Member Reviews
After a Christmas filled with the excitement of a new love, Finley Brown is looking forward to returning to school and seeing where things go with her maybe-boyfriend Aurthur. But their reunion is not what Finley was expecting, and she finds herself feeling the sting of rejection harder than she ever has before. Luckily, her newest friend Ayisha has just the right solution for Finley, and as Finley dives into preparations for the upcoming Valentine’s Day dance, she begins to put the pieces of her broken heart back together again. This teenage romantic comedy is a sequel to So, This is Christmas, where Finley and Arthur’s story begins. Enough detail is provided in this novel to remind readers of what happened in the previous installment, and it also gives readers who are new to the series a foundation from which to start. With an easy flow to the narrative, this book reads quickly and is entertaining from the first moments. Finley is a junior in high school, but she attends a private boarding school, so many of the interactions feel more like a college campus than a high school one. In addition, underage drinking is mentioned even within the first pages, which likewise enhances the apparent age of the characters in the story. Told from Finley’s perspective, readers get a clear sense of her feelings as she faces different experiences, and there are both moments that will make readers cringe and those that will make readers cheer for Finley as she matures. Fans of romantic comedies will appreciate this story, perhaps even because of the predictable tropes it incorporates. This is a light and entertaining, cotton candy-esque romantic comedy that is a perfect escape, and it will appeal to young adults and older readers alike.
Anyone else hear this title and think of the Cinderella song?
*Humming to myself*
Last year, I had to opportunity to read (and LOVE) SO THIS IS CHRISTMAS. I was super excited when I found out about its sequel SO THIS IS LOVE, and let me tell you, it was just as wonderful. Although a little predictable, the romance will keep you swooning throughout. A romance that is perfect for the holiday season, filled with witty humor, laughs, silly moments, and all the love.
Super cute read, a must for all romance loving readers!
Thank you to Netgalley and PRHAudio for the ebook and audiobook!
This is the sequel to So, This is Christmas, and it brings Finley and Arthur back together at boarding school as they try to navigate a new relationship. It’s a relationship, right? Finley’t not so sure based on Arthur’s distanced behavior.
There’s a lot of teenage drama in this one, but also a lot of sweetness and love. I thought this was a fun wintery read, not necessarily Christmas this time around.
I enjoyed SO THIS IS CHRISTMAS, so I was looking forward to this sequel, but I, unfortunately, didn't like it quite as much. To no one's surprise, everything that happens in the first book is undone because of various outside forces (this isn't a spoiler, btw) so we have to rewrite Arthur's and Finley's romance. While there were parts I enjoyed throughout this book, overall it fell flat for me. For one, I didn't like how predictable it was, all the way through the ending. The third-act breakup and resolution were ones I've seen so many times, and they're so anticlimactic that I was bored and underwhelmed by them. I also didn't love how some of the conflicts throughout the book were overdone. I've said it before and I'll say it again, but most high schools don't have a queen bee who threatens everyone and gets away with it, and I don't like seeing that in YA books because I don't think it's realistic. Most of the conflict in the book was spurred by this one girl, and while she was very unlikeable, people like her don't really exist in normal high schools, nor do the situations she caused. Like I said, this book wasn't bad, it was just a little too dramatic and mildly unrealistic for my tastes, but it would be a fun younger-YA story, especially for Valentine's Day!
This is the follow up story to last years So, this is Christmas, which I adored.
Finley is from a small town called Christmas. And it’s where her and classmate Arthur spent time together during the holidays, but school is back in session and they don’t know where they stand with each other. They are forced in opposite directions, focusing on their own paths.
I enjoyed the story focusing on the same characters and the cozy feel it brings. The pacing was perfect and for me, and based on the cover I figure it followed a holiday feel, but it doesn’t. It’s the aftermath of the first book and it was well done.
After their chaste holiday break in Christmas, Oklahoma, Arthur and Finley return to Barrington like Christmas never happened? Was their connection all a sham? The agreement to be just friends surfaces and Finley struggles putting her feelings aside. She joins the dance committee to help plan the Valentine’s Day dance to keep herself busy, but what she realizes is that love holds true meaning… even when she feels it breaking her heart.
A delightful YA story about love and hope with a side of romance embellished in the main characters, SO, THIS IS LOVE is the sequel to Finley and Arthur’s budding relationship in SO, THIS IS CHRISTMAS. I definitely enjoyed this one much more than the first book! From the boarding school and all the teen drama, I loved the interactions between the strong heroine and the old soul of a British hero. And the ending (though slightly predictable) was super sweet and swoony, The Valentine’s Day dance theme the icing on the cake.
So, This Is Love, sequel to So, This Is Christmas, was a delightful young adult romance. In it, we follow Finley and Arthur once again at Barrington Academy. Only, the past events leading them towards a relationship have been stopped in their tracks. Finley and Arthur find themselves navigating a semester where they are forced to be apart, whilst being pulled to each other more than ever.
I enjoyed the quick pacing of this book, every chapter pushing the book forward and holding humor in every page, despite the air of lost love. I recommend reading book one first to be in the know of all the mentions of prior instances, but it could be read on its own.
Things wrapped up a bit too quickly at the end for me, but all in all the book was a good YA romance read.
This was a lighthearted and fun follow up to So, This is Christmas with a lot of fun call backs to the first book. I loved the relationships we were able to see change and grow over the length of the novel. I did expect this to be a Christmas read based on the vibes of the cover, and it definitely isn't so that was a slight disappointment for me.
While I didn't realize there was a first book and that this was a sequel, I'm not sure reading it would have helped with how I feel about this novel. I usually enjoy rom coms, but I need to identify/connect with the point of view character. Finley seemed very shallow and immature for college and even though I don't need to "like" a character to connect with them, I need the POV voice to feel authentic. The writing was just okay and nothing really seemed to happen that seemed fresh or unique to make me want to keep reading.
PLEASE not only was this a perfect sequel it was exactly what I needed to start my Christmas reading even though this was for Valentine's Day and not Christmas like the first. My heart is so full and light and I loved continuing Finley and Arthur's story. I actually think I loved this more than So This is Christmas! I think we can all relate to that are we/aren't we feeling in a relationship and I thought the drama this time was particularly well done.
This was such a good follow up to So, This Is Christmas. If you have not read So, This Is Christmas I suggest doing that before reading this one. Because there were a lot of call backs to that book. I really loved getting to see more of Finaly and Athur. I loved seeing how there realtionship grew and changed over the course of this novel. Also, this picks up right were the last one left off. I will say that this is not a Christmas read, while the first one is. So if you want a Christmas read, then read the first book. I would suggest both of these books.
Thank you so much Tracy Andree, Viking books, and NetGalley for the ARC of this book.
So I think the first books, So This is Christmas, didn't really need a follow up but I'm always down for a continuation. Finley and Arthur are past Christmas and back to school (Finley at boarding school) so things are left in a bit of a drift with her relationship with Arthur and when mean girls, family, and expectations get in the way Finley has to get grounded, figure out what she wants, and figure out a way to make it work with Arthur with her. I thought this is true! I hope the Netflix movie rumor is true!
So this is Love
I feel like I would have enjoyed this more when I read So This is Christmas but I was still able to enjoy So This is Love as a stand-alone. Finley is a small town girl from a town called Christmas where she and wealthy Arthur spent a magical Christmas in Christmas. But now that they are back at school, she is not quite where things stand. Finley has never fit in with the mean girls at their boarding school but now that her relationship with Arthur is up in the air, she makes attempts to be more involved and make friends. There are mean girls with an agenda and family alliances and expectations on Arthur’s shoulder which doesn’t bode well for Finley. This was a cute coming of age, romantic comedy with family drama thrown in. Easy and enjoyable read with relatable characters. Thanks to Penguin Teen for my gifted arc to read and review.