Skip to main content

Member Reviews

What a book! It would be perfect for a film adaptation!
Only after reading the plot did I know that this book was going to be fantastic, something innovative, with a completely different story from the classic Christmas novels and so it was!
I liked it very much, the enemies to lovers was very funny, and the Christmas air of the shopping center transported me directly to the holiday season so much so that I will definitely read it again next Christmas!
I also liked the Asian representation a lot.
Speaking of the writing style, Suzanne Park's one struck me a lot; it is an enveloping, simple and very relaxing style!
I absolutely recommend this book, especially (obviously) at Christmas time and I know it will put you in a good mood and will get you safely into the holiday spirit with a hint of laughter and fun.
Thanks Netgalley and Suzanne Park for providing me with the digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are mine.

Was this review helpful?

This was a really cute and wholesome rivals to friends to lovers holiday story, that had me smiling the entire time I was reading.

Whilst this was obviously a christmas novel, I didn't feel like it was as christmassy as it could have been. The main character Chloe, worked in santa's grotto as the photographer, and there was the occasional mention of snow or a christmas tree, but the book was mostly only set in school and the food court, which wasn't overly festive, and lacked description.

I loved Chloe and Peter's chemistry, they bickered a lot and had some very cute moments together, and it was just so wholesome (except for the miscommunication trope *eye roll*). The story being written in dual pov made it even better, because you could see the pining and slow burning from both sides, but it also gave a new perspective on the family rivalry, which goes deeper than rival restaurants in the mall.

However, I would have liked to see more of a rivalry between the families, as it felt more like I was told they hated each other, but never really saw it, prior to Chloe and Peter researching the history of the mall. There were only a few conversations about the rivalry, and there was never really any tension, especially since Chloe and Peter began working together fairly quickly, and the bickering faded once that started.

The character's were all really likeable, and despite the friend groups minor and occasional appearances, they had a lot of personality to them, and were supportive and protective of Chloe / Peter. As mentioned, I really liked Elias and Sophia, and wished we could have seen them more, as they had a great friend dynamic, with them immediately supporting and comforting Chloe with her anxiety, and being strong supporters, since Chloe's parents weren't initially supportive of her photography competition.

There was a lot happening in the book, but it connected and flowed nicely, the story was kept really light, and was cute all the way to the epilogue. I can confidently say I have found a new favourite winter book to read and recommend to everyone.

The book publishes in October, and my review will be posted to my goodreads account.

Was this review helpful?

Chloe and Peter can't stand each other because their families own rival restaurants at the food court in the mall. But both of them are forced to work together when the mall is sold to a developer and demolished for condos. They discover suprising things about each other and their families along the way...

Love enemies to friends to more trope. :) Both are interesting characters and I love their banter. It's hilarious... A laugh out loud YA book. :)

Thanks to the publisher for the arc.

Was this review helpful?