Faking Christmas by Kerry Winfrey (2023)Due to a misunderstanding during a job interview, Laurel's boss is under the impression that she owns and runs her sister's farm, and when he invites himself over for Christmas, she'll have to fake her way through the holiday, including being married to her nemesis, Max. Will the truth come out when they are all trapped by a snowstorm? Although this wasn't my favorite Christmas read, it did have some cute moments. Laurel is kind of a mess, but she finally has a good thing going with her current job and she's determined to keep it. It was funny the lengths she was willing to go to in order to deceive her boss. I also enjoyed her relationship with her twin sister, Holly. I did think the story moved VERY fast, like warp speed, and I really disliked the miscommunication trope that led to her hating Max years ago. It was pretty obvious what was really going on, and I wanted Laurel to stop interrupting Max and just let him explain. Overall, a quick read with lots of holiday vibes. 3 stars
An unhappily married couple makes a wish on an enchanted snow globe that they had never met, and they wake up the next morning living separate lives, with no memories of their life together - but are they really meant to be? I was really looking forward to this book, after enjoying a couple other holiday books from this author, but this one was a miss for me. The premise sounded so good, but maybe some wires got crossed for me somewhere, because the story itself didn't really seem to match. We begin the story with two people, but then the names change? And they go back to their shared hometown, where their respective parents are feuding over business opportunities, and the two are drawn into it, while slowly falling in love. I just never felt fully invested in the story, even going so far as to question what the point even was. The dialogue is so cringey, the author attempts to pull at heartstrings with animals and illnesses, and the ending left a LOT to be desired. I love a bit of magical realism in my books, but this one took it too far. 2.5 stars
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Ouch, looks like neither of these were winners, but at least you got some holiday vibes. :)
ReplyDeleteHmmm...well, I don't think I'll rush to read these. I am trying to read a few holiday books right now. I'm working on Ally Carter's new one, The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year and really liking it so far.
ReplyDeleteI felt the same way about Faking Christmas - cute, but not my favorite holiday novel. The whole premise sort of reminded me of Lovelight Farms at times.
ReplyDeleteOuch! I loved Winfrey's book. Sorry it didn't work for you.
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