Eight Days of Christmas is a second chance, forced proximity holiday romantic comedy told in 3rd person POV, alternating focus between the hero and heroine. It is listed as the first book in the Pineridge series (though no future titles have been announced yet) and can be read as a standalone.

What a fun read! I enjoyed every aspect of this story – the romance, the strong bond of family and friends, the holiday cheer, and even the ex-boyfriend drama. The humor is strong right from the start. Leo and Izzy had wonderful sarcastic, teasing banter, and their chemistry was remarkable. Centering around a Christmas wedding, this story really stood apart from other holiday romances. Every one of the eight daily celebrations sounded hugely enjoyable, and they even inspired some of my holiday bucket list for my own family this season.

I highly recommend this book to get you in the Christmas spirit! I read it in late October, and it served as the perfect opening ceremony to my holiday reading.

This one was just OK for me. I think it dragged a bit in parts, and some parts could have been edited down. I just got frustrated with both Leo and Isabella a lot, but I loved how much Christmas there was in this book. All the Christmas traditions sounded fun!

3.5 stars from me.
I thought this book was cute! I really enjoyed the Christmas traditions (sibling competitions) but I didn’t totally love the characters/relationships.
Isabella was a bit all over the place in terms of is she sweet or salty but we do get a bit a an explanation of this a bit later into the book that helps to see who she is.
Leo as a character was a bit more well-rounded for me but again there are some aspects about him (specifically relating to past/relationship with Izzy) that I struggled with.
I also really didn’t care for Norah and Landon (siblings of the main characters who are getting married) at all.
If you look past that stuff, it’s a cute Christmas book and a pretty quick read.

Leo and Isabella go way way back - former soulmates that lost touch over the years and are thrust together when their siblings get engaged to each other. Both of them are adorable and the tension between them is instantaneous and combustible. But the real star is the setting of the Whitley family and their holiday traditions.

I enjoyed the book but spent a lot time just angry at Isabella for leaving her family in the first place, i understood why she and Leo had issues but to leave the family did not make sense. I also just did not like the relationship between Norah and Langdon, not sure that will last.

But it was worth it for Leo, who is just perfect.

This book was your typical Christmas romance. At times the characters could get irritating, but I enjoyed reading about what the main characters family did for the eight days of Christmas. All in all it was an enjoyable romance novel.

Holiday magic? Sure, I guess.

Swoon-worthy romance? No, not really.

Complications of epic proportions? Again, not really. At least nothing that couldn't have been quickly resolved with the barest amount of open and honest communication.

This book really didn't work for me. It was formulaic, it was clunky, it was boring, and the whole time I felt like the story kept going around and around in circles. There wasn't much of a plot to speak of. Two people, who were still very into each other (and constantly commenting on the other's hotness in their internal monologues), and who used to date, get reunited after ten years apart. There's some hurt feelings between them. Cue the unending cycle of constantly lusting after each other in the midst of throwing snark and mean and hurtful comments the other's way. Rinse and repeat for 300 pages. That was it. That was pretty much the whole book.

I liked the idea of the 8 days of Christmas traditions, but at the end of the day it was nothing more than a thin way to force Izzy and Leo together. And when neither the two main characters, nor anyone else were very likable people, the whole thing was just bound to colapse in on itself.

If I came home for the holidays after ten years, and all my family did was throw passive aggressive comments at me and repeatedly guilt-trip me for not visiting earlier, I don't think I'd be much inclined to go visit them again any time soon. The way everyone interacted with Izzy made her whole family seem so toxic. Everyone was so quick to lay into her for not visiting, but did any of them go visit her in NY? Relationships are a two way street. As unlikable as Izzy could be at times, she was working hard, chasing her dreams and building a successful life and career for herself. But everyone seemed so dismissive of that.

I don't know. So many things in this book didn't sit well with me. From the repetitive writing, to the inexistente plot progression, to the way it normalized awful behaviors. The bones for a nice, fun holiday romance were there, but the execution was a flat out failure for me.

Check my full review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4374756653

**I received an e-copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to City Owl Press and Victory Editing**

Eight Days of Christmas was a great holiday read!

Isabella has not been home to Colorado in several years for Christmas since moving to NYC. This year she is forced to return home for her younger sister’s wedding. With returning home she not only has to try to reconnect with her family who she has not seen in several years but also her high school sweetheart Leo who she left behind for NYC. Isabella’s younger sister is marrying Leo’s younger brother so they must endure each other for 8 Days of Christmas. Isabella’s family is all into celebrating 8 Days of Christmas and now she must spend them with Leo since he and his brother will now be a part of their family. As the story unwinds it’s interesting to find out the real reason why Isabella left years ago. Can Isabella and Leo move past this and find their happiness?

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Eight Days of Christmas follows Isabella, otherwise known as Izzy, as she returns home to Colorado for the first time in 10 years to attend her sisters' Christmas wedding. She hasn't been back in 10 years, and she wants to leave as soon as possible. As she returns home, she participates in her families yearly tradition, The Eight Days of Christmas. Not only does she have to deal with her family, she has to face her high school sweetheart.

This story is great if you want a Hallmark vibe, and love the second chance lovers trope. I didn't really love the main character, hence my 3 star rating. I would've loved this more if she was a bit more likable. But that being said, the writing was nice. I would read more from this author!

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook. Okay Christmas story. I really didn't like any of the main characters. But if you are into Hallmark style Christmas stories this perfect for you.

This was a super cute festive read for the holiday season. Like any Christmassy/Hallmark romance it was predictable and full of romantic tropes, but that makes it a good book to get into the holiday spirit.
I did feel the pacing was slightly off, with parts dragging in the middle-leading up to a rather rushed conclusion. I also didn't find either of the main characters particularly likable and they both had so much baggage their banter came off more annoying than playful.
But if you're looking for an easy read to get you in the mood for the holidays give this a go.

Isabella Whitley finally comes home after 10 years trying to stay far away as possible. But, this time she couldn't have any excuses and has to attend her sister's Christmas wedding.
Izzy has to spend her Christmas with her families and join the family's tradition of Eight days of Christmas. Not only she had to face her family but she also had to face her high school sweetheart.
After spending a good amount of time together for the last 8 days, Izzy can't deny that her feelings for him is still the same. Will she be able to tell him the truth to why she left him all those years ago ? Will their relationship make it with her living in New York and him in Colorado ?

I have mix feelings about this book. There are some things that I like, but there are also thing I disagree in this story.

Let's talk about the good things first.
This story is pretty well written and well paced. I really love the Christmas vibes in here, the winter season and the Christmas tradition by Izzy's family is wonderful and adorable. It makes me wish I could travel somewhere place where they have a winter season and we can do all sort of fun things like making a snowman, sledding and ice skating.
I also love what Izzy and Leo had, a friendship that turns into something more over time. They share many memories together.
I was so curious the entire time reading this story to find out the reason why Izzy left Leo years ago. All I can say is the reason is believable and makes sense.

Despite all of that good things, I don't like how Izzy's family treat her. By always making mean comments about why she wasn't around and didn't come home for the last 10 years. They keep making comment about it every chance they get which makes me feel bad for Izzy.
Not to mention, Landon and Norah relationship just feels weird to me. They didn't feel like a couple whose ready to get married for some reasons.

Overall, this wasn't so bad, it was okay. I didn't really like the secondary character, but the story is well crated.
Perfect for readers who are looking for a Christmas reads filled with lots of fun Christmas tradition as well as lovers to enemies to lovers and second chance romance trope.

Thank you to Netgalley, Starla DeKruyf and City Owl Press for granting me this e-ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!


Note: Review will be posted on Instagram at December 7th, 2021

I love a second chance romance trope and this book executed it so well! If you love Hallmark movies, like me, you will love this. A great book to get you into the Christmas spirit with lots of festive activities and great descriptions that bring the bring the book to life. The two main characters were also very likable and I was rooting for them throughout the book!

Very cute Christmas story that will definitely get you in the holiday spirit. Loved that it was a second chance at love with two very likeable and relatable characters.

Eight Days of Christmas by Starla DeKruyf
⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

❤️ Pros
This super festive second chance romance features an enemies to lovers flare and delivers every element promised — family love, charming scenery, exes healing broken hearts, forced proximity, mild comedic elements and an abundance of holiday spirit.

The festive activities including snow angels, ice skating, Reindeer games, baking, etc. enhanced the overall holiday theme and tone of the novel. It read like a Hallmark Christmas movie but with extra sprinkles and peppermint on top.

💔 Cons
It was a very straightforward read with predictable outcomes and the former high school sweethearts rekindled quite quickly despite strong devastation on both sides regarding their break up.

❣️ Final Thoughts
Personally I struggled with the protagonist’s likability. This was a fun and festive holiday romance but I’ve landed on 3 ⭐️’s because while it didn’t entirely miss the mark for me, it didn’t come close to exceeding it. Undecided if I will rush to pick up the sequel.

It’s been a decade since Isabella left her home town, her family and her boyfriend to chase her dreams in NYC. She’s made excuses, avoided going back and no one knew why but now she has no choice but to return for her little sister’s Christmas wedding and her family’s annual 8 days of Christmas celebration. When a snowstorm interrupts her flight home, the last person she expected to bump in to at the airport was Leo, the boyfriend she left behind…

This was a fun festive read for the run up to Christmas. It’s perfect for fans of Hallmark Christmas movies (me!), second chance romances and a bit of a love triangle.

Was it predictable, yes. Did I care? No!
If I’m reading a Christmas Rom Com, I want a predictable romance. It was an easy read and I enjoyed it.

3.5 stars

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

A nice and fun read for Christmas. Predictable, but loved the chemistry between the two main characters. What bothered me, though, is the fact that the families of the two were portrayed as good people, parents who love doing Christmas things with their kids...and also get involved in their personal life! Every one from this book thought that they know better than the main characters. It is funny for a while, but I noticed that many comedy-romance books stretch this idea that two people are so confused and even dumb, that they need everyone around them to tell them to get together...

Book Review // Eight Days of Christmas by Starla DeKruyf

Eight Days of Christmas follows the story of Isabella and Leo, who get a second chance at love when Isabella returns home for her sister’s wedding. After many years away from her hometown, Isabella has some explaining to do and big decisions to make!

Read if you like:
*forced proximity
*enemies to lovers
*second chances
*great banter between the main characters
*fun, holiday activities and shenanigans

I really enjoyed this book! There was good plot development and it was fun to explore the relationships between the characters - not just Isabella and Leo! I also loved the Christmas countdown activities that they participated in!

This was a super cute, second chance at love holiday romance. I love an alternating point of view between love interests in a romance. The way the story flips back and forth so you get both character's feelings on the same conversation or event. It's filled with 8 days worth of awesome holiday traditions if you are in need of some ideas. My favorite thing about this book is how I FELT the love between the characters. It was really sweet and it makes you wish everyone could experience a love like that once in their lifetime.

Eight Days of Christmas follows Isabella as she’s making her way to her family home for the first time in years as her sister is getting married at Christmas. Her sister is marrying the brother of Isabella’s ex so she has a lot on her mind. Their family love Christmas and make a huge deal out of it every year so are thrilled that Isabella is coming home. Unfortunately this book just wasn’t for me. The relationship will they won’t they situation just didn’t feel believable to me, it felt very forced. I also found the big reveal of why Isabella hadn’t been home for so long was just so ridiculous and silly that the book lost me at this point. I did read to the end but sadly I didn’t love this one.

Holiday book challenge, book #2. Eight Days of Christmas was really swoony and fun. One night I made the mistake of staying up reading it past 1am. Work wasn't so fun the next day 😬. It has all the elements of a good holiday romance. If you like this genre, you'll like this book. One of the most exciting thing about it is that it says "pineridge, book 1". I hope that means a book 2 is next Christmas. Thank you @netgalley @cityowlbooks for the ARC. This was published in October, so you can read it now!