Review: Midnight in the Snow

I always love getting a new Karen Swan books in my hands. She has a summer and a winter book out every year and they’re stories that whisk you away to another part of the world – which is great for these times of no travel. Midnight in the Snow took me to a location that may have been just as chilly as what is outside my own door but was full of snowboarders and the cutthroat competitions in that world – not something I see in my neighbourhood!

Here’s the book’s description:

Award-winning director Clover Phillips is riding high when she encounters Kit Foley; a surfer and snowboarder as well-known for controversy as he is for winning championships.
Involved in an accident that had devastating consequences for a bitter rival, Kit has never spoken about what really happened that day. Determined to find out the truth, Clover heads to the snowy wilderness of the Austrian Alps, sharing a romantic winter wonderland with a man who can’t stand her.
But as she delves deeper, Clover finds herself both drawn to Kit, and even more convinced he’s hiding something. Is Kit Foley really as cold as he seems?

I am very particular when it comes to enemies to lover stories. I just cannot understand when hatred turns to attraction and I realized early on in this novel that some of my worst fears would be realized when it comes to this trope. Clover and Kit hate each other. Hate. Kit thinks Clover ruined his professional life and Clover thinks he’s 100% responsible for the accident of his fellow surfer, Cory, who Clover had just done a documentary about. Kit doesn’t do himself any favours since he doesn’t talk about the accident or his part in it and just takes the blame. The reader knows there’s more to the story, there has to be, and so does Clover. That’s part of why she’s now doing a documentary on Kit. But she’s biased. Again, that hatred. Sure, she can be professional about it and she is trying to get to the bottom of the story even if Kit won’t give it to her. But how did their hatred turn into a Happily Ever After? I couldn’t buy it and it just made me feel…ew.

An aside, Midnight in the Snow is the first title of Swan's winter novels that doesn’t either outright mention Christmas or something related to the holiday (like presents). I’m glad someone made that decision because I was pretty tired of reading these books and the holiday not featuring much at all. Publishers take note: if Christmas is in the title, we expect all holiday, all the time. So, if you were wondering if you could read this one outside of Christmas the answer is a resounding yes. There’s a bit of lead up to the holiday but the last scenes are on Christmas Eve Eve with the Big Day happening after the end of the book. It’s a great winter book since so much of it takes place at ski and snowboard resorts in Europe. I just don’t really know what the heck the title is referring to in the story…

Where Swan excelled, in my opinion, in this novel was in the setting. I really felt like I was on the mountain with Clover and her crew, observing the boarders and trying to get to the bottom of Kit’s story. If I hadn’t felt like I was really “there”, I honestly don’t know if I could have kept at the book since all the emotional parts of the story were not working for me. I don’t snowboard (despite growing up close to a lot of hills) but the world is interesting to me so I really did enjoy being immersed in a story like this one. Made me even more excited for the Olympics, honestly. You know, when everyone becomes an expert at every sport? The best! Anyway…I appreciated that Swan made me feel like I was experiencing the setting right alongside the characters and very much enjoyed that part of the story.

Midnight in the Snow was not a win for me. I’m going to give Karen Swan one more chance, though, because I'm intrigued about the new series she’s working on – a five book historical series set in Scotland.

*A copy of this novel was provided by the Canadian distributor, Publishers Group Canada, in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.* 

Review: Running Wild

You already know I’m a major K.A. Tucker fan so it really shouldn’t surprise you that I loved reading Running Wild. Like many readers, I thoroughly enjoyed the world Tucker created in Alaska with Jonah and Calla in The Simple Wild. I was interested to see what she would do with Jonah’s friend, Marie, the heroine of the latest novel in the series, in Running Wild. I ended up really liking Marie’s story and I’m glad Tucker gave us another wonderful novel to read.

Here’s the book’s description:

Veterinarian Marie Lehr knows unrequited love all too well after pining for her best friend, only to watch him marry another woman. It’s a mistake she will never make again, especially not when she can practically hear the clock ticking on her childbearing years.
The trouble is, she can’t seem to find anyone who appeals to her even a fraction as much as that burly bush pilot did. Competitive musher Tyler Brady certainly doesn’t, especially not after the heated altercation with the handsome but arrogant, spiteful man.
Or so she thinks.
While volunteering at the Iditarod Sled Dog Race, Marie discovers that first impressions may have been false, and her attraction to Tyler is very real. But his heart belongs to someone else, leaving him with nothing to offer but friendship. Marie’s been down this road before and knows how that ends. Yet, no matter how hard she works to keep from falling for Tyler, it seems she’s doomed to follow her own trail once again.

I’ll read anything Tucker writes so I’m the first to admit I am a wee bit biased when it comes to her novels. I find that I don’t pay as much attention to issues some readers might have when I’m reading some of my favourite authors, like Tucker. I’m also one that rates a book based on my enjoyment of a novel, not necessarily if it was “good” or issue free. And maybe I’m feeling a bit precious about this book and Tucker because I’ve been reading her books for so long that I know what she’s capable of. Her novels may all seem similar on the surface but they’re nuanced and each one is a little different. I didn’t expect another The Simple Wild when I came into reading Running Wild and I think others’ have expected that. It’s OK to have expectations. I get it because I’ve been there. With Running Wild I expected an Alaskan setting, a romance that would tug at my heart in some way, and damn good writing. I got it all with Running Wild and I enjoyed the hell out of the book.

Marie’s a little bit older than your typical romance heroine as she turns 38 over the course of the novel. She mentions her age a lot which got a bit tiresome but then I realized that maybe it was tiresome because I do that too, at just 34. There’s something about being in your thirties that seems to make you want to defend your choices or something. Like, I am an adult and I have had life experiences but you also have a ton of life ahead of you. It’s a weird place to be. I don’t have a biological clock ticking away like Marie does (pretty sure mine is broken or maybe didn’t even exist in the first place) but I could understand how anxious she would be about not having a child and not knowing if she’d ever be able to have one as she expected she would. All that to say: I’m here for more stories about heroines in their thirties.

I personally found all the talk about the dog racing pretty fascinating. There’s a lot of it but I could appreciate that Tucker wanted to do justice to the sport and the controversy around it. And I think she did do justice to it. I liked that she showcased the dogs who were currently athletes and the retired dogs that were living the life of leisure as house dogs. Definitely made me wish I had a giant husky hanging out with me (Tonks would likely not appreciate one in the house…something tells me those dogs might not get along with rabbits).

Now, for the romance! I was really happy when Marie and Tyler were able to make it through their initial issues. They did NOT get off on the right foot! I did find myself wishing that they would just listen to the other but they were both pretty stubborn (this wasn’t the typical miscommunication of romance novels…just general human miscommunication when you allow your emotions to get the better of you and you can’t have a logical discussion to find that, just maybe, your first impressions were wrong). They were able to find some respect for each other which lead, of course, to some romantic feelings. Tyler had a lot of issues that he needed to work out and I respect that he was honest with Marie once he realized that it was not fair to her to pursue a relationship when he was still too wrapped up in his past. What bothered me was how he kind of ended up jerking her around and he never really gave Marie (or, more importantly, the reader) a good enough answer when he finally realized he was an idiot needed to be with Marie. Tucker writes angsty relationships so very well so I was feeling All the Things right alongside Marie. Painful, yes, but that does make for an enjoyable read for me.

Readers of the rest of the series will be happy to know there are lovely scenes with Jonah and Calla, as well as the rest of the crew from the previous books. I felt there was just enough to satisfy series readers but not enough to take away from Marie’s story.

All in all, Running Wild was a win for me. K.A. Tucker writes stories that always suck me in. They’re emotional and so well written. I didn’t want the story to end and already can’t wait for her next book.

Content warnings: death of a spouse and child prior to start of story, miscarriage, yearning for a child, unrequited love, abuse and harm of dogs off the page.

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About the Author

K.A. Tucker writes captivating stories with an edge.

She is the internationally bestselling author of the Ten Tiny Breaths and Burying Water series, He Will Be My Ruin, Until It Fades, Keep Her Safe, The Simple Wild, Be the Girl, and Say You Still Love Me. Her books have been featured in national publications including USA Today, Globe & Mail, Suspense Magazine, Publisher's Weekly, Oprah Mag, and First for Women. 

K.A. Tucker currently resides in a quaint town outside of Toronto.

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My review of The Simple Wild

My review of Wild at Heart

My review of Forever Wild

*An advanced egalley of this novel was provided by Valentine PR in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are honest and my own.*

Review: Duke, Actually

Somehow I managed to miss reading A Princess for Christmas in 2020. I saw Jenny Holiday’s book, wanted to read it and then…didn’t. So, when I realized it was a sort of but not really series and Duke, Actually was releasing in 2021, I jumped at the chance to review it. And, oh boy, am I glad I did. I absolutely loved it. I laughed. I swooned. It was an absolute delight.

Here’s the book’s description:

Maximillian von Hansburg, Baron of Laudon and heir to the Duke of Aquilla, is trapped. Under pressure from his domineering father, he must marry a suitable bride before he inherits a title that feels like a prison sentence. In New York to meet a prospective wife, he ditches his responsibilities and appears on Dani Martinez’s doorstep. He’s been intrigued by the no-nonsense professor since he met her at the Eldovian royal wedding and is determined to befriend her.
Newly single Dani is done with love—she even has a list entitled “Things I Will Never Again Do for a Man”—which is why she hits it off with notorious rake Max. He’s trying to escape relationships, and she’s resolved to avoid them at all costs. All they want from each other is friendship and a distraction from their messy lives.
As their bond begins to deepen, so does their attraction, until they end up in bed together. Falling in love was never part of the plan—Max’s family doesn’t see Dani as a perfect match, even as his heart tells him she’s the one, and Dani isn’t sure she can make it in Max’s world. Can they find the courage to live they life they desire, even if it means risking everything?

First things first…you don’t have to read this one 1. At Christmas or 2. After A Princess for Christmas. Will you perhaps get more out of it if you do that? Hmmm…maybe a bit. But the main couple from the first book isn’t really in the second book all that often and the story does start and end at Christmas but there’s a lot going on in between. Buuut if you want to be true to the series and the season, there will be a third book coming out this fall so you can binge all three leading up to Christmas this year!

I loved loved loved Dani and Max’s relationship. It is a sloooooow burn but, my god, I have never read a sexier slow burn. And Holiday makes sure we get a great payoff when the pair finally get together. So. Satisfying. A bookstagrammer friend of mine, megmcreads, is always searching for Hallmark After Dark reads around Christmas and this one definitely fits the bill. It’s sexy and steamy and definitely not rated PG. *fans self* What made the sexy times so satisfying (for me, anyway) was the fact that the emotional relationship between Dani and Max had been solidified over the course of the year. They were getting to know each other and there was trust between them that translated into a romantic relationship. (And then a break up and then a reconciliation. We can’t be reading a romance novel without those elements!)

Duke, Actually is so much more than a romance, which is part of why I loved it so much. Dani and Max as people were so great to read about. They’re both wicked smart and funny so the banter between the two was a delight to read. They’re also so very loyal to the people they care about so the reader knows they’re great people and deserve each other and a Happily Ever After. Their careers (or lack thereof) are important to them and they help each other focus on career goals, instead of how to hop into bed with each other. The balance between real life events and romance made for an amazing reading experience.

Read Duke, Actually. That’s all you really need to hear me say about Jenny Holiday’s novel. But if you need a bit more, know that it’s funny, smart, well-written, romantic, and so freaking good. Just read it, already!

*An egalley of this novel was provided by the publisher, HarperCollins Canada, in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.* 

Review: Meet Me In London

I really wasn’t sure what to expect with Meet Me in London, Georgia Toffolo’s first novel. But the description sounded like fun and who doesn’t want to spend some time, albeit through a book, in London, leading up to Christmas?

Here’s the book’s description:

What do you do when your fake engagement starts to feel too real…
Aspiring clothes designer Victoria Scott spends her days working in a bar in Chelsea and her evenings designing vintage clothes, dreaming of one day opening her own boutique. But these aspirations are under threat from the new department store opening at the end of her road. She needs a Christmas miracle, but one is not forthcoming.
Oliver Russell’s Christmas is not looking very festive right now. His family’s new London department store opening is behind schedule, and on top of that his interfering, if well-meaning, mother is pressing him to introduce his girlfriend to her over the holidays—a girlfriend who does not exist. He needs a diversion…something to keep his mother from meddling while he focuses on the business.
When Oliver meets Victoria, he offers a proposition: pretend to be his girlfriend at the opening of his store and he will provide an opportunity for Victoria to showcase her designs. But what starts as a business arrangement soon becomes something more tempting as the fake relationship starts to feel very real. But when secrets in Victoria’s past are exposed, will Oliver walk away, or will they both follow their hearts and find what neither knew they were looking for…?

I liked that this book kind of played on the same storyline as You’ve Got Mail but, dare I say it, better. I adore the movie but I am always so bummed that (spoiler alert) Kathleen’s store has to close down in the end. In Toffolo’s novel, Oliver is doing his best to make sure his family’s department store doesn’t run anyone out of business, especially after Victoria lays out all of the potential harm the store can do in the neighbourhood. Oliver and Victoria seem more like equals and there were no hidden identities in this story.

There were however, some secrets, particularly on Victoria’s part. I wasn’t totally thrilled with how her past was revealed because I hate when there are little hints when there is absolutely no reason for them. Tell me the whole story so I don’t have to wonder (this isn’t true for all genres or storylines, of course). I could understand completely why she kept it from Oliver because he really didn’t need to know. They were strangers who were just pretending to be in love so he didn’t need to hear about her past. But the reader should know and I wish Toffolo had told us up front.

Fake dating is usually always a fun trope and this one delivered. Sure, Oliver and Victoria know absolutely nothing about each other but the reader can tell immediately that they have some chemistry and you can’t help but hope for them to realize they’re so much better off together as a real couple.

Meet Me in London isn’t super Christmassy but the Happily Ever After you expect from such a story does happen on Christmas - which is always lovely! I’m not sure yet if I’ll read the next books in the series but I still found Georgia Toffolo’s debut novel entertaining enough for a pre-holiday read.

*An egalley of this novel was provided by the publisher, HarperCollins Canada, in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.*

Review: The Christmas Bookshop

It’s been a long time since I’ve read a Jenny Colgan novel and now that I’ve finished her latest, The Christmas Bookshop, I’m wondering why on earth I haven’t been reading each of her new books as they've released. I was entertained the entire time I was reading this one and absolutely adored the setting.

Here’s the book’s description:

When the department store she works in closes for good, Carmen has perilously little cash and few options. She doesn’t want to move in with her perfect sister Sofia, in Sofia’s perfect house with her perfect children and her perfectly ordered Edinburgh life.
Frankly, Sofia doesn’t exactly want Carmen there either. Her sister has always been sarcastic and difficult. But Sofia has yet another baby on the way, a mother desperate to see her daughters get along, and a client who needs a retail assistant for his ailing bookshop, so welcoming Carmen might still have some benefits for everyone.
At Sofia’s behest, Carmen is thrown into the daily workings of old Mr. McCredie’s ancient bookshop on the streets of the old dark city. Can she use her design skills to revamp the store and bring it back to popularity in time to benefit from Christmas shopping traffic? Can she choose between bad boy literary rock star Blair and quiet Quaker student Oke? And will she heal the rift with the most important people of all: her family?

Right off the bat I was in absolute heaven with the setting of this book. Not only is it all about a bookshop (swoon) but it’s a bookshop in Scotland! Edinburgh, to be specific. I’ve always had a soft spot for Scotland but after being in Edinburgh for a week back in early March 2020 (yep, squeaked that trip in just in time), I was even more enthralled with the book’s location. I could picture so many of the streets and areas Colgan described and I loved it. Armchair travel has been a saviour over the last almost two years so it was particularly delightful to read a book set in the last place I travelled to.

And the bookshop! Mr. McCredie was the sweetest old man and it was such a delight to see him open up to Carmen and, well, to life. He and his bookshop really came alive with her help. And they, in turn, really helped Carmen. It was so fun to read as they added Christmas touch after Christmas touch to the store and kept themselves (and their customers) entertained with toy mice and trains. I didn’t just want to visit Scotland again. I wanted to find this exact bookshop (crazy twisty aisles and rooms and all) and spend all day there.

What stopped me from LOVING this book wasn’t anything super specific - just a sort of feeling I got (or didn’t get) when I was reading it. Sometimes I felt scenes were told out of order but not so much so that it seemed like it was an editing mistake in my advanced egalley. And I also just really didn’t like the Blair storyline and couldn’t quite understand how self-absorbed Carmen was at some points. Was all that a dealbreaker? Definitely not. It’s still worth a read.

The final thing I absolutely loved about this book was the focus on relationships between sisters. I liked that the story was both Carmen’s and Sofia’s (though Carmen is definitely the main focus) and the pair working out their relationship was just as important as Carmen’s love life. If not more so. I found myself giggling at some points when the sisters (as well as Sofia’s two girls) were interacting because Colgan completely nailed what it’s like between sisters. I’d love to have another book about the pair so I could visit with them some more.

The Christmas Bookshop was a delightful wintery read (you don’t have to read it at Christmas) that I really enjoyed. I’m going to make a point of reading more of Jenny Colgan’s backlist and will definitely be paying attention to when her next book comes out!

*An egalley of this novel was provided by the publisher, HarperCollins Canada, in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.*

Review: The Certainty of Chance

I’ve been reading Jacquelyn Middleton’s novels for a number of years now and one of the things I love about her work is how her books can feel so different and yet familiar all at the same time. Her latest, The Certainty of Chance, reminded me of why I fell in love with her books so many years ago and why I’ll continue to read her novels as long as she keeps writing them. They’re entertaining and heartfelt with characters I can really relate to.

Here’s the book’s description:

There’s something about December...
Madeleine Joy is feeling more meh than merry. When an Icelandic volcano erupts six days before Christmas, hazardous ash congests European airspace, canceling flights indefinitely—including the thirtysomething's connection to Paris. Stranded alone in London, separated from her sister, and with the devastating one-year anniversary of her best friend’s tragic death just days away, Madeleine has never felt less festive. And as if things couldn’t get worse, the cute guy driving the cab to her hotel won’t shut up about carolers and tinsel…
Julian Halliwell is one of life’s sunny optimists. A former music journalist, he’s embraced his love for London by starting his own black cab business, enthusiastically ferrying passengers from one historic landmark to another. But life hasn’t always been easy for Julian. Having navigated several life-changing setbacks including a cruel betrayal by his former fiancée, Julian remains hopeful that he’ll meet somebody kind, who shares his love of music, his corgi named Winnie, and of course, the magic of Christmas time in London.
Despite being an unlikely match, fate seems determined to throw them together. But can the grieving American find joy again in a world where the lights have all but dimmed?

One of the things I loved about this book was a fairly simple thing: it takes place in London. At Christmas! I loved this for a couple of reasons. The first is that I, like many, many others, have not traveled much outside my own city in the last two years. Armchair travel to anywhere right now is great! The second reason is that my sister was in London while I was reading it (she's back home in Canada now). So as I was reading about Madeleine and Julian’s adventures in the city, I was able to picture my sister there too. She also read the book recently and I loved getting her messages as she got to certain parts. I got a number of “I’ve been there!” messages as well as photos showing exactly what Middleton was describing. Especially fun was that Middleton was also in London in November/December 2019, which is when my sister first landed in the city so they saw many of the exact same Christmas events and decorations that year. And, boy, was it magical. It really felt like I was experiencing the magic of Christmas in London and I really hope one day I can see it in person.

It’s not all Christmas joy, either. Madeleine suffered a loss a year prior when one of her closest friends passed away (perhaps a minor spoiler but I think this is an important warning, especially around this time of year). She slowly begins to find the joy in the festivity around her and it was lovely to read as she opened up over the course of the novel.

Speaking of warnings, I love that Middleton is always super clear and descriptive about the potential triggers in her books. Many of her characters deal with mental health struggles and it’s fantastic that we, as readers, can see those characters in contemporary romances. Plus, Middleton is writing from experience and treats those storylines with the utmost respect. Triggers aren’t mentioned as often in romances - though that’s changing - and it’s impossible to mention them all (I have a very particular one that’s hardly ever mentioned) but Middleton makes sure to thoughtfully think about what her readers might find difficult and mentions them at the beginning of the book.

And the romance! It was such a lovely story as Madeleine and Julian randomly met and had to decide if they’d give into the feelings they clearly had for each other even though Madeleine was only going to be in London for such a short period of time. Julian might be my favourite of all the male characters Middleton has written and has been added to my (long) list of book boyfriends.

I highly recommend you pick up a copy of The Certainty of Chance sometime before the holiday season ends. Jacquelyn Middleton’s latest novel will have you feeling all the feels, including wanderlust and Christmas spirit.

*A copy of this novel was provided by the author in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.*

Review: The Holiday Swap

I had been eagerly awaiting the publication day of The Holiday Swap since authors Marissa Stapley and Karma Brown announced they had written it together under the name Maggie Knox. And that was sometime back in 2020. Needless to say, my expectations were through the roof. And guess what? It totally delivered. I absolutely adored the festive rom com and think it’s a must read for fellow romance readers this holiday season.

Here’s the book’s description:

All they want for Christmas is a different life.
When chef Charlie Goodwin gets hit on the head on the L.A. set of her reality baking show, she loses a lot more than consciousness; she also loses her ability to taste and smell--both critical to her success as show judge. Meanwhile, Charlie's identical twin, Cass, is frantically trying to hold her own life together back in their quaint mountain hometown while running the family's bustling bakery and dealing with her ex, who won't get the memo that they're over.
With only days until Christmas, a desperate Charlie asks Cass to do something they haven't done since they were kids: switch places. Looking for her own escape from reality, Cass agrees. But temporarily trading lives proves more complicated than they imagined, especially when rugged firefighter Jake Greenman and gorgeous physician's assistant Miguel Rodriguez are thrown into the mix. Will the twins' identity swap be a recipe for disaster, or does it have all the right ingredients for getting their lives back on track?

Just like In a Holidaze last year (also by an author duo, this time Christina Lauren), Knox delivered a classic rom com - but updated for 2021. The premise - identical twins swapping lives at Christmas - is perfectly set up for hijinks, miscommunication, and characters learning more about themselves. But even though it seems ridiculous and far-fetched, it totally worked. Of course, you have to enjoy these types of stories but I definitely do so the story completely captivated me. I was laughing and swooning and enjoyed the entire book.

I love watching baking shows (who else absolutely loves Great British Bake Off?) so the fact that Charlie works on a baking competition program was too much fun. And be warned: you're going to want all of the baked goods while reading this book!

There’s city living as Cass experiences the best of LA and small town charm with Charlie in Starlight Peak where the women grew up. I really liked the balance of small town and big city in this story. You might not picture Starlight Peak as Stars Hollow but I, Stapley, and many, many readers all did!

And the relationships! Swoon! The connections between the women and the men they meet were immediate and so delightful to read about. Neither woman needs a man to solve their problems and the men Knox wrote are wonderful and supportive.

The Holiday Swap is romantic comedy at its finest. Both sisters have important career decisions to make but romance is at the heart of the story and readers will be left with a smile on their faces as they finish the delightful novel Maggie Knox has written. 

*An ARC of this novel was provided by the publisher, Penguin Random House Canada, in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.*