Although I was thrilled to find a book about a teen novel about a fifteen-year-old there was nothing great about this book. It was predictable and uneventful.

I loved this book. It would be great for fans of Kasie West. It was a sweet romance set around the fun of Christmas in the middle of summer,  So cute!

Darby is the "first-daughter of Christmas" - the quaint town, not the holiday in December - and has worked alongside her father, the Mayor as long as she can remember. This summer holds lots of possibilities for her - the boy she has been crushing on since New Year's Eve has asked her out, maybe, and her town has been named a top travel destination. 

Darby's summer plans come crashing down around her after an accident that was witnessed and recorded by the people of Christmas and its many visitors. With her life flipped upside down, Darby must work to right the damage she has caused and get herself back together.

This is a story of growing up, accountability and family, as well. Well suited for upper middle grade and high school readers (though there is some strong language).

Darby is the daughter of the long time mayor of Christmas, Florida, and since her mother died in childbirth, she spends a lot of time workin gin her father's office and helping him out. When she and her boyfriend are caught kissing at the opening of the town snowglobe, and chaos ensues, she ends up having to spend the summer working maintenance at the local theme park so she doesn't hurt her father's political career, since Christmas is an up and coming town and higher level politicos are watching him. Complications ensue.

Strengths: I liked that Darby was 15-- veyr few books have characters that age, and it's perfect for middle school students who want to read about characters a few years older than themselves. I was intrigued by the setting (wouldn't one set in North Pole, New York at a theme park be fun?) as well. 
Weaknesses: Nothing fresh or interesting.  . 
What I really think: Although Christmas themed romance books do really well in my library, there was nothing particularly fun or amusing in this. Will pass on purchasing.

I didn't love the book...took me a while to get into it. Just not what I was hoping it would be.

Holly Jolly Summer is a fun, light-hearted read and a coming of age story all in one. Set against a charming Christmas themed town, the mayor’s daughter finds her summer in upheaval after she is booted out of her father’s office and from her job as helping him as “first daughter.” While she watches her father grow closer to the woman sent to help him develop the town as it revels in its popularity and success, Darby has to navigate a job at the Holly Jolly Land amusement park with other teens who see her as a spoiled first daughter. The experiences and friendships she develops during this life changing summer, help her grow with a new understanding of her father, her newfound friends, and her town.

Upon further looking into this book and author I regret requesting it as the author has expressed islamaphobia and other bigoted opinions. I cannot support this book.

I ended up not reading this book after finding that my beliefs with the author about certain things don't agree...at all. In face some of the personal statements the author has made in the past offended me very much. After learning this I didn't even try to read the book; I am just sorry that I asked for it before learning more about the author.

Holly Jolly Summer was a fun and quick read. I would definitely recommend it to fans of “chick lit,” make or female. I think it’s a fitting and appropriate novel for readers in middle school and up. As a 6th grade teacher, I would have no qualms about recommending the book to my students. 

HJS centers around 15 year old Darby Peacher and two big problems: her town is being invaded by businessmen and representatives from the Governor after Christmas, Kentucky, is named one of the top ten Southern towns to visit, and two, she’s falling quickly for a boy who almost immediately gets into a bit of trouble. 

As the mayor’s daughter, Darby is the darling of Christmas, Kentucky. She’s been raised and loved by the townspeople since she was an infant; unfortunately, this means there’s a lot of eyes on her. Especially when she screws up their biggest Christmas tradition and has to find a way to make amends. 

She winds up having to work at Holly Jolly Land (a decrepit amusement park) to make up for her mistake(s) and finds herself under the direction of Calvin Sherman, her ex-friend who seems to be majorly mad at her (though she doesn’t get why). 

Overall, there were some cute, awkward moments that genuinely made me laugh. I thought Darby was likable and would be relatable for readers in the MS-early HS range. I found the eventual romance completely predictable, but it may not be as obvious to younger readers. There’s no graphic content, and it has enough hints of teenage romance/angst to interest younger readers without grossing them out or freaking them out.