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caseroo7's review
3.0
Find this review and more at Ramblings From This Chick
I have enjoyed many books by Jaci Burton over the years, and this one sounded really good. I have to admit I have a thing for romance stories that are on the forbidden side, and this one fit that a little with it being about Ellie and her brother-in-law. While there were things I liked here, this one was just okay.
After losing her husband while pregnant with their son, Ellie moves in with her brother-in-law Nick so that he can help her. Nick and Ellie grow closer over the years, raising her son Henry and coping with their grief together. But when both of them start to feel things for the other beyond friendship, each of them struggles with what that means for their lives going forward.
I really liked Nick. He was a great guy, sweet and supportive, giving everything he had to Ellie and Henry. He loved those two so much and it was easy to see that his feelings were genuine and weren't out of some sort of obligation. Ellie was where I had problems. At first I really liked her. She had been through a lot and yet she was putting her son first. But as the story went on, she got more and more on my nerves. Her constant pushing Nick away and trying to set him up was beyond frustrating, and I just got to the point that I was sick of it. These two had chemistry and a connection, but Ellie's actions and second-guessing her and Nick's feelings was just too much for me to get over.
I also felt that while Henry was in this story, he wasn't present. He was always out of the scene or going to someone else's house. It seemed as though he wasn't hardly around, except when it was mentioned about how great Nick was with him. I really would have liked for him to been more a part of the story at the end especially when Nick and Ellie were really starting to make progress. It would have been interesting to see his feelings as their relationship progressed. Overall, this one was okay, but between Ellie driving me nuts and Henry's absence this one wasn't what I had hoped for.
**ARC Provided by Sullivan and Partners**
I have enjoyed many books by Jaci Burton over the years, and this one sounded really good. I have to admit I have a thing for romance stories that are on the forbidden side, and this one fit that a little with it being about Ellie and her brother-in-law. While there were things I liked here, this one was just okay.
After losing her husband while pregnant with their son, Ellie moves in with her brother-in-law Nick so that he can help her. Nick and Ellie grow closer over the years, raising her son Henry and coping with their grief together. But when both of them start to feel things for the other beyond friendship, each of them struggles with what that means for their lives going forward.
I really liked Nick. He was a great guy, sweet and supportive, giving everything he had to Ellie and Henry. He loved those two so much and it was easy to see that his feelings were genuine and weren't out of some sort of obligation. Ellie was where I had problems. At first I really liked her. She had been through a lot and yet she was putting her son first. But as the story went on, she got more and more on my nerves. Her constant pushing Nick away and trying to set him up was beyond frustrating, and I just got to the point that I was sick of it. These two had chemistry and a connection, but Ellie's actions and second-guessing her and Nick's feelings was just too much for me to get over.
I also felt that while Henry was in this story, he wasn't present. He was always out of the scene or going to someone else's house. It seemed as though he wasn't hardly around, except when it was mentioned about how great Nick was with him. I really would have liked for him to been more a part of the story at the end especially when Nick and Ellie were really starting to make progress. It would have been interesting to see his feelings as their relationship progressed. Overall, this one was okay, but between Ellie driving me nuts and Henry's absence this one wasn't what I had hoped for.
**ARC Provided by Sullivan and Partners**
ashcash04's review
3.0
Decent Christmas love story. Obviously I've never been through something so traumatic, but I couldn't really relate much. My line of thinking didn't really match up with her actions even if the same thoughts/motivations were behind them if that makes sense? I really wish the beginning of the book would have started off with the traumatic event to really feel the tragedy with her and be more connected to her as a character. But yeah. Decent story, cute romance, just didn't blow me away.
Also, I listened to this on audiobook through Hoopla.
Also, I listened to this on audiobook through Hoopla.
andreah13's review
emotional
hopeful
fast-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
shellysbookcorner's review
3.0
Since I love the holidays I’m on a never ending quest to read as many holiday reads as I can. I wanted to like this story but certain things didn’t work out in my favor. I found the main character Ellie to be very wishy washy and it was so annoying. I get her reservations but even after her talk with Nick she would still go back and forth and it got to be annoying. I loved how her best friend called her out on her actions as well as Nick. Another issue I had with the story was by the time it got good the story was over. The ending felt very rushed and I was hoping for more between the two characters.
*ARC Review*
*ARC Review*
shms's review
1.0
My review is not a reflection of the writing, not at all. but the romance. The story of the widow and brother in law finding love was possibly too weighty for a novella format. We got all sorts of short cuts to keep the romance moving, and a set up which was frankly unbelievable. I was also bored and took to skimming some bits.
shmsy's review
1.0
My review is not a reflection of the writing, not at all. but the romance. The story of the widow and brother in law finding love was possibly too weighty for a novella format. We got all sorts of short cuts to keep the romance moving, and a set up which was frankly unbelievable. I was also bored and took to skimming some bits.
that1creativelady's review
3.0
Still sort of weird to accept her marrying her dead husband's brother. There was no explanation of how they explained their new relationship to her son. Imagine the awkwardness of everyone knowing they are together, they all have the same last name, and the son calling him uncle.
:-/ Right.
:-/ Right.
mandy_pandy's review
2.0
1.5 stars
90% of this book is Ellie pushing away Nick, pushing other women his way and constantly doing everything she can to show him they shouldn’t be together because he’s her dead husbands brother. Forget the fact that Nick has devoted the last 5 years to Ellie, having her live in his house and helping to raise her son, putting his life on hold and not even dating for 5 years. Ellie was really annoying and ruined the book for me.
90% of this book is Ellie pushing away Nick, pushing other women his way and constantly doing everything she can to show him they shouldn’t be together because he’s her dead husbands brother. Forget the fact that Nick has devoted the last 5 years to Ellie, having her live in his house and helping to raise her son, putting his life on hold and not even dating for 5 years. Ellie was really annoying and ruined the book for me.
mags_louise's review
4.0
This was a sweet, engaging and at times emotional story. That drew me in from the start. With likable characters, and an adorable 4 year old called Henry Love Me By Christmas really had plenty to like and enjoy. And anyone who is a fan of this author or is just looking for a relatively quick Christmas read should give it a try.
aboutthatstory's review
4.0
Such an awesome story! It was sweet and fun with the perfect mix of emotion added in. By the end, my heart was pretty much exploding with happiness. :-)
This had everything I love rolled up into one impactful story. The story jumps right in with all the important details and introductions and I immediately wanted Nick and Ellie to have their happily ever after. I totally understood their conflict and why they were holding back. Their attraction to the other is really fun and cute, all the longing and looks. It had me smiling big time. It was so sweet watching their shields come down as they let their attraction out. Nick was so kind and caring and Ellie was just so strong with all that had happened in her life. I loved their internal struggle to work through everything. They had a wonderful connection and ease with one another and really like how everything grew so naturally.
I thought the writing was great. There are excellent details and a really nice cast of characters. There was a great build and pace as well. The story moved along at a quick pace but it never felt rushed or like it was missing anything. There was so much emotion and that ending, it was all I could do not to ball my eyes out. It was just a sweet, cathartic moment. Add some sexy times in to round it all out and it was pretty great read.
I love an HEA that leaves my heart feeling full and that’s exactly what happened. Wonderful story full of so much love, strength, and healing. Fantastic read.
Complimentary copy received for honest review.
This had everything I love rolled up into one impactful story. The story jumps right in with all the important details and introductions and I immediately wanted Nick and Ellie to have their happily ever after. I totally understood their conflict and why they were holding back. Their attraction to the other is really fun and cute, all the longing and looks. It had me smiling big time. It was so sweet watching their shields come down as they let their attraction out. Nick was so kind and caring and Ellie was just so strong with all that had happened in her life. I loved their internal struggle to work through everything. They had a wonderful connection and ease with one another and really like how everything grew so naturally.
I thought the writing was great. There are excellent details and a really nice cast of characters. There was a great build and pace as well. The story moved along at a quick pace but it never felt rushed or like it was missing anything. There was so much emotion and that ending, it was all I could do not to ball my eyes out. It was just a sweet, cathartic moment. Add some sexy times in to round it all out and it was pretty great read.
I love an HEA that leaves my heart feeling full and that’s exactly what happened. Wonderful story full of so much love, strength, and healing. Fantastic read.
Complimentary copy received for honest review.