e-Audio, 09:53:23
Narrated by: Emily Lawrence
Release Date: October 25, 2022
Published by: Books on Tape
Read from: November 1-2, 2022
Stand-alone
Source: PRH (I received the audio copy of this book from PRH in exchange for a just and honest review. This did nothing to influence my review.)
TW: Snowed in during a blizzard without the lights
For Readers Interested In: Realistic Fiction, Ethnic Diversity, Religious Diversity (Jewish/Judaism), Holidaze, Contemporary Romance, YAA sixteen-year-old girl is on a mission to find the perfect boyfriend this Hanukkah, but love might not go according to plan, in this charming winter romcom from the author of The Summer of Lost Letters.
Shira Barbanel has a plan: this Hanukkah, she’s going to get a boyfriend. And she has the perfect candidate in mind—her great-uncle’s assistant, Isaac. He’s reliable, brilliant, and of course, super hot. The only problem? Shira’s an absolute disaster when it comes to flirting.
Enter Tyler Nelson, Shira’s nemesis-slash-former-crush. As much as she hates to admit it, Tyler is the most charming and popular guy she knows. Which means he’s the perfect person to teach her how to win Isaac over.
When Shira and Tyler get snowed in together at Golden Doors, they strike a deal—flirting lessons for Shira in exchange for career connections for Tyler. But as Shira starts to see the sweet, funny boy beneath Tyler’s playboy exterior, she realizes she actually likes hanging out with him. And that wasn’t part of the plan.
Amidst a whirl of snowy adventures, hot chocolate, and candlelight, Shira must learn to trust her heart to discover if the romance she planned is really the one that will make her happiest.
*MY THOUGHTS*
THANK YOU, HANNAH REYNOLDS FOR A HANUKKAH BOOK THAT GOES MORE INDEPTH ABOUT THE HOLIDAY AND EXPLAINS AND SHOWCASES SOME THINGS. But seriously, I can really end the review here. I loved that part of this book so much. Trust me, if you read it, you’ll understand too.
Ok, so I guess I’ll talk more about the part I mentioned above. Usually when I read a book about Hanukkah it doesn’t talk about more than the food they eat and the Menorah. As a huge fan of the winter holidays and of course diverse books, I’ve wanted to see books explore those holidays more. (Not only Hanukkah, but ALL winter holidays besides Christmas. I already know what that is) Yes I have Googled it, before anyone says anything. But I’m mostly worried about the representation getting into the book. (I WILL FOREVER BE LOOKING FOR SOMEONE THAT CELEBRATES KWANZA… ) Anyway, from the prayer she sang, to the play, to the explanation of the Menorah, I LOVED this. And fun fact, if you listen to the audiobook, the narrator actually sings at that one part. So, so good! (Also I have read ALOT of winter holiday books lately and I have read quite a few of them that don’t really talk much about their holiday, so I don’t know why it’s called a holiday book. This book didn’t have that problem and I was so glad.)
The plot of this is why I gave this 4 stars. I just felt like there was too much going on. And it was unfortunate because by themselves it would have been so good. But the plot line about the sea person, it was just a little much. It got lost in some places. I think I even remember them saying they forgot about them for a while. It was just the romance plot, telling us about the holiday, and then that too, it was just a lot. It kind of upset me because this could have been a five star if they had been separated. It felt sort of jumbled to me. But I still enjoyed it.
The romance was just ok to me. Y’all know I’m not a fan of enemies to lovers books lol But even still with me not liking it, I had to see how it turned out. Because they were so cute. Out there acting like they didn’t like each other lol I think that’s my favorite part. I was laughing at them trying to get it together. Because as teens watching them trying to deny it and finally coming to the realization that they do indeed like the other is always so cute. And this one was no different.
The narration was great, but the narrator was just ok. If that makes sense. Like I loved the singing and the way she incorporated some sounds and emotions into her narration style, but I also didn’t go and look her up after I was finished like I do with others. It did it’s job and kept me engaged, but I would give it a 3 out of 5 if I was rating that by itself.
I definitely was not expecting this enemies to lovers YA book to be the book I fell for this holiday season. But it was. And I really hope that y’all read this and fall for it like I did. It’s warranted I promise. Learn something about the Jewish culture as well as enjoy just reading an awesome book that’s set in the snowy cold!
Overall, I give this
What about you? Will you read this? Do you like books about the holidays? Let me know in the comments!!