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

During the early chapters of this book I really struggled with my dislike for Davis Hart due to the character's very self-centered personality and wasn't sure that I was going to be able to finish. However, every so often I would get a glimpse of a softer side to her character that was hiding under all that bombastic ego and looked forward to seeing how she would soften up as the story progressed. I'm very glad that I persisted in the end.

With the sudden demise of her television career following a drunken escapade/tell all and subsequent viral media coverage, Davis Hart slinks back to her home town under the guise of needing to care for her ailing mother but with the perspective that she could just keep a low public profile while the media frenzy dies down before returning to her normal life down the track. While there she reconnects with her old community theatre buddies and meets the single-focused playwright and director Asia du Muir to whom she is instantly attracted. However, Asia's single-minded focus on her career means that she has no time for some party-girl actress and Davis' advances are shut down immediately....and repeatedly.

D. Jackson Leigh does a fantastic job of building the tension between the two characters, with the occasional glimpse of each woman's wall's coming down before they are slammed right back up again when Davis does or says something that leads to Asia pushing her away again. It was quite the rollercoaster of a ride.

My overall advice with this book is to not give up if Davis Hart gets your goat at first. Be patient and give her time. There really is a heart and the ability to think of others before herself in there, it's just going to take a bit of effort, and a few reality checks to help her find her soft side.

Thank you to D. Jackson Leigh, NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book. I am providing an honest review and all opinions are my own.

would like to thank netgalley and the publishers for letting me read this amusing book

i found both characters davis and asia very amusing ...davis for how arrogant and hollywood she was with her foot in her mouth all the time and like a dog on heat.... but endearing as well.... and asia for how she acted and how in control she was

the attraction between davis and asia is well played out but the christmas town called christmas is what pulled me in... that place sounds amazing and i want to live there....

with the theatre failing its down to one last show to bring the audiences back and shoppers back to the town of christmas, businesses are failing no pressure on asia its do or die by this one show

davis has left LA under a cloud and tries her best to worm her way into asia pants to no avail but her willingness to help the play does start to break down asia walls....

but will it be enough to save the town and any hope of a relationship between davis and asia

really enjoyed the angst and all that went with this book... cant wait to read more from this author

Actor Davis Hart’s career is in a death spiral after her drunken sleep-and-tell outs the star of their hit television show. Hoping time and distance will offer a new start, Davis returns to her small hometown where it’s Christmas year-round and the community theater where she honed her acting skills draws thousands of tourists every year. Only everything has changed. The theater is struggling to stay open, and its last hope is a mesmerizing hazel-eyed woman with a grant to produce an original holiday play.

Playwright and director Asia du Muir is serious and very focused on her career. She’s finished her education at Columbia University and hopes a fellowship grant to write and produce a play at a community theater will launch her career. She’s not going to let some party girl actress ruin her best chance to get noticed by a Broadway critic.

I have mixed feelings about this. I felt like we didn't get enough of Asia's side of the story, and that really took away some of the balance. I enjoyed the banter and chemistry, but felt like there was something missing overall. I wanted to like this more. For me, it was just okay. 3.5⭐

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced digital reader's copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review!

I have enjoyed several books by D. Jackson Leigh but I was not drawn into this.
The two main character are actors which causes trouble in their careers and personal life.
There is a break up and misunderstandings while Asia works on her education and a play she’s working on.

Disappointing

I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.

Davis acting career is put on hold when she accidentally spills a secret about one of her co-stars of hit show she is and was on. She decides to go to her hometown where it’s Christmas all year around to let things die while figure out what she going to do. Asia is determine to focus on her career and one things is to she wants to produce the play she wrote for her community theater that’s is struggling to stay open and she doesn’t want anyone to distract her from this. Davis wants to help but Asia doesn’t want her help as they work together despite Asia reluctant of Davis help they both can’t help the feelings that’s start to happen between them. This was ok read I love the character growth of Davis but Asia she became an annoying with the way she treated Davis which I question why Davis fell for her I like Davis mom as she was supportive.

Christmas isn’t just a holiday, it’s a place. A place which I grew to love throughout this book.

It was a cosy sapphic romance, perfect for the holiday season.

I don’t have much to say, it was a great book with a great plot, a nice cosy book

Davis gets into trouble and fired from her Hollywood TV show and goes home to the town of Christmas, where, you guessed it, it's always like Christmas. She gets involved in a stage production being put on by Asia. They get closer, but go through bumps too.

I was so surprised that this is a D. Jackson Leigh book, because I thought that it was severely lackluster. Both characters blow hot and cold so much, I never could guess which way they would go, nice or ass.

And then there's Asia, she's an asshole. Period. Davis at least grows during the book, but, Asia is just abruptly an ass near the end. It's totally out of left field, and I could find absolutely no in text reason. (Yes, some of this is probably due to the fact that it's a first person novel told from Davis' point of view).

Reading this book made me tense, and, honestly, Davis deserves better. (Really, victim blaming near the end too? Seriously?)