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A review by hann_cant_read
The Ex-Mas Holidays by Zoe Allison
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
ugh. I should have just dnf'd.
It's the miscommunication trope, but it also just doesn't make any sense to any logical thinking person.
To start, Maya and Sam had a fling when they were 18 - and then the night when they're gonna "go all the way" her bitch ass friend Cat lies to both of them and convinces the other that they each are "breaking up" through her.
And then Sam proceeds to bang it out with Cat, and date her on and off for 5 years.
Maya stops being friends with Cat that night, because she hooked up with Sam despite knowing about Maya and him. So she knows Cat is terrible, but her being a super random breakup message deliverer is just never questioned, even years later?
So Maya's dumb. Established.
But Sam just sucks man. Yes Cat is a cartoonish style villain, she lied and she'll keep lying forever. But Sam, idk. Like your girl's friend randomly tells you she doesn't want to be with you anymore so you hook up with said friend? It's framed like we're just supposed to blame Cat but that's an objectively shitty thing to do. Yet somehow Maya is out here apologizing?
To make matters weirder, Sam really doesn't care about Cat but continues to date her anyway, even as he's getting jealous over Maya etc. He's in a relationship 80% of the way through the book and then has the audacity to say he didn't cheat on Cat. Like, yeah bud. Emotionally (and almost physically a few times) you really did. She sucks for sure. But just end it. She's framed as super toxic, mentally and emotionally abusive, but because she was just so cartoonish it really fell flat as to why he would even stick around and deal with it.
The entire "rebuilding" of Maya and Sam's relationship isn't growth, it's just whiplash. They keep starting to joke around but then "remember" that the other one actually is so grossed out/disgusted by them that they randomly just act super mean.
Also the side plot. Listen, Maya I know you don't want to be an accountant anymore. But like, a part time ski instructor really won't cut it. Your job doesn't need to be your passion. The Resort NEEDS an accountant! Why is this glossed over?! Then you can make a livable wage AND have your passion project.
TL/DR Maya is kinda dumb, but Sam really kind of sucks and she deserves better.
It's the miscommunication trope, but it also just doesn't make any sense to any logical thinking person.
To start, Maya and Sam had a fling when they were 18 - and then the night when they're gonna "go all the way" her bitch ass friend Cat lies to both of them and convinces the other that they each are "breaking up" through her.
And then Sam proceeds to bang it out with Cat, and date her on and off for 5 years.
Maya stops being friends with Cat that night, because she hooked up with Sam despite knowing about Maya and him. So she knows Cat is terrible, but her being a super random breakup message deliverer is just never questioned, even years later?
So Maya's dumb. Established.
But Sam just sucks man. Yes Cat is a cartoonish style villain, she lied and she'll keep lying forever. But Sam, idk. Like your girl's friend randomly tells you she doesn't want to be with you anymore so you hook up with said friend? It's framed like we're just supposed to blame Cat but that's an objectively shitty thing to do. Yet somehow Maya is out here apologizing?
To make matters weirder, Sam really doesn't care about Cat but continues to date her anyway, even as he's getting jealous over Maya etc. He's in a relationship 80% of the way through the book and then has the audacity to say he didn't cheat on Cat. Like, yeah bud. Emotionally (and almost physically a few times) you really did. She sucks for sure. But just end it. She's framed as super toxic, mentally and emotionally abusive, but because she was just so cartoonish it really fell flat as to why he would even stick around and deal with it.
The entire "rebuilding" of Maya and Sam's relationship isn't growth, it's just whiplash. They keep starting to joke around but then "remember" that the other one actually is so grossed out/disgusted by them that they randomly just act super mean.
Also the side plot. Listen, Maya I know you don't want to be an accountant anymore. But like, a part time ski instructor really won't cut it. Your job doesn't need to be your passion. The Resort NEEDS an accountant! Why is this glossed over?! Then you can make a livable wage AND have your passion project.
TL/DR Maya is kinda dumb, but Sam really kind of sucks and she deserves better.