Review: Once Upon a Winter's Eve by Tessa Dare

Series: Spindle Cove Book 1.5
Format: Ebook
Rating: 5 Stars
How I Got It: Purchased
Genre: Historical Romance
Publisher: Avon

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

Violet Winterbottom is a quiet girl. She speaks six languages, but seldom raises her voice. She endured bitter heartbreak in perfect silence. The gentlemen aren't beating down her door.

Until the night of the Spindle Cove Christmas ball, when a mysterious stranger crashes into the ballroom and collapses at Violet's feet. His coarse attire and near-criminal good looks would put any sensible young lady on her guard. He's wet, chilled, bleeding, and speaking in an unfamiliar tongue.

Only Violet understands him. And she knows he's not what he seems.

She has one night to draw forth the secrets of this dangerously handsome rogue. Is he a smuggler? A fugitive? An enemy spy? She needs answers by sunrise, but her captive would rather seduce than confess. To learn his secrets, Violet must reveal hers and open herself to adventure, passion, and the unthinkable... Love.

Warning: The heroine packs a pistol, the hero curses in multiple languages, and together they steam up a cold winter s night. "

 
Review

Oh my god, that's probably the best novella I've read. Definitely romance novella. And it was very fast paced-mainly takes place in one night-which is normally a turn-off for me.

I don't want to spoil things, but the characters and their story is beautiful. Ms. Dare took one of my least favorite tropes and made it compelling. Violet definitely stole the show. She has so much sass and strength under her wallflower shell.

And the pacing. This is how you do a well-written romance. The time is so compressed, but the characters face conflicts (internal and external) in a natural way. The romance truly had a beginning, middle, and end (Happily Ever After).

I've said before that writing a novella is a particular skill set and not everyone can do it. But Tessa Dare sure can. I want more of these characters in the best possible way.

Probably, the best compliment I can give this is that I wanted to immediately read it again when I finished it. That doesn't happen very often.

Thanks for reading!
Holly

The Girl Who Woke the Dreamer by Laini Taylor

My True Love Gave to Me

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 28

Rating: 3 Stars

How I Got It: Purchased

               

                I’m starting to think Laini Taylor is not my kind of author. I struggled to rate this story, because there weren’t many specific things I can point to as a problem.

                The pace was slow and I found it rather boring. I was forcing myself to finish because it was the last story and I wanted to finish. But I think others especially those that enjoy Ms. Taylor’s other works would really like this story.

                I will say I was a little confused about what happened and the world. I think it’s a fantasy story, but I’m not sure. And the “romance” fell a little flat for me.

Beer Buckets and Baby Jesus by Myra McEntire

My True Love Gave to Me

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 25

Rating: 3 Stars

How I Got It: Purchased

                This one was kind of forgettable. It was entertaining, but nothing special.

                I don’t even really know what to say. The characters were moderately interesting, but I didn’t connect with them. And I was kind of confused about some of the things that were going on or happened.

                I can appreciate another story told from a male POV though.

What the Hell Have You Done, Sophie Roth? By Gayle Forman

My True Love Gave to Me

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 24

Rating: 4 Stars

How I Got It: Purchased

                Another different story. This one covered racial differences, religious differences, and had some foul language.

                Initially, Sophie was kind of a tough pill to swallow. I get that she felt out of place, but she was kind of judgmental and pretentious. I can forgive this because she does grow in this short story.

                Ms. Forman also navigates stereotypes and expectations well. Now, that I think about it more a huge theme seems to surround this.

                I also liked the way Jewish traditions were handled. It didn’t feel like she was info-dumping, but was still informative. This is definitely one of the stronger stories in the anthology.

Krampuslauf by Holly Black

My True Love Gave to Me

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 26

Rating: 3 Stars

How I Got It: Purchased

                This was definitely a different story. It had more fantasy or paranormal elements.

                It also focused less on the romantic elements. At least in the traditional way. I get that’s a huge part of this anthology, but it was a nice change of pace. Plus, it’s a holiday story that doesn’t go with Santa or more traditional themes.

                While I enjoyed it, I did struggle with connecting to the main character. I mean I can’t even remember her name. It’s not a good sign when you’re already forgetting things in less than a day.

Your Temporary Santa by David Levithan

My True Love Gave to Me

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 14

Rating: 3 Stars

How I Got It: Purchased

                Honestly, I felt this story was lacking, but I’m not sure what. Maybe it’s too complex for me or it would make more sense on a re-read.

                It did have an interesting sense of humor. It was very dry which I can appreciate.

                This definitely felt like a character study of the main character. But I wish more had been revealed/explained when it came to the other characters like his boyfriend and the boyfriend’s family.

Thanks for reading!

~Holly 

It’s a Yuletide Miracle, Charlie Brown by Stephanie Perkins

My True Love Gave to Me

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 32

Rating: 4 Stars

How I Got It: Purchased

                I really enjoyed this story. It felt like Christmas. Or, at least, what Hallmark movies make you think Christmas should be. And this story would make a cute holiday short movie.

                Ms. Perkins did a spectacular job creating North and Marigold. They felt like well-developed characters. And I loved their relationship. They played off each other well and it was cute.

                The story also ended with so much hope and joy. You know-like any good Christmas story. And just like Rainbow Rowell’s story I’m satisfied, but would love to spend more time with these characters, because I liked them that much.

 Thanks for reading!
~Holly