A review by libertyreads789
Just for the Holidays... by Adriana Herrera

lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

What a flop this book was. Especially following behind Assistant to the Villain which I really enjoyed. I thought this would have all the Christmas I could hand. I thought this would have a bunch of Christmas traditions that I haven't experienced before. I thought this would be such a good fake dating/second chance romance. But I was wrong on all of those counts. I'm going to keep this one pretty short because it doesn't deserve much more of my time than it has already taken.

I loved seeing Gael's family and seeing what their holiday traditions were. I loved seeing how the fake dating got more difficult as more time passed. But I feel like this book pulled a bait and switch. I got a couple of really good chapters that I enjoyed. I felt like I was getting to know the characters and their dynamics. I felt like I was getting the Christmassy-ness that I've been craving. But then we got sucked into it being about nothing but their sexual chemistry. I get it. You both think the other one is hot. But, seriously, I don't need scene after scene of them taking their physical relationship to another level just to get interrupted. Again and again and again. It just killed the tension for me. On top of that, the weird sexual stuff from him pissed me off. They were college sweethearts. He was the guy she had her first time with. That's all super sweet and nostalgic and everything. But then he finds out that she hasn't slept with anyone since they broke up at the end of college six years ago. And he gets this weird ego about it and talks about how he loves being the only man who "has ever been inside her." His actual words. There was a lot of him being super possessive of her when they're in the bedroom which doesn't get me going but maybe it does for someone else. It made me mad.

Anyway, this review is already too long. Basically, I didn't get what I came here for and it just wasn't for me. I need more Holidays in my Holiday Romances. And I need the main character to not be this weird Alpha asshole.