e-Audio, 11:30:53
Narrated by: Joy Nash & Chris Brinkley
Release Date: October 10, 2023
Published by: Harper Audio
Read from: October 9-11, 2023
Christmas Notch, #2
Source: Libro FM (I received a copy of this audiobook from Libro FM and the Publisher in exchange for a just and honest review. This did nothing to influence my review.)
TW: Unplanned Pregnancy, Pregnancy Scare, Recounted Body Shaming, Vomit, Recounted Bullying, Adult
For Readers Interested In: Holidaze, Romance, Realistic Fiction, AdultKallum Liebermanis the funny one™. As the arguably lesser of the three former members of the boy band INK, he enjoyed his fifteen minutes of fame and then moved home where he opened a regional pizza chain called Slice, Slice, Baby! He’s living his best dad bod life, hooking up with bridesmaids at all his friends’ weddings. But after an old one-off sex tape is leaked and quickly goes viral, Kallum decides he’s ready to step into the spotlight again, starring in a sexy Santa biopic for the Hope Channel.
Winnie Baker did everything right. She married her childhood sweetheart, avoided the downfalls of adolescent stardom, and transitioned into a stable adult acting career. Hell, she even waited until marriage to have sex. But after her perfect life falls apart, Winnie is ready to redefine herself—and what better way than a steamier-than-a-steaming-hot-mug-of-cider Christmas movie?
With decade old Hollywood history between them, Winnie and Kallum are both feeling hesitant about their new situation as costars…especially Winnie who can’t seem to fake on screen pleasure she’s never experienced in real life. She’s willing to do the pleasure research—for science and artistic authenticity, of course. And there’s no better research partner than her bridesmaid sex tape hall of fame costar, Kallum. But suddenly, Kallum’s teenage crush on Winnie is bubbling to the surface and Winnie might be catching feelings herself.
They say opposites attract, but is this holly jolly ever after really ready for its close-up?
EVERYBODY LOVED A MERRY LITTLE MEET CUTE ’Funny and saucy, this certainly puts the X-rated into Xmas’ Heat
‘The audacity of this magical author duo to sneak in and steal Christmas in the sexiest way possible . . . the charming holiday romp you absolutely need in your life!’
TESSA BAILEY
‘The holiday romcom of my dreams! Sexy, progressive, hilarious, and full of good cheer’
HELEN HOANG
’A merry little masterpiece . . . this is a read for those who want a winter romcom but with some X-rated antics’ Metro ‘The holiday rom-com of your dreams!’ Cosmopolitan
*MY THOUGHTS*
I meannnn did you see how much I LOVED the first one? There was no way I was going to miss this one! I knew I was going to love this one too. I was a little taken aback at some parts because I wasn’t expecting where this was going at all. But it wasn’t bad. I guess I just wanted more of the vibe of any and everywhere like the first one lol
Ok so if you’ve seen my list of TWs, you’ll know there is a………. look away if you don’t want to know………. baby. Yes this is what threw me off. Babies complicate things and I really just wanted the vibes of the first one. They’re getting to know each other and can’t keep their hands off each other, but still have secrets! AND like, sometimes it makes me wonder if they’d feel the same if the baby wasn’t there. And that just makes me nervous for the couple and I spend a lot of time wondering what if. This couple didn’t make me feel the what ifs, but I did get frustrated because it was like why just make the decision for him? It was like Oh I know he won’t want to do xyz, when in fact, none of that was the case. She just didn’t give him the chance.
When they finally got it together, I loved their relationship. I also loved that Kallum isn’t the traditional hero too. Actually I think that’s my favorite part. I HATE always reading about the same person, because it’s just not realistic. And it’s not my brand of a hero either lol My husband is mostly built like Kallum, but he’s not as tall from what I remember lol So seeing someone like my husband on page was hella refreshing. Winnie is also described as having bigger thighs and being fat and that was refreshing too. I love seeing characters that just seem more real.
As for the two of them together, I thought they were cute, but I think it could have been more. Like I liked the first and the novella so much because of the way they felt obsessed with each other. Like Nolan was obsessed with Bee and Luca was obsessed with Angel as much as they tried to deny it. I just didn’t feel that in this one. And that was disappointing. I’m not saying they weren’t cute, because they were, but they just didn’t have what the others did. Idk, I’m not making sense lol
The plot was so realistic tho. I unfortunately really understood where she was coming from when she worried that he was too childish. I had to have the same conversation with my husband when we discussed whether or not we wanted kids. It just felt really real to me and I felt so validated. Because people said I was mean and didn’t need to tell him that. I just felt really seen.
This was a surprise considering how much I loved the first one. But it wasn’t bad, I just had some personal issues with it. If you read it and think different than me, let me know in the comments! I want to know if I’m just making up problems lol
Overall, I give this
