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Summer Dreams, Winter Love
Everyone tells her she's crazy to fall in love with Michael. He may be gorgeous, but he's older than Ellen - what could he possibly see in her?
But from the first day she meets him, Ellen can't get Michael out of her mind. She knows he might be dangerous, she knows she might get hurt - but she can't stop wanting him...
But from the first day she meets him, Ellen can't get Michael out of her mind. She knows he might be dangerous, she knows she might get hurt - but she can't stop wanting him...
352 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 1992
7 people are currently reading
252 people want to read
About the author
Mary Francis Shura
42 books22 followersMary Francis Young was born on 23 February 1923 in Pratt, Kansas, the daughter of Jack Fant and Mary Francis (Milstead) Young. When she was very young, her family moved to the Pacific Northwest, where she raised. She studied at Maryville State College. On 24 October 1943, she married Daniel Charles Shura, who died in 1959. They had two children: Marianne Francis Shura (Spraguc) and Daniel Charles Shura. On 8 December 1961, she married Raymond C. Craig, they had a daughter Alice Barrett Craig (Stout), before their divorce.
Since 1960, she wrote over 50 books of various genres: children's adventures and teen-romances as Mary Francis Shura, M. F. Craig, and Meredith Hill; gothic novels as Mary Craig; romance novels as Alexis Hill, Mary Shura Craig and Mary S. Craig; and suspense novels as M. S. Craig.
Her children's novel "The Search for Grissi" received the Carl Sandburg Literary Arts Award in 1985, and she also was nominated to the Young Hoosier Book Award. In 1990, she was elected president of the Mystery Writers of America.
She lived in Hinsdale, Illinois, where her apartment burned on 13 December 1990. At 67, she died of injuries suffered in the fire on 12 January 1991 in Loyola University Medical Burn Center in Maywood.
Since 1960, she wrote over 50 books of various genres: children's adventures and teen-romances as Mary Francis Shura, M. F. Craig, and Meredith Hill; gothic novels as Mary Craig; romance novels as Alexis Hill, Mary Shura Craig and Mary S. Craig; and suspense novels as M. S. Craig.
Her children's novel "The Search for Grissi" received the Carl Sandburg Literary Arts Award in 1985, and she also was nominated to the Young Hoosier Book Award. In 1990, she was elected president of the Mystery Writers of America.
She lived in Hinsdale, Illinois, where her apartment burned on 13 December 1990. At 67, she died of injuries suffered in the fire on 12 January 1991 in Loyola University Medical Burn Center in Maywood.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
January 19, 2013
I read this when I was about 15, and for some weird reason it just stuck with me! Although I am a lot older and wiser, this book is still very charming and very much a product of it's time! lol everyone just 'falls in love' as soon as they clap eyes on one another. And it's very idealised as our herione Ellen does not more than 'date' and 'kiss' the boys that she sees. It would appear that she's saving herself for Michael! And on a 3rd reading it would appear that Michael is actually just a bit of a d-bag who's probably going to end up being a banker. *rolls eyes* Ellen is also stunningly perfect, she can cook, draw, act, run, is the dutiful daughter and guys love her. But it was written in the 90s (the bits on what they're wearing really tesify to that!). I will admit to kinda wanting to know about their adult lives...haha it was nice to wander down memory lane. But honestly if this is what young girls grow up reading, it's no wonder the boys we meet are such a disappointment. :p
December 27, 2017
I work as a youth worker and crisis support worker in an inner-city community centre, and one of my jobs is teaching English literature (although it's more critical thinking than English really; I don't care what they read and what they think about as long as they read and think about SOMETHING) to 12-18 year olds from Dagenham, Brixton and Peckham.
And when they ask me what my favourite book is, I have to tell them it's a YA novel from the early 90s about rich white American kids doing rich white American things, with no sex, violence or tragedy whatsoever. Not that I have anything against rich white Americans, of course, but here in this poverty-stricken, multicultural corner of England, it's not what the kids expect to hear from their poor, mixed-race, 29-year-old teacher.
Go figure.
In all seriousness, though, this is tied with Howl's Moving Castle for my favourite book ever. I first read this when I was in secondary school - it was the first year, so I'd have been 11 - and I fell in love with everything about it. The cover illustration (done by the very talented Derek Brazell, who created beautiful cover pictures for the entire Point Romance line), the Christmassy feeling that permeates even the summer scenes, the characters. Especially the characters. I fell in love with Ellen, Michael and Ollie (amongst others) when I was 11 and they were 14 and 16 respectively; now I'm 29, they're still teenagers, and I love them still.
I fell into a pattern of reading this book every Christmas. Never any time other than mid-December, lest it lose its magic. One year I left it at my Dad's house and couldn't get there to pick it up, so I frantically ordered another copy from eBay and hoped and prayed that it arrived before Christmas. (It did.) The last two years were the only years I didn't read it (in 2011 I was (thought to be) dying from scarlet fever and not able to summon up the energy to read much for several months, and in 2012 I just couldn't get into the Christmas spirit somehow) and I felt the loss acutely.
This year I found the book again, posted a picture on my Facebook wall, and tagged my high school best friend with a note that said, "Hey Elle, remember Michael Tyler?"
"YES!!!" she replied. As far as I know, Elle only read this book twice, but it was enough for it to have a hold on her half a lifetime later.
Books do date themselves, particularly ones that don't contain much angst. Tragedies are always applicable to us, even when written decades or centuries ago, but sweet romances tend to go out of style as society's attitudes towards love and relationships change. Yet despite the fact that this is very much an early-90s book (only one non-Caucasian - and very minor - character, no gay characters, Ellen's lack of tolerance for Maggie's individual style) I feel that it has kept its fresh feeling remarkably well.
While I love this as much as I did in my teens and pre-teens, I do naturally view it now with a combination of childhood nostalgia and an adult's critical eye. Yet it wouldn't be a lie to say that my critical side is very, very impressed with Ms Shura's characters, and the way they handle the situations they find themselves in. A few things irritated me initially on this read-around, and made me think Ellen was perhaps not the best role model for young girls, but as I continued to read I realised that her failings were always (gently or otherwise) pointed out by her friends and family, and she made efforts to rectify them. Her treatment of Maggie in the first half of the book was the first thing that bugged me - Maggie's wild, creative clothing and OTT flamboyant personality embarrassed and angered Ellen, and I was torn between understanding Ellen's feelings (as I, too, dislike being the centre of attention, and find it unbearable to have people staring at me) and feeling appalled that anyone, even a close friend, should feel that they have the right to infringe on a person's self-expression. I am in the 21st Century, after all, and am used to living in a time and place where teens strive for individuality rather than the homogeneity of the 80s and 90s - and where this individuality is welcomed. But to my surprise - for as many times as I've read this book, there are still parts I forget - Ellen's friend Cricket sets her straight, pointing out that it's not OK to ask a friend to be less vibrant, less bubbly - less herself - just because you're uncomfortable. Cricket, and consequently the book, makes it very clear that Ellen's problem with Maggie's style and behaviour is Ellen's problem, not Maggie's or anyone else's.
There are times during the book where Ellen seems to be falling into the "Bella Trap" - mooning around over Michael, unable to have a life or concentrate on anything but her unrequited love for him, something that I have both sympathy and irritation for. Yet, as with the Maggie situation, she does manage to pull herself out of this pattern of destructive thinking / behaviour, with a little help and advice from Mom and Luke and other friends. Despite the ache she has for Michael, the ache that never quite goes away - and boy can I understand that! - she manages to continue having a life: to keep up with her studies, to continue running competitively, to pursue hobbies like art and theatre, to date Hank and Ollie and Scott, to make new friendships. She does fall down at times, as we all do, but she always pulls herself up and pushes herself to live a full life, and this too I found extremely impressive.
A third thing that I feel I should give kudos to both Ellen and Ms Shura for is the treatment of Ellen's relationship with Hank. While I probably wouldn't have gotten back into a relationship with him after the first (nasty) breakup, I can understand why Ellen did - why most teenage girls would, for that matter - even though his jealousy and her feelings for Michael doomed it before it even began. It went on a little longer than it should have, but I think that length served to nicely illustrate the difference between an unhealthy and borderline abusive relationship (Ellen and Hank) and a healthy one (Ellen and Ollie, where even though his feelings for her are probably stronger than hers, he handles it with maturity, grace and respect). Ollie's words on page 276 (of the Point Romance edition) about how Ellen should forget trying to be friends with Hank, and stay away from anyone who lays a finger on her in anger, were also very welcome; far too many YA books from the 80s and 90s excuse angry behaviours that today would be considered abusive. Ellen, for her part, does stay away from Hank - and also manages to have compassion rather than hatred for him, something that I'd like to see more of in teenagers.
All things considered, I think Ellen is a fabulous character. I love that she's not perfect - sometimes she's petty or juvenile or mopey - but that she learns and grows throughout the book. Michael is a dream, and the scenes at the Willoughby party, Salt Creek, Luke's skating party and then the whole ending, never fail to make my heart pound. Ollie, perhaps my favourite character, isn't seen quite enough for me, and deserves a book all his own.
When I found out that Mary Francis Shura died not long after this book was written - before it was ever published in the UK - I felt grief, like I'd lost a whole cast of friends. Yet she has left me with this fabulous book, which fills me with love and hope and gratitude every year when the snow falls.
And when they ask me what my favourite book is, I have to tell them it's a YA novel from the early 90s about rich white American kids doing rich white American things, with no sex, violence or tragedy whatsoever. Not that I have anything against rich white Americans, of course, but here in this poverty-stricken, multicultural corner of England, it's not what the kids expect to hear from their poor, mixed-race, 29-year-old teacher.
Go figure.
In all seriousness, though, this is tied with Howl's Moving Castle for my favourite book ever. I first read this when I was in secondary school - it was the first year, so I'd have been 11 - and I fell in love with everything about it. The cover illustration (done by the very talented Derek Brazell, who created beautiful cover pictures for the entire Point Romance line), the Christmassy feeling that permeates even the summer scenes, the characters. Especially the characters. I fell in love with Ellen, Michael and Ollie (amongst others) when I was 11 and they were 14 and 16 respectively; now I'm 29, they're still teenagers, and I love them still.
I fell into a pattern of reading this book every Christmas. Never any time other than mid-December, lest it lose its magic. One year I left it at my Dad's house and couldn't get there to pick it up, so I frantically ordered another copy from eBay and hoped and prayed that it arrived before Christmas. (It did.) The last two years were the only years I didn't read it (in 2011 I was (thought to be) dying from scarlet fever and not able to summon up the energy to read much for several months, and in 2012 I just couldn't get into the Christmas spirit somehow) and I felt the loss acutely.
This year I found the book again, posted a picture on my Facebook wall, and tagged my high school best friend with a note that said, "Hey Elle, remember Michael Tyler?"
"YES!!!" she replied. As far as I know, Elle only read this book twice, but it was enough for it to have a hold on her half a lifetime later.
Books do date themselves, particularly ones that don't contain much angst. Tragedies are always applicable to us, even when written decades or centuries ago, but sweet romances tend to go out of style as society's attitudes towards love and relationships change. Yet despite the fact that this is very much an early-90s book (only one non-Caucasian - and very minor - character, no gay characters, Ellen's lack of tolerance for Maggie's individual style) I feel that it has kept its fresh feeling remarkably well.
While I love this as much as I did in my teens and pre-teens, I do naturally view it now with a combination of childhood nostalgia and an adult's critical eye. Yet it wouldn't be a lie to say that my critical side is very, very impressed with Ms Shura's characters, and the way they handle the situations they find themselves in. A few things irritated me initially on this read-around, and made me think Ellen was perhaps not the best role model for young girls, but as I continued to read I realised that her failings were always (gently or otherwise) pointed out by her friends and family, and she made efforts to rectify them. Her treatment of Maggie in the first half of the book was the first thing that bugged me - Maggie's wild, creative clothing and OTT flamboyant personality embarrassed and angered Ellen, and I was torn between understanding Ellen's feelings (as I, too, dislike being the centre of attention, and find it unbearable to have people staring at me) and feeling appalled that anyone, even a close friend, should feel that they have the right to infringe on a person's self-expression. I am in the 21st Century, after all, and am used to living in a time and place where teens strive for individuality rather than the homogeneity of the 80s and 90s - and where this individuality is welcomed. But to my surprise - for as many times as I've read this book, there are still parts I forget - Ellen's friend Cricket sets her straight, pointing out that it's not OK to ask a friend to be less vibrant, less bubbly - less herself - just because you're uncomfortable. Cricket, and consequently the book, makes it very clear that Ellen's problem with Maggie's style and behaviour is Ellen's problem, not Maggie's or anyone else's.
There are times during the book where Ellen seems to be falling into the "Bella Trap" - mooning around over Michael, unable to have a life or concentrate on anything but her unrequited love for him, something that I have both sympathy and irritation for. Yet, as with the Maggie situation, she does manage to pull herself out of this pattern of destructive thinking / behaviour, with a little help and advice from Mom and Luke and other friends. Despite the ache she has for Michael, the ache that never quite goes away - and boy can I understand that! - she manages to continue having a life: to keep up with her studies, to continue running competitively, to pursue hobbies like art and theatre, to date Hank and Ollie and Scott, to make new friendships. She does fall down at times, as we all do, but she always pulls herself up and pushes herself to live a full life, and this too I found extremely impressive.
A third thing that I feel I should give kudos to both Ellen and Ms Shura for is the treatment of Ellen's relationship with Hank. While I probably wouldn't have gotten back into a relationship with him after the first (nasty) breakup, I can understand why Ellen did - why most teenage girls would, for that matter - even though his jealousy and her feelings for Michael doomed it before it even began. It went on a little longer than it should have, but I think that length served to nicely illustrate the difference between an unhealthy and borderline abusive relationship (Ellen and Hank) and a healthy one (Ellen and Ollie, where even though his feelings for her are probably stronger than hers, he handles it with maturity, grace and respect). Ollie's words on page 276 (of the Point Romance edition) about how Ellen should forget trying to be friends with Hank, and stay away from anyone who lays a finger on her in anger, were also very welcome; far too many YA books from the 80s and 90s excuse angry behaviours that today would be considered abusive. Ellen, for her part, does stay away from Hank - and also manages to have compassion rather than hatred for him, something that I'd like to see more of in teenagers.
All things considered, I think Ellen is a fabulous character. I love that she's not perfect - sometimes she's petty or juvenile or mopey - but that she learns and grows throughout the book. Michael is a dream, and the scenes at the Willoughby party, Salt Creek, Luke's skating party and then the whole ending, never fail to make my heart pound. Ollie, perhaps my favourite character, isn't seen quite enough for me, and deserves a book all his own.
When I found out that Mary Francis Shura died not long after this book was written - before it was ever published in the UK - I felt grief, like I'd lost a whole cast of friends. Yet she has left me with this fabulous book, which fills me with love and hope and gratitude every year when the snow falls.
November 22, 2021
Everyone has a Michael Tyler.
I loved the nostalgic way this was written. Felt like it took place in the 70s or earlier like a Judy Blume book. It made snow seem really romantic like an old timey movie. Also who has these elaborate Christmas parties anymore? I can see why this is a childhood favorite for many. Though Michael Tyler was a bit of a fuckboy. A bit long almost 350 pages but takes place over multiple years and not just in winter.
I loved the nostalgic way this was written. Felt like it took place in the 70s or earlier like a Judy Blume book. It made snow seem really romantic like an old timey movie. Also who has these elaborate Christmas parties anymore? I can see why this is a childhood favorite for many. Though Michael Tyler was a bit of a fuckboy. A bit long almost 350 pages but takes place over multiple years and not just in winter.
November 10, 2021
3 Pointy stars.
April 19, 2018
This book gets 5 stars for not disappointing my memory of it. It was a favorite in junior high and I finally found it again after all these years. It’s still the delightful, heart wrenching teenage love story that I remember it being, although it does not give time the same feels that it did way back when. Thank goodness because otherwise I’d be doubting my emotional maturity.
February 10, 2024
5 sentimental, nostalgic stars 💗
December 26, 2022
Short Description:
Incoming freshman Ellen Marlowe falls in love with Michael Tyler, her orientation monitor. She spins the next three years trying to get past the feeling, only to find out in the end that she hasn't been the only one trying to forget and move on.
My Review:
I've read this book every Christmas Eve since I was 9 years old, and it's ruined nearly every other YA Romance for me because they're all just (in my mind, at least) trying to be this book (LOL). In a world full of young adult romances, there is only one Michael Tyler and Ellen Marlowe, however. Winter Dreams, Christmas Love executes delayed gratification on a whole new level (I may be biased, of course, as this was the first romance I ever read as a young person).
Another positive element to this book was the plot arcs of the sub characters. The main character, Ellen, grapples with self-changes that impact how she views her friends, not immediately recognizing that the changes are with her and not with them. As the book progresses, she becomes more self-aware, more empathetic, and she navigates the new and changing relationships in a real and meaningful way. The author does a fantastic job of balancing external conflicts with internal conflicts, and the minor characters' arcs are maintained well all the way through to the end.
A wholesome Christmas read that will make you want to take up running, collecting snowglobes, and eating white carbs.
Incoming freshman Ellen Marlowe falls in love with Michael Tyler, her orientation monitor. She spins the next three years trying to get past the feeling, only to find out in the end that she hasn't been the only one trying to forget and move on.
My Review:
I've read this book every Christmas Eve since I was 9 years old, and it's ruined nearly every other YA Romance for me because they're all just (in my mind, at least) trying to be this book (LOL). In a world full of young adult romances, there is only one Michael Tyler and Ellen Marlowe, however. Winter Dreams, Christmas Love executes delayed gratification on a whole new level (I may be biased, of course, as this was the first romance I ever read as a young person).
Another positive element to this book was the plot arcs of the sub characters. The main character, Ellen, grapples with self-changes that impact how she views her friends, not immediately recognizing that the changes are with her and not with them. As the book progresses, she becomes more self-aware, more empathetic, and she navigates the new and changing relationships in a real and meaningful way. The author does a fantastic job of balancing external conflicts with internal conflicts, and the minor characters' arcs are maintained well all the way through to the end.
A wholesome Christmas read that will make you want to take up running, collecting snowglobes, and eating white carbs.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 14, 2021
I went into this expecting a Christmas romance. However, maaaaybe only 10-15% of the book actually takes place at Christmas, so I was kind of bummed by that. (The book actually spans 3 years.)
The main character Ellen was not remotely likable. She was very judgmental toward everyone, but mostly her supposed best friends, and she spent most of the book pining away for Michael, who she talked to for all of an hour one time. And somehow this guy occupied her mind (to the detriment of her relationships, schoolwork, and basically everything else) for 3 years!
This was written in 1992, and it’s definitely dated. I guess dating must have been different then, but Ellen seemed to go around kissing every guy in a 10 mile radius. She treated Hank the worst, totally leading him on. This predates Twilight, obviously, but this book reminded me of Twilight in that absolutely every guy was head over heels for Ellen.
This just did nothing for me at all.
The main character Ellen was not remotely likable. She was very judgmental toward everyone, but mostly her supposed best friends, and she spent most of the book pining away for Michael, who she talked to for all of an hour one time. And somehow this guy occupied her mind (to the detriment of her relationships, schoolwork, and basically everything else) for 3 years!
This was written in 1992, and it’s definitely dated. I guess dating must have been different then, but Ellen seemed to go around kissing every guy in a 10 mile radius. She treated Hank the worst, totally leading him on. This predates Twilight, obviously, but this book reminded me of Twilight in that absolutely every guy was head over heels for Ellen.
This just did nothing for me at all.
December 30, 2024
So my aunt gave me this book because she loved it and I agree ❤️
This book was an excellent combination of emotions we’ve all felt and emotions some only experience in dreams 💖
Ellen was so relatable and I’m so glad she had a happy ending 😁
Also always love a book that has you wondering about the ending up until the last page 😋
Overall will recommend ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book was an excellent combination of emotions we’ve all felt and emotions some only experience in dreams 💖
Ellen was so relatable and I’m so glad she had a happy ending 😁
Also always love a book that has you wondering about the ending up until the last page 😋
Overall will recommend ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
July 6, 2024
I read this with my book club that I run on Instagram where we revisit Point Horror and other books from our childhood - @talespointhorrorbookclub
Tagline - Everybody warned her to be careful…
Memorable For – A gorgeous tale of growing up whilst pining for your crush 🥰
Some Thoughts -
Set over the course of 2 1/2 years, we first meet Ellen when she turns 14 and who meets Michael Tyler on orientation day at school. From that day Ellen know she’s in love with him, but he’s two years older and just sees Ellen as Brads little sister.
Ellen can’t get Michael out of her mind. She knows he might be dangerous, she knows she might get hurt - but she can’t stop wanting him.
Other highlights include a good mix of friends, a supportive family unit, lots of nostalgia of being Ellen’s age, an important topic of control and abuse tackled and a story that showcases the ups and downs of your first crush 💕
It seems that this book was published after the author passed away in a fire in her apartment.
Tagline - Everybody warned her to be careful…
Memorable For – A gorgeous tale of growing up whilst pining for your crush 🥰
Some Thoughts -
Set over the course of 2 1/2 years, we first meet Ellen when she turns 14 and who meets Michael Tyler on orientation day at school. From that day Ellen know she’s in love with him, but he’s two years older and just sees Ellen as Brads little sister.
Ellen can’t get Michael out of her mind. She knows he might be dangerous, she knows she might get hurt - but she can’t stop wanting him.
Other highlights include a good mix of friends, a supportive family unit, lots of nostalgia of being Ellen’s age, an important topic of control and abuse tackled and a story that showcases the ups and downs of your first crush 💕
It seems that this book was published after the author passed away in a fire in her apartment.
December 20, 2010
This book is so simple and sappy. There's no difficult plot elements here: A freshman gets a huge crush on an upperclassman, a Big Man on Campus. The book chronicles their relationship-or lack thereof. I first read this as a high school student and it always brings me back to those days..a time of first loves, and requited crushes. Nothing hurts more than a broken teenage heart. Nothing feels better than finding out your crush likes you too....this book is wonderful.
July 20, 2009
My friends and I passed this book around all through high school....and we love, love, love it...I still own it and read it from time to time...it has seen better days:)
March 10, 2021
Wow, this is literally the first book I ever read. I think it was good but I read it almost 30 years ago hahaha.
February 1, 2019
After all this time, this is still one of my favorite books. I first read it in junior high, I think. While it does follow a typical coming-of-age story line, the scenarios are just so real. You see the real struggle to figure out who you are and how you fit into the world you find yourself in. The characters have good moments and bad moments, there is no perfection to be had. Even now, there are poignant moments that truly resonate with me and my life as an adult. Of course, since it's a book written about teenagers, you are going to see immaturity of their actions and feelings. But you also get to see the growth of the characters over the three years the book covers. I feel like you don't get to see this in many of the books of this age group because they encompass a shorter time-frame. That, or other authors just don't develop their characters as thoroughly. I will always recommend this book to someone looking for a good read in this genre!
January 27, 2018
I read this book many years ago when I was 11. I’m now 34 and this book has remained in my memory all these years. I’ve tried in vain repeatedly to get it on paperback for my daughter. Unfortunately, no luck so far.
This is the story of Ellen, a beautiful young, athletic girl. She has a crush on her brothers friend Michael . It’s such a great book. Till this day I still remember Ellen’s best friend Cricket, and all the stuff she got up too.
This book made my teenage years. To remember a book so vividly after all this time is the mark of a fantastic novel.
After reading the author profile, I was devastated to learn of Mary’s tragic death. Her apartment had a massive fire in December 1990. She sadly passed from her injuries in January 1991. As this book wasn’t released until 1993, her family must have published it 😢
This is the story of Ellen, a beautiful young, athletic girl. She has a crush on her brothers friend Michael . It’s such a great book. Till this day I still remember Ellen’s best friend Cricket, and all the stuff she got up too.
This book made my teenage years. To remember a book so vividly after all this time is the mark of a fantastic novel.
After reading the author profile, I was devastated to learn of Mary’s tragic death. Her apartment had a massive fire in December 1990. She sadly passed from her injuries in January 1991. As this book wasn’t released until 1993, her family must have published it 😢
March 4, 2024
I read this book as part of an online Point Horror (and Romance) book club, and it was just ok. I'm sure that I would have loved it if I had read it when I was a teenager, but reading it for the first time as a forty something woman, it didn't really have the same impact.
It's a story about a young girl who meets a slightly older boy and decides that she loves him. What ensues is a 300-page tale of how much she loves him, but he doesn't seem to notice her and treats her like a kid, so she dates a variety of different boys in an attempt to get over him, at the same time as treating her friends very poorly. Teenage angst at its finest!!
It's a story about a young girl who meets a slightly older boy and decides that she loves him. What ensues is a 300-page tale of how much she loves him, but he doesn't seem to notice her and treats her like a kid, so she dates a variety of different boys in an attempt to get over him, at the same time as treating her friends very poorly. Teenage angst at its finest!!
January 19, 2019
First read this as a teen and consequently reread it many times because it was a favourite. I adored Ellen and Michael's story, the wintery romance and the exquisite pain of unrequited love throughout.
I'm now much older and have read many, many romances, and this is still a brilliant read. It's dated, but not terribly considering it's almost 30 years old, and Mary Francis Shura's ability to convey the emotions of a teenager in love is second to none - and she wrote this in her 60s.
Definitely going to re-read more Point Romance.
I'm now much older and have read many, many romances, and this is still a brilliant read. It's dated, but not terribly considering it's almost 30 years old, and Mary Francis Shura's ability to convey the emotions of a teenager in love is second to none - and she wrote this in her 60s.
Definitely going to re-read more Point Romance.
July 26, 2020
My absolute favorite book to read when I was a teenager.
I still have my copy, though it is a little worse for the wear due to the many times I have read it. It's actually held together with an elastic as the binding fell apart!
There is just something completely relatable in the writing of Ms. Shura. I guess because we've all been teenagers experiencing our first loves.
My only complaint is that it sort of ends on a cliffhanger and to my knowledge there is no sequel. Well, not really a cliffhanger per se, but it definitely left me wanting more!!
I still have my copy, though it is a little worse for the wear due to the many times I have read it. It's actually held together with an elastic as the binding fell apart!
There is just something completely relatable in the writing of Ms. Shura. I guess because we've all been teenagers experiencing our first loves.
My only complaint is that it sort of ends on a cliffhanger and to my knowledge there is no sequel. Well, not really a cliffhanger per se, but it definitely left me wanting more!!
December 11, 2024
I don't do romance. I guess I did when I was younger.
Pros:
This was first published when I was 13. I don't remember how old I was when I read it but I have loved it every since. It has stuck with me for a long time. I wanted to be Ellen. I wanted one of my brother's friends to be in love with me and admit it when I started college. Man, I was a huge dork. "Was?" Yeah, I still am.
Cons:
I can't think of any. I need to find this book in my house somewhere and read it again. That isn't a con so don't know why I wrote that here.
Okay, bye! Merry Christmas!
Pros:
This was first published when I was 13. I don't remember how old I was when I read it but I have loved it every since. It has stuck with me for a long time. I wanted to be Ellen. I wanted one of my brother's friends to be in love with me and admit it when I started college. Man, I was a huge dork. "Was?" Yeah, I still am.
Cons:
I can't think of any. I need to find this book in my house somewhere and read it again. That isn't a con so don't know why I wrote that here.
Okay, bye! Merry Christmas!
December 25, 2022
Such a cute book! This was my moms favorite book in high school, she read it every year, so she gave me her copy to read and i loved it! Would totally read again. I fully relate to Ellen, especially considering we both had a crush on a Michael in high school :) lovely story about young love and how a crush can truly have a massive impact on you. However can someone please smack Hank please omfg like dude. But i have a soft spot for Ollie i loved him so much
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 20, 2022
this book was my first ever romance book read in the 90's. it made me the hard core romance reader i am today.
Michael was my first love and I went on to marry a man named Michael. Perhaps this book changed my life a little. silly but id say I grew and matured with the character in this book.
Michael was my first love and I went on to marry a man named Michael. Perhaps this book changed my life a little. silly but id say I grew and matured with the character in this book.
October 22, 2022
A classic from the library when I was young, this charming 80s teen romance found its way back into my life right before the holidays! It’s a fun, easy read with very vivid imagery of 80s fashion and teenage love.
December 13, 2020
This book was MAGICAL to me in Junior High. It was so enjoyable to revisit as an adult.
March 5, 2021
This gets 5 stars for being a favorite at age 14. I bet I reread it 6 times!! I recently reread it for nostalgia and it is every bit as campy wonderful as it was then!
August 16, 2021
I was about 13 when I first read this and I still love it. Perfect Sunday under the blanket reading.
February 11, 2024
Wow this bring back some cringy teenage memories but also some interesting nostalgic ones. I wish my crush felt the same way about me 😂 Hank is just disgusting though.... 🤮
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 3, 2024
One of my favorite books in high school, I remember reading it more than once because I simply loved it. What a great author ❤️
January 18, 2025
Read this book for the first time in High School. I have read since then over a dozen times.
November 16, 2023
My fist romantic, sweet, angst, christmas, love book!! And I still have it 20+ yrs later…lol
❤️Love it❤️
❤️Love it❤️
January 4, 2020
This is going to be a ridiculous review.
Winter Dreams, Christmas Love is possibly my most re-read book. (It's either this or Catcher in the Rye–there couldn't be any two books less similar.)
Somehow in middle school, I randomly checked this book out from my public library, read it, and loved it.
And I know I checked it out again and again, every winter.
I have probably read this six times in middle and high school and another 3-4 times since then. I probably like it the least this year. I think that's mostly because the protagonist is too perfect. I'm sure spending the last 20 years reading more lit-class styled books has jaded me into a better literature taste.
But still. The all-encompassing crush is a thing of beauty and heartache. I love how struck our protagonist is. I love that she can't shake it. I just don't completely love her.
And I call more shenanigans now than I did before on the crush's reasons for distance.
I'm glad I bought this book at some point, because I'm sure I'll read it again when cheesy romance movies aren't cutting it. Until then, I'd like to change my 5 star rating. But I won't.
Winter Dreams, Christmas Love is possibly my most re-read book. (It's either this or Catcher in the Rye–there couldn't be any two books less similar.)
Somehow in middle school, I randomly checked this book out from my public library, read it, and loved it.
And I know I checked it out again and again, every winter.
I have probably read this six times in middle and high school and another 3-4 times since then. I probably like it the least this year. I think that's mostly because the protagonist is too perfect. I'm sure spending the last 20 years reading more lit-class styled books has jaded me into a better literature taste.
But still. The all-encompassing crush is a thing of beauty and heartache. I love how struck our protagonist is. I love that she can't shake it. I just don't completely love her.
And I call more shenanigans now than I did before on the crush's reasons for distance.
I'm glad I bought this book at some point, because I'm sure I'll read it again when cheesy romance movies aren't cutting it. Until then, I'd like to change my 5 star rating. But I won't.
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