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theespressoedition's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
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
3.0
*Note that my review contains mention of suicide/depression, in case that's uncomfortable for you to read.
There were so many elements that I really enjoyed in this book:
A single mom, working to make the holidays extra special for her son, despite her less-than-excellent circumstances.
A man who is missing his sister after she passed away and spends his time looking for the woman who used to so kindly sell them Christmas trees.
They touched on heavy topics like sexual harassment, disabilities, dementia, grief, depression, etc. Which was all really impressive and made for a heavier but also more realistic Christmas story.
However, what hit me wrong was the climax of the book that portrayed what could have sounded like a suicide threat (I'm going to add a spoiler, but you might want to read it anyway if you're sensitive to this topic) and instead was just the main character deciding she wanted to move somewhere else, but calling a helpline and making it sound like she was committing suicide. It downplayed suicide, for one, and it kind of ruined the climax? Because it would've actually made more sense regarding her circumstances for her to be considering something more drastic. I assumed that's where the story was going, honestly, and the fact that it's not what she did was GOOD, but at the same time, it made it feel less meaningful in the moment. So that just bothered me.
Overall though, it was a well-written book and I did enjoy reading it.
There were so many elements that I really enjoyed in this book:
A single mom, working to make the holidays extra special for her son, despite her less-than-excellent circumstances.
A man who is missing his sister after she passed away and spends his time looking for the woman who used to so kindly sell them Christmas trees.
They touched on heavy topics like sexual harassment, disabilities, dementia, grief, depression, etc. Which was all really impressive and made for a heavier but also more realistic Christmas story.
However, what hit me wrong was the climax of the book that portrayed what could have sounded like a suicide threat (I'm going to add a spoiler, but you might want to read it anyway if you're sensitive to this topic)
Overall though, it was a well-written book and I did enjoy reading it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Grief, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
Moderate: Alcohol, Death, Death of parent, and Dementia
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