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A Most Wonderful Time
Not yet published
Expected 3 Nov 26As the new CEO of a biomedical company, Zoe has survived private betrayals, public scandals, and her best friend Alma, trapping her on the wrong side of a Colorado blizzard and leaving her no choice but to spend the holiday with Alma’s family. But what awaits Zoe at her friend’s cozy mountain cabin may be her most perilous predicament yet:
Hanna Kaplan is going to kill her.
Hanna is disarming, fearless, and built like she came straight from the battlefield of Troy. She’s also Alma’s future sister-in-law, meaning she’s off-limits. Terrified of jeopardizing the only real family she has for an entanglement bound to end in disaster, Zoe will do whatever it takes to resist the scorching chemistry between them—even if that means murdering Santa, playing laser tag with Jesus, and wrangling herself into a range of increasingly ridiculous outfits.
Hanna Kaplan is going to kill her.
Hanna is disarming, fearless, and built like she came straight from the battlefield of Troy. She’s also Alma’s future sister-in-law, meaning she’s off-limits. Terrified of jeopardizing the only real family she has for an entanglement bound to end in disaster, Zoe will do whatever it takes to resist the scorching chemistry between them—even if that means murdering Santa, playing laser tag with Jesus, and wrangling herself into a range of increasingly ridiculous outfits.
- GenresLesbian
436 pages, Paperback
Expected publication November 3, 2026
About the author
Easter Kingston
1 book12 followersEaster Kingston is an author and illustrator who picked an interesting time to relocate from Europe’s cool shores to the sun-scorched American Southwest. Her work has been included in a number of anthologies and digital publications, exploring subjects like grief, agency, radical joy, and queer identity. Her other creative projects include miniature interior design and an undisclosed number of attempts to grow her own salsa ingredients around the cozy, urban heat-island home she shares with her wife.
A Most Wonderful Time is her first novel.
A Most Wonderful Time is her first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
Review of advance copy
Kingston makes an amazing debut with this novel. Hannah and Zoe's dynamic was so good to read. Zoe is really intriguing and emotionally unavailable, while Hannah is goofy, warm, patient, and adorable.Both are terrible at communication. I loved seeing Zoe' s slow growth and watching her become more and more vulnerable. The book is written only from her point of view, and as she fights so hard against herself, I felt sad for her. The secondary characters meddle a lot, against them or to reunite them, resulting in a happy and warm mess. So much so that sometimes many things were happening in a scene, and I was a bit lost and had to reread. Zoe's past seems really complicated, and Kingston gave us seeds of information now and then, but I would have wanted a clearer picture. The pacing was a bit uneven, with a lot of time passing between scenes at some point, a constrast with three chapters on a game of laser tag. Overall, with extremely lovable characters, this is a perfect holiday novel.
Review of advance copy
Thanks BookSirens for the ARC copy in exchange for my honest review.
This was a fun book and I'm really looking forward to other works in the future by Kingston.
Zoe has a chaotic life, something you definitely feel involved in throughout the book. She has a bit of a wild background (which I do wish was explained just a little more in detail, although we get bits and pieces of it here and there) and doesn't trust anyone other than her best friend and co-workers. It's nice getting to see Zoe let loose and have her walls finally start to come down. The moments she has with her best friend, Alma, and eventually with Hanna, were really sweet and also a gut punch, because she is constantly blaming herself for things that are out of her control.
Hanna. That girl is the very definition of Golden Retriever. I absolutely loved her. She was such a breath of fresh air. She's kind, understanding, loyal, you name it. I do wish we got her POV. I feel like the story really could have benefited from the in between and time she was away. I was craving it, tbh.
I do wish some of the intimate scenes were more fleshed out-no it's not closed door, but it's not exactly detailed either. With how much chemistry (sexual and other) Hanna and Zoe shared, it would have been nice to see that portrayed a little more on the page. As I mentioned, dual POV would have made this story have a higher impact IMO, and would have given us far more substance.
I genuinely liked all of the side characters but would have loved to see Zoe and Hanna spend far more time alone and get that one on one. Overall, it was a great read and I look forward to more.
This was a fun book and I'm really looking forward to other works in the future by Kingston.
Zoe has a chaotic life, something you definitely feel involved in throughout the book. She has a bit of a wild background (which I do wish was explained just a little more in detail, although we get bits and pieces of it here and there) and doesn't trust anyone other than her best friend and co-workers. It's nice getting to see Zoe let loose and have her walls finally start to come down. The moments she has with her best friend, Alma, and eventually with Hanna, were really sweet and also a gut punch, because she is constantly blaming herself for things that are out of her control.
Hanna. That girl is the very definition of Golden Retriever. I absolutely loved her. She was such a breath of fresh air. She's kind, understanding, loyal, you name it. I do wish we got her POV. I feel like the story really could have benefited from the in between and time she was away. I was craving it, tbh.
I do wish some of the intimate scenes were more fleshed out-no it's not closed door, but it's not exactly detailed either. With how much chemistry (sexual and other) Hanna and Zoe shared, it would have been nice to see that portrayed a little more on the page. As I mentioned, dual POV would have made this story have a higher impact IMO, and would have given us far more substance.
I genuinely liked all of the side characters but would have loved to see Zoe and Hanna spend far more time alone and get that one on one. Overall, it was a great read and I look forward to more.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This was a funny book with so much going on! Right from the beginning you feel like you’re swept up in all the chaotic mess that is Zoe’s life. It almost reads like a sitcom! It took a few chapters for me to really get into the story, simply because there was so much being introduced - many characters and Zoe’s background that it felt a bit overwhelming. After a few chapters it does slow down enough to really get to know who Zoe is and how her past has impacted her. I love the found family she has, and how supportive her friends are. Hanna is just the sweetest! The characters were all developed so well and the story was well written. I really enjoyed the banter and humor in the book. At times, it was frustrating because if Zoe and Hanna could just talk it out, a lot of the tedious drama could have been avoided, but I understand it was necessary to fully appreciate just how much Zoe grows and changes. Overall, a really great read to get lost in for a while!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 7, 2026
Thank you to BookSirens for the ARC. **I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.**
A Most Wonderful Time may be Easter Kingston's official debut, but you'd never be able to tell. She masterfully weaves heart and humor together to create a cozy winter romance that I'd be happy to read any time of year. The characters are full, complex, and will instantly carve themselves into your heart. You'll find yourself feeling the yearning and the heat right along with them. This was a fantastic read from a fantastic author. I would wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who loves a feel good romance. I'm already looking forward to seeing what Easter comes out with next.
A Most Wonderful Time may be Easter Kingston's official debut, but you'd never be able to tell. She masterfully weaves heart and humor together to create a cozy winter romance that I'd be happy to read any time of year. The characters are full, complex, and will instantly carve themselves into your heart. You'll find yourself feeling the yearning and the heat right along with them. This was a fantastic read from a fantastic author. I would wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who loves a feel good romance. I'm already looking forward to seeing what Easter comes out with next.
October 22, 2026
Thank you to the author for this ARC.
What a sweet debut novel. I love when I am caught by surprise and a book has me genuinely laughing out loud. I loved the dynamic between Hanna and Zoe and was rooting hard for them. There were times I wished I could have seen Hanna’s point of view and what was going on in her head and between her and the other characters. There was a couple of points throughout the book that I found myself having to reread sections because there was so much going on all at once.
In all, a great debut novel and a lovely holiday Rom-Com.
What a sweet debut novel. I love when I am caught by surprise and a book has me genuinely laughing out loud. I loved the dynamic between Hanna and Zoe and was rooting hard for them. There were times I wished I could have seen Hanna’s point of view and what was going on in her head and between her and the other characters. There was a couple of points throughout the book that I found myself having to reread sections because there was so much going on all at once.
In all, a great debut novel and a lovely holiday Rom-Com.
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.8 Stars
This book was exactly what I needed! The quality of the story is impressive. The humor is laugh-out-loud funny and it keeps you wanting more.
The Ice Queen/Golden Retriever is one of my favorite tropes to read. Toss in some snow, forced proximity, and sizzling chemistry and you have the ingredients for a well-baked holiday rom-com. The way Easter dives into Zoe's psyche and takes the reader on the self-deprecation spiral with her makes the rollercoaster ride worth it. Add Hanna's lovability and obliviousness, Alma's chaotic meddling, Sofia's teenage dramatics, and Jude's grumpy protectiveness - it's a recipe for pure holiday chaos and one very dead Santa.
I found myself truly laughing out loud. This book was so enjoyable I couldn't put it down and I felt that way for the whole book. With each new chapter and scene, I found myself more and more interested in what happens next. From the forced proximity to resisting the palpable chemistry, from possible hookup to friends to a possible romance, the will they-won't they - I was hooked. No matter what emotion or topic the book tackled, I was glued to the pages. It's a feat that doesn't happen to me very often. At times, my mind will wander or I'll get distracted by other things. However, this book drew me in and held me captive until the end.
The only thing I felt could have been better was the spice level, like it could have been turned up a bit. Hanna and Zoe have insane chemistry, it was evident from the moment the two characters meet. While the heat isn't lacking, I found myself wishing there was a little more fire on the page. A little more cause to fan myself. The only other thing, in my opinion, that could have been better was getting more time between Hanna and Zoe, more of them just being together. Maybe that's just me being selfish and wanting more of them as a couple, but that's the only negative thing I can say. Overall it was a great read and I would absolutely read it again.
So, if you are looking for a really good rom-com, if you enjoy holiday romances in general, but especially ones pairing an Ice Queen and a Golden Retriever, you should most definitely read this. It is well worth the time and will make you laugh-out-loud. I can’t wait to see where Easter take us next.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This book was exactly what I needed! The quality of the story is impressive. The humor is laugh-out-loud funny and it keeps you wanting more.
The Ice Queen/Golden Retriever is one of my favorite tropes to read. Toss in some snow, forced proximity, and sizzling chemistry and you have the ingredients for a well-baked holiday rom-com. The way Easter dives into Zoe's psyche and takes the reader on the self-deprecation spiral with her makes the rollercoaster ride worth it. Add Hanna's lovability and obliviousness, Alma's chaotic meddling, Sofia's teenage dramatics, and Jude's grumpy protectiveness - it's a recipe for pure holiday chaos and one very dead Santa.
I found myself truly laughing out loud. This book was so enjoyable I couldn't put it down and I felt that way for the whole book. With each new chapter and scene, I found myself more and more interested in what happens next. From the forced proximity to resisting the palpable chemistry, from possible hookup to friends to a possible romance, the will they-won't they - I was hooked. No matter what emotion or topic the book tackled, I was glued to the pages. It's a feat that doesn't happen to me very often. At times, my mind will wander or I'll get distracted by other things. However, this book drew me in and held me captive until the end.
The only thing I felt could have been better was the spice level, like it could have been turned up a bit. Hanna and Zoe have insane chemistry, it was evident from the moment the two characters meet. While the heat isn't lacking, I found myself wishing there was a little more fire on the page. A little more cause to fan myself. The only other thing, in my opinion, that could have been better was getting more time between Hanna and Zoe, more of them just being together. Maybe that's just me being selfish and wanting more of them as a couple, but that's the only negative thing I can say. Overall it was a great read and I would absolutely read it again.
So, if you are looking for a really good rom-com, if you enjoy holiday romances in general, but especially ones pairing an Ice Queen and a Golden Retriever, you should most definitely read this. It is well worth the time and will make you laugh-out-loud. I can’t wait to see where Easter take us next.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy
To be completely honest with you, I am ravenous for more. In fact, I think I need Zoe’s up-to-date biography? Things kept being dropped that made me physically blink and stare at my phone, and they were then breezed past with the air only a billionaire genius can pull off.
Burning curiosity aside, I absolutely loved this story. The misunderstandings made perfect sense for these two idiots, and all the reasons they couldn’t, shouldn’t, absolutely would not—oh they’re naked again. Surprising only them.
The smutty bits of this book had me asking God for forgiveness out loud, and I’m not even religious. Hanna is a MENACE! And I LOVE HER!!
Please give me more books, with or without Zoe and Hanna, but I admit to an undue amount of curiosity.
Thanks to Booksirens and the author for the free ARC! This review is left voluntarily.
Burning curiosity aside, I absolutely loved this story. The misunderstandings made perfect sense for these two idiots, and all the reasons they couldn’t, shouldn’t, absolutely would not—oh they’re naked again. Surprising only them.
The smutty bits of this book had me asking God for forgiveness out loud, and I’m not even religious. Hanna is a MENACE! And I LOVE HER!!
Please give me more books, with or without Zoe and Hanna, but I admit to an undue amount of curiosity.
Thanks to Booksirens and the author for the free ARC! This review is left voluntarily.
October 31, 2026
ARC REVIEW COMING SOON
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I was so pleasantly surprised by this book. I loved the banter throughout this entire book, not only with the MC’s but also all of the side characters.
This book was fluffy with low stakes however characters felt fleshed out and real. I’m excited to see what comes next for this author!
Thanks to the publisher for this ARC in return for giving my genuine opinion of it.
This book was fluffy with low stakes however characters felt fleshed out and real. I’m excited to see what comes next for this author!
Thanks to the publisher for this ARC in return for giving my genuine opinion of it.
October 7, 2026
I've been a fan of Kingston's work for a few years now, so when the I saw there was an opportunity to read an advanced copy of her debut novel, I jumped at the chance.
Admittedly, this is not a genre of fiction I normally read, so I can't speak with too much authority about whether or not it achieves what it sets out to (but I think it does). That said, this book is a blast. It's witty and clever, it's aspirational and realistic, the characters are far from perfect and utterly lovable, and the romance is so fun to witness develop. It's an enjoyably easy read, and while I read it piece by piece over the span of a few days, I have no doubt you could binge it in one sitting just as well.
The opening few chapters do a lot of heavy lifting, with six named characters introduced quite quickly and a lot of backstory to piece together, but all of the characters remain present and active throughout the whole arc of the novel so there's plenty of time to get to know them—by the final chapters, you feel like you're friends with them too (shoutout Linh, that's my goat right there)—and Kingston does a great job unveiling the preexisting backstory between characters bit by bit as the story progresses, so you get a deeper understanding of them as you read. Basically: trust the process and the author, she won't let you down.
Overall, it's a great debut. I can't emphasize enough how fun it is to experience Kingston's wittiness—there were a few moments she nearly got a spit-take out of me, and many more where I was outright cheering for the cleverness of the prose. Kingston's background as a fanfic author is undeniable, but in this case I think that's a feature, not a bug—it just means she knows how to expertly deliver a cozy, humorous, and thoughtful story… with just enough spice to top it off. At points the narration is a bit too front-facing/on-the-nose for my personal tastes, but again, this is not my favored literary terrain, so take that with a grain of salt. And while it's obviously impossible to make a magnum opus on the first go, this is without doubt a strong entrance into the publishing game, and it gets me excited for whatever Kingston may have coming up next.
And now I legally have to acknowledge here that a) I received an advanced reader copy of this book for free from the publisher, and b) I am leaving this review voluntarily—enthusiastically, even.
Admittedly, this is not a genre of fiction I normally read, so I can't speak with too much authority about whether or not it achieves what it sets out to (but I think it does). That said, this book is a blast. It's witty and clever, it's aspirational and realistic, the characters are far from perfect and utterly lovable, and the romance is so fun to witness develop. It's an enjoyably easy read, and while I read it piece by piece over the span of a few days, I have no doubt you could binge it in one sitting just as well.
The opening few chapters do a lot of heavy lifting, with six named characters introduced quite quickly and a lot of backstory to piece together, but all of the characters remain present and active throughout the whole arc of the novel so there's plenty of time to get to know them—by the final chapters, you feel like you're friends with them too (shoutout Linh, that's my goat right there)—and Kingston does a great job unveiling the preexisting backstory between characters bit by bit as the story progresses, so you get a deeper understanding of them as you read. Basically: trust the process and the author, she won't let you down.
Overall, it's a great debut. I can't emphasize enough how fun it is to experience Kingston's wittiness—there were a few moments she nearly got a spit-take out of me, and many more where I was outright cheering for the cleverness of the prose. Kingston's background as a fanfic author is undeniable, but in this case I think that's a feature, not a bug—it just means she knows how to expertly deliver a cozy, humorous, and thoughtful story… with just enough spice to top it off. At points the narration is a bit too front-facing/on-the-nose for my personal tastes, but again, this is not my favored literary terrain, so take that with a grain of salt. And while it's obviously impossible to make a magnum opus on the first go, this is without doubt a strong entrance into the publishing game, and it gets me excited for whatever Kingston may have coming up next.
And now I legally have to acknowledge here that a) I received an advanced reader copy of this book for free from the publisher, and b) I am leaving this review voluntarily—enthusiastically, even.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was the absolute SWEETEST!!! I would normally never read a holiday central book outside of December, but when I got a chance for an ARC I literally RAN.
I love Zoe so, so much. Her selflessness and desire to do good in the world no matter how much shit it throws at her, no matter how bad people think she is, is so special. I love her humour and sarcasm and how she really does try to keep her walls up even after Hanna comes absolutely crashing through them. She is walking proof no matter what your family is or does, that doesnt mean you'll be the same. She might try to deny it but that woman has the BIGGEST heart.
I also loved Hanna, no surprise there. The literal personification of sunshine and golden retrievers despite the trauma she’s endured in her life. I loved getting to see all the references to her Ukrainian heritage and how she tries to keep her links to her birth family alive and part of her life. It was also SO nice to see how her adopted family became another part of her true family, how strong and special the bond between her and Judith is, and how the Kaplans cared for her after she lost her parents. And neither parts of her family outweigh the other, it all makes up who she is.
Getting to see them fall for each other felt like a true gift!
This book also solved my number 1 issue with holiday romances: the ‘insta love’ trope. Instead of the book taking place in just the few weeks around the holidays, we actually get to see a full year take place, though with obvious emphasis on the two winters bookending that. So instead of the characters meeting a stranger and then instantly falling in love and living happily ever after, we got to see true growth and slow burn between them, which is always my favourite.
Other things I loved: Zoe and her found family in Alma and Sofia, as well as her amazing dynamic with Linh, the top tier banter, the absolutely palpable desire and care you can feel throughout, as well as the humour.
Easy 5 stars, no notes, but can I request a book 2??
Review based on an advanced copy provided by the author, with no obligation to provide a review/rating.
I love Zoe so, so much. Her selflessness and desire to do good in the world no matter how much shit it throws at her, no matter how bad people think she is, is so special. I love her humour and sarcasm and how she really does try to keep her walls up even after Hanna comes absolutely crashing through them. She is walking proof no matter what your family is or does, that doesnt mean you'll be the same. She might try to deny it but that woman has the BIGGEST heart.
I also loved Hanna, no surprise there. The literal personification of sunshine and golden retrievers despite the trauma she’s endured in her life. I loved getting to see all the references to her Ukrainian heritage and how she tries to keep her links to her birth family alive and part of her life. It was also SO nice to see how her adopted family became another part of her true family, how strong and special the bond between her and Judith is, and how the Kaplans cared for her after she lost her parents. And neither parts of her family outweigh the other, it all makes up who she is.
Getting to see them fall for each other felt like a true gift!
This book also solved my number 1 issue with holiday romances: the ‘insta love’ trope. Instead of the book taking place in just the few weeks around the holidays, we actually get to see a full year take place, though with obvious emphasis on the two winters bookending that. So instead of the characters meeting a stranger and then instantly falling in love and living happily ever after, we got to see true growth and slow burn between them, which is always my favourite.
Other things I loved: Zoe and her found family in Alma and Sofia, as well as her amazing dynamic with Linh, the top tier banter, the absolutely palpable desire and care you can feel throughout, as well as the humour.
Easy 5 stars, no notes, but can I request a book 2??
Review based on an advanced copy provided by the author, with no obligation to provide a review/rating.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Who doesn’t love a holiday romance?! (Okay probably a lot of people but I’m not one of them.)
Zoe- billionaire, workaholic, literal genius, boss babe with a complicated family history and emotionally detached from the potential of love. So when her best friend Alma casually takes very specific files she needs with her on her family holiday in the mountains- Zoe thinks absolutely nothing of it (except of big of a pain in the arse Alma is…)
Enter Hannah- sister to Judith (Alma’s girlfriend), teacher, aspiring writer, physically impressive specimen with a notably obsessive relationship with good. When Zoe realizes she has clearly been set up by her best friend to spice up her non-existent love life so she needs to decide if she can embrace the holiday spirit or remain frosty for life.
First- I really did enjoy this book- the overall theme is one of my favorites and you can always tempt me with a holiday romance. But- I had to stop caring about 2 things in order to appreciate the story. First- so many big words that I have never seen, used or heard in life- once I started skipping past them (🤷🏻) I started to really vibe with the story. Second- a lot of hinted at backstory- like seriously was there a prequel I missed?- some of it is eventually explained but generally pretty open to interpretation. Moving past those two things- the pining, thawing, self realization and spicy moments really took hold of me. I’m just a sucker- always rooting for the underdog. Alma was by far my favorite- the annoying best kind of best friend. If you’re looking for a new holiday read early in the season snag this one! Expand your vocabulary! 🤣
Zoe- billionaire, workaholic, literal genius, boss babe with a complicated family history and emotionally detached from the potential of love. So when her best friend Alma casually takes very specific files she needs with her on her family holiday in the mountains- Zoe thinks absolutely nothing of it (except of big of a pain in the arse Alma is…)
Enter Hannah- sister to Judith (Alma’s girlfriend), teacher, aspiring writer, physically impressive specimen with a notably obsessive relationship with good. When Zoe realizes she has clearly been set up by her best friend to spice up her non-existent love life so she needs to decide if she can embrace the holiday spirit or remain frosty for life.
First- I really did enjoy this book- the overall theme is one of my favorites and you can always tempt me with a holiday romance. But- I had to stop caring about 2 things in order to appreciate the story. First- so many big words that I have never seen, used or heard in life- once I started skipping past them (🤷🏻) I started to really vibe with the story. Second- a lot of hinted at backstory- like seriously was there a prequel I missed?- some of it is eventually explained but generally pretty open to interpretation. Moving past those two things- the pining, thawing, self realization and spicy moments really took hold of me. I’m just a sucker- always rooting for the underdog. Alma was by far my favorite- the annoying best kind of best friend. If you’re looking for a new holiday read early in the season snag this one! Expand your vocabulary! 🤣
Review of advance copy received from Author
I've been following this author for years, and somehow, every single one of her works manages to exceed my expectations. There's something truly special about the way she tells stories, drawing you in from the very beginning and making you care so deeply about the characters that you can't help but get invested in their world.
That being said, I knew there was no way I wouldn't love this book. Hanna and Zoe were such a joy to get to know, and I absolutely adored the way their personalities complemented each other. Between Hanna's golden retriever energy, her unwavering love for food (despite her questionable cooking skills), and Zoe's tough exterior hiding a much softer heart, there's just so much to love about them. And watching their relationship unfold? Equal parts heartwarming and absolutely infuriating in the best possible way. The yearning had me in a chokehold, and I wouldn't have had it any other way.
I also really loved the way the story highlights that family isn't always about who we're related to by blood, but also about the people we find along the way and choose to call our own.
An absolutely wonderful debut novel! I had the best time reading this, and I can't wait to see what this author comes up with next.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
That being said, I knew there was no way I wouldn't love this book. Hanna and Zoe were such a joy to get to know, and I absolutely adored the way their personalities complemented each other. Between Hanna's golden retriever energy, her unwavering love for food (despite her questionable cooking skills), and Zoe's tough exterior hiding a much softer heart, there's just so much to love about them. And watching their relationship unfold? Equal parts heartwarming and absolutely infuriating in the best possible way. The yearning had me in a chokehold, and I wouldn't have had it any other way.
I also really loved the way the story highlights that family isn't always about who we're related to by blood, but also about the people we find along the way and choose to call our own.
An absolutely wonderful debut novel! I had the best time reading this, and I can't wait to see what this author comes up with next.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 7, 2026
I absolutely adored this book.
What starts as a sexy holiday fling for our two MCs becomes something so much more. Easter Kingston’s writing really paints the picture for you perfectly, the way she describes every detail really makes you feel like you’re right there.
I really fell in love with Hanna; what a truly wholesome character, written with such warmth but also such fire. Hitting the grumpy/sunshine trope to perfection; Zoe is her opposite. As you learn about Zoe and her past you really do feel for her as she grows and finally opens up to what are a wonderful bunch of friends. Meddling, but wonderful in the best ways.
The side characters are equally as interesting and loveable as our two MCs. Jude is so funny and her relationship with Alma is beautiful. Total goals.
I loved the way the book was split into the three sections, and the chapter length was perfect. The book flowed really well and at just the right pace for me. My only very slight negative was that some of the terminology was a little confusing but that didn’t take anything away from the story.
I really hope we get to read more about these characters in the future.
I received an advance review copy for free from the Author on BookSirens, and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
What starts as a sexy holiday fling for our two MCs becomes something so much more. Easter Kingston’s writing really paints the picture for you perfectly, the way she describes every detail really makes you feel like you’re right there.
I really fell in love with Hanna; what a truly wholesome character, written with such warmth but also such fire. Hitting the grumpy/sunshine trope to perfection; Zoe is her opposite. As you learn about Zoe and her past you really do feel for her as she grows and finally opens up to what are a wonderful bunch of friends. Meddling, but wonderful in the best ways.
The side characters are equally as interesting and loveable as our two MCs. Jude is so funny and her relationship with Alma is beautiful. Total goals.
I loved the way the book was split into the three sections, and the chapter length was perfect. The book flowed really well and at just the right pace for me. My only very slight negative was that some of the terminology was a little confusing but that didn’t take anything away from the story.
I really hope we get to read more about these characters in the future.
I received an advance review copy for free from the Author on BookSirens, and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Author
At the heart of this holiday romance is a story of being brave and chosing love even when given every reason to avoid it. In this story, we follow Zoe, a billionaire CEO of a medical research company with a colorful and complicated past as she falls for Hanna, the sister of her best friend's partner. Fear, miscommunication, and a complex family dynamic keep the two apart until the following holiday where they're finally brave enough to let each other in and live happily (and spicily) ever after.
I'd consider this a medium-spice book. Our heroines definitely enjoying themselves, but there's definitely more to their story than their physical compatibility.
This isn't a bad book by any means. I'm confident it will find an audience who will love it and its characters exactly as they appear on the page. Unfortunately I had a very difficult time connecting to any of the characters. Certainly we were well into the second half of the book before I found myself rooting for Zoe and Hannah to figure it out. Interesting chunks of lore and background information were shared randomly and without warning, only for the author to quickly move on without any kind of emotional resolution. The supporting cast was equally difficult to get to know- other than appreciating the diversity Kingston brings to the table I'm left feeling like I don't really know anyone I just spent 41 chapters with. They are all incredibly interesting with a complex backgrounds but it felt at times like I was reviewing a list of facts off a character sheet, rather than getting to know them as a person.
Zoe suffers from this the most from this writing style. Its possible that her own trauma and upbringing and hurt closed her off from everyone including the reader, but I needed to have a better understanding of her emotions in response to these elements to understand her.
All this being said, I did really appreciate the found family dynamic that radiates through this tale. While I'm left with a lot of questions on how this family came to be a family, the one thing I never doubted was how much love they all shared, and as a queer woman, its always lovely to see representation of our lives in such a holistic way.
Overall I give Easter Kingston's "A Most Wonderful Time" 3/5 stars for having heart, joy, and a vague hint of yearning. The book loses two stars for being a character-driven story that struggles to show me why I should invest myself in these characters.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I'd consider this a medium-spice book. Our heroines definitely enjoying themselves, but there's definitely more to their story than their physical compatibility.
This isn't a bad book by any means. I'm confident it will find an audience who will love it and its characters exactly as they appear on the page. Unfortunately I had a very difficult time connecting to any of the characters. Certainly we were well into the second half of the book before I found myself rooting for Zoe and Hannah to figure it out. Interesting chunks of lore and background information were shared randomly and without warning, only for the author to quickly move on without any kind of emotional resolution. The supporting cast was equally difficult to get to know- other than appreciating the diversity Kingston brings to the table I'm left feeling like I don't really know anyone I just spent 41 chapters with. They are all incredibly interesting with a complex backgrounds but it felt at times like I was reviewing a list of facts off a character sheet, rather than getting to know them as a person.
Zoe suffers from this the most from this writing style. Its possible that her own trauma and upbringing and hurt closed her off from everyone including the reader, but I needed to have a better understanding of her emotions in response to these elements to understand her.
All this being said, I did really appreciate the found family dynamic that radiates through this tale. While I'm left with a lot of questions on how this family came to be a family, the one thing I never doubted was how much love they all shared, and as a queer woman, its always lovely to see representation of our lives in such a holistic way.
Overall I give Easter Kingston's "A Most Wonderful Time" 3/5 stars for having heart, joy, and a vague hint of yearning. The book loses two stars for being a character-driven story that struggles to show me why I should invest myself in these characters.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I read the first iteration of this story as a Supercorp fanfic and absolutely loved it. When I signed up for the ARC, I didn't know it was this particular fic adapted into an original fic, but I very quickly realized it as I started reading. It was memorable (in the best way), and I was excited to see this version of it.
Each chapter starts off with a sentence about Zoe dying, having died, wanting to die, her brief life, going to prison, etc. It's a cute way to tie in all the chapters, and I found myself smiling at each opening phrase.
This book is more ambitious than the average romance novel. Yes, it's steamy and sweet and adorable and all kinds of wholesome. But it also takes time to flesh out the main character (Zoe), her trauma and defense mechanisms (without overdoing it on unnecessary backstory), and shows her being self-aware and intentional about pushing past her trauma response to be with a genuinely healthy person.
I don't remember where I heard/saw this, but someone said having two POVs in a romance - while not necessarily a bad thing - can be used by some writers as a crutch to not write both characters as strongly. This one is refreshingly only written from Zoe's perspective, and there isn't any need to see Hanna's. It's clear what Hanna is thinking by her actions, and when it isn't, it's by design. I love that. I want more of that in romances.
I haven't read as wholesome and pure-hearted a character as Hanna in a long time. She's an example that attraction doesn't need to have a dark side. It can just be someone who genuinely cares, pays attention, and wants their partner to be happy while also having their own boundaries. Her obsession with food is so endearing and relatable. She's very much the golden retriever to Zoe's black cat.
The secondary characters all have distinct personalities and play well off of each other. Each character has a different dynamic with the others, and it really does feel like a family. There's so much love, acknowledgement of imperfection, and acceptance of the person as a whole. I don't know if there are any plans for it, but if we ever get a sequel focusing on Linh exploring her newfound queerness and finding her own sapphic love, I think that'd be cute.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I'm not usually one to re-read stories, but this was a pleasure to experience again with all the warmth it has to offer. If you're looking for a sweet sapphic romance with a lovable cast that'll have you giggling, this is a book for you. It could be considered a holiday romance, but it takes place over the course of a year or so, so it doesn't really matter when you read it. The important thing is that you read it!
*** ARC received through BookSirens. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. ***
Each chapter starts off with a sentence about Zoe dying, having died, wanting to die, her brief life, going to prison, etc. It's a cute way to tie in all the chapters, and I found myself smiling at each opening phrase.
This book is more ambitious than the average romance novel. Yes, it's steamy and sweet and adorable and all kinds of wholesome. But it also takes time to flesh out the main character (Zoe), her trauma and defense mechanisms (without overdoing it on unnecessary backstory), and shows her being self-aware and intentional about pushing past her trauma response to be with a genuinely healthy person.
I don't remember where I heard/saw this, but someone said having two POVs in a romance - while not necessarily a bad thing - can be used by some writers as a crutch to not write both characters as strongly. This one is refreshingly only written from Zoe's perspective, and there isn't any need to see Hanna's. It's clear what Hanna is thinking by her actions, and when it isn't, it's by design. I love that. I want more of that in romances.
I haven't read as wholesome and pure-hearted a character as Hanna in a long time. She's an example that attraction doesn't need to have a dark side. It can just be someone who genuinely cares, pays attention, and wants their partner to be happy while also having their own boundaries. Her obsession with food is so endearing and relatable. She's very much the golden retriever to Zoe's black cat.
The secondary characters all have distinct personalities and play well off of each other. Each character has a different dynamic with the others, and it really does feel like a family. There's so much love, acknowledgement of imperfection, and acceptance of the person as a whole. I don't know if there are any plans for it, but if we ever get a sequel focusing on Linh exploring her newfound queerness and finding her own sapphic love, I think that'd be cute.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I'm not usually one to re-read stories, but this was a pleasure to experience again with all the warmth it has to offer. If you're looking for a sweet sapphic romance with a lovable cast that'll have you giggling, this is a book for you. It could be considered a holiday romance, but it takes place over the course of a year or so, so it doesn't really matter when you read it. The important thing is that you read it!
*** ARC received through BookSirens. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. ***
Review of advance copy received from Author
A Most Wonderful Time is a solid debut from Easter Kingston. This is a sapphic slow burn with a forced proximity trope, told from the point of view of Zoe, the emotionally unavailable CEO of a multinational biomedical tech company.
This book read like a rom-com with witty banter and some laugh out loud moments. I enjoyed the author’s unique writing style but some sections felt clunky and were a little hard to understand. It almost felt a little like trying too hard to be something, but I can’t pinpoint what. For the first two thirds of the book I was struggling to keep myself engaged. The characters seemed to have little more than physical attraction and I didn’t believe they were falling for each other. I found Zoe hard to relate to and she seemed to have a traumatic past but there wasn’t enough backstory. Her love interest Hanna is the definition of a golden retriever. I would have enjoyed Hanna’s point of view but I don’t mind a single point of view when it’s done well. I just needed more from Zoe - her background, motivations, and what made her the way she is.
For the last third of the book I found myself enjoying it much more. Yes there were inexplicably several chapters related to Laser Tag, but it was entertaining and I really started to get invested in the characters. The spicy scenes were well done and thoughtful as well as hot. If you like emotionally avoidant protagonists, forced proximity, and a cozy winter scene this may be the book for you. I look forward to reading anything else Easter Kingston writes.
This book read like a rom-com with witty banter and some laugh out loud moments. I enjoyed the author’s unique writing style but some sections felt clunky and were a little hard to understand. It almost felt a little like trying too hard to be something, but I can’t pinpoint what. For the first two thirds of the book I was struggling to keep myself engaged. The characters seemed to have little more than physical attraction and I didn’t believe they were falling for each other. I found Zoe hard to relate to and she seemed to have a traumatic past but there wasn’t enough backstory. Her love interest Hanna is the definition of a golden retriever. I would have enjoyed Hanna’s point of view but I don’t mind a single point of view when it’s done well. I just needed more from Zoe - her background, motivations, and what made her the way she is.
For the last third of the book I found myself enjoying it much more. Yes there were inexplicably several chapters related to Laser Tag, but it was entertaining and I really started to get invested in the characters. The spicy scenes were well done and thoughtful as well as hot. If you like emotionally avoidant protagonists, forced proximity, and a cozy winter scene this may be the book for you. I look forward to reading anything else Easter Kingston writes.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I live a holiday themed book and especially a holiday romance. However, I have to say that perhaps this particular book wasn't exactly my cup of tea.
I struggles to connect with the characters and the story line because it all felt a little too fast-paced and over the top for my liking.
The book is written in the present tense which is personally not my favourite style. Perhaps I'm old school, or perhaps I'm behind the times, but I just enjoy my books the best in past tense 😇
The logic behind some actions for characters didn't feel realistic and the longing aspect of romance stories felt lacking.
Background information about characters was thrown at the reader with very little preparation and this unfortunately felt a tad lazy or last minute.
It was almost like the information was added as a way to just get the facts out of the way (in a way that one might trauma dump to give context but not allow the other person to really digest the information properly) or added in at the end of the writing process in order to give a sense of depth to the characters after the fact.
This might be a question of taste and for some readers the ways in which background information is revealed doesn't need to be particularly covert.
I personally prefer to have more suspense and yearning in my romance books which is why this didn't quite hit the mark for me.
I'm looking forward to seeing what else Easter Kingston writes as the concept of the story was a fun and cosy one.
I received this book as an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review.
I struggles to connect with the characters and the story line because it all felt a little too fast-paced and over the top for my liking.
The book is written in the present tense which is personally not my favourite style. Perhaps I'm old school, or perhaps I'm behind the times, but I just enjoy my books the best in past tense 😇
The logic behind some actions for characters didn't feel realistic and the longing aspect of romance stories felt lacking.
Background information about characters was thrown at the reader with very little preparation and this unfortunately felt a tad lazy or last minute.
It was almost like the information was added as a way to just get the facts out of the way (in a way that one might trauma dump to give context but not allow the other person to really digest the information properly) or added in at the end of the writing process in order to give a sense of depth to the characters after the fact.
This might be a question of taste and for some readers the ways in which background information is revealed doesn't need to be particularly covert.
I personally prefer to have more suspense and yearning in my romance books which is why this didn't quite hit the mark for me.
I'm looking forward to seeing what else Easter Kingston writes as the concept of the story was a fun and cosy one.
I received this book as an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
(3.5 ARC reader)
Medium reading for me.
For starters, great writing syntax and wording! I love some study and a refined text that not all finished product actually have.
On the story and specifically the development of it, personally I would have liked a little more on page character growth. Some introspection and evolution, specifically regarding the main character management of her history. The epiphany that brings to the pivot point of the relationship could be more relatable if there would have been more and gradual communication between the main characters, together with actual owning of each other limits. To be fair there is a little of this (a little talks here and there and a mention or two of therapy) but it becomes lost in the ether and in the end it's like it didn't even metter. It felt as a switch went off and everything is completely fine no more triggers, no actual managing of the situation, everything is perfect... I understand that the end of the book is like a beginning but I didn't care that much on how they reach that.
On a positive note the misunderstandings and funny situations did make me laugh and I enjoyed a lot the bachelorette party endeavors.
Spicy scenes are good and not overdone, all bringing something to the story and the characters.
On the characters I really liked the dorkiness of Hanna and the kindness of Zoe.
As a conclusion, if you are looking for something not pretentious, well written even if not that introspective and with a modicum of angst, this could be the book for you!
Medium reading for me.
For starters, great writing syntax and wording! I love some study and a refined text that not all finished product actually have.
On the story and specifically the development of it, personally I would have liked a little more on page character growth. Some introspection and evolution, specifically regarding the main character management of her history. The epiphany that brings to the pivot point of the relationship could be more relatable if there would have been more and gradual communication between the main characters, together with actual owning of each other limits. To be fair there is a little of this (a little talks here and there and a mention or two of therapy) but it becomes lost in the ether and in the end it's like it didn't even metter. It felt as a switch went off and everything is completely fine no more triggers, no actual managing of the situation, everything is perfect... I understand that the end of the book is like a beginning but I didn't care that much on how they reach that.
On a positive note the misunderstandings and funny situations did make me laugh and I enjoyed a lot the bachelorette party endeavors.
Spicy scenes are good and not overdone, all bringing something to the story and the characters.
On the characters I really liked the dorkiness of Hanna and the kindness of Zoe.
As a conclusion, if you are looking for something not pretentious, well written even if not that introspective and with a modicum of angst, this could be the book for you!
October 9, 2026
Thanks to the author and BookSirens for the free ARC! These are my own voluntary thoughts.
This book is such a fun holiday romcom for the holidays. I love messy sapphics, and this book delivers with the chaos that is Zoe's life and the situation that they are put in. I absolutely love the sense of found family that Zoe has with these people, especially coming from the birth family that she has. Alma sure creates chaos, and I'm here for it. The banter is so entertaining and I love the grumpy(-ish)/sunshine dynamic of Zoe and Hanna. Hanna is such a lovely sweet cinnamon roll of a love interest and so charming, you just gotta love her, despite her lack of culinary ability.
There is a lot of lore behind all of these characters that get revealed throughout the story, and it was fun to learn the backstory of all of these characters. However, the first few chapters were a bit hard to follow for me because it does introduce a bunch of names quickly but after I got familiar with the characters, it became a smooth read.
I enjoyed the mental health aspects, I related a bit too hard on Zoe's struggles of accepting that she is deserving of love and good things. Overall, I think this is a great addition to your holiday reading list, and I'm looking forward to more books from this author!
This book is such a fun holiday romcom for the holidays. I love messy sapphics, and this book delivers with the chaos that is Zoe's life and the situation that they are put in. I absolutely love the sense of found family that Zoe has with these people, especially coming from the birth family that she has. Alma sure creates chaos, and I'm here for it. The banter is so entertaining and I love the grumpy(-ish)/sunshine dynamic of Zoe and Hanna. Hanna is such a lovely sweet cinnamon roll of a love interest and so charming, you just gotta love her, despite her lack of culinary ability.
There is a lot of lore behind all of these characters that get revealed throughout the story, and it was fun to learn the backstory of all of these characters. However, the first few chapters were a bit hard to follow for me because it does introduce a bunch of names quickly but after I got familiar with the characters, it became a smooth read.
I enjoyed the mental health aspects, I related a bit too hard on Zoe's struggles of accepting that she is deserving of love and good things. Overall, I think this is a great addition to your holiday reading list, and I'm looking forward to more books from this author!
Review of advance copy
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This is the story of Zoe and her terrible, horrible, no good, very bad trip to Colorado. Snow cancels her flight, the only car left to rent is a very smelly mini van that may be a crime scene and all she wants to do is grab her paperwork and get back to work. Life (and her best friend) have other plans, namely Hanna. Hanna isn’t her usual type but there’s no denying that there’s an attraction to her, maybe it’s her smile, maybe it’s her inability to make edible food, or perhaps it’s just something that is inexplicably Hanna.
There’s a lot to like about this book, fun characters, witty banter, vivid descriptions that put you right in the thick of it and a happily ever after. I was reading this as my before bedtime book and found that each time I told myself “okay last chapter” I found myself being nudged to read just one more. I can see myself reading this again with a mug of hot chocolate and cozy pajamas.
This is the story of Zoe and her terrible, horrible, no good, very bad trip to Colorado. Snow cancels her flight, the only car left to rent is a very smelly mini van that may be a crime scene and all she wants to do is grab her paperwork and get back to work. Life (and her best friend) have other plans, namely Hanna. Hanna isn’t her usual type but there’s no denying that there’s an attraction to her, maybe it’s her smile, maybe it’s her inability to make edible food, or perhaps it’s just something that is inexplicably Hanna.
There’s a lot to like about this book, fun characters, witty banter, vivid descriptions that put you right in the thick of it and a happily ever after. I was reading this as my before bedtime book and found that each time I told myself “okay last chapter” I found myself being nudged to read just one more. I can see myself reading this again with a mug of hot chocolate and cozy pajamas.
Review of advance copy
This story had a chaotic start and I had to check, more than once, that I wasn't reading the second or third book in a series that couldn't be read as a stand alone. Everything is eventually explained but it felt like a lot to have thrown at you in the beginning without background. This book was not like anything Ive read before and I mean that in the best way. I enjoyed Easter's writing style immensely and even though some of the jokes I didn't quite get, I still found so much humor in the book. I loved all the characters and it would be awesome if Alma and Jude's story could be told. The interactions and banter between the characters was really fun. Hanna and Linh were probably my favorites in the book. The MCs of the book are Hanna and Zoe and the whole will they/won't they as they prepare for the upcoming wedding of Alma and Jude. The spice is definitely good too especially for a debut novel. I can't wait to see what this author comes up with next and Easter Kingston got an immediate follow after finishing this book. Thank you booksirens for an arc of this book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Here’s what really stayed with me:
💗 What starts as a holiday fling, expertly orchestrated by a group of meddling friends, quickly becomes something neither Hanna nor Zoe expected. They're complete opposites on paper, wildly attracted to each other in reality, and utterly convinced they want different things out of life.
✨ The yearning in this book is everything. Hanna and Zoe have undeniable chemistry that practically crackles off the page, both in their quieter moments and behind closed doors. Watching two people so perfect for each other keep getting in their own way was both frustrating and addictive. The emotional depth, vulnerability, and connection between them kept me hooked from start to finish.
🌿 As someone with a scientific background, I especially loved Zoe's personality and how she made decisions. But the supporting cast deserves just as much credit. The friendships, community, and found-family vibes added warmth and depth, making the world feel rich, authentic, and lived-in.
💗 What starts as a holiday fling, expertly orchestrated by a group of meddling friends, quickly becomes something neither Hanna nor Zoe expected. They're complete opposites on paper, wildly attracted to each other in reality, and utterly convinced they want different things out of life.
✨ The yearning in this book is everything. Hanna and Zoe have undeniable chemistry that practically crackles off the page, both in their quieter moments and behind closed doors. Watching two people so perfect for each other keep getting in their own way was both frustrating and addictive. The emotional depth, vulnerability, and connection between them kept me hooked from start to finish.
🌿 As someone with a scientific background, I especially loved Zoe's personality and how she made decisions. But the supporting cast deserves just as much credit. The friendships, community, and found-family vibes added warmth and depth, making the world feel rich, authentic, and lived-in.
October 8, 2026
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This is such a heartwarming, cozy, funny story. There is so much to love about it. Zoe is delightfully neurotic and stubborn in a way that I found completely relatable, and Hanna is an adorable, earnest goof. Their grumpy/ray of sunshine relationship dynamic had me immediately invested. There is just the right amount of tension and frustration and the eventual payoff is beautiful (and really, really hot). The humour and dialogue are excellent, and some of the situations Zoe and Hanna end up in are absolutely hilarious. I also really appreciated the friendship and found family elements.
To top it all off, this is so, so beautifully written. What a fantastic debut. Easter is easily one of my favourite authors. I'm so excited to see what she does next!
I look forward to rereading again at Christmas (and hopefully for many Christmases to come)!
This is such a heartwarming, cozy, funny story. There is so much to love about it. Zoe is delightfully neurotic and stubborn in a way that I found completely relatable, and Hanna is an adorable, earnest goof. Their grumpy/ray of sunshine relationship dynamic had me immediately invested. There is just the right amount of tension and frustration and the eventual payoff is beautiful (and really, really hot). The humour and dialogue are excellent, and some of the situations Zoe and Hanna end up in are absolutely hilarious. I also really appreciated the friendship and found family elements.
To top it all off, this is so, so beautifully written. What a fantastic debut. Easter is easily one of my favourite authors. I'm so excited to see what she does next!
I look forward to rereading again at Christmas (and hopefully for many Christmases to come)!
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.5 Stars!! A hell of a debut for Easter Kingston. It has great pacing, lots of fun rom-com moments with fleshed-out characters, a nice dose of spice, and great found-family elements in this wonderful story. Easter has always had a wonderful way of writing couples bantering and flirting throughout her work. She weaves hilarious comedic moments and realistic situations, like the mental health and found-family aspects of this book, into a cohesive story that makes you want to keep reading about our favorite couple and their family long after the book is over. The romance (and spice) is top-notch, and I'd read a sequel to see what Zoe and Hanna get up to as their relationship grows.
For seasonal readers, this is the perfect sapphic holiday read with plenty of yearning, heartfelt family time, and so many romantic hijinks to enjoy as Hanna and Zoe figure things out.
I received an ARC from Book Sirens and the author for an honest review.
For seasonal readers, this is the perfect sapphic holiday read with plenty of yearning, heartfelt family time, and so many romantic hijinks to enjoy as Hanna and Zoe figure things out.
I received an ARC from Book Sirens and the author for an honest review.
Review of advance copy
Zoe, the new CEO of a biomedical company, ends up stranded by a Colorado blizzard and forced to spend the holidays with her best friend Alma's family.
Sometimes you start a book and spend the first chapters figuring out who is who and how everyone is connected. That happened to me here. I kept wondering why Zoe had never been to her best friend's home before, and somewhere in the first part I lost my connection with the characters. I struggled to understand why they acted the way they did, and some scenes didn't feel logical to me, such as everyone suddenly being awake at the same time. As a result I never really got absorbed into the story.
This is not a bad story, and the premise has plenty of charm and humor. It just didn't fully work for me, and I never felt drawn in the way I hoped. Other readers who enjoy a lighthearted holiday romance may well have a different .
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Sometimes you start a book and spend the first chapters figuring out who is who and how everyone is connected. That happened to me here. I kept wondering why Zoe had never been to her best friend's home before, and somewhere in the first part I lost my connection with the characters. I struggled to understand why they acted the way they did, and some scenes didn't feel logical to me, such as everyone suddenly being awake at the same time. As a result I never really got absorbed into the story.
This is not a bad story, and the premise has plenty of charm and humor. It just didn't fully work for me, and I never felt drawn in the way I hoped. Other readers who enjoy a lighthearted holiday romance may well have a different .
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy
What a fun, chaotic, and genuinely entertaining read! I found myself laughing out loud more than once, and the banter between the characters was easily one of my favorite parts of the book. Zoe’s life is an absolute mess, and from the very beginning, you’re swept right into all the holiday chaos.
I loved watching Zoe slowly let her guard down and seeing her relationship with Hanna develop. Hanna is the ultimate Golden Retriever girlfriend—sweet, loyal, patient, and just an absolute breath of fresh air. I was rooting for these two! The found family aspect was another highlight, and the supporting characters added so much humor and personality to the story.
Overall, this was such a sweet, funny, feel-good read with plenty of banter, holiday madness, and lovable characters. A great debut, and I’m definitely looking forward to seeing what Kingston comes up with next!
Thanks to BookSirens for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I loved watching Zoe slowly let her guard down and seeing her relationship with Hanna develop. Hanna is the ultimate Golden Retriever girlfriend—sweet, loyal, patient, and just an absolute breath of fresh air. I was rooting for these two! The found family aspect was another highlight, and the supporting characters added so much humor and personality to the story.
Overall, this was such a sweet, funny, feel-good read with plenty of banter, holiday madness, and lovable characters. A great debut, and I’m definitely looking forward to seeing what Kingston comes up with next!
Thanks to BookSirens for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Per my rating, you can see I absolutely loved this book! An emotional slow-burn across this whole year even though the physical connection between Hanna and Zoe was there from the start!
I loved the supporting characters dearly, Alma and Judith's romance was fun to read and so healthy that it almost seemed ridiculous how scared they were of proposing! Sofia is the real MVP here, let's be real, her and Linh were driving forces in getting all the pairings together, eith Linh's little sneaky fake-drunk act at the end of a truly marvelous bachelor party!
Now Zoe is a truly remarkable MC because she is so loved but it takes her years to let that love sink in, not only from Hanna but also her found family. The way she grows during this book was a true delight to read and experience!
I'm really glad they all got their happy endings!
I received an advanced reading copy from the author and am not obligated to leave this comment.
I loved the supporting characters dearly, Alma and Judith's romance was fun to read and so healthy that it almost seemed ridiculous how scared they were of proposing! Sofia is the real MVP here, let's be real, her and Linh were driving forces in getting all the pairings together, eith Linh's little sneaky fake-drunk act at the end of a truly marvelous bachelor party!
Now Zoe is a truly remarkable MC because she is so loved but it takes her years to let that love sink in, not only from Hanna but also her found family. The way she grows during this book was a true delight to read and experience!
I'm really glad they all got their happy endings!
I received an advanced reading copy from the author and am not obligated to leave this comment.
Review of advance copy
A really cozy read, perfect for winter and holidays, but not so much you couldn't read it anytime of year. I did find the writing style to take some adjusting to, kind of frenetic for me and sometimes I found it hard to understand what was happenkng. I also kept waiting for the pov character's backstory to return as a plot point, so for me the story didnt have the type of climax I was anticipating based on what I'd been reading as forshadowing, but again, really does seem that this book is meant to be a Cozy read! There's essentially 6 core characters, all female, all very good, but I was for sure the biggest fan of Hanna. Certainly golden retriever/ black cat vibes. Written 3rd person single perspective, which I super appreciated vs the often 1st person.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I'm new to romance novels, and this is one of the first sapphic novels I've read. I wasn't sure about whether I'd like it as I'm not a big fan of Christmas romance movies. But, I loved it. The main characters had depth, there were enough twists and turns that the length didn't seem to drag--even at 450+ pages--and the spice was spicy.
I don't know if Hanna was meant to be a transgender woman, or just butch, but her description as having extremely broad shoulders is close enough for me to see myself, and that was wonderful.
It was a hot cup of cocoa from start to finish.
I received an advanced reader copy, for which I am very grateful. I'm going to buy a copy to donate to my queer book club.
I don't know if Hanna was meant to be a transgender woman, or just butch, but her description as having extremely broad shoulders is close enough for me to see myself, and that was wonderful.
It was a hot cup of cocoa from start to finish.
I received an advanced reader copy, for which I am very grateful. I'm going to buy a copy to donate to my queer book club.
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