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allingoodtime's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
As an avid Romance reader, I have to do a lot of suspension of disbelief. I have to accept things are how they are because of “romance reasons” and keep reading. That’s fine. I accept and even love that aspect of the genre. So fair warning here, there is quite a bit of that in this story. This story is absolutely a kicked-up version of a Hallmark holiday movie. That’s not a bad thing, mind you. But that description sets the stage for you. More kissing, swearing, and intimacy than, but you get the point.
The characters in this story are phenomenal. From Leo to his little sister to the princess herself, Marie. Leo’s best friend and Marie’s childhood chums are also people I would love to spend time with. But Marie’s father…whew! That man has a lot of groveling to do with his daughter as far as I’m concerned.
Leo and Marie are in a sort of bubble when they first meet. She feels comfortable and safe with him, which is something that isn’t the norm for her. He finds himself opening up to her and worrying about her, which isn’t something he does with anyone other than his little family of sister Gabby and best friend Dani. The way their relationship grows over Marie’s few days in New York feels organic and full of magic.
Oddly enough, the story lost some of its magic when the setting switched to Eldovia. I found the pacing to falter and thought Leo was spending far too little time with both Marie and Gabby. I still greatly enjoyed the story and will read the next in the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Death of parent
atamano's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism
Moderate: Death of parent, Cursing, Alcohol, Grief, and Sexual content
Minor: Terminal illness, Bullying, Cancer, and Car accident
theverycraftyvegan's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I didn’t love the relationship between Leo and Gabby. Maybe it was their large age gap but I kept picturing Leo as the father and wondering why he wasn’t doing a better job at parenting. Oops.
The chemistry between Leo and Marie was just “whomp-whomp” for me. There was no real swoon worthy parts for me. Poor Marie never had a satisfying sexual relationship before Leo so grinding on his thigh one time turned her in to a horny sex fiend. They went at it any chance they got, but the sex scenes were meh.
Side note: Leo is obsessed with Marie’s dimples! Fixated on them. Fake smile dimples and real smile dimples and dimples dimples dimples. I digress.
Marie and her father have a complicated relationship. Early on she described him as “the sad king” and that was just untrue. He might be sad but really he’s just a straight up asshole. He’s mean to Marie, Leo, and Gabby the entire time they’re at the castle. He had a few redeeming moments at the end of the book but those did not warm my heart towards him. It was too little too late. Parents can be sad and not be assholes to our children and everyone around us.
I finished this book but I don’t think I will be continuing with the series. I have many other festive books on my TBR and feel like Jenny Holiday isn’t for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexual content, and Cursing
Moderate: Car accident, Death of parent, Cancer, Grief, and Death
Minor: Alcohol
elizanadeau's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Death of parent
Moderate: Cursing and Bullying
Minor: Alcohol and Car accident
amberinpieces's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Sexual content
Moderate: Classism
Minor: Car accident, Grief, Blood, Bullying, Death of parent, Death, Alcohol, and Body shaming
markedwithanm's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Death of parent and Sexism
oliviastewart716's review against another edition
relaxing
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
4.5🌟This was a fun and sweet Christmas romance. Particularly loved the part of the book set in New York and the opposites attract dynamic. There is also a lot of time spent on the sibling relationship in this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Car accident
_alyssar_'s review
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content and Death of parent
Minor: Grief, Cursing, and Bullying
jackiepreston's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-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? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent and Grief