcom with holiday cheer, this is THEE one. Also, if you've read this and liked it... may I recommend [b:Only in Your Dreams|198249643|Only in Your Dreams|Ellie K. Wilde|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1696655701l/198249643._SY75_.jpg|201096288]? The spice gives similar energy...........
SYNOPSIS
Ophelia heads to Coconut Creek in Florida to spend 3 weeks over Christmas and New Years with her bestie. BUT FATE HAS OTHER PLANS!!!! AND FATE IS A FREAK!!!
MY OPINION
This is one of those rare books where the vibes are so top-tier from the jump, I don't have one critical thought while reading. You could shove a red flag down my throat (pls don't) and I wouldn't blink. The plane scene????????? I was HOOKED. This book is funny from tip to taint (sorry).
Some quick notes:
1. This is VERY spicy. Extremely open doors. In fact, there aren't any doors most of the time unless you count a car door.
2. There is no third act breakup!!!!
3. Yes this is an insta-love situation; the whole shebang takes place over 21 days.
4. Don't bother reading the blurb; it makes it sound like something it's not. It's two hot people who come together to DO stuff .... and SAAAAYYYYYY stuff.
5. This is an age-gap romance. She's 26, he's 35. **shrugs**
6. He's ex-military. Don't knock smutty books because I did learn something new—now I know what Delta Force is (I think). AnYwAyS, I went to college in Hawaii so yes I'm familiar with the rumors that all military men want to get married within 3-5 business days of meeting and they drive trucks b/c they have small ding dongs. Frankie def comes on STRONG, but he has BDE (iykyk) and he's not that type of military guy. The entire time I was picturing Bradley Cooper from American Sniper (before the ptsd) meets younger Gerard Butler (let me have this one thanks).
7. Yes this takes place in Florida but there's no Florida Man vibes. The most Florida-y it gets is the random torrential downpour that occurs between 3-5pm everyday.
8. THE BANTER IS CHEFS KISS!!!! But I won't lie, it's definitely a lil toxic... but like, harmlessly toxic.
The only thing keeping this from a 5 is Ophelia's backstory felt a bit forced. Seemed like she needed something but it didn't really track. Like Meghan in [b:Snowed In|195487194|Snowed In|Catherine Walsh|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1690895181l/195487194._SY75_.jpg|197225466], I couldn't really get a grasp of her personality. Was she the demure Type A teacher, or the tequila-soaked seductress? I'm still not sure. Okay one more thing: I wish they had gone on more dates. I know this is already on the long side, but we needed MORE 1:1 romantic vibes.
I'm eagerly awaiting book #2!!!! If you're looking for a spicy, slightly toxic romcom with holiday cheer, this is THEE one. Also, if you've read this and liked it... may I recommend [b:Only in Your Dreams|198249643|Only in Your Dreams|Ellie K. Wilde|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1696655701l/198249643._SY75_.jpg|201096288]? The spice gives similar energy...........