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rosali's review against another edition
3.0
I listenend to the audiobook, and was surprised, that it wasn’t a happy-go-lucky holiday romance, there were quite some serious topics in the mix. But the author just scratched the surface, which didn’t leave me satisfied. The heroine is unpleasant, and that I didn’t like the reading voice (too monotonous) also didn’t help.
A good idea that didn’t meet it’s potential.
A good idea that didn’t meet it’s potential.
littlemissbooklover's review against another edition
5.0
Pre- Order this book now!!!!! Wow! What a fantastic book! I have absolutely loved this story from start to end. I really hope there will be a follow on with these characters because I would love to know more.
This is a beautiful, heart-warming story which has grabbed my attention from the very beginning. The plot had twists which I didn’t predict were coming but kept me needing to know what was going to happen next.
Despite not liking Christmas, I have really liked main character Summer. I felt able to relate to her in some ways- especially as she has tried to protect her heart. She is such a genuine character and Noel is her complete opposite. I loved the love/hate relationship that appeared at the start of the book. Summer was so rude but he still made an effort.
I love the references to Christmas shops and the grinch in this book. We are definitely approaching my favourite time of year so this book definitely made me smile.
Rachel has portrayed the relationships fantastically throughout this book. We have a budding romance, marriage separation and it’s after effects as well as Summer discovering people she never expected. Every scenario within the book could easily be real and are described in a completely realistic way.
I adore Rachel’s style of writing, she always manages to really hook me from the beginning. I couldn’t put this book down, I’ve read this in just two evenings.
I have to say, hand on heart this is definitely one of my favourite books. Rachel you are a queen of romance stories- I already cannot wait for more. This book deserves hundreds and thousands of stars. It is so wonderful, I fear my next read may be disappointing because I don’t think it will be as wonderful.
This should be on everyone’s TBR list!
This is a beautiful, heart-warming story which has grabbed my attention from the very beginning. The plot had twists which I didn’t predict were coming but kept me needing to know what was going to happen next.
Despite not liking Christmas, I have really liked main character Summer. I felt able to relate to her in some ways- especially as she has tried to protect her heart. She is such a genuine character and Noel is her complete opposite. I loved the love/hate relationship that appeared at the start of the book. Summer was so rude but he still made an effort.
I love the references to Christmas shops and the grinch in this book. We are definitely approaching my favourite time of year so this book definitely made me smile.
Rachel has portrayed the relationships fantastically throughout this book. We have a budding romance, marriage separation and it’s after effects as well as Summer discovering people she never expected. Every scenario within the book could easily be real and are described in a completely realistic way.
I adore Rachel’s style of writing, she always manages to really hook me from the beginning. I couldn’t put this book down, I’ve read this in just two evenings.
I have to say, hand on heart this is definitely one of my favourite books. Rachel you are a queen of romance stories- I already cannot wait for more. This book deserves hundreds and thousands of stars. It is so wonderful, I fear my next read may be disappointing because I don’t think it will be as wonderful.
This should be on everyone’s TBR list!
nerdy_book_lover_1987's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
2.0
This was not a fluffy Christmas romance like I thought it would be. 😔 With that said, it was ok. I had a hard time staying focused due to such long chapters and I didn't really care for any of the characters. I wasn't invested in the story line but I did like Avril and Summer coming together and the whole sister thing. Other then that, Summer was mean and immature at the beginning of the book. Noel should have just walked away from her in my opinion. And yea, that's about all I really remember. Not a very memorable read for me but someone else might like it more!
kats_got_your_bookstagram's review against another edition
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Overall this was a cute book about self discovery and learning to cope with your past. I really enjoyed the journey that Summer Hastings takes in this book and her character development was done well.
There were a lot of different side stories and POVs that got confusing at times. I was hoping for more Christmas in this book but it was still cute.
I listened to the audiobook and thought it was just ok. I do feel like with all the different POVs they could have easily been performed by different narrators.
There were a lot of different side stories and POVs that got confusing at times. I was hoping for more Christmas in this book but it was still cute.
I listened to the audiobook and thought it was just ok. I do feel like with all the different POVs they could have easily been performed by different narrators.
headcanonheadcase's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars but rounded down to 3. While I really enjoyed this book, there were a few things that kept me from rating it higher.
The thing I liked the most was that this book didn't lean too heavily on cliches. Yes, Summer wants to travel the world and works at a travel agency so that means that she gets to send other people off on the trips she wants to take. But there was never that overused soul-crushing cliche that she was stuck in a dead-end job with no joy. Summer owns her owe business and I could see that she genuinely loved it. Plus, while she might not get to go to all the exotic beaches she wants to see, she does get to walk the beach right there in her hometown and it brings her joy.
What caused me to round my rating down was that the blurb really didn't match the book. While I did enjoy the direction the book took, I do feel that the question of Summer hating Christmas was never fully explored or resolved. It felt like a missed opportunity, given how the story played out. And that wasn't the only missed opportunity. I kept finding myself anticipating what was coming next only to turn the page to discover the author went in a different direction. But I kept turning those pages, so even though the story did not progress the way I wanted it to, it was still engaging.
The book became more about Summer growing into the life she wanted. Her mother suffers from severe depression and is unable to leave the house, which is why Summer has never traveled. I really enjoyed their journey and found myself crying by the end. The book also featured 6 POVs. Some were short and infrequent, but it got to be a lot, given that Summer and Noel were the focus of the book. The extra POVs also featured stroylines that were never resolved. I'm not sure if they were meant to set up sequels, but they felt unnecessary and out of place in this book.
With the additional POVs, the missed opportunities, and the disconnect between the title/blurb and the plot, I felt like the heart of the story was overshadowed.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGallery for the ARC.
The thing I liked the most was that this book didn't lean too heavily on cliches. Yes, Summer wants to travel the world and works at a travel agency so that means that she gets to send other people off on the trips she wants to take. But there was never that overused soul-crushing cliche that she was stuck in a dead-end job with no joy. Summer owns her owe business and I could see that she genuinely loved it. Plus, while she might not get to go to all the exotic beaches she wants to see, she does get to walk the beach right there in her hometown and it brings her joy.
What caused me to round my rating down was that the blurb really didn't match the book. While I did enjoy the direction the book took, I do feel that the question of Summer hating Christmas was never fully explored or resolved. It felt like a missed opportunity, given how the story played out. And that wasn't the only missed opportunity. I kept finding myself anticipating what was coming next only to turn the page to discover the author went in a different direction. But I kept turning those pages, so even though the story did not progress the way I wanted it to, it was still engaging.
The book became more about Summer growing into the life she wanted. Her mother suffers from severe depression and is unable to leave the house, which is why Summer has never traveled. I really enjoyed their journey and found myself crying by the end. The book also featured 6 POVs. Some were short and infrequent, but it got to be a lot, given that Summer and Noel were the focus of the book. The extra POVs also featured stroylines that were never resolved. I'm not sure if they were meant to set up sequels, but they felt unnecessary and out of place in this book.
With the additional POVs, the missed opportunities, and the disconnect between the title/blurb and the plot, I felt like the heart of the story was overshadowed.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGallery for the ARC.
stewarb1's review against another edition
I could not get over how unlike able Summer is. Having a hard life doesn’t give you a pass to be a bitch.
sara_machado's review against another edition
2.0
I’ve picked up this book expecting a seasonal romcom, but this was heavier than the cover leads on.
Summer has a travel agency and loves everything summerly related - sun, heat, beach and sea. She longs for her own travels and for her life to begin.
Noel, loves Christmas and every year opens a Christmas pop up store somewhere. This year the chosen place is just beside Summer shop, leading to a less than cold meet up.
I really liked Rachel Dove Ten Dates and I wanted to enjoy this one just as much. Unfortunately, it had several things than didn’t feel right to me, especially regarding the amount of violence between the characters.
The writing is good, but too many things are happening, and none of those is more than superficially explored. I understand Summer had a difficult life, however, some of her actions are inexcusable, making it hard to believe on their HEA.
The resolution occurs too fast and easy for the amount ou problems the characters were experiencing.
Overall, it was an ok read, with multiple POV, and a diversity of difficult topics and their consequences on character lives and family bonds.
2.5 stars
I would like to thank Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
TW - depression, physical abuse, verbal abuse, alcoholism (off page), cheating (off page), isolation.
Summer has a travel agency and loves everything summerly related - sun, heat, beach and sea. She longs for her own travels and for her life to begin.
Noel, loves Christmas and every year opens a Christmas pop up store somewhere. This year the chosen place is just beside Summer shop, leading to a less than cold meet up.
I really liked Rachel Dove Ten Dates and I wanted to enjoy this one just as much. Unfortunately, it had several things than didn’t feel right to me, especially regarding the amount of violence between the characters.
The writing is good, but too many things are happening, and none of those is more than superficially explored. I understand Summer had a difficult life, however, some of her actions are inexcusable, making it hard to believe on their HEA.
The resolution occurs too fast and easy for the amount ou problems the characters were experiencing.
Overall, it was an ok read, with multiple POV, and a diversity of difficult topics and their consequences on character lives and family bonds.
2.5 stars
I would like to thank Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
TW - depression, physical abuse, verbal abuse, alcoholism (off page), cheating (off page), isolation.
laura_devouring_books_crumpets's review against another edition
3.0
It was a cute read... Summer Had it rough and was a Unlikable character to start with but i think she slowly reforms herself... I Did find myself asking what Noel was being so nice to her for... But he Makes the Grinch's heart finally grow. Its a bit of a sad read especially the mum.... for that many years Must be difficult and heartbreaking.
smalltownbookmom's review
3.0
This was an enjoyable, if at times heavy emotional enemies to lovers, reverse grumpy/sunshine British romance that sees to neighboring business owners at odds when one loves Christmas and the other hates it. Summer hasn't had an easy life, her mother was emotionally abusive and has forced Summer to miss out on a lot of things.
When Noel opens his Christmas shop next door he's immediately drawn to Summer, if only he can convince her to take a chance on love. This one tackles some tough topics but was overall a heartwarming read and good on audio. Would recommend for fans of authors like Mhairi McFarlane. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!
CW: depression, physical/verbal abuse, alcoholism
When Noel opens his Christmas shop next door he's immediately drawn to Summer, if only he can convince her to take a chance on love. This one tackles some tough topics but was overall a heartwarming read and good on audio. Would recommend for fans of authors like Mhairi McFarlane. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!
CW: depression, physical/verbal abuse, alcoholism
thenextgenlibrarian's review against another edition
3.0
British-read audiobook. Grumpy/sunshine. It was ok