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Christmas Cliche
‘Twas the week before Christmas and all through L.A.,
Allie Parker’s famous twin sisters were driving her cray.
She fled to the mountains with a hostage in tow,
hoping to sleep through the holidays, which were a sh*t-show.
A crash in a blizzard, and a hot mountain man,
definitely wasn’t part of her evacuation plan.
Santas, and stockings, and creepy nutcrackers too,
everywhere she looks, it’s a crazy Christmas zoo.
But there are hugs, and smiles, and a beautiful view,
kisses and laughter, and no time to be blue.
Maybe this family, with their hot mountain man,
will make this a Christmas Allie can actually stand.
Allie Parker’s famous twin sisters were driving her cray.
She fled to the mountains with a hostage in tow,
hoping to sleep through the holidays, which were a sh*t-show.
A crash in a blizzard, and a hot mountain man,
definitely wasn’t part of her evacuation plan.
Santas, and stockings, and creepy nutcrackers too,
everywhere she looks, it’s a crazy Christmas zoo.
But there are hugs, and smiles, and a beautiful view,
kisses and laughter, and no time to be blue.
Maybe this family, with their hot mountain man,
will make this a Christmas Allie can actually stand.
252 pages, ebook
First published November 19, 2019
156 people are currently reading
991 people want to read
About the author
Tara Sivec
71 books10.3k followersTara Sivec is a USA Today best-selling author, wife, mother, chauffeur, maid, short-order cook, baby-sitter, and sarcasm expert. She lives in Ohio with her husband and two children and looks forward to the day when all three of them become adults and move out.
After working in the brokerage business for fourteen years, Tara decided to pick up a pen and write instead of shoving it in her eye out of boredom. She writes in a wide range of genres including Romantic Comedy, Romantic Comedy/Mystery, Romantic Suspense, New Adult Drama, Contemporary Romance and Psychological Thriller. Her novel Seduction and Snacks won first place in the Indie Romance Convention Reader's Choice Awards 2013 for Best Indie First Book and she was voted Best Indie Author in the Indie Romance Convention Reader's Choice Awards 2014.
In her spare time, Tara loves to dream about all of the baking she'll do and naps she'll take when she ever gets spare time.
After working in the brokerage business for fourteen years, Tara decided to pick up a pen and write instead of shoving it in her eye out of boredom. She writes in a wide range of genres including Romantic Comedy, Romantic Comedy/Mystery, Romantic Suspense, New Adult Drama, Contemporary Romance and Psychological Thriller. Her novel Seduction and Snacks won first place in the Indie Romance Convention Reader's Choice Awards 2013 for Best Indie First Book and she was voted Best Indie Author in the Indie Romance Convention Reader's Choice Awards 2014.
In her spare time, Tara loves to dream about all of the baking she'll do and naps she'll take when she ever gets spare time.
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March 11, 2023
The Christmas Cliche is an adorable stand alone holiday romantic comedy by Tara Sivec. I always like to include what drew me to this book. First, it was the cover! I am such a sucker for all the cute holiday book covers but this one is irresistible. But when I read the way she wrote the blurb, it was a done deal!
Allie Parker used to love the Christmas’s she and her family would spend in West Virginia with her Father’s family when she was a kid. But her life was different now. Her sisters were famous, her mom a workaholic, and she spent every waking hour running around taking care of everyone. She hated her life and she needed to get away. So she ran, along with her best friend Millie, right back to the place where she could last remember being happy. Only she hadn’t planned on wrecking her car in a blizzard, or meeting the hottest mountain man she has ever seen, or spending the next week at Redinger House, a Bed and Breakfast that Christmas had exploded inside.
Jason Redinger is thirty four years old and lives next door to his family’s B & B. He has a separate job he loves but also helps his family out. He definitely hadn’t planned on having to rescue two clueless women in the middle of a blizzard but as soon as he had Allie in his arms, he never wanted to let her go.
This book was everything you want a swoony holiday romance to be. Jason was sexy and hot and completely gone for Allie. Allie was so empty from the life she was leading but you could see this wonderful family just slowly filling her back up again with love, with cookies, with tons of traditions they insisted she participate in, and with good ole Christmas magic.
I think the funniest person in this book was Allie’s best friend Millie. She constantly had me laughing out loud with the ridiculous things she would say. And thankfully, the Redingers seemed to think so too and no one took her seriously.
It’s funny that I am just starting to put up my own Christmas decorations and this book made me want to go all out this year. There can never be too many Christmas decorations, right?! This book was fun, sweet, sexy and just plain heart warming. The perfect addition to my holiday reading and I highly recommend it.
For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...
Allie Parker used to love the Christmas’s she and her family would spend in West Virginia with her Father’s family when she was a kid. But her life was different now. Her sisters were famous, her mom a workaholic, and she spent every waking hour running around taking care of everyone. She hated her life and she needed to get away. So she ran, along with her best friend Millie, right back to the place where she could last remember being happy. Only she hadn’t planned on wrecking her car in a blizzard, or meeting the hottest mountain man she has ever seen, or spending the next week at Redinger House, a Bed and Breakfast that Christmas had exploded inside.
Jason Redinger is thirty four years old and lives next door to his family’s B & B. He has a separate job he loves but also helps his family out. He definitely hadn’t planned on having to rescue two clueless women in the middle of a blizzard but as soon as he had Allie in his arms, he never wanted to let her go.
This book was everything you want a swoony holiday romance to be. Jason was sexy and hot and completely gone for Allie. Allie was so empty from the life she was leading but you could see this wonderful family just slowly filling her back up again with love, with cookies, with tons of traditions they insisted she participate in, and with good ole Christmas magic.
I think the funniest person in this book was Allie’s best friend Millie. She constantly had me laughing out loud with the ridiculous things she would say. And thankfully, the Redingers seemed to think so too and no one took her seriously.
It’s funny that I am just starting to put up my own Christmas decorations and this book made me want to go all out this year. There can never be too many Christmas decorations, right?! This book was fun, sweet, sexy and just plain heart warming. The perfect addition to my holiday reading and I highly recommend it.
For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...
November 13, 2023
OH EM GEE!! I CAN'T EVEN EXPRESS HOW MUCH I LOVED THIS STORY!
Such a hilarious and adorable and sweet and christmassy romance.
I adored every little moment of Allie and Jason's romance.
And Millie! Jeeez. Millie needs a spin-off - or just get her her own Netflix show asap. She's so effing hilarious - I rolled off the couch laughing multiple times! If Netflix won't grab this - they're insane!
Perfect Holiday Rom-Com!
💜
💜
December 5, 2019
Release Date: November 19, 2019
Actual Rating: 5 stars
Small Town | Holiday Romance | Romantic Comedy
Christmas Cliché is a magical read and I devoured it from beginning to end. I have been a Tara Sivec fan for a while now BECAUSE of her winning romantic comedies and found this one to be just as amazing as her others. I mean, what’s better than a Christmas themed romcom this time of year? NOTHING. If you’re looking for a lighthearted book that will bring on the belly laughs, you won’t want to miss this one! It encompasses EVERYTHING Christmas and has some of the best type of characters I have come to love. Another thing that makes this book so fantastic is the amount of drama- or LACK of it. This book has some over the top moments but not in a dramatic and angsty sort of way. There’s NOTHING standing in the way of this beautiful love story and it was truly a breath of fresh air not having to deal with it.
That being said, if you enjoy the following you won’t want to skip this one:
▶ Rugged Mountain Men with hearts of gold
▶ Family traditions
▶ Any and everything CHRISTMAS
▶ Batshit crazy secondary characters (I asked Tara if she would write a book about Millie and she said NO. I think I’ll cry because she’s my favorite LMAO).
▶ Books about finding oneself in the most unexpected ways
▶ Hallmark Christmas movies
▶ Happily Ever Afters
▶ Romantic Comedies that have you rolling on the floor laughing
▶ Tara's Chocolate Lovers series
Actual Rating: 5 stars
Small Town | Holiday Romance | Romantic Comedy
Christmas Cliché is a magical read and I devoured it from beginning to end. I have been a Tara Sivec fan for a while now BECAUSE of her winning romantic comedies and found this one to be just as amazing as her others. I mean, what’s better than a Christmas themed romcom this time of year? NOTHING. If you’re looking for a lighthearted book that will bring on the belly laughs, you won’t want to miss this one! It encompasses EVERYTHING Christmas and has some of the best type of characters I have come to love. Another thing that makes this book so fantastic is the amount of drama- or LACK of it. This book has some over the top moments but not in a dramatic and angsty sort of way. There’s NOTHING standing in the way of this beautiful love story and it was truly a breath of fresh air not having to deal with it.
That being said, if you enjoy the following you won’t want to skip this one:
▶ Rugged Mountain Men with hearts of gold
▶ Family traditions
▶ Any and everything CHRISTMAS
▶ Batshit crazy secondary characters (I asked Tara if she would write a book about Millie and she said NO. I think I’ll cry because she’s my favorite LMAO).
▶ Books about finding oneself in the most unexpected ways
▶ Hallmark Christmas movies
▶ Happily Ever Afters
▶ Romantic Comedies that have you rolling on the floor laughing
▶ Tara's Chocolate Lovers series
December 14, 2019
The year for Christmas Cliches
I'm not sure why this year is different to others but for some reason Christmas novellas are my happy reading place in December. I absolutely loved Christmas Cliche and know that it will be a regular reread every holiday season.
Holy shamoly I absolutely loved the hero in this story. I think Jason was a Christmas miracle...he listens. Every time he made one of Allie's Christmas wishes come true, it made me smile. He was always keeping an eye out for her and making sure she was okay. Their attraction jumped off the pages and I was never in doubt that they were perfect for each other.
Christmas Cliche was a story about families. It was a realistic portrayal of normal family dynamics. I recognised the push and pull of obligation, duty and guilt mixed with love, loyalty and trust. Yes, family can take advantage but if it's a good and loving family, you want to do stuff to make them happy, even if it's at the expense of your own happiness. Sometimes it takes an overreaction or breakdown to stop and realise that you're not seeing to your loved ones needs. A little thoughtfulness, love and caring will see you through the rough patches.
The characters were lovable, the storyline was interesting and the love story was heartwarming. This is not a hot and steamy read but it was easy to see the connection between the characters. I loved the family dynamics, traditions and Christmas spirit that made me laugh, sigh and squirm. Christmas Cliche left me extremely satisfied and desperate for more.
I'm not sure why this year is different to others but for some reason Christmas novellas are my happy reading place in December. I absolutely loved Christmas Cliche and know that it will be a regular reread every holiday season.
Holy shamoly I absolutely loved the hero in this story. I think Jason was a Christmas miracle...he listens. Every time he made one of Allie's Christmas wishes come true, it made me smile. He was always keeping an eye out for her and making sure she was okay. Their attraction jumped off the pages and I was never in doubt that they were perfect for each other.
Christmas Cliche was a story about families. It was a realistic portrayal of normal family dynamics. I recognised the push and pull of obligation, duty and guilt mixed with love, loyalty and trust. Yes, family can take advantage but if it's a good and loving family, you want to do stuff to make them happy, even if it's at the expense of your own happiness. Sometimes it takes an overreaction or breakdown to stop and realise that you're not seeing to your loved ones needs. A little thoughtfulness, love and caring will see you through the rough patches.
The characters were lovable, the storyline was interesting and the love story was heartwarming. This is not a hot and steamy read but it was easy to see the connection between the characters. I loved the family dynamics, traditions and Christmas spirit that made me laugh, sigh and squirm. Christmas Cliche left me extremely satisfied and desperate for more.
November 25, 2022
3.5 stars rounded up
Hilarious, OTT Christmas magic, insta-love fun. I laughed through most of this sweet holiday romance. I do recommend suspending some disbelief going in because of how ridiculous some of the characters act (the h's BFF for example is uber rich and has no idea how the real world works) and how easily the romance falls into place. The book begins with a teenage Allie (h) spending Christmas Eve with her cousin and enjoying Christmas traditions, then jumps ahead 17 years where her family has completely changed after the death of her father. She's responsible for her reality tv star sisters and her cousin has encouraged her to come back to West Virginia where their family used to spend each holiday together. Allie has a bit of a breakdown and races off to WV with her BFF in tow, only to end up at Jason's (H) family's bed and breakfast and immersed in the Christmas spirit. Written in first person, single POV of Allie's. No ow/om drama and neither were virgins but no history given other than it had been a long time for h and H was very picky.
I loved how Allie finds her holiday spirit again, along with reconnecting with what she wants out of life, instead of how she feels responsible for her younger sisters. Jason comes across as a bit grumpy and judgmental for maybe a minute, but then melts into this super gooey marshmallow. He and his family shower Allie with appreciation and love. This isn't a steamy book sadly, sexy times are briefly described as recollections with little detail, but the romance was so cute, I only vaguely missed it.
There are lots of references by the h's BFF on how what's happening resembles a Hallmark movie and it was funny because of how true it was. By the end, there's a resolution with Allie's family, although I wish her cousin had made a reappearance. The story ends in a HFN but the last couple of sentences imply a full HEA. Definitely a good read if you want that Hallmark magic feel with lots of humor.
Hilarious, OTT Christmas magic, insta-love fun. I laughed through most of this sweet holiday romance. I do recommend suspending some disbelief going in because of how ridiculous some of the characters act (the h's BFF for example is uber rich and has no idea how the real world works) and how easily the romance falls into place. The book begins with a teenage Allie (h) spending Christmas Eve with her cousin and enjoying Christmas traditions, then jumps ahead 17 years where her family has completely changed after the death of her father. She's responsible for her reality tv star sisters and her cousin has encouraged her to come back to West Virginia where their family used to spend each holiday together. Allie has a bit of a breakdown and races off to WV with her BFF in tow, only to end up at Jason's (H) family's bed and breakfast and immersed in the Christmas spirit. Written in first person, single POV of Allie's. No ow/om drama and neither were virgins but no history given other than it had been a long time for h and H was very picky.
I loved how Allie finds her holiday spirit again, along with reconnecting with what she wants out of life, instead of how she feels responsible for her younger sisters. Jason comes across as a bit grumpy and judgmental for maybe a minute, but then melts into this super gooey marshmallow. He and his family shower Allie with appreciation and love. This isn't a steamy book sadly, sexy times are briefly described as recollections with little detail, but the romance was so cute, I only vaguely missed it.
There are lots of references by the h's BFF on how what's happening resembles a Hallmark movie and it was funny because of how true it was. By the end, there's a resolution with Allie's family, although I wish her cousin had made a reappearance. The story ends in a HFN but the last couple of sentences imply a full HEA. Definitely a good read if you want that Hallmark magic feel with lots of humor.
February 19, 2021
4,5 Christmassy Stars
I really loved it!!!!
All the Christmas spirit and Jason 🥰🥰🥰🥰
OMG I loved Jason and his family!!!!!
This was a perfect way to start December....
🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄☃️☃️☃️☃️
I really loved it!!!!
All the Christmas spirit and Jason 🥰🥰🥰🥰
OMG I loved Jason and his family!!!!!
This was a perfect way to start December....
🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄☃️☃️☃️☃️
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November 22, 2020
Such a cute, short read that is literally packed filled with everything Christmas 🎄☃️⭐️🎅🏼
This Holiday tale introduces us to Allie, who has had enough of being her insta-famous twin sisters babysitter. Fed up with L.A, she decides on a whim to fly to West Virginia with her socialite best friend in tow. While trying to get to the bed and breakfast they are supposed to be staying at, Allie crashes the rental car in the driveway of a hunky mountain man whose family happens to own the bed and breakfast. While their introduction was a little rocky, their chemistry cannot be missed.
This Holiday tale introduces us to Allie, who has had enough of being her insta-famous twin sisters babysitter. Fed up with L.A, she decides on a whim to fly to West Virginia with her socialite best friend in tow. While trying to get to the bed and breakfast they are supposed to be staying at, Allie crashes the rental car in the driveway of a hunky mountain man whose family happens to own the bed and breakfast. While their introduction was a little rocky, their chemistry cannot be missed.
January 1, 2020
3 the title says it all stars!
This was a cute Christmas read. Definitely made for a Christmas Hallmark Movie!
Tired of the life she's been living taking care of her two younger (adult) twin sisters, Allie loses it and drops everything to jump on a plane and head back to the place that holds her favourite Christmas memories. What she didn't expect was to run off a mountain road only to be rescued by a broody mountain man.
I loved watching Allie turn from a bit of a grinch into a holiday-embracing girl in love.
I don't think that there was one character I didn't like in the whole bunch. Jason was a swoon-worthy love interest. His parents were so sweet and adorable with all of their traditions and their love of their Bed & Breakfast. Allie's best friend Millie was a hoot with her spoiled rich girl way of thinking.
This was a cute Christmas read. Definitely made for a Christmas Hallmark Movie!
Tired of the life she's been living taking care of her two younger (adult) twin sisters, Allie loses it and drops everything to jump on a plane and head back to the place that holds her favourite Christmas memories. What she didn't expect was to run off a mountain road only to be rescued by a broody mountain man.
I loved watching Allie turn from a bit of a grinch into a holiday-embracing girl in love.
"Jason told me I just fit here, and I feel it. I feel like me here. I feel like I know who I am when I'm here, and like I can actually have things I want, and do things I want."
I don't think that there was one character I didn't like in the whole bunch. Jason was a swoon-worthy love interest. His parents were so sweet and adorable with all of their traditions and their love of their Bed & Breakfast. Allie's best friend Millie was a hoot with her spoiled rich girl way of thinking.
December 20, 2022
Well in Tara Sivec fashion, this was super cute, super hilarious, super ridiculous, and I loved it! After 17 years of not Christmasing in West Virginia with her late father's family, Allie is stuck in a never ending cycle. She takes care of everything for her rich, spoiled, and now famous reality star twin sisters while her mother works day and night. They're getting ready to throw their famous (and awful) Christmas Eve party, when Allie has...enough. She's had enough. So when her best friend Millie shows up, she walks them straight to her car and drives them straight to the airport, no thinking, no packing, no plan, and no goodbyes.
The no plan thing bites her in the butt though, because the cousin she was coming to stay with is out of state, so she sends Millie and Allie to a bed and breakfast that her friend's family owns. But a giant snowstorm crash lands them in the driveway of a very handsome mountain man, who rescues Allie from marijuana chocolates and her crazy best friend before eventually getting them over to the inn. Jason and his sister Jen turn out to be the friends of her cousin, and their parents Joy and John are adorable and hilarious and may even be Mr. and Mrs. Claus. Well, maybe a really grumpy Santa and a Mrs. Claus that should NEVER be allowed to cook for people.
Adorable Christmas traditions ensue, Christmas cheer is scoffed at and then found, and mistletoe wasn't necessary for Allie and Jason to find their happily ever after. I loved the healing that happened in this book, all of the green flags Jason threw around, more than loved all the red flags that Millie draped all over the place, and the ending was nice and cozy. Another holiday treat from the queen of romcoms and ridiculous, over the top side characters!
The no plan thing bites her in the butt though, because the cousin she was coming to stay with is out of state, so she sends Millie and Allie to a bed and breakfast that her friend's family owns. But a giant snowstorm crash lands them in the driveway of a very handsome mountain man, who rescues Allie from marijuana chocolates and her crazy best friend before eventually getting them over to the inn. Jason and his sister Jen turn out to be the friends of her cousin, and their parents Joy and John are adorable and hilarious and may even be Mr. and Mrs. Claus. Well, maybe a really grumpy Santa and a Mrs. Claus that should NEVER be allowed to cook for people.
Adorable Christmas traditions ensue, Christmas cheer is scoffed at and then found, and mistletoe wasn't necessary for Allie and Jason to find their happily ever after. I loved the healing that happened in this book, all of the green flags Jason threw around, more than loved all the red flags that Millie draped all over the place, and the ending was nice and cozy. Another holiday treat from the queen of romcoms and ridiculous, over the top side characters!
January 11, 2021
Christmas Cliche was laugh out loud hilarious and filled with all the cliches. Celebrities, snow storms, sexy mountain men, best friends and tons of Christmasy vibes filled the pages. So if you're looking for a Christmas story that is lots of fun, with romance in the pages, then take a look at adding this one to your tbr.
The prologue jumped 17 years into the past, when Allie's life was simpler, and she still loved Christmas. But in present day LA, there was nothing heartwarming or loving about the holidays. Her twin sisters had a reality TV show. Christmas Eve was to be filled with an over the top celebrity party and lavish items. It felt like they were living the life of the Kardashian's, but even crazier. And Allie was in charge of it all. Dealing with her superficial sisters and their constant schedule and needs, seemed overwhelming. So when the straw finally broke the camel's back, Allie bolted with her best friend in tow to West Virginia. To where she used to spend the holidays with family, when she was younger.
I adored Allie, she was kind and down to earth. But everyone seemed to have a preconceived notion of who she was. Even the man who ended up rescuing her. Jason was the sexiest mountain man and Allie and Jason's meet cute was one of the funnier ones I've read. It was so smile inducing and unique lol! And I loved Jason too. He was helpful, loving, sweet and oh so thoughtful. The two of them together were perfect. It didn't matter that she was only supposed to stay at his parents bed and breakfast until her cousin came back home, after the holidays. It felt like they were meant to be together forever. So there was definitely an insta-attraction mixed with insta-love. And let it be known that I don't like insta-love, but in this cliche filled story I enjoyed it so much.
The side characters rounded out this story so well. I loved Jason's sister and mom, who had more game then him ha. His relationship with the both of them warmed my heart. And I loved how they played such a big part of story. But the one who continually stole the spotlight was Allie's best friend, Millie. She was a celebrity who was over the top ridiculous and such a good friend to Allie. I'm pretty sure I said OMFG out loud a hundred times because of Millie. She shocked me! Her observations, random comments and questions killed me! Sometimes she was too much, but it was impossible not to love her. Especially as we saw her learn about life as the story progressed, heaven help her lol.
Christmas Cliche was an over the top story filled with humor, friendship and love, cliches and all. Even the titles of the chapters were hilarious. It almost felt like a crazy, outrageous Hallmark movie, that was definitely not PG lol. So I was surprised that the sexy moments weren't descriptive. But I enjoy books with our without them, I just wasn't the hugest fan of the location when it did happen....you'll see what I mean lol. But all in all I enjoyed this book so much! Plus that ending was perfect! I'll definitely be checking out Tara Sivec's other books!
For more of my reviews, please visit:
I just wanted to get away from the chaos and not think about Christmas. Was that too much to ask?
The prologue jumped 17 years into the past, when Allie's life was simpler, and she still loved Christmas. But in present day LA, there was nothing heartwarming or loving about the holidays. Her twin sisters had a reality TV show. Christmas Eve was to be filled with an over the top celebrity party and lavish items. It felt like they were living the life of the Kardashian's, but even crazier. And Allie was in charge of it all. Dealing with her superficial sisters and their constant schedule and needs, seemed overwhelming. So when the straw finally broke the camel's back, Allie bolted with her best friend in tow to West Virginia. To where she used to spend the holidays with family, when she was younger.
“This isn’t Christmas magic. It’s just insane. I’m insane. I’m seriously thinking about never, ever going back to California after only being here for four days.”
I laugh, and it comes out a little high-pitch and hysterical.
I adored Allie, she was kind and down to earth. But everyone seemed to have a preconceived notion of who she was. Even the man who ended up rescuing her. Jason was the sexiest mountain man and Allie and Jason's meet cute was one of the funnier ones I've read. It was so smile inducing and unique lol! And I loved Jason too. He was helpful, loving, sweet and oh so thoughtful. The two of them together were perfect. It didn't matter that she was only supposed to stay at his parents bed and breakfast until her cousin came back home, after the holidays. It felt like they were meant to be together forever. So there was definitely an insta-attraction mixed with insta-love. And let it be known that I don't like insta-love, but in this cliche filled story I enjoyed it so much.
“You were adorable half-dressed for a blizzard, and when you had to borrow one of my sister’s ugly Christmas sweaters,” he tells me honestly. “But you’re goddamn stunning when you’re relaxed and laughing, and I think being here in my family’s Christmas wonderland has something to do with it.”
The side characters rounded out this story so well. I loved Jason's sister and mom, who had more game then him ha. His relationship with the both of them warmed my heart. And I loved how they played such a big part of story. But the one who continually stole the spotlight was Allie's best friend, Millie. She was a celebrity who was over the top ridiculous and such a good friend to Allie. I'm pretty sure I said OMFG out loud a hundred times because of Millie. She shocked me! Her observations, random comments and questions killed me! Sometimes she was too much, but it was impossible not to love her. Especially as we saw her learn about life as the story progressed, heaven help her lol.
“That was so cliché.”
“This whole thing is cliché,” Millie complains, leaning over on the couch to whisper to us. “Can we just get to the part where you guys profess your undying love for each other?”
Christmas Cliche was an over the top story filled with humor, friendship and love, cliches and all. Even the titles of the chapters were hilarious. It almost felt like a crazy, outrageous Hallmark movie, that was definitely not PG lol. So I was surprised that the sexy moments weren't descriptive. But I enjoy books with our without them, I just wasn't the hugest fan of the location when it did happen....you'll see what I mean lol. But all in all I enjoyed this book so much! Plus that ending was perfect! I'll definitely be checking out Tara Sivec's other books!
For more of my reviews, please visit:
November 26, 2019
A cute Christmas story - All about family & traditions...and maybe finding one's true self, purpose, and place within the family. A sweet read - and yes, full of over-the-top "clichés".
November 25, 2019
4.5 Nutcracker Stars
I had forgotten how funny Tara Sivec writes her characters!
This was such a cute story of Allie and Jason with the comedic antics of Millie. I felt like I was reading a story from the Hallmark Channel mixed with Comedy Central.
Absolutely had a blast!
I had forgotten how funny Tara Sivec writes her characters!
This was such a cute story of Allie and Jason with the comedic antics of Millie. I felt like I was reading a story from the Hallmark Channel mixed with Comedy Central.
Absolutely had a blast!
November 5, 2020
Oh my God, this was such a big Christmas cliche, and yet I loved every page of it! Every new chapter I was just thinking how great of a Christmas movie this could be! I'd totally watch the shit out of it.
November 18, 2020
Really cute, laughed out loud every time Millie opened her mouth.
November 20, 2020
4+ "Every Christmas Cliche" Stars!
I loved this book. It was simply adorable. Also funny and sweet with very likable main and side characters! Perfect Christmas pick me up. Happy reading!
I loved this book. It was simply adorable. Also funny and sweet with very likable main and side characters! Perfect Christmas pick me up. Happy reading!
November 28, 2019
4,5 Christmas traditions Stars
When I picked this book I knew two things. First I knew that it'll bring Christmas spirit to my heart, and head, and it'll be a joy. Second I was 100% sure my reading slump will take a break, and I will just fly through this one, and simply enjoy it.
Allie and Jason were so adorable together, I loved how cute this story was - it hit me with those warm, fuzzy feeling you should get right around Christmas.
Millie was the best, best friend a girl can dream of. Though she was a crazy California queen, I adored her, and her antics so much (I wish she'll get her own story - especially one with all her crazy adventures).
I also loved the fact that this book knows it's a Christmas cliche story - and Tara did a marvelous job bringing it to life. But it's also so much more. It's also a story about finding yourself in a crazy world of daily routine, and escaping it to find happiness and love. Honestly this was reading perfection, with an original Tara Sivec sense of humor. So if you need a Christmas story with some laughs, and full of love, and family pick this one up.
And yes, in my eyes Die Hard is a freaking Christmas Movie!
When I picked this book I knew two things. First I knew that it'll bring Christmas spirit to my heart, and head, and it'll be a joy. Second I was 100% sure my reading slump will take a break, and I will just fly through this one, and simply enjoy it.
Allie and Jason were so adorable together, I loved how cute this story was - it hit me with those warm, fuzzy feeling you should get right around Christmas.
"I guess I’m not used to being surprised. And you just seem to keep surprising me, Allie Parker.”
Millie was the best, best friend a girl can dream of. Though she was a crazy California queen, I adored her, and her antics so much (I wish she'll get her own story - especially one with all her crazy adventures).
I also loved the fact that this book knows it's a Christmas cliche story - and Tara did a marvelous job bringing it to life. But it's also so much more. It's also a story about finding yourself in a crazy world of daily routine, and escaping it to find happiness and love. Honestly this was reading perfection, with an original Tara Sivec sense of humor. So if you need a Christmas story with some laughs, and full of love, and family pick this one up.
And yes, in my eyes Die Hard is a freaking Christmas Movie!
January 2, 2020
The glow from the porch Christmas lights give us just enough light to see each other, and I want nothing more than to take advantage of this romantic moment, lean forward, and kiss the man in front of me. I'm pretty sure he'd let me, with the way his eyes are staring at my mouth, but I don't know what the hell I'm doing. I haven't kissed a man in years, and I definitely never initiated any of those boring-as-hell kisses. I don't want him to be disappointed. He's said all these amazing things to me and about me, and what if I kiss him and then he's like, "Yeah, I take back all that stuff I said. Millie probably roofied me. Wow, have you ever even used your lips before?"
Now my heart is beating even faster, but it's from nerves instead of excitement, and it's all too much pressure for me.
"I can't take this anymore," Millie suddenly announces loudly, as she dramatically opens the front door with a flourish. "You two are just like those ridiculous Christmas movies on TV that Jen has been making me watch all afternoon, where the two main people never kiss until the very end and you want to slit their throats. You are just one big Christmas cliché."
Nope, no longer the slightest bit cold. Pretty sure my entire body just went up in flames.
"Mountain man Jason, might you also be the town vet, as well as a widower who is raising his daughter all alone, while also having the added pressure of being Santa's son? We already know Allie is the big city spinster."
"Heeey," I protest, shooting an annoyed glare at Millie. "What are you even doing here? I thought I'd never see you again after heading over to the other side of the mountain."
Jason took a group of guests over to the ski resorts and shopping earlier, and I've never seen Millie move so fast when he announced what time the van would be leaving. I was fairly confident that as soon as she stepped foot into one of the spas, she'd forget who I was.
"I found myself longing for the simplistic, Amish ways of this side of the mountain."
"Or, you asked the local sheriff if he could get you some drugs, and he asked you to leave and never come back," Jen says casually as she walks behind Millie through the entryway carrying an armful of Christmas blankets.
"He looked sketchy and like he might have good drugs." Millie shrugs to us.
"He was dressed as Santa!" Jen shouts back as she disappears out of sight.
"Like I said, sketchy. No one wears velour anymore." Millie shudders. "Anyway, since you two aren't going to do anything exciting out here on this porch, let's focus on me."
She grabs my arm and tugs me into the house as I give Jason a longing glance over my shoulder. It warms my heart that he seems to be looking just as morose as I feel that we were cock-blocked by Millie.
I almost held off on this one, thinking I would just wait and read it next year at Christmas time. I'm so glad that I didn't wait. (And not just because it would have inevitably gotten lost in the jumble on my kindle, but you know, also yes.) This was hilarious, and ridiculous, and a bit sweet, and a tiny bit sad, and it just made the best little story. I really loved it. Tara Sivec is always good for funny and this was exactly as advertised, 'a ridiculous Christmas story,' and then some. I kinda hope she comes back to these characters, but even if they're a once off I'm okay with that. I definitely have way too many highlights, so it'll be difficult to narrow them down. But enough of my rambles, here's some of my faves. Spoilers, probably…definitely.
When we're alone, Jason clears his throat and runs a hand through his hair again before holding his arm out toward the sitting room, indicating I should go first. Moving in front of him, I try to quickly come up with some kind of small talk that doesn't make me sound like a complete idiot.
"Seen any good football games lately?"
"Boy, snow sure is cold."
"I haven't kissed a man in 978 days and you smell like sunshine."
Since none of those options are viable, I go with the next best thing. Screaming at the top of my lungs as soon as I walk around the corner in the sitting room.
"Holy shit, you gotta warn a girl about something like this!" I complain through my panting when I finish shrieking, holding my hand over my heart.
Jason chuckles, and for a minute, the beautiful sound of it makes me forget I just made a fool of myself. Again.
"Okay, that's twice now you've screamed over a nutcracker," he says, still laughing. "What is your deal with these things?"
"First of all, this isn't just a nutcracker. This is a seven-foot-tall wooden nightmare. Why does this thing even exist? Second, you had an entire coffee table full of this thing's satanic offspring at your house. You're the one with the issue, man. And my mom took me to see The Nutcracker ballet in New York when I was little. The nutcrackers scared the shit out of me, and I didn't sleep for a week after we got home."
~
"Can you feel that?" Jason suddenly whispers, leaning across the counter closer to me, while I hold perfectly still, trying to feel something.
I can feel my fingers itching with the need to reach out and touch your face again, but that's about it.
Clutching the blanket around my shoulders tighter with my hands so I don't do exactly that, I shake my head at him without a word.
"I do believe I feel my family's crazy Christmas spirit taking its hold of you. No one can resist it when they're at The Redinger House," Jason says as he looks at me with a smirk.
"What you're feeling is probably heartburn from the pizza. Try a Tums," I reply with a roll of my eyes. "I'm no longer screaming at the sight of Christmas decorations, but that's about as much progress as I'm willing to make."
Even though part of me wants to stay down here talking to him all night long, another part of me wants to curl back up in bed just so I can stare at the Christmas tree lights in the dark.
I know we just met, but wanna go upstairs and snuggle by the tree?
"What about you?" I ask. "Didn't I hear something about you being a Grinch and not in the mood to decorate your place? Maybe you should worry about feeling yourself."
I hear it as soon as it comes out of my mouth, wishing I wasn't such a dork when it comes to the opposite sex.
Jason rests his elbows in the middle of the counter, sliding them closer to me until our faces are only a few inches apart.
"You were adorable half-dressed for a blizzard, and when you had to borrow one of my sister's ugly Christmas sweaters," he tells me honestly. "But you're goddamn stunning when you're relaxed and laughing, and I think being here in my family's Christmas wonderland has something to do with it."
Or you do, you smooth-talking mountain man. I will sit on Santa's lap and share some eggnog with an elf if you promise to take your pants off.
"I'm suddenly in the mood to not be so Grinchy," he continues. "Quick: favorite Christmas candy and is Die Hard really a Christmas movie?"
Even though I'm completely self-conscious about laughing after what he just said to me in that low, sexy voice, I can't help but giggle.
"Oh hell no! I am not answering that question. Nope, no way." I shake my head. "Relationships have ended, friendships have died, and wars have been raged over the answer to that question. Nice try." I laugh again.
"So you're saying we have something, and you don't want to ruin it by answering a question that should be so easy it doesn't even require thought. Awww, I'm touched, Allie," Jason gushes, holding his hands over his heart.
"You're ridiculous. And you're right, the answer to that question is so easy that it doesn't require thought, but I'm still not answering it."
"It's fine. I'll wear you down eventually."
~
"Promise me that no matter what happens in the next five to ten minutes, you will remember how many orgasms I've given you in the last forty-eight hours," he says nervously.
"What?" I laugh.
"Maybe we should count them, just to be sure. There were the four in the snowman bathroom, two in the Grinch bedroom, one and a half in my truck, three at my cabin, and let's not forget that special, ninja one in the boutique bathro-"
"Jason!" I stop him, with a gentle smack to the chest, his hands still cupping my face as he looks worriedly into my eyes. "What is wrong with you?"
He clears his throat and licks his lips nervously.
"So, uh, remember the most romantic thing in the history of romance…that I did with the laundry shoot, and what a smashing good time we had in the bathroom, that led to even more smashing good times all over this side of the mountain?"
I'm so amused and confused by his nervousness that I just nod with a laugh.
"Then I'm assuming you also remember that little childhood tradition you shared with me, after I did the most romantic thing in the history of romance, where you made a Christmas wish?"
He looks at me sheepishly, biting his bottom lip, and anything funny about this situation completely disappears in the blink of an eye. Or in Jason's case, nervous, rapidly blinking eyes.
"The only thing I wish for Christmas is that I could have the best of both worlds. I wish my mom and my sisters could be here and appreciate a small, intimate Christmas with just the people you love most under one roof."
Of course I remember making the Christmas wish. It's all I've been thinking about since I made it, knowing it was an unattainable wish and it would never work, but making it anyway, because that's the point of a Christmas wish.
"You didn't," I whisper, thinking about all those text messages coming through his phone a few seconds ago, the ones he got last night when we were curled up on the couch, watching the movie, and all afternoon when he popped in and out of the kitchen. "Please tell me you didn't."
All of a sudden, I hear the loud bang of the front door flying open, followed by an ear-piercing shriek.
"What do you mean I have to carry my own luggage? Uuugggh, this is the worst!"
Jason's face suddenly resembles the grimace emoji, with one big, clenched-teeth grin.
"Merry Christmas?"
His tentative words come out as a question instead of a statement, when the quiet, crackling fire and soft Christmas music playing in the living room is taken over by shouting, stomping feet, and loud arguing that is currently happening out in the entryway by two shrieking female voices I would recognize anywhere.
I don't know whether to laugh or cry as Jason's family, who seem to have been in the know about the arrival of hell right to their doorstep on Christmas Eve, all tell me to just stay here and relax, and they'll get my family sorted and bring them in here to me.
"In my defense, you made a Christmas wish, Allie," Jason informs me as I turn away from him, wiping my sweaty, nervous palms on my sweater dress, while the commotion in the entryway starts getting closer and closer. "And according to the Christmas wish bylaws, if you have the power to make them come true, you fucking make them come true. Also, I'm a guy. A simple creature, if you will. I didn't exactly think this whole plan through, further than getting your mom and sister's phone numbers from Millie and sending them a text. Wow, they are really needy people. I'm sorry. Have I said I'm sorry yet?"
~
"Is Die Hard a Christmas movie?" he quickly asks against my lips.
I laugh and just shake my head at him, turning away and pretending like I'm super interested in the movie.
"Come on. It's the only thing I want for Christmas, and you have the power to make it come true. You have to tell me, Allie," Jason pleads on a whisper, so he doesn't disrupt the movie for anyone.
"I thought your Christmas wish was that my Christmas wish would come true."
"And now it has, so they cancelled each other out and I get a new one. God, Allie, check the bylaws. This is your tradition, after all."
With a sigh, even though I can't stop smiling, I lean up, cup my hand around his ear, and whisper into it.
"I knew it!" he shouts, pumping his fist in the air and then quickly apologizing when everyone in the room shushes him.
"You knew nothing, pipe down," I whisper with a laugh as he wraps his arm around my shoulders and pulls me against his side.
"I knew we were a match made in heaven when you passed out from pot chocolate in my arms, and you just confirmed it." He winks.
"That was so cliché."
"This whole thing is cliché," Millie complains, leaning over on the couch to whisper to us. "Can we just get to the part where you guys profess your undying love for each other?"
Jason and I both laugh, sharing an eye roll between us before looking at Millie.
"We're not in love," I continue, laughing. "We just met. We're…"
"Taking things slow," Jason finishes, and I nod along with him.
"And I'm staying in West Virginia for now, because I love it here, and sure I want to cook, but who knows what will happen? I'm just…taking things slow. One day at a time, and enjoying being happy."
Jason kisses the top of my head, and we watch the movie for a few minutes before Millie leans in again.
"The big city spinster found herself a woodworking mountain man to love. I bet he'll propose next Christmas Eve, on the town square during the lighting ceremony, but there will be a power outage, and only Santa's son can save the day! Spoiler alert, you'll find out Jason is Santa's son in the sequel, John has secretly been Santa this entire time, and the dashing best friend will have to fly in from Barbados-first class, obviously, because I'm not doing that shit again-to help you plan the best Christmas wedding ever, because obviously you'll get married at Christmas. Don't worry, you can catch up in the sequel."
"Will you stop trying to compare my life to one of those Christmas movies?" I complain with a laugh.
"You're right. I'd definitely be flying in front Palm Beach to help plan your Christmas wedding." Millie nods.
"Taking things slow, remember?" I chuckle.
"Narrator: But they wouldn't take it slow. They would take it faster than Allie crashing into the end of Jason's driveway. They'll live happily ever after in this bumfuck nowhere town, celebrating Christmas just like this every year at The Redinger House, where Allie will be the chef, Jason will play with his wood, and all their little offspring will learn these wonderful Christmas traditions to carry on. And Allie's mom and her sisters will come and visit, forever and ever, the end."
Now my heart is beating even faster, but it's from nerves instead of excitement, and it's all too much pressure for me.
"I can't take this anymore," Millie suddenly announces loudly, as she dramatically opens the front door with a flourish. "You two are just like those ridiculous Christmas movies on TV that Jen has been making me watch all afternoon, where the two main people never kiss until the very end and you want to slit their throats. You are just one big Christmas cliché."
Nope, no longer the slightest bit cold. Pretty sure my entire body just went up in flames.
"Mountain man Jason, might you also be the town vet, as well as a widower who is raising his daughter all alone, while also having the added pressure of being Santa's son? We already know Allie is the big city spinster."
"Heeey," I protest, shooting an annoyed glare at Millie. "What are you even doing here? I thought I'd never see you again after heading over to the other side of the mountain."
Jason took a group of guests over to the ski resorts and shopping earlier, and I've never seen Millie move so fast when he announced what time the van would be leaving. I was fairly confident that as soon as she stepped foot into one of the spas, she'd forget who I was.
"I found myself longing for the simplistic, Amish ways of this side of the mountain."
"Or, you asked the local sheriff if he could get you some drugs, and he asked you to leave and never come back," Jen says casually as she walks behind Millie through the entryway carrying an armful of Christmas blankets.
"He looked sketchy and like he might have good drugs." Millie shrugs to us.
"He was dressed as Santa!" Jen shouts back as she disappears out of sight.
"Like I said, sketchy. No one wears velour anymore." Millie shudders. "Anyway, since you two aren't going to do anything exciting out here on this porch, let's focus on me."
She grabs my arm and tugs me into the house as I give Jason a longing glance over my shoulder. It warms my heart that he seems to be looking just as morose as I feel that we were cock-blocked by Millie.
I almost held off on this one, thinking I would just wait and read it next year at Christmas time. I'm so glad that I didn't wait. (And not just because it would have inevitably gotten lost in the jumble on my kindle, but you know, also yes.) This was hilarious, and ridiculous, and a bit sweet, and a tiny bit sad, and it just made the best little story. I really loved it. Tara Sivec is always good for funny and this was exactly as advertised, 'a ridiculous Christmas story,' and then some. I kinda hope she comes back to these characters, but even if they're a once off I'm okay with that. I definitely have way too many highlights, so it'll be difficult to narrow them down. But enough of my rambles, here's some of my faves. Spoilers, probably…definitely.
When we're alone, Jason clears his throat and runs a hand through his hair again before holding his arm out toward the sitting room, indicating I should go first. Moving in front of him, I try to quickly come up with some kind of small talk that doesn't make me sound like a complete idiot.
"Seen any good football games lately?"
"Boy, snow sure is cold."
"I haven't kissed a man in 978 days and you smell like sunshine."
Since none of those options are viable, I go with the next best thing. Screaming at the top of my lungs as soon as I walk around the corner in the sitting room.
"Holy shit, you gotta warn a girl about something like this!" I complain through my panting when I finish shrieking, holding my hand over my heart.
Jason chuckles, and for a minute, the beautiful sound of it makes me forget I just made a fool of myself. Again.
"Okay, that's twice now you've screamed over a nutcracker," he says, still laughing. "What is your deal with these things?"
"First of all, this isn't just a nutcracker. This is a seven-foot-tall wooden nightmare. Why does this thing even exist? Second, you had an entire coffee table full of this thing's satanic offspring at your house. You're the one with the issue, man. And my mom took me to see The Nutcracker ballet in New York when I was little. The nutcrackers scared the shit out of me, and I didn't sleep for a week after we got home."
~
"Can you feel that?" Jason suddenly whispers, leaning across the counter closer to me, while I hold perfectly still, trying to feel something.
I can feel my fingers itching with the need to reach out and touch your face again, but that's about it.
Clutching the blanket around my shoulders tighter with my hands so I don't do exactly that, I shake my head at him without a word.
"I do believe I feel my family's crazy Christmas spirit taking its hold of you. No one can resist it when they're at The Redinger House," Jason says as he looks at me with a smirk.
"What you're feeling is probably heartburn from the pizza. Try a Tums," I reply with a roll of my eyes. "I'm no longer screaming at the sight of Christmas decorations, but that's about as much progress as I'm willing to make."
Even though part of me wants to stay down here talking to him all night long, another part of me wants to curl back up in bed just so I can stare at the Christmas tree lights in the dark.
I know we just met, but wanna go upstairs and snuggle by the tree?
"What about you?" I ask. "Didn't I hear something about you being a Grinch and not in the mood to decorate your place? Maybe you should worry about feeling yourself."
I hear it as soon as it comes out of my mouth, wishing I wasn't such a dork when it comes to the opposite sex.
Jason rests his elbows in the middle of the counter, sliding them closer to me until our faces are only a few inches apart.
"You were adorable half-dressed for a blizzard, and when you had to borrow one of my sister's ugly Christmas sweaters," he tells me honestly. "But you're goddamn stunning when you're relaxed and laughing, and I think being here in my family's Christmas wonderland has something to do with it."
Or you do, you smooth-talking mountain man. I will sit on Santa's lap and share some eggnog with an elf if you promise to take your pants off.
"I'm suddenly in the mood to not be so Grinchy," he continues. "Quick: favorite Christmas candy and is Die Hard really a Christmas movie?"
Even though I'm completely self-conscious about laughing after what he just said to me in that low, sexy voice, I can't help but giggle.
"Oh hell no! I am not answering that question. Nope, no way." I shake my head. "Relationships have ended, friendships have died, and wars have been raged over the answer to that question. Nice try." I laugh again.
"So you're saying we have something, and you don't want to ruin it by answering a question that should be so easy it doesn't even require thought. Awww, I'm touched, Allie," Jason gushes, holding his hands over his heart.
"You're ridiculous. And you're right, the answer to that question is so easy that it doesn't require thought, but I'm still not answering it."
"It's fine. I'll wear you down eventually."
~
"Promise me that no matter what happens in the next five to ten minutes, you will remember how many orgasms I've given you in the last forty-eight hours," he says nervously.
"What?" I laugh.
"Maybe we should count them, just to be sure. There were the four in the snowman bathroom, two in the Grinch bedroom, one and a half in my truck, three at my cabin, and let's not forget that special, ninja one in the boutique bathro-"
"Jason!" I stop him, with a gentle smack to the chest, his hands still cupping my face as he looks worriedly into my eyes. "What is wrong with you?"
He clears his throat and licks his lips nervously.
"So, uh, remember the most romantic thing in the history of romance…that I did with the laundry shoot, and what a smashing good time we had in the bathroom, that led to even more smashing good times all over this side of the mountain?"
I'm so amused and confused by his nervousness that I just nod with a laugh.
"Then I'm assuming you also remember that little childhood tradition you shared with me, after I did the most romantic thing in the history of romance, where you made a Christmas wish?"
He looks at me sheepishly, biting his bottom lip, and anything funny about this situation completely disappears in the blink of an eye. Or in Jason's case, nervous, rapidly blinking eyes.
"The only thing I wish for Christmas is that I could have the best of both worlds. I wish my mom and my sisters could be here and appreciate a small, intimate Christmas with just the people you love most under one roof."
Of course I remember making the Christmas wish. It's all I've been thinking about since I made it, knowing it was an unattainable wish and it would never work, but making it anyway, because that's the point of a Christmas wish.
"You didn't," I whisper, thinking about all those text messages coming through his phone a few seconds ago, the ones he got last night when we were curled up on the couch, watching the movie, and all afternoon when he popped in and out of the kitchen. "Please tell me you didn't."
All of a sudden, I hear the loud bang of the front door flying open, followed by an ear-piercing shriek.
"What do you mean I have to carry my own luggage? Uuugggh, this is the worst!"
Jason's face suddenly resembles the grimace emoji, with one big, clenched-teeth grin.
"Merry Christmas?"
His tentative words come out as a question instead of a statement, when the quiet, crackling fire and soft Christmas music playing in the living room is taken over by shouting, stomping feet, and loud arguing that is currently happening out in the entryway by two shrieking female voices I would recognize anywhere.
I don't know whether to laugh or cry as Jason's family, who seem to have been in the know about the arrival of hell right to their doorstep on Christmas Eve, all tell me to just stay here and relax, and they'll get my family sorted and bring them in here to me.
"In my defense, you made a Christmas wish, Allie," Jason informs me as I turn away from him, wiping my sweaty, nervous palms on my sweater dress, while the commotion in the entryway starts getting closer and closer. "And according to the Christmas wish bylaws, if you have the power to make them come true, you fucking make them come true. Also, I'm a guy. A simple creature, if you will. I didn't exactly think this whole plan through, further than getting your mom and sister's phone numbers from Millie and sending them a text. Wow, they are really needy people. I'm sorry. Have I said I'm sorry yet?"
~
"Is Die Hard a Christmas movie?" he quickly asks against my lips.
I laugh and just shake my head at him, turning away and pretending like I'm super interested in the movie.
"Come on. It's the only thing I want for Christmas, and you have the power to make it come true. You have to tell me, Allie," Jason pleads on a whisper, so he doesn't disrupt the movie for anyone.
"I thought your Christmas wish was that my Christmas wish would come true."
"And now it has, so they cancelled each other out and I get a new one. God, Allie, check the bylaws. This is your tradition, after all."
With a sigh, even though I can't stop smiling, I lean up, cup my hand around his ear, and whisper into it.
"I knew it!" he shouts, pumping his fist in the air and then quickly apologizing when everyone in the room shushes him.
"You knew nothing, pipe down," I whisper with a laugh as he wraps his arm around my shoulders and pulls me against his side.
"I knew we were a match made in heaven when you passed out from pot chocolate in my arms, and you just confirmed it." He winks.
"That was so cliché."
"This whole thing is cliché," Millie complains, leaning over on the couch to whisper to us. "Can we just get to the part where you guys profess your undying love for each other?"
Jason and I both laugh, sharing an eye roll between us before looking at Millie.
"We're not in love," I continue, laughing. "We just met. We're…"
"Taking things slow," Jason finishes, and I nod along with him.
"And I'm staying in West Virginia for now, because I love it here, and sure I want to cook, but who knows what will happen? I'm just…taking things slow. One day at a time, and enjoying being happy."
Jason kisses the top of my head, and we watch the movie for a few minutes before Millie leans in again.
"The big city spinster found herself a woodworking mountain man to love. I bet he'll propose next Christmas Eve, on the town square during the lighting ceremony, but there will be a power outage, and only Santa's son can save the day! Spoiler alert, you'll find out Jason is Santa's son in the sequel, John has secretly been Santa this entire time, and the dashing best friend will have to fly in from Barbados-first class, obviously, because I'm not doing that shit again-to help you plan the best Christmas wedding ever, because obviously you'll get married at Christmas. Don't worry, you can catch up in the sequel."
"Will you stop trying to compare my life to one of those Christmas movies?" I complain with a laugh.
"You're right. I'd definitely be flying in front Palm Beach to help plan your Christmas wedding." Millie nods.
"Taking things slow, remember?" I chuckle.
"Narrator: But they wouldn't take it slow. They would take it faster than Allie crashing into the end of Jason's driveway. They'll live happily ever after in this bumfuck nowhere town, celebrating Christmas just like this every year at The Redinger House, where Allie will be the chef, Jason will play with his wood, and all their little offspring will learn these wonderful Christmas traditions to carry on. And Allie's mom and her sisters will come and visit, forever and ever, the end."
December 18, 2020
I’m continuing on with my @authortarasivec binge and I loved The Christmas Cliche just as much as Dashing Through the No. Seriously, if you’re looking for an escape that will make you laugh you must try one of her holiday books. Not only will they give you all the Christmas feels, you’ll have the best time reading this.
I found this one to be a little sweeter than DTTN, it was cute and the relationship between Allie and Jason was so adorable. It was super sweet to watch them fall in love, there was so much heart and so many feel good moments that I was basically heart eyes the entire time. If you’re missing your own Christmas spirit this year I think this book will help you find it
I found this one to be a little sweeter than DTTN, it was cute and the relationship between Allie and Jason was so adorable. It was super sweet to watch them fall in love, there was so much heart and so many feel good moments that I was basically heart eyes the entire time. If you’re missing your own Christmas spirit this year I think this book will help you find it
November 27, 2019
One of the most beautiful Christmas books than I have read. And no it's not a cliche.
You will love both heroes, you will laugh (thank you Mrs Sivec for making us laugh again and again), you will wish to be there as a visitor in the hotel.
You will like to make some new Christmas traditions for you and the family. You will love the second characters, Mollie (She from another planet and yes a bit crazy), Jen, Joy, Maddy (She will reminded you, young Gavin in the first book "Seduction and Snacks"... a little bit).
So yes it's a sweet, cute, funny book, easy to ready so full of Christmas joy and happiness!
You will love both heroes, you will laugh (thank you Mrs Sivec for making us laugh again and again), you will wish to be there as a visitor in the hotel.
You will like to make some new Christmas traditions for you and the family. You will love the second characters, Mollie (She from another planet and yes a bit crazy), Jen, Joy, Maddy (She will reminded you, young Gavin in the first book "Seduction and Snacks"... a little bit).
So yes it's a sweet, cute, funny book, easy to ready so full of Christmas joy and happiness!
January 6, 2025
Cute & Christmassy
What a fun story this was! The characters were lovable and I wanted to be their best friends. This author’s writing always pulls me in and makes me wish I could crawl into the pages and be a part of the story. Loved it!
What a fun story this was! The characters were lovable and I wanted to be their best friends. This author’s writing always pulls me in and makes me wish I could crawl into the pages and be a part of the story. Loved it!
November 21, 2019
With believable circumstances and lots of humorous moments, Tara Sivec makes her holiday romance constantly engrossing. One scene after another left me with a big grin on my face, because either the comments of a character were witty or their actions came across as amusing. There are also some very funny thoughts inside the head of Allie, the main female character. The Christmas holiday definitely comes alive in the story, as decorations are everywhere and unique customs are being carried out. From the very start of CHRISTMAS CLICHÉ to its touching conclusion, there was not one situation that did not draw me into the happenings and make me smile.
Going to West Virginia to spend Christmas with many of her dad’s relatives was a highlight of Allie Parker’s childhood. But things changed, and now she stays in Los Angeles with her high-maintenance sisters and their mother over the holiday. When the stress becomes too much for Allie to endure, she impulsively goes back to the place where she was always happy and just wants to relax plus think. But her plan does not work out as she hoped.
There are so many memorable moments in CHRISTMAS CLICHÉ that I will fondly recall. Her dislike of nutcrackers was shown in various ways, and I totally agree with her opinions. Numerous discussions with her friend Millie were repeatedly hilarious, and some of their remarks are priceless. Then there are the episodes where she and Jason Redinger interact that are romantic and even emotional. I immediately found this story to be original plus engaging, and I loved every imaginative scene created by Tara Sivec.
Going to West Virginia to spend Christmas with many of her dad’s relatives was a highlight of Allie Parker’s childhood. But things changed, and now she stays in Los Angeles with her high-maintenance sisters and their mother over the holiday. When the stress becomes too much for Allie to endure, she impulsively goes back to the place where she was always happy and just wants to relax plus think. But her plan does not work out as she hoped.
There are so many memorable moments in CHRISTMAS CLICHÉ that I will fondly recall. Her dislike of nutcrackers was shown in various ways, and I totally agree with her opinions. Numerous discussions with her friend Millie were repeatedly hilarious, and some of their remarks are priceless. Then there are the episodes where she and Jason Redinger interact that are romantic and even emotional. I immediately found this story to be original plus engaging, and I loved every imaginative scene created by Tara Sivec.
December 31, 2024
Christmas Cliché by Tara Sivec
Holiday Romantic Comedy Standalone
I admit it. When Tara Sivec writes a RomCom she can do no wrong (well basically that’s the case with all of her books). There is not one author that makes me laugh as much as Tara Sivec. Her position as my favorite romantic comedy author has never even threatened to budge, and Christmas Cliché just cemented that spot even further.
In December I only read Christmas books. So when my favorite author releases a Christmas book, you can bet I’m going to grab it. My expectations were high and hard to live up to. Once again, Tara surpassed my expectations. I just wish Christmas Cliché was in audio because I’d love to listen now (maybe a few times!) after reading it. I can just hear Millie in my head and I laugh!
Allie’s super high-maintenance twin sisters are the star of a reality show. Allie, being the smart, level headed one, has the task of keeping her spoiled sisters from embarrassing themselves and the family on national TV, and she basically hates every second of her life. If she didn’t get out of LA, she was going to have a breakdown, so she impulsively picks up and heads to West Virginia where she spent the holidays growing up, and her best friend Millie joined her. Aaahh!!! Millie!!! Perhaps one of my favorite characters ever, especially when she gave Allie the Pot candy. I just love Tara’s marijuana edibles scenes.
“At least I think it’s a bag. It’s so heavy.
I could go for some French fries right now.
Snow is pretty.
What the hell am I dragging behind me?
Are those headlights in front of us?
Pancakes.”
Being the cliché that it is, you know a rugged but grinch-like mountain man will have to rescue them, right? Jason was the perfect guy for the job! There weren’t only silly funny times, but there were some absolute sweet and serious times.
"You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.”
Tara writes funny, realistic, smart kids, and zany, outrageous characters that never seem to feel stupid (in a bad way). There is a really fine line between funny and “tries too hard to be funny” and Tara has never breached that line. Millie is completely and obnoxiously over the top and I loved her SO MUCH. Tara, if you ever need some Jewish input for a passover or Hannukah Millie story, you know where to go!
While I normally list my likes and dislikes here. I am not going to bother, because I loved EVERYTHING.
Tara Sivec once again proves why she is my favorite romantic comedy author with Christmas Cliché. It was ridiculous in a good way, it was funny, sweet, a little emotional, romantic, heartwarming and filled with Christmas spirit. I challenge you to find a better Christmas RomCom! I will tell you this, Christmas Cliché by Tara Sivec is for sure a holiday book that I will listen to every year. Now GIVE US A MILLIE BOOK! (please?)
Rating: 5 stars, 3 heat
Purchase Christmas Cliché by Tara Sivec
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December 23, 2019
4 stars. My first Tara Sivec book and I really enjoyed it! It was funny, the characters had great chemistry and it was just an overall fun read. Allie and Jason are adorable and I loved both of their characters a lot. The romance is cute and filled to the brim with cliches and tropes which I loved. I don’t know why it’s taken me so long to finally pick something up by this author but I think this was a great place to start even though it’s a novella. It has all of the Christmas feels to it and I had a lot of great time reading it. Also, I would love if Millie got her own book. That girl is a riot and I loved her dearly.
Looking forward to reading more from this author and I definitely recommend this if you’re in the mood for a zany, cliche, funny, holiday romance read.
Looking forward to reading more from this author and I definitely recommend this if you’re in the mood for a zany, cliche, funny, holiday romance read.
December 7, 2020
The most Christmassy of all Christmas reads! It was a little over the top silly at times but it kind of worked because this was definitely supposed to be as cliche as possible, and I loved the humour (especially Millie’s one liners).
I won’t lie, the lack of proper sex scenes was pretty disappointing, because Jason and Allie had such amazing chemistry and I wanted to see that play out on page. A weird choice because the rest of the book certainly wasn’t ‘clean’ (i.e. language and talk of sex), so I was kind of expecting something more. I don’t mind clean romance but I want to be prepared lol.
But overall I liked this a lot - a funny, light-hearted, festive read!
I won’t lie, the lack of proper sex scenes was pretty disappointing, because Jason and Allie had such amazing chemistry and I wanted to see that play out on page. A weird choice because the rest of the book certainly wasn’t ‘clean’ (i.e. language and talk of sex), so I was kind of expecting something more. I don’t mind clean romance but I want to be prepared lol.
But overall I liked this a lot - a funny, light-hearted, festive read!
January 19, 2023
I really enjoyed this Christmas Novella. It was funny and entertaining. So many of the characters brought fun humor to the story. My favorite is the best friend Millie. I really hope she eventually gets her own book. Loved it!
December 9, 2022
A really funny (and totally cliché, of course, it's even in the title!) Christmas book. Totally recommended to put you in a Christmas mood.
November 21, 2019
Fun, zany Christmas story. When her sisters drive her to her breaking point, Allie Parker takes off to spend Christmas by herself, intending to ignore the holiday outright. Her impetuous actions instead land her in Christmas central and in the arms of hunky mountain man, Jason Redinger.
Forced to face Christmas head on, Allie begins to rediscover what she used to love about the holiday and realize what she truly wants out of life.
Forced to face Christmas head on, Allie begins to rediscover what she used to love about the holiday and realize what she truly wants out of life.
November 24, 2019
What a perfectly fun, Christmas read! Love, friendship, and family are throughout. Laughter is guaranteed. Sexy times are fade to black, but it works.
December 26, 2019
Yeah. This novella was a total Christmas cliché. It was like being dropped down into the middle of a Hallmark Christmas movie with all sorts of elements of those sorts of stories. But that was obviously intentional since the characters make reference to that fact several times. It was sort of cute, but like often happens in these holiday romance novellas, too much was going on too quickly to make it really stand out as a story. Allie is a B-list Hollywood celebrity due to the reality show her younger siblings star in. She is miserable in California, and on a whim she hops on a plane to head to West Virginia to spend Christmas with her cousin. Except she didn't really plan things out. She ends up in West Virginia without adequate clothing and without her cousin, who is traveling during the holidays. Caught in a massive winter snow storm, she ends up at a country bed and breakfast that vomits all things Christmas. Seriously. Vomits. This place is ridiculously full of every Christmas clichéd item you could possibly desire. In a stereotypical Christmas romance sort of way, Allie is jaded against all things Christmas, but being in this atmosphere slowly begins to thaw her cold soul and help her to remember the joys of Christmas past. There's a strapping young mountain man who instantly falls madly in love with her, and soon Allie finds herself and sees that she is not all that suited to life in the fast lane. Typical. The speed of this romance is way too fast. Not enough time is spent developing any sort of deep feelings between Allie and Jason. It's not entirely clear why they have feelings for each other, other than the fact that they are two beautiful people. Allie's friend, Millie, is thrown into this story as a sort of comic relief who also is weirdly good at dispensing relationship advice. She irritated me soooooo much. Not a fan. I wouldn't say that this story was disappointing. It just seemed rushed ... like it was being told on the surface, never diving deep into what makes these characters tick. As far as Christmas romance novellas go, this one was average, falling into a common trap of trying to tell too much story in too few pages, leading the overall experience to be lacking. I give it three stars. I liked it, but didn't love it.
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