What a heartwarming love story! The tree farm setting made the reading experience super cozy.

The absolute biggest highlight of this book has being Miriam's character development for me. After suffering her father's abuse for years she created a big armor around her heart and pushed her family away to avoid more pain. Getting rid of that armor is very very difficult, and Miri is basically forced to do it after losing Cass and learning she's inherited part of the tree farm. I loved her so much. She was truly brave, not only for going back to the farm and facing her cousin Hannah after years, but also for opening up her heart for Noelle. Noelle was also great and she's got a tragic past of her own, so falling in love after dealing with her parents' abandonment was hard.

I really enjoyed this book, but I was more into Noelle and Miri's personal journeys towards healing and trusting, so the romance, while adorable, wasn't my priority in the story.

I need a Hannah and Levi's book, omg. THE ANGST. I don't know if this is going to be a thing, but I need it.

TW: Parental abuse, economical violence, death of a loved one, grief, alcoholism, parental abandonment (check the author's note for more depth).

Rating: 3.5/5
Steam level: Closed door.

Thanks to Forever and Netgalley for my ARC. Opinions are my own!

This was cute enough but I was pretty bored and didn't feel drawn in by the story. I'm not a fan of time jumps so that may be why I couldn't connect. It also felt like there was too much going on for how little actually happened.

This book is like a Hallmark movie. It takes place on an idyllic Christmas tree farm. The story is a romance, but it also about so much more. Many of the many characters have suffered trauma, and the story focuses on how each character processes the trauma. The trauma has an effect on relationships, career, etc.

Miriam has not spoken to most of her family members in 15 years. She left because of her father's abuse, and she hasn't looked back, until her great-aunt, Cass, passes away. Cass ran the Christmas tree farm, but after her death, Miriam returns to her family's farm. She grew up on the farm, but a lot has changed during her 15 year absence. The farm is now being run by Hannah, Miriam's cousin, and Noelle, someone Miriam has never met before.

When Hannah, Miriam, and Noelle have to work together to save the farm, chaos ensues. How can these 3 strong personalities work together? Hannah has missed her cousin all these years, but she has to figure out how to work with her again. Noelle has heard a lot about Miriam over the years, but she can't understand why Miriam would have disappeared from the family. The three women butt heads, as they try to determine how to save the farm.

At the beginning of the book, there was an extensive trigger warning that I really appreciated it. The book handles a lot of serious topics, and the trigger warning is a great way for readers to know what to expect. I wish more books would include this type of warning. It was very thoughtful to include this content guidance.

I felt like parts of the book felt very rushed. I didn't see the development of the relationship between Miriam and Noelle. I could feel that they were drawn to each other, but I felt like there wasn't enough development between the two characters. I would have liked to see more romance between the two characters and less of the trauma and family parts of the book.

I didn't like the ending of the book either. It felt like everything ended too quickly, and I wanted to learn more after the epilogue ended. I feel like there could be a sequel to the book that focuses on Hannah. I would love to read that book too!

Overall, I liked this book, but I wished for more romance and character development. I hope that there is a sequel where I could learn more about these interesting characters.

Thanks to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the ARC of this book. I would recommend it to everyone looking for a holiday rom-com that focuses on holidays other than Christmas.

A sweet rom com and a tale of found family all in one. Miriam loved her Aunt Cass, a Jewish woman who owned a Christmas tree farm and emporium, in part because she was the only one who understood her. And now she's gone and Miriam has inherited. But along with the inheritance comes Noelle (hah!), who seems like a grouch but, as fans of the genre know, really isn't. Little by little these two become friends and then.....It's a cute one. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Made me smile.

A romcom about a bi-sexual Jewish woman helping to save a Christmas farm? How fun! And it was. This definitely gave some serious Hallmark vibes although I don't think Hallmark ever had a villain quite as evil as Miriam's dad! I loved the inclusivity of this novel and the found family trope. Definitely looking forward to reading Hannah and Levi's story which I certainly hope is coming down the pike!

This book - sigh. My current life goal; refueled my hope for my own life, healing from trauma. Serious relationship goals.
After ten years of recovering from her father's abuse, Miri returns home. To Christmasland known as Carrigans. Rebuilding her relationships while self forgiveness, allowing herself to feel again. Oh all the feels!
Noelle struggles with her anger - Cass died, her long time surrogate mother. Miri returns after a 10 year hiatus, clearly not concerned with the impact on her family. And now they have to work together to save Carrigans, build a future. But Miri is hard to resist. All that hair. And her vulnerability.
Cole - Miri's long time friend, the cat of course, and Noelle were my favorites. Miri's bravery to move on - very inspiring.
Loved it!

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions provided are my own.

I’ve been dipping my toes into holiday romance novels so to speak & Helena Greer’s Season of Love has some winning qualities but ultimately falls somewhat flat for me.

Miriam Blum is an antique upcycler who’s estranged from most of her family, including her horrible father, her mother who remains married to him, & the beloved aunt who owned the one place she felt totally comfortable, a Christmas tree farm.

At the beginning of the book Miriam’s aunt has passed & Miriam’s going to return to that farm after many years away to sit shiva. Back to the other people she loved but hasn’t had a meaningful relationship with in years, including a cousin.

But there’s a new person living on the farm, Noelle Northwood, who immediately dislikes Miriam, & Miriam’s time at home is complicated by the presence of this person who doesn’t like her but whom she’s attracted to.

There’s a lot to appreciate about this Queer romance, including Jewish rep, romantic moments on the ice, & how Miriam finds her way back home & to an old artistic love.

But in general, I wasn’t a huge fan of Noelle (whose brashness & personality might feel authentic in some ways but also gets a little off putting for me in moments) and a secondary storyline which is a little puzzling at times. Also, a lot seems to happen to Miriam personally & professionally & it’s a little unsettling how quickly it did.

Overall, there’s potential here & I can see a lot of people relating to & enjoying this sweet romance, but it didn’t really work for me.

3 ⭐️. Out 10/11.

CWs: Noelle has a tattoo of “deadly women” including Lizzie Borden & I just found that choice a bit odd. Death in the family. Difficult relationship with mother & father. Noelle is a recovering alcoholic and was drinking as a youth. Her dad destroyed Miriam’s paintings.


[ID: a white hand holds up the ebook in front of a crowded white bookcase.]

Well another year of holiday books have come and another year where I feel very underwhelmed by them. This one sounded so unique and different, and while it was that, I just felt that the pacing was so incredibly off. I would be into it and things would be great, then it hit the halfway mark and I wanted it over. But alas, we still had 50% to go and it just felt a bit wordy, without action.

All in all, this was just ok for me, sadly.

It's not you, it's me.

I was so excited to read this initially. There aren't nearly enough sapphic holiday romances on the market, so I jumped at the chance at getting to read this. However, this just didn't work for me. I didn't connect with either of the main characters which made getting through this book hard for me. I also felt as though there was too much happening and I wasn't quite sure where my attentions were supposed to be going. I also felt the pace was extremely slow.

That being said, I did appreciate that this book dealt with the Jewish culture. It's not something that I'm overly familiar with and I'm always looking to expand my knowledge in areas I know little about.

If you're looking for a sapphic romance that takes place on a Christmas tree farm, still definitely check this one out!

On its surface, this book seems like an over-the-top holiday book. Featuring a family coming together to save the (Christmas tree) farm combined with tons of kitschy Christmas memorabilia, it seems like it would be a Hallmark movie come to life. And it certainly draws from the made-for-TV Christmas movie well, with a small town coming together to support one of its own, a sweet closed-door romance, and a lovable cat. But it's also a book about the damage an abusive childhood can leave on a person's relationships, and how difficult it can be to regain your confidence.

The book centers on Miriam and Noelle, who have each inherited a quarter of a Christmas tree farm from Miriam's beloved great-aunt. (The other two quarters are inherited by Miriam's cousin and cousin's ex-boyfriend...we expect a sequel soon.) Miriam hasn't seen her aunt for 10 years, ever since she went no-contact with her father, and by extension, anything that reminded her of him. Noelle has only recently come into the life of the Christmas tree farm, and (understandably) resents having to share her inheritance with someone who purposely separated herself from it. And yet, they end up being the other's perfect match.

Definitely a feel-good holiday book with a lot of heart and a lot of depth.

This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.

The holdiays are here and they're queer! A recommended first purchase for collections where romance and holiday titles are popular.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was the perfect palate cleanser after the last book I read (which was good, but very dark and more than a little depressing). After that one, I needed something light, something fluffy, but with a little substance to it, and this book got the bill perfectly. There were so many excellent quotes that made me giggle that I found myself highlighting and then sharing with my family and my co-workers.

My only real issue is that now 1) I need a sequel to see what happens with Levi and 2) I desperately need more backstory on Cass.

DNF’ed at about 40%. This book had such promise—sapphic holiday book on a Christmas tree farm? Unfortunately, this didn’t work for me at all. There was not chemistry between the two love interests, their relationship was told to us rather than shown.

Was instantly drawn to the cover - a Christmas romance not involving a size zero blonde? Love it. It so nice to see different body sizes/appearances represented on covers. On top of that, I loved the story. It had the feel good Christmas vibe while showcasing a love story that felt like it could be real!

I’m so sad to say Season of Love just did not work for me. The premise sounded so so good and I will never say no to a sapphic holiday romance. I thought the book started out super strong with dual POVs and a dreamy setting at Carrigans. I didn’t love that Miriam was dating someone when she went to Carrigan’s because the author kind of jumped right into a connection between Miriam and Noelle.

I really felt like the tension and chemistry was told to us rather than shown. I think there was so much potential for a good build up for the MCs but I just did NOT feel the connection at all. It felt slightly forced and I was so taken aback by some of the interactions in the beginning of the book. It felt like Noelle was unreasonably mad at Miriam and some of their conversations seemed unnecessary.

By 50% I felt like the book needed to start wrapping up but it just dragged on. It felt like conflict after conflict and I was honestly just bored. The relationship between Miriam and Ziva didn’t work either. In one of their first interactions, Miriam started yelling at Ziva and I’m just like… where is the build up. It felt like every conversation started at the height of emotions and it felt forced.

I wish this one worked for me so so bad. A butch lesbian and chaotic bisexual is my dream combo for a sapphic rom com but I just didn’t feel invested sadly.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I loved the warmth and thoughtfulness of this story. I appreciated that it tackled just how true the adage “hurt people hurt people” is without forcing reconciliation around every corner.

There were so many things to love about this story. I love that the story starts with TW that are detailed and informative so you know exactly what you are getting in to. That was such a nice start and I appreciate this author so much for it.

Now, for the characters. I loved the parts they were working on. The story is about Mirium coming back home after a huge absense. She's come back because her beloved family member has passed away and no one told her before she got there. In the place of a functional Christmas tree farm and event area is two very stressed out friends trying to keep it afloat. Mirium left for a reason all those years ago and hasn't been back and those left behind aren't too excited she's come back.

Each person in the story has some very real, very emtional stuff they are working through. There is discussed abuse, addiction and anxiety and I thought they were all handled with respect and grace and I liked them being a part of the story.

But I have to be honest, I didn't like Noelle. I found her unkind through most of the story and I just couldn't get on board with her as a love interest. The sweet moments were cute, the arguing was realistic but the love story just didn't connect with. But this book has so much more to offer and I'm glad I read it. I did like it.

A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

This was a fun way to get into the holiday spirit early. I appreciate the queer representation and how the town is super accepting - a little Schitt's Creek vibes. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

This book surprised me. For the first few chapters, I wasn’t sure I liked it…at all. But I kept going because, well, Hallmark movies are my guilty pleasure and this is one Hallmark movie of a book if I’ve ever seen one.

Once I got about halfway through, though, I couldn’t put it down. I read the first half over almost a week and the second half in one night. The relationships between the characters are sweet and genuine, and the characters are just quirky enough to be interesting without being overwhelmingly Quirky.

The book seems to end in a way that suggests that there will be a sequel and I’m looking forward to reading it!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the electronic ARC in exchange for my honest review.

oh my gosh!! My heart has just grown three sizes from reading this! I loved every second of this book! I wanted to jump in and be a part of this adorable love story! I can not wait until Christmas Eve so I can read this book again! Please please read this book and fall in love just like I did.