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Carrigan’s Christmasland #1
Season of Love
Buzzfeed’s Most Anticipated LGBTQ Romances of 2022
Miriam Blum has no choice but to face the past she thought she’d left behind when she inherits her great-aunt’s Christmas tree farm in this witty, glittering, heart-filled romcom.
Thanks to her thriving art career, Miriam Blum finally has her decoupaged glitter ducks in a row—until devastating news forces her to a very unwanted family reunion. Her beloved great-aunt Cass has passed and left Miriam part-owner of Carrigan’s, her (ironically) Jewish-run Christmas tree farm.
But Miriam’s plans to sit shiva, avoid her parents, then put Carrigan’s in her rearview mirror are spoiled when she learns the business is at risk of going under. To have any chance at turning things around, she’ll need to work with the farm’s grumpy manager—as long as the attraction sparking between them doesn’t set all their trees on fire first.
Noelle Northwood wants Miriam Blum gone—even if her ingenious ideas and sensitive soul keep showing Noelle there’s more to Cass’s niece than meets the eye. But saving Carrigan’s requires trust, love, and risking it all—for the chance to make their wildest dreams come true.
Miriam Blum has no choice but to face the past she thought she’d left behind when she inherits her great-aunt’s Christmas tree farm in this witty, glittering, heart-filled romcom.
Thanks to her thriving art career, Miriam Blum finally has her decoupaged glitter ducks in a row—until devastating news forces her to a very unwanted family reunion. Her beloved great-aunt Cass has passed and left Miriam part-owner of Carrigan’s, her (ironically) Jewish-run Christmas tree farm.
But Miriam’s plans to sit shiva, avoid her parents, then put Carrigan’s in her rearview mirror are spoiled when she learns the business is at risk of going under. To have any chance at turning things around, she’ll need to work with the farm’s grumpy manager—as long as the attraction sparking between them doesn’t set all their trees on fire first.
Noelle Northwood wants Miriam Blum gone—even if her ingenious ideas and sensitive soul keep showing Noelle there’s more to Cass’s niece than meets the eye. But saving Carrigan’s requires trust, love, and risking it all—for the chance to make their wildest dreams come true.
384 pages, Paperback
First published October 11, 2022
244 people are currently reading
16091 people want to read
About the author
Helena Greer
3 books289 followersHelena Greer writes contemporary romance novels that answer the question: What if this beloved trope were gay? She was born in Tucson, and her heart still lives there, although she no longer does. After earning a BA in writing and mythology, and a master’s in library science, she spent several years blogging about librarianship before returning to writing creatively. Helena loves cheesy pop culture, cats without tails, and ancient Greek murderesses. Season of Love is her debut novel.
Librarian note: There are other authors with the same name.
Librarian note: There are other authors with the same name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,011 reviews
October 11, 2022
3.75 Stars. This was a good holiday romance book that was more on the drama side and less on the comedy side than I expected. All of the characters have a lot of family trauma that they are still processing. These include tough subjects like grief from a recent loss, alcoholism, and even verbal and mental abuse. I was surprised because you usually don’t see holiday books so heavy, but in the end I personally think it worked out because while this book tackled harder subjects, the book wasn’t depressing. The book was still full of hope and love and fun moments so the balance was there. I love some light and fluffy holiday reads but it’s nice to have some with more substance too.
This was a solid debut for Greer but it did have its newbie bumps leading to some of my issues like how it felt a little repetitive/wordy when it came to over explaining the few hurt feelings of certain characters again and again. Reading some of the same complaints/feelings over and over made the book feel longer than it actually was, but really I guess the editor should have noticed some of these repeats and maybe they will before the final copy goes out.
I do want to mention that while I do love the cover, it makes the book feel a little more rom-com-ish than what the book actually is so just be aware. But I do want to thank Greer for having a butch character with *shock* curves. OMG! It’s a lesbian unicorn, how did Greer catch one for her book we may never know. Anyway, even with some newbie bumps I enjoyed this and it was very easy to see the potential in Greer and I expect it will grow quickly the more chances she gets to write. This is clearly the start of a series as the next romance is already set-up. I’m not sure I will continue on but I could see other readers being very excited about it.
An ARC was given to me for an honest review.
This was a solid debut for Greer but it did have its newbie bumps leading to some of my issues like how it felt a little repetitive/wordy when it came to over explaining the few hurt feelings of certain characters again and again. Reading some of the same complaints/feelings over and over made the book feel longer than it actually was, but really I guess the editor should have noticed some of these repeats and maybe they will before the final copy goes out.
I do want to mention that while I do love the cover, it makes the book feel a little more rom-com-ish than what the book actually is so just be aware. But I do want to thank Greer for having a butch character with *shock* curves. OMG! It’s a lesbian unicorn, how did Greer catch one for her book we may never know. Anyway, even with some newbie bumps I enjoyed this and it was very easy to see the potential in Greer and I expect it will grow quickly the more chances she gets to write. This is clearly the start of a series as the next romance is already set-up. I’m not sure I will continue on but I could see other readers being very excited about it.
An ARC was given to me for an honest review.
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October 13, 2022A Jewish Christmas f/f romance (where Judaism is a felt and practised faith and the Christmas element is basically trees and baubles). Miriam is a profoundly traumatised artist who fled her family for the big city a decade ago and is now engaged to a society woman. Noelle (I see what you did there) is a recovering alcoholic with abandonment issues who works at Miriam's aunt's Christmas hotel/tree farm/business in a small cosy town where everyone knows each other. The will leaves equal shares to Miriam, Noelle, and two other cousins (the next book), in classic Elderly Lady Meddles from Beyond the Grave / Save The Farm style. Basically, this book is taking all the Hallmark movie tropes and gleefully rolling around in them, and why not.
For me, there was a bit of a disjunct between the fun with glittery decoupage Christmas trees and eccentrically named cats, and the issues of one woman who learned never to trust anyone to stay and love her, and another who was so emotionally abused by a monstrous father that she shut down for a decade. (I have never actually watched a Hallmark Christmas movie though, so possibly this is how they work.) The emotional issues are picked over carefully, if a bit overtly for me (but this seems to be how US whippersnappers talk these days) and the romance is very slow burn (and closed door) so we don't fall into any 'sex fixes everything' nonsense.
The dialogue is fun, and the characters strongly drawn, with entertaining minor characters keeping the fun going. Very relaxed depiction of Noelle as a fat butch that doesn't go overboard on the descriptions: it's matter of fact, who she is, rather than a big deal. Lovely strong sense of Miriam's Jewish faith and cultural background and the weirdness of this Jewish-run Christmas enterprise. Highly readable and leaning in to all kinds of tropes. A fun, warm, engaging read, and a good choice if you're after a winter/Christmas romance that isn't Christianormative.
For me, there was a bit of a disjunct between the fun with glittery decoupage Christmas trees and eccentrically named cats, and the issues of one woman who learned never to trust anyone to stay and love her, and another who was so emotionally abused by a monstrous father that she shut down for a decade. (I have never actually watched a Hallmark Christmas movie though, so possibly this is how they work.) The emotional issues are picked over carefully, if a bit overtly for me (but this seems to be how US whippersnappers talk these days) and the romance is very slow burn (and closed door) so we don't fall into any 'sex fixes everything' nonsense.
The dialogue is fun, and the characters strongly drawn, with entertaining minor characters keeping the fun going. Very relaxed depiction of Noelle as a fat butch that doesn't go overboard on the descriptions: it's matter of fact, who she is, rather than a big deal. Lovely strong sense of Miriam's Jewish faith and cultural background and the weirdness of this Jewish-run Christmas enterprise. Highly readable and leaning in to all kinds of tropes. A fun, warm, engaging read, and a good choice if you're after a winter/Christmas romance that isn't Christianormative.
October 19, 2024
SEASON OF LOVE was another great holiday book for this year! I would call this a Jewish-Christmas mashup because the characters are Jewish, but it’s set on a Christmas tree farm, so it’s very Christmas-y too. Miriam’s great aunt passes away and she goes home after a long absence. There’s a lot of family issues at play including abuse. I really liked Miriam and Noelle and loved the friend group as well. I hope we might get more books in this series! 5/5 stars.
October 11, 2022
Season of Love by Helena Greer
Contemporary F-F romance.
Miriam has always compartmentalized her emotions and dealt with facts. Now that she has inherited partial ownership of the Christmas Tree farm she finally accepts and deals with all the feelings of love, loss and acceptance. “Noelle disturbed her life, made her think about her choices, made her be present in her body.” Likewise, Hannah must deal with cousin Miriam being back in her life and Noelle and Cole have their own secrets.
It’s an emotional physiological couch of issues and turmoil and healing. Way more than I expected from the holiday cover. It is a multi holiday story in setting, yes, but more overcoming life obstacles. There is a large cast of dear friends and made family. It’s also a hard-won love story with stumbling blocks and rollercoaster situations.
A pleasing hook in the epilogue to what I hope will be the next book and the next romance.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley.
Contemporary F-F romance.
Miriam has always compartmentalized her emotions and dealt with facts. Now that she has inherited partial ownership of the Christmas Tree farm she finally accepts and deals with all the feelings of love, loss and acceptance. “Noelle disturbed her life, made her think about her choices, made her be present in her body.” Likewise, Hannah must deal with cousin Miriam being back in her life and Noelle and Cole have their own secrets.
It’s an emotional physiological couch of issues and turmoil and healing. Way more than I expected from the holiday cover. It is a multi holiday story in setting, yes, but more overcoming life obstacles. There is a large cast of dear friends and made family. It’s also a hard-won love story with stumbling blocks and rollercoaster situations.
A pleasing hook in the epilogue to what I hope will be the next book and the next romance.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley.
June 15, 2021
I have the pleasure of reading this book early and it is a delight! Get ready for the femme/butch holiday romance you very much knew you needed.
December 5, 2022
I received this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. ARC provided by Forever.
Miriam Blum has been estranged from her parents (and by extension cousins and childhood friends) for over a decade. When her beloved great-aunt Cass unexpectedly passes away, Miriam is unprepared to return home. Having been left part-owner of Carrigan’s, the family's Christmas tree farm, she needs to decide if staying behind to help save the business from going under is worth all the heartache that may come with it.
I'm heartbroken because I was incredibly disappointed by Season of Love. I felt that Miriam and Noelle's relationship lacked chemistry, having been told their relationship rather than shown it. While there was an initial mutual attraction between the two, their connection stopped there. Everything else after felt forced and disingenuous. I was not in the least bit interested or compelled by their romance–this is most likely due to the author leaving out character development. The lack of communication was a frustrating and unnecessary rollercoaster ride. I actually found myself more interested in the relationship between the side characters (a win for the straights, especially since sapphics were around).
Also, Noelle constantly referring to Miriam as an elf had me cringing enough to need a reading break every time my eyes scanned the word.
As a book promoted for its Jewish representation, there was way too much Christmas in it for me. The Jewish components bordered stereotypical, Miriam Blum's name, for one example. And despite being written by a Jewish author, it felt like the rep was included merely to claim diversity points within the story. Especially considering how Hanukkah would've happened during the timeline and it was hardly touched upon. In other words, if you removed the Jewish representation, the story would remain the same, and that’s the problem for me. If a book is being promoted by its Jewish rep (there’s visual elements on the cover to support this) then it should mean something. I really want to see more books with Jewish happiness not intertwined with Christian holidays, and mentions of Judaism that feel natural.
Overall, Season of Love left me out in the cold. I would've DNFed if I believed in it. I really really really wish this clicked for me; I was so excited for a sapphic Jewish story. This is also a closed door romance.
I’d also like to note that this is just one Jewish reviewers opinion and it does not invalidate the thoughts of other Jewish reviewers.
Miriam Blum has been estranged from her parents (and by extension cousins and childhood friends) for over a decade. When her beloved great-aunt Cass unexpectedly passes away, Miriam is unprepared to return home. Having been left part-owner of Carrigan’s, the family's Christmas tree farm, she needs to decide if staying behind to help save the business from going under is worth all the heartache that may come with it.
I'm heartbroken because I was incredibly disappointed by Season of Love. I felt that Miriam and Noelle's relationship lacked chemistry, having been told their relationship rather than shown it. While there was an initial mutual attraction between the two, their connection stopped there. Everything else after felt forced and disingenuous. I was not in the least bit interested or compelled by their romance–this is most likely due to the author leaving out character development. The lack of communication was a frustrating and unnecessary rollercoaster ride. I actually found myself more interested in the relationship between the side characters (a win for the straights, especially since sapphics were around).
Also, Noelle constantly referring to Miriam as an elf had me cringing enough to need a reading break every time my eyes scanned the word.
As a book promoted for its Jewish representation, there was way too much Christmas in it for me. The Jewish components bordered stereotypical, Miriam Blum's name, for one example. And despite being written by a Jewish author, it felt like the rep was included merely to claim diversity points within the story. Especially considering how Hanukkah would've happened during the timeline and it was hardly touched upon. In other words, if you removed the Jewish representation, the story would remain the same, and that’s the problem for me. If a book is being promoted by its Jewish rep (there’s visual elements on the cover to support this) then it should mean something. I really want to see more books with Jewish happiness not intertwined with Christian holidays, and mentions of Judaism that feel natural.
Overall, Season of Love left me out in the cold. I would've DNFed if I believed in it. I really really really wish this clicked for me; I was so excited for a sapphic Jewish story. This is also a closed door romance.
I’d also like to note that this is just one Jewish reviewers opinion and it does not invalidate the thoughts of other Jewish reviewers.
November 18, 2022
Justice for Tara.
November 22, 2022
Clearly I read a different book to everyone else
- no character depth / development
- every main event has a bunch of buildup and then it fizzles out after 1 page
- literally no chemistry between the two protagonists
- far too many characters who mostly felt interchangeable
- it took forever to read and virtually nothing happened. Just a whole bunch of words on pages
- the dialogue was not how people talk. half the time it felt like the characters were spouting lines from a therapist??
- it just sucked all over. the only thing I liked was the bi woman x lesbian rep but I didn't even like them! I didn't care about their relationship and tbh they were better off apart!
- no character depth / development
- every main event has a bunch of buildup and then it fizzles out after 1 page
- literally no chemistry between the two protagonists
- far too many characters who mostly felt interchangeable
- it took forever to read and virtually nothing happened. Just a whole bunch of words on pages
- the dialogue was not how people talk. half the time it felt like the characters were spouting lines from a therapist??
- it just sucked all over. the only thing I liked was the bi woman x lesbian rep but I didn't even like them! I didn't care about their relationship and tbh they were better off apart!
November 3, 2022
Absolutely magnificent FF holiday romance! Set at a Jewish-run Christmas tree farm, Noelle and Miriam are initially at odds when they discover they’ve inherited the farm, along with Miriam’s cousin Hannah and Hannah’s ex Levi. Miriam has been away for the past ten years and Noelle is unaware of her reasons why—but she has strong opinions anyway. They’re both grieving Cass’s death and emotions are high when Miriam decides she’ll stay to get Carrigan’s through this holiday season to Noelle’s chagrin.
The evolution from there was an absolute delight but this is NOT a romcom. In addition to grief, it delves into healing from trauma. It has sneaky angst and it made me cry. Miriam is estranged from her abusive father but she also distanced herself from everyone else in the process. It takes time to heal from abuse and learn new ways to respond to conflict. This is true for Miriam, as well as Noelle, and it was so good to see them start figuring things out. They’re not magically fixed by love but they are certainly better for having each other.
An amazing crew of secondary characters round out the cast. Mr. and Mrs. Matthews demonstrating how much they loved Miriam and saw her as their daughter was just everything. Miriam’s best friend Cole, an improbable hacker yacht bro with a whole lot of heart and banter, shone every time he was on page and I would absolutely hang out with him. I need Hannah and Levi’s book stat. They form one beautiful found family and I adored them all.
My heart was full; I was smiling like a goober when I finished. I borrowed this from the library and immediately bought my own copy once I finished. (Closed door but they’re very horny for each other. I’m wondering if Greer’s heat level will change as she continues to write.)
Characters: Miriam is a 35 year old Jewish bisexual white artist and Instagram influencer. Noelle is a fat butch lesbian white Christmas tree farm manager. They take care of Cass’s cat Kringle. This is set in Advent, NY and Charleston, SC.
Content notes: death of great-aunt/friend/boss (off-page; prolonged illness), parental estrangement , emotional and financial abuse (Miriam’s father; he does not appear on page, ), alcoholism and sobriety (Noelle has been sober since age 18, she attends AA meetings; secondary character’s parents are alcoholics so he doesn’t drink), past death of Noelle’s parents, anxiety and agoraphobia (secondary character), off page drug trafficking (secondary character) , brief food commentary (countered), debt (secondary character), off page sex, alcohol, cigarettes (secondary characters), brief mention of online harassment (including antisemitism and dick pics), mention of inebriated secondary characters, acknowledgment of racism and white supremacy, mention of past accidental arson (secondary characters set golf course and clubhouse on fire in vandalism activism gone wrong)
The evolution from there was an absolute delight but this is NOT a romcom. In addition to grief, it delves into healing from trauma. It has sneaky angst and it made me cry. Miriam is estranged from her abusive father but she also distanced herself from everyone else in the process. It takes time to heal from abuse and learn new ways to respond to conflict. This is true for Miriam, as well as Noelle, and it was so good to see them start figuring things out. They’re not magically fixed by love but they are certainly better for having each other.
An amazing crew of secondary characters round out the cast. Mr. and Mrs. Matthews demonstrating how much they loved Miriam and saw her as their daughter was just everything. Miriam’s best friend Cole, an improbable hacker yacht bro with a whole lot of heart and banter, shone every time he was on page and I would absolutely hang out with him. I need Hannah and Levi’s book stat. They form one beautiful found family and I adored them all.
My heart was full; I was smiling like a goober when I finished. I borrowed this from the library and immediately bought my own copy once I finished. (Closed door but they’re very horny for each other. I’m wondering if Greer’s heat level will change as she continues to write.)
Characters: Miriam is a 35 year old Jewish bisexual white artist and Instagram influencer. Noelle is a fat butch lesbian white Christmas tree farm manager. They take care of Cass’s cat Kringle. This is set in Advent, NY and Charleston, SC.
Content notes: death of great-aunt/friend/boss (off-page; prolonged illness), parental estrangement , emotional and financial abuse (Miriam’s father; he does not appear on page, ), alcoholism and sobriety (Noelle has been sober since age 18, she attends AA meetings; secondary character’s parents are alcoholics so he doesn’t drink), past death of Noelle’s parents, anxiety and agoraphobia (secondary character), off page drug trafficking (secondary character) , brief food commentary (countered), debt (secondary character), off page sex, alcohol, cigarettes (secondary characters), brief mention of online harassment (including antisemitism and dick pics), mention of inebriated secondary characters, acknowledgment of racism and white supremacy, mention of past accidental arson (secondary characters set golf course and clubhouse on fire in vandalism activism gone wrong)
December 13, 2022
I don’t even know where to start with this one, and I don’t expect to be able to fully articulate what it meant to me, but I’m going to try. Season of Love felt like the book of my heart. I felt seen in a way I haven’t felt seen in a book since I read my all time favorite book, Honey Girl, in 2020.
Season of Love was quirky and messy and thoughtful and joyful and full of rich characters and a setting I would also leave everything in my life to live in. The overarching plot was zany yet fully believable and I felt myself become attached to the entire Carrigan’s crew from the get go, and my attachment just kept growing and growing over the course of the book until I thought my heart might burst. It is absolutely a new all time favorite, and I’m so happy Helena Greer will be revisiting this lovable, eccentric cast of characters in a sequel next year!
I saw a little of myself in each character. The most obvious, surface level similarity came in the form of Noelle’s sobriety. At the time I’m writing this, I’m six and a half years sober. Like Noelle, I did most of my drinking before 21, though I didn’t sober up for good (I hope) until I was 23. I was so excited to read about a fellow sober lesbian, but almost immediately I was terrified. I don’t think I’ve ever encountered a solidly, long term sober person in media, at least not in recent memory. Whenever sobriety is mentioned my guard goes up, and I start waiting for the other shoe to drop in the form of a relapse plot line. That never came in Season of Love, and I am unspeakably grateful to Helena Greer for writing a character with strong, long term sobriety through AA. I’m tearing up even writing this, because I had no idea how badly I needed this rep.
I’m a control freak, like Hannah. And like Miriam, I spent years running from my emotions and my true self (ironically, mostly through drinking).
Actually, this review got a lot deeper/more personal than I intended, to the point it’s more about me than it is the book, so I’m gonna pump the breaks. But I recommend Season of Love so, so much.
That being said, PLEASE READ WITH CARE. The cover screams rom com and Season of Love does have romance and comedy, but it is also an introspection on grief, and on learning to face your trauma and learn how to live with it.
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Season of Love was quirky and messy and thoughtful and joyful and full of rich characters and a setting I would also leave everything in my life to live in. The overarching plot was zany yet fully believable and I felt myself become attached to the entire Carrigan’s crew from the get go, and my attachment just kept growing and growing over the course of the book until I thought my heart might burst. It is absolutely a new all time favorite, and I’m so happy Helena Greer will be revisiting this lovable, eccentric cast of characters in a sequel next year!
I saw a little of myself in each character. The most obvious, surface level similarity came in the form of Noelle’s sobriety. At the time I’m writing this, I’m six and a half years sober. Like Noelle, I did most of my drinking before 21, though I didn’t sober up for good (I hope) until I was 23. I was so excited to read about a fellow sober lesbian, but almost immediately I was terrified. I don’t think I’ve ever encountered a solidly, long term sober person in media, at least not in recent memory. Whenever sobriety is mentioned my guard goes up, and I start waiting for the other shoe to drop in the form of a relapse plot line. That never came in Season of Love, and I am unspeakably grateful to Helena Greer for writing a character with strong, long term sobriety through AA. I’m tearing up even writing this, because I had no idea how badly I needed this rep.
I’m a control freak, like Hannah. And like Miriam, I spent years running from my emotions and my true self (ironically, mostly through drinking).
Actually, this review got a lot deeper/more personal than I intended, to the point it’s more about me than it is the book, so I’m gonna pump the breaks. But I recommend Season of Love so, so much.
That being said, PLEASE READ WITH CARE. The cover screams rom com and Season of Love does have romance and comedy, but it is also an introspection on grief, and on learning to face your trauma and learn how to live with it.
Love sapphic books, too? Let's be friends! Booktok | Bookstagram | Twitter
January 29, 2023
Season of Love is a delightfully cozy sapphic holiday romance between a Jewish woman who had been estranged from her family, and the manager of the Christmas tree farm that her quirky great aunt owned. And bequeathed to both of them, and two other people as well. It's a heartwarming story about finding love, facing the trauma of your past, and saving a Christmas tree farm! Seriously this would make a fantastic Hallmark movie.
Noel is a tall, plus-size, butch lesbian in recovery from alcoholism. Miriam is a brilliant artist with a petite frame and lots of curly hair. She has also been running for a long time from a painful past. Noel initially resents her for abandoning the great aunt, but the attraction between them is immediate. Note that this is a fade to black romance, so it's not going to give you a lot of steam if that's what you're looking for. And while I really enjoyed this, I do think it could have done with a bit more sensual description of the relationship between Noel and Miriam. We're told they're into each other and see them begin to act on it, but it feels a little arms length and that kept me from being quite as invested as I wanted to be. That said, overall this was great and a welcome twist on a holiday romance. I received a copy of this book for review from the publisher, all opinions are my own.
Noel is a tall, plus-size, butch lesbian in recovery from alcoholism. Miriam is a brilliant artist with a petite frame and lots of curly hair. She has also been running for a long time from a painful past. Noel initially resents her for abandoning the great aunt, but the attraction between them is immediate. Note that this is a fade to black romance, so it's not going to give you a lot of steam if that's what you're looking for. And while I really enjoyed this, I do think it could have done with a bit more sensual description of the relationship between Noel and Miriam. We're told they're into each other and see them begin to act on it, but it feels a little arms length and that kept me from being quite as invested as I wanted to be. That said, overall this was great and a welcome twist on a holiday romance. I received a copy of this book for review from the publisher, all opinions are my own.
October 11, 2022
For holiday romance lovers, Helena Greer's debut novel Season of Love is nothing short of touching. Featuring a contemporary cast of characters in a cozy setting, this delightful love story captures your heart.
Synopsis:
Miriam Blum returns home to attend her great-aunt Cass's funeral. When Miriam discovers that Cass left her part-owner of Carrigans, her family's Christmas tree farm, she is shocked. The news is even more unexpected considering the business is in financial ruin. Miriam must work with Noelle Northwood, the business manager, to restore their finances. This decision leads to some precarious situations for the duo. Can they put aside their differences to save Carrigans?
Season of Love is filled with Helena Greer's beautiful spirit. Written with deep emotional sensitivity, the book reached out to my soul. Despite dealing with difficult topics, Greer's writing is balanced with humor and love.
Season of Love is available October 11th. I look forward to the sequel due in the fall of 2023.
Thank you Read Forever Pub, Hachette Book Group, and Helena Greer for my complimentary copy of Season of Love. Your kindness is appreciated!
@ReadForeverPub #ReadForeverPub #HachetteBookGroup #Bookmail @blumagaincurios @HachetteBooks @HachetteUs
Synopsis:
Miriam Blum returns home to attend her great-aunt Cass's funeral. When Miriam discovers that Cass left her part-owner of Carrigans, her family's Christmas tree farm, she is shocked. The news is even more unexpected considering the business is in financial ruin. Miriam must work with Noelle Northwood, the business manager, to restore their finances. This decision leads to some precarious situations for the duo. Can they put aside their differences to save Carrigans?
Season of Love is filled with Helena Greer's beautiful spirit. Written with deep emotional sensitivity, the book reached out to my soul. Despite dealing with difficult topics, Greer's writing is balanced with humor and love.
Season of Love is available October 11th. I look forward to the sequel due in the fall of 2023.
Thank you Read Forever Pub, Hachette Book Group, and Helena Greer for my complimentary copy of Season of Love. Your kindness is appreciated!
@ReadForeverPub #ReadForeverPub #HachetteBookGroup #Bookmail @blumagaincurios @HachetteBooks @HachetteUs
July 11, 2022
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Cass Carrigan, her Cass, had been sick and no one told her, so that she could say goodbye.
Miriam hasn't been back to the one place that she was happy in her childhood in ten years. When she gets the call that her mother's aunt Cass, and Miriam's North Star has died, she's devastated and anxious to finally go back to Cass' Christmas tree farm. Her childhood bestfriend Hannah is there along with Cass' mother and family drama that she ran away from. The plan was only sitting shiva and then leaving but when Cass' will throws everyone for a loop, Miriam has to decide if she wants to go back to her old life and fiancée or stay in the one place that truly makes her happy.
She had to figure out the whole picture of Miriam Blum, whether she could trust Miriam to be a part of this place Noelle needed for her own survival— and if she could work with Miriam, without combusting in ill-advised lust.
When Miriam gets to the tree farm, she meets the farm manager, Noelle, and even while Noelle is cold to her, Miriam still can't help having not-safe-for-work thoughts about her and neither can Noelle. Season of Love was a holiday themed romance set on a Christmas tree farm that came with all the seasonal trappings, ice-skating, mistletoe, snow, and a festival. There was plenty going on with characters and their issues to keep readers involved but even with all the glitter, curtsy of Miriam's artworks and her upcycling business, the glue was missing for me.
Her mom knew why their relationship was relegated to fifteen carefully curated minutes a month.
We're introduced to Miriam first and it's sprinkled in here and there that she doesn't have a good relationship with her parents and that's why Cass' farm was a haven to her. We know that there was a blow up that caused Miriam to leave and never come back but it isn't until the second half that we know the reason and full extent of how much Miriam's dad damaged her. We get some scenes with Miriam and her mom and since the dad isn't shown, he plays villain off screen, the mom takes most of the anger. Even though Miriam is engaged, it's made clear that it's not a romantic relationship between her and her fiancée, they do have sex, but it's more about appearances and businesses. There's also a little bit with anger and hurt feelings between her and her cousin Hannah. Hannah works at the farm and along with the farm's cook and general maintenance couple's son, Levi, Miriam and them were best buds. So, when Miriam shows up at the farm, she's dealing with all these emotions, how she needs to get back to where she lives because she's opening up a new store, and has a friend from college, Cole, tagging along with her.
She wasn’t ready to go to a second funeral for a second mother.
Noelle takes a little longer to get to know but she's a recovering alcoholic and her parents died before she could ever resolve the issues between them. Noelle has a degree from Yale and is a pro at sustainable farming, she's been the tree farm's manager for a couple years and has become bestfriends with Hannah and looked at Cass as a second mom. Seeing Hannah left alone to deal with the farm and Cass' sickness has made her angry and bitter towards Miriam, even though they've never met before, she just sees Miriam as the one who left. The beginning has Noelle crossing the line from grump into rude towards Miriam but Noelle also has lusty feelings towards Miriam.
“She said she had a dream that Carrigan’s was a ship. Miriam was the sails, the creative wind. Noelle was the anchor that kept everyone from blowing off in wild directions. Hannah was the captain, Levi was the map to unknown lands, and she, Cass, was your North Star.”
When the will gets read, it's found out that Cass left the farm to not only Hannah and Noelle but also Miriam and Levi. Levi and Hannah have their own issues with them falling in love as young adults and getting engaged, Levi wanting to leave to see the world but Hannah feeling she had to stay to help Cass so they break up and Hannah tearfully tells Levi to not come home, so it's been four years since he's been back. Miriam is shocked but when they find out that the farm is in financial trouble she wants to stay and help. So our grump now has to deal with forced proximity and while Miriam is engaged, her fiancée shows up around 30% and they, with some hurt on Miriam's fiancée side, break-up. At this point, Noelle has done some talking with Miriam to get rid of some preconceived notions that made her hostile but I still felt the feelings were still grounded in lust. Instead of the fiancée, now the impediment keeping them apart is Noelle's worry that if they breakup, it would make them owning the farm together intolerable.
She’d spent all her childhood trying to convince people who didn’t love her to change their minds about her, and she was done with it.
As you can tell, there was a lot going on in this story, all the characters, their personal issues, and the issues they have together but even with all this, it still oddly felt like not much was happening. In the beginning, there were a lot of time jumps, Miriam arrives at the farm but we're jumping from the funeral, through shiva, and not sitting in some of those moments to deliver the emotion, making them feel fleeting. It's that glue I was talking about, the spaces in-between characters and moments that give us their thoughts and emotions. Around 60% Miriam and Noelle start dating and while we get some kisses, this was a firmly shut bedroom door story.
“I might be worth the risk,” Miriam said softly, her eyes huge and hopeful.
Then ending gives us a rush of a last minute save the farm auction, finally dealing with Miriam's off-screen villain dad, learning to not emotionally or physically run from both Miriam and Noelle, Miriam's mom having her own heroine moment, saving the farm by turning it into an all-year-round destination (series!), last minute third act breakup that involved a blink and you miss it decision from Miriam that still gets Noelle to get all self-righteous, and, of course, our happily ever after. The story had a lot of elements but not enough substance for me, I needed those moments of emotion instead of jumping from one thing to another; I kept thinking this felt like a book that could have been written on Twitter, if that makes sense. With all the family and personal trauma issues, this wasn't quite as light as I thought it was going to be, but if you're wanting some winter wonderland activities in your seasonal reading, this does deliver on that.
Cass Carrigan, her Cass, had been sick and no one told her, so that she could say goodbye.
Miriam hasn't been back to the one place that she was happy in her childhood in ten years. When she gets the call that her mother's aunt Cass, and Miriam's North Star has died, she's devastated and anxious to finally go back to Cass' Christmas tree farm. Her childhood bestfriend Hannah is there along with Cass' mother and family drama that she ran away from. The plan was only sitting shiva and then leaving but when Cass' will throws everyone for a loop, Miriam has to decide if she wants to go back to her old life and fiancée or stay in the one place that truly makes her happy.
She had to figure out the whole picture of Miriam Blum, whether she could trust Miriam to be a part of this place Noelle needed for her own survival— and if she could work with Miriam, without combusting in ill-advised lust.
When Miriam gets to the tree farm, she meets the farm manager, Noelle, and even while Noelle is cold to her, Miriam still can't help having not-safe-for-work thoughts about her and neither can Noelle. Season of Love was a holiday themed romance set on a Christmas tree farm that came with all the seasonal trappings, ice-skating, mistletoe, snow, and a festival. There was plenty going on with characters and their issues to keep readers involved but even with all the glitter, curtsy of Miriam's artworks and her upcycling business, the glue was missing for me.
Her mom knew why their relationship was relegated to fifteen carefully curated minutes a month.
We're introduced to Miriam first and it's sprinkled in here and there that she doesn't have a good relationship with her parents and that's why Cass' farm was a haven to her. We know that there was a blow up that caused Miriam to leave and never come back but it isn't until the second half that we know the reason and full extent of how much Miriam's dad damaged her. We get some scenes with Miriam and her mom and since the dad isn't shown, he plays villain off screen, the mom takes most of the anger. Even though Miriam is engaged, it's made clear that it's not a romantic relationship between her and her fiancée, they do have sex, but it's more about appearances and businesses. There's also a little bit with anger and hurt feelings between her and her cousin Hannah. Hannah works at the farm and along with the farm's cook and general maintenance couple's son, Levi, Miriam and them were best buds. So, when Miriam shows up at the farm, she's dealing with all these emotions, how she needs to get back to where she lives because she's opening up a new store, and has a friend from college, Cole, tagging along with her.
She wasn’t ready to go to a second funeral for a second mother.
Noelle takes a little longer to get to know but she's a recovering alcoholic and her parents died before she could ever resolve the issues between them. Noelle has a degree from Yale and is a pro at sustainable farming, she's been the tree farm's manager for a couple years and has become bestfriends with Hannah and looked at Cass as a second mom. Seeing Hannah left alone to deal with the farm and Cass' sickness has made her angry and bitter towards Miriam, even though they've never met before, she just sees Miriam as the one who left. The beginning has Noelle crossing the line from grump into rude towards Miriam but Noelle also has lusty feelings towards Miriam.
“She said she had a dream that Carrigan’s was a ship. Miriam was the sails, the creative wind. Noelle was the anchor that kept everyone from blowing off in wild directions. Hannah was the captain, Levi was the map to unknown lands, and she, Cass, was your North Star.”
When the will gets read, it's found out that Cass left the farm to not only Hannah and Noelle but also Miriam and Levi. Levi and Hannah have their own issues with them falling in love as young adults and getting engaged, Levi wanting to leave to see the world but Hannah feeling she had to stay to help Cass so they break up and Hannah tearfully tells Levi to not come home, so it's been four years since he's been back. Miriam is shocked but when they find out that the farm is in financial trouble she wants to stay and help. So our grump now has to deal with forced proximity and while Miriam is engaged, her fiancée shows up around 30% and they, with some hurt on Miriam's fiancée side, break-up. At this point, Noelle has done some talking with Miriam to get rid of some preconceived notions that made her hostile but I still felt the feelings were still grounded in lust. Instead of the fiancée, now the impediment keeping them apart is Noelle's worry that if they breakup, it would make them owning the farm together intolerable.
She’d spent all her childhood trying to convince people who didn’t love her to change their minds about her, and she was done with it.
As you can tell, there was a lot going on in this story, all the characters, their personal issues, and the issues they have together but even with all this, it still oddly felt like not much was happening. In the beginning, there were a lot of time jumps, Miriam arrives at the farm but we're jumping from the funeral, through shiva, and not sitting in some of those moments to deliver the emotion, making them feel fleeting. It's that glue I was talking about, the spaces in-between characters and moments that give us their thoughts and emotions. Around 60% Miriam and Noelle start dating and while we get some kisses, this was a firmly shut bedroom door story.
“I might be worth the risk,” Miriam said softly, her eyes huge and hopeful.
Then ending gives us a rush of a last minute save the farm auction, finally dealing with Miriam's off-screen villain dad, learning to not emotionally or physically run from both Miriam and Noelle, Miriam's mom having her own heroine moment, saving the farm by turning it into an all-year-round destination (series!), last minute third act breakup that involved a blink and you miss it decision from Miriam that still gets Noelle to get all self-righteous, and, of course, our happily ever after. The story had a lot of elements but not enough substance for me, I needed those moments of emotion instead of jumping from one thing to another; I kept thinking this felt like a book that could have been written on Twitter, if that makes sense. With all the family and personal trauma issues, this wasn't quite as light as I thought it was going to be, but if you're wanting some winter wonderland activities in your seasonal reading, this does deliver on that.
June 19, 2023
Thank you to Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
I FUCKING LOVED THIS SO MUCH!!! I am so gone for these characters, the christmas tree farm and everything that is this GIFT of a novel.
I'm going to reread this one before I dive into For Never & Always, but ugh y'all if you even somewhat like romances, YOU MUST READ THIS!! Noelle and Miriam are the most precious babies and I loved them so much. Noelle is a big softie who pretends to be the most grump and I love her. Miriam is scared to love and be loved, but she just deserves EVERYTHING. I loved this christmas tree farm romance.
Also Jewish bisexual MC and a fat butch lesbian MC with PTSD and is a recovering alcoholic. It was handled so well *cries forever* I WILL PROTECT THESE BABIES FOREVER.
I FUCKING LOVED THIS SO MUCH!!! I am so gone for these characters, the christmas tree farm and everything that is this GIFT of a novel.
I'm going to reread this one before I dive into For Never & Always, but ugh y'all if you even somewhat like romances, YOU MUST READ THIS!! Noelle and Miriam are the most precious babies and I loved them so much. Noelle is a big softie who pretends to be the most grump and I love her. Miriam is scared to love and be loved, but she just deserves EVERYTHING. I loved this christmas tree farm romance.
Also Jewish bisexual MC and a fat butch lesbian MC with PTSD and is a recovering alcoholic. It was handled so well *cries forever* I WILL PROTECT THESE BABIES FOREVER.
December 28, 2023
When I think of holiday romances, I think fluff. So I was a little trepidatious about diving into this one, because it is not the lightest of romance reads: it’s fundamentally a story about grief, trauma, and the damage that comes with it. I was pleasantly surprised to find that this tension and darkness just added depth to this holiday love story, though. I also enjoyed reading about a fat butch main character/love interest!
Full review at the Lesbrary.
Full review at the Lesbrary.
September 21, 2022
There were so many things to love about this story. I love that the story starts with TW that are detailed and informative so you know exactly what you are getting in to. That was such a nice start and I appreciate this author so much for it.
Now, for the characters. I loved the parts they were working on. The story is about Mirium coming back home after a huge absense. She's come back because her beloved family member has passed away and no one told her before she got there. In the place of a functional Christmas tree farm and event area is two very stressed out friends trying to keep it afloat. Mirium left for a reason all those years ago and hasn't been back and those left behind aren't too excited she's come back.
Each person in the story has some very real, very emtional stuff they are working through. There is discussed abuse, addiction and anxiety and I thought they were all handled with respect and grace and I liked them being a part of the story.
But I have to be honest, I didn't like Noelle. I found her unkind through most of the story and I just couldn't get on board with her as a love interest. The sweet moments were cute, the arguing was realistic but the love story just didn't connect with. But this book has so much more to offer and I'm glad I read it. I did like it.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
Now, for the characters. I loved the parts they were working on. The story is about Mirium coming back home after a huge absense. She's come back because her beloved family member has passed away and no one told her before she got there. In the place of a functional Christmas tree farm and event area is two very stressed out friends trying to keep it afloat. Mirium left for a reason all those years ago and hasn't been back and those left behind aren't too excited she's come back.
Each person in the story has some very real, very emtional stuff they are working through. There is discussed abuse, addiction and anxiety and I thought they were all handled with respect and grace and I liked them being a part of the story.
But I have to be honest, I didn't like Noelle. I found her unkind through most of the story and I just couldn't get on board with her as a love interest. The sweet moments were cute, the arguing was realistic but the love story just didn't connect with. But this book has so much more to offer and I'm glad I read it. I did like it.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
dnf
December 23, 2022Well I have to conclude this one is not for me. I think the bad southern accent in the audiobook distracted me from the fact that the writing is not working for me. I'm being told a lot of things but I don't feel like I'm really *feeling* them, you know? This friend Cole that Miriam has, I can tell he's supposed to be funny and charming but I just find him annoying lol. Oh well, good thing are so many sapphic holiday romances this year!
August 20, 2022
Do you like the idea of those Christmas movies where someone returns to a small town and finds the Spirit of Christmas, but you wish they were gayer and Jewish? Helena Greer’s Season of Love is for you. Season of Love is also for you if you ever wanted to read about a Jewish family trying to save the family Christmas tree farm while grappling with grief and trauma, but in a way that leaves you feeling like someone just handed you the best cup of hot cocoa.
Miriam Blum has built a carefully successful and regulated life. She is about to take her business to the next level with a physical studio and shop in Charleston, and she’s engaged to a woman who will be a great life partner. And then she gets a phone call that her Great-aunt Cass has died. For the first time in a decade, Miriam has to go back to Cass’s Christmas Tree farm, Carrigan’s.
The story telling switches between Miriam and Noelle. Noelle joined Carriagan’s during the decade Miriam was absent. Cass took Noelle under her wing and gave her a sanctuary and Noelle is mad at Miriam on Cass’s behalf. Cass’s will torpedos everyone’s plans to move forward by leaving the farm to four people – Miriam, her cousin Hannah, Noelle, and Hannah’s ex, Levi. In addition, she’s left the farm in a precarious financial situation. Shenanigans ensue.
I just erased three paragraphs recounting the plot and a whole paragraph about Miriam’s best friend Cole. The plot is great, but I want you to read the book and enjoy it as written by Helena Greer, not as recounted by me. I fell in love with Cole before he finished his first line of dialogue and I can’t wait for you to fall in love with him too.
Helena Greer impressed me over and over again with Season of Love. She deftly weaves together grief and trauma with hope and love into a richly textured whole. We never meet Cass alive, but she is the light source that illuminates Carrigan’s and the nearby town of Advent. The legacy of love and generosity she leaves behind has left a foundation that allows the people she left behind to heal and build a stronger future.
There’s so much goodness in Season of Love. Greer has given her world the range to move from life altering grief, to sparkling banter while never straining credulity. The messy feelings that come with grief, trauma, and falling in love never overwhelm the plot. Miriam and Noelle have both kept the messiness of strong feelings out of their lives, and it is only the grief of losing Cass that cracks them open enough to let love come in. This is not a spicy book, because it is fade to black, but it is steamy with yearning.
I cannot wait to see how Greer brings Noelle and Levi together in the next book.
I am friendly with the author of this book, but have done my best to ensure the review is based solely on the book itself.
I received this as an advance reader copy from Forever and NetGalley. My opinions are my own, freely and honestly given.
Miriam Blum has built a carefully successful and regulated life. She is about to take her business to the next level with a physical studio and shop in Charleston, and she’s engaged to a woman who will be a great life partner. And then she gets a phone call that her Great-aunt Cass has died. For the first time in a decade, Miriam has to go back to Cass’s Christmas Tree farm, Carrigan’s.
The story telling switches between Miriam and Noelle. Noelle joined Carriagan’s during the decade Miriam was absent. Cass took Noelle under her wing and gave her a sanctuary and Noelle is mad at Miriam on Cass’s behalf. Cass’s will torpedos everyone’s plans to move forward by leaving the farm to four people – Miriam, her cousin Hannah, Noelle, and Hannah’s ex, Levi. In addition, she’s left the farm in a precarious financial situation. Shenanigans ensue.
I just erased three paragraphs recounting the plot and a whole paragraph about Miriam’s best friend Cole. The plot is great, but I want you to read the book and enjoy it as written by Helena Greer, not as recounted by me. I fell in love with Cole before he finished his first line of dialogue and I can’t wait for you to fall in love with him too.
Helena Greer impressed me over and over again with Season of Love. She deftly weaves together grief and trauma with hope and love into a richly textured whole. We never meet Cass alive, but she is the light source that illuminates Carrigan’s and the nearby town of Advent. The legacy of love and generosity she leaves behind has left a foundation that allows the people she left behind to heal and build a stronger future.
There’s so much goodness in Season of Love. Greer has given her world the range to move from life altering grief, to sparkling banter while never straining credulity. The messy feelings that come with grief, trauma, and falling in love never overwhelm the plot. Miriam and Noelle have both kept the messiness of strong feelings out of their lives, and it is only the grief of losing Cass that cracks them open enough to let love come in. This is not a spicy book, because it is fade to black, but it is steamy with yearning.
I cannot wait to see how Greer brings Noelle and Levi together in the next book.
I am friendly with the author of this book, but have done my best to ensure the review is based solely on the book itself.
I received this as an advance reader copy from Forever and NetGalley. My opinions are my own, freely and honestly given.
November 18, 2022
Rating: 4
OMG! This book was SO cute. I wanted a book to get me into the holiday mood and this one was perfect for doing that. I loved both of the main characters. They each had their own issues and differences but when they came together they complimented each other well. This book had me smiling so much which hasn’t been the case during my books lately. It really felt like a breath of fresh air. It also truly made me want to visit a Christmas tree farm! I’ve never actually been to one but I’ve always wanted to. Even though this book was super sweet it did cover some heavy topics so please check out the trigger warnings just in case. I liked that the author made her characters have what some might consider flaws because it added more backstory and depth for them. We see the characters grow throughout the story which was nice to see and it also makes the reader feel more invested not just in the romance but in the characters individually. Overall, I would definitely recommend this one. I think it would make a super cute Hallmark movie! It was well written, the pacing was on point, and it will get you excited for the holidays.
Thank you so much for the gifted copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
OMG! This book was SO cute. I wanted a book to get me into the holiday mood and this one was perfect for doing that. I loved both of the main characters. They each had their own issues and differences but when they came together they complimented each other well. This book had me smiling so much which hasn’t been the case during my books lately. It really felt like a breath of fresh air. It also truly made me want to visit a Christmas tree farm! I’ve never actually been to one but I’ve always wanted to. Even though this book was super sweet it did cover some heavy topics so please check out the trigger warnings just in case. I liked that the author made her characters have what some might consider flaws because it added more backstory and depth for them. We see the characters grow throughout the story which was nice to see and it also makes the reader feel more invested not just in the romance but in the characters individually. Overall, I would definitely recommend this one. I think it would make a super cute Hallmark movie! It was well written, the pacing was on point, and it will get you excited for the holidays.
Thank you so much for the gifted copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 5, 2022
Bisexual Miriam is estranged from her family because of her abusive father, but when her excentric aunt, a Jewish woman who started a Christmas tree farm, passes away, she returns to the farm to sit shiva. There, she finds out she's inherited part of the farm, but to run it, she has to get along with the farm manager, a butch lesbian who maybe doesn't feel Miriam deserved to inherit.
If this sounds amazing, that's because it is. I was expecting to enjoy this, but I was not ready for the idyllic setting combined with heaps of personality. There was so much to love about the characters, and them going to bat for the farm and especially against Miriam's father was a delight. I do want to warn you to tread carefully if abuse is a trigger for you, though, because it is an important theme in the book.
If this sounds amazing, that's because it is. I was expecting to enjoy this, but I was not ready for the idyllic setting combined with heaps of personality. There was so much to love about the characters, and them going to bat for the farm and especially against Miriam's father was a delight. I do want to warn you to tread carefully if abuse is a trigger for you, though, because it is an important theme in the book.
October 12, 2022
This was such a fun, FEEL-GOOD, dual POV, closed door holiday romance featuring Miriam, a femme, bisexual Jewish MC who ironically inherits a quarter of her family Christmas tree farm and has to figure out how to work with Noelle, the grumpy Butch Lesbian farm manager in order to save it from bankruptcy.
The story deals with a lot of past family trauma but on the whole was incredibly well written and gave me all the small-town, queer romance feels I was looking for.
Highly recommended for fans of books like In the event of love by Courtney Rae or the Lovelight farm series!
Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review! I listened to this on audio and really enjoyed the narration by Barrie Kreinik and Emily Lawrence!
⚠️CW: toxic parental relationships, homophobia, anti-semitism, death of loved ones, alcoholism
The story deals with a lot of past family trauma but on the whole was incredibly well written and gave me all the small-town, queer romance feels I was looking for.
Highly recommended for fans of books like In the event of love by Courtney Rae or the Lovelight farm series!
Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review! I listened to this on audio and really enjoyed the narration by Barrie Kreinik and Emily Lawrence!
⚠️CW: toxic parental relationships, homophobia, anti-semitism, death of loved ones, alcoholism
November 29, 2022
(free review copy) Jewish. Queer (f/f). Christmas tree farm. Yes please! First of all ~ this is not a light rom com. There are quite a few heavy topics addressed including grief, abuse and addiction recovery. Those things all make this a very rich and nuanced story, but it’s important to know what you’re getting into.
I’m fascinated by the concept of a Jewish family being so all-in with a Christmas tree farm in a town named Advent since I am not religious and don’t really understand how these things work. But regardless of reality, in my view it worked well and the setting is so so dreamy. Don’t we all just want to live at an inn with our best friends and lover and do our art and live our best lives among the trees? Seems pretty perfect!
Bottom line: this is a robust winter holiday closed door queer romance that’s way more than a romance.
Source: Edelweiss digital galley
I’m fascinated by the concept of a Jewish family being so all-in with a Christmas tree farm in a town named Advent since I am not religious and don’t really understand how these things work. But regardless of reality, in my view it worked well and the setting is so so dreamy. Don’t we all just want to live at an inn with our best friends and lover and do our art and live our best lives among the trees? Seems pretty perfect!
Bottom line: this is a robust winter holiday closed door queer romance that’s way more than a romance.
Source: Edelweiss digital galley
June 27, 2022
My absolute favorite thing about this book is the fat butch in a clinch on the cover. HELLO PUBLISHING INDUSTRY. I REQUEST BUTCHES GETTIN SEXY ON ROMANCE COVERS AND FAT PEOPLE GETTIN SEXY ON ROMANCE COVERS AND FAT BUTCHES GETTIIN SEXY ON ROMANCE COVERS. I just love everything about this.
As for the book though, there wasn't a ton that I loved. Don't get me wrong, there wasn't much that I hate either. The book just felt fluffy and was very plot and detail heavy without a lot actually happening? And the relationship between the heroines was really hot and cold. It felt like one minute they hated each other for pretty much no reason and then they were pretty soon staring longingly across the room and taking off each others' clothes and talking about their capital r Relationship. Listen, I'm a lesbian so I understand U-Hualing, it's just that the emotional progression of this romance didn't feel very deep or clear to me at all.
I actually found myself more invested in the straight (gasp!) relationship of the side characters than the main romance or the central external plot.
(Oh P.S. I felt really weird about the way the book talked about one heroine's mom as though she were responsible for the abuse her husband enacted even though she herself was a victim? I did not like this at all.)
One in the rash of Christmas-tree farm sapphic holdiay romances coming out this season, this one was mostly just fine for me.
Thanks to NetGalley and Forever for this ARC.
CW: parental abuse, alcoholism, parental neglect, spousal abuse, death of a loved one.
As for the book though, there wasn't a ton that I loved. Don't get me wrong, there wasn't much that I hate either. The book just felt fluffy and was very plot and detail heavy without a lot actually happening? And the relationship between the heroines was really hot and cold. It felt like one minute they hated each other for pretty much no reason and then they were pretty soon staring longingly across the room and taking off each others' clothes and talking about their capital r Relationship. Listen, I'm a lesbian so I understand U-Hualing, it's just that the emotional progression of this romance didn't feel very deep or clear to me at all.
I actually found myself more invested in the straight (gasp!) relationship of the side characters than the main romance or the central external plot.
(Oh P.S. I felt really weird about the way the book talked about one heroine's mom as though she were responsible for the abuse her husband enacted even though she herself was a victim? I did not like this at all.)
One in the rash of Christmas-tree farm sapphic holdiay romances coming out this season, this one was mostly just fine for me.
Thanks to NetGalley and Forever for this ARC.
CW: parental abuse, alcoholism, parental neglect, spousal abuse, death of a loved one.
October 24, 2022
On its surface, this book seems like an over-the-top holiday book. Featuring a family coming together to save the (Christmas tree) farm combined with tons of kitschy Christmas memorabilia, it seems like it would be a Hallmark movie come to life. And it certainly draws from the made-for-TV Christmas movie well, with a small town coming together to support one of its own, a sweet closed-door romance, and a lovable cat. But it's also a book about the damage an abusive childhood can leave on a person's relationships, and how difficult it can be to regain your confidence.
The book centers on Miriam and Noelle, who have each inherited a quarter of a Christmas tree farm from Miriam's beloved great-aunt. (The other two quarters are inherited by Miriam's cousin and cousin's ex-boyfriend...we expect a sequel soon.) Miriam hasn't seen her aunt for 10 years, ever since she went no-contact with her father, and by extension, anything that reminded her of him. Noelle has only recently come into the life of the Christmas tree farm, and (understandably) resents having to share her inheritance with someone who purposely separated herself from it. And yet, they end up being the other's perfect match.
Definitely a feel-good holiday book with a lot of heart and a lot of depth.
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.
The book centers on Miriam and Noelle, who have each inherited a quarter of a Christmas tree farm from Miriam's beloved great-aunt. (The other two quarters are inherited by Miriam's cousin and cousin's ex-boyfriend...we expect a sequel soon.) Miriam hasn't seen her aunt for 10 years, ever since she went no-contact with her father, and by extension, anything that reminded her of him. Noelle has only recently come into the life of the Christmas tree farm, and (understandably) resents having to share her inheritance with someone who purposely separated herself from it. And yet, they end up being the other's perfect match.
Definitely a feel-good holiday book with a lot of heart and a lot of depth.
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.
December 20, 2022
A lot was happening and it just ended up being messy instead
January 21, 2023
I feel like somehow this book was designed in a lab with me in mind. Complicated family stuff where forgiveness isn't meted out in hugs, on page representations of faith without it being an inspie, sequel bait that I am DEEPLY invested in, THE PACING OF THIRD ACT CONFLICT??? I genuinely, GENUINELY loved this and am so happy to have read this now, because I think if I had read it a month ago I wouldn't have appreciated it as much. Cannot wait to see what the author does next.
December 29, 2022
Okay so. Strap in because I! am! so! disappointed!!
I picked this up because I was looking for a cute Hanukkah themed read. I read the Matzah Ball last year and had such a grand time, I wanted to go for something similar. Well. This was not it. The main character is Jewish but it almost seemed that was a background fact because it was only casually mentioned throughout this book and Hanukkah was mentioned like twice. This was a straight up Christmas book.
But beyond that, this was just... bad? The romance felt really forced. The characters were so hot and cold. There was no natural progression of their feelings. They were together one second, then taking a break (when they hadn't even dated?) and the next they were falling all over each other? And they had zero chemistry? It was frustrating and not the happy little holiday romance I was looking for.
This also was more of a contemporary romance than the cute little holiday romcom it's advertised as. Which is... not at all my kind of romance. I get people working through their demons is great to read for some people but this is not what I wanted. I wanted, I repeat, a cute little holiday romcom. And that's not AT ALL what this was.
Plus the pacing was SO WEIRD. It rushed through so many things but dragged its feel in unnecessary places? I hated that shiva was just COMPLETELY skipped over. I feel like rushing through so many things didn't help the characters either. It would've helped ~grow the romance to show how these tender moments affected them and how they learned to relate to each other. But. This book didn't go into any of that? This didn't even feel like a romance. Just a lot of bad drama.
So. I struggled really, really hard with this and almost didn't even finish it. It also just went on way, WAY too long. This needed a really good edit that it did not receive. And by the last 60 pages, I just didn't even care anymore and started skimming because I wanted it to be over.
The only one (1) thing that I liked about this book was the setting. Christmasland sounded AWESOME and I wish I were real and could go there. So it's deeply upsetting that a book with such a cool setting had such an awful romance. This would've made for a great romance backdrop if the characters hadn't been totally unlikable and had zero chemistry.
Anyway. This just turned into a rant. This obviously was not for me and I was just left highly disappointed. I wish I would've picked something else. All the other cute holiday romcoms I read this year were so on point and I'm very sad this was not one of them (and that I ended with this one, oops). Unfortunately I just cannot recommend this one. If you're looking for a cute holiday romcom, sadly this is not it.
I also won this in a giveaway and I'm very grateful to Rae for sending this to me! I just wish I had liked it better!!
I picked this up because I was looking for a cute Hanukkah themed read. I read the Matzah Ball last year and had such a grand time, I wanted to go for something similar. Well. This was not it. The main character is Jewish but it almost seemed that was a background fact because it was only casually mentioned throughout this book and Hanukkah was mentioned like twice. This was a straight up Christmas book.
But beyond that, this was just... bad? The romance felt really forced. The characters were so hot and cold. There was no natural progression of their feelings. They were together one second, then taking a break (when they hadn't even dated?) and the next they were falling all over each other? And they had zero chemistry? It was frustrating and not the happy little holiday romance I was looking for.
This also was more of a contemporary romance than the cute little holiday romcom it's advertised as. Which is... not at all my kind of romance. I get people working through their demons is great to read for some people but this is not what I wanted. I wanted, I repeat, a cute little holiday romcom. And that's not AT ALL what this was.
Plus the pacing was SO WEIRD. It rushed through so many things but dragged its feel in unnecessary places? I hated that shiva was just COMPLETELY skipped over. I feel like rushing through so many things didn't help the characters either. It would've helped ~grow the romance to show how these tender moments affected them and how they learned to relate to each other. But. This book didn't go into any of that? This didn't even feel like a romance. Just a lot of bad drama.
So. I struggled really, really hard with this and almost didn't even finish it. It also just went on way, WAY too long. This needed a really good edit that it did not receive. And by the last 60 pages, I just didn't even care anymore and started skimming because I wanted it to be over.
The only one (1) thing that I liked about this book was the setting. Christmasland sounded AWESOME and I wish I were real and could go there. So it's deeply upsetting that a book with such a cool setting had such an awful romance. This would've made for a great romance backdrop if the characters hadn't been totally unlikable and had zero chemistry.
Anyway. This just turned into a rant. This obviously was not for me and I was just left highly disappointed. I wish I would've picked something else. All the other cute holiday romcoms I read this year were so on point and I'm very sad this was not one of them (and that I ended with this one, oops). Unfortunately I just cannot recommend this one. If you're looking for a cute holiday romcom, sadly this is not it.
I also won this in a giveaway and I'm very grateful to Rae for sending this to me! I just wish I had liked it better!!
July 31, 2022
A Jewish holiday romance on a Christmas tree farm and an enemies-to-lovers romance? Sign me up! I always enjoy a holiday romance, so I was excited to celebrate the holidays in July with Season of Love. This is a fun, feel-good romance with humor, a great found family, and an enemies-to-lovers romance.
Miriam and Noelle are layered and complex characters, and I enjoyed their growth throughout the story. Neither are without faults, but, as they face their pasts, loss, grief, and more, they learn so much about themselves. Both have a lot of emotional baggage to work through, and I thought the author did a great job of exploring mental health, the benefits of therapy, and the importance of communication.
Noelle and Miriam have a slow-building, closed door love story. They have great chemistry and banter, and they compliment each other really well. I also like that the story explores all different kinds of relationships, including friendships, romantic relationships, family bonds, and more.
This was a fun holiday romance with small-town charm, dynamic characters, a great found family, relevant themes, and a lovely romance. Thanks to NetGalley and Forever Publishing for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
Miriam and Noelle are layered and complex characters, and I enjoyed their growth throughout the story. Neither are without faults, but, as they face their pasts, loss, grief, and more, they learn so much about themselves. Both have a lot of emotional baggage to work through, and I thought the author did a great job of exploring mental health, the benefits of therapy, and the importance of communication.
Noelle and Miriam have a slow-building, closed door love story. They have great chemistry and banter, and they compliment each other really well. I also like that the story explores all different kinds of relationships, including friendships, romantic relationships, family bonds, and more.
This was a fun holiday romance with small-town charm, dynamic characters, a great found family, relevant themes, and a lovely romance. Thanks to NetGalley and Forever Publishing for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
November 6, 2022
3.5 stars. This was a fresh-take on a holiday romance. Miriam finds out that her great aunt passed away and heads back to her hometown where she’s been estranged from her family (father was abusive, mother is still married to him) and friends. She finds out her great aunt’s Christmas tree farm was left to her and a few others and has the chance to try and save the business. Miriam upcycles antique furniture and has made a business out of her upcycled art. She meets Noelle and they don’t hit it off right away, Noelle assumes the worst/judges her wrongly before getting to know Miriam. They do start to bond once they’re working together at the Christmas tree farm and both share a love of art.
This was an okay read. It’s a closed door romance but their moments together were sweet. It does have some heavier topics as well, like the estrangement from Miriam’s family, her childhood in an abusive household, and Noelle’s journey with sobriety and being a recovering alcoholic.
This was an okay read. It’s a closed door romance but their moments together were sweet. It does have some heavier topics as well, like the estrangement from Miriam’s family, her childhood in an abusive household, and Noelle’s journey with sobriety and being a recovering alcoholic.
December 8, 2022
Where to start with Season of Love by Helena Greer? For one, I thought this was going to be a light and fluffy romcom based on the cover, and while it did have a lot of Hallmark Christmas movie qualities, it definitely brings weighty subjects as well. There is a content guidance page at the beginning of the book, and if you are a sensitive reader with triggers, I highly suggest checking that out before starting. The romance between Miriam and Noelle is super sweet and a little messy, just like love is IRL, and the characters and their issues were both very relatable and realistic. I actually just watched a Hallmark movie with Jewish rep while in the middle of Season of Love, and though I am not Jewish myself, I love seeing it in books and movies. And what a better setting than a Christmas tree farm?! This is also a debut novel, and I would never have been able to tell had it not been mentioned in the letter from the author at the end.
The romance and banter between the characters (especially Miriam and Noelle) were fantastic, and I loved the humor that Greer provided as well. PLUS, there is an enormous tortie (tortoiseshell cat for you dog people) that was described in such detail that I wanted to be there so I could hug it. Season of Love is incredible on audio as well, and having Barrie Kreinik & Emily Lawrence narrate was the icing on the cake. They voiced Miriam and Noelle so well that they made them feel like living people that I could reach out and touch if I wanted to, and who doesn't love that. The romance in the book is pretty closed-door, which is actually what I prefer, so I was really happy with how that played out. I loved the storyline and basically all of the characters as well and was incredibly satisfied with how it closed out. Also, the sober old ladies!! They were the best and provided some lovely comic relief as well as sage advice. In other words, if you want to get into the Christmas mood but want some meat to your story as well, Season of Love is for you! Looks like Greer’s next book will be based on 2 of the characters that are in this story, and I already can’t wait to read it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
The romance and banter between the characters (especially Miriam and Noelle) were fantastic, and I loved the humor that Greer provided as well. PLUS, there is an enormous tortie (tortoiseshell cat for you dog people) that was described in such detail that I wanted to be there so I could hug it. Season of Love is incredible on audio as well, and having Barrie Kreinik & Emily Lawrence narrate was the icing on the cake. They voiced Miriam and Noelle so well that they made them feel like living people that I could reach out and touch if I wanted to, and who doesn't love that. The romance in the book is pretty closed-door, which is actually what I prefer, so I was really happy with how that played out. I loved the storyline and basically all of the characters as well and was incredibly satisfied with how it closed out. Also, the sober old ladies!! They were the best and provided some lovely comic relief as well as sage advice. In other words, if you want to get into the Christmas mood but want some meat to your story as well, Season of Love is for you! Looks like Greer’s next book will be based on 2 of the characters that are in this story, and I already can’t wait to read it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
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