Christmas Reads in October!

Yes, I know there is Christmas in July and Halloween is in October but I march to the beat of my own drum. For this month's book review, I give you Christmas in October!

The tag line on Catherine Walsh's Holiday Romance caught my attention and this story did not disappoint! This adorable tale takes readers through the span of 10 years of flights as Molly and Andrew head home to their own corners of Ireland year after year for Christmas.  Andrew is Mr. All About Christmas Festivities while Molly tends to be Little Miss Just Doing This to See Family. What started as a happen-chance meeting on the airplane turns into a holiday tradition.  Somewhere along the way Andrew and Molly develop a friendship and they start giving gifts to each other when they meet at the airport for their annual trip homeward.  

This year however a storm has blown in and threatens to derail their flight preventing Andrew from getting home to celebrate all the things with his family. Molly makes it her mission to ensure he gets there in time for Christmas Day. Through their round about travels and the flash backs over previous years, Molly and Andrew come face to face with their true feelings about each other. 

This book will get you into the holiday spirit, make you giggle, and root for these two precious characters!

Over All Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Emotional Rating: 😍

Would Recommend to Mom: I sure would! 😂

Heat Rating: Some spice in this Christmas Treat

Thank you to Netgalley, Bookouture and Catherine Walsh for the advanced reader copy!

In her acknowledgements, Jennie Holiday says that her team understood her goal of "Hallmark but make it spicy!" This perfectly describes her holiday book, So This is Christmas!

The story is about two workaholics brought together because she is there to rework a major source of his country's economy and he is to be her guide.  Despite their cold and formal start, Mateo and Cara call truces with one another spurring them to let down their guards as they share about their families and pasts allowing affection to sneak in.

Without giving away the plot, I highly recommend this adorably festive, very sweet with a small side dish of spice book to usher in the holiday spirit!

Over All Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Emotional Rating: 😍

Would Recommend to Mom: I would!

Heat Rating: Hallmark but make it spicy! {There was just a side, nothing too crazy.}

Thank you NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager and Jennie Holiday for the advanced reader copy. 

Our two main characters, Kara and Ben, start off on the wrong foot with each other when they meet outside of the cat cafe that Kara owns with her best friend. He is the marketing genius who works for the company hired by the little town to boost tourism, she is the veterinarian that works diligently on caring for the cats in the cafe until they are adopted. Her cafe is barely staying afloat and Ben is full of delightfully festive ideas to help bring in the money and the adoptions.  

Through the course of the story they work through their pasts, work together for the good of the cafe and spread Christmas cheer as well. 

If you love cats, Christmas and cafes this book is right up your alley! If you love Hallmark type cheesy romance, then add to cart! This wasn't my favorite read of the Christmas genre but it was cute and festive!

Over All Rating: ⭐⭐⭐.5

Would Recommend to Mom: Indeed I would if she really liked cats.

While this book doesn't focus on Christmas, it is set in Germany around Christmas time and references their Christmas markets + festive activities so I'd call it Christmas adjacent. 😂  What this book does focus on is the relationship between author Evie and actor Duke. Evie is summoned out to participate in the filming of the movie inspired by one of her books and is none too happy about it. Duke is suffering from a very public breakup with his co-star that he is filming with. In order to keep up appearances for the sake of the release of the movie, this unlikely pair is pushed into a fake dating relationship.

Evie was not a favorite character of mine and at times she was a little hard to like. There is drama and upset, there is chemistry and a happily ever after.  This is a fine book to cuddle up with by a fire with a cozy blanket!

Thank you to NetGalley, Avon Books UK and Laura Jane Williams for the advanced reader copy.

Over All Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐