Should I have written these reviews last month? Yes. Did I? Obviously no. So instead, I am coming to you now, in January to give you three reviews for some books that you really can read anytime of the year if you would like, but I’ll also let you know how central the holidays are in each book. Also, I received each of these books from Netgalley, but then ultimately purchased each of the books and read a finalized copy because of course I did.
The Christmas Cottage
by Christine Rimmer
The Christmas Cottage is really set between Thanksgiving and Christmas, so arguably, it is the one book that you really shouldn’t pick up right now. But also, it’s a perfectly fine book that is a great palate cleanser between other reads if you want something that doesn’t involve thinking too particularly hard. Essentially, Alexandra quits her job randomly (the dream, honestly) and moves into the cabin on her family’s property where she determines she’s going to figure out what she wants to do with her life. This is right around Thanksgiving, which also brings her back into contact with her brother in law’s brother, whom she had a one night stand with the night of their siblings wedding. The two of them wind up still having some pretty intense chemistry, but she really isn’t interested in that continuing, until, suddenly, maybe she is. I will say, I didn’t love this one, but I thought it was interesting enough and a super quick read. So I would still recommend if that’s something you’re in the mood for!
Wrapped with a Beau
by Lillie Vale
I really loved the first book I read from Vale, The Shaadi Set-Up but her books since then have not quite lived up to the high of that book for me. That said, Wrapped with a Beau came close. I loved the cozy vibes present in this book. And, though definitely a Christmas book, it just feels like small town festival vibes so if you’re fine ignoring that they’re small town festival vibes set around Christmas, I think you can read this book whenever you’d like! The two characters in this book are reluctant friends to lovers and I enjoyed the way that their relationship progressed. I felt that it was paced pretty well. All in all, though not a book I’m going to re-read year after year, I did enjoy it and would recommend for you to pick it up when you’re in the mood for such a book!
Hers for the Weekend
by Helena Greer
This was a really emotional, melancholic fake dating romance between two women who were all wrong for one another on paper. You’ve got socialite Tara who is very determined to use her position of influence to make a difference in Charleston, South Carolina, but she’s doing it in such a way that is entirely self-sacrificial. And then, you have free-spirit, Holly, who is just absolutely refusing to settle down. She’s dealing with some past “mistakes” and also, let’s go ahead and switch dealing from avoiding… Honestly, in talking about this book, I think I appreciate it more than what I initially thought I did. The beginning of this book is really great, but you’ve also got two women that I think push certain buttons. They aren’t necessarily likable. But also, Tara’s deep vulnerability and anxieties about whether or not she’s actually loved or if she’s merely tolerated? So well done. All in all, I think I need to re-read this book because in talking about it, I think I really, really loved it. The third act breakup was annoying though and I think that’s why I docked a star… But don’t let that stop you! I definitely recommend picking this one up. Also, this is really set around a wedding, not actually Christmas, it just happens to be Christmas time for the wedding. And this is a Jewish romance. Well, sort of. You’ll see.
Closing Thoughts
These reviews are a little more stream of conscious than I normally write and I’m always writing stream of conscious, so… I hope they’re still useful in some way. Anyway, since these have all been out for months/years, have you read any of them? Let me know!
xx
firewhiskeyreader 