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Let It Glow
When Aviva Davis and Holly Martin meet at the holiday pageant tryouts for their local senior’s center, they think they must be seeing double. While they both knew they were adopted, they had no idea they had a biological sibling, let alone an identical twin! The similarities are only skin deep, though, because while Aviva has a big personality and even bigger Broadway plans, Holly is more the quiet dreamer type who longs to become a famous author like her grandfather.
One thing the girls do have in common is their curiosity about how the other celebrates the holidays. What better way to discover the magic of the holidays than to experience them firsthand? The girls secretly trade lives, planning to stage a dramatic reveal to their families at the pageant. Two virtual strangers swapping homes, holidays, and age-old traditions–what could possibly go wrong?
One thing the girls do have in common is their curiosity about how the other celebrates the holidays. What better way to discover the magic of the holidays than to experience them firsthand? The girls secretly trade lives, planning to stage a dramatic reveal to their families at the pageant. Two virtual strangers swapping homes, holidays, and age-old traditions–what could possibly go wrong?
294 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2024
246 people are currently reading
18553 people want to read
About the author
Marissa Meyer
83 books132k followersI live in Tacoma, Washington, with my husband and beautiful twin daughters. Represented by Jill Grinberg. Learn more about me and my upcoming books at http://www.marissameyer.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 533 reviews
August 19, 2025
Quick, sweet read that combined Jewish holiday culture with Christmas culture. Some mention of Christian connection to Christmas but the focus was more so on Hanukah.
Two twins separated at birth end up meeting each other and decide to switch places in their families.
Apart from the lying and two uses of OMG, I think this is appropriate for younger readers.
No romance.
Two twins separated at birth end up meeting each other and decide to switch places in their families.
Apart from the lying and two uses of OMG, I think this is appropriate for younger readers.
No romance.
November 3, 2024
4.5/5 stars
What an incredible holiday book!
This middle grade book focuses on the joys of both Christmas and Hanukkah. Written in alternating POVs this is such a perfect book for the holidays.
Aviva and Holly did not know that the other existed. But these 12 year old girls discover that they are twins. I loved how different they were from each other (Aviva is outgoing and loves to sing and Holly is shy and loves to write). I also absolutely their families (especially Aviva's Bubbe and Holly's Grandpa). And I really enjoyed the holiday pageant at the local senior's center.
This book was absolute perfection. And the Jewish rep was excellent. My only small issue has to do with the letter. But otherwise this is an amazing holiday read. And even though the main characters are young it did not feel too young to read as an adult. I loved it!
What an incredible holiday book!
This middle grade book focuses on the joys of both Christmas and Hanukkah. Written in alternating POVs this is such a perfect book for the holidays.
Aviva and Holly did not know that the other existed. But these 12 year old girls discover that they are twins. I loved how different they were from each other (Aviva is outgoing and loves to sing and Holly is shy and loves to write). I also absolutely their families (especially Aviva's Bubbe and Holly's Grandpa). And I really enjoyed the holiday pageant at the local senior's center.
This book was absolute perfection. And the Jewish rep was excellent. My only small issue has to do with the letter. But otherwise this is an amazing holiday read. And even though the main characters are young it did not feel too young to read as an adult. I loved it!
Read
December 15, 2025This was a cute Christmas read aloud that we blew through as a family!
November 6, 2024
This gave The Parent Trap movie vibes in a holiday setting and in book form.
I listened to the audio, which has dual narrators, and I am sad to say I loved one of them, and the other not so much...
I listened to the audio, which has dual narrators, and I am sad to say I loved one of them, and the other not so much...
December 14, 2024
I honestly should’ve rated this lower than a four star, but I couldn’t stop reading it, it was super cute, and I loved all the characters.
November 15, 2024
Buddyread with Ashley, her review here:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Cozy, cute, and Heartwarming:) Loved all the characters 💖 (pictured Ian Mckellen as Gramps).
It was also nice how neither religion was pushed on readers.. each was allowed to shine.
The food for Hanukkah sounded delicious 😋!
The song at the end was wonderful, I would love to hear it recorded 🎶.
All in all, would recommend 👌 especially if you are in the minority like me and not into Christmas romance books
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Cozy, cute, and Heartwarming:) Loved all the characters 💖 (pictured Ian Mckellen as Gramps).
It was also nice how neither religion was pushed on readers.. each was allowed to shine.
The food for Hanukkah sounded delicious 😋!
The song at the end was wonderful, I would love to hear it recorded 🎶.
All in all, would recommend 👌 especially if you are in the minority like me and not into Christmas romance books
October 29, 2024
This was a charming, feel-good middle grade holiday story that sees two adopted identical tweens meeting at an old age care home and signing up for the sole Jewish performance.
Full of a great cast of diverse characters and lots of Parent trap esque family swap vibes, this was an enjoyable story about found family, Jewish heritage, identity and traditions.
It was also great on audio and perfect for fans of books like Not your all-American girl by Madelyn Rosenberg and authors like AJ Sass and Jake Maia Arlow.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review!
Full of a great cast of diverse characters and lots of Parent trap esque family swap vibes, this was an enjoyable story about found family, Jewish heritage, identity and traditions.
It was also great on audio and perfect for fans of books like Not your all-American girl by Madelyn Rosenberg and authors like AJ Sass and Jake Maia Arlow.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review!
December 21, 2024
I don't read a lot of seasonal books. I only picked this up because a friend was interested in buddy reading it. Suddenly I flew ahead and finished it before her because I loved it so much? Strange. But also not really, because this isn't a 'christmas' book. This is the story of two identical twins who meet on accident and decide to swap families (they're adopted) to get to know each other better. It deals with culture, finding identity, coming to terms with hard things...and so much more. It's an absolutely delightful read. I see myself returning to this one day.
December 8, 2024
I actually enjoyed this one 🥰 great parent trap vibes and deeper messages
November 23, 2024
Audiobook (8 hours) narrated by Gabi Epstein, and Rebecca Soler
Rebecca Soler is a fantastic narrator. I have listened to her in dozens of books, from The Empyrean series, beginning with Fourth Wing, to the series that brought me here, Marissa Meyer's The Lunar Chronicles, beginning with Cinder. Love them all!
Gabi Epstein was fantastic as well. Although I am not familiar with her narrations, I have all the praise and no complaints. The two have great chemistry, working really well together to bring to life this beautiful holiday story.
The audio is good, with zero issues.
After reading Marissa Meyer's The Lunar Chronicles, my library tagged this book as something that might interest me and I though, sure, why not? I am glad that I did!
This is a collaboration with Joanne Levy, who I am not familiar with. Their end result product is really great. A story that starts off in a similar style to books like The Parent Trap, a story from 1949 that was responsible for several movies including the popular Disney's the Parent Trap with Lindsay Lohan, with two young girls who look identical to one another, who run into each other and decide to switch places.
This story adds in the creative addition of one family celebrates Christmas and the other Hanukkah, which allows the authors to explore both holidays individually, compare and contrast them and otherwise write about the different ways that people act, react, and celebrate family traditions. IT's a beautiful story that includes a lot of family dynamics and relationships.
The novel is fairly marked as Children's, Middle Grade, Young Adult, and Family, as it is a story for everyone. There are multiple children from an under 10 year old (maybe 8, I forget the exact age, my bad!), the two 12 years olds, a teen, then parents, grandparents and a cat. The character development is based around the 12 year olds, and while there aren't huge dynamic backstories of the other characters, there are decent stories that are based on what you would expect most 12 year olds to know about their parents and grandparents.
The world is similarly done, with an eye of a 12 year old exploring the holidays. With extra glitter and flannel for the season!
It's sweet, but not overly syrupy sweet. It has the cadence of having problems that 12 years find challenging and feel that they can solve, thus the house switching, and for the rest you will have to read yourself.
I would recommend the book. It definitely brings out the holiday cheer and the warm feelings of closeness and comfort, like finding a whole new identical sister to love. Yes, I was a total sap for it and I am not mad about it!
Rebecca Soler is a fantastic narrator. I have listened to her in dozens of books, from The Empyrean series, beginning with Fourth Wing, to the series that brought me here, Marissa Meyer's The Lunar Chronicles, beginning with Cinder. Love them all!
Gabi Epstein was fantastic as well. Although I am not familiar with her narrations, I have all the praise and no complaints. The two have great chemistry, working really well together to bring to life this beautiful holiday story.
The audio is good, with zero issues.
After reading Marissa Meyer's The Lunar Chronicles, my library tagged this book as something that might interest me and I though, sure, why not? I am glad that I did!
This is a collaboration with Joanne Levy, who I am not familiar with. Their end result product is really great. A story that starts off in a similar style to books like The Parent Trap, a story from 1949 that was responsible for several movies including the popular Disney's the Parent Trap with Lindsay Lohan, with two young girls who look identical to one another, who run into each other and decide to switch places.
This story adds in the creative addition of one family celebrates Christmas and the other Hanukkah, which allows the authors to explore both holidays individually, compare and contrast them and otherwise write about the different ways that people act, react, and celebrate family traditions. IT's a beautiful story that includes a lot of family dynamics and relationships.
The novel is fairly marked as Children's, Middle Grade, Young Adult, and Family, as it is a story for everyone. There are multiple children from an under 10 year old (maybe 8, I forget the exact age, my bad!), the two 12 years olds, a teen, then parents, grandparents and a cat. The character development is based around the 12 year olds, and while there aren't huge dynamic backstories of the other characters, there are decent stories that are based on what you would expect most 12 year olds to know about their parents and grandparents.
The world is similarly done, with an eye of a 12 year old exploring the holidays. With extra glitter and flannel for the season!
It's sweet, but not overly syrupy sweet. It has the cadence of having problems that 12 years find challenging and feel that they can solve, thus the house switching, and for the rest you will have to read yourself.
I would recommend the book. It definitely brings out the holiday cheer and the warm feelings of closeness and comfort, like finding a whole new identical sister to love. Yes, I was a total sap for it and I am not mad about it!
Want to read
May 12, 2024SO excited for this - i'm really intrigued to see how marissa meyer's style will look when she's co-authoring a book!
December 1, 2024
3 1/2 stars, rounded up. I definitely wanted more from the ending of this one. It ended abruptly and we never found out what was in the letters! Maybe an epilogue one year later would have done the trick? I also liked Holly as a character far more than Aviva. Holly’s relationship with Gramps was so cute. I liked seeing Holly and Aviva swap lives and learn about a culture different from their own. Overall it was a cute read.
_______________________________
Is this what I think it is??? Is one of my all time favorite YA authors writing a CHRISTMAS BOOK???
This is SO EXCITING and I can't wait for it!
_______________________________
Is this what I think it is??? Is one of my all time favorite YA authors writing a CHRISTMAS BOOK???
This is SO EXCITING and I can't wait for it!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 5, 2025
⁺₊❅⋆ ⁺₊❆⋆⁺₊❅⋆ ⁺₊❆⋆⁺₊❅⋆ ⁺₊❆⋆⁺₊❅⋆ ⁺₊❆⋆⁺₊❅
This was so cute! It was interesting to learn a little about Jewish culture and about Hanukkah because my family is Christian for the most part so I didn't really know a lot about Judaism. I loved the characters and I loved seeing adoption portrayed in a good light.
I love Marissa Meyer's writing style so of course I wanted to read this for Christmas this year. I loved how Holly's Grandpa called her “His Little Holly Tree.” That was so sweet!
Lastly I would just like to say that whether you celebrate Christmas like Holly or Hanukkah like Aviva, or something else altogether like: New Years, Winter Solstice, Kwanzaa or anything else I hope you are having a wonderful holiday season!
The characters
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Aviva ~ I loved her, she was so sweet! I loved her relationship with her grandmother as it was really sweet.
Holly ~ I also loved her. She was so similar to me: she loves to read, she loves to write and she only wants books for Christmas.
Aaron ~ he was so freaking adorable!
Benny ~ he was alright.
“Aviva Libby Davis. You. Are. Jewish.”
What to expect
📚 Middle Grade
🎭 Christmas/Hanukkah Vibes
📚 Twins Separated At Birth
🎭 Friendship
📚 Sibling Love
Quotes
~~~~~~~
“That you are adopted has nothing to do with it. You were wanted and instantly loved by your family the second they brought you home.”
“The library was like a second home to me, and all the librarians knew me by name.”
“I wished people were cooler about a lot of things. It was stupid that people could not like someone because of their skin color or their religion–things that didn't even affect them. It didn't make any sense.”
“Gramps was the only person who understood how much I really only wanted books for Christmas– not new clothes or another craft kit or anything else, just books.”
“Happy Hanukkah Aviva,” Holly said behind me. I stared at the collage for a minute and then pulled Holly in for a hug. “I love it so much. But you know, the best gift I've gotten this year…is you.”
Content
~~~~~~~
❤️🔥Romance| Holly and Aviva see a couple kiss, gramps and bubbe flirt.
🤬Language| Blasted,
🗡️Violence| none
🏳️🌈LGBTQ| none
✝️ Religion/spirituality| Aviva is Jewish and Holly is Christian so there are elements of both their faiths,
⚠️Other| Adoption, Racism, Arthritis, Both girls grandparents are living in a senior center, gramps falls and hurts himself multiple times,
This was so cute! It was interesting to learn a little about Jewish culture and about Hanukkah because my family is Christian for the most part so I didn't really know a lot about Judaism. I loved the characters and I loved seeing adoption portrayed in a good light.
I love Marissa Meyer's writing style so of course I wanted to read this for Christmas this year. I loved how Holly's Grandpa called her “His Little Holly Tree.” That was so sweet!
Lastly I would just like to say that whether you celebrate Christmas like Holly or Hanukkah like Aviva, or something else altogether like: New Years, Winter Solstice, Kwanzaa or anything else I hope you are having a wonderful holiday season!
The characters
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Aviva ~ I loved her, she was so sweet! I loved her relationship with her grandmother as it was really sweet.
Holly ~ I also loved her. She was so similar to me: she loves to read, she loves to write and she only wants books for Christmas.
Aaron ~ he was so freaking adorable!
Benny ~ he was alright.
“Aviva Libby Davis. You. Are. Jewish.”
What to expect
📚 Middle Grade
🎭 Christmas/Hanukkah Vibes
📚 Twins Separated At Birth
🎭 Friendship
📚 Sibling Love
Quotes
~~~~~~~
“That you are adopted has nothing to do with it. You were wanted and instantly loved by your family the second they brought you home.”
“The library was like a second home to me, and all the librarians knew me by name.”
“I wished people were cooler about a lot of things. It was stupid that people could not like someone because of their skin color or their religion–things that didn't even affect them. It didn't make any sense.”
“Gramps was the only person who understood how much I really only wanted books for Christmas– not new clothes or another craft kit or anything else, just books.”
“Happy Hanukkah Aviva,” Holly said behind me. I stared at the collage for a minute and then pulled Holly in for a hug. “I love it so much. But you know, the best gift I've gotten this year…is you.”
Content
~~~~~~~
❤️🔥Romance| Holly and Aviva see a couple kiss, gramps and bubbe flirt.
🤬Language| Blasted,
🗡️Violence| none
🏳️🌈LGBTQ| none
✝️ Religion/spirituality| Aviva is Jewish and Holly is Christian so there are elements of both their faiths,
⚠️Other| Adoption, Racism, Arthritis, Both girls grandparents are living in a senior center, gramps falls and hurts himself multiple times,
November 8, 2024
Let it Glow puts a fantastic dreidel spin on the "Parent Trap" trope where long lost twins discover each other and switch places. Both girls know that they are adopted, but are shocked to learn that they have a twin. As someone raised Jewish who always had both a menorah and a Christmas tree, I love the recent diversity trend in children's literature that highlights interfaith families celebrating both cultures. Let it Glow comes close. When Holly and Aviva meet and switch places, they get know each other's family and learn about each other's culture. Marissa Meyer and Joanne Levy have teamed up to tell this cute story. I have enjoyed several books by Levy, but I am now a Marissa Meyer fan as well. They have created several well rounded believable characters. I love the fact that the twins may look alike, but they are exact opposites otherwise. The grandparents are portrayed as people who may face physical issues that come with aging, but still enjoy an active life. The other family members are all well thought out and the authors each wrote the chapters taking place in one home. Levy's descriptions of Hanukkah celebrations are spot on and made me hungry for latkes. Mayer's descriptions of a selecting and putting up a tree made me smile with recognition. Levy has woven in a few diversity issues that may hit home with some Jewish kids. She created a larger than life musical theatre nerd who questions if she is "Jewish enough" to perform in a Hanukkah number in a holiday program. Many kids raised in a relatively unobservant family who identify with their Jewish culture but don't go to synagogue on a regular basis face similar issues. Also Aviva's father and brothers are black, so most kids don't realize that her brothers are Jewish. With the duel narrators, and two holidays, this book is bound to appeal to kids from any background.
I alternated between the eBook and the audiobook for this novel. Narrators Gabbi Epstein and Rebecca Soler both did a fantastic job of giving different distinctive voices for the different characters. They played the twins with such feeling that I didn't want to stop listening. I will definitely be looking for more books read by these talented actresses. If you prefer audiobooks, or enjoy alternating formats to fit your schedule, this book is a great choice.
Because I love books by Joanne Levy, I was thrilled to get downloadable review copies of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. This review is voluntary and the opinions are my own. I enjoyed this book just as much as Levy's other books, and I will be adding her coauthor Marissa Meyer to my must read list. I can honestly recommend this any kid in search for a holiday story. What kid doesn't occasionally wish for a twin?
I alternated between the eBook and the audiobook for this novel. Narrators Gabbi Epstein and Rebecca Soler both did a fantastic job of giving different distinctive voices for the different characters. They played the twins with such feeling that I didn't want to stop listening. I will definitely be looking for more books read by these talented actresses. If you prefer audiobooks, or enjoy alternating formats to fit your schedule, this book is a great choice.
Because I love books by Joanne Levy, I was thrilled to get downloadable review copies of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. This review is voluntary and the opinions are my own. I enjoyed this book just as much as Levy's other books, and I will be adding her coauthor Marissa Meyer to my must read list. I can honestly recommend this any kid in search for a holiday story. What kid doesn't occasionally wish for a twin?
November 14, 2024
The ending saved this book for me... *barely,* but it was the ending that made me laugh out of the entire story. I do believe this could have been cut down from 53 chapters of dual first-person points of view to 50, if not less. The pacing was a bit off for me, making it a difficult read, but I pushed through. Having read Celia Krampien's "The Bellwoods Game" I should've seen her artwork in the cover, but it was a fun surprise to learn from the acknowledgements. Overall a very sweet story, it just didn't get interesting for me until near the end. And the swap doesn't happen until almost a third of the way through the book. Still, not a bad read, just not my favorite.
December 16, 2024
This was so cute! I wasn't expecting to like it as much as I did, but it was a delightful read. I really related to Aviva as someone who didn't celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah growing up. I also related to Holly and her introverted-ness. I'm a big fan of the original twin swap story, Lisa and Lottie, and this was a lovely rendition of it. Definitely recommend to anyone who wants a cute middle grade read with holiday vibes!
May 2, 2025
3.5 stars! Little me would’ve loved this as someone who was raised interfaith. Very cute story. I love Parent Trap situations. I’m a bit disappointed Holly and Aviva didn’t open their letters, but that doesn’t take away from the story as a whole. Also my first finished read of the year!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 15, 2024
Thanks TL for reminding me about this one! I loved Aviva and Holly and all of the supporting characters. If you're looking for something cozy for the holidays, this is the perfect choice.
December 22, 2024
When two strangers Holly and Aviva run into each other at a holiday pageant tryout they are both shocked to learn that they look exactly alike; and have the same birthday!
When they decide to switch places in each other’s families to learn about their holiday traditions, not only does a lot of learning take place-but definitely a lot of hilarity too. This was a fun holiday read that I will be glad to hand on to my students!
When they decide to switch places in each other’s families to learn about their holiday traditions, not only does a lot of learning take place-but definitely a lot of hilarity too. This was a fun holiday read that I will be glad to hand on to my students!
January 6, 2025
I meant to finish this during Chanukah, but at least I finished it by the twelfth night of Christmas. 😉
This was so cute and sweet!! As someone who celebrates both holidays, the representation was representationing, and I loved every moment. 😍 The actual swap element and all the deception did stress me out, but I thought there was a nice ending to it. Gramps was my favorite character. 🤍 And the sisterhood was amazing!
I'll be recommending this to everyone next season. 😇
This was so cute and sweet!! As someone who celebrates both holidays, the representation was representationing, and I loved every moment. 😍 The actual swap element and all the deception did stress me out, but I thought there was a nice ending to it. Gramps was my favorite character. 🤍 And the sisterhood was amazing!
I'll be recommending this to everyone next season. 😇
December 9, 2024
3½✨
This was such a sweet little story. Not sure why but in my head it was little Lindsay Lohan playing the sisters. Maybe because it had some parent trap vibes.
The story did feel a bit to predictable and obvious, but I think Middle Grades would love it.
This was such a sweet little story. Not sure why but in my head it was little Lindsay Lohan playing the sisters. Maybe because it had some parent trap vibes.
The story did feel a bit to predictable and obvious, but I think Middle Grades would love it.
December 18, 2024
3.5 ⭐️
December 9, 2025
Thank you, NetGalley, for granting me a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
This holiday season, skip the newest Christmas Carol adaptation and check out a Parent Trap retelling instead!
That's the simplest way to describe Let It Glow, a middle grades holiday story co-authored by YA titan Marissa Meyer and Joanne Levy. After a chance encounter at the local retirement home, Holly and Aviva discover that they are identical twins who were separated at birth and hatch a plot to switch places, giving them the chance to walk in each other's shoes and experience new holiday traditions. Aside from each girl sharing a close bond with their grandparent, the two couldn't be more different: bookish, introverted Holly was raised by a single mother in a secular, nominally Christian home, and Aviva is an outgoing performer from a large, mixed-race, Jewish family. Both girls could do with a bit more excitement in their lives, however, and soon a series of holiday hijinks ensue as they try to keep up the ruse.
Let It Glow is lighthearted and festive, with a strong theme that families come in all shapes and sizes. More attention is paid to the Jewish-half of the story than the Christian-half, exploring the biblical roots of Hanukkah while sticking to the mainstream secular traditions of Christmas, but both holidays are treated with respect. Listening to the audiobook, I must admit that I found the two narrators a bit obnoxious, but that's often the case with middle grades' and children's audiobooks. If you're looking for a brisk holiday tale that eschews both romance and the general cheesiness of Hallmark movies, Let It Glow is a good choice for kids and parents alike.
This holiday season, skip the newest Christmas Carol adaptation and check out a Parent Trap retelling instead!
That's the simplest way to describe Let It Glow, a middle grades holiday story co-authored by YA titan Marissa Meyer and Joanne Levy. After a chance encounter at the local retirement home, Holly and Aviva discover that they are identical twins who were separated at birth and hatch a plot to switch places, giving them the chance to walk in each other's shoes and experience new holiday traditions. Aside from each girl sharing a close bond with their grandparent, the two couldn't be more different: bookish, introverted Holly was raised by a single mother in a secular, nominally Christian home, and Aviva is an outgoing performer from a large, mixed-race, Jewish family. Both girls could do with a bit more excitement in their lives, however, and soon a series of holiday hijinks ensue as they try to keep up the ruse.
Let It Glow is lighthearted and festive, with a strong theme that families come in all shapes and sizes. More attention is paid to the Jewish-half of the story than the Christian-half, exploring the biblical roots of Hanukkah while sticking to the mainstream secular traditions of Christmas, but both holidays are treated with respect. Listening to the audiobook, I must admit that I found the two narrators a bit obnoxious, but that's often the case with middle grades' and children's audiobooks. If you're looking for a brisk holiday tale that eschews both romance and the general cheesiness of Hallmark movies, Let It Glow is a good choice for kids and parents alike.
July 14, 2024
I recently introduced my girls to The Parent Trap and It Takes Two… they are fascinated by long lost twin stories so this was a fun one to read aloud and have a bit of a Holiday in July moment.
I think the target audience will absolutely love this story about Aviva and Holly. Adopted and separated at birth… they met in an unexpected way and decided to switch homes for a few days. Embracing one another’s families and traditions.
Thank you Feiwel & Friends
Releases 10/1
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Lyon.brit.A...
I think the target audience will absolutely love this story about Aviva and Holly. Adopted and separated at birth… they met in an unexpected way and decided to switch homes for a few days. Embracing one another’s families and traditions.
Thank you Feiwel & Friends
Releases 10/1
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Lyon.brit.A...
December 2, 2024
I just….don’t know what to say. I’ve read almost every book she’s written and I just can’t seem to get the same enthusiasm for any of it since the Renegades trilogy. I have high hopes and was let down by the thinnest premise for this story along with so much suspension of belief, it just wasn’t enjoyable. Overall I really like her style and pacing but the content just isn’t there. I get that it’s middle grade but it’s so vapid and full of stereotypes, all while contradicting itself constantly.
There was no time spent even figuring out if they were really sisters…or how they lived in the same place all their lives and never met? And in what world would you not just talk to a parent?!
The characters were all over the place and inconsistent in their motivations. They start out disappointed that they don’t get to celebrate their own holidays and then abandon them all together.
I hated how both holidays were described in the and how the families “celebrated” them. If you can even call it that. It’s like they had someone write this that wasn’t Christian or Jewish and make it up based on what they think people do.
I desperately want to like her future books but I fear I’m never going to find the magic that was cinder and renegades.
There was no time spent even figuring out if they were really sisters…or how they lived in the same place all their lives and never met? And in what world would you not just talk to a parent?!
The characters were all over the place and inconsistent in their motivations. They start out disappointed that they don’t get to celebrate their own holidays and then abandon them all together.
I hated how both holidays were described in the and how the families “celebrated” them. If you can even call it that. It’s like they had someone write this that wasn’t Christian or Jewish and make it up based on what they think people do.
I desperately want to like her future books but I fear I’m never going to find the magic that was cinder and renegades.
June 30, 2024
Cute story of twins that were separated at birth and happened to find each other at a senior center. Each knew they were adopted, but neither knew they were a twin, which makes this a fun twist for the families as well. The girls decide to trade homes for a couple of days, which makes for some quirky opportunities, but one that I think kids will enjoy reading.
I will definitely be purchasing this book for the library at my school as I know my students will enjoy it. I also really think the cover is beautiful!
Thank you, NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group | Feiwel & Friends, for the ARC.
I will definitely be purchasing this book for the library at my school as I know my students will enjoy it. I also really think the cover is beautiful!
Thank you, NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group | Feiwel & Friends, for the ARC.
October 11, 2025
Marissa Meyer is an auto-read author for me at this point, and I am so glad I was able to read this e-arc of her upcoming book co-written with Joanne Levy, Let It Glow, thanks to Netgally!
This story is a new spin on the classic trope of identical twins meeting for the first time and then switching places! I really loved how in this story the twins had been separated by adoption rather than through a broken family situation.
A big theme through the story is learning about the different holiday traditions each twin was raised in (Christmas vs. Hanukkah) and how they were each able to embrace who they were as individuals while also celebrating each other. I think that is an admirable lesson and made for a sweet story!
I think it is important to note that in this story, the girls learn about the history of Hanukkah and Aviva learns to "feel more Jewish", but there is nothing said about the history of or meaning behind Christmas. Both holidays are treated by the families in the story as meaningful traditions, but there is no mention of God or any real religious significance on either part. I fully assume that was the intention of the authors, but I personally think that was a bit of a disservice to both Jewish and Christian beliefs, when a big part of the plot was centered around this topic, but so much was seemingly left out.
This story is a new spin on the classic trope of identical twins meeting for the first time and then switching places! I really loved how in this story the twins had been separated by adoption rather than through a broken family situation.
A big theme through the story is learning about the different holiday traditions each twin was raised in (Christmas vs. Hanukkah) and how they were each able to embrace who they were as individuals while also celebrating each other. I think that is an admirable lesson and made for a sweet story!
I think it is important to note that in this story, the girls learn about the history of Hanukkah and Aviva learns to "feel more Jewish", but there is nothing said about the history of or meaning behind Christmas. Both holidays are treated by the families in the story as meaningful traditions, but there is no mention of God or any real religious significance on either part. I fully assume that was the intention of the authors, but I personally think that was a bit of a disservice to both Jewish and Christian beliefs, when a big part of the plot was centered around this topic, but so much was seemingly left out.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 6, 2025
Any book that makes me cry is automatically 5 stars!
This was such a wonderful, heartfelt, yet fun middle-grade story. I loved how each sister had a close relationship with one of their grandparents. I loved seeing the sisters' understanding of each other grow when they switched places and learned more about their families and religions. Moreover, this was just a perfect middle grade that shows the duality of this age: they're silly and they make rash decisions (switching houses on a whim!), but they also are dealing with real life issues of family and identity: one sister not feeling "Jewish Enough," the other struggling as her grandpa's health declines: both sisters trying to find their place in the world. There were several scenes with the grandpa that had me tearing up and reminded me a lot of my grandfather. This was the perfect book to end the holiday season. It's not overly Christmas-y, and actually focuses a lot on Hanukkah, which I really enjoyed. I highly recommend this for any tween or adult fan of middle grade!
This was such a wonderful, heartfelt, yet fun middle-grade story. I loved how each sister had a close relationship with one of their grandparents. I loved seeing the sisters' understanding of each other grow when they switched places and learned more about their families and religions. Moreover, this was just a perfect middle grade that shows the duality of this age: they're silly and they make rash decisions (switching houses on a whim!), but they also are dealing with real life issues of family and identity: one sister not feeling "Jewish Enough," the other struggling as her grandpa's health declines: both sisters trying to find their place in the world. There were several scenes with the grandpa that had me tearing up and reminded me a lot of my grandfather. This was the perfect book to end the holiday season. It's not overly Christmas-y, and actually focuses a lot on Hanukkah, which I really enjoyed. I highly recommend this for any tween or adult fan of middle grade!
November 9, 2024
A rip off of "The Parent Trap" with the twist of no one involved having known that a twin ever existed.
Cute look at the feelings of children for the holidays they are and are not part of. Should have been enough at that. Instead, it is seeded with many serious issues put into the mix but then glossed over. Not to forget the situation that caused or allowed identical twins to be adopted out separately! Any of these could have made for a good book, together they are just noise, making the tale feel about 70 pages too long.
The incidental-meet insta-connection "let's swap places" doesn't ring true at all, for children still defining their identities, especially in the context of all these adult challenges intruding in their lives. Curiosity? Yes. Instant 100% trust? Not at 12 years old. Also, neither girl appears to have a single actual friend?
In particular, it is concerning that the girls exhibit such different fundamental behaviors and their PARENTS don't notice or intervene quickly. Normally, going from neat-freak to slob overnight, or avoiding libraries to being anxious to get to one, should raise some real questions for parents. (New friends, drugs?, problems at school/home?) As should a pet doing a complete about-face towards a family member. (Ill? injured?) But these parents are 'busy' and 'don't notice' such things.
Cute look at the feelings of children for the holidays they are and are not part of. Should have been enough at that. Instead, it is seeded with many serious issues put into the mix but then glossed over. Not to forget the situation that caused or allowed identical twins to be adopted out separately! Any of these could have made for a good book, together they are just noise, making the tale feel about 70 pages too long.
The incidental-meet insta-connection "let's swap places" doesn't ring true at all, for children still defining their identities, especially in the context of all these adult challenges intruding in their lives. Curiosity? Yes. Instant 100% trust? Not at 12 years old. Also, neither girl appears to have a single actual friend?
In particular, it is concerning that the girls exhibit such different fundamental behaviors and their PARENTS don't notice or intervene quickly. Normally, going from neat-freak to slob overnight, or avoiding libraries to being anxious to get to one, should raise some real questions for parents. (New friends, drugs?, problems at school/home?) As should a pet doing a complete about-face towards a family member. (Ill? injured?) But these parents are 'busy' and 'don't notice' such things.
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