Series: The Ever After Street #4 (Standalone)
Publication Date: 02nd Sep 2024
Purchase Link: https://mybook.to/christmasaftersocial
Goodreads Book Page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/212346662-christmas-ever-after
Genre: Small Town Christmas Romance
4 Stars
One Liner: A sweet Christmassy read
Book Blurb:
A picture-perfect town, a place where dreams come
true. Welcome to Ever After Street...
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, but Franca
Andrews has never felt more miserable. With business far from bustling, she
needs a Christmas miracle to keep her beloved nutcracker shop open... But
there’s one man standing in her way - expert snow globe maker Raff Dardenne.
Dardenne Snow Globes have a magical reputation for
bringing lovers together, a myth that Raff continues to exploit, much to
Franca’s annoyance! But this Christmas their shops are pitted against each
other and only one gets to stay on Ever After Street. Franca doesn't know how
her handmade nutcrackers are ever going to compete with Raff's magical snow
globes, especially at the most magical time of the year!
Franca is determined to prove Raff’s business is
built on lies. But when disaster strikes, and she’s left unable to make
anything, she needs help. It’s just very frustrating that the only person
offering is her gorgeous, annoying, nemesis himself!
As these two enemies get to know each other, Franca
discovers another side to Raff – kind, caring, and funny. But unless she can
prove that his magical snow globes can’t really match true lovers together,
she’s going to lose everything…
But maybe it's not too late for them to put aside
their differences and find some Christmas magic of their own?
***
My Thoughts:
The story comes in Franc’s first-person POV.
The fourth book in the series can be read as a standalone. It has an enemies-to-lovers trope where two business owners and artisans fight to retain their spot on Ever After Street.
As always, the characters are layered and flawed,
making it easy to empathize with them or want to cheer for them. They are in
their late 30s, with enough issues in the past.
I love how the author creates such perfect book
boyfriends. Raff is warm, kind-hearted, compassionate, talented, and cheerful.
His relationship with his family is beautiful but not perfect. He has an
unwanted burden on his shoulders and doesn’t know how to deal with it.
Franc is a disillusioned and cynical character who
slowly reconnects with her soft side. Her argument does feel immature but not
unrealistic (it makes sense given her childhood). She is a good person and
willing to admit her mistakes. Her arc is encouraging and reassuring.
The ‘enmity’ doesn’t last long. Things start to thaw
rather early in the book but I like it since we see the natural progress of
their relationship (something the author excels in writing). I absolutely love
how their interactions change both of them for the better but gradually.
Do I have to repeat how the author writes the best
hugs? Makes me go awww every single time!
There is a sort of third-act breakup but more of a
resigned move than due to miscommunication or a fight). Think of it as a short
lull where they take a deep breath and resume the story. The ending is, of
course, hopeful and heartwarming.
We also get the background details about the
processing of making a wooden nutcracker. The details are woven into the plot
and presented in different scenes to enhance the narrative. The ideas for
future projects (nutcrackers and snowglobes) are so cool!
Ever After Street is a magical place, but with some
‘strict’ owners who tend to cause some or other issues for the shop owners.
Well, we need conflict and some of their concerns are legit, so no complaints.
The side characters this time are mainly Raff’s family
and a couple of shop owners. Sofia (7yo) is such a doll! Adorable.
To summarize, Christmas Ever After is a heartwarming
and festive addition to the series. The pacing is slow (there’s some repetition
in the first half). Settle down with the book and a cup of hot chocolate to
enjoy the story of finding love and rediscovering the magic of Christmas.
Thank you, Rachel's Random Resources and
Boldwood Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest
opinion about the book.
#NetGalley
***
About the Author – Jaimie Admans
Follow the Author –
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Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/JaimieAdmansNews
Bookbub Profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jaimie-admans
***
This has been a stop on the #ChristmasEverAfter blog tour conducted by Rachel's Random Resources. (@rararesources) Thanks for stopping by!
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