e-Audio,03:51:43
Narrated by: Jasmin Walker
Release Date: September 5, 2023
Published by: Recorded Books, Inc.
Read from: October 27-28, 2023
Stand-alone
Source: Library’s Libby
TW: Gaslighting
For Readers Interested In: Spiritual Lit, Romance, Black Romance, Books set during the Holidaze (Christmas), Just like a Hallmark movie, Brother’s Best Friend, No Spice, Realistic Fiction, AdultStarr Lewis reluctantly returns home for the holidays jobless, single, and not at all prepared to be dragged into her sister’s wedding activities–or to witness her sister’s marriage to Starr’s ex-boyfriend on Christmas Eve. But when her brother’s charming best friend, Waylon Emmerson, attends their family Thanksgiving, Starr begins to believe that maybe coming home isn’t so bad.
As Starr endures wedding preparations, she takes comfort in Waylon’s presence and finds the perfect distraction in helping him keep his late mother’s Christmas shop afloat. As the spark between them grows, Starr must decide what she wants out of life–to go back to New York City or to stay and pursue a new dream.
A joyous, heartwarming, and magical holiday romance from Christy Award-winning author Toni Shiloh that will keep you cozy under the twinkling Christmas lights.
*MY THOUGHTS*
Once upon a time I said this book was spiritual lit so it wasn’t really my thing………. And then I saw it was only 3 hours long and I said ok fine. I was able to knock it out in one sitting. (I started it around midnight and was finished by like 3am! Shout out to 2x’s the speed lol) It wasn’t bad, but still forgiveness at all costs is still sometimes toxic…. And let me tell you, her family is toxic af lol
So there were some things about this that I did like. For instance, I liked the town and I really liked the store. But mostly, I liked the way that he loved her. He didn’t hide it. He loved her out loud and kept telling her the ball was in her court. It sounds like the bare minimum, but after what she had previously gone through, I think it was valid for him to let her know he wasn’t doing it for anyone but her. I also think the way she wasn’t accepting of it at first was also very valid. The emotions and the romance was done really well in this book and I found myself glad that she got to experience it. (Yes I was happy this fictional character found peace lol) However, since the book was so short, it IS a bit instalovey. I didn’t mind because of the length, but that might be an issue for some.
On the other hand, I hated everyone else in this book. Her mom, her sister, her dad, etc. Everyone was terrible. But her sister?! Likeeeeeeeee wtf. (Also this is the second book I’ve read this year where the sister of the MC has gotten with her ex and gotten close to marriage. And like it isn’t a lot but it’s weird where it happened twice right? lmao) And the ex was a sleaze. I wanted the current “boyfriend” to whoop his ass. I had to remember what kind of book I was reading lmao As good as the romance and their emotions were portrayed in that sense, this was too weird for me. I am a firm believer in forgiveness, but sometimes it becomes toxic, and I just don’t think that I could in this instance. The rest of the family wasn’t great either. Her dad leaving early from Christmas dinner to go back to work, the sister acting like she was the center of attention and that the MC was jealous because she was engaged to her ex, her brothers who just didn’t give af about anything besides themselves…. Idk it was weird and they were terrible. And I do want to point out, they do actually talk with God and pray openly in this book, so if that’s not your jam, be mindful of that. There’s romance but the spice is 0. Now put that next to all the trauma and gas-lighting that being done in this story, and I’m confused as to how that got there lol
The rest of the book was like filler. It was ok. I do wish we spent more time at the shop and with them helping more customers instead of just the one who ended up being a significant part of the story. Idk I wanted more Christmas? Like I know it was the season, but it was mostly about that other girl’s wedding and how the MC was handling that and her family. I guess I wanted more world-building. I think it could have been done without making it cheesy. And like it was only 3 hours long. It had time to give us some more buildup.
I knew this was going to be cute, but I think I wanted a bit more than cute. It really is ok for what it was tho. I guess I don’t feel too bad about it because this is outside of what I normally read (the spiritual part), but I still wanted to give it a chance. I hope y’all at least pick this up!
Overall, I give this
