Review: The Most Wonderful Time by Jayne Allen
Thank you Harper Perennial for my copy! All thoughts are my own!
As much as I love Christmas and Christmas movies/books, I am very picky about the stories I choose to read each season. I look for books that have festive cheer and cozy settings, but that are also realistic and not too saccharine. When I came across The Most Wonderful Time, I was immediately intrigued by the comparison to The Holiday, one of my all time favorite films, and was pleasantly surprised by the depth of emotions and situations this book covered, while maintaining a coxy, festive atmosphere.
Synopsis:
“With Christmas around the corner, Ramona Tucker is desperate to get away. She has been lying to her family about her engagement to Malik, her (ex) fiancé. But breakups are fickle, and Ramona is convinced that she can make her pretend wedding real again—but only if she can avoid everyone discovering her secret at her mother’s over-the-top Christmas Eve party.
Two-thousand miles away in sunny Malibu, Chelsea Flint needs money to hold on to the beloved beachside cottage she shared with her late parents. The taxes are expensive, and her art isn’t paying the bills. Once an irresistible star of the Los Angeles art scene, Chelsea seems to have lost that spark that vaulted her to the top. If she doesn’t rediscover that magic—and sell a painting—soon, it will be her family’s home she’s selling instead.
The two women swap homes, just in time, thanks to some careful planning by Ramona’s best friend and a sturdy nudge from Chelsea’s gallerist godmother. Ramona’s Malibu dreams of sun and surf are interrupted as her first night brings an unwelcome stranger to her door, making her question who she can trust—the meddling neighbor Joan, or Jay, the handsome beachside fitness instructor with a secret of his own. Chelsea, desperate for Ramona to stay, hides what she knows—even if that means jeopardizing her budding connection with charming Carlos, whose dreams for his future could be the very key to unlock Chelsea from the weight of her past.
Combining escapist fun and sizzling romance, a dose of poignant self-reflection, and a little holiday magic, The Most Wonderful Time is a warm and relatable novel that will delight at Christmas and throughout the year.”—NetGalley
What I Liked:
The Concept—Like I said, The Holiday is one of my favorite films. I liked that this was a more diverse take on it and in two very places, Malibu and Chicago.
The Heart—This book had a lot of heart and addressed a lot of really important things, especially racism and how it relates to geography and activities.
The Settings—I haven’t been to Malibu before I have spent a lot of time in Chicago and I could feel the bitter cold wind off the lake!
What Didn’t Work:
The Pacing—I read the audio version of the book which could be a contributer, but I just felt like the timeline of things was a little funky and it made it hard for me to be invested in the relationships.
Character Authenticity: 4/5 Spice Rating: 1/5 Overall Rating: 4/5
Content Warnings:
racism