So sometimes you put a hold on an exciting holiday title (or two), but the book is too popular and you don’t get to read it until after Easter. Sigh. If you are like me and missed out during the actual holiday season, may I offer you a second chance at Christmas (or Hanukkah) love? Just because it’s 95 degrees outside, doesn’t mean you can’t kiss under the mistletoe. Am I right?

This one was a fun murder mystery weekend, set in England at the mansion of mystery writer, Eleanor Ashley. Cozy writer Maggie Chase and thriller penmaster, Ethan Wyatt think they are just coming to enjoy a nice Christmas holiday in the English countryside. But when Eleanor goes missing on the first day, they know something is amiss. I have to say that this is not my usual genre, but I was in it from the beginning. I had read Carter’s previous release The Blonde Identity and enjoyed it, so I figured this one would be good as well. Get comfy because once you start with this one, you won’t want to put it down.

Sometimes it’s not easy being Jewish at Christmas. Especially if you own a cafe in a small Vermont town. At least, that’s what Abby Cohen keeps telling herself. But when the town decides to have a Hanukkah festival to set them apart from their Christmas-loving neighbors, they ask Abby if she will run it. Delighted, she reluctantly asks her most annoying customer, Seth Abrams, for help. I enjoyed this one and this book definitely made me want to have some latkes and donuts. If you are tired of all the traditional red and green holly jolly, check this one out instead. I bet you can read it in just eight crazy nights.

Initially, I started reading this one for my purple covers post. But as I got further into it, I realized it was really more of a Christmas read, so here we are. A group of friends gathers in a cozy Vermont inn to have their annual book club, even though their lives are falling apart. Even hotel owner Hattie is struggling as a new widow with a small daughter. I enjoyed how all these stories wove together - kinda like Love Actually. My only complaint is that we didn’t spend a lot of time on the actual book club. There was so much going on in everyone’s lives that the book club kind of took a backseat. I have a feeling this happens a lot in book clubs. Good read to cozy up with by the fire, or the floor fan, depending on your outside temperature. 

Andie is not having the best Hanukkah. This is the first one she is celebrating since her dad died. Not to mention the preschool where she is working is closing down so she is basically out of a job come the new year. The only bright spot is her hot neighbor down the hall, but when she invites him to help her light the candles on the first night of Hanukkah, he’s not all she dreamed of. Good thing he’s got seven more nights to try and make it up to her. I enjoyed this one. I like the dynamic between the characters. Parts of it were a little sadder than usually I like, but I thought it fit the story well. If you are more dreidel and less cradle, don’t miss this one. 

I very much enjoy the Grinch. I grew up with the original - of which I have large portions memorized. Add in the Jim Carey version that I watch religiously every Christmas season - sometimes multiple times - and it is clear that this a story that is near and dear to my heart. So when I saw this one, I was excited, but I have to say it took me about 100 pages to get into the story. I couldn’t tell if the author wrote this because she, too, loved the Grinch or if she was making fun of it. Once I established that I don’t think she’s mocking this classic, but instead offering homage, I started to enjoy it. Take the Grinch and add in a romcom and you have a pretty good idea about what you are getting here. It’s probably not going to change your life, but it should provide a couple of hours of fun. And with it being face-of-the-sun hot outside right now, that’s not a bad thing.

Ok friends. If your life is anything like mine, I know it’s been a bit bumpy lately. And I think we all need to have some more fun. So pick your favorite holiday, grab a book, and get reading. It will make you feel better - plus you can stay in the nice, cool AC the way the good Lord intended.

Happy Holidays (Reading)!
:) Amanda