I loved the premise of Becky Monson’s Book! I adored the storyline, the characters, and the setting from the first sentence to the last.
After a disastrous family Thanksgiving, Mara is fed up with the holidays and plans an escape to the Virgin Islands for Christmas with her best friend, Cami. Well, until her father sends her on an unexpected business trip to the holly-jolly, small town of Hallmark movie cliches.
From their first hilarious meeting involving mistletoe and two lively and elderly, female bed-and-breakfast owners, Mara and Noel were delightful. Noel was so sweet with Mara, and when the instant sparks flew between them, I appreciated the slow burn. The progression of their relationship was perfectly written. They were truly believable characters falling in love … sweet, pure, and simply enchanting.
The setting for this book was perfect! I’ve always wanted to live in a small town as it calls to this introvert. Maybe it’s the slower pace of life. Maybe it’s the quaint shops and cafes or the closeness of the residents. Maybe it’s the off the beaten path location. More than likely, it’s all of the above and so much more. If I was offered the opportunity, I would move to a small town exactly like this one.
As I’m sure you’ve realized, How to Ruin the Holidays was a superbly written funny, wholesome, and heartfelt read … full of witty banter and dialogue and with characters you want to root for.