i really wanted to love this book. the hEDS representation was really good and i loved the premise of a cute christmas sapphic romance with silly chaos but, honestly, it fell short for me. 

the pacing was a bit off as some bits dragged on but others felt so rushed. the miscommunication trope was used in a way i HATED

the engagement misunderstanding had me SCREAMINGGGG like how hard is it to say “we’re not engaged it’s just the only finger this ring fit on”?! or idk maybe put it on your right hand not your left?! it was obviously used to move the plot along and have christopher tell his parents he doesn’t want to work at the dad’s company

some of the characters felt very unrealistic and almost gave middle grade vibes? and yet laurel and ambrose (listened on audio so no clue if that’s the correct spelling) were amazing characters so the author can write really compelling characters. and tbh i did like kit too until the insta lovey thing and the cupboard part (iykyk) which felt shady af. 

my biggest gripe with this was the insta love. like yes i know wlw have a stereotype for hauling and i’ve seen it happened irl but i HATE IT! i find it so unrealistic. you cannot know someone well enough to be in love with them after 5 DAYS! 

i understand that it was at christmas so there was a time crunch but the instalove ruined it for me - without it it would’ve been a 3.5 star because it was actually pretty fun to read up until that last bit.

if they’d gotten rid of the whole esther kicking haf out but instead had christopher tell the truth and maybe the conflict would’ve been kit being like idk if i can do it and the denouement is her coming up to york for NYE and saying actually i want to give it a shot i would’ve loved that. or just anything where they do start dating but without the i love you you’re the love of my life you’re my christmas wish forever and ever stuff.