Member Review
Review by
Sara B, Reviewer
Make you mine this Christmas by Lizzie Huxley-Jones.
Thank you Netgallery for a ARC e-book copy for an unbiased review.
Well that was a total blast! Hallmark could learn a thing or two on how to write a queer Christmas movie from this book. Once I started, I could not put it down.
That opening sequence with Haf's parents and technology? Let's just say a lot of us have been there, and I was hoping the rest of the book continued in a similar vein. I wasn't disappointed. If anything, the book hit its stride and just got better.
Is it full of tropes? Yes. God, yes. But done in such a way they didn't feel stale or boring for me. And it's all the better for it.
Was it full of the feel good factor? Yes. Totally. I realised about a 3rd of the way through I was genuinely smiling! If a book it making you subconsciously smile, then it is definitely doing something right.
Was it laugh out loud? I did totally laugh out loud. More than once. Drawing looks from both our cats and my husband, who then shrugged as they saw I was reading as I carried on sniggering to myself.
On the note of my husband, we are both bi (he is also trans) so the representation was great to see.
I was also glad to see how disability was represented. As someone with multiple chronic illnesses and disabled myself, it was heartening to see it broached in a way that meant it was there in an extremely realistic manner.
The e-book and audio book come out ahead of the printed version (I haven't checked but wonder if the issues publishers have had with paper shortages have delayed the print version?)
Whatever the reason, pre-order this if you want a fun, delightful, queer rom-com book, as this one is for you!
Even if you're not LGBTQIA+ I feel this book could easily be read by others outside of the community, and that is probably as good an endorsement I can make about it. Because although it is written with specific groups in mind, it is good enough to be read beyond that.
But don't make the mistake I did of beginning to read it later in the day. 3am was not a fun existence for my eyes, as I desperately clutched my tablet, trying to continue reading that last 12% of the book.
Make sure you start on a day where your schedule is clear, and start early. So you can savour this in one sitting.
I was sad to see this one end. I didn't want it to end. But unfortunately end it must, so here I am writing this review and wondering how quickly I can read it all again.
Bravo Lizzie. Bravo. A book that will definitely become part of my regular read again pile, particularly once Christmas approaches.
5/5 stars was easy to give.
Thank you Netgallery for a ARC e-book copy for an unbiased review.
Well that was a total blast! Hallmark could learn a thing or two on how to write a queer Christmas movie from this book. Once I started, I could not put it down.
That opening sequence with Haf's parents and technology? Let's just say a lot of us have been there, and I was hoping the rest of the book continued in a similar vein. I wasn't disappointed. If anything, the book hit its stride and just got better.
Is it full of tropes? Yes. God, yes. But done in such a way they didn't feel stale or boring for me. And it's all the better for it.
Was it full of the feel good factor? Yes. Totally. I realised about a 3rd of the way through I was genuinely smiling! If a book it making you subconsciously smile, then it is definitely doing something right.
Was it laugh out loud? I did totally laugh out loud. More than once. Drawing looks from both our cats and my husband, who then shrugged as they saw I was reading as I carried on sniggering to myself.
On the note of my husband, we are both bi (he is also trans) so the representation was great to see.
I was also glad to see how disability was represented. As someone with multiple chronic illnesses and disabled myself, it was heartening to see it broached in a way that meant it was there in an extremely realistic manner.
The e-book and audio book come out ahead of the printed version (I haven't checked but wonder if the issues publishers have had with paper shortages have delayed the print version?)
Whatever the reason, pre-order this if you want a fun, delightful, queer rom-com book, as this one is for you!
Even if you're not LGBTQIA+ I feel this book could easily be read by others outside of the community, and that is probably as good an endorsement I can make about it. Because although it is written with specific groups in mind, it is good enough to be read beyond that.
But don't make the mistake I did of beginning to read it later in the day. 3am was not a fun existence for my eyes, as I desperately clutched my tablet, trying to continue reading that last 12% of the book.
Make sure you start on a day where your schedule is clear, and start early. So you can savour this in one sitting.
I was sad to see this one end. I didn't want it to end. But unfortunately end it must, so here I am writing this review and wondering how quickly I can read it all again.
Bravo Lizzie. Bravo. A book that will definitely become part of my regular read again pile, particularly once Christmas approaches.
5/5 stars was easy to give.
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