‘Tis the season for holiday romances and I’ve been having so much fun reading all the rom coms that have come my way. This year, in particular, there have been a plethora of queer romances which has been great to see. Season of Love was so very enjoyable and a fairly impressive offering from first-time novelist Helena Greer.

Here’s the book’s description:
Miriam Blum has no choice but to face the past she thought she’d left behind when she inherits her great-aunt’s Christmas tree farm in this witty, glittering, heart-filled romcom.
Thanks to her thriving art career, Miriam Blum finally has her decoupaged glitter ducks in a row—until devastating news forces her to a very unwanted family reunion. Her beloved great-aunt Cass has passed and left Miriam part-owner of Carrigan’s, her (ironically) Jewish-run Christmas tree farm.
But Miriam’s plans to sit shiva, avoid her parents, then put Carrigan’s in her rearview mirror are spoiled when she learns the business is at risk of going under. To have any chance at turning things around, she’ll need to work with the farm’s grumpy manager—as long as the attraction sparking between them doesn’t set all their trees on fire first.
Noelle Northwood wants Miriam Blum gone—even if her ingenious ideas and sensitive soul keep showing Noelle there’s more to Cass’s niece than meets the eye. But saving Carrigan’s requires trust, love, and risking it all—for the chance to make their wildest dreams come true.
While this is a festive, holiday romance, there is a major content warning that readers should pay attention to. Miriam’s father was emotionally abusive, and Miriam was still dealing with (aka running away from) those issues when the book starts. I cannot speak about what it would be like to deal with such a traumatic upbringing, but I will speak about how it was written as a part of Miriam’s story and Season of Love overall. I think Greer should have revealed the abuse, and the one particular event that had Miriam cut off her family, much earlier than she did. I don’t think keeping it from any of the characters (or the reader) helped the story in any way. By the time it was all out in the open, I was no longer fully invested in the details. I just knew something major had happened to Miriam and wanted to move on to the rest of the story. That probably sounds callous, and I struggled with how to bring this up without seeming like a total asshole. Again, it’s not that I wish the trauma wasn’t included or that I didn’t believe Miriam had suffered or anything like that. It was just the choice of how the trauma was revealed in the story structure that I wish had been different.

Now! Onto the festive cheer! Of which there was…a good amount but not really what I expected. I loved the Jewish rep in this novel (yes, Miriam’s aunt was Jewish and owned a Christmas tree farm – go figure) and the importance of holidays and other facets of the Jewish faith were included and explained in a way that felt natural. The fact that there has to be an explanation of these things and not, say, why Christmas trees are apparently important, is a whole other conversation. But I’m just here for the big guy in the red suit and all the gifts and treats. I don’t pay attention to any religious part of any holiday. Anywho. While this novel takes place at a Christmas tree farm and does occur over the holiday season, it lasts beyond Christmas and Hanukkah so know that going in if you’re looking for All Festive, All the Time.

Noelle and Miriam as a couple took me a little while to warm up to but I loved them both individually, somehow (they’re both super flawed but that’s part of their charm), so I was totally in for reading along as they moved past their prejudices (the first impressions in this one are not good. Think Darcy and Elizabeth levels of not good) and realized they definitely belonged together. I got frustrated with each of them but trusted they’d work out their issues enough to hook up and stay together forever.

Looking at Seasons of Love in separate parts, as one does when writing a review, isn’t quite fair to this romance. As a whole, though, Helena Greer’s debut novel was an absolute delight. Not perfect but engaging and entertaining enough that I was completely riveted and cannot wait to revisit the characters Greer has created.

*An egalley of this novel was provided by the publisher, Forever, via NetGalley in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.*

I finally finished up reading/listening to Season of Love which came out in October. This is a quality read about a Christmas tree farm run by a Jewish woman in the NY mountains. The setting is well-established enough that I wanted to visit Carrigan's farm! Some serious topics are tackled in this read - don't let the bright, fun cover fool you into thinking it's light and easy. There is a note of Content Guidance - with a reminder to treat yourself with care if the topics are sensitive to you.
I really enjoyed this one - it kept making me smile! Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion - this is available everywhere now!

<review>Tis the season for holiday themed romance stories! I love a good slow burn and there’s a bit of that in Helen Greer’s Season of Love story. When Miriam’s beloved aunt dies and she returns home to sit shiva she immediately meets and clashes with Noelle, who was her late aunt’s chosen family. I didn’t really feel the build-up of feelings between Miriam and Noelle. It just sort of was, but once the sparks had been established, I was hooked by the romantic tension between the two. This story was unique in that both the Jewish holidays and Thanksgiving and Christmas are huge parts of the storyline, and I, personally, haven’t read many stories that do that, let alone do it well. Two thumbs up to Season of Love and I look forward to reading more from Helena Greer. bookstagram #queerrepresentationmatters #wlw #romance #literature #fiction #lgbtqfiction #queerlove #bookclub #sapphic #holidays #hanukkah #christmas #love

Season of Love was quirky and messy and thoughtful and joyful and full of rich characters and a setting I would also leave everything in my life to live in. The overarching plot was zany yet fully believable and I felt myself become attached to the entire Carrigan’s crew from the get go, and my attachment just kept growing and growing over the course of the book until I thought my heart might burst. The butch Jewish holiday book of my dreams.

Season of Love follows Miriam Blum who returns to her great aunt’s Christmas farm in upstate New York after learning of her great aunt’s passing. She hasn’t been back in several years though, so there’s a lot she has to deal with besides her grief. There’s her cousin Hannah, who she used to be thick as thieves with, but hasn’t seen since her last trip to Carrigan’s. And there’s Noelle, Hannah’s best friend who helps run the Christmas farm. What would be a short reunion ends up getting complicated when Noelle, Hannah, and Miriam each get a portion of Carrigan’s. Things get even more complicated once they learn about the financial trouble Carrigan’s is in, and how they need a plan in place to get back on its feet. And so our story takes off from there.

I think what’s most frustrating to me about this book is that everything was actually done really well. But each thing that was done so well had a caveat that kept me from loving it. I’m going to start with the thing that has me most conflicted, but that honestly probably doesn’t even register for most other people, and that is the Jewish rep. Now, this review can’t handle all my complicated feeling about Jewish representation in books, so I’ll be specific to this story.

There was a lot of focus on Jewish holidays and customs and words in this book, and think that was important. However, none of it went further than that. There barely was explanation about what the holidays were and what they represented, the customs were laid out, but weren’t delved into in any emotional way. There were all the elements of Judaism, without any of the feeling behind it. Now, I’ve dealt with this before. As I said, that’s a whole nother post I probably won’t ever write. But what frustrated me in this book is the obvious love and connection that was made about Christmastime. Which is fine, of course, but then why was the Jewish counterpart not given that same time and love? Honestly, I don’t think most readers will notice the nuanced differences. But I did, and I’m the one writing this review. So I get to express my frustration. For a book marketed about a Jewish owned Christmas farm, I would have loved a deeper dive into the Jewish element.

Some other elements did get a deeper dive, especially the characters. We really get to see what makes both Miriam and Noelle tick. They both have pasts filled with traumas and difficulties, and it’s very interesting to see how those pasts shaped them and impact their current interactions. Emotional abuse and alcoholism are not simple topics to handle, but I felt that they were treated with care throughout the novel. There was only one instance where the characters and their interactions really bothered me, and that was during a scene where Miriam and Noelle’s traumas had them making choices that were fully understandable, even if they were stupid. However, I really disliked how their actions and words were directly hurting the other person. Even though I understood that these words and actions were coming from a place of pain, it made me feel like the two of them were incompatible if when things got hardest, they only hurt each other, even if they didn’t mean to.

That being said, there were elements of this story that I did enjoy and I am actually very much looking forward to the follow up story that was so heavily hinted at throughout the book. I just think that this particular story disappointed me in a few too many ways, when it had so much potential for me to enjoy it.

Honestly, if you’re looking for a sapphic holiday romance that has more complex characters, I would genuinely recommend this book. This book didn’t work for me given my expectations and wishes for it, but that doesn’t mean that others won’t enjoy it more than me!

This book is exactly what my Hallmark-loving, Christmas-adoring self needed during this season. The characters in this story are complex and broken by past circumstances of their lives, yet they grow together. Miriam lives in Charleston with her perfectly curated life, a fiancée, and an about to be open shop for her funky art. All of that is thrown into disarray when her North Star, Cass Carrigan passed away after years of not seeing her. So Miriam packs up and heads to the Christmas tree farm that her Jewish aunt ran. Grief and mourning happen, and then all is turned upside down when the will is read. Enter Noelle, the resident tree expert and grower. This sapphic love story isn’t as smooth as a Hallmark romance, it’s even better. It’s real; it has obstacles and it’s also sweet. I loved this story and I can’t wait to read more from this world.

Cozy, warm, and funny, while also dipping into heavier themes, Season of Love was a delightful read this holiday season! I adored all of the characters (except for one particularly terrible secondary one, who is off-page the whole time), and Miriam and Noelle’s love story was hard-fought and lovely to read about. And I can’t wait for the likely sequel after that epilogue!

Many thanks to author Helena Greer and Forever Publishing for the advanced reading copy, receipt of which did not impact my review.

This was a very cute debut.
Read this if you love:
*Small Town Christmas Vibes
*Amazing LGTBQ+ Rep
*Side Characters that you love!
*Accurate and Enlightening Jewish Rep
*Closed Door Romance
*Strong Friendships

I loved how the romance was not the star of this book. I enjoyed the side characters and I would love to read more about them. The setting was amazing and really brought the story to life. I would definitely read another by this author.

What a lovely and quirky queer holiday novel! I enjoyed this a great deal. The main and side characters are very engaging. I love that there's Jewish and fat rep in addition to the queer rep. I do have a bit of an issue though with it being marketed as a romcom. If this were a movie, I feel like we'd be calling it a dramedy. There are some lighthearted moments and things end on a hopeful note, but there's a lot of family trauma in this. Like a lot a lot. I'm very much looking forward to the next book!

**Received an eARC via NetGalley**

3.5 stars - really lovely romance about found family, overcoming trauma (but it’s not all magically fixed in the end). I didn’t love Noelle as a character but was really charmed by the setting and other cast of characters

One of my most anticipated romances of the year! I wanted to be swept into this world almost instantly, although there was a bit of stalling and restarting again at the beginning — which is no fault of the book itself, but more my own mindset and what was going on around me while trying to read. There DID seem to be something of a disconnect between the warmth of the romance and friendships that are so essential to this book and the real toxicity of Miriam's relationship to her father — who thankfully is never given page space as more than a tertiary presence, but felt so diabolically awful that I wasn't sure if it was entirely necessary up to a point.

But Noelle and Miriam's dynamic was so fun and lovely, and if this is setting up a second-chance romance sequel with Levi and Hannah then I am SO HERE FOR IT, GIVE IT TO ME PLEASE.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

📖Book: Season of Love
⭐️Rating: 4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✍🏼Author: Helena Greer
📚Genre: Romance
🗏 Pages: 361
💕Tropes: Grumpy x Sunshine, Returning Home, Found Family, Forced Proximity, Sapphic Love Story, Slow Burn
⚠️Warnings: Alcoholism, Abuse, Family Loss
🔖Readability: 4/5 italic font is used
🥇First Line: "When Miriam Blum's life changed forever, she was holding a chain saw in both hands, a bottle of glitter glue between her teeth, and standing in an empty warehouse over an antique bed frame.

Things to expect:
✨Jewish Representation
❤️Christmas Tree Farm
💛Closed Door (boo)
🪴Personal Growth

Miriam thinks she has it figured out as an artist about to open up her new galley with a fiancé, leaving her family behind, but when her great aunt dies and leaves her Christmas tree farm, her life gets turned upside down. Not only is the farm left to her, but her former best friend's cousins. Noelle and Miriam will have to work closely together to save the farm from being sold.

The sapphic Jewish romance during the holiday was a perfect read, and Helena hit the nail on the head with this one. It was fun, light, and one of my favorite tropes of a slow burn. With all my heart, I wish this wasn't a closed door, but beggars can't be picky. I loved that the Jewish family owned a Christmas Tree farm and how magically they made Christmas for everyone. This is the perfect read for anyone in the mood for some holiday cheer. A must-read.

This was a fun one! Kicked off my holiday reading with this one; it's a feel good sapphic holiday romance featuring dual POV, a small town, a Christmas tree farm, grumpy-sunshine trope and some family issues. All in all a great story that you're sure to love.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC. All opinions are my own.

Spectacularly romantic, heartwarming, and funny. This would make a beautiful holiday book club pick! And I truly can't wait to find out what HEAs are in store for the rest of the Carrigan's crew.

Many thanks for the opportunity to read and review!

Miriam has been estranged from her family for ten years when she learns that her beloved great aunt Cass has died. Cass owned and operated a Christmas tree farm in Upstate New York (despite the family being very Jewish) where Miriam spent much of her childhood. When Miriam returns for the funeral, she meets the Christmas tree arborist Noelle. Noelle considered Cass to be like a second mother and feels like Miriam abandoned her family after going no contact for a decade. This antagonism only escalates when they learn that Cass has left the Christmas tree farm in parts to both Miriam and Noelle.

I think the premise of this book is DARLING, but in execution it was far more emotional and serious than I expected. The enemies part of the enemies to lovers story is resolved pretty quickly. The bulk of the conflict in this story centers around Miriam coming to terms with the trauma of her past and healing her relationship with her family. Noelle also had a tumultuous past and is still dealing with the death of her own parents. With all of this serious emotional work, I didn't feel like we got enough of the lighthearted and fun parts of Noelle and Miriam's love story especially considering they live at a Christmas tree farm. This book is also closed door, for those interested.

I did really enjoy the secondary cast of characters in the town and on the farm. I felt like they added a richness to the world that helped temper the more serious parts. While I wasn't 100% in love with this book, I am still looking forward to reading future books in the series.

As the leader of the Bloomers, Miriam Blum has created the perfect life for herself with minimal complications. She has a girlfriend, Tara, who wants a relationship of convenience just as she does. Meaning while they're great friends and lovers, there aren't exactly fireworks. Shes an artist with a cult following and is on the cusp of opening her own shop. Then her great aunt passes and leaves her part owner of Carrigans, her Jewish run Christmas tree farm. Considering Miriam has spent her whole life running from her abusive father and her emotions, this is truly a life changing occurrence for her. Going to Carrigans and seeing her cousin Hannah again and meeting Noelle, the hot butch tree farmer in residence, has Miriam feeling things she hasn't felt in forever.

This book was Sapphic Christmas magic!! Miriam is such a well rounded lovely character and each of the other characters are just as well rounded and loveable themselves! The story is so very relatable, especially to those of us who also no longer go "home" for Christmas for various reasons. The various relationships are fleshed out well in a very realistic and meaningful way. And the romance! 😍 Miriam and Noelle are adorable together! Both gun shy and scared, they still overcome it all to find happiness. This is however a not-spicy book. Meaning if you're looking for sexy open door romance you won't find it here. What you will find is a sweet lesbian romance thats just begging to be a sapphic Hallmark holiday romance.

⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

Thank you to Helena Greer, Forever Grand Central Publishing, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

This was a pure delight to read. This book opened up a new sub-genre in my reading preferences. The next book I read like this will definitely have big shoes to fill!

Are you looking for a Jewish sapphic holiday romance that takes place on a Christmas tree farm? If yes, this book has everything you want and more. If not, read it anyways! Due to family trauma, Miriam hasn’t been to Carrigan’s in a decade. When her beloved great-aunt Cass dies, she decides it’s finally time to go back. But she’s not expecting to find a crumbling business, a will naming her part-owner, and an undeniable spark with the farm’s grumpy manager, Noelle.

I absolutely loved the queer Jewish spin on the beloved holiday romance. I mean, a quirky somewhat magical traveling spinster Jewish woman running a Christmas tree farm? It’s all I could ask for. Although Cass dies before our book begins, I fell in love with her as much as I did all the other characters. She can be felt in every part of Carrigan’s and even more in each character's heart.

All of the characters are SO fantastic. It’s found family in the best way. I’m getting more of them right? Miriam and Noelle both have plenty of demons from their past to slay and neither of them feels capable of falling in love for real but oh do they. Miriam is so much like Cass, down to her looks, as she brings everyone together with her crazy artistic ideas. Noelle is still healing as well and doesn’t know what to when this whirlwind of curls and art enters her life. They don’t exactly get off on the right foot either.

Be aware, this book is much more than a cutesy rom com. This deals with many serious topics such as grief, abuse, and addiction.

4.5

'tis the season to read holiday romances and wow did I start with a banger.

Set at a Jewish run Christmas tree farm, Miriam and Noelle are both trying to unpack their trauma while also being thrown together to save the farm. I loved the small town atmosphere and the tidbits of Jewish tradition and culture that we got throughout the book.

But most of all I loved these characters so much. Miriam and Noelle were both so vibrant and I loved the way they acknowledged their flaws and ultimately tried to better themselves. I also adored all of the side characters. From Miriam's group of old lady antique dealers to Cole and Hannah and the Matthewses and all the small town residents of Advent. The whole crew was incredible and I am hoping that Greer continues and gives us a Hannah/Levi book and a Cole book or even a Tara book.

While this does have a cute illustrated cover, I would not go into it expecting a contemporary rom-com as this book does deal with some difficult topics. Helena Greer provides a list of content warnings in the beginning but these include discussions of past emotional and financial abuse, death of family members, and alcoholism and recovery.

Overall, I thought this was a really solid debut and highly recommend!

I highly enjoyed this read recently. I felt it was very Hallmark movie like and the characters were really cozy together and worked well with each other.