Pam
Our Curse Love is an excellent look at what happens if we always worry about what the future holds instead of living in the here and now, as no one knows what the future holds. Remy has known Cam her entire life; they were born on the same day in the same hospital, only a few doors apart. She has loved him just as long. As they've gotten older, Remy has struggled with her feelings for Cam because she's afraid to lose him as her best friend if he doesn't feel the same towards her. Looking for guidance and hope, Remy gets a tea leaves reading done. When she doesn't get the answer she's hoping for, she turns to a magical apothecary for help. What happens next is the loss of what she's always loved.
Like many romances, YA or adult, if Cam and Remy had told each other the truth about their feelings before their trip to Tokyo, none of this would have happened. But if characters were to be open and honest about their feelings, there wouldn't be a book to write. Besides, how many times have you had strong feelings for someone special in your life, and you refused to tell them because you didn't want to lose the relationship you had? Especially when you were in high school?
I also enjoyed seeing Japan during Christmas, as the book is set December 23-January 1. Our Curse Love is a holiday read because of when the story is set. But the holidays are not the focus of the story. Nor are they a significant player in the story.
I'm unsure if I would consider this a companion to The Charmed List, which introduces readers to the characters. You could read this as a standalone, as there is minimal overlap between the two stories. In The Charmed List, you are introduced to Remy and Cam, but the focus of that story is Ellie and Jack.
If you are looking for a quick, magical read about our choices and how they impact our lives, give Our Cursed Love a read.
I want to thank Forever, Grand Central Publishing, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Canadian Boyfriend. All opinions presented here are my own.
CW/TW: grief, death of a spouse (off page), unhealthy relationship with food
Rory finds herself in a predicament when she meets Mike at the dance studio. Why? She met him years ago when she worked in the mall and made him into her fake Canadian boyfriend. He was the perfect excuse to miss out on things at school, things she was already missing. She forgot about him until she found herself face-to-face with Mike Martin, the hockey player all the moms in the studio are fawning over.
The book touches on topics not found in most romance novels, such as grief, mourning a lost childhood, an unhealthy relationship with food, and mental health. These topics are handled well. Nothing is pushed on the reader; it's just what the characters are dealing with while also dealing with their developing relationship.
Told in a dual POV, Canadian Boyfriend is a quick and easy romantic read. The first three-quarters of the book is fade to black. The events that happen in the last quarter, while not fade to black, aren't excessively detailed either.
If you enjoy reading slow-burn romance books that take time to develop, you should read Canadian Boyfriend. While this is my first Jenny Holiday novel, I don't think it will be my last!
4.5 stars rounded up to 5
I want to thank Little, Brown and Company, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Holmes Marple & Poe. All opinions presented here are solely mine.
CW/TW: drug use, drug abuse, kidnapping, murder, suicidal tendency, death, mistreatment of dead bodies
Let me clear the air straight away. I added this book to my TBR as soon as I saw the title. Why? How could I not given the characters' names are some of the most recognizable names in literature? While reading Holmes Marple and Poe, I was impressed with the details of the main three characters and how they were very similar to their namesakes.
My jaw dropped when I first saw how many chapters were in the book. Why? Because there are over 100. But they are short; some are only a page or two long. This makes it easy to say you will read only one more chapter and then read five more and not feel guilty. The short chapters also make it easy to put the book down if needed to take care of things outside the book, but who likes to do that?
It is easy to find yourself sucked into the book and not wanting to put it down! The pacing is terrific! At times, you feel like you are speeding along, and other times you're taking a leisurely stroll and enjoying the scenery.
Overall, if you are a fan of Holmes, Marple, or Poe you should read this. And, of course, if you are a fan of mysteries and thrillers, you should also read Holmes Marple and Poe. I look forward to reading more about these characters if a sequel shall happen.
4.5 rounded up to 5
I want to thank St. Martin's Griffin, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of On the Plus Side. All opinions presented here are solely mine.
CW/TW: body shaming, fatphobia, death (off-page), animal death (off-page/character's experience)
Where was this book when I was younger? I ask that because I have always been on the bigger side and always tried to hide in the shadows versus being in the spotlight. Like Everly, I was the center of teasing and bullying by classmates when I was younger. As such, I would pull back and try to stay out of their sight. It didn't always work; we all know kids are cruel. We also know that after a while, that kind of bullying gets into your psyche and is hard to get rid of when you are older.
But about the book, the chemistry between Everly and Logan is easy to see from the beginning. There's no doubt the relationship will happen, or it will get steamy. Speaking of steam, a couple of scenes in the book may be a bit steamier than some people may like. Let's just say I have a new appreciation for the tumble dryer. LOL!
There are a few complex relationships in the book. One is the relationship between Everly and her mom. Their history is discussed, and as the book progresses, you learn the reasons behind Peggy's treatment of Everly. Is it a perfect set of reasons? Not at all, but it does help the reader understand who Peggy is.
Another explored relationship is the one between Everly and James, her hot co-worker. While the relationship is relatively one-sided, it explores how shallow some people can be. That's not to say James is a bad person, but relatively immature.
The one bad person in the book is one you think couldn't be that bad when you first meet them. But as the story progresses, you can see how toxic they are. And, like me, you will probably rejoice in their downfall.
Overall, On the Plus Side is a fun rom-com! There are discussions about being fat and how that shouldn't mean you don't matter, that you can still be the center of attention, and not for negative reasons.
It Happened One Christmas is an enjoyable rom-com, perfect for a snowy day in December!
That said, the story itself could have done with some editing. Why do I say that? Because it feels as though Guertin used every trope she could find. Small-town? Check! Forced proximity? Enemies to lovers? Double-check! Grumpy-sunshine relationship? Obviously! Glamourous ex appearing in the third act? Yup, that's there too! I'm sure there are a few others that I've missed, but you get the idea.
Ben is stuck in his ways, but not for the reasons you may think. He's trying hard to keep things as his father wanted them, even though he passed away. Zoey is chasing the memories of the one perfect childhood Christmas, not realizing she could make new memories to replace all her negative ones.
Overall, It Happened One Christmas is an enjoyable read. Though it's not one I loved, it was still one that many people will.
