Three Mini-Reviews for the End of December

Hello, friends. These quieter days between Christmas and New Years are among my favorites each year. We still have family here, the house has that post-Christmas cluttered feel, and there’s been plenty of reading, napping, and grazing on leftovers. Mother Nature even delivered a post-Christmas snowstorm for extra coziness! As the month, and year, are fast coming to a close, I wanted to share three quick mini-reviews before I write my wrap-up posts.

Merry by Susan Breen

I don't usually read Christmas/holiday books (except for that year I tore through three of Elin Hilderbrand's Winter Street novels in a week), but this one came in The Bookshelf's Book Lover's Advent Box my family gifted me this holiday season. Based on the particulars - family drama, London setting, an heirloom copy of A Christmas Carol, and the ghost of Charles Dickens - it should have worked for me. But it just didn't, and probably should have been a DNF. 

⭐⭐💫

Bright Lights, Big Christmas by Mary Kay Andrews

This title appealed to me because it has a premise similar to Christmas on Jane Street by Billy Romp. A brother and sister duo travel to NYC to run the family’s annual Christmas tree business in Greenwich Village, while living in a tiny camper for the entire month. I loved the NYC neighborhood setting, their interactions with the locals, and the holiday vibes. 

⭐⭐⭐💫

The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol 5 by Beth Brower 

Have I mentioned lately how much I'm enjoying this series? A small group at Modern Mrs. Darcy is reading one per month and we are slated to read volume 5 in January. When I discovered that Volume 5 actually takes place over Christmas, I couldn't help myself and settled in with it on the 26th. Once again, I loved Emma's wit and antics. This was a perfect holiday weekend read.

 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I'll be back in a few days with a December Wrap-Up. Meanwhile, I hope you're enjoying a peaceful week between holidays.