Every Day in December

What a delightful holiday read! This story of friendship and healing set during the holiday season is refreshingly humorous and heartwarming. Two former acquaintances who are both dealing with troubles of their own spend most days in December together, helping each other to find their way back to happiness.

Belle Wilde begins this story with her life in a bit of a mess. She has lost her job, her celebrity father is involved in a scandal, and she owes money to her roommate. In the midst of this, she runs into Rory Walters, a man she knew in college who seemingly has his life together. But Rory's life is not as a great as it seems. He hates Christmas because of a tragic event that occurred five years prior. Belle decides to distract herself from her own problems by trying to convert Rory to someone who loves Christmas. Meanwhile, Rory decides to assist Belle in finding a career that will bring fulfillment. They form a friendship throughout the month of December that has the potential to develop into something more, but they both resist taking it further for good reasons.

The structure of the plot flows quite well. Every chapter is a different day in December, and the point of view alternates between Belle and Rory. The alternating point of view allows the reader to understand each character's actions and motivations, even though they are often frustrating due to them misjudging each other. The pacing is perfect and free of boring lulls in the action. The author uses many holiday traditions in the plotline, making this a fun holiday read.

The best thing about this book is the characters. They are both very likeable. Belle's struggle to find her way financially and emotionally is believable and relatable. Her desire for her family's approval is a universal feeling that most readers understand. Rory's past tragedy and current situation invite sympathy and compassion from the reader. All of the secondary characters are also likeable. They add humor and charm to the story.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It is a perfect holiday romance with just enough charm and warmth. It is like watching a good Hallmark movie!