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A review by elyssathelibrarian
A Holly Jolly Ever After by Sierra Simone, Julie Murphy
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
I had a hard time rating this one and an even harder time finishing it. I think this is the most let down I’ve felt overall a book in a long time. I loved A Merry Little Meet Cute and was so looking forward to another Christmas Notch book. I was very happy to receive an ARC and an ALC.
I liked how different Winnie is from Bee. I loved the body diversity with Kallum not being a traditional romance novel male MC. I enjoyed the dynamic between Winnie and Kallum. I loved returning to Christmas Notch but I like that AHJEA can be read as a standalone. The first half of the book was great. Every bit the ridiculous, cheesy, spicy romcom I expected.
Then halfway through they threw in a trope that I definitely don’t love and actively avoid because it stirs up some stuff in me. Had there been any indication that this trope would come up, I would not have read this book at all.
It became an entirely different book in the second half. I struggled to finish and I really should’ve just put it down. It did a massive disservice to the story, but especially to Winnie and her character’s growth and separation from purity culture. By the end, I couldn’t stand Winnie and Kallum wasn’t much better. Despite my being over it all by the end, the ending still felt a bit abrupt.
I’ll probably still read Isaac’s story if they write it, but I’ll definitely read reviews first.
I liked how different Winnie is from Bee. I loved the body diversity with Kallum not being a traditional romance novel male MC. I enjoyed the dynamic between Winnie and Kallum. I loved returning to Christmas Notch but I like that AHJEA can be read as a standalone. The first half of the book was great. Every bit the ridiculous, cheesy, spicy romcom I expected.
Then halfway through they threw in a trope that I definitely don’t love and actively avoid because it stirs up some stuff in me. Had there been any indication that this trope would come up, I would not have read this book at all.
It became an entirely different book in the second half. I struggled to finish and I really should’ve just put it down. It did a massive disservice to the story, but especially to Winnie and her character’s growth and separation from purity culture. By the end, I couldn’t stand Winnie and Kallum wasn’t much better. Despite my being over it all by the end, the ending still felt a bit abrupt.
I’ll probably still read Isaac’s story if they write it, but I’ll definitely read reviews first.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy
Moderate: Miscarriage