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taetahlia's review against another edition
3.0
SUMMARY: Contemporary Holiday Romance. First person. Standalone book.
TROPES: Small Town Romance, Grumpy / Sunshine, Opposites Attract, Enemies to Lovers, Slow burn.
SPICE: 3 (I think there was an open door traditional s*x scene)
TRIGGERS: Past death of Grandparent (not on page) and cheating (not MC).
* * * * *
PLOT: Down on her luck and with nothing to lose, Jenny decides to move to the countryside to live in her estranged grandmother’s cottage in Sherwood Forest. The cottage is falling apart, has lots of various rodents currently residing there and her late grandmother was a reclusive hoarder, so Jenny has a lot of DIY, clearing out and selling to do.
The cottage itself is semi-detached and Jenny gets off on the wrong foot with Mack, the grumpy guy who lives right next door who doesn’t want her around but often tries to help. Jenny has sworn off men, including the moody neighbour types that bestow unwelcome kind deeds and often is too stubborn for her own good.
With no friends or family, no money and no job, Jenny has to find her place in this new small town and might just learn a thing or two about herself along the way.
* * * * *
MY THOUGHTS:
I really liked the character Jenny, she was strong, determined and relentless. An admirable character that is challenged often, perhaps a bit too stubborn but perseveres through all things. I really felt for Jenny given her past heartbreak and current loneliness and I thought it was admirable that she was trying to start anew, make friends and learn more about her mother and her late grandmother. It was great to see such growth in a character.
I liked all the small town side characters and how Jenny managed to eventually find her way i.e. her coffee shop and babysitting jobs, being a member of the Book Club – and establishing friendships at all of these places, and I even enjoyed reading all about her progress with the cottage.
Without giving anything away, I also loved the sabotage storyline and even learning about Mack’s profession. Those were twists I wasn’t expecting when I picked up this novel.
Just another minor comment, this came up for me on Audible as romance, however, I’d categorise this as general fiction or chick literature, definitely don’t think it’s a romance as it’s hardly mentioned. I actually enjoyed the secondary romance much more.
TROPES: Small Town Romance, Grumpy / Sunshine, Opposites Attract, Enemies to Lovers, Slow burn.
SPICE: 3 (I think there was an open door traditional s*x scene)
TRIGGERS: Past death of Grandparent (not on page) and cheating (not MC).
* * * * *
PLOT: Down on her luck and with nothing to lose, Jenny decides to move to the countryside to live in her estranged grandmother’s cottage in Sherwood Forest. The cottage is falling apart, has lots of various rodents currently residing there and her late grandmother was a reclusive hoarder, so Jenny has a lot of DIY, clearing out and selling to do.
The cottage itself is semi-detached and Jenny gets off on the wrong foot with Mack, the grumpy guy who lives right next door who doesn’t want her around but often tries to help. Jenny has sworn off men, including the moody neighbour types that bestow unwelcome kind deeds and often is too stubborn for her own good.
With no friends or family, no money and no job, Jenny has to find her place in this new small town and might just learn a thing or two about herself along the way.
* * * * *
MY THOUGHTS:
I really liked the character Jenny, she was strong, determined and relentless. An admirable character that is challenged often, perhaps a bit too stubborn but perseveres through all things. I really felt for Jenny given her past heartbreak and current loneliness and I thought it was admirable that she was trying to start anew, make friends and learn more about her mother and her late grandmother. It was great to see such growth in a character.
I liked all the small town side characters and how Jenny managed to eventually find her way i.e. her coffee shop and babysitting jobs, being a member of the Book Club – and establishing friendships at all of these places, and I even enjoyed reading all about her progress with the cottage.
Without giving anything away, I also loved the sabotage storyline and even learning about Mack’s profession. Those were twists I wasn’t expecting when I picked up this novel.
Just another minor comment, this came up for me on Audible as romance, however, I’d categorise this as general fiction or chick literature, definitely don’t think it’s a romance as it’s hardly mentioned. I actually enjoyed the secondary romance much more.
strad78's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
asmith03's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
3.75
anjleo's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
3.25
astover1's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
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
4.0
cleverbelle's review against another edition
Ran out of time, will read next Christmas
kikkilux's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
paular53's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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? It's complicated
4.0
lisaluvsliterature's review against another edition
I might go back and read another time, since it's not really a Christmas story from what I can get so far. But seeing as how the other book I read by this author I might have only given 3 stars, it might not be top of my list.