Such a sweet,Christmas story. Just for December by Laura Jane Williams was a lovely story. Loved the characters and enjoyed how the book was wrapped around Christmas. Five stars!

Having read books by Laura Jane Williams, I was excited to see that she has a new book coming out, and the book summary grabbed my attention as well. In "Just for December", author Evie Bird has written a romance novel that is now becoming a movie. Handsome well-known celebrity Duke Carlisle is set to be the leading man. When Evie and Duke meet on set, sparks begin to fly, and the tabloids take notice. This leads to them pretending to have a relationship for the press and publicity. This book combined two tropes I really enjoy: fake dating and enemies-to-lovers. However, I really did not like Evie. She was rude and grumpy for no reason, and seemed to take offense to everything Duke said.

I really wanted to like this book more than I did, but I just couldn't root for these characters. However, I've enjoyed other books by Williams and will still read more of her work in the future. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

A Five-star read that you need for more than Just December. I have loved this authors work previously, but this time Evie Bird just made me swoon, Duke Carlisle did a little as well, but not in the same way, he has his movie star looks and charisma so it feels like I would swoon hard for him anyway, if he didn’t name drop so much… Evie though, I felt her in my bones, her fears and realities are some that I have faced and they way she deals with them, made me chuckle and know her in a way that I now know myself. This was already one of my favourite reads this year, and a must have Christmas read, definitely going to be buddy reading this with my friends over the festive break ( I have already told them they will have a copy for Christmas as I love it so hard) but then I read the Acknowledgements and it made me stop and think, its not a shift down the mines, but should it feel like it is? And it made me realise some important details about life. That’s what I Love about reading, you can learn life lessons while being whisked away to a film set, without ever leaving your sofa. If you need some Christmas in your life, pick this up, and if you just need a great story, some name dropping and some chuckles, pick this up as you wont be disappointed.

“What is it they say about worrying? You’re stealing from the present to think about something that the future cannot even guarantee.”

Just For December is a grumpy x sunshine romance with a twist because she’s the grump and he’s the golden retriever.

Evie Bird is a romance author whose novel is being turned into a movie. Which is her worst nightmare really, because her estranged movie-director dad made her loathe everything Hollywood related. Enter Duke Carlisle, famous actor and main character in the upcoming adaptation. After some early encounters in which Evie treats Duke like the scum of the earth, they enter a fake-dating relationship to save the movie from bad publicity.

What I liked:
- the descriptions were very vivid and they transported you into the Christmas atmosphere even though it’s the middle of the summer season when I’m writing this
- the bavaric feel of the German Christmas Market was a rare and refreshing setting for a rom-com

What I didn’t like;
- Evie. She’s rude for no reason other than her dislike for film sets, she’s judgmental of Duke from the first moment and she’s so quick to lash out at anyone. “No need to be rude about it; says Evie. Duke startles. How am I being rude? You just said the same thing! 'You didn't have to agree so readily, she says, pouting”. This is a prime case of “you can never win”
- So many name drops about what actress Duke went to lunch with or what pop star lent their home to go skiing with him. It took me out of the story
- Duke is a bit over-the-top about love and relationships. he reads like a single chick in her 40s desperate to have a Hallmark love

Overall it was a cute read if you want to get into the Christmas spirit, but it’s nothing I’d write Santa about.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

A must read book! This is the first book I've read by Laura and I just simply fell in love with the writing style. I loved the chemistry between the characters. I'm thankful that I was able to read it was early. Good job Laura, all the best!

Make sure you add this Christmas book to your Christmas books to read this year. As it is filled with so much Christmas joy and spirit. It has a really lovely storyline and was really feel good and romantic.

Evie Bird is a romance writer whose latest bestseller is being made into a Christmas movie. 
Duke Carlisle is a world famous actor who has landed the role of leading man.
When Evie and Duke meet on set, it’s a frosty encounter even icier than the cobbled Bavarian streets they're filming on.
 
But after images of them arguing leak to the press and put the movie in jeopardy, they are left with no choice but to fake date until the cameras stop rolling.
 
As the pair start to put their differences aside, their feelings gradually begin to thaw… But can sparks ever really fly in a snowstorm?
Really enjoyable read totally recommend
Thank You NetGalley and Avon Books Uk
I just reviewed Just for December by Laura Jane Williams. #JustforDecember #NetGalley

Laura Jane Williams and her books are fast becoming must-reads for me. I mean, I have read every one, and as soon as I hear about the possibility of another one, I go and check the pre-order details!
I was delighted to be approved for an ARAC of Just for December and I devoured it in more or less a day. To be honest, it would have been quicker aside from a function I HAD to attend!
So, where were we?
We have Evie Bird, an author who feels devoid of emotion for much of her life, with an ill mother in a care home, a shopping addiction and a deadline looming.
And she gets summoned to Germany, where one of her books is being made into a film. Contractual rights and clauses mean that, despite her wanting to stay holed up in her apartment with just her dog for company, her laptop, and the odd visit from Magda, her best friend, she has to spend three weeks with insufferable movie stars on a film set.
Then she meets the hero of the film, mega-famous Duke Carlisle, and their chemistry is explosive, from the off! As in they should not be near one another!
Appearances can be deceiving, and this is definitely a theme that is explored in the story. both our MCs have preconceived ideas about each other, and both are so wrong.
I loved the fauxmance that they had to go through, to curb the gossip already picking at the carcass of one media scandal involving members of the film's cast and staff, and how, their relationship turns on its head.
Magda, Evie's best friend is a fantastic character too, and definitely the kind of real-talking sidekick all women should have beside them!
Enemies to lovers in an idyllic Christmas setting. Perfect! I confess to succumbing to a festive hot chocolate despite the heat I am sitting in, to embrace the ambience of the book!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

It’s a testament to Laura Jane Williams’ writing that I could be so transported to a cool and crisp Bavaria in December whilst reading the sample chapters of Just For December in a heatwave! Having read these first first chapters I have to say, I cannot wait to read the whole book.

I love that the backdrop of Just For December is an author, our FMC Evie, having her book made into a movie. I mean Williams is giving us a bookish, Hollywood rom-com set at Christmas, I’m so here for that. With the MMC being the lead actor and the sample leaving us on a fake dating cliffhanger you know this is going to be a great read. I’m thinking that we’re going to be in for all the best tropes; fake dating, enemies to lovers, grumpy/sunshine (where she’s the grump) and I’m wondering if we might even get a he falls first?

Whatever is to come, it’s safe to say I can’t wait to read the rest.

With thanks to Avon and Netgalley for the sample chapters to read in return for my honest review.

Update: full novel review:

Having read the sample of Laura Jane Williams’ Just For December, I was excited to read the complete novel and I’m happy to say it lived up to its early promise and didn’t disappoint. This is a rom com but one with a difference. It’s as much a story of finding the capacity to fall in love with yourself as it is another person.

Just For December is the story of Evie Bird, an American romance writer whose latest bestseller is being turned into a movie, being filmed in Germany. The leading man is none other than the famous Duke Carlisle. Evie and Duke’s first meet is frosty and when photos emerge of them arguing put the film in jeopardy the powers that be decide to change the narrative. With Evie and Duke putting on a showmance, will their fake dating turn into something more?

There was so much to love about this book. I absolutely adored the movie magic at Christmas setting. It’s a testament to Williams’ writing that I could be so transported to a cool and crisp Bavaria in December whilst reading her novel in a heatwave! We have some great tropes going on with fake dating, grumpy/sunshine (she’s the grump), a smidge of enemies to lovers and some he falls first.

Underneath all of this, however, is a much deeper core. This is a story of two people who have been so let down in their formative years that they don’t feel capable of accepting love from others. They’re each a little broken, with their own struggles that they first need to face head on in order to overcome them. There are heavy issues being dealt with here but Williams handles them with care. The arcs both Evie and Duke go on through the novel work well.

The only thing that didn’t really work for me were the regular name drops to real stars. For some reason I found them a little jarring and it brought me slightly out the story. That said it didn’t take away from my enjoyment overall.

An enjoyable festive Hollywood romance that I’d recommend. I’d also say it’s well worth reading Williams author’s note at the end,

This is an entertaining enemies-to-lovers Christmas book, even though the author's previous books were a better fit for me.

An American rom com writer, a British actor, and a German location sounds like a unique combination to me, especially because I live in Germany. The markets, evening walks and the snowstorm create a genuine Christmas atmosphere.

Evie is not simply the reserved type, she comes off as outright rude, and Duke is a real ladies' man, so I was intrigued at first how they would end up as a couple. They both are famous: he is a celebrated actor, she is a well-known author, and it was great to see them as human beings, with their worries, demons, and troubled childhood. They struggle with very similar issues however which made the story boring and repetitive to me. The writing I have found at some places overcomplicated, at others the dialogues were funny and witty.

Thank you NetGalley and Avon Books for an Advance Review Copy.

i really wanted to enjoy this book, but it did not work for me personally. i should have known better, but you live and learn. so thanks so much, netgalley for the chance to read this early!!

I have loved the previous books I have read by Laura Jane Williams and I love Christmas, so I was hoping Just for December would be wonderful - and it was! Thank you NetGalley, Avon Books and Laura Jane Williams for the sample, can't wait to read the whole novel!

A lovely story. . A famous actor and the writer of the story of the film he is staring in, clash. Sparks fly. Very enjoyable sample

Wow this was a great sampler. I need to know more. What becomes of Evie & Duke. Evie seems to have a story to tell and I want to know it!

Just For December cemented my appreciation for Williams’ writings. She is really good with charging her storylines with emotional depth and creating multi-dimensional characters for protagnists. Evie and Duke come from the same world, yet are totally the opposite. Their interests and goals in life differ. Throughout the sampler, we get to see glimpses of their personalities, dreams and struggles. They got off on the wrong foot which flared their dislike towards each other then ended up fake dating . Truthfully, their relationship felt more like a grumpy x sunshine trope than an enemies to lovers, but again, it was only a sampler that was cut short at the raising action. The best part is yet to come. I really enjoyed the setting, it gives off the romantic, happily ever after, fuzzy vibes. I have a feeling that Duke is going to be the first to fall in love.
Definitely, it’s a book worth reading during the festive season curled up in a ball and enjoying a mug of hot chocolate. I can't wait to read all of it!

I think this is going to be a fab book! I love Christmas books and have read a few books by this author and enjoyed them! The sampler had made me wonder what will happen next, a definite must read!

Well after reading this sample I'm already hooked and already so invested in this enemies to lovers story. Can't wait to get my hands on the full book!

It’s difficult to review a book from a teaser as the whole time I was telling myself not to get too interested as it’ll stop!

But I can tell this is going to be an interesting cute festive read! I love Laura’s previous books so I’m really confident this one will be amazing too! I love her modern, inclusive, funny romances 💚
This one seems to be a enemies to lovers / fake dating xx

@charleys.chapters

This was a fun 10-chapter preview!! I've never read any book by Laura Jane Williams, so I always love reading new-to-me authors. The preview definitely builds on the two characters well. I'd definitely be interested in reading the rest and seeing how the story between Evie and Duke plays out.

Overall enjoyed this sample book. Wish I had more, but left me wishing for winter and Christmas nonetheless
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing this ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.