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beate251's reviews
307 reviews
A Christmas Duet by Debbie Macomber
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for this ARC.
Hailey is a music teacher with song-writing aspirations who flees to a remote cabin in weirdly named Podunk for Christmas, to escape her boundary-free family and her ex Zach who can't take no for an answer. Of course they all find out where she is and descend anyway.
In the meantime, five minutes after arrival she meets hunky Jay and falls in love faster than one can say "Help, there are bats in the cabin!"
Gosh, where to start. I've obviously heard of Debbie Macomber, she's written books for decades and is very prolific. For me that seems to be the problem though.
It's a fast easy read but generic and predictable, with a lot of romantic drivel being spouted. Everything is rushed, we get no sense of Jay or anyone else. The cover is as old-fashioned as the clean story, there is barely a plot and there are no embellishments with quirky characters or cute pets.
Everything is traditional, with marriage proposals and fatherly blessings and as American as "apple pie, guns and the American flag" (direct quote).
People eat boxed mac and cheese, spaghetti with jar sauce and salad mix that comes with dressing, and salted popcorn. Urgh.
Hailey makes a very stupid career decision that really shouldn't fly these days, and when Charles pursues Hailey's sister Daisy, not taking no for an answer, it's suddenly fine because he's a good guy.
Seriously, this story was maybe acceptable 40 years ago. I prefer my stories a bit more modern so this fell flat for me.
Hailey is a music teacher with song-writing aspirations who flees to a remote cabin in weirdly named Podunk for Christmas, to escape her boundary-free family and her ex Zach who can't take no for an answer. Of course they all find out where she is and descend anyway.
In the meantime, five minutes after arrival she meets hunky Jay and falls in love faster than one can say "Help, there are bats in the cabin!"
Gosh, where to start. I've obviously heard of Debbie Macomber, she's written books for decades and is very prolific. For me that seems to be the problem though.
It's a fast easy read but generic and predictable, with a lot of romantic drivel being spouted. Everything is rushed, we get no sense of Jay or anyone else. The cover is as old-fashioned as the clean story, there is barely a plot and there are no embellishments with quirky characters or cute pets.
Everything is traditional, with marriage proposals and fatherly blessings and as American as "apple pie, guns and the American flag" (direct quote).
People eat boxed mac and cheese, spaghetti with jar sauce and salad mix that comes with dressing, and salted popcorn. Urgh.
Hailey makes a very stupid career decision that really shouldn't fly these days, and when Charles pursues Hailey's sister Daisy, not taking no for an answer, it's suddenly fine because he's a good guy.
Seriously, this story was maybe acceptable 40 years ago. I prefer my stories a bit more modern so this fell flat for me.
Snowed In With You by Heidi Stephens
emotional
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Thank you to NetGalley and Headline for this ARC.
Lucy is 32 and works in an advertising agency with her best friend Jonno who has kept her upright since her twin brother Leo committed suicide 11 years ago. She juggles two lovers, Anthony and Marco, because she thinks that long term relationships aren't for her.
She has just agreed to a work trip with five of her colleagues to Zermatt in Switzerland, organised by a client who produces luxury condoms, even though she should be at home with her parents on the anniversary of Leo's death.
Then she gets snowed in with last-minute addition to the trip, taciturn work colleague Nate. They are stranded in a ski hut called Guntherhütte with owner Gunther, his wife Monica and daughter Chantal, Bee Gees tribute band Andrea and Felix as well as a Dutch gay couple called Alex and Willem, one of them being minor royalty, and the other a constantly filming influencer. Our nine make the best of it with food, lots of alcohol and singing, causing Lucy and Nate to grow closer.
Part Two deals with the fallout from the ski trip that changes quite a few lives and careers. I have to say that part was an unexpected delight. An ordinary story turned extraordinary. And finally, we have grand romantic gestures again. I thought they'd died out with 90s rom-coms!
First of all, I adored Lucy. She's a complex, strong and independent woman knowing her own mind, not a ditzy Bridget Jones type. She's sex-positive in a big way, so if she wants to just have a friend (or two) with benefits, she does and when she wants to express big feelings, she does that too.
I also loved Nate, the anxious but soft MMC, and Jonno, the male BFF who does not want to secretly get into her pants, because he has a lovely wife already, and was a delightful addition to the age old question whether men and women can just be friends. Plus, I laughed out loud at the Sasha twist!
What a fun, romantic and life-affirming read with well-rounded characters and a gorgeous cover. I loved this story and finished it in one sitting. I want it as a movie please. Highly recommended.
Lucy is 32 and works in an advertising agency with her best friend Jonno who has kept her upright since her twin brother Leo committed suicide 11 years ago. She juggles two lovers, Anthony and Marco, because she thinks that long term relationships aren't for her.
She has just agreed to a work trip with five of her colleagues to Zermatt in Switzerland, organised by a client who produces luxury condoms, even though she should be at home with her parents on the anniversary of Leo's death.
Then she gets snowed in with last-minute addition to the trip, taciturn work colleague Nate. They are stranded in a ski hut called Guntherhütte with owner Gunther, his wife Monica and daughter Chantal, Bee Gees tribute band Andrea and Felix as well as a Dutch gay couple called Alex and Willem, one of them being minor royalty, and the other a constantly filming influencer. Our nine make the best of it with food, lots of alcohol and singing, causing Lucy and Nate to grow closer.
Part Two deals with the fallout from the ski trip that changes quite a few lives and careers. I have to say that part was an unexpected delight. An ordinary story turned extraordinary. And finally, we have grand romantic gestures again. I thought they'd died out with 90s rom-coms!
First of all, I adored Lucy. She's a complex, strong and independent woman knowing her own mind, not a ditzy Bridget Jones type. She's sex-positive in a big way, so if she wants to just have a friend (or two) with benefits, she does and when she wants to express big feelings, she does that too.
I also loved Nate, the anxious but soft MMC, and Jonno, the male BFF who does not want to secretly get into her pants, because he has a lovely wife already, and was a delightful addition to the age old question whether men and women can just be friends. Plus, I laughed out loud at the Sasha twist!
What a fun, romantic and life-affirming read with well-rounded characters and a gorgeous cover. I loved this story and finished it in one sitting. I want it as a movie please. Highly recommended.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide, Grief, and Alcohol
What If I Never Get Over You by Paige Toon
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone for this ARC.
This is the love story of Ellie and Ash, spanning nearly a decade, who met interrailing when they were 21 but lost touch, doomed due to a "I have no phone because I want to be off grid" decision by Ash.
When they finally meet again six years later, Ellie discovers that Ashton is a viscount's son and due to inherit the manor she just started work at as a gardener. The classism that follows is pretty annoying, with Ash's dad a caricature aristocrat. Are they doomed again?
The book has four parts and in every one it's as if Ash is a completely different person - from the carefree traveller to the burdened heir to the cold hermit to the final version. I felt for Ellie who had to adapt, having already broken free from her parents' suffocating grasp, only to watch Ash taking somewhat longer.
I found their journey interesting but I honestly didn't think they had much in common. I think they bonded due to both having problematic parents who they tried to please to the detriment of their own happiness.
The title is a bit melodramatic - we always get over people, we have to in order to continue living. I thought at first the title referred to Ash and Ellie but it could also mean the best friends Stella and Taran that they lost who had been so important in their lives.
I loved all the settings - Spain and Portugal in the first part, Wales afterwards. I've travelled in Wales quite a bit and I recognised all the lovely places.
I also liked the camaraderie of the young staff at Berkeley Hall, and the love of plants and gardening that shines through. The cover is absolutely gorgeous.
The story was predictable enough for me to foresee all the little twists but interesting enough to keep reading. In fact, I read this in one go.
This comes out in April 2025 so it's a privilege to have been able to read such an early copy.
This is the love story of Ellie and Ash, spanning nearly a decade, who met interrailing when they were 21 but lost touch, doomed due to a "I have no phone because I want to be off grid" decision by Ash.
When they finally meet again six years later, Ellie discovers that Ashton is a viscount's son and due to inherit the manor she just started work at as a gardener. The classism that follows is pretty annoying, with Ash's dad a caricature aristocrat. Are they doomed again?
The book has four parts and in every one it's as if Ash is a completely different person - from the carefree traveller to the burdened heir to the cold hermit to the final version. I felt for Ellie who had to adapt, having already broken free from her parents' suffocating grasp, only to watch Ash taking somewhat longer.
I found their journey interesting but I honestly didn't think they had much in common. I think they bonded due to both having problematic parents who they tried to please to the detriment of their own happiness.
The title is a bit melodramatic - we always get over people, we have to in order to continue living. I thought at first the title referred to Ash and Ellie but it could also mean the best friends Stella and Taran that they lost who had been so important in their lives.
I loved all the settings - Spain and Portugal in the first part, Wales afterwards. I've travelled in Wales quite a bit and I recognised all the lovely places.
I also liked the camaraderie of the young staff at Berkeley Hall, and the love of plants and gardening that shines through. The cover is absolutely gorgeous.
The story was predictable enough for me to foresee all the little twists but interesting enough to keep reading. In fact, I read this in one go.
This comes out in April 2025 so it's a privilege to have been able to read such an early copy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism
Moderate: Death and Grief
The Secret Christmas Bookshop: A romantic cosy and festive novel about love and friendship at Christmas by Cressida McLaughlin
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for this ARC.
Sophie is a commitment phobe. She grew up in the foster care system and doesn't trust easily. She gives herself a year in each place, then she moves on. Right now she is in Mistingham, a gorgeous coastal village in Norfolk with a thriving community. She has a little shop selling notebooks and friends Fiona and Ermin. It's October and she starts thinking about where to go next year with her little rescue dog Clifton (Cornwall looks nice) but then events overtake her.
She gets roped in to organise the annual Christmas Oak Fete together with Harry, the Dark Demon Lord of Mistingham Manor, a moniker that doesn't fill her with confidence. Harry is an enigmatic, reclusive character, fresh back from London to renovate the manor house, has a pygmy goat called Felix who wears knitted Christmas jumpers and two docile dogs called Darkness and Terror.
Then Sophie receives a beautifully bound old copy of Jane Eyre from The Secret Bookshop and tries to find out who is behind sending it to her. I've never read that novel but the author is at pains to explain how Sophie's story is similar to the one in the book.
Earlier this year I read Ms McLaughlin's book Happy Hour, set in Greenwich Market, and I wasn't convinced. Happily, she is back to her old form, giving us a slew of great, quirky characters and pets, plus lots of festive and romantic going ons. Mistingham is a great cosy setting that will keep you spellbound in this easy to read escapist small town romance of forced proximity, grumpy/sunshine and second chances.
Sophie is a commitment phobe. She grew up in the foster care system and doesn't trust easily. She gives herself a year in each place, then she moves on. Right now she is in Mistingham, a gorgeous coastal village in Norfolk with a thriving community. She has a little shop selling notebooks and friends Fiona and Ermin. It's October and she starts thinking about where to go next year with her little rescue dog Clifton (Cornwall looks nice) but then events overtake her.
She gets roped in to organise the annual Christmas Oak Fete together with Harry, the Dark Demon Lord of Mistingham Manor, a moniker that doesn't fill her with confidence. Harry is an enigmatic, reclusive character, fresh back from London to renovate the manor house, has a pygmy goat called Felix who wears knitted Christmas jumpers and two docile dogs called Darkness and Terror.
Then Sophie receives a beautifully bound old copy of Jane Eyre from The Secret Bookshop and tries to find out who is behind sending it to her. I've never read that novel but the author is at pains to explain how Sophie's story is similar to the one in the book.
Earlier this year I read Ms McLaughlin's book Happy Hour, set in Greenwich Market, and I wasn't convinced. Happily, she is back to her old form, giving us a slew of great, quirky characters and pets, plus lots of festive and romantic going ons. Mistingham is a great cosy setting that will keep you spellbound in this easy to read escapist small town romance of forced proximity, grumpy/sunshine and second chances.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief and Death of parent
A Christmas Romance in the Scottish Highlands by Donna Ashcroft
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC.
This is a dual POV Christmas insta-love romance which is a very obvious modern retelling of Cinderella to the point where Cinderella is called Ella and is being exploited working for the family cleaning company, Prince Charming's last name is Charming and the villagers are performing a Cinderella panto where everyone is given their real roles in life, so art is imitating life. Speaking of art, they just want to paint, why won't their families just let them paint?
I can't help feeling that everyone is exaggerated as surely no one would act like these people do in real life. The villains (Cinderella's stepmother, Prince Charming's father) are caricatures and Ella and Alex are so psychologically damaged that they don't believe in their own worth, don't stand up to people and come to all the wrong conclusions. I really wanted to shake Alex who overreacts massively because he can't differentiate between real and fake emotions due to his awful cold father having done a number on him his entire life.
This novel has a lot of similarities with Winter Wishes in the Scottish Highlands, which I've read recently (the publication dates are only a month apart), with characters behaving ridiculously throughout, including having silly third-act break-ups.
It's a short read with a cute cover but I'm afraid the story fell flat for me. There were some interesting side characters like painter Henry, godmother Mae, little Hunter and Aggie with the soups, plus dogs Wyatt and Sprout but they didn't save the book for me. I really needed more of an original story and less childhood trauma.
However, it's a fast, easy read with enough romance and festive Christmas activities going on to sustain the average romance reader. Unfortunately, it isn't for me.
This is a dual POV Christmas insta-love romance which is a very obvious modern retelling of Cinderella to the point where Cinderella is called Ella and is being exploited working for the family cleaning company, Prince Charming's last name is Charming and the villagers are performing a Cinderella panto where everyone is given their real roles in life, so art is imitating life. Speaking of art, they just want to paint, why won't their families just let them paint?
I can't help feeling that everyone is exaggerated as surely no one would act like these people do in real life. The villains (Cinderella's stepmother, Prince Charming's father) are caricatures and Ella and Alex are so psychologically damaged that they don't believe in their own worth, don't stand up to people and come to all the wrong conclusions. I really wanted to shake Alex who overreacts massively because he can't differentiate between real and fake emotions due to his awful cold father having done a number on him his entire life.
This novel has a lot of similarities with Winter Wishes in the Scottish Highlands, which I've read recently (the publication dates are only a month apart), with characters behaving ridiculously throughout, including having silly third-act break-ups.
It's a short read with a cute cover but I'm afraid the story fell flat for me. There were some interesting side characters like painter Henry, godmother Mae, little Hunter and Aggie with the soups, plus dogs Wyatt and Sprout but they didn't save the book for me. I really needed more of an original story and less childhood trauma.
However, it's a fast, easy read with enough romance and festive Christmas activities going on to sustain the average romance reader. Unfortunately, it isn't for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Sexual content, Grief, and Death of parent
Breaking the Dark by Lisa Jewell
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is a Marvel crime thriller about Jessica Jones, superhero turned private investigator, written by an author who is new to the Marvel universe but is well-known for her exciting psychological thrillers.
One day wealthy Amber Randall comes to Jessica asking her to investigate why her two teenagers, Fox and Lark (boy and girl) have come back from a month-long visit with their father in England totally changed in personality, with unblemished skin but constantly confirming that they are "perfect". Do a girl called Belle and her guardian Debra have something to do with it, and what happened to three missing girls?
The second plotline starts 38 years earlier and involves a clairvoyant named Ophelia, a man with a lust for blood, a highly intelligent nerd and an ambitious young woman, moving forward in time in alternating chapters until the two storylines collide in the present.
Together with her eager 17 year old assistant Malcolm, Jessica starts to unravel a pretty sinister attempt at controlling the world population through an iffy beauty product. Some people will stop at nothing to become someone!
I have watched Marvel films and know the names of some big players but I had to Google Jessica Jones and Luke Cage. I read this book purely on the strength of Lisa Jewell's name and quite frankly, this can be read just like one of her usual psychological thrillers as Jessica's superpowers really aren't what drive this story. I've read that fans of the author like this book better than Marvel fans, and that is certainly true for me.
Jessica is a complex character struggling with her superpowers and broken by events from her past. Nevertheless, she doesn't hesitate in helping people but is conflicted about getting her young assistant into danger. She also tries to come to terms with some developments in her private life.
I was blown away by the clever plot and well-written dual POV storyline, leaving us to wonder for big chunks of the story what on earth is going on, but having hell of a ride getting there. My first thought after finishing the book in one day (all 464 pages) was simply "wow". To me, Lisa Jewell can do no wrong, and I will read anything she ever writes, though I'm pretty certain I will skip the other two Marvel crime novels that are in the pipeline by different authors. Can't win them all!
One day wealthy Amber Randall comes to Jessica asking her to investigate why her two teenagers, Fox and Lark (boy and girl) have come back from a month-long visit with their father in England totally changed in personality, with unblemished skin but constantly confirming that they are "perfect". Do a girl called Belle and her guardian Debra have something to do with it, and what happened to three missing girls?
The second plotline starts 38 years earlier and involves a clairvoyant named Ophelia, a man with a lust for blood, a highly intelligent nerd and an ambitious young woman, moving forward in time in alternating chapters until the two storylines collide in the present.
Together with her eager 17 year old assistant Malcolm, Jessica starts to unravel a pretty sinister attempt at controlling the world population through an iffy beauty product. Some people will stop at nothing to become someone!
I have watched Marvel films and know the names of some big players but I had to Google Jessica Jones and Luke Cage. I read this book purely on the strength of Lisa Jewell's name and quite frankly, this can be read just like one of her usual psychological thrillers as Jessica's superpowers really aren't what drive this story. I've read that fans of the author like this book better than Marvel fans, and that is certainly true for me.
Jessica is a complex character struggling with her superpowers and broken by events from her past. Nevertheless, she doesn't hesitate in helping people but is conflicted about getting her young assistant into danger. She also tries to come to terms with some developments in her private life.
I was blown away by the clever plot and well-written dual POV storyline, leaving us to wonder for big chunks of the story what on earth is going on, but having hell of a ride getting there. My first thought after finishing the book in one day (all 464 pages) was simply "wow". To me, Lisa Jewell can do no wrong, and I will read anything she ever writes, though I'm pretty certain I will skip the other two Marvel crime novels that are in the pipeline by different authors. Can't win them all!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Body shaming, Confinement, Death, Physical abuse, Torture, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Under The Mistletoe With You by Lizzie Huxley-Jones
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for this ARC.
Christopher used to work in finance in London, now he is a baker in a small seaside village in Wales, and while this was his dream, he is lonely. So when Christmas comes around he sublets his flat and prepares to visit his family. Then a lot of weather happens and all trains and planes and with them Christmas plans are cancelled.
Suddenly he gets a knock on the door and the person he let his flat to stands on his doorstep, annoyed about his long and somewhat strange journey, involving sheep. It's none other than the Canadian (NOT American, that's important) Christmas movies star Nash Nadeau who he is a great fan of. But Nash is grumpy, he just about made it here and now it seems there is no room at the inn?
So begins a fun, dual POV "forced proximity, only one bed, insta love" love story between two people who really aren't irritating but irritate each other because they are afraid of their feelings. Their banter is world class, and so is the interaction with the locals, predominantly a woman named Shaz who doesn't take no for an answer when she wants to make friends and get reindeer biscuits.
There is a real sense of community and the villagers start a concerted effort to help everyone who is affected by the snow, roping Christopher and Nash in as if it's totally normal to have movie stars hanging around the place. The food descriptions throughout are mouth-watering!
But Nash has a decision to make about his future, and how can it include a baker in Wales, which he only just learned is not in England?
This is book 2 in a series, with the first book being about Christopher's lesbian sister. I didn't know this but the book can be read as a standalone as the recaps happen organically throughout the story.
I have to say, the LGBTQ+ representation is exemplary. Christopher is bisexual and Nash is trans and no one clutches their pearls about it or makes it a huge topic. Just lovely. Nash's disability is also covered sympathetically.
The revelation that both Christopher's name and that of his sister Katherine can be abbreviated to Kit had me in stitches!
This is a heartwarming festive story with tons of snow, animals and brilliant side characters. The subplots with the quirky villagers are hugely entertaining, making this a well-rounded sweet and interesting story that is highly recommended for Christmas time.
Christopher used to work in finance in London, now he is a baker in a small seaside village in Wales, and while this was his dream, he is lonely. So when Christmas comes around he sublets his flat and prepares to visit his family. Then a lot of weather happens and all trains and planes and with them Christmas plans are cancelled.
Suddenly he gets a knock on the door and the person he let his flat to stands on his doorstep, annoyed about his long and somewhat strange journey, involving sheep. It's none other than the Canadian (NOT American, that's important) Christmas movies star Nash Nadeau who he is a great fan of. But Nash is grumpy, he just about made it here and now it seems there is no room at the inn?
So begins a fun, dual POV "forced proximity, only one bed, insta love" love story between two people who really aren't irritating but irritate each other because they are afraid of their feelings. Their banter is world class, and so is the interaction with the locals, predominantly a woman named Shaz who doesn't take no for an answer when she wants to make friends and get reindeer biscuits.
There is a real sense of community and the villagers start a concerted effort to help everyone who is affected by the snow, roping Christopher and Nash in as if it's totally normal to have movie stars hanging around the place. The food descriptions throughout are mouth-watering!
But Nash has a decision to make about his future, and how can it include a baker in Wales, which he only just learned is not in England?
This is book 2 in a series, with the first book being about Christopher's lesbian sister. I didn't know this but the book can be read as a standalone as the recaps happen organically throughout the story.
I have to say, the LGBTQ+ representation is exemplary. Christopher is bisexual and Nash is trans and no one clutches their pearls about it or makes it a huge topic. Just lovely. Nash's disability is also covered sympathetically.
The revelation that both Christopher's name and that of his sister Katherine can be abbreviated to Kit had me in stitches!
This is a heartwarming festive story with tons of snow, animals and brilliant side characters. The subplots with the quirky villagers are hugely entertaining, making this a well-rounded sweet and interesting story that is highly recommended for Christmas time.
The Night Before Christmas by Nicola Knight
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Thank you to NetGalley and Bloodhound Books for this ARC.
Felicity Brooks hates Christmas since her Dad abandoned the family on Boxing Day when she was six and her Mum turned to alcohol. James hates Christmas since his fiancée abandoned him on Boxing Day. Their meet cute is a tiny kitten brought by James on Christmas Eve to the animal rescue centre Felicity works in. Sparks fly pretty much instantly, even though James wears a penguin costume. However, their progress is stalled by various exes and jealousy, plus serious trust and abandonment issues on Felicity's side.
I acknowledge that this is a debut novel but all that angst and jealousy was too much for me. Adam is a walking red flag, stalking Felicity and not taking no for an answer, but Felicity herself is a damaged doormat who can't face up to him for long, crumbling instantly once he collapses on her. I expected a cute, light-hearted, funny Christmas story but what I got were characters with serious issues who permanently stood in their own light.
I didn't even like Felicity's friends very much - Bex certainly does not follow the friend code and should be ashamed of herself, but Felicity also doesn't feel like a good friend to her for not trying to intervene.
Also, for a book that has Christmas in the title and a cute festive penguin on the cover, this isn't very Christmassy at all - for one because the main characters don't like Christmas but also because it doesn't actually cover very much of the Christmas period.
I liked the rescued animals (who wouldn't), but the whole story is so predictable, and I didn't find any of the characters very mature. James backs off after a talk with Adam, Felicity lets her Dad issues overshadow her whole life and both of them irrationally hate Christmas as if it's Christmas's fault that sometimes bad things happen during it. In the end Felicity only seems happy once she is loved by a man and I'm not really sure that's a great message to send.
Read if you like cats, men in penguin costumes and traumatic childhoods.
Felicity Brooks hates Christmas since her Dad abandoned the family on Boxing Day when she was six and her Mum turned to alcohol. James hates Christmas since his fiancée abandoned him on Boxing Day. Their meet cute is a tiny kitten brought by James on Christmas Eve to the animal rescue centre Felicity works in. Sparks fly pretty much instantly, even though James wears a penguin costume. However, their progress is stalled by various exes and jealousy, plus serious trust and abandonment issues on Felicity's side.
I acknowledge that this is a debut novel but all that angst and jealousy was too much for me. Adam is a walking red flag, stalking Felicity and not taking no for an answer, but Felicity herself is a damaged doormat who can't face up to him for long, crumbling instantly once he collapses on her. I expected a cute, light-hearted, funny Christmas story but what I got were characters with serious issues who permanently stood in their own light.
I didn't even like Felicity's friends very much - Bex certainly does not follow the friend code and should be ashamed of herself, but Felicity also doesn't feel like a good friend to her for not trying to intervene.
Also, for a book that has Christmas in the title and a cute festive penguin on the cover, this isn't very Christmassy at all - for one because the main characters don't like Christmas but also because it doesn't actually cover very much of the Christmas period.
I liked the rescued animals (who wouldn't), but the whole story is so predictable, and I didn't find any of the characters very mature. James backs off after a talk with Adam, Felicity lets her Dad issues overshadow her whole life and both of them irrationally hate Christmas as if it's Christmas's fault that sometimes bad things happen during it. In the end Felicity only seems happy once she is loved by a man and I'm not really sure that's a great message to send.
Read if you like cats, men in penguin costumes and traumatic childhoods.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship
Eat Slay Love by Julie Mae Cohen
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Thank you to NetGalley and Bonnier Books UK for this ARC.
Lilah, 26, works in a library, even though she won the lottery. Her dad died recently in a home invasion robbery, but at least she has her caring fiancé Zachary.
Marina, divorced with three kids, has recently inherited a big house from her Nana Sylvia and met an attentive man called Xavier.
Opal is a wellness influencer in her 50s and one day she calls both women from her burner phone to tell them that her ex husband Zander is their new beau - and he's a conman.
I've read Julie Mae's Cohen's debut novel which I loved so I was ecstatic to receive an advance copy of her second book. This is a darkly funny and very enjoyable read about how three very different women take revenge on men who have wronged them, and bond along the way.
It's also a bit gory, and my favourite character is a dead woman - the feisty Nana Sylvia who seems to not have been too innocent herself, judging from the contents of a secret bomb shelter in her old house.
All three women's stories and characters are explored in flashbacks leading to the day they met and events took a darker turn. The book manages to explore how gaslighting and coercive control works, until the woman is in too deep to leave easily; without it getting too depressing.
Opal, Lilah and Marina discover that to combat loneliness they need female friends, and one makes the ultimate sacrifice for the others, at the same time giving the noisy building work neighbours their just desserts. It's a deeply satisfying read which will leave you wanting more. I read this in one sitting.
Lilah, 26, works in a library, even though she won the lottery. Her dad died recently in a home invasion robbery, but at least she has her caring fiancé Zachary.
Marina, divorced with three kids, has recently inherited a big house from her Nana Sylvia and met an attentive man called Xavier.
Opal is a wellness influencer in her 50s and one day she calls both women from her burner phone to tell them that her ex husband Zander is their new beau - and he's a conman.
I've read Julie Mae's Cohen's debut novel which I loved so I was ecstatic to receive an advance copy of her second book. This is a darkly funny and very enjoyable read about how three very different women take revenge on men who have wronged them, and bond along the way.
It's also a bit gory, and my favourite character is a dead woman - the feisty Nana Sylvia who seems to not have been too innocent herself, judging from the contents of a secret bomb shelter in her old house.
All three women's stories and characters are explored in flashbacks leading to the day they met and events took a darker turn. The book manages to explore how gaslighting and coercive control works, until the woman is in too deep to leave easily; without it getting too depressing.
Opal, Lilah and Marina discover that to combat loneliness they need female friends, and one makes the ultimate sacrifice for the others, at the same time giving the noisy building work neighbours their just desserts. It's a deeply satisfying read which will leave you wanting more. I read this in one sitting.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Rape, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
We Three Kings by Kristen Bailey
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this ARC.
Maggie is the head of IT for a financial company. She's been working with likeable Frank, Jasper and Leo for four years and calls them her work family. Then suddenly, shortly before Christmas, management tells her to make one of them redundant because the company has to downsize. Trouble is she has just been invited by all three of them to events over the Christmas period, and anyway, she doesn't want to split up the fam.
So she goes to a wedding with Asian Frank as his fake girlfriend to give the aunties something to talk about, accompanies posh Jasper to his family's manor house ("Their house has wings. Do you know what I own that has wings? Sanitary towels.") and finally celebrates Christmas with sexy Leo and his warm, northern family. But how can she start something with Leo if she might have to fire him?
I had a slight problem with the writing style. The FMC's habit of talking to other people in her head instead of talking to them directly took me a while to get used to.
But altogether this is a heartwarming, funny and romantic book that celebrates geeky friendships and charming bromances. It was lovely to accompany three very different guys home and experience their families and traditions. It's not every day you get mistaken for a bridesmaid, rescue baby foxes and nearly kidnap a donkey as a Christmas tradition! The whole story was adorable and feel-good, with just the right amount of festiveness. Recommended.
"Why was the computer cold? It left its windows open."
Maggie is the head of IT for a financial company. She's been working with likeable Frank, Jasper and Leo for four years and calls them her work family. Then suddenly, shortly before Christmas, management tells her to make one of them redundant because the company has to downsize. Trouble is she has just been invited by all three of them to events over the Christmas period, and anyway, she doesn't want to split up the fam.
So she goes to a wedding with Asian Frank as his fake girlfriend to give the aunties something to talk about, accompanies posh Jasper to his family's manor house ("Their house has wings. Do you know what I own that has wings? Sanitary towels.") and finally celebrates Christmas with sexy Leo and his warm, northern family. But how can she start something with Leo if she might have to fire him?
I had a slight problem with the writing style. The FMC's habit of talking to other people in her head instead of talking to them directly took me a while to get used to.
But altogether this is a heartwarming, funny and romantic book that celebrates geeky friendships and charming bromances. It was lovely to accompany three very different guys home and experience their families and traditions. It's not every day you get mistaken for a bridesmaid, rescue baby foxes and nearly kidnap a donkey as a Christmas tradition! The whole story was adorable and feel-good, with just the right amount of festiveness. Recommended.
"Why was the computer cold? It left its windows open."