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bigbuttandabook's reviews
1100 reviews
A Novel Christmas by Charity Shane
challenging
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Widower romances are low on the list of tropes I like when they aren’t already ready to move forward. It’s one thing to still love someone it’s another to still be in love with them, and who can compete with a ghost. Anyway that part of it was navigated ok but I didn’t love it. I did however love the connection between the mains, something about a person always wanting to touch and hold you is just top tier. It’s the cute, contemporary side of possessive and obsessive. One thing this book did was drive home my bucket list item to visit a uber Christmas town. I think the Christmas vibes were on point and all the food talk had me snacking hard during this read. I didn’t love all the unnecessary recapping but overall the writing was decent and the story was enjoyable.
All I Want for Christmas Is Two by Shameka S Erby, Shameka S. Erby
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I have thoughts and feelings a plenty about this one. And I went back and forth on them throughout the story. I saw another review that said good thing they weren’t Adri cause there wouldn’t have been a book and I felt that in my spirit lol! Now the author did a good job of explaining why and I get it but something deep in me wanted Adri to have Chase to himself and I’m a hardcore why choose reader! Overall though this was a good read, I could feel the Christmasy vibes and loved Chase real bad. I had to break my read up a lot so I’m not sure of the pacing but I think the fact these I could put it down and come back to it and get right back into the story to be a huge plus. The little bonus mini story at the end was so good! And I absolutely loved the way these big beautifully woman got men who where obsessed with their bodies and we got a big boy MMC!! This was packed full of goodies!
Gnome One Like You by Tobie Carter
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Cute but a little too drawn out. This definitely could have been shorter with less time spent with the characters either not expressing their feelings or being too scared to be the first to express their feelings. I did like how the grandma and the mom were not the least bit fooled that was hilarious to me. This is a new to me author and I’m not sure I’ll be getting into much more of their work since there were elements about how the characters were written that I didn’t vibe with.
A Jolly Poly Christmas: In Philly by T. Alise
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
This book had a dynamic that I seriously do not enjoy. I think not having an open honest conversation with the person you want to bring into your relationship is unfair to that person, and it made me not want to root for this relationship. Also the relationship development was told to me instead of showed to me and I didn’t feel it. It seemed like nothing but sexual attraction and someone who didn’t have anyone so she was willing to attach herself to everyone. This one left a lot to be desired. The writing style wasn’t my favorite either.
Jolly Poly Christmas: In Colorado by B. Chanel
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I loved AP and Big mama, their personalities were really awesome. I like that aggressive love lol. And the relationship building was ok, for the length. What I didn’t enjoy was the subplot. It either needed to play more of a factor or it should have been left out. I didn’t like the way Keke waited till the last minute to tell them, or how she handled things once she left. Frankly I think my husband and my wife deserved better than Vee and Keke. I am curious about the type of characters the author crafts, I’ll be looking into more of her work.
Catching FEELINGS: Ho, Ho, Ho! by Shylee Campbell
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
12 Nights: An Unhinged Christmas Novella by Ayla Cox
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This was not what I was expecting after reading the content warnings but I was the kind of dark romance I truly enjoy. When these authors announced they were doing a 12 days of Black Christmas I knew the stories would be eclectic and for a wide range of readers but a dark, gory, morally grey story wasn’t anywhere near my expectations. But I am over the moon about it. It wasn’t very Christmasy but it did have me kind of kicking my feet because Az was down bad for Eden and I loved to see it. Cox is a new to me author and I will be reading more from them.
Gideon & Rhian: A One Eighty Christmas by Charity Shane
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Under the Mistletoe: A Small Town Holiday Romance by Tasha L. Harrison
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
As a sapphic story I enjoyed it. As a story about doing, being, chasing what makes you happy, I loved it. I just don’t understand how we got here. I think for me things would have made more sense if it was made clear that while she still loved Mason she no longer wanted to be with men. She kept saying bisexual and I didn’t feel like there was room to make that interpretation that she no longer wanted to be with him, because of things expressed in the story. For me I never felt like I understood the why and knowing it left Mason hurting, who was written to be a really great character, it took away my ability to be fully invested in and root for the mains. It is also a book set during Christmas but it was lacking in the Christmas activities department which always bums me out a little. I loved the spicy in the book and the detailed and sensual descriptions but overall it isn’t a fav for me, from this author.