Book Review 📚
One Sweet Holiday by Lucy Day - 4.5/5

I'm ashamed to say that this is my first book by Day, I'm not a huge lover of mushy romcoms, especially at Christmas time (yes I'm a Scrooge). But this was absolutely amazing. I really loved the whole thing and would happily read it again.

Imagine, just imagine sitting in a big cuddle chair with a soft blanket, rain hitting the windows, a cup of hot chocolate, Christmas tree in the background and a perfect Christmas book. Now when I set that scene the book I'm holding is One Sweet Holiday.

The writing style is beautiful, such wonderful wording and descriptions and it was so easily to start reading and not stop until you are done. An amazing plot and story, with amazing characters (most of which are likeable). A perfect Christmas book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Blue Crow Publishing for allowing me to read this ARC - this is an HONEST review from my own personal opinion.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

4.1 rounded down to 4/5.

Lucy Day's "One Sweet Holiday" invites readers into the heartwarming chaos of Christmas in the small town of Jasmine Falls, South Carolina. Centered around Gwen Griffin's quest for the perfect wedding date for her sister's upcoming nuptials, the novel combines a cute holiday rom-com with the classic fake dating trope.

The strengths of the book lie in its heartwarming narrative, creating a festive atmosphere without venturing into cheesy territory. The relationship between Gwen and Logan, the hot Scottish bazillionaire next door, adds a delightful touch to the story. Their fake dating arrangement unfolds into a genuine connection, offering readers a comforting and quick read.

The support and charm that Logan brings to Gwen's life are particularly commendable, and the novel successfully addresses the complexities of difficult family relationships. The sisterly bond between Gwen and Victoria adds a layer of depth to the story, creating a relatable dynamic that resonates with readers.

However, the novel does have its shortcomings. The predictability of the plot's direction and the reliance on certain romantic tropes, such as insta-love, might deter readers seeking a more nuanced narrative. The lack of extensive plot development could leave some wanting more substance to the storyline.

Repetition surfaces in the form of the mothers' obsession with finding partners for Gwen and Logan, which may feel redundant to some readers. Additionally, Gwen's reluctance to share the true reason behind her canceled wedding raises questions.

While the panic attack Gwen experiences upon seeing her ex-fiancé with his new partner may seem contradictory given her feelings toward him, it contributes to the emotional tension in the story.

In conclusion, "One Sweet Holiday" is a charming addition to the holiday romance genre, providing a delightful escape into the festivities of small-town Christmas. Its strengths in heartwarming storytelling and the exploration of family dynamics outweigh the predictable elements and minor inconsistencies. Fans of closed-door romance and those seeking a standalone holiday read will find enjoyment in Gwen and Logan's journey.

This made for a quick and enjoyable holiday read. The romance was steamy without being explicit and the characters were mostly likeable and easy to get to know.

Gwen is nervous about her sister's upcoming wedding after having to break off her own engagement last year. Enter the "hot Scot" Logan - heir to a massive fortune, add a heaping spoonful of small town holiday fun and you've got the perfect combo for a holiday romance.

The book was fairly predictable and moved a bit quickly at times, but I appreciated that Gwen was imperfect and felt more like "every girl" with normal fears and insecurities.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advanced copy to read. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely.

A fun holiday romp. The ending was a bit abrupt, but the overall story was enjoyable, and a solid holiday read.

This is maybe my favorite holiday romance of 2023 (and I read a LOT of them this year). Gwen's a lovable main character who you want to root for, and Logan's swoonworthy. I'm looking forward to reading more of this series!

The book One Sweet Holiday was an enjoyable read. I would recommend any book written by Lucy Day. Happy Reading!

I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely.

One Sweet Holiday was a wholesome and enjoyable festive read, which shared an important message about the importance of showing compassion and kindness to ourselves, as well as others. If anyone's looking for a lighthearted winter read, I would absolutely recommend One Sweet Holiday!

Thank you to Lucy Day, NetGalley and the publishers for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC. Great love story! Gwen drove me nuts with her negative talk but I think so many of us can relate to it. Her mom made me want to smack her. I loved Logan’s character and I loved how the story went back and forth between Gwen and Logan narrating. If you want a great read, you won’t be disappointed in this book. One I started it, I read it in less than 2 days.

This book was totally amazing filled with flirty banter. Totally loved the story and characters.
Thankyou netgalley and the author for giving me a chance to arc -read this book!!

One Sweet Holiday is a sugary sweet read about a “hot Scot” who helps leading lady Gwen, find her confidence after a lifetime of being put down by others and an engagement gone wrong.

This one checks off ALL of the list for a perfect holiday read. Fake dating, small down, holiday rom com ? Yes please! I thought it was laugh out loud at times and ultimately it was a cute, sweet read!

Loved seeing how Gwen and Logan's story played out! They truly seemed like they were perfect for each other. He grounded her so well and made her grow a lot as a person. I also loved how Victoria finally stood up for herself and did what was best for her. Such a cute, feelgood read!

When adding to good reads, I realized this is #3 in a series. I did not read the other 2 so I cannot say for sure this would affect my review. That being said, I didn’t care for these MCs. It was like watching a Hallmark movie but you had to listen to what the 2 people were thinking the whole time.

Overall, Logan and Gwen's romantic story in this book was a pleasant read. What I liked most about it was the way the author took their time to develop their relationship. Despite not being a fan of instalove, the characters grew on each other over time, and took time to get to know one another, making their relationship feel more authentic. Gwen, in particular, was a refreshing character, as she broke free from the typical perfect female protagonist stereotype. One thing to note is that this book is a closed-door romance, meaning that there are no explicit scenes. However, this may be a preference for some readers. While the beginning of the book was engaging and entertaining, the ending felt a bit rushed. As a reader, I would have loved to see more time dedicated to the ending, especially given the investment I had made in the characters during the first half of the book. Additionally, the plot did get a bit slow at times, and I would have appreciated more conflict to keep me engaged. Overall, this was a decent read, but it may not be for everyone.

4🌟
A cheesy, heartwarming romance where I found myself rooting for the main characters. Yes it was obvious what would happen at the end but I appreciated the way we got to know their motivations and their challenges while they got to know each other.

Written in a dual perspective style, this easy to follow and calm, easygoing romance is a nice read.

Oh this was SWOONY. Loved the mcc. Of course I wanted more steam and more dating banter between the two of them. But still loved all of it.

I received an advance review copy for free via Netgalley and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This was my first Jasmine Falls book but I didn't feel like I needed to know what happened in previous books. Those characters were guest stars in this book. I liked the town, I liked the Christmas wedding, I loved the sister dynamic and the overbearing mother. It was a fun read.

I do have a (long-standing) quibble about the cafes and bakeries with one baker who shows up at 8 AM. I also don't know why Gwen was so worried about keeping secret that her ex-fiancée cheated and that's why she called off the wedding. That's all on him, not her. Why let him look like the wronged party?

Thank you to Blue Crow Publishing and NetGalley for the Advance Reader Copy. I am required to disclose this by law.

3.75/5

This was such a sweet romance. I enjoyed watching Logan and Gwen's relationship flourish throughout the book. I'm not one for insta-love scenarios, but I enjoyed this quick read. Christmas time in the small town of Jasmine Falls was the perfect setting for this. Gwen is extremely relatable, and I love that the author did not make her to be this picture-perfect stereotypical FMC. Closed door romance, so keep that in mind if that is not your cup of tea. I feel the ending was a bit rushed, and the author could have spent more time since I was so invested in the first half of the book. I just wanted more in the end.

Gwen is an amazing baker and the owner of a small bakery in Jasmine Falls. Her sister Victoria is getting married, and Gwen is trying to escape the scrutiny from her mother and the town on her dating life. With a failed relationship behind her, she is desperate to fly under the radar during the wedding festivities. Gwen is the type of woman who gives her all for everyone but always stands in her own way.

Logan is picture perfect. Everything you would want in a man. Kind, compassionate, loving. The kind of guy to make you feel like a million bucks, not to mention he has millions of bucks. He is escaping his family drama and attending his old friends wedding in Jasmine Falls. Logan finds himself renting a cabin next to Gwen, who he quickly falls for. This Scottish man practically stole my heart from the beginning. Can all men be a bit more like Logan?

This book had all of the charming and cozy Christmas time romance vibes. I really liked this book and just found out there’s two other books in this series and I want to dive into them.

I am a sucker for a good Christmas story. This is my first story by Lucy Day and I was pleasantly surprised. It had the Hallmarkish feel that I was looking for. I enjoyed Logan’s character and was just as invested in how he was going to solve his family problems as I was their romance.
I was also pleased with the ending both for Gwen and her sister.
The author did a great job of giving us chemistry between the characters without being explicit.
I would recommend One Sweet Holiday.