December Reading Wrap-Up

Welcome to the charming seaside town of White Cliff Bay, where Christmas is magical and love is in the air… Penny Meadows loves her home – a cosy cottage decorated with pretty twinkling fairy lights and stunning views over the town of White Cliff Bay. She also loves her job as an ice-carver, creating breathtaking sculptures. Yet her personal life seems frozen. When Henry and daughter Daisy arrive at the cottage to rent the annex, Penny is determined to make them feel welcome. But while Daisy is friendly, Henry seems guarded. As Penny gets to know Henry, she realises there is more to him than meets the eye. And the connection between them is too strong to ignore… While the spirit of the season sprinkles its magic over the seaside town and preparations for the ice sculpting competition and Christmas eve ball are in full swing, can Penny melt the ice and allow love in her heart? And will this finally be the perfect Christmas she’s been dreaming of? Like a creamy hot chocolate with marshmallows, you won’t want to put this deliciously heartwarming novel down. Spend the perfect Christmas in White Cliff Bay this year. Snowflakes on Silver Cove coming very soon.

If you’re a fan of insta-love, this is the book for you. I didn’t find it to be particularly Christmassy, but maybe I was expecting too much as far as that theme goes. It took place at Christmas-time, but aside from simple mentions of decorating or shopping, there wasn’t much else (aside from a fairytale ending – SURPRISE). It felt a bit toxic to me at times, what with Henry’s temperament and how it affected everyone in his life quite negatively… yet all it took was some fireside sex and apologizing and he was in the clear? There were definitely some problematic themes overall and some subjects that really weren’t dealt with in the slightest. However, as an overall super short love story, it was fine.

Recovering after an illness Meg is far from in the Christmas mood, in fact she’s hardly aware it’s approaching at all. They didn’t celebrate it where she grew up and she’s never gone in for the tinsel, baubles and mistletoe of it all. But when the opportunity arises to spend the run up to Christmas in the snowy countryside, rather than dreary London, she can’t say she isn’t curious… although she’ll definitely leave before they bring out the turkey. Tasked with painting two portraits in not very much time, Meg sets to work. Although it doesn’t take long for the magic in the air to begin to make her wonder just a little curious about what a proper family Christmas might be like. But just as she’s beginning to settle in she spots a familiar face. Lex… more like a missile than a blast from the past. Despite the wonderful festive cheer, Meg suddenly wants nothing more than to get as far away from Lex and their past secrets as she can. But she can’t leave until she’s finished the portraits and discovered what really is so magical about Christmas…

If you’re a fan of the found family trope and you enjoy some serious family drama, this book is for you. I had a really hard time listening to this because the narration wasn’t my favorite and the characters all got mixed up in my head. There are a LOT of characters to keep straight so it all got a bit jumbled. However, I think if I were to have read this in a physical format I probably would’ve enjoyed it a lot more. The world/scene-building was really enjoyable and it definitely gave me the winter-in-England vibes that I was hoping for. I think it just fell a little short of my expectations.

With all the glittering decorations, twinkling lights, snow angels, gingerbread men and mistletoe, Christmas is Emmie’s first love. This year, she can’t wait to share her favorite Christmas traditions with her boyfriend, Grant. She thinks he’s “the one.” So when Grant’s hectic work schedule has him more “Bah Humbug” than “Ho, Ho, Ho,” Emmie creates a holiday-themed scavenger hunt to help him find his Christmas spirit. At the end of the journey, Grant will arrive at the charming town of Christmas Point where she’s planned a romantic weekend filled with holiday activities. But Emmie’s plan backfires when a mix-up has the wrong guy following her clues! Sam, a best-selling mystery writer, thinks Emmie’s clever Christmas riddles are from his agent, who is trying to help him get over his epic writer’s block. When he arrives at Christmas Point and finds the stunned Emmie, he immediately feels she’s someone special, but she can’t see beyond the fact that the wrong guy has shown up. Inspired by the small, charming town, Sam decides to stay and convinces Emmie to join him in a little holiday fun while she waits for Grant. When Grant finally shows up, Emmie is disappointed to discover he’s not enjoying the activities she planned and can’t help wonder if he’s really the one for her. She also can’t get Sam out of her mind and all the great times they had together. With Christmas coming fast, Emmie will need the magic of the season to help steer her in the direction of true love…

My Review: My in-depth review can be found here!

Carter is an insurance adjuster whose longing for creative expression spills over sometimes into his accident reports. Abby works for her adoptive father, Uncle Mannie, in the family bookstore, the ReadMore Café. Carter barely tolerates Christmas; Abby loves it. She can’t wait past October to build her favorite display, the annual Christmas book tree stack, which Carter despises. When an automobile accident throws Carter and Abby together, Uncle Mannie, who is harboring secrets of his own, sees a chance for lasting happiness for his little girl. But there are so many hurdles, and not much time left. Will this Christmas deliver the miracle everyone is hoping for? Where love and Christmas are concerned, there are no accidents.

Okay, I really wanted to enjoy this. The story sounded cute and good for the soul. And don’t get me wrong, it was. However… It took 4 hours to listen to this so I finished it really quickly and the moment it ended, I had already mostly forgotten the storyline? I think it just wasn’t memorable or significant in any way, but that’s just my perspective. It felt really “perfect” throughout the whole thing and… overall I can’t give it more than an “EH” review. I wanted more from it. It WAS cute. It was. It just wasn’t mind-blowing.

The average person makes 35,000 decisions every single day. That’s about 34,999 too many for Paige Collins who lives in debilitating fear of making the wrong choice. The simple act of picking an art elective is enough to send her into a spiral of what ifs. What if she’s destined to be a famous ceramicist but wastes her talent in drama club? What if there’s a carbon monoxide leak in the ceramics studio and everyone drops dead? (Grim, but possible!) That’s why when Paige is presented with two last-minute options for Christmas vacation, she’s paralyzed by indecision. Should she go with her best friend (and longtime crush) Fitz to his family’s romantic mountain cabin? Or should she accompany her mom to New York, a city Paige has spent her whole life dreaming about? Just when it seems like Paige will crack from the pressure of choosing, fate steps in — in the form of a slippery grocery store floor — and Paige’s life splits into two very different parallel paths. One path leads to New York where Paige falls for the city… and the charms of her unexpected tour guide. The other leads to the mountains where Paige might finally get her chance with Fitz… until her anxiety threatens to ruin everything. However, before Paige gets her happy ending in either destiny, she’ll have to face the truth about her struggle with anxiety — and learn that you don’t have to be “perfect” to deserve true love.

This book was SUCH a wonderful surprise. I went into this with very low expectations since it was YA and I really just assumed it would be a cheesy Christmas love story. However, that is not what I got out of it. In fact, it impacted me so deeply that I’m still thinking about it several days after finishing it. This book had such an incredible representation of anxiety and how it manifests in different ways for everyone. Our main character doesn’t even want to admit she has anxiety, let alone any kind of mental health challenges, and instead, she gives her monologue a name and makes excuses on a regular basis for the way she processes every single decision she attempts to make. I felt her pain and her struggle throughout, as my anxiety can be very similar. What gave ME anxiety about this book? The love interest(s). I spent 90% of the book thinking that Paige deserved better than Fitz, to be honest. However, as teenage love goes, he was pretty phenomenal – loving her through all of her panic attacks and uncomfortable moments. Reading the way Harrison reacted to her panic attack made me want to SCREAM, so I was much more satisfied with the outcome of the book. If you want a good anxiety/mental health rep and a sweet magical realism story, this is the one you’ll want to read!

A Nantucket shopkeeper discovers that Christmas is the perfect occasion to make unexpected friendships . . . to warm the coldest of hearts–and maybe even find love. Christina Antonioni is preparing for the holidays at her Nantucket toy shop, unpacking last-minute shipments and decorating for her loyal Christmas shoppers. But when her Scrooge of a landlord, Oscar Bittlesman, raises her rent, it seems nearly impossible for Christina to continue business on the wharf. Even so, Christina hopes there is a warm heart underneath Oscar’s steely exterior. When she bonds with Wink, his sweet, young granddaughter who frequents the shop, it becomes clear that perhaps he isn’t so cold after all. And with the help of Wink’s uncle, who happens to be a charming and very handsome bachelor, this may be the best Christmas any of them could have ever imagined. Nancy Thayer’s enchanting Nantucket setting provides the perfect backdrop for this holiday love story.

OH EM GEE THE CHEESE OF THIS ONE. I actually really enjoyed this book, despite some of the more problematic sequences (such as SUPERINSTA insta-love, a total gold-digger, and a hidden patriarchal love). The wintery Nantucket scenes and the little wharf shop settings really just spoke to my soul during this Christmas month. It made me want to visit a tiny seaside town for the holidays SO BAD. The whole scrooge aspect with Oscar was really cringe-y at moments, but it was also satisfying to read through because I found myself getting REALLY ANGRY at him to then find the redemption towards the end. If you’re looking for a good holiday read, this is definitely going to get you in the spirit!

Imagine a year without Christmas. No crowded shops, no corny office parties, no fruitcakes, no unwanted presents. That’s just what Luther and Nora Krank have in mind when they decide that, just this once, they’ll skip the holiday altogether. Theirs will be the only house on the street without a rooftop Frosty the snowman; they won’t be hosting their annual Christmas Eve bash; they aren’t even going to have a tree. They won’t need one, because come December 25 they’re setting sail on a Caribbean cruise. But, as this weary couple is about to discover, skipping Christmas brings enormous consequences – and isn’t half as easy as they’d imagined.

I’m all about a good book-to-movie adaptation, so when I heard that one of my favorite holiday films, Christmas With The Kranks, was actually based on a book, I knew I had to read it! I immediately picked up Skipping Christmas and then I absolutely flew through it because it was such a light, quick read. If you’ve seen the movie, all I need to say is that it’s an almost EXACT replication of the book – minus the blatant sexism and racist comments splattered throughout. I felt queasy as I read this book because of the many *very* uncomfortable comments and moments. It made me glad to have seen the film first (which is a new feeling for this bookworm). As a story, the book was great. Very funny, just like the film. However, the problematic elements really bothered me, so it didn’t get the stars I think it would have deserved if those elements had not been part of the narrative.Do yourself a favor and watch the movie, but maybe only read the book if you want to see how identical it is to the film? Otherwise, it’s a bit of a frustrating experience, in my opinion.

While promoting her next novel, a Christmas love story, author Riley Reynolds is caught off guard when she’s asked during a live national television interview how she can write about romance when she still hasn’t found “the one” herself. Scrambling for an answer, she quickly answers that she has had great love in her past and that love inspired her novels. Little does she know that this one offhanded remark will turn her world upside down. Three of her ex-boyfriends see the interview, and each, believing she’s talking about him, shows up for her Christmas Camp book event at the Christmas Lake Lodge, determined to rewrite his happily-ever-after with her! Over the festive weekend, Riley’s old boyfriends compete to win her heart, pulling out all the stops while planning the most romantic Christmas dates on the planet. Despite herself, Riley starts falling for each guy— again—but for different reasons. As Riley revisits each relationship and discovers more about herself, she embraces the magic of Christmas and finally finds true love and her own Christmas ever after…

Karen Schaler is officially crowned Miss Christmas in my eyes. She does such an amazing job writing the most festive and adorable holiday romance novels. I honestly don’t even need to say more about this book. It was so precious and adorable. From the writer who needs to find her way back to Christmas to the three ex-boyfriends who all want her back in their life to precious Luke! I loved every moment of it. I also like the way that the title of “Miss Christmas,” dogs named after reindeer, and a couple of other easter eggs make their way into each of her books. Such a fun way to tie them together. This has definitely gotten me into a festive mood!

Christmas is coming to the North Carolina mountains, and the air is fresh and crisp and filled with promise. After the devastating loss of her job in the big city, the small town of Sweetwater Springs feels like heaven to Kaitlyn Russo. She’s inherited her grandparents’ charming (if a little rundown) bed and breakfast, and it’s just the new lease on life she needs. Only “heaven” comes with a catch – and a handsome and completely infuriating one at that. After what he hopes will be a quick trip, Mitch Hargrove wants nothing more than to put his hometown in the rearview mirror. But his plans get derailed when he learns he’s now half-owner of the Sweetwater B&B. The fact that he’s given only two months to make the inn a success is a huge problem, but it’s his pretty – and incredibly headstrong – partner who’s the real challenge. With the holiday fast approaching and a grand re-opening looming, will Mitch keep running from the ghosts of Christmas past . . . or will he realize the true gift he’s been given?

This book surprised me and I’m still not sure whether I’m viewing that surprise in a positive or negative light. It jumped right into some really uncomfortable themes. Kaitlyn, our female MC, had experienced sexual harassment in her past, which is understandably something that she didn’t want to open up about with many people. However, when the topic did come up in conversation, she seemed to brush it off like it was no big deal and I was disappointed that there was never any determination to move forward with a lawsuit or anything (considering it was a major celebrity who wronged her). Now, this is the first in a series, so maybe that comes up in another book. I can only hope that’s the case, because Mitch, the male MC, seemed a whole lot angrier about it than Kaitlyn did. I also wasn’t a huge fan of Mitch. His thought process pretty much solely revolved around how sexy Kaitlyn was, but also how he didn’t think he should be in the town because of a stupid mistake he made as a kid. So he feels as though being in the military/law enforcement is somehow righting his wrongs? And he’s never allowed happiness again? It’s an on again-off again kind of relationship throughout and I never felt settled as I read. There were some cuter, lighthearted moments and that’s what helped persuade me to give it 3 stars, but it’s definitely not one that made me want to dive into the rest of the series. Which is fine, since I mainly read this for some holiday/winter vibes.

Haley Hanson’s idea of the perfect Christmas is escaping to the Caribbean to work so she can avoid all the traditional Christmas distractions. Over the years, she’s sacrificed her personal life to climb the corporate ladder at a prestigious Boston advertising agency. Now she just needs to land a coveted Christmas toy company account to make partner. But first, her boss, Larry, thinks she needs a holiday attitude adjustment, so he ships her off to a Christmas Camp at Holly Peak Inn to help her find her Christmas spirit. Arriving at the charming mountainside inn, Haley meets the owner’s handsome son, Jeff, and feels an instant spark, but resists the attraction, refusing to be distracted from her goal of doing all the required Christmas tasks as fast as possible so she can get back to work. At first Haley struggles with all the traditional Christmas Camp activities. It’s not until she finally allows herself to slow down, live in the moment, and let Christmas back into her heart, that she begins to grow closer to Jeff. But when he finds out Haley’s come up with a plan to help his dad save the struggling inn while he’s been trying to convince his dad to sell it, their relationship takes a serious holiday hit. Now it will take the magic of the season to bring these two hearts together.

I had to laugh at myself when I realized I read Karen’s FIRST book LAST. I adored Finding Christmas, enjoyed Christmas Ever After, and naturally assumed I was going to love Christmas Camp…and I did! I wasn’t surprised in the slightest that this story warmed my heart and gave me all the best kinds of festive feelings. Immediately after finishing it, I rented the Hallmark film. I have to say, the book definitely captured my attention MUCH better, but the movie is cute too! I’ll admit, I was expecting a reindeer-named dog at Christmas Camp, but Max was equally adorable! I do love that there’s a cute puppy who’s always in-the-know in these books. I also found the other Christmas campers really endearing and had a super soft spot for the owner, Ben. I immediately found myself desperately wishing that I could also enjoy Christmas Camp. I was really thrilled that Karen decided to send a freebie to her newsletter subscribers with all sorts of Christmas Camp activities and recipes. It gave me lots of inspiration for how to spend the rest of my holiday season. I can say, hands down, that she is my FAVORITE holiday author! 

An ill-timed storm on Christmas Eve buries the residents of Gracetown under multiple feet of snow and causes quite a bit of chaos. One brave soul ventures out into the storm from her stranded train and sets off a chain of events that will change quite a few lives. Over the next three days one girl takes a risky shortcut with an adorable stranger, three friends set out to win a race to the Waffle House (and the hash brown spoils), and the fate of a teacup pig falls into the hands of a lovesick barista.

This is the feel-good, cute, whimsical, festive goodness I needed in my life this Christmas. Not only did it take place in my home state of VA, but it had me cracking up and even relating to the characters (despite their being much younger than myself). I watched the Netflix film last year and really enjoyed it, but after finishing the book, I went back to watch it again and was so surprised by how incredibly different it is. There are some loose similarities, but I can’t say it’s a real adaptation. I guess I can just say that they’re to be enjoyed separately. There were some pretty terrible cliches and definitely some annoying characters, but for a 2008 YA book, I wasn’t really expecting anything *more,* if that makes sense. Overall, I think this was a fantastic fluff read!

It’s the most wonderful time of the year…but not for Maelyn Jones. She’s living with her parents, hates her going-nowhere job, and has just made a romantic error of epic proportions. But perhaps worst of all, this is the last Christmas Mae will be at her favorite place in the world—the snowy Utah cabin where she and her family have spent every holiday since she was born, along with two other beloved families. Mentally melting down as she drives away from the cabin for the final time, Mae throws out what she thinks is a simple plea to the universe: Please. Show me what will make me happy. The next thing she knows, tires screech and metal collides, everything goes black. But when Mae gasps awake…she’s on an airplane bound for Utah, where she begins the same holiday all over again. With one hilarious disaster after another sending her back to the plane, Mae must figure out how to break free of the strange time loop—and finally get her true love under the mistletoe.

I’ll be quite honest in saying that up until this point, I wasn’t a huge fan of Christina Lauren books. Enemies-to-lovers is their go-to trope, and unfortunately, my least favorite. I also found that the other books, while cute, usually just felt predictable to me. I understand that with romantic comedies, that will frequently be the case, but I like to have some elements of surprise throughout a novel. I was pleasantly surprised by In a Holidaze. There was a very unique version of a love triangle and I found myself wanting more and more of the story. The characters intrigued me and the pace was quick but not confusing. It was a bit like Groundhog Day (with Bill Murray) and 12 Dates of Christmas (the movie) with the “reliving the same period of time” piece. It wasn’t the same day, but the same week, and it made the story more interesting. I love a good bit of magical realism. If you’re like me and weren’t totally sold on Christina Lauren, I suggest picking this up. It was a fun romance book for any time, not just Christmas! I highly recommend it.

Narnia…the land beyond the wardrobe door, a secret place frozen in eternal winter, a magical country waiting to be set free. Lucy is the first to find the secret of the wardrobe in the professor’s mysterious old house. At first her brothers and sister don’t believe her when she tells of her visit to the land of Narnia. But soon Edmund, then Peter and Susan step through the wardrobe themselves. In Narnia they find a country buried under the evil enchantment of the White Witch. When they meet the Lion Aslan, they realize they’ve been called to a great adventure and bravely join the battle to free Narnia from the Witch’s sinister spell.

Do I even need to add a review here? This book couldn’t be any more flawless if it tried. It’s a classic for a reason and it’s incredibly special to me. The Chronicles of Narnia were my introduction to the fantasy genre. At six years old, my family picked out the box set and settled in to read together. I can still remember those nights, curled up on the couch, exploring the world and being totally fascinated with the adventures of the Pevensie children. To this day, those books are my most read and loved. They’re worn out and yellowing with broken spines, but they’re still just as magical. I’ll admit, I hadn’t picked up The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe in many, many years, but I savored it the minute I opened the pages. I took my time reading and enjoying every moment with Lucy, Mr. Tumnus, and the gang. Friends who have yet to visit Narnia: I beg of you, please do. However, don’t start with this book, but with the first one, The Magician’s Nephew. From there, you will wander through the many realms with knowledge untold in any other book (minus One).

When it comes to relationships, thirty-four-year-old Kate Turner is ready to say “Bah, humbug.” The sleepy town of Blexford, England, isn’t exactly brimming with prospects, and anyway, Kate’s found fulfillment in her career as a designer, and in her delicious side job baking for her old friend Matt’s neighborhood café. But then her best friend signs her up for a dating agency that promises to help singles find love before the holidays. Twenty-three days until Christmas. Twelve dates with twelve different men. The odds must finally be in her favor . . . right? Yet with each new date more disastrous than the one before–and the whole town keeping tabs on her misadventures–Kate must remind herself that sometimes love, like mistletoe, shows up where it’s least expected. And maybe, just maybe, it’s been right under her nose all along. . .

I’m going to state right now that this book is predictable as can be from the moment it begins (I called the ending within the first chapter – oops), but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be read. It was very cute. My primary struggle was with our MC herself. She felt very flighty and naive. There was an inner monologue when she began to realize she wasn’t being treated well by someone where she practically admitted she would’ve never let anyone else do this to her, but because she needed to get her mind off of something else in her life, she might as well let him take advantage because she needed the distraction. That really bothered me. It’s understandable to want a distraction, but at what cost? I hoped maybe there’d be a bit of redemption when it came to that part of the plot, but there wasn’t. However, the rest of the story is quite lighthearted and cute. I loved the narration and it was a nice, fluff read for the holiday season.

On Christmas Eve five years ago, Holly was visited by three ghosts who showed her how selfish and spoiled she’d become. They tried to convince her to mend her ways. She didn’t. And then she died. Now she’s stuck working for the top-secret company Project Scrooge–as the latest Ghost of Christmas Past. Every year, they save another miserly grouch. Every year, Holly stays frozen at seventeen while her family and friends go on living without her. So far, Holly’s afterlife has been miserable. But this year, everything is about to change. .

And to think… I don’t even like A Christmas Carol. Yet this book gets five stars from me! After reading fourteen books in the month of December (despite only planning to read ten), I realized I didn’t have a plan for which book would come next. I was floundering and desperate for a cute and cheesy holiday novel. I took to Instagram and asked for title suggestions. Nearly EVERYONE recommended this book. Now I can see why! Not only was this book adorable, but it really did take me by surprise towards the end. I kept thinking, “wow, this is predictable,” only to begin a new chapter and realize I wasn’t expecting the plot twist at all. I was pleasantly surprised by the surprises, you could say. It also had a really redemptive storyline. I appreciated the entire book from start to finish – and the narration was well done too! What a great way to finish the year!