This book wasn't for me but I can 100% see why people would enjoy it, In fact I suggested it to my friend who I thought would enjoy it, it was very much something she would enjoy.

The story follows Davis, an actress who gets cut from a TV show after outing a costar while drunk, after her return to her hometown of Christmas, where it is Christmas year round.

The book was fine. There was nothing particularly wrong with it, but also nothing particularly special about it.

I strongly disliked Davis at the start because of her ego and attitude, and despite her character growth after meeting Asia, I found her hard to warm to. On the other hand, I liked Asia at the start, but by the end found myself questioning her decisions, especially her sudden flip from "I'm not interested because *insert list of reasons*" to suddenly being madly in love despite no resolution to the issues between her and Davis.

I enjoyed the scenes where Davis was filming the cooking show episode and the adverts. But there were some scenes that felt like they held no real purpose and were just there as filler.

I can't say I would particularly recommend this book, but if you're after an easy to read romance with a happily ever after ending, maybe give it a go.

A bruised and battered Hollywood actress with a big ego returns home. The gorgeous woman that caught her eye is less than impressed with her bravado.

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

Davis Hart has fled Hollywood with her tail between her legs after she got drunk and accidentally outed the star of the tv show where she played a supporting role. Arriving in her hometown Christmas, where, you probably guessed it, it’s Christmas year round. Her old community theatre company has attracted a young, up and coming playwright for their new play. It’s their last chance to keep the doors open. Davis reconnects with old friends but somehow makes the absolute worst first impression on Asia, the playwright. Asia is the most gorgeous woman Davis has ever seen, but all her usual bravado and flirting does not work on Asia.

I didn’t like Davis very much. I thought she was an arrogant, egotistical player. That just does not appeal to me. The fact that her first reaction to Asia was something along the lines of ‘I have to have her’, was really off putting. Asia’s reaction and bluntness in reacting to Davis’s unabashed flirting was hilarious and empowering. As the story continued I did mellow a bit towards Davis, but I didn’t really believe her suddenly less egotistical personality.

The connection between Davis and Asia starts out standoffish and cold, but that changes rather quickly. It almost feels unnaturally quickly. I feel like there were many more opportunities to ramp up the tension and especially the connection between the two main characters. The story is written entirely from Davis’ POV and somehow it didn’t grab me. I felt like I was sitting somewhere in the back of the theatre only catching glimpses of important moments.

The part I did enjoy was the quick wit Asia displayed and the fun banter between Davis and her friend Tommy.

All in all, this book just wasn’t for me.

I didn't think I was going to enjoy this book when I first started reading it, because of the attitude of Davis Hart - actor in a popular American TV show. She was way above herself, with an ego that was much too big.
She was axed from the show, and moved back to Christmas, her childhood town, where it is Christmas all year round, and she met Asia.
It was here that I started to warm to her; she became more insecure and down to earth, and a much nicer person, making the book an enjoyable read.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and author for letting me read a copy of this book in return for my honest review

Thank you NetGalley and Publisher for allowing me to read and review this book.

I very much enjoyed this book. The writing was great and the characters were well developed. I hope to read more from this author in the future.

I have tried several times but I just cannot get into Leigh’s writing. I’m not sure if it’s her writing style or what but none of her books hold my attention past a couple chapters. Oh well, lesson learned I won’t be reading/requesting her books anymore.

Thank you to Bold Strokes Books, Inc. and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy of this book. Here are my honest thoughts and review.

⭐ 2.5 Stars

Davis Hart is the kind of main character you don’t root for at first. She’s a popular actress with destructive tendencies, avoiding responsibility and accountability for her actions. In an attempt to fix her spiraling life, she returns to her small hometown. There, she begins to find joy in everyday activities and becomes invested in saving the local theater, helping it stay open and financially stable.

Asia du Muir, the other main character, is a director and playwright at the start of her career. She’s determined to make her mark without being overshadowed by Davis and initially wants nothing to do with her.

As Davis and Asia start working together, Davis undergoes significant character development, growing in the best ways. However, their romantic relationship and sexual attraction felt forced and lacked natural progression. Their connection could have been more believable if the story had spent more time showing them getting to know each other and building chemistry organically.

On a personal note, I realized this book wasn’t for me because I dislike the “Christmas all year round” small-town setting—it just felt too over-the-top and unrealistic for my taste.

Overall, while the story is cute, cozy, and short, it didn’t leave a lasting impression.

I thought that this book had a decent Hallmark-esque storyline. I don't think I would read it again because the romance and attraction didn't feel super believable and the dialogue felt clunky at times.

⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️

I was actually really excited to start this book, as i loved the blurb. But I just could not connect to either of the main characters. The main character, from whose perspective this is written, is supposed to be a player from the city overcoming her history and habit and all thta, but the redemption arc just did not click for me. It just felt like reading a book about the „wheres my hug“ „shower? Without me?“ guy :(
I also felt like there was no chemistry or attraction between the fmc‘s. I never got invested in their story and lowkey did not want them to end up together.
Other that the fact that I dont think the main character deserved her love interest I actually liked the storyline. I think there was so much potential for Hallmark vibes that was sadly ruined for me.

I will not be posting about this book on my Instagram.

Unfortunately, I didn’t finish this book, but I did get to about 50% and I knew I wouldn’t enjoy the rest. I love the setting of Christmas, the community theatre and the writing was great - it was very digestible and it made me want to keep reading.

However, the main character was so unlikeable and, although I don’t mind an unlikeable protagonist, I don’t think it fits into a romance novel because it makes it hard to root for them and their romance. Also, the absence of another POV made it really challenging to read from her perspective. I’m sure she would have improved as the story went on, but I just didn’t feel invested by then.

I know a lot of people will love this, though.

The setting for this story is the best thing about the book. The town of Christmas sounds charming and sweet. I’m less enamoured of the two leading ladies. Apart from being good looking and a decent actress, Davis doesn’t seem to have any redeeming qualities. The drunk incident at the beginning was fair enough as that was a deliberate honey trap, but the selfishness to friends and family made the subsequent attraction a little hard to believe. What would Asia see in her apart from a shared interest in theatre? There are some nice scenes due to the aforementioned charm of the setting, but the romance doesn’t really gel. I think Davis needs a few more years to mature.

This was an enjoyable enough read, with some laugh-out-loud moments and a really lovely storyline about a community theatre.

Its biggest crime though, is that I didn’t care about the main character and, by extension, the romance. Davis was, for the most part, quite annoying, and while I don’t mind an unlikeable protagonist I do want to be rooting for them. I found her to be very entitled and disingenuous.

This included Davis’ romance with Asia. I really didn’t get a sense of a connection between them; Davis saw Asia once, declared that she was hot, and that was the entire basis of their relationship. While I did like Asia as a character, I never got the sense that she had particularly strong feelings for Davis back.

The comedic chapters of Davis moving between terrible acting gigs were very entertaining, and I did really like that it was about the importance of art and theatre to a small community. I also liked how this led to Davis falling in love with acting again, and rediscovering her passion for it.

Overall I feel fairly ambivalent about this book. There were plenty of things to enjoy, but also some major frustrations and drawbacks.

I received a free copy for an honest review.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and am sharing my review voluntarily.

This book is an engaging read, offering a mix of glamour, tension, and drama with a compelling cast of characters. Actor Davis and stage director Asia Du Muir share a fascinating, tension-filled dynamic that keeps you hooked. Their chemistry is undeniable—there’s something electric about their interactions—but I found that it lacked that wow factor that would have elevated their relationship to something truly unforgettable. Still, both characters are intriguing, and I appreciated the way they challenged each other throughout the story.

The pacing of the book is where I think the story could have delved deeper. While I enjoyed their connection, I felt like both Davis and Asia could have had more time to evolve within the plot. There were moments where I wanted to see more development, more vulnerability, or just a little more time spent exploring their emotional growth as individuals and as a couple. The relationship has great potential, but I found myself wishing for more depth and complexity in their personal journeys.

The book also takes a brief but insightful look at the superficiality of Hollywood and the world of fame, touching on the way these external pressures shape and distort relationships. While it’s a fascinating angle, I felt that the exploration of Hollywood’s frivolous nature wasn’t substantial enough to fully satisfy someone looking for a deep dive into the industry.

However, if you're a fan of Broadway, stage dramas, or the theater world, you'll probably find a lot to love here. The stage production elements and the behind-the-scenes glimpse into the creative process are engaging. The world-building around the theater and the dynamic between Davis and Asia as they navigate their roles both on and off the stage is one of the highlights of the story.

In summary, this book is an enjoyable read with intriguing characters and a solid romance. It’s a lighter, more accessible read that will appeal to those who love stage dramas. If you're looking for a breezy yet engaging story with a dash of glamour, this one is worth checking out.

I liked this novel. I did. It was a cozy and enjoyable Christmas read, and I am glad that I read it. There were some very nice scenes, and I found myself invested in a few different parts of the story.

That said, I also found this novel to be somewhat underwhelming and lacking that special something. There wasn’t anything particularly wrong with it at all, I would give this author another shot for sure, but there wasn’t anything to make me want to recommend this over the other many options available. The beginning of the novel spent a lot of time on what was essentially filler material (Davis shooting random commercials was somewhat fun but didn’t do much for the story), which continued throughout the story (what was the actual point of the hot dog sequence?). Some sections/scenes went so fast that they didn’t have much impact for me. The romance, which I came for, was particularly thin and rushed at times (particularly the ending).

That said, this was fine. If this was a Hallmark movie I would absolutely watch it, but I probably wouldn’t watch it twice.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing a free ARC. This honest review was left voluntarily.

Davis Hart has retreated back home to her mom after being ostracized from her successful television series and from all of Hollywood. She wants to try to be cast in Broadway plays, but for the time being, all she can get is commercials. She finds that someone is planning a play in her hometown of Christmas. Asia has received a grant to write and produce her own play. Davis tries to charm Asia into being cast, but Asia knows exactly who Davis is and doesn't want her involved due to all the negative news. Davis finally gets Asia to relent and slowly but surely, the two realize there is more going on than the play.
I would recommend.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

**Book Review: *Unwrapped* by D. Jackson Leigh**

In *Unwrapped*, D. Jackson Leigh delivers a holiday romance that’s as much about personal growth as it is about the complexities of love. At its core is Davis Hart, a fallen television star whose self-centered personality and scandal-driven downfall make her a challenging protagonist at first. But Leigh masterfully reveals Davis’s vulnerabilities and inner struggles, creating a character arc that’s as rewarding as it is realistic. Davis retreats to her hometown to escape the fallout of her public disgrace, reconnecting with her roots and crossing paths with Asia du Muir, a disciplined playwright focused on launching her career. The instant attraction between Davis and Asia is undeniable, but their differences create a natural friction that fuels the story’s slow-burn romance.

The emotional tension Leigh builds between the two women is both compelling and frustrating in the best way. The slow pacing allows their relationship to develop organically, with each woman cautiously letting her guard down only to retreat when old fears or missteps arise. Asia’s no-nonsense ambition and resistance to Davis’s advances are the perfect counterbalance to Davis’s initial arrogance, forcing both characters to confront their priorities and flaws. Leigh’s ability to navigate these dynamics keeps the reader engaged, while the festive small-town setting adds charm and warmth. For those who enjoy character-driven romances with a touch of angst and the payoff of a gradual, hard-earned connection, *Unwrapped* offers a satisfying blend of holiday cheer and emotional depth.

Davis Hart returns to her hometown after a scandal gets her fired from a popular tv series. In the beginning she is a heroine you aren’t rooting for as she takes no accountability for her actions and blames others. But while at home caring for her mother who is recovering from surgery she finds enjoyment in helping out at the local community theater. Asia du Muir is the director and playwright for the current production having gotten a grant. This is an opportunity that can really help launch her career. Davis helps in coaching the student actors.

I like that Davis has growth during the storyline. But I didn’t really understand Asia’s attraction to Davis. It goes from, you only want to get into my pants, to sure why not, in the blink of an eye. I didn’t get the reasons. I enjoyed some of the funny bits including the appearance on the cooking show. I’ve read a lot of holiday romances this year. And while this story is fine I didn’t find anything that made it stand out or memorable for me.

As usual D doesn't disappoint with this cozy Sapphic romance. I enjoyed every minute. I definitely recommend.

Thank You Bold Strokes for this ARC copy which I received via NetGalley.

Good book, but it took me a while to get into this story. Parts of this story was so slow that it made it hard to keep my interest in reading it or finishing the story. But, I pushed through and got to some parts that were interesting to read. This was a book that was very hard too read especially because one of the main characters was very hard to like, because of here past misconduct. I would recommend this book and author, and I look forward to what's next from this author.

Asia has come to the small town to put on a play and (hopefully) make a name for herself. She does NOT need a party girl actress crashing her play. No matter how cute she is...

After drunkenly outting a actress, Davis Hart has gone home to lick her wounds. She has no plans to involve herself with Asia's play but her old friends are in it, and she finds herself intrigued by the director/writer.

Good read. Mostly told from Davis' pov, it's a good slow burn. The cast is good, and i liked Davis' Mom and the whole crew.

Mild gripe: a unnecessary third act breakup....

3.5 stars out of 5