bookishobsessedmama's reviews
443 reviews

this is probably one of my favorite FMCs i’ve read lately - she was so relatable and just perfectly imperfect. She shed so much REAL light on grief and just motherhood that you don’t always see in books. Generally FMC single moms are depicted in unrelatable ways. 

Overall the plot was enjoyable and gave a more low key christmasy / wintery vibe and i liked that. A lot of christmas books are generally all the same plot wise, but this was different and fun. 

The “enemies” to lovers vibe did its job here, but just add cookies to everything and you’ll be laughing, smiling & wanting to bake immediately. 

I would definitely recommend this to my peers! 

3.75 ⭐️ 

Overall, this was a sweet story of growth and self boundaries. I enjoyed the FMC and enjoyed her personal growth throughout the story. I thought the MMC was enjoyable, but wasn’t anything super special. 

I didn’t enjoy that the FMC’s fiance was strung along for the first 75% of the book, but when you take a step back while she was thinking that she didn’t want to be married i think she also just thought it was what she was supposed to do. Was there emotional infidelity, maybe? BUT i think overall she just needed to set some personal boundaries and figure out what she truly wanted in life. 

I enjoyed the basic plot points of the book as well - the concept of an outside lawyer coming in and her “getting to know” the deceased couple. It was fresh and new to me and i liked that. 

The narration was well done & that’s why it got the extra .75 ⭐️ 

You’ll find: Grumpy/Sunshine, “enemies” to lovers, Tension but no spice, romantic comedy 

Overall, i’d recommend it but would be clear on the blurry line of emotional infidelity that occurs in the book! 

This was enjoyable during, but won’t leave a lasting impression long term. 

I enjoyed this. It had likable characters, a cozy setting and an entertaining plot. Overall it was an enjoyable read and I would definitely recommend it as a holiday read with hallmark ESK vibes, but it doesn’t leave a lasting impression. 

It felt a bit, overdone and not that interesting or crazy happened. I would say that i will most likely forget about this books, but if you’re looking for a cute, low energy holiday palate cleanser read - i’d definitely recommend this one! 

It gives: grumpy/sunshine, christmas baking & some matchmaking 🎅🏼 

I really liked the idea of this book - it would have been a super cute “enemies” to lovers romance, but it was missing some key aspects for me that unfortunately has the romance side of the story fall super flat. 

I really loved the idea of the travel company, i think there was such a special opportunity to build chemistry and romance between the two characters, but I didn’t feel that at all. 

There was 0 tension built and the build up, in my opinion, wasn’t super entertaining. Due to that i didn’t find my self rooting for them, i got to the point where i really didn’t care if they got together or not. 

I felt that for a holiday romance, it lacked a lot of holiday aspects / that cozy feeling you get when reading a holiday romance.. 

It had potential and i loved the FMCs growth, but overall it wasn’t my favorite. 

3.25 ⭐️ 

This was a cute, simple hallmark-esk Christmas love story. I do feel like it may have been missing a little something though. I’m not quite sure what though, I just think overall it fell a little flat for me. 

I really didn’t connect with or enjoy the FMC. I found her to be really annoying and i feel like at least once every conversation she brought up how much she hated her role. I get the frustration she had with it and the overall dislike for the situation, but i feel like it was beat a little bit too much throughout the story. 

I also think that this particular story would have been a bit more enjoyable if it was dual POV. 

The author did a good job pairing the picture throughout the story. You got a really good picture of the side characters and the setting and i enjoyed that. 

Overall, you know what you’re getting when you pick this up. There wasn’t anything special or extra about it. But it’s a simple read that will def put you in the christmas spirit. 

this was cute, but it wasn’t anything special for me 🤷🏼‍♀️ 

I think you can create such a sweet, lovable world and characters in a short story, but this felt like it kind of missed the mark when it comes to that. 

In my opinion, the MMC needed a whole book to develop because i feel like he kinda felt a bit creepy. 🙈 

overall, it wasn’t bad - if you’re an Ali fan like I am, i would recommend reading. I just think it needed more pages and more care.

Overall, this was a sweet story and a super simple, easy read. It gives all the small town vibes and the MCs are very sweet and have a lot of character growth. The story is absolutely character driven and not plot driven at all - that’s not an issue for me. BUT i felt overall it lacked a bit of spark and entertainment in the story. 

The biggest plot point is her grandparents ran a marijuana farm. I didn’t mind that, but it felt like due to the lack of plot it was mentioned literally every other sentence once it was found out by the FMC. 

I think that the basis of the book is good, it just fell a bit short for me. 

Tropes: 
-Small Town Vibes 
-Spice 
-GrumpyISH / sunshineISH
-Opposites Attract 

I would recommend to my peers as a palate cleanser or a simple, easy read. I would consider read more by this author.  

Liss Montoya is officially 2 for 2 for me! 
5 STARRRSSZZZZ 📣 

I absolutely loved everything about this! The writing is so bingable and relatable! I absolutely adore how Liss writes! Her characters are down to Earth and relatable and that makes you love them and root for them so much! 

This particular story was so riveting and kept you on the edge of your seat throughout due to the context! Book 1’s plot was more action based and you were constantly waiting to see what would happen, while this one was more love drawn and edge of your seat romance. 

I really enjoyed the plot! You’ll find:
-Inexperienced MMC 
-Brief Secret Dating 
-Professor / Student 
-Amnesia 
-He Falls First 
-Billionaire 

I really enjoyed the scene where she got her memory back! It was so wholesome. I was worried we were setting up to have a third act conflict of her getting mad no one told her about him in her past, but she didn’t give us that and i LOVED that.

Overall another really enjoyable plot, characters and story from Liss! I would absolutely recommend to my peers & will definitely be continuing to read this author! 

4.25 ⭐️ 

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book and its characters! The writing is super bingable and overall a super enjoyable read. 

The slow burn is TOP TIER. The MCs first kiss is over halfway through the book and i never once wished it was getting spicier faster! The glances, the touches, the tension was 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 

I absolutely adored the FMC. Boss energy when she didn’t get the promotion she deserved so she quit on the spot. She knew what she was worth and she stood on business. 👏🏼 👏🏼 

I didn’t read the first book in series - and while i was able to enjoy and really love the characters, I think it would have added even more to the story to have read them in order. So while I don’t think you have too to love the book, i’d say start from book 1! 😊 

Our book boyfriend was top tier. A quiet football player who also co-owns  a CUPCAKE shop. PLEASE. that in and of itself is enough - but he’s such a little romantic, teddy bear it makes it 10x better. 

Tropes:
-Brother’s best friend 
-It’s ALWAYS been you 
-Football / Bakery 
-Slow Burn 🔥

I will absolutely be reading more by this author & would def recommend this book to my peers! 

2.75 / 3 ⭐️ 

this one missed the make for me, unfortunately. I initially picked this up because the cover is adorable and I’ve been wanting to read all the holiday romances as well enter December. With that the overall idea is the book was cute. I liked the idea of the plot and the characters but i feel like it all fell a little flat for me. 

I wanted more chemistry between the MCs and the lack of chemistry made it hard to be emotionally attached to their romance and the story. I felt like the overall conflict felt a little disjointed as well. 

I felt like I was checking the audio to see how long I had left way too often and that’s a downside to me. I want to be so emerssed in the story that it flys by / i don’t want it to end. 

I think the story needed to be longer and more thought out. I did enjoy the narrators - I added a star to bump it up to 3 ⭐️ due to them. 

Overall, i don’t know that i would recommend this book to my peers. I’m sorry! If you loved this book I absolutely love that for you & i’m so glad it’s getting flowers from those who enjoyed it.