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scifijunkie21's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
jillottaway's review
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
dorhastings's review against another edition
4.0
This set of four novellas was pretty cute. Each novella follows a different sibling: Nick, Greg, Zach, and Amber, all of whom are between the ages of maybe 26 to 34. They all have somewhat unique personalities. This is honestly just a fun collection if you want something that has heterosexual cheesy romance with a fair amount of sex.
All of the main characters were adults who, for lack of better words, just had their stuff together. There was minimal "what if he doesn't like me", and those moments of drama where you weren't sure if things would work out (and they always do) were very minimal. Lots of open communication, people being clear about their boundaries and expectations.
While some of the family interference was a little annoying, I found some moments with them to be truly touching and made the collection unique. I could see Nick's family crowding around the kitchen to watch him bake. I could see them helping Greg create a massive snow castle. I really liked when their parents supported Amber after Sebastian's parents treated her like trash.
I was in a reading for funsies rut and needed a cheery/cheesy break, and I found it here.
All of the main characters were adults who, for lack of better words, just had their stuff together. There was minimal "what if he doesn't like me", and those moments of drama where you weren't sure if things would work out (and they always do) were very minimal. Lots of open communication, people being clear about their boundaries and expectations.
While some of the family interference was a little annoying, I found some moments with them to be truly touching and made the collection unique. I could see Nick's family crowding around the kitchen to watch him bake. I could see them helping Greg create a massive snow castle. I really liked when their parents supported Amber after Sebastian's parents treated her like trash.
I was in a reading for funsies rut and needed a cheery/cheesy break, and I found it here.
radioactve_piano's review
4.0
Entertaining, trope-filled breezy reading. I normally prefer my books a little more brainy and less leaning on stereotypes to build characters, but I get it (4 novellas = limited character building, plus it was obviously not the point to have complex characters). All in all, fun -- and I am absolutely craving all of the food now.
qace90's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.0
<b>A Match Made for Thanksgiving</b>
4.5 ⭐️
CNs:alcohol consumption, explicit sexual content, couple instances of assigning health value to food, amanormativity
This is a delightful, fun, sweet romance. Nick and Lily meet when Lily decides to prove her ex calling her boring wrong by having a one night stand, and Nick is more than happy to volunteer as her partner. Then they meet again when his family tries to set her up with his brother, Greg, for thanksgiving, but Lily and Nick only have eyes for each other. Everything moves pretty quickly, but the pacing didn’t feel rushed and it still packed a wonderful emotional punch. I loved the way Nick and Lily build little inside jokes and are able to have fun with each other in ways they didn’t even think to imagine before meeting. And I loved that when Lily had insecurities because they live different lives, they were able to communicate and work through the worries she had. All around, a delight of a story and I’m looking forward to seeing more shenanigans from the Wong elders trying to set up Nick’s siblings!
<b>Second Chance Road Trip for Christmas</b>
3.5 ⭐️
Content notes:explicit sexual content, one instance of character thinking a food is “terrible for you,” snowed in, hearing another couple having sex through walls, amanormativity
I love second chance romances, and Greg and Tasha were super cute. I really enjoyed their banter and the ways they knew each other but also learned how they’d changed in the last 15 years. This was a really sweet 48-hour set romance and I liked the way it was still able to show their love and care. I also appreciated the clarity around why their first time together didn’t work out and the exploration of whether giving a relationship a second chance was a good idea based on their history. Overall a cute, fun, sweet romance.
<b>A Fake Girlfriend for Chinese New Year</b>
3 ⭐️
Content notes:alcohol consumption, negative self image, explicit sexual content
Fake dating is one of my all-time favorite romance tropes, but this story just fell a little flat for me. I love Zach and Jo’s friendship and family Pictionary night was one of the highlights of the whole novella, and the romance was sweet and well executed, but overall I felt…bored? I’m sad I didn’t enjoy this one more, but it’s still a fun, sweet little novella and I love the Wong family so much.
<b>A Big Surprise for Valentine’s Day</b>
6/2/22: I didn’t actually finish this novella. I’m hitting the point where reading the same series is making brain go bzzt, so going to come back to Amber’s story at a later date. What I read so far, though, I enjoyed and looking forward to the dynamic of brother’s best friend and benefits-to-romance.
4.5 ⭐️
CNs:
This is a delightful, fun, sweet romance. Nick and Lily meet when Lily decides to prove her ex calling her boring wrong by having a one night stand, and Nick is more than happy to volunteer as her partner. Then they meet again when his family tries to set her up with his brother, Greg, for thanksgiving, but Lily and Nick only have eyes for each other. Everything moves pretty quickly, but the pacing didn’t feel rushed and it still packed a wonderful emotional punch. I loved the way Nick and Lily build little inside jokes and are able to have fun with each other in ways they didn’t even think to imagine before meeting. And I loved that when Lily had insecurities because they live different lives, they were able to communicate and work through the worries she had. All around, a delight of a story and I’m looking forward to seeing more shenanigans from the Wong elders trying to set up Nick’s siblings!
<b>Second Chance Road Trip for Christmas</b>
3.5 ⭐️
Content notes:
I love second chance romances, and Greg and Tasha were super cute. I really enjoyed their banter and the ways they knew each other but also learned how they’d changed in the last 15 years. This was a really sweet 48-hour set romance and I liked the way it was still able to show their love and care. I also appreciated the clarity around why their first time together didn’t work out and the exploration of whether giving a relationship a second chance was a good idea based on their history. Overall a cute, fun, sweet romance.
<b>A Fake Girlfriend for Chinese New Year</b>
3 ⭐️
Content notes:
Fake dating is one of my all-time favorite romance tropes, but this story just fell a little flat for me. I love Zach and Jo’s friendship and family Pictionary night was one of the highlights of the whole novella, and the romance was sweet and well executed, but overall I felt…bored? I’m sad I didn’t enjoy this one more, but it’s still a fun, sweet little novella and I love the Wong family so much.
<b>A Big Surprise for Valentine’s Day</b>
6/2/22: I didn’t actually finish this novella. I’m hitting the point where reading the same series is making brain go bzzt, so going to come back to Amber’s story at a later date. What I read so far, though, I enjoyed and looking forward to the dynamic of brother’s best friend and benefits-to-romance.
gattolinos_nerdy_nook's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I started this series last year and read the first book "A Match made for Thanksgiving" so this is a review for the reset of this series but a star rating as the whole four novellas. Each of these novellas a happening around different holidays and a mainly short and sweet, which I think is perfect for a holiday book.
A Second Chance Road Trip for Christmas: This book is the second chance romance book. Greg and his ex girlfriend from high school Tasha, are driving back to their hometown when they are caught in a snow storm. This book made me laugh a number of times when reading. There are a lot of instances where the characters are just so lighthearted and enjoying themselves that you can't help but be swept along with them. This was super sweet and I loved it.
A Fake Girlfriend for Chinese New Year: This is your fake dating between friends romance novella. it follows Zach and Jo who are in a small town and are trying to trick the town into thinking they are dating, which leads to some cute, funny, and very much small town feeling moments. It was a fun read and felt more grounded after reading the second novella. I didn't like Jo's friend in this one though, she felt very negative about everything.
A Big Surprise for Valentine's Day: This is probably the most sexy of the four books and the most different when it comes to conflict. It was still a great read and had some good moments that were just enjoyable to read character interactions. I think this book by far has the most scenes of characters interacting with one another and family bonding.
These are some great quick holiday reads and would highly recommend them for mood reading with the season/holiday as they come around.
A Second Chance Road Trip for Christmas: This book is the second chance romance book. Greg and his ex girlfriend from high school Tasha, are driving back to their hometown when they are caught in a snow storm. This book made me laugh a number of times when reading. There are a lot of instances where the characters are just so lighthearted and enjoying themselves that you can't help but be swept along with them. This was super sweet and I loved it.
A Fake Girlfriend for Chinese New Year: This is your fake dating between friends romance novella. it follows Zach and Jo who are in a small town and are trying to trick the town into thinking they are dating, which leads to some cute, funny, and very much small town feeling moments. It was a fun read and felt more grounded after reading the second novella. I didn't like Jo's friend in this one though, she felt very negative about everything.
A Big Surprise for Valentine's Day: This is probably the most sexy of the four books and the most different when it comes to conflict. It was still a great read and had some good moments that were just enjoyable to read character interactions. I think this book by far has the most scenes of characters interacting with one another and family bonding.
These are some great quick holiday reads and would highly recommend them for mood reading with the season/holiday as they come around.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol
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