Most Wonderful follows three siblings, Liz, Birdie, and Rafi, all looking for a chance at love as they visit their mother for the holidays.

Honestly, this was so messy and fun, and I loved every minute of it!

I absolutely love the holiday season, and you can guarantee that as soon as I've put away all of my Halloween decor and shelved the horror books, I will switch on the Hallmark channel and binge all of the Christmas movies I can before December 25. I'm also going to read several Christmas-themed books while sipping hot chocolate and cuddling with my dog. When I read the synopsis of this one, I thought for sure I was going to love it. Not only was it a Christmas rom-com, but it's also LGBTQIA+ focused, and I love seeing my community repped in a holiday book. Sadly, this book didn't quite hit the Christmas magic mark for me.

The book focuses on the lives of the three Belvedere siblings during the holiday season. Liz, Birdie, and Rafi have all come home to spend the holidays with their famous actress of a mother, Babs.

Liz, the eldest sibling, is a successful Hollywood showrunner but finds herself at a crossroads as she tries to come up with a follow-up to her hit show's first season. (A show based on Sweet Valley High - a book series I LOVED as a kid.) However, her biggest challenge may be her feelings for the show's star, Violet Grace. Birdie, the middle child, has found success as a stand-up comic but risks losing it all due to her constant pursuit of love interests and her love for drinking. Meanwhile, Rafi, the sensitive baby and only boy in the family, was rejected by his girlfriend after a public proposal at work. When his gay childhood best friend comes home to visit over the holidays, he finds that old feelings have resurfaced and that maybe he'd be better off with him instead.

Honestly, I loved the concept and all of the characters (though I did find Rafi kind of boring.) I could easily see Jean Smart playing Babs (the mother) were this to be made into a TV movie. Her character was practically a carbon copy of Deborah Vance (Smart's character from "Hacks"). I also really liked the love interests the siblings were involved with, but I also think this is what ruined the book for me. It felt like there was way too much going on.

Also, while I appreciated that the author included LGBTQIA+ rep - and several different sexualities to boot - it felt like overkill. Had the author picked one sibling and made their relationship woes the focus and had the other siblings be there as support, I think it would have felt less overcooked. I especially felt that Rafi's story wasn't fully realized and that his character was kind of thrown in to hit some sort of quota. That said, I thought the family relationship was strong, and I loved the siblings' bond and their connection with their mother.

Another gripe I have is that this didn't feel like a Christmas novel, aside from the fact that the siblings had all come home for Christmas. There was one Christmas party, but aside from that, the book severely lacked the holiday magic I love from this type of book. This is more of a predictable rom-com with lots of (sometimes very awkward) sex scenes. Oh - and if I never hear the phrase "It's a vibe," "You're a vibe," or any other iteration of that sentence using the word "vibe" ever again, I will be a very happy reader.

While I didn't hate it, I also didn't love this book. On the plus side, I adored almost all the characters, and the witty dialogue was a lot of fun. On the downside, there was little to no "holiday cheer," and it felt like the author tried to squeeze way too much into the plot. Overall, it was just okay.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group and Dial Press for the ARC of Most Wonderful! As someone who thrives during Christmas season and lives for the joy and coziness of it, this book bottled up that feeling and made for a fun read. Georgia Clark captured the dynamic of what it's like to be a close family while also living with personal struggles. Often we don't realize what our siblings are going through while we're navigating our own traumas, and this book helped shed light on that in a beautiful way while being festive.

The story follows Liz, Birdie, and Rafi, the children of famous actress Babs Belvedere, and their recent dilemmas that occur before they go to the Catskills to spend the holidays with their mom. What occurs next are ups and downs in their romantic lives, and they all experience unexpected personal growth all the while. I loved that each sibling had their own unique story that evolved as the book went on, and reading about queer love is always a joyful experience. My only wish is that we had a little more in-depth time near the end as they started to experience big life changes, but other than that, I really enjoyed this book. A cozy upstate NY setting at Christmas is perfect for a holiday romance book, and I was attached to these characters by the end of it. Even the secondary characters were a joy to read about. Definitely add this to your holiday book TBR!

I love a good holiday romance and with Most Wonderful we get THREE chances at love when we meet the Belvedere siblings Liz, Birdie and Rafi.

This book was a refreshing change from the usual light and fluffy holiday stories I tend to read. The author did a really good job balancing the happy and cheerful moments while also dealing with some seriously deep issues.

Each sibling has their own romantic subplot, and I found all their stories delightful. I even enjoyed all the love interests as well. This book is perfect if you love holiday stories and even more so if you love holiday stories with some family drama.

Thank you to NetGalley and Georgia Clark for the ARC!

Yet another fantastic book by Georgia Clark. I enjoyed this book so much. Interesting characters, fun plot (and twists!), and a great premise.

I loved this book could not put it down I love the Christmas vibes and the twists it was so good I love how each siblings had their roles but still wanting to change

Georgia Clark masterfully weaves a tale of self-discovery, forgiveness, and the enduring power of love. Liz, Birdie and Rafi are relatable and endearing, each with their own unique quirks and vulnerabilities. The small-town setting, complete with cozy winter vibes and festive cheer, adds to the charm of the story.

Most Wonderful is a perfect holiday read for those seeking a heartwarming and uplifting story. It's a reminder that love, family, and community can overcome any obstacle.

Thank you to Netgalley, Random House and Georgia Clark for the ARC.

There’s just something about finding love at Christmas that feels more magical than other times of year. I love Georgia Clark’s romances — they’re always heartfelt, witty, and well-crafted.

In this Christmas romance, three adult siblings all at various stages of life come together at their famous mother’s home. Liz, the oldest, is a Hollywood show-runner. Birdie is the middle child and a successful stand-up comic but she’s struggling professionally. Rafi, the golden boy youngest child, is a bit … spontaneous and proposes to his girlfriend of five minutes (kidding) in front of his entire company. Each is at a crossroads and each must face their own shortcomings before they can really lean in to the people that might just make them happiest.

I thoroughly enjoyed this. I thought it was sexy, fun, and full of heart. Highly recommend if you’re looking for cozy, LGBT+-focused holiday romance.

This book started a little slow for me but wow by the end I didn’t want to say goodbye to this family! I enjoyed reading each family member’s journey, I think Rafi’s may have been my favorite though? Tough call. This book is fun and funny and emotional and glimmers with holiday spirit.

Thank you so much to Georgia Clark and NetGalley for this e-arc! I went into this book not realizing it was darker than a cute wintery romance. Honestly, I’m glad this was interspersed with more serious topics as I felt if this were strictly romance the book would be a lot more one-note than it was at some points. I also think that the pacing was kind of draggy in certain areas, as I just wanted all the couples together. Huey, Dewey, and Louie are excellent Pomeranian names. I admire every character’s choices that led to their growth.

Make the Yuletide Gay! Three siblings, a snowy holiday in the Catskills, and a superstar mother is the perfect recipe for a feel-good holiday rom-com of your gay dreams. Meet the Belvedere's- Liz, Birdie, and Rafi. All of them are at a crossroads in their professional and romantic lives and decide to spend the holidays at their larger-than-life mom's home in the Catskills. Liz a TV writer who is hopelessly stuck on the next season of her hit show and desperately in love with her lead actress is hoping that some time away will help her get over her writer's block and her crush. Birdie a stand-up comedian is trying to put together a new special but can't seem to keep it together long enough to convince her agent that she's more than a one-hit wonder., and Rafi- who after the most humiliating romantic loss of his life is trying to figure out what he truly desires in life. What I appreciate about all Georgia Clark books is that they are FUN, but they are also expertly crafted tales of flawed humans trying to figure life out and finding love along the way. Not only is the book funny and romantic, but it also has substance and heart. My second most favorite thing about this book in particular is the smut. The queer yearning has big payoff in this book and I loved it. Clark knows when to make the love-making feel intimate and special- and when to make it a rollicking good time. I appreciate both. Most Wonderful is THE Queer holiday rom-com we have all been yearning for.

Thank you to Dial Press for the advance reader copy and to PRH Audio for the complimentary audiobook. These opinions are my own.

First, I have to start with how much I appreciated the amazing dedication, "For those who create, seek, or champion queer joy."

I knew this book was for me right from the start. Georgia Clark writes books that follow a variety of characters, often within the same family. And she explores queer relationships in such unique ways.

This book was no exception, as she included three complicated and nuanced siblings as the main characters. I definitely had my favorite, but I enjoyed their interactions as much as any one storyline. Liz is a Hollywood show runner, trying to make her successful show remain so for a second season. Birdie was a middle child struggling with addiction and finding her path. Rafi was the youngest and dealing with romantic disappointment.

All of their love interests were incredibly wise and emotionally mature. They actually felt a little less realistic than the siblings until the end. But I felt each relationship reached exactly the appropriate place for the book.

Patti Murin, Kristen Sieh, and Shawn K. Jain narrated the audiobook incredibly well. Having three narrators helped immediately set the tone for each chapter with easily distinguishable voices for Liz, Birdie, and Rafi.

CW: pregnancy complications, alcoholism, chronic, debilitating illness

4 stars.

"Most Wonderful" by Georgia Clark is a deceptively profound Christmas novel full of interesting characters, hot spice, compelling conversations, and intensity. It's about three relatively messy siblings and their encounters with love during the holidays. In telling three separate but conjoined stories, sometimes, one or more of them get lost in the fray. That does not happen here. Liz, Birdie, and Rafi all get equal time, their stories and backstories perfectly explained and never feel thrown in or forgotten. The dynamics between these siblings are the best parts of this book. Their personalities clash, but they still love each other nonetheless. Their interactions with their prospective romantic partners are all so different but feel meaningful for each of the siblings. It's delightful, deep, unabashedly queer, just an all-around good read. Lots of banter, smiles, and drama. I definitely recommend this book!

Thank you to NetGalley, Georgie Clark, Random House Publishing Group, and Dial Press Trade Paperback for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.

I love Christmas and books of Christmas so I had to read this one. It was cute and cozy and had all the winter vibes I could have asked for. Definitely recommend this book. Would make a cute book club book.

All the world's a stage for Babs Belvedere, and her three children- Rafi, Liz, and Birdie - end up back at Bab's Catskills estate a few weeks early where they fall back into their familiar familial roles. Baby of the family Rafi is coming off a failed proposal to his girlfriend Sunita who didn't even know they were dating; Hollywood writer Liz is harboring a crush over her lead actress Violet; and stand-up comedienne Birdie's career is languishing after her Netflix special three years ago. All three Belvedere siblings hope to hide out at their mother's house and avoid the real world, but hilarity, drama, and maybe even love have followed them upstate!

It took me a little bit of time to get into this story, but I ended up loving it so much. There was so much humor and warmth in this story. It reminded me of some of my favorite Christmas films, like Love Actually or The Holiday, following different but intertwined love stories. Each Belvedere siblings was really going THROUGH. IT. and I loved watching them figure things out with each other's support. The romances were fun, funny, sweet, and tender. I'd definitely recommend this ensemble, LGBTQIA+ holiday romance!

This book was really cute! Georgia Clark has such a specific, recognizable writing style IMO so if you enjoyed her previous books you’ll def enjoy this one.

Most Wonderful is an queer ensemble romance that follows the three children of a A-list actress, who all find themselves finding an extended amount of time at her Woodstock, NY mansion for an extended amount of time around Christmas for various reasons.

I struggled slightly with the story, mainly because I didn't think the characters individual stories were all that compelling. Rafi's story is the most interesting but you spend significantly less time on him than his sisters. Babs also wasn't someone I found all that endearing or charming either, so as a whole I struggled to put the entire story together. So maybe others may enjoy it but it didn't just click for me.

Thank you Dial Press and NetGalley for an arc of Most Wonderful.

I really loved this queer holiday romance, despite some minor issues I had with the ending. It can be tricky to write a story with 3 main characters and make sure each gets enough page time. Clark does a great job giving Liz, Birdie, and Rafi full backstories and personalities so the reader is invested in each of them. While I found Birdie to be annoying, I think she was written that way so we can see the growth she has. My favorite storyline was Liz and Violet (maybe because I'm a fan of the most bonkers TV show ever, Riverdale) but I though their relationship was the most earned. My biggest issue was I felt the ending was too quick and everything wrapped up in a way that was begging for an epilogue. I wanted to see these characters at next year's Christmas. Other than that, I very much enjoyed this book and will read other books by Clark in the future.

I absolutely adored this book! It is full of festive cheer and the gayest yuletide ever. Clark manages to seamlessly weave together the stories of the 3 Belvedere siblings back at home for the holidays - making us cheer for them and yearn with them as they journey into the people they want to be. This is a romance but it's also book chock full of self reflection and discovery for all 3 Belvederes. I was nervous that because we were telling 3 different love stories in one book i might feel like there wasn't enough development or that they would feel rushed. This was not the case at all. Clark manages to build such emotional depth in all 3 storylines. I also loved the Babs storyline and the layers that added to the story, bringing the siblings together and sparking the change they needed. It took this rom-com to another level for me I think
I enjoyed the ways the stories mirrored one another - dealing with friends to lovers, or whether to keep things a secret, or the tendency to self sabotage something good.
This is hands down my new favorite Christmas rom-com.

There are a lot of topics covered in this book, and I don't think each was given the full respect they warrant. The switching between three characters and trying to follow their loves/lives got to be a lot. I didn't get fully invested in any specific plot line. I also wish Christmas releases came out a bit closer to Christmas, or at least Thanksgiving. I don't want to get into the holiday spirit before Halloween.