The Christmas Dress by Courtney Cole (2021)Meg returns home to Chicago after her father's passing to manage his apartment building. Although at first she is reluctant, the tenants, a handsome handyman, and a magical dress might change her mind. If you're looking for a Christmas book that's mostly wholesome and features some romance and magical realism, Courtney Cole's books are for you. In this one, Meg must contend with an aging, but historic, apartment building and its many older tenants. She needs money to complete needed repairs, but there's also her on-hold dream of working in the fashion industry. I liked watching Meg figure out her new situation, and the cast of characters surrounding her are lovely. There are so many feel-good moments and the spirit of Christmas is present on every page. You'll definitely be rooting for Meg and her tenants. 4 stars
Eva has thrown herself into work following a devastating Christmas a few years ago, but this year she's visited by the ghost of her grandmother, urging her to take stock of her life. Eva then begins reliving Christmas morning over and over again, each time waking up as someone different at the party she's attending. Oof, I have not been having good luck with holiday stories this year. This was yet another overly heavy, disappointing read for me. I did enjoy the time loop aspect, and the way Eva woke up as someone different each day was a great twist. It helped her get to know the people around her and see herself in a new light. But, Eva was a hard character to root for. I didn't really understand why her store was so important that she spent three years ignoring her loved ones for home decor. I understood she was grieving, but I don't think the author did a good job explaining the tragedies Eva had suffered - making the reader wait for a reveal that was fairly obvious. The story was just too heavy, too sad, and what little hope we get at the end wasn't enough for me. 3 stars
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I don't think One Christmas Morning would be one for me because books that are too heavy and too sad are a little much for me right now.
ReplyDeleteI've been coming across so many heavy holiday books this year and it's kind of a bummer!
DeleteI agree that One Christmas Morning was heavier than I expected. I pointed that out in my review, but I did appreciate the way Greenlaw explored Eva's grief and the interesting use of the time loop
ReplyDeleteI did like the twist on the time loop!
DeleteThe Christmas dress sounds like a good read! :) Really feeling the Christmas spirit in a holiday book is a nice thing.
ReplyDeleteIt was a very charming read!
DeleteOne Christmas Morning does indeed sound too heavy and sad for me too, but The Christmas Dress does sound lovely!
ReplyDeleteOne Christmas Morning was just one in a string of really heavy holiday books for me, it was such a strange year!
DeleteThe Christmas Dress sounds really good. Will have to add that one to the list! I also felt let down by One Christmas Morning. I loved the premise, but it felt so depressing and not enough happy holiday moments for me! Looks like you agreed! Great reviews, Angela!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Christina! Definitely recommend The Christmas Dress, and I would like to seek more out from that author!
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