DNFing this one at 34%

I had the urge to DNF this one shortly after I began. I stuck with it. Read a third. Went to bed. Woke up- have zero desire to continue. So I am going to DNF.

Why the DNF? Honestly- Ella. I get she is supposed to be a "Scrooge" type character. I assume an epiphany and redemption is coming. But her attitude is unbearable to me. Your mom died when you were a kid. That sucks. You will grieve for the rest of your life. But you had an amazing aunt that raised you- so many people are not that lucky. Grow up and appreciate what you have. Ugh.

More minor, there were also a LOT of unnecessary details, irrelevant to the story. I don't need a description of every item the character wears in the book. (Just an example)

I was hoping for a sweet Christmas story, but 1/3 in, all I have so far is a grieving widower and a bitter female lead.

Such a cute book!!!! I loved the way this author writes. I couldn't put it down. I was so into the characters and the story.

Both MC Ella & Seth are dealing with grief while trying to function in life. Although Ella seemed to deal with it in a different way than Seth. I loved that both MCs were excited to see each other after all those years.

I loved the way these two characters interacted throughout the whole book. The surprises and plot twists really kept me interested in the book.

Great Christmas book to get you into a holiday mood.

Thank you Netgalley for the audio book. The narrator did an amazing job.

It's a cute Christmas romance with diversity representation (Afro-Caribbean) in a way that doesn't feel like you're being hit over the head with it.

Tropes:
* Smalltown
* Second chance

The slow development of the romance felt realistic, as did the concerns keeping the lovers apart. We could see them warming up to each other and getting to know each other better.

The families were cute and the communities were nice, too. I'm a lapsed Catholic, but it almost made me want to rejoin the Church for the community of it! Almost.

I like that we got all the small-town coziness but <spoiler>were still able to see her return to the city, happily, afterwards. Her new love even came with her! Small towns are great, but sometimes cities have more opportunity and it's valid to want to end up there.<spoiler>

Overall a cute, cozy read.

Thanks, NetGalley, HarperCollins, and Thomas Nelson Fiction, for the free ARC in exchange for my honest review.