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Christmas in Eldovia #3
So This Is Christmas
USA Today bestselling author Jenny Holiday concludes her beloved royal Christmas series with an unforgettable romance about a confident American woman and the strait-laced royal advisor who falls hopelessly in love with her.Matteo Benz has spent his life serving at the pleasure of the Eldovian crown. His work is his life and his life, well...he doesn't have much of one. When he is tasked to aid a management consultant who has been flown in to help straighten out the king's affairs, he is instantly disturbed by her brash American manner--as well by an inconvenient attraction to the brainy beauty.Cara Delaney is in Eldovia to help clean up the king's financial affairs, but soon finds herself at odds with the very proper Mr. Benz. As intrigued by his good looks as she is annoyed by his dedication to tradition for its own sake, she slowly begins to see the real man behind the royal throne.As they work together to return Eldovia to its former glory during the country's magical Christmas season, Matteo discovers he is falling hopelessly in love with the unconventional American. But a man who has devoted his life to tradition doesn't change easily. Can he become the man Cara needs, or will their love be another sacrifice to the crown?
384 pages, ebook
First published October 4, 2022
About the author
Jenny Holiday
31 books1,544 followersJenny Holiday is a USA Today-bestselling and RITA®-nominated author whose books have been featured in The New York Times, Entertainment Weekly, The Washington Post, and Buzzfeed. She grew up in Minnesota and started writing at age nine when her fourth-grade teacher gave her a notebook to fill with stories. When she's not working on her next book, she likes to hang out with her family, watch other people sing karaoke, and throw theme parties. Jenny lives in London, Ontario, Canada.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 687 reviews
January 20, 2023
So This Is Christmas by Jenny Holiday is the third book in the contemporary romance Christmas in Eldovia series. As with a lot of romance series the Christmas in Eldovia series changes the main characters in each book so they can all be read as a standalone or in any order if choosing to do so. The story is also told by changing the point of view between the characters to give both sides.
Matteo Benz has always been proud to serve the Eldovian crown but gets a bit concerned when a management consultant is hired to come in from America. Cara Delaney takes her job helping the king seriously and can’t help but be bothered by Matteo as their opinions keep clashing but soon the pair find they have one thing in common, their attraction.
I can definitely say first hand that the Eldovia series does read well as standalone novels as i missed reading the second book of the series myself but easily picked up this third. The setting of the country of Eldovia is certainly a unique one that I enjoy and diving into the different characters of the monarchy. The main characters in this third book were enjoyable and I couldn’t help but get caught up in their story and the author will continue to be one I always enjoy returning to.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
Matteo Benz has always been proud to serve the Eldovian crown but gets a bit concerned when a management consultant is hired to come in from America. Cara Delaney takes her job helping the king seriously and can’t help but be bothered by Matteo as their opinions keep clashing but soon the pair find they have one thing in common, their attraction.
I can definitely say first hand that the Eldovia series does read well as standalone novels as i missed reading the second book of the series myself but easily picked up this third. The setting of the country of Eldovia is certainly a unique one that I enjoy and diving into the different characters of the monarchy. The main characters in this third book were enjoyable and I couldn’t help but get caught up in their story and the author will continue to be one I always enjoy returning to.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
September 21, 2022
Unfortunately, I found this really dull. I loved Duke, Actually, the previous book in this series, and enjoyed A Princess for Christmas, the first installment. But this one had none of the charm of the rest of the series. Right from the start I found both MCs unmemorable and felt zero chemistry between them. I knew going in this would be Hallmark movie-esque, but the other books in the series played into those tropes while adding additional surprises and fun. This book felt bland and completely run of the mill. I forced myself through it because it was an ARC, but I'd have abandoned it by chapter three if I'd have picked it up on my own because I was already bored at that point. I did like that there were queer side characters. The setting is still enchanting. And I still found some of the other side characters endearing. But the main characters and romance in this were utterly blah for me, I'm sorry to say. Maybe this will be a hit with other readers looking for a predictable holiday romance, but it missed the mark for me.
*ARC provided by NetGalley
*ARC provided by NetGalley
November 7, 2022
A charming sweet romance involving two grumpy characters??? A nice twist to the classic grumpy sunshine trope.
September 11, 2022
I am so sorry for my star rating. Like, it genuinely pains me to rate this at 2 stars, but I just don't think I can go any higher? I was so excited to read this, Duke, Actually was one of my favorite Christmas reads last year, and I love the setup of this whole series! But this book just didn't have the sparkle that the last two did.
I feel so bad, but I just didn't care? And it's not lost on me that saying it just felt unrealistic given the premise of the series is a little ridiculous, but I just didn't really buy into their relationship, and frankly, I really didn't like either Cara or Matteo. It was a slow burn without the burn. And it felt so much like reading...I don't know, a textbook on business efficiency? It was so much more about the business side of the story that any potential chemistry that there might have been got lost. I wanted this to work for me so badly, but it just didn't. And I'm devastated!
I don't know, maybe some people will really enjoy this? I will absolutely still recommend the first two books in the series, and I'm really excited to see where this goes next! I'm keeping my fingers crossed for Imogen and Kai!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book provided to me through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to the author and Avon for giving me the opportunity to read this book!
I feel so bad, but I just didn't care? And it's not lost on me that saying it just felt unrealistic given the premise of the series is a little ridiculous, but I just didn't really buy into their relationship, and frankly, I really didn't like either Cara or Matteo. It was a slow burn without the burn. And it felt so much like reading...I don't know, a textbook on business efficiency? It was so much more about the business side of the story that any potential chemistry that there might have been got lost. I wanted this to work for me so badly, but it just didn't. And I'm devastated!
I don't know, maybe some people will really enjoy this? I will absolutely still recommend the first two books in the series, and I'm really excited to see where this goes next! I'm keeping my fingers crossed for Imogen and Kai!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book provided to me through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to the author and Avon for giving me the opportunity to read this book!
January 3, 2023
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️✨
Tropes: enemies to lovers, forced proximity, work relations, castle/small village/christmas setting
Extra: pride and prejudice vibes and references
This book was so so good. It was an easy and addictive read. I loved the both main characters and the plot was entertaining and fresh. I loved the castle setting and the forced proximity between our fierce powerwoman and our dedicated, formal, yet caring male lead.
You can’t help but fall in love with the setting, the village and the dynamic our MC share. A good enemies to lovers to…, done in the best way. Definitely one of the best holiday books I’ve read this year. Definitely recommend adding this to your tbr!
I will absolutely pick up more books by this author!!!
Spice: 🌶️✨
Tropes: enemies to lovers, forced proximity, work relations, castle/small village/christmas setting
Extra: pride and prejudice vibes and references
This book was so so good. It was an easy and addictive read. I loved the both main characters and the plot was entertaining and fresh. I loved the castle setting and the forced proximity between our fierce powerwoman and our dedicated, formal, yet caring male lead.
You can’t help but fall in love with the setting, the village and the dynamic our MC share. A good enemies to lovers to…, done in the best way. Definitely one of the best holiday books I’ve read this year. Definitely recommend adding this to your tbr!
I will absolutely pick up more books by this author!!!
December 24, 2022
3.5⭐️ - this one lacked the overall charm and chemistry of the first two books in this series. It was ok, but I simply wasn’t as charmed by this couple.
November 28, 2022
This is the perfect book for anyone who loves Christmas, capitalism, and 0 chemistry between the main love interests- which is quite an egregiously awful trio.
In all honestly it wasn’t the worst book I’ve ever read, but the sheer amount of Star Wars and Star Trek references gave me so much of a headache that it had to be 2 stars instead of 3
In all honestly it wasn’t the worst book I’ve ever read, but the sheer amount of Star Wars and Star Trek references gave me so much of a headache that it had to be 2 stars instead of 3
December 8, 2023
Jenny Holiday takes us back to the oh-so christmassy and lovely Eldovia in So This Is Christmas - the third book in her Christmas In Eldovia series and I was so happy to be back!
Cara Delaney, a management consultant, is in Eldovia to help improve the country’s finances and economy. She’s covering for one of her employees after his accident and expects to be in and out by Christmas so she spend it with her parents in NYC. However, she finds herself at odds with Mr. Benz, the king’s equerry. Matteo Benz has always been proud to serve the Eldovian crown and to help it’s people when things are tough. So he’s rightfully concerned with the appearance of Cara, an American here with no consideration for his country’s traditions and values. As they work together to bring Eldovia back to its former glory during the Christmas festive season, Cara and Matteo discover themselves falling in love.
This ended up being an okay book for me. I think this is the weakest in the trilogy/series so far unfortunately. It wasn’t until 65% that I felt any sort of chemistry between Cara and Matteo. With the very slow beginning, I was wondering whether to just not continue - it does eventually build momentum and increase in intrigue, but it takes a while.
Both characters were well-crafted and fleshed out. Jenny Holiday really made sure we knew WHO they were and what their motives were, though I’ll say that it took up TOO much of the book. Like Cara’s whole point of being in Eldovia was to help the economy but for a Christmas romance book, I expected to read about a few meetings, probably a little research and then her conclusion - not like the full investigation. Like most conversations between Matteo and Cara was about her research/investigation. While fascinating at first, it got very boring very fast. It impacted my investment in their relationship because I couldn’t see one forming until they started talking about themselves. Which was 70% in. Like how Matteo loves Star Wars and Star Trek (and so does Cara!), how Cara keeps an inspirational Spock quote in her suitcase when she travels and how Matteo loves Jane Austen. Their whole argument about Pride and Prejudice was great. And their similar behaviour to Lizzie and Mr Darcy was well done - and I just wish that had been development more because it suited the storyline.
What sold the romance for me was when Matteo gave Cara a special edition of Pride and Prejudice. Like that’s the key to my heart, certainly.
This didn’t feel as Christmassy or as romance-heavy as I was craving it to be. I wasn’t as excited about this one as I did when I read the other two books.
Cara Delaney, a management consultant, is in Eldovia to help improve the country’s finances and economy. She’s covering for one of her employees after his accident and expects to be in and out by Christmas so she spend it with her parents in NYC. However, she finds herself at odds with Mr. Benz, the king’s equerry. Matteo Benz has always been proud to serve the Eldovian crown and to help it’s people when things are tough. So he’s rightfully concerned with the appearance of Cara, an American here with no consideration for his country’s traditions and values. As they work together to bring Eldovia back to its former glory during the Christmas festive season, Cara and Matteo discover themselves falling in love.
This ended up being an okay book for me. I think this is the weakest in the trilogy/series so far unfortunately. It wasn’t until 65% that I felt any sort of chemistry between Cara and Matteo. With the very slow beginning, I was wondering whether to just not continue - it does eventually build momentum and increase in intrigue, but it takes a while.
Both characters were well-crafted and fleshed out. Jenny Holiday really made sure we knew WHO they were and what their motives were, though I’ll say that it took up TOO much of the book. Like Cara’s whole point of being in Eldovia was to help the economy but for a Christmas romance book, I expected to read about a few meetings, probably a little research and then her conclusion - not like the full investigation. Like most conversations between Matteo and Cara was about her research/investigation. While fascinating at first, it got very boring very fast. It impacted my investment in their relationship because I couldn’t see one forming until they started talking about themselves. Which was 70% in. Like how Matteo loves Star Wars and Star Trek (and so does Cara!), how Cara keeps an inspirational Spock quote in her suitcase when she travels and how Matteo loves Jane Austen. Their whole argument about Pride and Prejudice was great. And their similar behaviour to Lizzie and Mr Darcy was well done - and I just wish that had been development more because it suited the storyline.
What sold the romance for me was when Matteo gave Cara a special edition of Pride and Prejudice. Like that’s the key to my heart, certainly.
This didn’t feel as Christmassy or as romance-heavy as I was craving it to be. I wasn’t as excited about this one as I did when I read the other two books.
November 29, 2022
Well... that was rough. It was like two grumpies and no sunshine and we needed some sort of sunshine. This book was so stiff and bland and boring. I tried. I even came back to it to try it again in case that would help. It didn't.
December 9, 2022
Rating: 3.5/5
Warnings: Difficult family dynamics
Steam: 2.5/5
I finally read So This Is Christmas! I was very behind on this book but thank you to Avon and NetGalley for access to this ARC...it is out and has been for awhile.
My thoughts on this book are mixed...overall, I did enjoy it. It did feel separate to thefirst two books and this one was very long, with one too many story lines. The slow pace of the story led me to be distracted while reading it.
I love some of the little moments between Matteo and Cara, but I also didn't buy into their romance. They spent much time being opposites to be in love by the end. I hesitate to recommend this one when the first two in the series are so much better IMO.
Warnings: Difficult family dynamics
Steam: 2.5/5
I finally read So This Is Christmas! I was very behind on this book but thank you to Avon and NetGalley for access to this ARC...it is out and has been for awhile.
My thoughts on this book are mixed...overall, I did enjoy it. It did feel separate to thefirst two books and this one was very long, with one too many story lines. The slow pace of the story led me to be distracted while reading it.
I love some of the little moments between Matteo and Cara, but I also didn't buy into their romance. They spent much time being opposites to be in love by the end. I hesitate to recommend this one when the first two in the series are so much better IMO.
December 18, 2023
Swing and a miss
September 13, 2022
So This is Christmas
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Genre: Romance
Format: Kindle eBook
Date Published: 10/4/22
Author: Jenny Holiday
Publisher: Avon Books
Pages: 384
GR: 3.19
I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley and Avon Books and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.
Synopsis: Matteo Benz has spent his life serving at the pleasure of the Eldovian crown. When he is tasked to aid a management consultant who has been flown in to help straighten out the king's affairs, he is instantly disturbed by her brash American manner--as well by an inconvenient attraction to the brainy beauty. Cara Delaney is in Eldovia to help clean up the king's financial affairs, but soon finds herself at odds with the very proper Mr. Benz. As intrigued by his good looks as she is annoyed by his dedication to tradition for its own sake, she slowly begins to see the real man behind the royal throne.
My Thoughts: This is the third book in the A Princess for Christmas Series. This book was a little slower pace than the previous two books in the series. The second half picked up and was just as heartwarming. I did the ebook on this one but I have read that the audiobook was phenomenal. This book can be read as a standalone as the author does an impeccable job at filling the character backstories. The characters were flushed out with depth, witty banter, chemistry and worked well together. The author’s writing style was complex, swoon-worthy, heartwarming, and kept me engaged throughout the story. I loved the fictional kingdom setting, it really gives off the festive holiday feel. The ending just fit the story perfectly, but I do not want to give anything away. This book releases next month and I would recommend preordering.
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Genre: Romance
Format: Kindle eBook
Date Published: 10/4/22
Author: Jenny Holiday
Publisher: Avon Books
Pages: 384
GR: 3.19
I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley and Avon Books and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.
Synopsis: Matteo Benz has spent his life serving at the pleasure of the Eldovian crown. When he is tasked to aid a management consultant who has been flown in to help straighten out the king's affairs, he is instantly disturbed by her brash American manner--as well by an inconvenient attraction to the brainy beauty. Cara Delaney is in Eldovia to help clean up the king's financial affairs, but soon finds herself at odds with the very proper Mr. Benz. As intrigued by his good looks as she is annoyed by his dedication to tradition for its own sake, she slowly begins to see the real man behind the royal throne.
My Thoughts: This is the third book in the A Princess for Christmas Series. This book was a little slower pace than the previous two books in the series. The second half picked up and was just as heartwarming. I did the ebook on this one but I have read that the audiobook was phenomenal. This book can be read as a standalone as the author does an impeccable job at filling the character backstories. The characters were flushed out with depth, witty banter, chemistry and worked well together. The author’s writing style was complex, swoon-worthy, heartwarming, and kept me engaged throughout the story. I loved the fictional kingdom setting, it really gives off the festive holiday feel. The ending just fit the story perfectly, but I do not want to give anything away. This book releases next month and I would recommend preordering.
September 16, 2022
This was a fun, opposites attract, dual POV, enemies to lovers, relationship of convenience that turns into more as we revisit Eldovia when New York City business consultant Cara is hired to help improve the country's economy.
Not quite as good as Duke, Actually in my opinion, this was still a very entertaining holiday romance and I really enjoyed getting to see a new side of seemingly stiff, grumpy king's advisor Matteo.
Recommended for fans of A pint of contention by Susannah Nix or Royally not ready by Megan Quinn and great on audio narrated by Cynthia Farrell. Much thanks to NetGalley and @Libro.fm for a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review.
Not quite as good as Duke, Actually in my opinion, this was still a very entertaining holiday romance and I really enjoyed getting to see a new side of seemingly stiff, grumpy king's advisor Matteo.
Recommended for fans of A pint of contention by Susannah Nix or Royally not ready by Megan Quinn and great on audio narrated by Cynthia Farrell. Much thanks to NetGalley and @Libro.fm for a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review.
September 13, 2022
A light and easy holiday read with an amazing fictional kingdom setting, rich and snarky dialogue, good slow burn chemistry and great supporting characters. I will admit this book was slower paced when compared to the author’s two previous holiday reads, especially because a greater emphasis was placed on the backstory versus the romance, but the second half picked up and the ending brought all the feels. If you listen to audiobooks, the narration was GREAT with the various accents/ cast of characters depicted perfectly!
December 16, 2022
3.7 ⭐️
a cute setting but not enough xmas vibes throughout the book. didn’t feel much chemistry between the main characters but i liked how realistic “falling in love” was for them lol a little awkward and not too rushed. the obsession w nail polish was weird tho 🫥
a cute setting but not enough xmas vibes throughout the book. didn’t feel much chemistry between the main characters but i liked how realistic “falling in love” was for them lol a little awkward and not too rushed. the obsession w nail polish was weird tho 🫥
December 25, 2022
This book was the perfect Christmas read. Rivals to lovers, sugar and spice, and just enough Christmas magic to brighten up the season!
December 19, 2023
considering this is supposed to be a christmas book, there was nothing christmassy about this apart from the date.
September 19, 2022
Cara Delaney, 35-year-old business consultant, has to miss Thanksgiving with her family for a business trip to Eldovia, where she’s conducting a review of the watch manufacturing company that provides 60% of the small country’s GDP. She smells something fishy as she starts conducting interviews, though, when the CEO is very disappointed that the original analyst - laid up with a broken hip - isn’t available. The King of Eldovia is a shareholder (as is his daughter, the princess from book 1 in the series), and so the king’s equerry Matteo Benz is Cara’s main contact. Matteo is as starchy and proper as they come, and Cara may be buttoned up, but she’s still an American from New York, so clashing personalities and Cara’s business mission put the two of them at odds. And yet, the more time they spend together, the more they realize their similarities make them allies rather than at odds.
This was really cute, and I liked Cara as a driven heroine, and Matteo as a very buttoned up hero. As someone who works in operations to improve efficiencies, I really liked Cara’s approach to her job, and as someone who was previously an executive assistant I appreciate Matteo’s diligence and attention to detail. Two people married to their jobs at Christmastime can be a recipe for disaster for a plot, and yet as their relationship develops, it’s nice to see them spend more time together outside of their work environment,
I did think there were a few too many plot elements going on. I love a good Star Wars vs Star Trek debate, but it felt out of place to get ten or so pages of it here, including a long debate on monarchical threads in Rise of Skywalker. Ok look, i totally *agree* with their conversation (and it was a cute way to get the two of them to agree on something ), and generally fall on Matteo’s Star Wars side of the argument… it's just a lot of extraneous commentary for a Christmas book. I think I could have gone with either the Pride and Prejudice analogies OR the Star Wars vs Star Trek conversations. Ultimately, I would have preferred extra pages be spent with the business component.
So This is Christmas definitely feels like a spicy-ish Netflix holiday movie, which isn't a bad thing, it just didn't have a lot of "extra" to offer for me. It’s a really fun read to help get in the Christmas spirit. You do not need to read the other books in the series first, but it might help introduce you to Eldovia.
3.5 rounded up to 4 stars for holiday spirit.
Thanks to @avonbooks and @Netgalley for the eARC of this for review. You can start Christmas early, as this one comes out 10/4/22.
This was really cute, and I liked Cara as a driven heroine, and Matteo as a very buttoned up hero. As someone who works in operations to improve efficiencies, I really liked Cara’s approach to her job, and as someone who was previously an executive assistant I appreciate Matteo’s diligence and attention to detail. Two people married to their jobs at Christmastime can be a recipe for disaster for a plot, and yet as their relationship develops, it’s nice to see them spend more time together outside of their work environment,
I did think there were a few too many plot elements going on. I love a good Star Wars vs Star Trek debate, but it felt out of place to get ten or so pages of it here, including a long debate on monarchical threads in Rise of Skywalker. Ok look, i totally *agree* with their conversation (and it was a cute way to get the two of them to agree on something ), and generally fall on Matteo’s Star Wars side of the argument… it's just a lot of extraneous commentary for a Christmas book. I think I could have gone with either the Pride and Prejudice analogies OR the Star Wars vs Star Trek conversations. Ultimately, I would have preferred extra pages be spent with the business component.
So This is Christmas definitely feels like a spicy-ish Netflix holiday movie, which isn't a bad thing, it just didn't have a lot of "extra" to offer for me. It’s a really fun read to help get in the Christmas spirit. You do not need to read the other books in the series first, but it might help introduce you to Eldovia.
3.5 rounded up to 4 stars for holiday spirit.
Thanks to @avonbooks and @Netgalley for the eARC of this for review. You can start Christmas early, as this one comes out 10/4/22.
February 1, 2023
Matteo Benz devotes himself to the Eldovian crown. When he is tasked to aid the consultant hwho is going to help straighten out the king's affairs, he's uncertain how how she's going to handle it and not disturb Eldovia. Meanwhile, Cara is here to do a job and in a constant battle with Mr. Benz as they both struggle to see each other's position. When they start to work together, they realize that maybe the other isn't as bad as they originally thought.
This really had all the makings of a Hallmark-esque story. In fact, it was a Hallmark-esque story! Even with that being the case, and this having so many holiday vibes, the heart just wasn't there for me.
A lot of the plot is focused on the business aspect. On how Cara is going to handle the king's affrais and hopefully do it in a way that lays off as few people as possible in the process. Matteo ends up helping her along the way as they begin to discover more about what is going on. I don't know if it was because that was a big focus of it or what, but it was a bland read for me. The plot was nothing spectacular. Nothing stood out from it. It didn't have a surprise or even predictable twist that had me a little interested in what was going on. It was there.
Unfortunately, Cara and Matteo fell into that same boat. There was nothing spectacular about that that made them characters that were going to have a lasting impression or even one that would last for more than half an hour after finishing the book.
Their romance didn't feel like a romance. It felt more like they were coworkers than anything. There was such a lack of chemistry between them that I sometimes forgot this was supposed to be a romance story.
I haven't read the other stories in this series, so I don't know if having more back story about the world would have helped any. I'm still curious about the other two in this series, but this one fell flat and didn't work for me.
This really had all the makings of a Hallmark-esque story. In fact, it was a Hallmark-esque story! Even with that being the case, and this having so many holiday vibes, the heart just wasn't there for me.
A lot of the plot is focused on the business aspect. On how Cara is going to handle the king's affrais and hopefully do it in a way that lays off as few people as possible in the process. Matteo ends up helping her along the way as they begin to discover more about what is going on. I don't know if it was because that was a big focus of it or what, but it was a bland read for me. The plot was nothing spectacular. Nothing stood out from it. It didn't have a surprise or even predictable twist that had me a little interested in what was going on. It was there.
Unfortunately, Cara and Matteo fell into that same boat. There was nothing spectacular about that that made them characters that were going to have a lasting impression or even one that would last for more than half an hour after finishing the book.
Their romance didn't feel like a romance. It felt more like they were coworkers than anything. There was such a lack of chemistry between them that I sometimes forgot this was supposed to be a romance story.
I haven't read the other stories in this series, so I don't know if having more back story about the world would have helped any. I'm still curious about the other two in this series, but this one fell flat and didn't work for me.
November 20, 2022
"Mr. Benz, may I propose something?"
"You may propose anything you like."
It pains me to write this because I enjoyed “Duke, Actually” so much! But sadly this one didn’t work for me.
What I loved was Matteo and Cara as characters. I personally haven’t come across many characters in romance books quite like them. I loved that they were both family oriented, Star Wars/Trek fans and also workaholics.
What didn’t work for me was the main conflict and the pacing. The idea of Cara coming to assess the country’s financials (businesses, etc) kept me separate from the Christmas aspect of the plot. Also the characters were very hot and cold throughout the book and then bam: they were in love.
I think overall they are a good match but maybe I needed more pining/tension throughout (and don’t get me wrong, there was pining). But the pacing overall felt very slow even though the characters only had a month together (until Christmas).
Don’t let this review dissuade you from Jenny Holidays’s other work! This one specifically just wasn’t a good fit for me.
I would love to have an Imogen POV book if that’s an option 😂.
2.5/5⭐️
"You may propose anything you like."
It pains me to write this because I enjoyed “Duke, Actually” so much! But sadly this one didn’t work for me.
What I loved was Matteo and Cara as characters. I personally haven’t come across many characters in romance books quite like them. I loved that they were both family oriented, Star Wars/Trek fans and also workaholics.
What didn’t work for me was the main conflict and the pacing. The idea of Cara coming to assess the country’s financials (businesses, etc) kept me separate from the Christmas aspect of the plot. Also the characters were very hot and cold throughout the book and then bam: they were in love.
I think overall they are a good match but maybe I needed more pining/tension throughout (and don’t get me wrong, there was pining). But the pacing overall felt very slow even though the characters only had a month together (until Christmas).
Don’t let this review dissuade you from Jenny Holidays’s other work! This one specifically just wasn’t a good fit for me.
I would love to have an Imogen POV book if that’s an option 😂.
2.5/5⭐️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 27, 2022
This book was sadly disappointing. I really enjoyed the second book in the series: Duke, Actually - Particularly loved the characters and the witty banter. I was looking forward to this next instalment in the series.
Unfortunately, this one fell flat on all counts. I was sadly bored throughout the entirety of book. The plot was dull, the characters flat, and I could not detect an inkling of spark between the MC’s. Both the romance and the sub-plot were of no interest to me. I still can’t understand Mr. Benz’s appeal... I get that they were trying to give him a more formal/royal persona, but I honestly could not picture him as a love interest, let alone in his 30’s. I was also hoping to see more of the characters from the previous books in the series.
That being said, the setting did give off idyllic royal Hallmark movie vibes which was cute and festive. I can also appreciate the girl-boss attitude of the MC. Perhaps a good holiday read for others, but this was not for me.
Unfortunately, this one fell flat on all counts. I was sadly bored throughout the entirety of book. The plot was dull, the characters flat, and I could not detect an inkling of spark between the MC’s. Both the romance and the sub-plot were of no interest to me. I still can’t understand Mr. Benz’s appeal... I get that they were trying to give him a more formal/royal persona, but I honestly could not picture him as a love interest, let alone in his 30’s. I was also hoping to see more of the characters from the previous books in the series.
That being said, the setting did give off idyllic royal Hallmark movie vibes which was cute and festive. I can also appreciate the girl-boss attitude of the MC. Perhaps a good holiday read for others, but this was not for me.
October 6, 2022
*Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. Pub date: October 4, 2022
Another fun holiday romance in this series—think Hallmark movie but the steam is on the page! This one is a slow burn enemies to lovers—set in the fantastic fictional and Christmas-obsessed Eldovia. While I didn’t fly through this one like Duke, Actually, I enjoyed the slower ride and all the snarky dialogue along the way! I could’ve done with less focus on their jobs and work all the time but this is still a fab cozy fall read!
Another fun holiday romance in this series—think Hallmark movie but the steam is on the page! This one is a slow burn enemies to lovers—set in the fantastic fictional and Christmas-obsessed Eldovia. While I didn’t fly through this one like Duke, Actually, I enjoyed the slower ride and all the snarky dialogue along the way! I could’ve done with less focus on their jobs and work all the time but this is still a fab cozy fall read!
November 7, 2022
DNF at 65%
I didn’t love Princess, Duke was so fun and delightful, and this one was fairly boring. It might have been the narrator and her voice for the MMC made me cringe. Ultimately, I didn’t care for it enough to want to keep going.
Matteo is featured in the other two and his story was one I was interested in. I think the fun holiday romance that could have been got lost in their workaholic mentalities. It was a business room meeting instead of a wintery escape to a small European kingdom.
Thank you to Harper Audio for the alc. Ally thoughts in this review are my own.
I didn’t love Princess, Duke was so fun and delightful, and this one was fairly boring. It might have been the narrator and her voice for the MMC made me cringe. Ultimately, I didn’t care for it enough to want to keep going.
Matteo is featured in the other two and his story was one I was interested in. I think the fun holiday romance that could have been got lost in their workaholic mentalities. It was a business room meeting instead of a wintery escape to a small European kingdom.
Thank you to Harper Audio for the alc. Ally thoughts in this review are my own.
December 30, 2022
IM FINALLY FREE
This book was just straight up awful the two characters have no chemistry whatsoever and the way that Matteo talks is so awful (he has negative rizz)
The only two good things to come out of this book were:
1. The name Mr. Benz is so fun to say
2. The mention of Mr.Benz wearing a 1989 world tour sweatshirt is probably one of the funniest things I’ve ever read
This book was just straight up awful the two characters have no chemistry whatsoever and the way that Matteo talks is so awful (he has negative rizz)
The only two good things to come out of this book were:
1. The name Mr. Benz is so fun to say
2. The mention of Mr.Benz wearing a 1989 world tour sweatshirt is probably one of the funniest things I’ve ever read
June 15, 2022
I received an ARC of, So This is Christmas, by Jenny Holiday. I love Christmas romance novels. An American woman (Cara), is working in a foreign country, when she meets Matteo! Sparks fly wile working together, will their romance last?
December 4, 2022
this was great but loses a star for shitting on the Star Wars prequels
November 20, 2023
A woman didn’t give up her beloved job for a man? I’m sold
January 24, 2024
Great book with fantastic characters. I love Matteo Benz. My final Xmas book of the season
Read
November 17, 2022I draw the line for F-Bombs in Christmas Books
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