Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions provided are my own.

I’ve been dipping my toes into holiday romance novels so to speak & Helena Greer’s Season of Love has some winning qualities but ultimately falls somewhat flat for me.

Miriam Blum is an antique upcycler who’s estranged from most of her family, including her horrible father, her mother who remains married to him, & the beloved aunt who owned the one place she felt totally comfortable, a Christmas tree farm.

At the beginning of the book Miriam’s aunt has passed & Miriam’s going to return to that farm after many years away to sit shiva. Back to the other people she loved but hasn’t had a meaningful relationship with in years, including a cousin.

But there’s a new person living on the farm, Noelle Northwood, who immediately dislikes Miriam, & Miriam’s time at home is complicated by the presence of this person who doesn’t like her but whom she’s attracted to.

There’s a lot to appreciate about this Queer romance, including Jewish rep, romantic moments on the ice, & how Miriam finds her way back home & to an old artistic love.

But in general, I wasn’t a huge fan of Noelle (whose brashness & personality might feel authentic in some ways but also gets a little off putting for me in moments) and a secondary storyline which is a little puzzling at times. Also, a lot seems to happen to Miriam personally & professionally & it’s a little unsettling how quickly it did.

Overall, there’s potential here & I can see a lot of people relating to & enjoying this sweet romance, but it didn’t really work for me.

3 ⭐️. Out 10/11.

CWs: Noelle has a tattoo of “deadly women” including Lizzie Borden & I just found that choice a bit odd. Death in the family. Difficult relationship with mother & father. Noelle is a recovering alcoholic and was drinking as a youth. Her dad destroyed Miriam’s paintings.


[ID: a white hand holds up the ebook in front of a crowded white bookcase.]

Well another year of holiday books have come and another year where I feel very underwhelmed by them. This one sounded so unique and different, and while it was that, I just felt that the pacing was so incredibly off. I would be into it and things would be great, then it hit the halfway mark and I wanted it over. But alas, we still had 50% to go and it just felt a bit wordy, without action.

All in all, this was just ok for me, sadly.

It's not you, it's me.

I was so excited to read this initially. There aren't nearly enough sapphic holiday romances on the market, so I jumped at the chance at getting to read this. However, this just didn't work for me. I didn't connect with either of the main characters which made getting through this book hard for me. I also felt as though there was too much happening and I wasn't quite sure where my attentions were supposed to be going. I also felt the pace was extremely slow.

That being said, I did appreciate that this book dealt with the Jewish culture. It's not something that I'm overly familiar with and I'm always looking to expand my knowledge in areas I know little about.

If you're looking for a sapphic romance that takes place on a Christmas tree farm, still definitely check this one out!

On its surface, this book seems like an over-the-top holiday book. Featuring a family coming together to save the (Christmas tree) farm combined with tons of kitschy Christmas memorabilia, it seems like it would be a Hallmark movie come to life. And it certainly draws from the made-for-TV Christmas movie well, with a small town coming together to support one of its own, a sweet closed-door romance, and a lovable cat. But it's also a book about the damage an abusive childhood can leave on a person's relationships, and how difficult it can be to regain your confidence.

The book centers on Miriam and Noelle, who have each inherited a quarter of a Christmas tree farm from Miriam's beloved great-aunt. (The other two quarters are inherited by Miriam's cousin and cousin's ex-boyfriend...we expect a sequel soon.) Miriam hasn't seen her aunt for 10 years, ever since she went no-contact with her father, and by extension, anything that reminded her of him. Noelle has only recently come into the life of the Christmas tree farm, and (understandably) resents having to share her inheritance with someone who purposely separated herself from it. And yet, they end up being the other's perfect match.

Definitely a feel-good holiday book with a lot of heart and a lot of depth.

This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.

The holdiays are here and they're queer! A recommended first purchase for collections where romance and holiday titles are popular.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was the perfect palate cleanser after the last book I read (which was good, but very dark and more than a little depressing). After that one, I needed something light, something fluffy, but with a little substance to it, and this book got the bill perfectly. There were so many excellent quotes that made me giggle that I found myself highlighting and then sharing with my family and my co-workers.

My only real issue is that now 1) I need a sequel to see what happens with Levi and 2) I desperately need more backstory on Cass.

DNF’ed at about 40%. This book had such promise—sapphic holiday book on a Christmas tree farm? Unfortunately, this didn’t work for me at all. There was not chemistry between the two love interests, their relationship was told to us rather than shown.

Was instantly drawn to the cover - a Christmas romance not involving a size zero blonde? Love it. It so nice to see different body sizes/appearances represented on covers. On top of that, I loved the story. It had the feel good Christmas vibe while showcasing a love story that felt like it could be real!

I’m so sad to say Season of Love just did not work for me. The premise sounded so so good and I will never say no to a sapphic holiday romance. I thought the book started out super strong with dual POVs and a dreamy setting at Carrigans. I didn’t love that Miriam was dating someone when she went to Carrigan’s because the author kind of jumped right into a connection between Miriam and Noelle.

I really felt like the tension and chemistry was told to us rather than shown. I think there was so much potential for a good build up for the MCs but I just did NOT feel the connection at all. It felt slightly forced and I was so taken aback by some of the interactions in the beginning of the book. It felt like Noelle was unreasonably mad at Miriam and some of their conversations seemed unnecessary.

By 50% I felt like the book needed to start wrapping up but it just dragged on. It felt like conflict after conflict and I was honestly just bored. The relationship between Miriam and Ziva didn’t work either. In one of their first interactions, Miriam started yelling at Ziva and I’m just like… where is the build up. It felt like every conversation started at the height of emotions and it felt forced.

I wish this one worked for me so so bad. A butch lesbian and chaotic bisexual is my dream combo for a sapphic rom com but I just didn’t feel invested sadly.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I loved the warmth and thoughtfulness of this story. I appreciated that it tackled just how true the adage “hurt people hurt people” is without forcing reconciliation around every corner.

There were so many things to love about this story. I love that the story starts with TW that are detailed and informative so you know exactly what you are getting in to. That was such a nice start and I appreciate this author so much for it.

Now, for the characters. I loved the parts they were working on. The story is about Mirium coming back home after a huge absense. She's come back because her beloved family member has passed away and no one told her before she got there. In the place of a functional Christmas tree farm and event area is two very stressed out friends trying to keep it afloat. Mirium left for a reason all those years ago and hasn't been back and those left behind aren't too excited she's come back.

Each person in the story has some very real, very emtional stuff they are working through. There is discussed abuse, addiction and anxiety and I thought they were all handled with respect and grace and I liked them being a part of the story.

But I have to be honest, I didn't like Noelle. I found her unkind through most of the story and I just couldn't get on board with her as a love interest. The sweet moments were cute, the arguing was realistic but the love story just didn't connect with. But this book has so much more to offer and I'm glad I read it. I did like it.

A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

This was a fun way to get into the holiday spirit early. I appreciate the queer representation and how the town is super accepting - a little Schitt's Creek vibes. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

This book surprised me. For the first few chapters, I wasn’t sure I liked it…at all. But I kept going because, well, Hallmark movies are my guilty pleasure and this is one Hallmark movie of a book if I’ve ever seen one.

Once I got about halfway through, though, I couldn’t put it down. I read the first half over almost a week and the second half in one night. The relationships between the characters are sweet and genuine, and the characters are just quirky enough to be interesting without being overwhelmingly Quirky.

The book seems to end in a way that suggests that there will be a sequel and I’m looking forward to reading it!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the electronic ARC in exchange for my honest review.

oh my gosh!! My heart has just grown three sizes from reading this! I loved every second of this book! I wanted to jump in and be a part of this adorable love story! I can not wait until Christmas Eve so I can read this book again! Please please read this book and fall in love just like I did.

DNF. I was so drawn in by the blurb, a F/F love story at a Christmas Tree Farm. But I just struggled to get into this story. Neither the characters nor story drew me in, despite trying a couple different times. Unfortunately not the book for me. But it might be the one for you!

This was super cute and I had a good time. The pacing of the book feels off though. I don’t think it was unreasonable to have 5em be in love but it felt too quick to me. I’m very excited for Hannah and Levi who I assume will get a book.

I received an arc through netgalley.

I tried reading this but it it wasn’t my cup of tea. This book wasn’t really for me, but thank you for the opportunity to read this.

I am LIVING for all the queer Hallmark-eqsue books we're getting this year, and Season of Love is fully that.

An enemies to loves, return to your hometown, Jewish but we gotta save the Christmas tree farm delight of a book. I loved Noelle from the very first page and watching her let her guard down to let Miriam in was such a fun ride.

The cast of characters make such a wonderful little family, and the Christmas tree farm backdrop made for a perfect holiday romance. I loved reading and rooting for everyone to get it together, and I am holding out hope we see more of this group!

A lovely holiday read. It’s Hallmark, but make it sapphic! I love stories about people returning to their hometowns and finding love, so this definitely hit a sweet spot for me. Miriam and Noelle have great chemistry, and I appreciated how their relationship built over time as they healed from past traumas.

Recommended if you enjoy heartfelt holiday romances and found family, and you’re looking for good Jewish rep. Be mindful of the trigger warnings, though, including death of an aunt, alcoholism, and family estrangement.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

This was a wonderful f/f holiday story. Miriam is estranged from her family. She walked away from her abusive controlling father years ago, leaving behind her eccentric aunt, a well-loved Jewish woman who owned a Christmas Tree farm. When her aunt passes away, she heads home to sit shiva. There she comes face to face with the family she left behind and a butch lesbian, Noelle, who works on the Christmas tree farm. The draw between these two is undeniable, even though they try! When everyone learns that the Christmas tree farm was left to Mirium, Mirium's cousin, Noelle, and a close family friend - everyone is stunned. And so the story takes off!

I really enjoyed this book. While it has romantic elements, I feel like those came secondary to the healing story of both Mirium and Noelle. The characters in this novel were very endearing and were easy to connect to. Witnessing their journey of healing and a blossoming of a connection between all of the characters as they work together to save the Christmas tree farm was an absolute delight. This novel had a different vibe than I'm used to but I thoroughly enjoyed it!