Srivalli Rekha (Semi Hiatus)'s Blog, page 42

The Lonely Book by Meg Grehan - Book Review

Publication Date: 12th September 2023

Genre: Middle Grade, LGBTQ+, Magic Realism 

4.2 Stars 

One Liner: Heartwarming (but the writing style is not for everyone) 

***

Annie’s moms own a beautiful bookstore and live in the apartment above. Moms, Annie, and her older sister Charlotte are a perfect family. But every family has issues, especially when they have worries about finances, identity, and a touch of erratic magic. 

The Birch Books bookshop selects a few books for readers every day. However, the yellow and purple-covered book is not taken by anyone. How can that be possible? As days go on and the lonely book has no takers, the bookshop becomes anxious and distressed. It affects Annie, our darling narrator. Can she and her family find the person and unite them with the lonely book? And why is Charlotte so angry? 

The story comes from Annie’s first-person POV. 

My Thoughts: 

The book has four main characters, Mum, Mama, Charlotte (a sixteen-year-old), and Annie, the youngest in the family. They love each other and love the bookshop just as much. Everything seems okay, but things happen and can be sorted too. 

The story comes in verse though I wouldn’t call it poetry. It’s prose poetry at the most, with multiple repetitions. The best way to enjoy the book is to read it in Annie’s voice, the way it is meant to be read. Think of a little girl (possibly around 8) with a kind heart, open mind, and a gentle soul. She loves to talk and emphasize her points through repetition. 

It takes a while to get used to the narrative style. But once you’re familiar with it, the flow is smoother and faster. Don’t look for meters or rhymes. Find your rhythm and flow with it. Also, try to read it in a single sitting. A break means you may have to get used to the style yet again. 

The story, as such, is beautiful, warm, and heart-touching. It deals with a few topics, but the primary focus is on understanding gender identities and coming out. It also deals with selective mutism and the positive ways to handle the issue. The story oozes love and bonding while showing how anxiety, worries, and stress co-exist with love (even when the love is healthy). 

The core theme of non-binary gender identity is introduced halfway through the book. It is presented in the most simplified format, making it easy for kids to understand. Annie represents the young minds that want to learn new things but can feel overwhelmed by excess information. 

Sensitive topics are handled with care and a good dose of positivity. It’s the kind that fills kids with gentle confidence to face life’s challenges their way. Naturally, the book has characters more open and accepting towards queer identities. But that’s necessary too. 

I like how the bookshop is a tangible being with emotions and expresses it by throwing books off the shelves, ringing the bell, messing with the cash machine, etc. While this magic is not explained, it aligns with Annie’s anxiety, making it easy to relate to the emotions. In a way, you could say that the bookshop expresses the feelings of its owners (all four of them). It is happy when they are happy and agitated when they are stressed. 

The book doesn’t have illustrations. At least the ARC doesn’t (and no, the chapter titles don’t count). This is disappointing as I expected at least a handful of illustrations of the bookshop, the main characters, their home, Annie’s room, etc. 

To summarize, The Lonely Book is a sweet book dealing with some important topics with a positive intent. If you want to talk about gender identity, anxiety, selective mutism, and Sapphic parents, this is for you. 

Don’t skip the author’s interview at the end. It is informative and explains a few things from the book (not the magic, though). 

Thank you, NetGalley and Little Island Books, for the eARC. 

#NetGalley #TheLonelyBook

***

P.S.: I’m not sure how this would work on Kindle, though the formatting isn’t complex. I read it on my desktop, which was easier on the eyes. The paperback would be most convenient for the target age group. 

My Rogue to Ruin by Erica Ridley - Book Review

Series: The Wild Wynchesters #4 (Standalone) 

Publication Date: 12th Sep 2023

Genre: Historical Romance 

3.7 Stars 

One Liner: Entertaining 

***

Lord Adrian Webb is a rakish scoundrel banished from the country by his father around ten years ago. He is back in London to meet his little sister, Iris, the only family member whose opinion matters to him. However, his little forgery, a source of his income, lands Adrian in hot water. 

The Wynchester family has its own rules. They will do almost anything to help those who need it. They are knights in shining armor, with varied skills to their names. Marjorie is the youngest sister, an artist, and a wallflower protected by the family. 

However, when they get a case of counterfeit pennies, Marjorie steps up to solve it. This leads her straight to Adrian and his heart. But the duo has a few hurdles to clear before they can talk about their personal lives. The villain, after all, will stop at nothing. 

The story comes in the third-person POV of Adrian and Marjorie. 

My Thoughts: 

Though the book is the fourth in the series, it reads well as a standalone. The couples from the previous books have their HEA and have minor to moderate roles in this one. 

The book is what I’d call a contemporary-themed historical romance. Even though the setting is 1818, the characters, storyline, and diversity come from today’s world. You’ll have to go with the flow to enjoy this one. 

I like that the heroine is partially deaf (due to smallpox) and an expert at forgery. Well, she’s also an artist and comes from a found family with versatile talents. Some of them do read like caricatures, but the warmth between the siblings and the family makes up for the lack of character depth. 

The main leads are decent enough and easy to root for, so that’s a definite plus. They aren’t complex or multilayered, but I wasn’t expecting that, anyway. As expected, Adrian is a good man, though he prefers to use his reputation to keep people away. I like how he years for family love and support. 

There’s enough humor, drama, and action to keep the reader interested. Snowley is very much a ruthless villain who looks like a dear old grandpa. Even though the stakes are high, the book doesn’t feel intense. It is meant to be a lighthearted romance (Steam 1.5 max). 

The climax happens in stages. We see a series of events with multiple issues cropping up one after another. However, they are neatly tackled and sorted to bring HEA. 

I love the sort of dual epilogue in this one. The second last chapter could have been an epilogue, but it isn’t. We have a final proper epilogue that hints at the next book. Though I haven’t read the previous books (I’m familiar with the titles but didn’t realize they belonged to the same series), I intend to check out the next one. Well, why wouldn’t I when the FMC is the murder-loving Elizabeth? 

There’s quite a bit of filler content (not sure how much will be edited in the final version). Still, it doesn’t weigh down the pacing much. I could sustain a good momentum when reading and finished the book in 2 days. 

And I have to mention Tickletums, the homing hedgehog being trained by Jacob. I mean… how cute is that? We also have a messenger crow, a sheep (Ophelia), and a bunch of other animals. But Tickletums gets my vote. 

To summarize, My Rogue to Ruin is a lighthearted Regency romance with modern fittings. It’s an entertainer and should be treated as such, even if it manages to deal with a couple of serious topics. Don’t look for logic in this one! 

Thank you, NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing), for the eARC. 

#NetGalley #MyRoguetoRuin

The Gingerbread House in Mistletoe Gardens by Jaimie Admans - Book Review

Publication Date: 12th Sep 2023

Genre: Small Town Christmas Romance 

4 Stars 

One Liner: Adorable (but a bit too long) 

***

The Mistletoe Gardens is set to be demolished in the coming January to make space for a real estate venture. Folkhornton is aghast. How can their beloved garden with such a legend (you’ll have a year full of happiness if you kiss your love under the mistletoe in the garden) be destroyed by the council? 

Local baker Essie Browne announces a mega Christmas celebration as a goodbye to the Mistletoe Gardens. She plans to make a huge gingerbread house that will attract people from all over to visit the event. However, Essie has no idea how to get this done. 

Joss Hallissey, aka Joseph Hallissey Jr. (don’t call him that), is a grumpy local builder who wants nothing to do with the event or the townfolk. However, he agrees to help Essie after some persuasion. Can the two make it happen, or will the Mistletoe Gardens not even get a last goodbye? 

The story comes in Essie’s first-person POV. 

My Thoughts: 

This is my second book by the author, and I enjoyed it more than the first. I also see a few common themes in both. 

Essie and Joss are sunshine vs. grumpy at the initial glance, but soon, we realize that both are dealing with personal issues. While Joss’s issues seem heavier, it’s clear the two complement each other very well. I like both of them. 

Though this is a small-town book where the community members have good roles, the focus is more on the main lead and the mega gingerbread house. We see them know more about each other, become friends, and maybe more. 

The scenes with baking are, of course, my favorite. I always love reading about cakes, cookies, and icing. The side characters are decent; some better than others. Essie’s mom can feel like surviving a dust storm. She’s a go-getter with endless energy, and let’s say even reading about her can be a little tiring at times. It helps establish one of the themes in the book – comparing children to their parents and expecting them to be the same. 

Little Rob is such a cute addition! He (I’m assuming the gender) even gets to be on the cover. Isn’t that super sweet? 

The narration is slow. The story moves at a languid pace. Repetition doesn’t help (this happens in the other book too). The story feels a little too long at times. I wouldn’t have minded if it was short by some 20-30 pages. 

However, I like how the main leads have enough time to spend with each other to talk and heal. It’s sort of a slow burn with enough bits of humor. I chuckled and laughed quite a few times throughout the book. 

There is a mini third-act breakup. I was afraid of this, but the issue was handled well towards the end. There are a few lighthearted and funny moments, even during this stage. It balances out things to a good extent. 

The solution to the core issue is thoughtful and sensible. It provides a rounded solution where the past and present co-exist while also being practical enough to generate money for the council. After all, communities need money to survive. 

The tidbits about gingerbread (and gingerbread houses) at the beginning of each chapter are a great idea. I tend to skip quotes under the chapter titles, but not in this one. I read each of them. 

It’s a clean romance with some kisses towards the end. The characters do go touchy-feely a lot (it was the same in the other book, too). Since I like touch as a love language, I enjoyed these scenes in both books. It may not work for everyone. 

To summarize, The Gingerbread House in Mistletoe Gardens is a sweet, heartwarming, Christmasy book dealing with second chances, love, healing, self-confidence, and small-town communities. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for the eARC. 

#NetGalley #TheGingerbreadHouseinMistletoeGardens

***

P.S.: I wish Beryl would crochet me a Santa zombie hat or a gingerbread vampire. Her creativity is next level! 

The Hanging City by Charlie N. Holmberg - Book Review

Publication Date: 1st August 2023

Genre: Fantasy, Romance 

3 Stars 

One Liner: Got its moments; a mixed read 

***

Lark has been on the run for seven years, trying to escape the men her father sends for her. There is no place left except Cagmar, the city of trolls. Trolls and humans have been enemies forever, but Lark is desperate. If nothing, her skill could be useful in convincing the trolls to let her live with them. 

While Lark does get a chance, she also ends up in a tricky position. She makes enemies with a powerful troll who hates humankind. But she also makes friends and finds love. However, Lark cannot move on until she faces her past. 

The story comes in the first-person POV of Lark. 

My Thoughts: 

After enjoying the first two books of the Whimbrel House Series, I was excited to read a standalone by the author. The cover and the premise are alluring, too!

The story begins with a prologue, introducing the MC in her younger days and setting the stage for her adventures six years later. The world-building starts with a bang. Imagine a city under the bridge with complex lifts, cramped apartments, and dark spaces. The complex caste system was also interesting. 

We also see the MC’s special ability and get a teaser about her past. As the story progresses, the teaser turns into repetition. While new information is revealed, it comes with a lot of repetitive statements. In fact, the entire book is so full of repetition that it could have easily been 40 pages shorter. 

Even the world-building takes a hit. There seems to be a lot of information, but very little is useful. Lark cooks so many times, yet we hardly know what she cooks except ‘meat’, which could be any meat! She nibbles on some fruit disks, but there isn’t much info about those either. 

The first quarter is quite interesting, while the second has a lot of going around in circles with some love and romance thrown in. The priorities shift to romance and continue this way. I’m glad I could guess who the love interest would be. Could have been awkward otherwise. Also, I have a few doubts about erm… based on the descriptions. 

The narration is slow-paced, which I expected. However, it doesn’t gain momentum even in the second half. Instead, the pacing is slow throughout, and things happen fast in the end, with a lot of detail left out. 

With Lark being the narrator, I couldn’t empathize much with her. In fact, I liked Azmar more (makes sense in a way) and even Unach. Still, it would have been nice to connect with Lark a little more, given that she goes through so much. The rest of the characters are pretty much flat. 

The last quarter started out great, and I was excited for the big face-off between Lark and her Daddy Dangerous (the villain). We see him for a while (not enough personality, duh!), but then… that’s it. I don’t want to reveal spoilers, but it was disappointing. 

The most important scene happens off the page because the POV comes in Lark’s first person, and her current obsession is her love interest. Moreover, our MC keeps pushing herself to her limits, which means she faints quite a few times. It’s a convenient plot device but shouldn’t be overused. 

The book’s priorities may have shifted midway through. I thought it would be about Lark facing her past and having a future. While she does face her past, there isn’t much (psychological) healing as such. Things wrap up real soon (though we already wasted too much time in repetition). 

And that ending… I can see the appeal, but this book could have benefitted from an epilogue, no matter how unrealistic the situation. Also, the decision is quite risky, and we are almost where we began, but with a plus one. Will there be a book two? Doesn’t seem possible, but who knows! 

The author’s note explains that she wrote 2/3rds of the story in 2019 before working on another series and got back to finish this recently. That explains why the book suffers from these issues. Her writing style and preferences (very likely) changed during this period. So the theme shifted from a ‘coming of age escape/ revenge plot’ to a ‘love story with some drama’. The number of buts in the review should give you an idea about how the book promises potential and doesn't deliver. 

To summarize, The Hanging City is a decent fantasy romance and a standalone with an open ending (some readers will love it). It’s got its moments and can be a light read despite the darkish contents. 

Thank you, NetGalley and 47North, for the eARC. 

#NetGalley #TheHangingCity

***

TW: attempted sexual assault, violence, and mentions of abuse. 

Murder on the Farm by Kate Wells - Book Review

Series: Malvern Farm Mystery #1

Publication Date: 04th Sep 2023

Genre: Small Town Cozy Mystery, Contemporary 

3.7 Stars 

One Liner: Darkish cozy mystery; decent start to a series 

***

Jude Gray didn’t dream of owning and working on a farm full-time. However, after the death of her husband, Adam, Jude decided to become a farmer and continue living in the same place. She manages to keep the place afloat with help from Frank, Noah, etc. 

With the lambing season in full swing, Jude is too busy to deal with anything else. However, when a dear friend is found dead (presumed suicide) on her land, Jude knows she cannot let it go. She has an idea about the cause but knows the person would never kill themselves. Soon, Jude’s half-sister Lucy and her 2yo son Sebbie arrive for a visit. Jude takes Lucy’s help in digging into the matter. 

As more bodies pile up, it’s up to Jude to get to the bottom of the truth (with DS Binnie’s assistance, of course). 

The story comes in Jude’s third-person POV. 

My Thoughts: 

The book begins with Jude attending Ben’s wedding with Tilda and meeting her other friends. Adam, Ben, Charles, and Sarah have been best friends since their school days. Jude joins the gang when she meets the town and falls in love with Adam. The bond between the friends plays a crucial role in the story. 

Jude also has a half-sister, Lucy, who is five years younger than her. Despite their father being a prick (it’s not a spoiler as such), the sisters get on well since they were children. Initially, their relationship appears strained despite Jude feeling good about Lucy. However, we see how warm their bonding is. It’s an issue with the writing, which makes things sound awkward (and dry) when they are not.

In fact, the writing in the first quarter is choppy and clunky. It doesn’t inspire much confidence in the plot or the characters. Fortunately, it gets better as the book progresses. However, I still don’t know Jude’s age. How old is she? I thought she was close to 50 and then realized she sounded to be around 35-45. The same goes for other characters. Not knowing the age range makes it hard to visualize them. 

Little Sebbie is adorable! He loves Aunt Chewdy and baby Canpake, the little lamb Jude adopts. He is a darling kid, and I enjoyed reading his broken sentences and cute words. 

DS Binita Khatri is a great addition and not just an attempt at diversity. There’s just enough information to show her ethnicity with a major focus on the mystery. Since she’s likely to be a recurring character in the series, this method of introduction works.  

The mystery is quite decent and intriguing. The case is close to Jude, so it makes sense that she would make a few assumptions and mistakes in solving it. Also, it’s her first case as an amateur sleuth, so errors are expected. 

However, I don’t like that she is careless with evidence, especially knowing their importance. Given that she lives on a farm and runs it, one would expect her to be a little more organized or at least focused on important tasks. This carelessness is used as a plot device in the book. I hope it doesn’t become a recurring feature in the coming books. 

The setting gets brownie points in this one. The tough side of farm life is detailed well with the various jobs that need to be completed to run a farm with livestock. I like how these scenes are presented and woven into the plot. Malvern Village is also easy to imagine. It’s on the darker side, which perfectly suits the plot. 

There are enough red herrings to keep the reader guessing. Though I guessed the killer (not because of the clues, but it was more of an instinct), I wasn’t sure why and wondered if I was wrong. The ending is well done as it ties up the case and takes the main story forward by a few months. 

To summarize, Murder on the Farm is a darkish cozy mystery set on a farm. It has some interesting characters and maintains a decent pace. While the writing isn’t great, it does get better after the initial part. Looking forward to reading book two. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for the eARC. 

#NetGalley #MurderontheFarm

Purple Faerie Homes - Day 10

Image by Andreas from Pixabay

They're somewhere in the vast forest 

Lay a broken branch 

Taken over my moss and grass 

Soft, squishy, and tickling 

It conquers the dead branch 

Keeping it alive through its presence 

Weeks pass, and so do the sun, moon, and rain 

A touch of magic and there they grow 

Dainty little umbrellas with wobbly legs 

Purple-tinted tops invisible to most 

A haven for those from the other world 

Ready to welcome the winged beings to their homes

***Brief Backstory: What better than faeries, mushroom rings, and the color purple to sign off a writing event? The title is also a nod to my latest venture, a Tarot Reading account on Instagram - The Purple Faerie. ***

This post is a part of the BlogchatterHalf Marathon 2023. Thank you for joining me in the challenge. It was a fun event. 

The Graveyard House - Day 9

Image by Sandy Flowers from Pixabay

 Abandoneddecades ago by living beings

Thecreaky structure was home to the un-living

Theones that rose from the graves around it

 

Restingon the roofs, window sills, and bare branches

Bats,owls, and ravens flew by to bring fresh news

 

Nightmaresor peace, the house gave what they craved

***

Brief Backstory: As a horror writer, it's mandatory to have at least one horror poem when I do a marathon. The poem is in inverted Charita form (lines 3-2-1 per stanza). 

***

This post is a part of the BlogchatterHalf Marathon 2023.

How to Fake-Date a Vampire by Linsey Hall - Book Review

Series: Charming Cove #2 (Standalone)

Publication Date: 31st August 2023

Genre: Small Town Witchy Romance 

3.3 Stars 

One Liner: Nice but not great 

***

Emma Willowby is an outsider in Charming Cove and has only one chance to prove her worth. She makes a deal with a Vampire Duke, Alaric, to use his estate to host the Beltane Ball. In return, she agrees to be his fake girlfriend for his grandmother. 

They have ground rules, of course. However, Emma cannot afford to fall in love with him and lose her anonymity. But what does the future have in store for her? 

The story comes from the first-person POV of Emma and Alaric. Emma has a larger share. 

My Thoughts: 

The book is a standalone and can be read without book one. Though we have Aria in this one, she has only a minor role (with a paragraph of backstory). Oh, little Catrina appears too! 

The writing is easy to read, way too easy at times but works well if you want something lighthearted. The pacing is decent, too. 

I found the first-person voices hard to distinguish in book one. While that aspect is slightly better here (I still got confused in a couple of chapters), Alaric’s characterization seems to have been a lost opportunity. 

Alaric being a vampire is another disappointment. Negating all popular vampire myths is fine as long as we are provided with something else to remember that he and his family are vampires. However, apart from adding a dash of donated blood to their champagne and martini, there’s nothing vampirish about them. It seems like having a human sounded ordinary, so we have a highly humanized version of a vampire. Sorry, but that’s lazy. 

Emma is decent and someone I should root for. Yet, she appears judgmental in quite a few instances. Also, the repetition of her opinions (without additional information) makes her sound whiny instead of someone who needs to be loved and cherished. The emotional quotient just isn’t there to feel for her.

The magical elements are well done. I like the concept of revelation sticks and joy batteries. I’d have liked it if the party was a little more elaborate. 

Penelope the skunk is Emma’s familiar. She is the highlight of the book. Just like Aria’s Boris, Penelope has a smart mouth and is a treat to read. Yeah, both familiars have almost human-like thoughts and actions, but I don’t mind since they make the book better. 

Third-act breakups are not mandatory in romance. But if the book insists on having one, it should not be half-baked and bland. This one feels like a summarized version. And she forgives him so easily! Ugh. 

The ending is cute and has HEA, so that’s something. The side characters like Vivian, Madeline, Holly, and Harold are sweet too. However, I liked book one a lot better. The town and the magic in that one were interesting, even if the romance was a bit fast-paced. 

To summarize, How to Fake-Date a Vampire is a steady-paced and lighthearted small-town witchy romance. Don’t expect much, though (not even vampires). 

Thank you, NetGalley and Bonnie Doon Press, for the eARC. 

#HowtoFakeDateaVampire #NetGalley

Moon Spell - Day 8

 

Image by Free Fun Art from Pixabay

 Theysneak out at twilight

Eagerto reach the meadow unseen

Claspinghands and running

Gigglingas backpacks bounce on their backs

 

Brimmingwith newfound love and joy

Cherishingthe wisdom of the pagan past

Twoyoung girls breathe in the flowery scent

Readyto weave magic on a full moon night

 

Thesky turns dark, dotted with twinkling stars

Themeadow gathers shadows familiar yet strange

Themoon glides upward, a patchy ball of yellow, cream, and white

Thegirls stand in a faerie circle, waiting for the silent signal

 

The night bird calls, awake for a day-long sleep

Handsclasped, spine bent backward

Barefeet grounded, toes digging into the soft earth

Thegirls call their ancestors, faeries, and witches

 

Magicdust gathers, madly swirling around

Firefliessparkle and dim, dashing about at random

Theblessings descend, one after another, in abundance –

Mayyou always have the power to follow your heart’s desires

***

Brief Backstory: Nothing really. It's just a poem denoting my love for nature and pagan traditions. 

***

This post is a part of the BlogchatterHalf Marathon 2023.

One Christmas Eve by Shari Low - Book Review

Publication Date: 29th August 2023

Genre: Contemporary Family Saga 

3.7 Stars 

One Liner: Heartwarming in the Hallmark way 

Cathy, 1968: When her lost love comes for a visit, Cathy has to decide whom she will choose and what it means for her future. 

Helena, 1993: As an aspiring solicitor, Cathy’s daughter is her opposite in every way. Yet, she is delighted by the prospect of formalizing her relationship with her boyfriend. Until she finds something she’d rather not have.  

Eve, 2023: Her life turns upside down when the DNA test reveals a hidden truth. But how is it possible, and who will answer the questions? Can Eve find the truth after all these years?

The events take place on Christmas Eve, from morning to night. The alternative chapters show the storyline of the main characters and their lives, bringing everything together at the end. 

The story comes in the third-person POV of three main characters – Cathy, Helena, and Eve. 

My Thoughts: 

Having read the previous two books in this not-a-series, I knew what to expect from this one. The book takes us through the lives of three people in different years but on the same day – Christmas Eve. 

Cathy is a 75-year-old woman, Helena’s mom and Eve’s grandma. She is cheerful, fun-loving, and like a warm hug that would make anyone feel better. Easily my favorite character in the book. Eve is twenty-nine, successful in her career as an agent to actors. She is sweet, cute, and easygoing. Her arc is decent, too. 

Now, I’m not sure if Helena was deliberately written that way or if there’s a gap in idea and execution. I disliked her almost throughout the book. Except for that last chapter from her POV (which is redemption a little too late, IMO), it’s hard to empathize with her. Mind you, this comes from someone who prefers to be in control of emotions. However, Helena is more like a robot even before things ‘went wrong’. 

The side characters are okay, and none except Richie, Duncan, and Loretta get enough space to be anything other than props. 

The writing is easy enough to read and tries to minimize repetition, which I appreciate. Since the pacing is slow, repetition could have further weighed it down. There are still some, but it cannot be helped given the choice of presentation. 

Christmas, as such, doesn’t play a major role in the plot. It’s there in the background and gives the feel, but that’s it. If you want an exclusive Christmas story, this may not work. 

The revelation and the climax feel too easy. The lack of drama is good, but I wouldn’t have minded if things were a wee bit hard. I mean, it feels so simple when a character laments about something throughout the book and gets it with almost no effort at the end. However, Cathy’s track is adorable, and I do like it the best. 

A couple of twists are thrown in to keep the readers interested. I did guess one, but I did guess the other. In fact, I figured that right at the beginning when the character was introduced. No complaints, but exploring this a little instead of summing it up at the end would have made things feel a little real. 

The cover is beautiful! I love the color combination and the joyful vibes it gives. There’s an epilogue too (hurray). 

To summarize, One Christmas Eve is a Hallmarkish cozy family saga with some secrets, second chances, and reunions. It’s quite lighthearted and enjoyable. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for the eARC. 

#NetGalley #OneChristmasEve