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The Summer of Christmas
July is a great time to celebrate Christmas! In the wild world of making a TV Christmas movie, a hot and sunny upstate New York summer becomes a winter wonderland, overnight. But as cool as the fake snow is, when the real life hero gets tangled up with the movie star, the screenwriter grapples for control of the story, and the fans become a hazard to life and limb, it'll take a Christmas miracle to pull everyone together.
Up-and-coming LA screenwriter Ivy Green is about to have her life turned upside down. Her movie, based on her and her high school sweetheart's horrible Christmas breakup, is being filmed in her hometown.
Nick Shepherd is less than thrilled to see Ivy after all this time. To complicate matters, Ivy has a budding relationship with the producer, the town is overflowing with movie stars and overly-adoring fans, and worst of all?the actress playing Ivy develops a crush on the real Nick! In the end, Ivy will need to re-write her life script to finally get everything she ever wanted.
Up-and-coming LA screenwriter Ivy Green is about to have her life turned upside down. Her movie, based on her and her high school sweetheart's horrible Christmas breakup, is being filmed in her hometown.
Nick Shepherd is less than thrilled to see Ivy after all this time. To complicate matters, Ivy has a budding relationship with the producer, the town is overflowing with movie stars and overly-adoring fans, and worst of all?the actress playing Ivy develops a crush on the real Nick! In the end, Ivy will need to re-write her life script to finally get everything she ever wanted.
319 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 5, 2022
40 people are currently reading
5026 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 327 reviews
May 19, 2022
Publication Date: 05th July 2022
2.5 Stars
One Liner: This is what happens when you fall for the cover and the words summer & Christmas!
Ivy Green’s autobiographical script is ready to be filmed. After five years of struggling to make a mark as a screenwriter, Ivy finally gets her chance. Imagine her shock when the producer announces that the movie will be filmed in her hometown.
The last thing Ivy wants is to come across Nick, her childhood bestie and long-term lover, the man who broke up with her just before Christmas five years ago. With no other choice, Ivy goes back home, determined to prove that she moved on. After all, she’s in a relationship with Drew, the producer of the film.
However, just about everything goes wrong as the heroine playing Ivy gets too close to Nick, and Ivy is still very much confused about her feelings for him. Ivy needs to get her life back on track and decide what she wants if she hopes for a happy ever after.
What I Like:
• Oh, this is easy. The cover is cute, and I’ve always liked to read about Christmas when it’s super hot outside. Summer in Christmas felt like it was my kind of book (except it wasn’t).
• The best part of the book was Ivy rewriting her love story into a script where she kills off Nick’s character in an accident. Way to go!
• The book reads fast (or maybe I'm very good at speed reading), thus saving me a day I marked for this one.
• The side characters are endearing despite the limited character development. Griffin, Ivy’s parents and sister, and Nick’s mom had great potential but shined within the limitations.
• The Christmas theme was good to read. That’s what kept me going.
What Didn’t Work for Me:
*cracks knuckles*
• The narration was choppy and seemed a bit disjointed. I’m not sure if it’s some sort of contemporary writing, but some of the sentences were too weird to read. The Nick, Rick, and dick thingy was cringe-level.
• The POV seemed too scattered. It is a limited third-person one minute, omnipresent the next, and judgmental third person in another. Quite confusing at times.
• Some attempts at humor felt OTT. The drama was a bit too much and continued to go in circles. Why couldn’t they just talk like adults? Ivy and Nick have known each other forever and are now in their 30s. You’d expect more maturity from them.
• Ivy and Nick spend a lot of time in their past instead of deciding what they want for the future. We see that they are meant to be together. But if they can’t decide it, why bother!
• Despite the flaws, Ivy was a good person and deserved better. Nick was an idiot, and Drew was worse. I was half-hoping she’d find someone who would really love her.
• Griffin’s arc was going well until there’s a sudden realization
• I was still hopeful about the ending, but two scenes ruined it for me. I cannot make myself rate the book higher.
• The ending is a high drama that would look good on the screen but fell OTT in the book.
I enjoy romcoms, but this just got too much after a while.
After reading the author’s note and bio, I kind of understood why the book felt so patchy.
Bear with me as I get into the gyaan-sharing mode.
*clears voice*
The authors are screenplay writers, and this is their first novel. Their expertise clearly shows in the scenes related to the film and film industry. However, screenplay writing is different from novel writing.
A film is an audiovisual medium. The audience doesn’t have to imagine or guess the characters, their emotions, and their expressions. It’s all there for us to see. A book requires the reader to imagine and visualize the content. They have the freedom to choose the actors but also have the disadvantage of not knowing whether or not their visualization is aligned with the authors'.
What feels aligned in a film doesn’t necessarily feel the same in a book. After all, we cannot ‘see’ certain things but can only imagine them. This mismatch made the book feel choppy and patchy.
The weird sentences and dialogues would sound natural and funny on the screen. The same doesn’t have to happen in the book format (it didn’t for some of us). And thus, we have a great premise with a mixed-up execution. This should have been a movie.
*speech ends*
To sum up, The Summer of Christmas is a very light read if you aren’t particular about certain things. The Christmas elements are fun, so all is not lost.
Thank you, NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley
2.5 Stars
One Liner: This is what happens when you fall for the cover and the words summer & Christmas!
Ivy Green’s autobiographical script is ready to be filmed. After five years of struggling to make a mark as a screenwriter, Ivy finally gets her chance. Imagine her shock when the producer announces that the movie will be filmed in her hometown.
The last thing Ivy wants is to come across Nick, her childhood bestie and long-term lover, the man who broke up with her just before Christmas five years ago. With no other choice, Ivy goes back home, determined to prove that she moved on. After all, she’s in a relationship with Drew, the producer of the film.
However, just about everything goes wrong as the heroine playing Ivy gets too close to Nick, and Ivy is still very much confused about her feelings for him. Ivy needs to get her life back on track and decide what she wants if she hopes for a happy ever after.
What I Like:
• Oh, this is easy. The cover is cute, and I’ve always liked to read about Christmas when it’s super hot outside. Summer in Christmas felt like it was my kind of book (except it wasn’t).
• The best part of the book was Ivy rewriting her love story into a script where she kills off Nick’s character in an accident. Way to go!
• The book reads fast (or maybe I'm very good at speed reading), thus saving me a day I marked for this one.
• The side characters are endearing despite the limited character development. Griffin, Ivy’s parents and sister, and Nick’s mom had great potential but shined within the limitations.
• The Christmas theme was good to read. That’s what kept me going.
What Didn’t Work for Me:
*cracks knuckles*
• The narration was choppy and seemed a bit disjointed. I’m not sure if it’s some sort of contemporary writing, but some of the sentences were too weird to read. The Nick, Rick, and dick thingy was cringe-level.
• The POV seemed too scattered. It is a limited third-person one minute, omnipresent the next, and judgmental third person in another. Quite confusing at times.
• Some attempts at humor felt OTT. The drama was a bit too much and continued to go in circles. Why couldn’t they just talk like adults? Ivy and Nick have known each other forever and are now in their 30s. You’d expect more maturity from them.
• Ivy and Nick spend a lot of time in their past instead of deciding what they want for the future. We see that they are meant to be together. But if they can’t decide it, why bother!
• Despite the flaws, Ivy was a good person and deserved better. Nick was an idiot, and Drew was worse. I was half-hoping she’d find someone who would really love her.
• Griffin’s arc was going well until there’s a sudden realization
• I was still hopeful about the ending, but two scenes ruined it for me. I cannot make myself rate the book higher.
• The ending is a high drama that would look good on the screen but fell OTT in the book.
I enjoy romcoms, but this just got too much after a while.
After reading the author’s note and bio, I kind of understood why the book felt so patchy.
Bear with me as I get into the gyaan-sharing mode.
*clears voice*
The authors are screenplay writers, and this is their first novel. Their expertise clearly shows in the scenes related to the film and film industry. However, screenplay writing is different from novel writing.
A film is an audiovisual medium. The audience doesn’t have to imagine or guess the characters, their emotions, and their expressions. It’s all there for us to see. A book requires the reader to imagine and visualize the content. They have the freedom to choose the actors but also have the disadvantage of not knowing whether or not their visualization is aligned with the authors'.
What feels aligned in a film doesn’t necessarily feel the same in a book. After all, we cannot ‘see’ certain things but can only imagine them. This mismatch made the book feel choppy and patchy.
The weird sentences and dialogues would sound natural and funny on the screen. The same doesn’t have to happen in the book format (it didn’t for some of us). And thus, we have a great premise with a mixed-up execution. This should have been a movie.
*speech ends*
To sum up, The Summer of Christmas is a very light read if you aren’t particular about certain things. The Christmas elements are fun, so all is not lost.
Thank you, NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley
July 19, 2022
Ivy Green is returning home after five years, but only because Hollywood has decided to film her Christmas screenplay in her hometown, and in the middle of summer!. Also coming along for the ride is her boyfriend and future live-in Drew, who is the producer. What Ivy doesn't count on is that her ex-boyfriend Nick, who she killed off in the screenplay, will be involved in the movie too. Not only are some of the scenes being filmed in Nick's vineyard, but the lead actress seems to have a crush on him.
This sounded like a fun listen--Christmas in the Summer--but there are some parts that did not work for me. The main character is 30 years old, but the dialogue and the narrator make her sound as if she's in high school. The sex scenes are cringeworthy and could have been left out. The point of view changing to some of the lesser characters was sometimes off-putting. The romance between Nick's mother and the movie set caterer is cute, but when Nick wishes it was just a one-night stand instead of love, that puzzled me. No son wants that for his mother. I felt the whole thing went on a bit long, with the same things happening over and over. The characterization of the movie as a "career-maker" and a blockbuster did not match the description of the movie itself, which sounded more like a tv movie or Hallmark movie. I did think the ending was stronger than the rest of the book.
The narration was adequate. As I mentioned before I felt like Ivy's voice was more high school than adult. The narration of the rest of the characters was fine. Overall, it's an average rom-com with a decent ending and a lot of awkward and unnecessary moments in between.
I received a free copy of this audiobook from Dreamscape Media via Netgalley. My review is voluntary.
This sounded like a fun listen--Christmas in the Summer--but there are some parts that did not work for me. The main character is 30 years old, but the dialogue and the narrator make her sound as if she's in high school. The sex scenes are cringeworthy and could have been left out. The point of view changing to some of the lesser characters was sometimes off-putting. The romance between Nick's mother and the movie set caterer is cute, but when Nick wishes it was just a one-night stand instead of love, that puzzled me. No son wants that for his mother. I felt the whole thing went on a bit long, with the same things happening over and over. The characterization of the movie as a "career-maker" and a blockbuster did not match the description of the movie itself, which sounded more like a tv movie or Hallmark movie. I did think the ending was stronger than the rest of the book.
The narration was adequate. As I mentioned before I felt like Ivy's voice was more high school than adult. The narration of the rest of the characters was fine. Overall, it's an average rom-com with a decent ending and a lot of awkward and unnecessary moments in between.
I received a free copy of this audiobook from Dreamscape Media via Netgalley. My review is voluntary.
April 5, 2022
“Whoever said love wasn’t authentic? It’s the most real thing there is. But maybe we’ve all become too broken by so many things, that we forget all about love.
I have mixed feelings about this one. The writing was engaging and the book had a promising start but the amount of OW drama started getting on my nerves. I could feel the connection between Nick & Ivy but I felt that neither Nick nor the new guy that Ivy met deserved her. The OW showed up all the time and she really got under my skin to the point that she became intolerable and I did not buy her sudden redemption at the very end at all. Nick was very dense and immature, his actions and the reasons behind them annoyed me. The only reason I'm not rating it lower is because I quite liked Ivy and her relationship with her family. Also the parts where Ivy & Nick reminisced their past in between shooting the scenes were cute. Griffin was my favourite character, at times he left me wishing he was the main love interest instead. To be honest, the amount of drama was just too high and because of that the book did not live up to my expectations.
Thank you Netgalley & Sourcebooks Casablanca for providing me the ARC
I have mixed feelings about this one. The writing was engaging and the book had a promising start but the amount of OW drama started getting on my nerves. I could feel the connection between Nick & Ivy but I felt that neither Nick nor the new guy that Ivy met deserved her. The OW showed up all the time and she really got under my skin to the point that she became intolerable and I did not buy her sudden redemption at the very end at all. Nick was very dense and immature, his actions and the reasons behind them annoyed me. The only reason I'm not rating it lower is because I quite liked Ivy and her relationship with her family. Also the parts where Ivy & Nick reminisced their past in between shooting the scenes were cute. Griffin was my favourite character, at times he left me wishing he was the main love interest instead. To be honest, the amount of drama was just too high and because of that the book did not live up to my expectations.
Thank you Netgalley & Sourcebooks Casablanca for providing me the ARC
July 8, 2022
3.5 rounded up
This was a pretty fun second chance at love, small town romance with a unique twist. Christmas in July but make it a behind the scenes Hallmark movie. This story features Ivy, a debut screenwriter who has returned to her hometown where they're filming her Christmas movie that she based on her first love and high school sweetheart Nick - aka the guy who dumped her on Christmas and who she hasn't seen in years.
The plot of this one was a little convoluted but I enjoyed it. Ivy is in a relationship with her movie producer but seeing Nick again is bringing up all kinds of unwanted feelings. Add in a heaping dose of jealousy when he starts hanging out with the actress playing Ivy and things really get interesting.
Good on audio, this was a solid debut I'd recommend to fans of Nora goes off script by Annabelle Monaghan or super predictable Hallmark holiday romcoms. Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my advance review copies!
This was a pretty fun second chance at love, small town romance with a unique twist. Christmas in July but make it a behind the scenes Hallmark movie. This story features Ivy, a debut screenwriter who has returned to her hometown where they're filming her Christmas movie that she based on her first love and high school sweetheart Nick - aka the guy who dumped her on Christmas and who she hasn't seen in years.
The plot of this one was a little convoluted but I enjoyed it. Ivy is in a relationship with her movie producer but seeing Nick again is bringing up all kinds of unwanted feelings. Add in a heaping dose of jealousy when he starts hanging out with the actress playing Ivy and things really get interesting.
Good on audio, this was a solid debut I'd recommend to fans of Nora goes off script by Annabelle Monaghan or super predictable Hallmark holiday romcoms. Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my advance review copies!
April 1, 2022
Honestly it’s not the book for me. I feel like you need a degree in film culture to read it, every other line is a reference to some film in the last 30/40 years or so and it gets grating after a while.
I also didn’t enjoy the narration, it was like it was written in phrases rather than full sentences which just left me permanently confused - it’s like if someone was to speak to you in person but using text shorthand - you know what they’re saying but it’s all kind of nonsense…
Thirdly the idea of using COVID - great, love it - we need some sensitive storylines focusing on the loss and sheer horror of the pandemic but to refer to COVID in the past tense when we’re all still very much living it just made me really uncomfortable.
I also didn’t enjoy the narration, it was like it was written in phrases rather than full sentences which just left me permanently confused - it’s like if someone was to speak to you in person but using text shorthand - you know what they’re saying but it’s all kind of nonsense…
Thirdly the idea of using COVID - great, love it - we need some sensitive storylines focusing on the loss and sheer horror of the pandemic but to refer to COVID in the past tense when we’re all still very much living it just made me really uncomfortable.
dnf
July 23, 2023Woof…that was way too hard to get into. Too disjointed, too vague, I felt like I was in a cotton candy dream with no real grasp on the characters. Even the interactions were vague and just…not good.
July 21, 2022
Summer and Christmas, two themes I love, so a combination of the making of a Christmas movie in a small town, during the summer sounds perfect for me. The premise of this second chance romance set in a relatively small town where everyone knows everyone else's business immediately attracted me. Ivy Green is an up and coming screenwriter, who was dumped by her boyfriend, Nick Shepherd, five years earlier on Christmas Eve. He wanted to stay in New York running the family vineyard, while she wanted to stay in Los Angeles working as a screenwriter. She was shopping around her movie about her life, when she finally gets an offer to make it into a movie. It seems like a dream come true, until she finds out that it is going to filmed in her hometown, during the summer. She is in a relationship with the producer of the movie, but when she sees Nick, she realizes there are still unresolved feelings there. She is in high demand now, especially as the two actors playing Ivy and Nick are big names. Can she get through the filming of the movie and move on to her next project?
I had mixed reactions to this story. It was a cute second chance romance with some great characters, but also some characters that really grated on my nerves. Ivy was conflicted throughout most of the book. She was following her dreams, but always seemed to regret what she left behind. She had a wonderfully supportive family who I really liked. Nick was the son the family depended on. He loved what he did, but also had regrets about Ivy. At times I felt for him, at others, he frustrated me. The actress playing Ivy was terrible. She seemed narcissistic to me, which made some of her actions a bit unbelievable. There was a lot of angst in this story, due to miscommunication, stubbornness and unresolved feelings. This was a promising story that held my interest, but did not live up to the premise. A few too many relationship issues with various couples and lots of interference by others made it less enjoyable than I had anticipated. The audiobook narrated by Elizabeth Cottle made it easy to listen to. Listening at my normal speed of 1.5 made it just over 7 hours of listening time while driving and doing some gardening and yardwork, made the time fly by. If you enjoy an angsty second chance romance, then you will love this book.
I had mixed reactions to this story. It was a cute second chance romance with some great characters, but also some characters that really grated on my nerves. Ivy was conflicted throughout most of the book. She was following her dreams, but always seemed to regret what she left behind. She had a wonderfully supportive family who I really liked. Nick was the son the family depended on. He loved what he did, but also had regrets about Ivy. At times I felt for him, at others, he frustrated me. The actress playing Ivy was terrible. She seemed narcissistic to me, which made some of her actions a bit unbelievable. There was a lot of angst in this story, due to miscommunication, stubbornness and unresolved feelings. This was a promising story that held my interest, but did not live up to the premise. A few too many relationship issues with various couples and lots of interference by others made it less enjoyable than I had anticipated. The audiobook narrated by Elizabeth Cottle made it easy to listen to. Listening at my normal speed of 1.5 made it just over 7 hours of listening time while driving and doing some gardening and yardwork, made the time fly by. If you enjoy an angsty second chance romance, then you will love this book.
April 8, 2022
[Warning: Spoilers] I needed a palette cleanser after having gone through some pretty heavy and demanding books the past few weeks. I checked out NetGalley, and found this. It looked fun, and like it would be a fast and fun read. But it did not deliver.
First, none of the characters were particularly developed enough for me to care about them. Griffin was the most interesting, and he had a bit part.
Second, I was annoyed with Ivy's obsession with her past. There are so many parts where the message is to move on - Nick's mother being a prime example. Seriously, if I met Ivy in real life, I'd tell her to get her stuff together. The level of drama and living in the past with Nick and Ivy. I just can't. They were high school sweethearts. Now they are nearing 30.
Also, Nick. Where do we get any sense that he's a worthy and good guy? Because he built a house? Named a boat True Love? Or because he named his prize-winning wine after Ivy? Because these do not seem like the things good, healthy men do. They seem like the kind of thing that obsessive men who can't move on in life do (to wit: his upset at his mom moving on. Nobody gets to grow up in Nick's world. Everything stays 2006 where he and Ivy were the Golden High School couple. Barf.)
Also, the writing. Weird capitalization (who knew that "choir director" was a proper noun that needed to be capitalized - and despite that is still just a position that has no name?). Sentences like, "Ivy had to get away from Nick and his dick." Who talks like that? Literally, has anyone in the world ever said, "I need to get away from him and his dick"?
Then there were the weird sentences that told me how people were feeling in fourth grade language, rather than actually showing me, or even better, letting me get in the character's world so I could feel it too. Things like, Nick felt sad because his mother was selling his house. My daughter is 8, and her prose is more advanced.
Also, the scenes where Nick finds out about his mom and the caterer. "Does he have pants on under that apron?" "J.B., are you wearing pants?" Frannie called out playfully. He lifted his apron revealing that he was wearing khaki shorts.
Okay, hang on. A 28 year old man who walks in on his mom getting it on with a new beau doesn't immediately leave the house and give them privacy? He stays to have *breakfast* with them? This guy's ability to live solely in his own universe without any regard for anyone else's is just too much.
And the scenes where we start to realize Griffin is into a guy? Like, we get no hint of it at all and then he's maybe on a date? And then he's getting kissed. And one would think that there might be some interest in developing his feelings, or delving into what attracted him to Bruce, or something. But nope, we just get Bruce saying he's crushing on Griffin. Then Griffin responds with the gem, "I like that." It reminds me of the SNL parodies of The Bachelor, where the Bachelor sits there and responds, "I love that," to everything a girl says to him.
The full extent of development of Griffin's feelings about potentially realizing he is interested in a guy for the first time is: "Griffin was surprised. He had never been kissed by a man before. This was all new to him, but he liked it. It was different but the same. At the end of the lips was affection."... then a couple paragraphs later, this gem:
"'I am straight. Well, I was until five minutes ago. Do you mind if I kiss you again? I think it would be helpful.' They kissed again. "
Wow. The feels are overwhelming.
This book is just hilarious in a 4th grade kind of way. But it doesn't deliver on its promise of being a funny romcom. It's just weird.
First, none of the characters were particularly developed enough for me to care about them. Griffin was the most interesting, and he had a bit part.
Second, I was annoyed with Ivy's obsession with her past. There are so many parts where the message is to move on - Nick's mother being a prime example. Seriously, if I met Ivy in real life, I'd tell her to get her stuff together. The level of drama and living in the past with Nick and Ivy. I just can't. They were high school sweethearts. Now they are nearing 30.
Also, Nick. Where do we get any sense that he's a worthy and good guy? Because he built a house? Named a boat True Love? Or because he named his prize-winning wine after Ivy? Because these do not seem like the things good, healthy men do. They seem like the kind of thing that obsessive men who can't move on in life do (to wit: his upset at his mom moving on. Nobody gets to grow up in Nick's world. Everything stays 2006 where he and Ivy were the Golden High School couple. Barf.)
Also, the writing. Weird capitalization (who knew that "choir director" was a proper noun that needed to be capitalized - and despite that is still just a position that has no name?). Sentences like, "Ivy had to get away from Nick and his dick." Who talks like that? Literally, has anyone in the world ever said, "I need to get away from him and his dick"?
Then there were the weird sentences that told me how people were feeling in fourth grade language, rather than actually showing me, or even better, letting me get in the character's world so I could feel it too. Things like, Nick felt sad because his mother was selling his house. My daughter is 8, and her prose is more advanced.
Also, the scenes where Nick finds out about his mom and the caterer. "Does he have pants on under that apron?" "J.B., are you wearing pants?" Frannie called out playfully. He lifted his apron revealing that he was wearing khaki shorts.
Okay, hang on. A 28 year old man who walks in on his mom getting it on with a new beau doesn't immediately leave the house and give them privacy? He stays to have *breakfast* with them? This guy's ability to live solely in his own universe without any regard for anyone else's is just too much.
And the scenes where we start to realize Griffin is into a guy? Like, we get no hint of it at all and then he's maybe on a date? And then he's getting kissed. And one would think that there might be some interest in developing his feelings, or delving into what attracted him to Bruce, or something. But nope, we just get Bruce saying he's crushing on Griffin. Then Griffin responds with the gem, "I like that." It reminds me of the SNL parodies of The Bachelor, where the Bachelor sits there and responds, "I love that," to everything a girl says to him.
The full extent of development of Griffin's feelings about potentially realizing he is interested in a guy for the first time is: "Griffin was surprised. He had never been kissed by a man before. This was all new to him, but he liked it. It was different but the same. At the end of the lips was affection."... then a couple paragraphs later, this gem:
"'I am straight. Well, I was until five minutes ago. Do you mind if I kiss you again? I think it would be helpful.' They kissed again. "
Wow. The feels are overwhelming.
This book is just hilarious in a 4th grade kind of way. But it doesn't deliver on its promise of being a funny romcom. It's just weird.
August 2, 2022
Absolutely adored this sweet book! As a Christmas movie lover, this book just made me constantly smile! Quick, sweet read!
July 11, 2022
I received a galley of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book has content warnings for pedophilia, racism, child abuse, misogyny, and slutshaming.
I made 2022 the year of DNF'ing more because I don't want to waste life on books I don't like. I knew I hated this book at about 1 chapter in. However, I didn't DNF because the premise sounded a lot of fun to me and I was really hoping the book would pick up. However, as the book continued that didn't happen and for some reason I still didn't DNF. Now I hate myself for not DNF'ing. This book just wasn't good. The writing was very inpersonal and factforward. It wasn't fun to read at all. The writing was also very simple. Things were WAY overexplained and this book felt very repetitive. There was also an abundance of movie references. Typically I enjoy something like that when it's something the character is passionate about but it just felt WAY too much in this book and really unnececary as well. Especially because every single reference was overexplained as towards what the reference meant. It was just a bore to read. The characters were also incredibly insufferable. They were super immature and childish. A literal todler is more mature than these characters. They were also overly dramatic and literally overreacted on EVERYTHING. Sometimes things were said as well that just made me doubt if these authors had ever interacted with other human beings as it didn't sound like anything anyone would ever say. The plot was also all over the place and messy. Truly, it was hard to follow. Especially because the transitions between scenes felt so abrupt and were terribly done. The romances were also poorly developed. I don't understand why any of these people are together. But in the main romance there definitely wasn't any chemistry and things just came out of nowhere. Yeah, I hated every single part of this book and I truly regret not DNF'ing it, just for my own sanity.
This book has content warnings for pedophilia, racism, child abuse, misogyny, and slutshaming.
I made 2022 the year of DNF'ing more because I don't want to waste life on books I don't like. I knew I hated this book at about 1 chapter in. However, I didn't DNF because the premise sounded a lot of fun to me and I was really hoping the book would pick up. However, as the book continued that didn't happen and for some reason I still didn't DNF. Now I hate myself for not DNF'ing. This book just wasn't good. The writing was very inpersonal and factforward. It wasn't fun to read at all. The writing was also very simple. Things were WAY overexplained and this book felt very repetitive. There was also an abundance of movie references. Typically I enjoy something like that when it's something the character is passionate about but it just felt WAY too much in this book and really unnececary as well. Especially because every single reference was overexplained as towards what the reference meant. It was just a bore to read. The characters were also incredibly insufferable. They were super immature and childish. A literal todler is more mature than these characters. They were also overly dramatic and literally overreacted on EVERYTHING. Sometimes things were said as well that just made me doubt if these authors had ever interacted with other human beings as it didn't sound like anything anyone would ever say. The plot was also all over the place and messy. Truly, it was hard to follow. Especially because the transitions between scenes felt so abrupt and were terribly done. The romances were also poorly developed. I don't understand why any of these people are together. But in the main romance there definitely wasn't any chemistry and things just came out of nowhere. Yeah, I hated every single part of this book and I truly regret not DNF'ing it, just for my own sanity.
June 13, 2022
Thank you to the publisher for my review copy. All opinions are my own.
Well, are you not the cutest little Christmas in July book.
I really enjoyed this one y'all. It is a Hallmark Christmas dream. Very fun. I would feel comfortable giving this title to anyone as it was not steamy and my goodness....these characters. Loved them.
If you are a Hallmark fan....pick this one up. You will enjoy it.
Well, are you not the cutest little Christmas in July book.
I really enjoyed this one y'all. It is a Hallmark Christmas dream. Very fun. I would feel comfortable giving this title to anyone as it was not steamy and my goodness....these characters. Loved them.
If you are a Hallmark fan....pick this one up. You will enjoy it.
June 21, 2022
I was attracted by the blurb and the idea is very interesting. Unfortunately the storytelling didn't work for me and the story didn't keep my attention.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
December 26, 2023
DNF at 50 pages. writing was choppy. also... why were we gonna go back to a cheater? no thanks sister. i don't need to find out why.
April 11, 2022
The Summer of Christmas is fun, charming, and great in theory, but it honestly missed the mark for me. I loved the premise of the story but there were some things about it that just didn't do it for me. First, I felt the pacing was off. Things happened insanely fast and jumped around too much. I felt the writing was a little odd too. Things did not flow or transition well. One minute you would be in one character's perspective and then in the next second you're in another's without any flow. Next, I didn't love the dialogue between the characters. Conversations felt rushed or just didn't make sense. I felt that it cheapened the emotion the characters were experiencing. It was an accumulation of all these things scattered throughout the book that really held me back from really loving this story.
What I did love was all the Christmas! This book did a great job of conveying the magic of Christmas. I loved the descriptions of the decorations, the food, music, and more. I am now even more excited for Christmas this year than before. The characters were great too. The main charter Ivy was full of dreams and I found that really inspiring. The families of the two main characters were hilarious and lovable. Lastly, I loved the inside look at how a movie is made, as well as all the old movie references. It was very fun for someone who loves movies.
Overall, a fun read but not my favorite. If you're looking for a happy ending that is simple and fast-paced, then this is the book for you.
Thank you to NetGalley & SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
What I did love was all the Christmas! This book did a great job of conveying the magic of Christmas. I loved the descriptions of the decorations, the food, music, and more. I am now even more excited for Christmas this year than before. The characters were great too. The main charter Ivy was full of dreams and I found that really inspiring. The families of the two main characters were hilarious and lovable. Lastly, I loved the inside look at how a movie is made, as well as all the old movie references. It was very fun for someone who loves movies.
Overall, a fun read but not my favorite. If you're looking for a happy ending that is simple and fast-paced, then this is the book for you.
Thank you to NetGalley & SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
July 13, 2022
Single star for the single interesting character/plotline of former child actor Griffin.
The authors are scriptwriters and it shows. They are constantly writing things about the movie industry with a pretentious way that tells you they think they are imparting some insider knowledge to the poor, uneducated masses. But anybody with even a passing knowledge of films knows what IMDB, dailies, and craft services are. People who read also watch movies. Some of us read books about the industry. You're not as uniquely knowledgeable as you seem to think you are.
Unfortunately I would hate this story in movie format too. The leads are terrible together and I have never in my life rooted so hard for a romance NOT to have AN HEA. I had a moment of glee when I thought the authors were going to do something interesting with the end, but it was a short-lived false hope.
On top of the predictable story and terrible characters, the writing is an absolute mess. The POV bounces willy nilly from one character to another with random abandon. The authors should stick to writing made-for-tv Christmas movies and leave books alone.
I'm mad that I wasted my time on this nonsense but I guess thanks for the ARC Netgalley 🙃
The authors are scriptwriters and it shows. They are constantly writing things about the movie industry with a pretentious way that tells you they think they are imparting some insider knowledge to the poor, uneducated masses. But anybody with even a passing knowledge of films knows what IMDB, dailies, and craft services are. People who read also watch movies. Some of us read books about the industry. You're not as uniquely knowledgeable as you seem to think you are.
Unfortunately I would hate this story in movie format too. The leads are terrible together and I have never in my life rooted so hard for a romance NOT to have AN HEA. I had a moment of glee when I thought the authors were going to do something interesting with the end, but it was a short-lived false hope.
On top of the predictable story and terrible characters, the writing is an absolute mess. The POV bounces willy nilly from one character to another with random abandon. The authors should stick to writing made-for-tv Christmas movies and leave books alone.
I'm mad that I wasted my time on this nonsense but I guess thanks for the ARC Netgalley 🙃
September 4, 2022
TITLE: The Summer of Christmas
AUTHOR: Juliet Giglio and Keith Giglio
PUB DATE: 07.05.2022 Now Available
July is a great time to celebrate Christmas! In the wild world of making a TV Christmas movie, a hot and sunny upstate New York summer becomes a winter wonderland, overnight. But as cool as the fake snow is, when the real life hero gets tangled up with the movie star, the screenwriter grapples for control of the story, and the fans become a hazard to life and limb, it’ll take a Christmas miracle to pull everyone together.
THOUGHTS:
If you enjoy a cute second chance at love type of story set in a small town, in a holiday themed romance, this one is for you! I enjoyed the banter, the hilarious antics, the hollywood movie scene, and finding love once again.
I enjoyed this easy and fun read.
AUTHOR: Juliet Giglio and Keith Giglio
PUB DATE: 07.05.2022 Now Available
July is a great time to celebrate Christmas! In the wild world of making a TV Christmas movie, a hot and sunny upstate New York summer becomes a winter wonderland, overnight. But as cool as the fake snow is, when the real life hero gets tangled up with the movie star, the screenwriter grapples for control of the story, and the fans become a hazard to life and limb, it’ll take a Christmas miracle to pull everyone together.
THOUGHTS:
If you enjoy a cute second chance at love type of story set in a small town, in a holiday themed romance, this one is for you! I enjoyed the banter, the hilarious antics, the hollywood movie scene, and finding love once again.
I enjoyed this easy and fun read.
March 28, 2022
ROM COM ROM COM ROM COM!! The cover was adorable which is an automatic plus and the banter and LOL moments were AHMAZIN! The plot was easy to follow and seemed futuristic but not in the sense of aliens but post-ish covid which was nice to see how the world has come. I would LOVE to read more of this author and hope their new books live up to this with new twists to the writing world!
July 9, 2022
Quick Summary: An unexpected tearjerker
My Review: The Summer of Christmas by Juliet and Keith Giglio was a special box of Cracker Jacks. What I mean to say is that it was a sweet treat with an unexpected prize inside.
This clean romance was a friends to lovers to enemies to lovers story. It was a second-third chance true love conquers all piece that evoked a lot of emotions. I was a goner before I knew it.
What I Loved About the Story:
- The title of this book was brilliant! It certainly captured my attention.
- Although the story was about one main couple, there were so many other characters who made strong appearances. These characters, in truth, were so interesting that I had to check to make sure that this wasn't a series kickoff. There is a lot of room to build on this community.
- The initial meet-cute that I and N had was sweet. The fact that their friendship blossomed from something so innocent was notable. Being able to see how their relationship further developed from that was part of the charm of this story.
- The conflict that I and N initially had took their lives on such different trajectories. It was hard to witness. As a reader, I was totally Team I. I mean! I was devastated right alongside I.
- N's intentions at the time of the great conflict were not so clear. What he said warranted suspicion. The phone calls. The change in behavior. In my opinion, the authors did a spot on job with building that scene up. There was so much tension.
- The catty claws that came out between I and A. The battle on stage and off stage was palpable.
- I loved how N's family still had a heart for I. I also appreciated how they loved N enough to tell him the truth about their feelings on what he had done to I.
- l loved the final rewrite, as well as everything that came before its realization. Being faced with one's own mortality can make things real quicker than anything else. I'm glad that I got my HEA, but I was on pins and needles the whole time.
What I Was Not Feeling About the Story:
- The nod to A Christmas Carol was hard to digest. The N situation was somewhat believable. The I situation was too strange. The whole sequence did not go with the rest of the story. It squeaked by, for me. Some readers may like this acknowledgement, but I could not get with it, as it relates to this story. I understood what was happening, however, I felt that it was not necessary to bring about spirits or ghosts or whatever that was.
- The lack of boundaries, particularly evidenced where A was concerned, was like a pulling of the leg. I found it odd that I's family and friends would allow her to steal their daughter's/friend's things, not to mention her life. That was creepy. I know some may refer to what A was doing as method acting, but I have to say that it didn't jive well. Also, I found it peculiar how A was able to get back in the good graces of I and her loved ones so quickly.
My Final Say: The Summer of Christmas is a recommended read for those looking for a clean romance with a twist. Guaranteed, this story will make you laugh, cry, get mad, and toss away your pillow. It is a sweet treat with a secret prize on the inside that I am certain you will enjoy.
Rating: 3.75/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher, and to NetGalley, who provided access to a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. The words I have shared are my own.
My Review: The Summer of Christmas by Juliet and Keith Giglio was a special box of Cracker Jacks. What I mean to say is that it was a sweet treat with an unexpected prize inside.
This clean romance was a friends to lovers to enemies to lovers story. It was a second-third chance true love conquers all piece that evoked a lot of emotions. I was a goner before I knew it.
What I Loved About the Story:
- The title of this book was brilliant! It certainly captured my attention.
- Although the story was about one main couple, there were so many other characters who made strong appearances. These characters, in truth, were so interesting that I had to check to make sure that this wasn't a series kickoff. There is a lot of room to build on this community.
- The initial meet-cute that I and N had was sweet. The fact that their friendship blossomed from something so innocent was notable. Being able to see how their relationship further developed from that was part of the charm of this story.
- The conflict that I and N initially had took their lives on such different trajectories. It was hard to witness. As a reader, I was totally Team I. I mean! I was devastated right alongside I.
- N's intentions at the time of the great conflict were not so clear. What he said warranted suspicion. The phone calls. The change in behavior. In my opinion, the authors did a spot on job with building that scene up. There was so much tension.
- The catty claws that came out between I and A. The battle on stage and off stage was palpable.
- I loved how N's family still had a heart for I. I also appreciated how they loved N enough to tell him the truth about their feelings on what he had done to I.
- l loved the final rewrite, as well as everything that came before its realization. Being faced with one's own mortality can make things real quicker than anything else. I'm glad that I got my HEA, but I was on pins and needles the whole time.
What I Was Not Feeling About the Story:
- The nod to A Christmas Carol was hard to digest. The N situation was somewhat believable. The I situation was too strange. The whole sequence did not go with the rest of the story. It squeaked by, for me. Some readers may like this acknowledgement, but I could not get with it, as it relates to this story. I understood what was happening, however, I felt that it was not necessary to bring about spirits or ghosts or whatever that was.
- The lack of boundaries, particularly evidenced where A was concerned, was like a pulling of the leg. I found it odd that I's family and friends would allow her to steal their daughter's/friend's things, not to mention her life. That was creepy. I know some may refer to what A was doing as method acting, but I have to say that it didn't jive well. Also, I found it peculiar how A was able to get back in the good graces of I and her loved ones so quickly.
My Final Say: The Summer of Christmas is a recommended read for those looking for a clean romance with a twist. Guaranteed, this story will make you laugh, cry, get mad, and toss away your pillow. It is a sweet treat with a secret prize on the inside that I am certain you will enjoy.
Rating: 3.75/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher, and to NetGalley, who provided access to a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. The words I have shared are my own.
June 9, 2022
This is really hard for me as I am firmly a positive reviewer. Did I like the plot and the entire premise of the book? Absolutely! But did it make me feel anything? Not really. It lacked the real heart and emotion that I want in my romantic escapisms. I heard a quote that said "you need more context in situations to create appropriate emotion" and I kind of feel that’s what was lacking here. I understand that this writing duo are screenwriters who create stories and interpret them for the screen. Whether it be a big screen or a small screen, I’m sure they do an amazing job. However, The Summer of Christmases just lacks that intimacy this reader needs to really develop a relationship with these characters. Would I watch this on the big screen? I absolutely would, but to read in print there is a bit of a disconnect. I do think readers are going to enjoy this book. I also think there is an audience for it. I just personally wanted a bit more insight into the minds in the hearts of these characters. It would’ve been the cherry on top.
All that said, I really did enjoy the book. (I also want to mention that there are two parts in the book that are VERY familiar to me. As in I feel like I've read it somewhere before.) I can't figure out why that is but it's been bugging me for a few days now.
*Thank you to Sourcebooks via Netgalley for the ARC.
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All that said, I really did enjoy the book. (I also want to mention that there are two parts in the book that are VERY familiar to me. As in I feel like I've read it somewhere before.) I can't figure out why that is but it's been bugging me for a few days now.
*Thank you to Sourcebooks via Netgalley for the ARC.
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July 25, 2022
As kids, Ivy Green (even her name screams Christmas) and Nick Shepherd’s lives were forever changed when they were cast in their church’s Christmas play. Inseparable since that day, friendship inevitably blossomed into teenage love.
But Ivy always dreamed of leaving her small town one day for Hollywood, hoping to make it as a screenwriter. Then one day it happens, her big break. Not wanting to be the one to hold her back (but also, frustratingly, not telling Ivy or the readers this) Nick dumps Ivy, citing he has feelings for another woman. Oh and all of this occurs mere days before Christmas.
Bah humbug.
Fast forward 5 years and Ivy is finally on the path to what she was destined to do. But finally selling her screenplay not only sends her back to her hometown for filming, it also reunites her with the man who broke her heart, the same man who also not so secretly serves as inspiration for the film she’s making.
Nick never left home, making a name for himself in the winery business. He also never stopped carrying a torch for Ivy. Both too stubborn to face what went down years ago, instead they hide behind new loves, quirky side characters, and fake lighting. Is a Christmas miracle in their cards or are they destined to live out a blue Christmas forever?
While the writers clearly know their way around a screenplay, this story felt a little like shopping during the holiday season- messy and rushed. I wanted more out of Ivy and Nick’s origin story so I would know what I’m supposed to be rooting for. There were also many cringe worthy moments and a confusing carousel of side character POV’s that felt a little odd and forced. In addition, there were repetitive reminders of Covid sprinkled throughout (we get it, no one shakes hands anymore!) that the story could do without.
Despite all of this and the lackluster reviews, I could actually see this story working as a Made For TV holiday movie. After all, they’re nothing if not corny and non sensical at the one time of year all of this is tolerated- Christmas.
So if Christmas can’t come soon enough for you, grab your beach towel and tinsel and take a chance on Christmas in Tinseltown.
But Ivy always dreamed of leaving her small town one day for Hollywood, hoping to make it as a screenwriter. Then one day it happens, her big break. Not wanting to be the one to hold her back (but also, frustratingly, not telling Ivy or the readers this) Nick dumps Ivy, citing he has feelings for another woman. Oh and all of this occurs mere days before Christmas.
Bah humbug.
Fast forward 5 years and Ivy is finally on the path to what she was destined to do. But finally selling her screenplay not only sends her back to her hometown for filming, it also reunites her with the man who broke her heart, the same man who also not so secretly serves as inspiration for the film she’s making.
Nick never left home, making a name for himself in the winery business. He also never stopped carrying a torch for Ivy. Both too stubborn to face what went down years ago, instead they hide behind new loves, quirky side characters, and fake lighting. Is a Christmas miracle in their cards or are they destined to live out a blue Christmas forever?
While the writers clearly know their way around a screenplay, this story felt a little like shopping during the holiday season- messy and rushed. I wanted more out of Ivy and Nick’s origin story so I would know what I’m supposed to be rooting for. There were also many cringe worthy moments and a confusing carousel of side character POV’s that felt a little odd and forced. In addition, there were repetitive reminders of Covid sprinkled throughout (we get it, no one shakes hands anymore!) that the story could do without.
Despite all of this and the lackluster reviews, I could actually see this story working as a Made For TV holiday movie. After all, they’re nothing if not corny and non sensical at the one time of year all of this is tolerated- Christmas.
So if Christmas can’t come soon enough for you, grab your beach towel and tinsel and take a chance on Christmas in Tinseltown.
December 23, 2022
“Christmas in July.” 🎄🤶🏼🎅🏽
Personal review : ⭐️⭐️⭐️
For fans of Hallmark, cinematography lovers, small town romance queens- and the miscommunication/ second change romance trope. Main character Ivy Green has aspirations, dreams, and a small town romance from second grade holding her back, until Nick decides he no longer wants to be with Ivy, and she must forge her own path in the cut throat world of Hollywood, as he moves on to be co-owner of a winery in upstate NY. Their worlds merge back together when a producer picks up Ivy’s screenplay of their small town romance - When Mary Met Joseph. The summer filming of a holiday movie was such a cute Christmas in July twist. I liked the plot and story line and found myself loving most of the characters.
Synopsis: July is a great time to celebrate Christmas! In the wild world of making a TV Christmas movie, a hot and sunny upstate New York summer becomes a winter wonderland, overnight. But as cool as the fake snow is, when the real life hero gets tangled up with the movie star, the screenwriter grapples for control of the story, and the fans become a hazard to life and limb, it'll take a Christmas miracle to pull everyone together.
Personal review : ⭐️⭐️⭐️
For fans of Hallmark, cinematography lovers, small town romance queens- and the miscommunication/ second change romance trope. Main character Ivy Green has aspirations, dreams, and a small town romance from second grade holding her back, until Nick decides he no longer wants to be with Ivy, and she must forge her own path in the cut throat world of Hollywood, as he moves on to be co-owner of a winery in upstate NY. Their worlds merge back together when a producer picks up Ivy’s screenplay of their small town romance - When Mary Met Joseph. The summer filming of a holiday movie was such a cute Christmas in July twist. I liked the plot and story line and found myself loving most of the characters.
Synopsis: July is a great time to celebrate Christmas! In the wild world of making a TV Christmas movie, a hot and sunny upstate New York summer becomes a winter wonderland, overnight. But as cool as the fake snow is, when the real life hero gets tangled up with the movie star, the screenwriter grapples for control of the story, and the fans become a hazard to life and limb, it'll take a Christmas miracle to pull everyone together.
January 5, 2024
This writing style was so not for me. It felt way too long with too many unnecessary scenes. I thought the plot sounded cool but hated how it was done
December 25, 2023
A cute concept, but I knew where it was going from the beginning. Rounded up to a 3.
July 5, 2022
Lights, Camera, Action! Cue the Fake Snow!
The Summer of Christmas left me with mixed feelings. The writing is omniscient, which nearly caused me to DNF this novel a couple of times. Although the plot held my interest and kept me reading. After 25% into the novel, I settled into the writing enough to continue reading The Summer of Christmas until the last page.
Going solely by the cover, I was under the impression there would be a spicy scene or two. Yet, that is not the case. The Summer of Christmas is close to a Hallmark movie, TV-PG to TV-PG-13 with suggested scenes or drinking.
Honestly, this book would be a better movie. This book has everything I love in a heartwarming rom-com: high school sweethearts and a second chance romance in a Gilmore Girlesque small town.
So, if you are looking for a light read in this heavy heat, The Summer of Christmas is the perfect book to read this July.
The Summer of Christmas left me with mixed feelings. The writing is omniscient, which nearly caused me to DNF this novel a couple of times. Although the plot held my interest and kept me reading. After 25% into the novel, I settled into the writing enough to continue reading The Summer of Christmas until the last page.
Going solely by the cover, I was under the impression there would be a spicy scene or two. Yet, that is not the case. The Summer of Christmas is close to a Hallmark movie, TV-PG to TV-PG-13 with suggested scenes or drinking.
Honestly, this book would be a better movie. This book has everything I love in a heartwarming rom-com: high school sweethearts and a second chance romance in a Gilmore Girlesque small town.
So, if you are looking for a light read in this heavy heat, The Summer of Christmas is the perfect book to read this July.
January 1, 2023
3.5 ⭐️ but a fun Christmas read!
Read
March 29, 2022DNF. This isn't working for me. There are so many odd little lines that I have to re-read because they don't really make sense. Upon re-reading, it's not any clearer. Everything feels kind of uneven too. For instance, we've got all Ivy's stuff, which doesn't mention COVID much at all (which is fine, I'd like to forget it too), but we get back to the boyfriend and it's a big part of his story. So, I'm out. The writing is just...not good.
July 19, 2022
It was ... not bad? I really disliked the constant explanations of "industry" talk. We aren't idiots, I swear we can pick up context clues. The other is ALLLLLLLL THE comments about how the pandemic had stopped handshakes and hurt businesses. Seriously. Say it once. Again. Not an idiot. The rest of it was cute, very light, just brain candy. Some of the characters seemed disingenuous. I liked Griffin a lot. Can we have a book about Griffin?
July 25, 2022
Oh, my, gosh. I am now dumber for having listened to this book. It should come with a warning label :Warning after reading this book you will officially become dumber than Billy Madison. Speaking of Billy Madison to steal the words from the principal in that movie
"Ms. Giglio, what you've just[wrote] is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have everh [read]. At no point in your rambling, incoherent [book] were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul."
The story: Ivy has written a rom com, which is based on her love history. Nick, her high school sweetheart dumps her suddenly when she finally "makes it" in LA. She writes her loves story with him, however with a twist, she kills him at the end. Well the script gets landed by some big Hollywood producers and they opt to film in her small hometown. (Hallmark much?) Obviously when she returns home she runs into Nick and sparks fly.
I think what bothered me about this book was the total immature writing.
I'm serious, this was SO bad. I cannot even complement it. I'm pretty sure the sentence, "Ivy had to get away from Nick and his dick."is when I lost all respect for the author. Speaking of words that end in -Ick you also have to deal with the fictionalized Nick is named Rick. Eye roll how many times we have to review that concept. The sentences were basic, and felt like a teen girl trying to write a "spicy/sexy" book, but it ends up lame and perverted.
There are so many dumb scenes: Nick walks in on his mom after a one night stand and her man candy is not wearing pants in the kitchen. It was just so bad. Sorry PTSD flashback from having to re-hear that scene.
Of course, like all books written now, we have to have the token male character who suddenly decides he is attracted to men. It was the most random scene I think ever placed in a book, in no way did it flow with the book. It was like the scene was written after Giglio finished the book and was like, "Gasp, I need to insert this scene".
But then again the writing was so choppy, heck maybe she had planned it.
Ivy and Nick did not have that cute little banter love hate you see in Hallmark movies, they just had the maturity of middle schoolers who are unable to communicate. Nick's reasons and terrible ability communicate absolutely are one of my pet peeves in books.
Ha! You know what I just realized....you know that movie "Gigli"--yup the one with Bennifer, it was named in the top 5 worst movies of all times.....check out the author's last name GIGLIo----hmmmm, am I on to something.....
Thank you Net Galley for this advanced Copy Listen. I was not paid or reimbursed for this very honest review.
"Ms. Giglio, what you've just[wrote] is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have everh [read]. At no point in your rambling, incoherent [book] were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul."
The story: Ivy has written a rom com, which is based on her love history. Nick, her high school sweetheart dumps her suddenly when she finally "makes it" in LA. She writes her loves story with him, however with a twist, she kills him at the end. Well the script gets landed by some big Hollywood producers and they opt to film in her small hometown. (Hallmark much?) Obviously when she returns home she runs into Nick and sparks fly.
I think what bothered me about this book was the total immature writing.
I'm serious, this was SO bad. I cannot even complement it. I'm pretty sure the sentence, "Ivy had to get away from Nick and his dick."is when I lost all respect for the author. Speaking of words that end in -Ick you also have to deal with the fictionalized Nick is named Rick. Eye roll how many times we have to review that concept. The sentences were basic, and felt like a teen girl trying to write a "spicy/sexy" book, but it ends up lame and perverted.
There are so many dumb scenes: Nick walks in on his mom after a one night stand and her man candy is not wearing pants in the kitchen. It was just so bad. Sorry PTSD flashback from having to re-hear that scene.
Of course, like all books written now, we have to have the token male character who suddenly decides he is attracted to men. It was the most random scene I think ever placed in a book, in no way did it flow with the book. It was like the scene was written after Giglio finished the book and was like, "Gasp, I need to insert this scene".
But then again the writing was so choppy, heck maybe she had planned it.
Ivy and Nick did not have that cute little banter love hate you see in Hallmark movies, they just had the maturity of middle schoolers who are unable to communicate. Nick's reasons and terrible ability communicate absolutely are one of my pet peeves in books.
Ha! You know what I just realized....you know that movie "Gigli"--yup the one with Bennifer, it was named in the top 5 worst movies of all times.....check out the author's last name GIGLIo----hmmmm, am I on to something.....
Thank you Net Galley for this advanced Copy Listen. I was not paid or reimbursed for this very honest review.
August 12, 2022
The only reason I didn’t quit at 14% is because I’m stubborn AF.
Hello, editor? Are you there? Do you EXIST? The author suffered from having a million ideas and not being able to edit it down at all. It’s as if the author did THE WORK (and kudos for that, ok) of pre writing and coming up with great backstories and fleshing out the characters…and then dumped all of that work into the book. These little nuances of character development can come out in other ways, we don’t need a 20 year run down of backstory and exposition in every chapter. There were too many characters whose POV took over, too. Ironically enough, the book read like it could have been a script with stage directions instead of text between the dialogue.
It was like
“Dialogue dialogue dialogue,” they smiled. Then they high fives. Then they left the building. Five minutes later they…etc etc
It was a lot of telling and not showing/giving description. It was exposition city.
Also can we get this straight, is the movie version of Ivy ISLA or ILSA because I’m confused????
AND LET US NOT with the weird fever dream scenes that did not fit in at all and the sister providing the psychological reasoning behind everything instead of letting the readers just INFER from the text and ALSO the need to textbook style define EVERY SINGLE bit of film industry jargon.
Honestly, though, when it comes down to the bare bones of the plot and the point of the story, it was a great idea, which kind of makes me mad. It needs major editing and a more sophisticated writing style - complex sentence structure, who’s she? - and it would actually be good.
Hello, editor? Are you there? Do you EXIST? The author suffered from having a million ideas and not being able to edit it down at all. It’s as if the author did THE WORK (and kudos for that, ok) of pre writing and coming up with great backstories and fleshing out the characters…and then dumped all of that work into the book. These little nuances of character development can come out in other ways, we don’t need a 20 year run down of backstory and exposition in every chapter. There were too many characters whose POV took over, too. Ironically enough, the book read like it could have been a script with stage directions instead of text between the dialogue.
It was like
“Dialogue dialogue dialogue,” they smiled. Then they high fives. Then they left the building. Five minutes later they…etc etc
It was a lot of telling and not showing/giving description. It was exposition city.
Also can we get this straight, is the movie version of Ivy ISLA or ILSA because I’m confused????
AND LET US NOT with the weird fever dream scenes that did not fit in at all and the sister providing the psychological reasoning behind everything instead of letting the readers just INFER from the text and ALSO the need to textbook style define EVERY SINGLE bit of film industry jargon.
Honestly, though, when it comes down to the bare bones of the plot and the point of the story, it was a great idea, which kind of makes me mad. It needs major editing and a more sophisticated writing style - complex sentence structure, who’s she? - and it would actually be good.
May 28, 2022
Thank you Sourcebooks Casablanca for my copy! All thoughts are my own.
When I tell you I was PUMPED for this book…I was pumped. It was easy and fun, but a little too cheesy. I think the concept is genius but it missed the mark on execution for me. There were so many characters at the center and I think that took away from the main storyline.
But, if you love Christmas and need a little joy, this book about filming a Christmas movie in the Summer will be a great beach read. It’s about heartbreak, following your dreams, and soulmates among the glamour of Hollywood.
Synopsis:
“A hopeful LA screenwriter behind the scenes of her first exciting successful filmA dramatic face-to-face with her first love—who broke up with her five years ago at Christmastime (the jerk!)The magic, mystery, and hijinks of making a Christmas movie—in the middle of summer!A second chance for everyone to get things right, finally
Up-and-coming LA screenwriter Ivy Green is about to have her life turned upside down. Her movie, based on her and her high school sweetheart, Nick Shepherd, is being filmed in her hometown. In the middle of summer, during the month of July, the production crew creates a winter wonderland Christmas.
Nick is less than thrilled to see Ivy after all this time. Especially because in her movie version of their relationship, she kills his character off. To complicate matters, Ivy isn't sure of her relationship with the producer, the town is overflowing with movie stars and adoring fans, and worst of all—the actress playing Ivy develops a crush on the real Nick! Now, with renewed and confusing feelings about Nick, Ivy is determined to see if there is anything left between them, but in the end, Ivy will need to re-write her life script to finally get everything she ever wanted.” —NetGalley
What I Liked:
The Concept—How much do I love a Christmas story and movie? I thought it was such a clever concept to discuss the filming of a Christmas movie since they tend to shoot them out of season.
The Tone—I read this book after a challenging week and it was easy, fun, and joyful.
The Setting—It takes place in Geneva, New York which is not too far from where I live! I had never read a book that takes place there so it was fun to know a lot of the references.
What Didn’t Work:
Pacing—I’m picky with pacing and this just missed the mark. It was like a race for no reason.
Too Much Going On—Sooooo many characters with wonderful discoveries to make and not enough time to tell them, leaving everyone feeling one dimensional.
Writing—The authors are screenwriters and that was evident in the writing. This would be a fantastic film! But I think with books, less is more and focusing on Nick and Ivy would have been more than enough.
Character Authenticity: 3/5 Steam Rating: 0/5 Overall Rating: 3/5
Content Warnings:
loss of parents (past/brief), boating accident
When I tell you I was PUMPED for this book…I was pumped. It was easy and fun, but a little too cheesy. I think the concept is genius but it missed the mark on execution for me. There were so many characters at the center and I think that took away from the main storyline.
But, if you love Christmas and need a little joy, this book about filming a Christmas movie in the Summer will be a great beach read. It’s about heartbreak, following your dreams, and soulmates among the glamour of Hollywood.
Synopsis:
“A hopeful LA screenwriter behind the scenes of her first exciting successful filmA dramatic face-to-face with her first love—who broke up with her five years ago at Christmastime (the jerk!)The magic, mystery, and hijinks of making a Christmas movie—in the middle of summer!A second chance for everyone to get things right, finally
Up-and-coming LA screenwriter Ivy Green is about to have her life turned upside down. Her movie, based on her and her high school sweetheart, Nick Shepherd, is being filmed in her hometown. In the middle of summer, during the month of July, the production crew creates a winter wonderland Christmas.
Nick is less than thrilled to see Ivy after all this time. Especially because in her movie version of their relationship, she kills his character off. To complicate matters, Ivy isn't sure of her relationship with the producer, the town is overflowing with movie stars and adoring fans, and worst of all—the actress playing Ivy develops a crush on the real Nick! Now, with renewed and confusing feelings about Nick, Ivy is determined to see if there is anything left between them, but in the end, Ivy will need to re-write her life script to finally get everything she ever wanted.” —NetGalley
What I Liked:
The Concept—How much do I love a Christmas story and movie? I thought it was such a clever concept to discuss the filming of a Christmas movie since they tend to shoot them out of season.
The Tone—I read this book after a challenging week and it was easy, fun, and joyful.
The Setting—It takes place in Geneva, New York which is not too far from where I live! I had never read a book that takes place there so it was fun to know a lot of the references.
What Didn’t Work:
Pacing—I’m picky with pacing and this just missed the mark. It was like a race for no reason.
Too Much Going On—Sooooo many characters with wonderful discoveries to make and not enough time to tell them, leaving everyone feeling one dimensional.
Writing—The authors are screenwriters and that was evident in the writing. This would be a fantastic film! But I think with books, less is more and focusing on Nick and Ivy would have been more than enough.
Character Authenticity: 3/5 Steam Rating: 0/5 Overall Rating: 3/5
Content Warnings:
loss of parents (past/brief), boating accident
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