What do you think?
Rate this book
Holiday Hijinx Series #1
The Plight Before Christmas
From the international best-selling author of Drive and The Ravenhood Trilogy comes a heartwarming holiday romance with all of the feels.
Now an AMAZON Top #10 Best Seller!
A #1 Best Seller Holiday Romance
A #1 Best Seller in Holiday Fiction
A #1 Best Seller in Inspirational Romance
A #1 Best Seller in Romantic Comedy
Clark Griswold was onto something, at least with his annual holiday meltdown. And since the last three weeks of my life have been riddled with humbug—another breakup, a broken toe, an office promotion I deserved and didn’t get—I’m not at all in the mood to celebrate nor have the happ, happ, happiest Christmas EVER.
When Mom insisted that we all gather at my Grandparent’s ancient cabin for an old school family Christmas, I fully intended to get into the holiday spirit with the help of the three wise men, Johnnie Walker, Jack Daniels, and Jim Beam. But those boys did absolutely nothing to offset the shock or temper the sting of seeing my EX on our doorstep the first day of our holiday soiree.
Apparently, Santa missed the memo, and this elf is pissed.
Stuck for a week with the man who obliterated my heart nearly two decades ago, I did the only thing I could do and put on my game face, thankful for the home advantage.
I knew better than to drink that last cup of eggnog.
I knew better than to get tongue tangled beneath the mistletoe with the only man to ever break my heart.
I knew better than to sleep with Satan’s wingman on the eve of the Lord’s birthday.
I could blame the nog. I could blame the deceitful light blue eyes, thick, angelic hair, and panty evaporating smirk…but mostly, I blame Eli because he always knew exactly which of my buttons to push.
I foolishly thought a family Christmas filled with nostalgia was going to turn my inner Scrooge around, but this year’s festivities went up in flames. Leave it to the ghost of my Christmas past to be the one to light the match.
Fa la la la la, la FML.
The Plight Before Christmas is a full length, second chance, Christmas themed romance and most definitely on SANTA'S NAUGHTY LIST!
Now an AMAZON Top #10 Best Seller!
A #1 Best Seller Holiday Romance
A #1 Best Seller in Holiday Fiction
A #1 Best Seller in Inspirational Romance
A #1 Best Seller in Romantic Comedy
Clark Griswold was onto something, at least with his annual holiday meltdown. And since the last three weeks of my life have been riddled with humbug—another breakup, a broken toe, an office promotion I deserved and didn’t get—I’m not at all in the mood to celebrate nor have the happ, happ, happiest Christmas EVER.
When Mom insisted that we all gather at my Grandparent’s ancient cabin for an old school family Christmas, I fully intended to get into the holiday spirit with the help of the three wise men, Johnnie Walker, Jack Daniels, and Jim Beam. But those boys did absolutely nothing to offset the shock or temper the sting of seeing my EX on our doorstep the first day of our holiday soiree.
Apparently, Santa missed the memo, and this elf is pissed.
Stuck for a week with the man who obliterated my heart nearly two decades ago, I did the only thing I could do and put on my game face, thankful for the home advantage.
I knew better than to drink that last cup of eggnog.
I knew better than to get tongue tangled beneath the mistletoe with the only man to ever break my heart.
I knew better than to sleep with Satan’s wingman on the eve of the Lord’s birthday.
I could blame the nog. I could blame the deceitful light blue eyes, thick, angelic hair, and panty evaporating smirk…but mostly, I blame Eli because he always knew exactly which of my buttons to push.
I foolishly thought a family Christmas filled with nostalgia was going to turn my inner Scrooge around, but this year’s festivities went up in flames. Leave it to the ghost of my Christmas past to be the one to light the match.
Fa la la la la, la FML.
The Plight Before Christmas is a full length, second chance, Christmas themed romance and most definitely on SANTA'S NAUGHTY LIST!
370 pages, Paperback
Published December 16, 2021
8768 people are currently reading
46773 people want to read
About the author
Kate Stewart
50 books25.7k followersNew York Times, USA Today, Amazon Charts, and Internationally bestselling author Kate Stewart, a Texas native, lives in North Carolina with her husband, Nick. Nestled within the Blue Ridge Mountains, Kate pens messy, sexy, angst-filled contemporary romance, as well as romantic comedy and erotic suspense.
The Ravenhood Trilogy, consisting of Flock, Exodus, and The Finish Line, as well as the spinoff series, Ravenhood Legacy, have become NYT, USA Today, and International bestsellers as well as TikTok sensations. The Ravenhood was recently acquired for film adaptation with Kate set to co-write the script, as well as executive produce, which will kickstart her lifelong dream of becoming a filmmaker.
Amongst Kate’s other bestselling works, The Bittersweet Symphony Duet, specifically Drive, was a Goodreads Choice Awards finalist for best contemporary romance of 2017. Stewart’s works have been featured in USA Today, BuzzFeed, The New York Daily News, Huffington Post, Glamour Magazine, and translated into over twenty languages.
More info: https://geni.us/katestewartbooks
The Ravenhood Trilogy, consisting of Flock, Exodus, and The Finish Line, as well as the spinoff series, Ravenhood Legacy, have become NYT, USA Today, and International bestsellers as well as TikTok sensations. The Ravenhood was recently acquired for film adaptation with Kate set to co-write the script, as well as executive produce, which will kickstart her lifelong dream of becoming a filmmaker.
Amongst Kate’s other bestselling works, The Bittersweet Symphony Duet, specifically Drive, was a Goodreads Choice Awards finalist for best contemporary romance of 2017. Stewart’s works have been featured in USA Today, BuzzFeed, The New York Daily News, Huffington Post, Glamour Magazine, and translated into over twenty languages.
More info: https://geni.us/katestewartbooks
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 7,583 reviews
November 25, 2025
5 stars
The Plight Before Christmas was the perfect holiday read. I smiled so big, laughed so hard, and loved it so much! Seriously, perfection!
Whitney is having a rough start to her holiday season. First, she gets passed on a promotion that she deserves, and now she’s back home for Christmas where her car breaks down and nothing seems to be going right. Aside from spending time with her hilarious family that is. And then he shows up… her first love and college boyfriend, Eli.
What are the odds that Eli has recently started working with Whitney’s brother and he brings his lonely new coworker home for Christmas? You would think they’d be low, but with Whitney’s odds… well, it happened. Eli was the one that got away. The one that broke her heart. And now he’s here. And ready to win her back.
Oh the romance in this book… so wonderful and sweet. This book had it. That Christmas magic. One of my favorite things about it was the family dynamic. If you come from a crazy and fun family, you know all about it and it never gets old. I loved every page of this book!
We all know Kate can write angsty, emotional books, but I personally love it when she writes fun stories. This one was such a blast to read. It was funny, swoony, and steamy. If you pick up just one holiday book this year, let it be this one! It was fantastic!!
The Plight Before Christmas was the perfect holiday read. I smiled so big, laughed so hard, and loved it so much! Seriously, perfection!
Whitney is having a rough start to her holiday season. First, she gets passed on a promotion that she deserves, and now she’s back home for Christmas where her car breaks down and nothing seems to be going right. Aside from spending time with her hilarious family that is. And then he shows up… her first love and college boyfriend, Eli.
What are the odds that Eli has recently started working with Whitney’s brother and he brings his lonely new coworker home for Christmas? You would think they’d be low, but with Whitney’s odds… well, it happened. Eli was the one that got away. The one that broke her heart. And now he’s here. And ready to win her back.
Oh the romance in this book… so wonderful and sweet. This book had it. That Christmas magic. One of my favorite things about it was the family dynamic. If you come from a crazy and fun family, you know all about it and it never gets old. I loved every page of this book!
We all know Kate can write angsty, emotional books, but I personally love it when she writes fun stories. This one was such a blast to read. It was funny, swoony, and steamy. If you pick up just one holiday book this year, let it be this one! It was fantastic!!
April 21, 2022
4.75 ⭐️ now THIS was the holiday book I was searching for. every Christmas book i’ve read has been very cheesy hallmark with predictable plots.. but this one was so different. it was the perfect mix of holiday vibes, romance, family, comedy & emotion. I was cackling and sobbing at the same time, thx Kate Stewart! Whitney & Eli captured my cold black heart 🖤 this was one of those CANT PUT DOWN, feel good books that got you right from page 1.
ps. Triple Falls will always feel like home. <3
pss. Chapter 25 will live rent free in my mind, pup <3
ps. Triple Falls will always feel like home. <3
pss. Chapter 25 will live rent free in my mind, pup <3
December 18, 2024
4.5 ⭐️ to be honest, one of the best Christmas books I’ve ever read
December 4, 2022
Dnf at @54%
I'm sorry y'all I really wanted to like this one but it just wasn't for me 😭😭 The more I tried reading it, the more I hated it and I found myself skimming through a lot.
I did appreciate the inner monologues, they felt natural and were easy to like, also not overly done. I give it one star for that. But as soon as the characters started speaking, I was so done with them for some reason.
I feel bad being in the minority with my rating for this one😭
I'm sorry y'all I really wanted to like this one but it just wasn't for me 😭😭 The more I tried reading it, the more I hated it and I found myself skimming through a lot.
I did appreciate the inner monologues, they felt natural and were easy to like, also not overly done. I give it one star for that. But as soon as the characters started speaking, I was so done with them for some reason.
I feel bad being in the minority with my rating for this one😭
December 12, 2023
the real plight before christmas is me picking up this book 😣😣
December 3, 2023
The MC's were in their late thirties/forties but acted like immature children. This book felt exhausting with the push and pull, miscommunication and annoying behaviour. I hated both of them.
They were a couple for 8 months 17 YEARS AGO ffs.🤦♀️
I was way more interested in her sister marriage in crisis tbh and that's why i didn't dnf.
They were a couple for 8 months 17 YEARS AGO ffs.🤦♀️
I was way more interested in her sister marriage in crisis tbh and that's why i didn't dnf.
April 19, 2024
5/5 ⭐
3/5 🌶️
🎄 ❄ 🎅 🎄 ❄ 🎅 🎄 ❄ 🎅 🎄 ❄ 🎅 🎄 ❄ 🎅 🎄 ❄ 🎅 🎄 ❄ 🎅
The Plight Before Christmas was the perfect holiday read. This is Adult contemporary romance with dual POV. This book was unexpected. It burrowed into my heart. It gutted me at times. I loved this story. It really was a spicy version of a hallmark Christmas movie and I am here for it! This book had me DYING laughing, tearing up, blushing, all of it. CHAPTER 25!!!! Aahhhhh! I’m so obsessed. As tragic this story was, especially for Eli, it ended beautifully.
Kate Stewart might be my new favorite author. Period. I need to start the Ravenhood Trilogy yesterday!!
Quotes:
“And Triple Falls is small town in every sense. It seems very few secrets are kept here.”
“Why, Jesus, why did I listen to Thatch when he got all thug love the first time we had sex and was all, “you’re going to have my baby.”
“She’s mine. She has to be because my heart is hers and always has been. It’s never been so clear. I loved her then, soul-deep. I love her now, perpetually.”
“Please, don’t argue with me right now,” he whimpers. “I don’t want your Dad to know that while he was worshiping his lord and savior, I was defiling his daughter. Please just…dust.”
3/5 🌶️
🎄 ❄ 🎅 🎄 ❄ 🎅 🎄 ❄ 🎅 🎄 ❄ 🎅 🎄 ❄ 🎅 🎄 ❄ 🎅 🎄 ❄ 🎅
The Plight Before Christmas was the perfect holiday read. This is Adult contemporary romance with dual POV. This book was unexpected. It burrowed into my heart. It gutted me at times. I loved this story. It really was a spicy version of a hallmark Christmas movie and I am here for it! This book had me DYING laughing, tearing up, blushing, all of it. CHAPTER 25!!!! Aahhhhh! I’m so obsessed. As tragic this story was, especially for Eli, it ended beautifully.
Kate Stewart might be my new favorite author. Period. I need to start the Ravenhood Trilogy yesterday!!
Quotes:
“And Triple Falls is small town in every sense. It seems very few secrets are kept here.”
“Why, Jesus, why did I listen to Thatch when he got all thug love the first time we had sex and was all, “you’re going to have my baby.”
“She’s mine. She has to be because my heart is hers and always has been. It’s never been so clear. I loved her then, soul-deep. I love her now, perpetually.”
“Please, don’t argue with me right now,” he whimpers. “I don’t want your Dad to know that while he was worshiping his lord and savior, I was defiling his daughter. Please just…dust.”
December 24, 2021
5 Fa la la la la, la FUCK MY LIFE Stars ⭐
Some books make you nostalgic and heartbroken all over again. First loves are meant to serve a valuable lesson, yet in some instances you never get over it and it hinders all future decisions.
I’m not emotionally equipped to deal with his baggage. I have my own carousel to sort out.
Don't get me wrong The Plight Before Christmas was a wonderful festive romance but for me it was a lot more. It was funny and sweet but it made me hurt at the same time!
"Eli wasn’t the guy you were supposed to plan a future with. He was the guy to break your heart and break it in well. I didn’t realize it until it was too late.”
When Whitney and Eli fell in love in college, their relationship could of gone either way. Long term or heartbreak as was their path. Seventeen years later Whitney is celebrating her annual family Christmas getaway in Triple Falls. Except not only is her life already in turmoil, it seems that Eli has somehow hijacked her Christmas.
I don't want to rehash what was written because it's lengthy, emotional, fabulously flavoured with interconnecting stories of the other members of the Collin's family but also a cluster fuck of hurts and regrets.
She’s mine. She has to be because my heart is hers and always has been. It’s never been so clear.
This was a slow journey to forgiveness but I loved the slow burn and watching the past and present of Whitney and Eli collide. Truths and vulnerabilities being exposed and watching two people who'd given up on love a long time ago being proven wrong. This story was wonderful. ❤️
Some books make you nostalgic and heartbroken all over again. First loves are meant to serve a valuable lesson, yet in some instances you never get over it and it hinders all future decisions.
I’m not emotionally equipped to deal with his baggage. I have my own carousel to sort out.
Don't get me wrong The Plight Before Christmas was a wonderful festive romance but for me it was a lot more. It was funny and sweet but it made me hurt at the same time!
"Eli wasn’t the guy you were supposed to plan a future with. He was the guy to break your heart and break it in well. I didn’t realize it until it was too late.”
When Whitney and Eli fell in love in college, their relationship could of gone either way. Long term or heartbreak as was their path. Seventeen years later Whitney is celebrating her annual family Christmas getaway in Triple Falls. Except not only is her life already in turmoil, it seems that Eli has somehow hijacked her Christmas.
I don't want to rehash what was written because it's lengthy, emotional, fabulously flavoured with interconnecting stories of the other members of the Collin's family but also a cluster fuck of hurts and regrets.
She’s mine. She has to be because my heart is hers and always has been. It’s never been so clear.
This was a slow journey to forgiveness but I loved the slow burn and watching the past and present of Whitney and Eli collide. Truths and vulnerabilities being exposed and watching two people who'd given up on love a long time ago being proven wrong. This story was wonderful. ❤️
Read
December 18, 2021
★LIVE EARLY!!★
Read for FREE with KINDLE UNLIMITED!!
US: https://amzn.to/3IZH0wm
UK: https://amzn.to/3p5Lqd9
CA: https://amzn.to/3GW3Ymg
AU: https://amzn.to/3sinHIS
Universal: http://mybook.to/PlightKindle
This is an un-EX-pected, Christmas themed, second chance romance.
🤣 LOL
🔥 Slow Burn
🎁 Heartwarming feels
😍 Swoon and 🌶 Spice and everything nice but most definitely on 🎅 Santa’s NAUGHTY LIST!!
Clark Griswold was onto something, at least with his annual holiday meltdown. And since the last three weeks of my life have been riddled with humbug—another breakup, a broken toe, an office promotion I deserved and didn’t get—I’m not at all in the mood to celebrate nor have the happ, happ, happiest Christmas EVER.
When Mom insisted that we all gather at my Grandparent’s ancient cabin for an old school family Christmas, I fully intended to get into the holiday spirit with the help of the three wise men, Johnnie Walker, Jack Daniels, and Jim Beam. But those boys did absolutely nothing to offset the shock or temper the sting of seeing my EX on our doorstep the first day of our holiday soiree.
Apparently, Santa missed the memo, and this elf is pissed.
Stuck for a week with the man who obliterated my heart nearly two decades ago, I did the only thing I could do and put on my game face, thankful for the home advantage.
I knew better than to drink that last cup of eggnog.
I knew better than to get tongue tangled beneath the mistletoe with the only man to ever break my heart.
I knew better than to sleep with Satan’s wingman on the eve of the Lord’s birthday.
I could blame the nog. I could blame the deceitful light blue eyes, thick, angelic hair, and panty evaporating smirk…but mostly, I blame Eli because he always knew exactly which of my buttons to push.
I foolishly thought a family Christmas filled with nostalgia was going to turn my inner Scrooge around, but this year’s festivities went up in flames. Leave it to the ghost of my Christmas past to be the one to light the match.
Fa la la la la, la FML.
December 17, 2021
A traditional family christmas story which threw out all the feels, all the giggles, all those swooney moments which Kate Stewart is well known for. A story I never wanted to end. A story I loved wholeheartedly.
It all comes in 3's well so they say BUT for Whitney it kind of bypasses that.
Then to rub salt more into a gaping wound that is Whitney's life the one man she never thought she'd encounter again is invited to their Christmas family gathering by her brother.
We all have that one
our first love
the first one that ever broke our hearts
The first one you can't stop thinking about.
The first one that got away...
For Whitney that's Eli, even though it was only for eight months he made an impact on her, to the point where no other guy compared. We get to see how they met, how they fell, and how they fell apart.
It all comes in 3's well so they say BUT for Whitney it kind of bypasses that.
Then to rub salt more into a gaping wound that is Whitney's life the one man she never thought she'd encounter again is invited to their Christmas family gathering by her brother.
We all have that one
our first love
the first one that ever broke our hearts
The first one you can't stop thinking about.
The first one that got away...
For Whitney that's Eli, even though it was only for eight months he made an impact on her, to the point where no other guy compared. We get to see how they met, how they fell, and how they fell apart.
December 20, 2023
Wow! That was unexpected!
This is a second chance contemporary romance about Whitney and Eli who were once college sweethearts and their relationship didn't end well. Eli crashes Whitney's family Christmas week long get away after 17 years apart. He tries to reconnect with her while surrounded by her family who are also all dealing with their own dramas.
I thought I was getting a light hearted x-mas romcom and what I got was a very emotional and beautiful story of family and love .I absolutely, didn't expect to be getting emotional in the middle of the store, and not just bc I was being subjected to the horror of being at a Target 5 days before Christmas! (I barely made it out alive btw)
I really loved it! I related so much to this family, I almost felt like I knew these characters. I was as invested in the supporting characters as I was the main couple. That revelation tho!!!! 😢
Totally loved the Sean cameo from the Ravenhood series! It did not disappoint! This was my favorite Xmas read this year for sure!
This is a second chance contemporary romance about Whitney and Eli who were once college sweethearts and their relationship didn't end well. Eli crashes Whitney's family Christmas week long get away after 17 years apart. He tries to reconnect with her while surrounded by her family who are also all dealing with their own dramas.
I thought I was getting a light hearted x-mas romcom and what I got was a very emotional and beautiful story of family and love .I absolutely, didn't expect to be getting emotional in the middle of the store, and not just bc I was being subjected to the horror of being at a Target 5 days before Christmas! (I barely made it out alive btw)
I really loved it! I related so much to this family, I almost felt like I knew these characters. I was as invested in the supporting characters as I was the main couple. That revelation tho!!!! 😢
Totally loved the Sean cameo from the Ravenhood series! It did not disappoint! This was my favorite Xmas read this year for sure!
January 16, 2022
5 STARS
Oh.
My.
WORDS.
This book. Is Kate Stewart even capable of writing a book that doesn't completely own your world as you're reading it? This was the second chance romance to beat all second chance romance. And it came with a hilarious family, banter, and forced proximity goodness. If you're looking for THE holiday romance, this is it. THIS IS IT.
After losing the promotion that she rightfully deserved to a man, Whitney finds herself in her feels. She recently broke up with her boyfriend because she wasn't feeling it, much like she hasn't felt most of her relationships. And her car barely makes it to her parent's house for Christmas. What else can possibly go wrong? Well, how about her college ex boyfriend showing up as her brother's plus one? The same college boyfriend who was the love of her life and shattered her heart, and she's never quite moved on from. The same college boyfriend who never stopped thinking about her either.
I loved the way that this story combines a slow burn second chance romance with the quirky family antics and dynamics. I fell so hard for this family and their individual plights. I was equally rooting for Whitney's siblings as I was for Whitney. The banter, the laughs, their love for each other was simply heart warming and laugh till you pee yourself inducing.
The romance was very much a slow burn, and I mean slooooooow burn. And rightfully so considering the history these two had. But man, I loved watching Eli fight for her. I loved him prove to her the man that he is now. And when all the details come out, it's heart wrenching. But if ever there was a man with a reason, this man is it. I loved him so hard.
And for those who have read other books of Kate (and I won't spoil and say which ones), you will SERIOUSLY appreciate a certain cameo in this book. I think I may have screamed out loud when they were revealed. GAH. SO good.
This book was pure perfection. It brought everything; the feels, the laughs, the holiday spirit, and the once in a life time romance. I simply adored it.
ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review
Find me on:
What are you missing? I think it’s me, and I think I’m missing you, and I think we’ve been missing each other for a long fucking time.” .
Oh.
My.
WORDS.
This book. Is Kate Stewart even capable of writing a book that doesn't completely own your world as you're reading it? This was the second chance romance to beat all second chance romance. And it came with a hilarious family, banter, and forced proximity goodness. If you're looking for THE holiday romance, this is it. THIS IS IT.
After losing the promotion that she rightfully deserved to a man, Whitney finds herself in her feels. She recently broke up with her boyfriend because she wasn't feeling it, much like she hasn't felt most of her relationships. And her car barely makes it to her parent's house for Christmas. What else can possibly go wrong? Well, how about her college ex boyfriend showing up as her brother's plus one? The same college boyfriend who was the love of her life and shattered her heart, and she's never quite moved on from. The same college boyfriend who never stopped thinking about her either.
I loved the way that this story combines a slow burn second chance romance with the quirky family antics and dynamics. I fell so hard for this family and their individual plights. I was equally rooting for Whitney's siblings as I was for Whitney. The banter, the laughs, their love for each other was simply heart warming and laugh till you pee yourself inducing.
The romance was very much a slow burn, and I mean slooooooow burn. And rightfully so considering the history these two had. But man, I loved watching Eli fight for her. I loved him prove to her the man that he is now. And when all the details come out, it's heart wrenching. But if ever there was a man with a reason, this man is it. I loved him so hard.
“Yes. And it’s your pussy’s fault. Now go.” “I am not dusting, Eli.” “Please, don’t argue with me right now,” he whimpers. “I don’t want your Dad to know that while he was worshiping his lord and savior, I was defiling his daughter. Please just…dust.”.
And for those who have read other books of Kate (and I won't spoil and say which ones), you will SERIOUSLY appreciate a certain cameo in this book. I think I may have screamed out loud when they were revealed. GAH. SO good.
This book was pure perfection. It brought everything; the feels, the laughs, the holiday spirit, and the once in a life time romance. I simply adored it.
ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review
Find me on:
December 17, 2025
Wow, yeah, great start to my Christmas reading plans.
I mean, who doesn’t love a truly awful, entitled, manipulative creep for a mmc? He was constantly talking down on her, commenting on her looks (too much make up), her weight (better now, she was too thin in college), her job (she wasted her potential) and grabbing her wrist, arm, elbow, you name it, any time she was about to leave because she didn’t want to be around him anymore, but he decided they weren’t done talking.
Or how about unbelievably annoying and weird family members starring as side characters? What I personally loved most about them was that everyone treated the two children who basically made no sound and only spoke when spoken to as these wonderful and perfect little angels while the other two children who actually behaved like children were scolded and belittled throughout (for you know being loud, having opinions, meltdowns…).
Or my personal favourite: So much misogyny and sexism, I finished this bullshit just so I could give it 1 star and write this review. All the men in this family did was complain and let the women do all the work.
But don’t worry, there was also internalised misogyny! All bases covered here.
I don’t want to waste more time on this story, so I’ll leave you with some quotes and recommend you check out any of the other 1- or 2-star reviews, because there sadly is so much more to say about this book.
I mean, who doesn’t love a truly awful, entitled, manipulative creep for a mmc? He was constantly talking down on her, commenting on her looks (too much make up), her weight (better now, she was too thin in college), her job (she wasted her potential) and grabbing her wrist, arm, elbow, you name it, any time she was about to leave because she didn’t want to be around him anymore, but he decided they weren’t done talking.
Or how about unbelievably annoying and weird family members starring as side characters? What I personally loved most about them was that everyone treated the two children who basically made no sound and only spoke when spoken to as these wonderful and perfect little angels while the other two children who actually behaved like children were scolded and belittled throughout (for you know being loud, having opinions, meltdowns…).
Or my personal favourite: So much misogyny and sexism, I finished this bullshit just so I could give it 1 star and write this review. All the men in this family did was complain and let the women do all the work.
But don’t worry, there was also internalised misogyny! All bases covered here.
I don’t want to waste more time on this story, so I’ll leave you with some quotes and recommend you check out any of the other 1- or 2-star reviews, because there sadly is so much more to say about this book.
“You’ve emasculated him in a teasing way twice since I got here. When is the last time
you made him feel like a man?” […]
“Get on your knees,” Whitney instructs, “and while you do it, look at the man like he is your king, wrap your lips around him, and suck.”
“So, you watched or read something that says to degrade yourself to make your husband feel superior?”
“Of course not. You asked for my advice, and I get what you’re saying but hear me out before you go feminist.
In my opinion, men need to feel like men in order to act like men in the bedroom. You treat a man like a lamb long enough, and he’s less likely to want to roar.”
“Thatch bends over backward to be a good husband and father, but I’m sure it puts a drain on the testosterone. Men are truly simple creatures when it comes to sex, especially when deprived of it. Apes, really. It’s a basic primal urge for them, though more emotional for us. That’s not theory. That’s fact.” […]
“And then he’ll expect it all the time.”
“Just like you expect him to take out the trash, do all the heavy lifting, mow the lawn, and interpret a fifteen-page instructional manual on crap you ordered off the internet.”
December 10, 2025
4/5
Omg this book is soooo funny!! If you want a messy read where the characters are constantly fighting and going back & forth, pick this one up! I’ve already ordered the second book in the series because I NEED to know what happens with her sister. Might even read it this year!
Omg this book is soooo funny!! If you want a messy read where the characters are constantly fighting and going back & forth, pick this one up! I’ve already ordered the second book in the series because I NEED to know what happens with her sister. Might even read it this year!
January 2, 2025
* ☘︎ :･ﾟTOP 10 AUDIO 2022 :･ﾟ☘︎ *
re-listen December 2024
This might be the most beautiful and most heartbreaking love story for me still. Especially, going into this for the second time, already knowing everything Eli hadn’t told Whit until the very end, it’s even more heartbreaking. Giving all the little things more perspective.
And with the amount of heartache this book comes with it is a total conundrum that it also comes with so many laugh-out-loud moments and the most amazing family-Christmas vibes.
All my love and all the stars for a book that is so much more than a holiday romance. ♡ *･☆ﾟ
5***** .･☆ﾟstars
HOLY SANTA! I laughed and I cried, this was everything! And it truly deserves the label Dramedy.
Debbie’s Review made me pick this up immediately yesterday and I second everything she said about it. This was so freaking good! I am so in love with this whole story, the second-chance intensity, the full-blown holiday vibes, the hearty banter that showed how much all the family members love each other and ofc the main characters’s once-in-a-lifetime love.
━━━━━━━━━ * .･☆ﾟ*･ﾟ━━━━━━━━━
Whitney and Eli are close to forty when they meet again after two decades when Whitney’s brother invites Eli unknowing of their shared past to their family Christmas. Whitney and Eli dated in college for eight months but he broke her heart badly and looking at their respective love lives at that moment it seems they both never gotten over this first great love.
So this is their second chance. If they want it.
Here are some of my favorite parts:
*･☆ﾟ Subject: Collins Christmas Karaoke
*･☆ﾟ the sweatshirt
*･☆ﾟ Birthday Bucket List
*･☆ﾟ the story how the parents almost divorced
*･☆ﾟ joining forces against aunt Gretchen
*･☆ﾟ the mechanic, followed by jealous, drunk Eli *lmaooo
*･☆ﾟ the ugly fight at the super store
*･☆ﾟ the ugly reason Eli broke Whitney’s heart (and mine)
*･☆ﾟ all the truth bombs and the very end
And guys, there is not only the intense second-chance of these two but also a secondary romance with Whitney’s sister and her troubled-marriage with her husband. And the brother and his marriage is not without fault either. It’s all so good. And so satisfying in the end! ♡
This was so exceptionally wonderful, well written, all the feelings palpable and so so well narrated by Joe Arden and Maxine Mitchell, I loved every minute of this 12hrs long audio. And like Debbie, I can see myself coming back to this story like you do with favorite holiday movies.
━━━━━━━━━ * .･☆ﾟ*･ﾟ━━━━━━━━━
side note: The coolest thing about the audio was that Joe Arden narrates not only Eli’s POV but also gives every other male character (including baby Peyton) their voices through the whole book, as does Maxine Mitchell for all the females. It made the audio sooo much better and I wished this would be standard for all audio productions. It was great!
***************
Holiday Hijinx Series
Book 1 - The Plight Before Christmas - 5.0 stars
Book 2 - The Sleight Before Christmas - 4.75 stars
re-listen December 2024
This might be the most beautiful and most heartbreaking love story for me still. Especially, going into this for the second time, already knowing everything Eli hadn’t told Whit until the very end, it’s even more heartbreaking. Giving all the little things more perspective.
And with the amount of heartache this book comes with it is a total conundrum that it also comes with so many laugh-out-loud moments and the most amazing family-Christmas vibes.
All my love and all the stars for a book that is so much more than a holiday romance. ♡ *･☆ﾟ
5***** .･☆ﾟstars
HOLY SANTA! I laughed and I cried, this was everything! And it truly deserves the label Dramedy.
Debbie’s Review made me pick this up immediately yesterday and I second everything she said about it. This was so freaking good! I am so in love with this whole story, the second-chance intensity, the full-blown holiday vibes, the hearty banter that showed how much all the family members love each other and ofc the main characters’s once-in-a-lifetime love.
━━━━━━━━━ * .･☆ﾟ*･ﾟ━━━━━━━━━
Whitney and Eli are close to forty when they meet again after two decades when Whitney’s brother invites Eli unknowing of their shared past to their family Christmas. Whitney and Eli dated in college for eight months but he broke her heart badly and looking at their respective love lives at that moment it seems they both never gotten over this first great love.
“I cried, oh, Eli, how I fucking cried for months. I spent the summer torturing my parents with worry. Serena had to drag me out of bed.” […] “Yeah, you’re sorry. I heard you, but the thing is, the people you’re breaking bread with tonight are the people you really need to apologize to because they went through hell to get me back.”
So this is their second chance. If they want it.
Here are some of my favorite parts:
*･☆ﾟ Subject: Collins Christmas Karaoke
*･☆ﾟ the sweatshirt
*･☆ﾟ Birthday Bucket List
*･☆ﾟ the story how the parents almost divorced
*･☆ﾟ joining forces against aunt Gretchen
*･☆ﾟ the mechanic, followed by jealous, drunk Eli *lmaooo
“Wasn’t all bad…Bee…,” he whispers his pet name for me, a name I never thought I would hear again, and I shake my head in agreement. But it’s the longing in his voice that has my heart seizing. “Remember…me? I casn’t forget you.” [he slurs]
*･☆ﾟ the ugly fight at the super store
*･☆ﾟ the ugly reason Eli broke Whitney’s heart (and mine)
*･☆ﾟ all the truth bombs and the very end
And guys, there is not only the intense second-chance of these two but also a secondary romance with Whitney’s sister and her troubled-marriage with her husband. And the brother and his marriage is not without fault either. It’s all so good. And so satisfying in the end! ♡
“I’m going to make you so happy. I promise you. Merry Christmas.”
This was so exceptionally wonderful, well written, all the feelings palpable and so so well narrated by Joe Arden and Maxine Mitchell, I loved every minute of this 12hrs long audio. And like Debbie, I can see myself coming back to this story like you do with favorite holiday movies.
━━━━━━━━━ * .･☆ﾟ*･ﾟ━━━━━━━━━
side note: The coolest thing about the audio was that Joe Arden narrates not only Eli’s POV but also gives every other male character (including baby Peyton) their voices through the whole book, as does Maxine Mitchell for all the females. It made the audio sooo much better and I wished this would be standard for all audio productions. It was great!
***************
Holiday Hijinx Series
Book 1 - The Plight Before Christmas - 5.0 stars
Book 2 - The Sleight Before Christmas - 4.75 stars
December 23, 2021
I went into this book looking for a sweet holiday romcom to finish off the year, and ended up experiencing one of my top reads of 2021. This book was unexpected. It burrowed into my heart. It gutted me at times. I laughed, I swooned, I shed tears for these characters that were so well-rounded and expertly developed. Eli easily climbed his way to my favorite hero of the year. The chemistry between Eli and Whitney sizzled, the banter and dialogue were top-notch (I'm a sucker for banter), the flashbacks were powerful and poignant, and the full circle details were just... magical. This is so much more than a holiday romance. It's a masterpiece.
December 30, 2024
the eyes got watery, did not expect this book to hit me at that 80% mark 🥺‼️
𝗽𝗿𝗲-𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱｡ꪆৎ ˚⋅ falalala la la lalala la la !! I need a christmas-y book so let's do this
𝗽𝗿𝗲-𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱｡ꪆৎ ˚⋅ falalala la la lalala la la !! I need a christmas-y book so let's do this
January 7, 2022
I love spicy books but Jesus. This is a lot. I’m at about 30% and I’m struggling. I’m not sure how I feel about graphic descriptions of remembered penises and how blow jobs will save a marriage. The dialogue is also super dumb and filled with cliches. No one talks like that! Will update if I finish.
Update: The BJ is not just to save the marriage. He deserves it because he mows the yard and takes out the trash. This is not some douchebag guy talking before he gets called out; this is a grown ass woman giving her sister advice. 😳
Update 2: I’m at about 40% now. My next complaint is that the MC is portrayed as being less than the rest of her family and as not having lived a full life because she isn’t married. As a single woman in my 30s, this is crap. You don’t need a spouse or children to have a happy and full life. God, I need to stop reading this.
Finally finished. It earned a second star from me because it had a decent ending. But ultimately, I still really hated it. There wasn’t a single character I liked. The women all showed so much internalized misogyny. The end of the book resolved some of the marriage issues because the sister did in fact give her husband that BJ he “deserved”. The mom kept calling the main guy “handsome” as a pet name which was super creepy. If I went to meet my boyfriend’s parents and the dad kept calling me “beautiful”, I would be terrified. The men all subscribed to the idea that women should do all the cooking and cleaning and they are just responsible for being breadwinners, even though all the women worked too. The point about needing a spouse to be happy was harped on for the entire novel. The MC got so much pity because she was single.
I definitely do not recommend this, especially for anyone with an ounce of feminism in their bodies.
Update: The BJ is not just to save the marriage. He deserves it because he mows the yard and takes out the trash. This is not some douchebag guy talking before he gets called out; this is a grown ass woman giving her sister advice. 😳
Update 2: I’m at about 40% now. My next complaint is that the MC is portrayed as being less than the rest of her family and as not having lived a full life because she isn’t married. As a single woman in my 30s, this is crap. You don’t need a spouse or children to have a happy and full life. God, I need to stop reading this.
Finally finished. It earned a second star from me because it had a decent ending. But ultimately, I still really hated it. There wasn’t a single character I liked. The women all showed so much internalized misogyny. The end of the book resolved some of the marriage issues because the sister did in fact give her husband that BJ he “deserved”. The mom kept calling the main guy “handsome” as a pet name which was super creepy. If I went to meet my boyfriend’s parents and the dad kept calling me “beautiful”, I would be terrified. The men all subscribed to the idea that women should do all the cooking and cleaning and they are just responsible for being breadwinners, even though all the women worked too. The point about needing a spouse to be happy was harped on for the entire novel. The MC got so much pity because she was single.
I definitely do not recommend this, especially for anyone with an ounce of feminism in their bodies.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 28, 2024
this might be my favorite holiday book ever 🥹🎄🎅🏽
December 12, 2021
This Christmas second chance romance definitely got me in the right mood. The Collins family is a hoot. When it comes to Christmas they go all out. Music, decorations, food. Literally everything. Every member of the Collins family succeeded in winning me over immediately. The youngest of the Collins siblings is Whitney and she’s hit rock bottom. It doesn’t get better when her older brother Brendan brings along her first love Eli to celebrate Christmas.
The Plight Before Christmas has it all. Humor that pulls on every string, tension especially sexual not only between Whitney and Eli and wonderful romance. This gorgeous story is about family but definitely also a story about love and soul mates.
The bond this family share is so special and it was heartwarming to see and feel how Eli slowly won them over and vice versa.
Kate Stewart has got comedy down to a T. So many memorable laugh out loud scenes. The chemistry between Whit and Eli is undeniable. The history between them only cemented that. It’s a fabulous and all consuming slow burn. I couldn’t get enough of these two and the reward was fireworks and goosebumps evoking.
This story has got it all and delivers. Big time.
5 Bee & Gravity Stars
The Plight Before Christmas has it all. Humor that pulls on every string, tension especially sexual not only between Whitney and Eli and wonderful romance. This gorgeous story is about family but definitely also a story about love and soul mates.
The bond this family share is so special and it was heartwarming to see and feel how Eli slowly won them over and vice versa.
Kate Stewart has got comedy down to a T. So many memorable laugh out loud scenes. The chemistry between Whit and Eli is undeniable. The history between them only cemented that. It’s a fabulous and all consuming slow burn. I couldn’t get enough of these two and the reward was fireworks and goosebumps evoking.
This story has got it all and delivers. Big time.
5 Bee & Gravity Stars
December 26, 2021
4 Stars
Overall Opinion: This was a fun read with more than a few laugh out loud moments. I really liked the crazy family and especially the baby! I liked both characters and I liked their chemistry together. I just was disappointed when going through all that work for reconciliation and then it just jumps into an epilogue with a few, short time jumps and what I call a HFN ending! It felt a little half assed tbh. Why can’t we experience their future or even just experience them as an actual couple?! Otherwise, it was a fun Christmas romance that I enjoyed and would recommend to anyone that likes holiday theme stories.
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Whitney and Eli’s story. Whitney is down in her luck and headed home for the holidays with her crazy family. She has come to accept that she’ll forever be the single sibling and that she needs to love up on her nieces and nephews because that’s as close to parenthood as she’s going to get. What she doesn’t expect is for the friend her brother is bringing home is actually her ex from college, Eli. Eli is on a mission to explain and apologize to Whitney for how things ended between them ~17 years prior as she has always been the one that got away. There are some crazy and funny family moments, some big secrets revealed, some sexy times…and they get a HFN ending.
Point Of View (POV): This alternated between Whitney and Eli’s POV.
Overall Pace of Story: Good. I never skimmed and I thought it flowed well. There are some flashbacks, but I think the author integrates these well into the flow of the storyline.
Instalove: No, but there are residual feelings from when they were together before.
H (Hero) rating: 4 stars. Eli. I liked him. I loved his relationship with the baby and the rest of the h’s family.
h (heroine) rating: 4 stars. Whitney. I liked her. I appreciated how she cared for others.
Sadness level: Low/moderate. I shed some tears but never needed any tissues.
Push/Pull: Yes
Heat level: Good. They have some good tension, chemistry, and scenes -- but not so much it takes away from the story.
Descriptive sex: Yes
OW (Other Woman)/OM (Other Man) drama: No
Sex scene with OW or OM: No
Cheating: No
Separation: Yes, but before the story begins
Possible Triggers: Yes
Closure: This ends in a cute place but with I would call a HFN ending because I wanted much, much more!
Safety: This one should be Safe for most safety gang readers
Overall Opinion: This was a fun read with more than a few laugh out loud moments. I really liked the crazy family and especially the baby! I liked both characters and I liked their chemistry together. I just was disappointed when going through all that work for reconciliation and then it just jumps into an epilogue with a few, short time jumps and what I call a HFN ending! It felt a little half assed tbh. Why can’t we experience their future or even just experience them as an actual couple?! Otherwise, it was a fun Christmas romance that I enjoyed and would recommend to anyone that likes holiday theme stories.
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Whitney and Eli’s story. Whitney is down in her luck and headed home for the holidays with her crazy family. She has come to accept that she’ll forever be the single sibling and that she needs to love up on her nieces and nephews because that’s as close to parenthood as she’s going to get. What she doesn’t expect is for the friend her brother is bringing home is actually her ex from college, Eli. Eli is on a mission to explain and apologize to Whitney for how things ended between them ~17 years prior as she has always been the one that got away. There are some crazy and funny family moments, some big secrets revealed, some sexy times…and they get a HFN ending.
Point Of View (POV): This alternated between Whitney and Eli’s POV.
Overall Pace of Story: Good. I never skimmed and I thought it flowed well. There are some flashbacks, but I think the author integrates these well into the flow of the storyline.
Instalove: No, but there are residual feelings from when they were together before.
H (Hero) rating: 4 stars. Eli. I liked him. I loved his relationship with the baby and the rest of the h’s family.
h (heroine) rating: 4 stars. Whitney. I liked her. I appreciated how she cared for others.
Sadness level: Low/moderate. I shed some tears but never needed any tissues.
Push/Pull: Yes
Heat level: Good. They have some good tension, chemistry, and scenes -- but not so much it takes away from the story.
Descriptive sex: Yes
OW (Other Woman)/OM (Other Man) drama: No
Sex scene with OW or OM: No
Cheating: No
Separation: Yes, but before the story begins
Possible Triggers: Yes
Closure: This ends in a cute place but with I would call a HFN ending because I wanted much, much more!
Safety: This one should be Safe for most safety gang readers
December 3, 2022
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧
I walked into this story thinking I would get a Christmas tale maybe with a few laughs and a lot of sexy time. I walked out after I was inundated with adorable sweetness, overwhelming emotions that left me on my knees and love from every single nook and cranny of this family.
This is in my top five of the year!
Seriously what a wonderful story that takes a few hints from hallmark but with a fresher, more realistic view.
I want to be in this family, in the best of times and in the worst of times. Because every couple went through the wringer but with the help of heart and family they came back together in time for Christmas.
None more so then Whitney and Eli. I cried so hard for both of them and everything they went through both together and apart. I also laughed my ass off and swooned at how freaking delightful.
The cutest, funniest part is no doubt little baby Peyton. Omg that kid had my heart, hook, line and sinker.
I hated to see this end but I guarantee I will listen to this audio, which was just as good as the story, every Christmas season.
🌶️🌶️🌶️
🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧
I walked into this story thinking I would get a Christmas tale maybe with a few laughs and a lot of sexy time. I walked out after I was inundated with adorable sweetness, overwhelming emotions that left me on my knees and love from every single nook and cranny of this family.
This is in my top five of the year!
Seriously what a wonderful story that takes a few hints from hallmark but with a fresher, more realistic view.
I want to be in this family, in the best of times and in the worst of times. Because every couple went through the wringer but with the help of heart and family they came back together in time for Christmas.
None more so then Whitney and Eli. I cried so hard for both of them and everything they went through both together and apart. I also laughed my ass off and swooned at how freaking delightful.
The cutest, funniest part is no doubt little baby Peyton. Omg that kid had my heart, hook, line and sinker.
I hated to see this end but I guarantee I will listen to this audio, which was just as good as the story, every Christmas season.
November 24, 2025
THE PLIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
● Whitney (38) & Eli (similar age)
● works at a marketing firm / works with Whitney’s brother
● spending Christmas with her family in a cabin (North Carolina)
● they dated in college
● broke up and haven’t seen each other for 17 years
● Whitney’s brother brought Eli to the family Christmas getaway (not knowing Eli and Whitney knew each other)
● Whitney is the only single one among her siblings
● second chance romance
● Whitney (38) & Eli (similar age)
● works at a marketing firm / works with Whitney’s brother
● spending Christmas with her family in a cabin (North Carolina)
● they dated in college
● broke up and haven’t seen each other for 17 years
● Whitney’s brother brought Eli to the family Christmas getaway (not knowing Eli and Whitney knew each other)
● Whitney is the only single one among her siblings
● second chance romance
Audiobook source: Audible
Narrator: Maxine Mitchell & Joe Arden
Length: 10H 53M
December 22, 2021
Wow. Just wow. This book is one of my top reads for the year. I stayed up until 5am reading this (not a smart idea to start a book right before bed). This book had me DYING laughing, tearing up, blushing, all of it. CHAPTER 25!!!! Aahhhhh! I’m so obsessed. The story, perfect. The spice, so steamy and well written. The ending, all i ever wanted.
November 26, 2022
Just one month until Christmas and this one set the mood just about perfectly 🥺
I’m gonna throw it out there and I won’t apologise, but you’d have to be the grinch not to love this sweet, cute and overly corny xmas story ♥️
I’m gonna throw it out there and I won’t apologise, but you’d have to be the grinch not to love this sweet, cute and overly corny xmas story ♥️
December 31, 2021
this book has it all... wonderful characters, fabulously written heat, funny and witty banters, family bond, emotional, heartwrenching moments, longing, hope, and a love story that you cannot help but embrace.
it's SO much more than a holiday/ christmas romance.. this book has definitely become one i will come back to whenever i need a dosis of heartwarming feelings. i definitely recommend!!! :)
it's SO much more than a holiday/ christmas romance.. this book has definitely become one i will come back to whenever i need a dosis of heartwarming feelings. i definitely recommend!!! :)
Read
December 22, 2021REVIEW: PLEASE READ THIS BOOK!!
THIS, in all seriousness, will be the book for you during your holiday vacation. This was the most down-to-earth, REAL depiction of a family Christmas you will ever read AND enjoy. I laughed. I reminisced. I actually teared up. This was the best. I read more than I highlighted. I laughed more than I have in a long time. And I swooned extra hard. Typical Kate Stewart greatness.
This is the family we all know and hate/love at holidays. So very real in a total Christmas Vacation sort of way. Shenanigans, actualities, truths...the whole story had me laughing. This one hit all the buttons for an easy, light, and enjoyable read. In the beginning, I was like - who is this Whitney chick, and why is she being so mean?? Ok, then I realized whaaat was going on. I continually laughed at how she was constantly trying to justify her anger towards her coworker but the good side of her couldn’t get over the fact that he was truly a good guy. Ha ha Ha!!! I couldn't not laugh at what was unfolding while watching it unravel right in front of her.
Whitney was a quick-witted, cynical - yet hilarious - heroine with a mentality that kept me laughing. She was purging her anger while holding onto her emotions (counterintuitive, I know), and that made for some seriously hilarious mental arguments and actions. There were so many parts that had me LAUGHING and I am excited for so many to enjoy them. Worth noting - I love a strong, alpha male with emotions. Not whiny, weak - but one with emotions even he has to fight. Kate gave me something to love and something to hate about Eli. He was a real person, in that nature, because we got to see that he had faults and we got to see that he was perfect in Whit's eyes. I loved seeing a real man have emotion, whether it be anger, or love, or hurt, or happiness — I loved seeing it.
You know the idea of a memory smell? This was truly a memory visual. I couldn’t help but actually see the shenanigans Stewart was sharing; the fighting, the kids, the decorations - the family camaraderie. It was all there, and the memories it brought about were heartwarming. This was such an awesome mixture of family holiday memories and the likeness of the movie Christmas Vacation - comedic with heart. Everything kind of just made you smile because it worked in the manner of it being a light Christmas romantic comedy, but infused with Stewart's signature, destined love.
Eli and Whitney are a couple that brings the truth to the value of a second chance. The parents are proof of what love and patience can accomplish. The brothers and sisters all show how family can be tested but it still remains core. This was pure. There wasn't any over the top drama. Any unrealistic miscommunication. No other woman drama. It was just two real, honest people trying to revisit some emotions that one is fighting and one is chasing.
The push and pull wasn't there - this wasn't an angsty book, by any means. But it did show me how these tow adults handled a difficult breakup, and then came together. Told through flashbacks, this one allowed me to fall in love with them in the here and now, but also gave me some backstory that I couldn't help but falling in love with. I saw why they worked...but found out why they "didn't" and it was just a well laid out, easy read. Not heavy....just a very welcome, very easy read that I most definitely needed.
<>
For someone who usually avoids any type of holiday read (they're usually cheesy, just like Hallmark movies) and reads very few comedies (they're usually cheesy), this one I will happily and easily recommend. It was a good mix of women’s fiction and comedy, with a hearty dose of romance - but the realness of it was refreshing. I fell in love with this family. It was fun. It was an easy read. It produced plenty of smiles. It was just really cute. It was REAL! I loved this holiday magic. READ. IT.
"What are you doing here Eli?"
"Maybe you're still the reason, Whitney."
~BEE
PURCHASE: https://amzn.to/3qiGwZN
Affiliate link
Enter for your chance to win a signed paperback: https://bit.ly/3plOn9z
THIS, in all seriousness, will be the book for you during your holiday vacation. This was the most down-to-earth, REAL depiction of a family Christmas you will ever read AND enjoy. I laughed. I reminisced. I actually teared up. This was the best. I read more than I highlighted. I laughed more than I have in a long time. And I swooned extra hard. Typical Kate Stewart greatness.
This is the family we all know and hate/love at holidays. So very real in a total Christmas Vacation sort of way. Shenanigans, actualities, truths...the whole story had me laughing. This one hit all the buttons for an easy, light, and enjoyable read. In the beginning, I was like - who is this Whitney chick, and why is she being so mean?? Ok, then I realized whaaat was going on. I continually laughed at how she was constantly trying to justify her anger towards her coworker but the good side of her couldn’t get over the fact that he was truly a good guy. Ha ha Ha!!! I couldn't not laugh at what was unfolding while watching it unravel right in front of her.
Whitney was a quick-witted, cynical - yet hilarious - heroine with a mentality that kept me laughing. She was purging her anger while holding onto her emotions (counterintuitive, I know), and that made for some seriously hilarious mental arguments and actions. There were so many parts that had me LAUGHING and I am excited for so many to enjoy them. Worth noting - I love a strong, alpha male with emotions. Not whiny, weak - but one with emotions even he has to fight. Kate gave me something to love and something to hate about Eli. He was a real person, in that nature, because we got to see that he had faults and we got to see that he was perfect in Whit's eyes. I loved seeing a real man have emotion, whether it be anger, or love, or hurt, or happiness — I loved seeing it.
You know the idea of a memory smell? This was truly a memory visual. I couldn’t help but actually see the shenanigans Stewart was sharing; the fighting, the kids, the decorations - the family camaraderie. It was all there, and the memories it brought about were heartwarming. This was such an awesome mixture of family holiday memories and the likeness of the movie Christmas Vacation - comedic with heart. Everything kind of just made you smile because it worked in the manner of it being a light Christmas romantic comedy, but infused with Stewart's signature, destined love.
Eli and Whitney are a couple that brings the truth to the value of a second chance. The parents are proof of what love and patience can accomplish. The brothers and sisters all show how family can be tested but it still remains core. This was pure. There wasn't any over the top drama. Any unrealistic miscommunication. No other woman drama. It was just two real, honest people trying to revisit some emotions that one is fighting and one is chasing.
The push and pull wasn't there - this wasn't an angsty book, by any means. But it did show me how these tow adults handled a difficult breakup, and then came together. Told through flashbacks, this one allowed me to fall in love with them in the here and now, but also gave me some backstory that I couldn't help but falling in love with. I saw why they worked...but found out why they "didn't" and it was just a well laid out, easy read. Not heavy....just a very welcome, very easy read that I most definitely needed.
<>
For someone who usually avoids any type of holiday read (they're usually cheesy, just like Hallmark movies) and reads very few comedies (they're usually cheesy), this one I will happily and easily recommend. It was a good mix of women’s fiction and comedy, with a hearty dose of romance - but the realness of it was refreshing. I fell in love with this family. It was fun. It was an easy read. It produced plenty of smiles. It was just really cute. It was REAL! I loved this holiday magic. READ. IT.
"What are you doing here Eli?"
"Maybe you're still the reason, Whitney."
~BEE
PURCHASE: https://amzn.to/3qiGwZN
Affiliate link
Enter for your chance to win a signed paperback: https://bit.ly/3plOn9z
December 30, 2021
5 “It’s You” stars!
(ARC provided by author/Wordsmith Publicity)
Whitney Collins is a single, career woman living in Nashville whose life has hit a few road blocks lately. Nothing is going as planned, and after a string of bad luck, she’s looking forward to some down time in the mountains with her chaotic crazy family. They are obsessed with Christmas, and being with them for the holiday in North Carolina is just what she needs. They should be the perfect distraction from her problems, but when her ex shows up her enthusiasm disappears. It’s been seventeen years since she’s seen her college boyfriend. Eli Welch is still lethal to all her senses, but she can’t let herself sink back into the past. He broke her heart all those years ago, and she just has to remember she’s over him, and not lose herself in those eyes. Her mission is to ignore the connection and undeniable chemistry between them, and focus on family and Christmas.
-When I’m with Eli, it’s too much and not enough all at once.
-He used to kiss me as if he would never get the chance to again.
-“If I ever had a chance of having a one, he was the closest it came for me.”
The Plight Before Christmas by Kate Stewart is a heartwarming, hilarious book about family, tradition, nostalgia, heartbreak, regrets, and first loves. I loved everything about this slow burn, swoony second chance holiday romance. It’s the perfect Christmas story with all the feels! Baby Peyton completely stole my heart! <333
***NOW AVAILABLE***
https://amzn.to/3EcdhN7
(ARC provided by author/Wordsmith Publicity)
Whitney Collins is a single, career woman living in Nashville whose life has hit a few road blocks lately. Nothing is going as planned, and after a string of bad luck, she’s looking forward to some down time in the mountains with her chaotic crazy family. They are obsessed with Christmas, and being with them for the holiday in North Carolina is just what she needs. They should be the perfect distraction from her problems, but when her ex shows up her enthusiasm disappears. It’s been seventeen years since she’s seen her college boyfriend. Eli Welch is still lethal to all her senses, but she can’t let herself sink back into the past. He broke her heart all those years ago, and she just has to remember she’s over him, and not lose herself in those eyes. Her mission is to ignore the connection and undeniable chemistry between them, and focus on family and Christmas.
-When I’m with Eli, it’s too much and not enough all at once.
-He used to kiss me as if he would never get the chance to again.
-“If I ever had a chance of having a one, he was the closest it came for me.”
The Plight Before Christmas by Kate Stewart is a heartwarming, hilarious book about family, tradition, nostalgia, heartbreak, regrets, and first loves. I loved everything about this slow burn, swoony second chance holiday romance. It’s the perfect Christmas story with all the feels! Baby Peyton completely stole my heart! <333
***NOW AVAILABLE***
https://amzn.to/3EcdhN7
December 7, 2022
2,5 stars
This review contains spoilers. Proceed at your own discretion.
Ok, so there are a few things I don't ever want to read in a Christmas book:
- someone suffering from a life threatening illness and/or dying from said illness
- tragic backstories or subplots
- overused clichés
This story has all of the above 🤦♀️ it started out well, with nice family dynamics, an adorable child, snow and fun holiday activities. All was well, until the two MCs start reconnecting.
Whitney and Eli used to date in college. She thought they were endgame, but after 8 months they break up and don't see each other again for 17 years, when Eli gets invited to their family Christmas by Whitney's brother. Eli never forgot about her and is set on getting her back. And then, close to the end, the sad-fest begins.
In my humble opinion Christmas should be about love, joy, reconnecting, etc. I don't want to feel sad and cry, especially for something that could have literally been resolved in any other way, except the MC having had cancer and describing in detail the heartbreaking process he went through 😕 I just can't with this subject. I am now convinced that there should definitely be trigger warnings on every book from the beginning, so the reader can know what to expect and not be blindsided.
Had all of this not been the case, this would have been a 5 star read for me
This review contains spoilers. Proceed at your own discretion.
Ok, so there are a few things I don't ever want to read in a Christmas book:
- someone suffering from a life threatening illness and/or dying from said illness
- tragic backstories or subplots
- overused clichés
This story has all of the above 🤦♀️ it started out well, with nice family dynamics, an adorable child, snow and fun holiday activities. All was well, until the two MCs start reconnecting.
Whitney and Eli used to date in college. She thought they were endgame, but after 8 months they break up and don't see each other again for 17 years, when Eli gets invited to their family Christmas by Whitney's brother. Eli never forgot about her and is set on getting her back. And then, close to the end, the sad-fest begins.
In my humble opinion Christmas should be about love, joy, reconnecting, etc. I don't want to feel sad and cry, especially for something that could have literally been resolved in any other way, except the MC having had cancer and describing in detail the heartbreaking process he went through 😕 I just can't with this subject. I am now convinced that there should definitely be trigger warnings on every book from the beginning, so the reader can know what to expect and not be blindsided.
Had all of this not been the case, this would have been a 5 star read for me
December 26, 2021
It’s a cozy read! Don’t get me wrong, this story
is safe and warm!
It’s worth the reading.
is safe and warm!
It’s worth the reading.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 7,583 reviews