"Because when you kiss me, it feels like Christmas morning."
Can Christmas wishes really come true? In Romeo, New York, the soul mate capital, perhaps they can. At the advice of Miss Erma, Natalie Fiorre "scrooges" Gabe Cavanaugh, tying him up in Christmas lights, tossing him in the trunk of her car and driving from NYC to her family cabin to infuse his life with a dose of Christmas spirit. What ensues between a woman who loves everything about Christmas and a man who absolutely loathes it is an amusing series of misadventures in discovering the true meaning of Christmas.
Grab a cup of hot cocoa and suspend disbelief because this book is a fun and unique holiday tale written only as Sarah Ready can. With events almost impossibly crazy and morally questionable at times, this was such a beautiful, heartwarming journey towards finding a holiday HEA in a winter wonderland. Including some underlying deep emotional issues, this is a story about embracing everything life has to offer and opening yourself up to a world of possibility filled with love and happiness. And even if you never believed in soul mates, you just might start now.
After a slow start warming to my cold, dark heart, this book turned into everything I never knew I wanted it to be. Beautifully atmospheric and filled with the festive splendor of the holidays, the author's love for Christmas clearly shines through. I loved the dynamics within Natalie's family, especially with her grandma, as well as Natalie's open and caring heart as she tried to break through Gabe's intolerance for Christmas. The steamy scenes perfectly complemented the holiday cheer, burning with a fiery intensity through the snow and ice. The third act breakup added just a hint of angst and it made me long for Natalie and Gabe to find their way back into each other's arms, where they truly belonged.
I always say that an ending has the power to make or break a book and this one was truly spectacular in all of its Christmas glory. Even though I would have liked to see a little more about the deeper issues involved in this story, the ending brought tears to my eyes with a surprising connection and a very special Christmas gift and was the perfect way to wrap up an otherwise wild adventure.
"The magic is always there, sometimes we just forget how to see it."
** Special thanks to author Sarah Ready for sending me this ARC to read and review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. Quotes subject to change at time of publication. Available October 18, 2022. **