DNF

I enjoyed the variety of representation, but ultimately there were too many storylines and it was difficult for me to keep track.

🗣 Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the opportunity to read and review this book via gifted eARC! All opinions are honest and my own.

This was a cute read to start off my holiday tbr, however it didn’t really put me in the Christmas spirit. I think it was the wrong time for me and I may try it again at another time.

I feel like the set up of the book and the content manner is a bit challenging to relate too. I actually really enjoyed the way the author writes and would read more by her but this book in particular didn’t land for me. Extra start because her writing is fun and the banter is top notch.

Georgia Clark's first holiday romance! I absolutely adore Georgia's novels thus far. Sometimes, when authors do more general romance, their holiday romance books are just slightly lower quality; they can get a bit too cheesy too quickly. That did NOT happen here! Each sibling was fully fleshed out and unique, and their romances were as well. This book perfectly layered the deep with the fluff and left me so satisfied.

This was a wonderfully cozy Christmas book. I loved each character's stories and relationships. I think my favorite was the relationship between the siblings and with their mother.

I would say my least favorite character though would be Birdie. While I know she was written to be a disaster sometimes it was a little much. I understood that being stand-up comedian she was supposed to be the comedic relief in the book but I found her lines more irritating then not.

I loved the descriptions of the Belvedere Inn and how Babs renovated each room with each job. Babs was probably my favorite character in the end.

Overall this was a great Christmas book and I really enjoyed it!

I had a lot of fun with this one. It’s really funny and sweet with a whole lot of family dynamics. This story follows three (very different) siblings as they navigate life and love during the Holiday season. This would be a perfect addition to anyone’s December TBR list to get into the spirit. 4 STARS!

Thank you to NetGalley, Georgia Clark, & Random House for this ARC!

Thank you to NetGalley, author Georgia Clark, and Random House: Dial Press Trade Paperback for providing me with a free ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!

It's finally nearing the holiday season, which means it's time for holiday reads! There were quite a few LGBTQ+ holiday rom-coms out this year that I have been anticipating reading, and Most Wonderful kicked them off, as it was a book club pick for me this month. This wasn't my personal favorite seasonal read, but I did have fun moments reading it and enjoyed it overall! I loved the premise of following adult siblings throughout their individual experiences all while dealing with a celebrity mom. I could definitely relate to Liz the most being the oldest daughter, and I really liked anytime the child/parent or sibling relationships were explored because they read very candid. Being a lesbian myself, I of course loved that every sibling was queer! I thought that their relationships were all interesting, and I liked that none of the characters read too similar to another one. I think more than anything the book just read a bit generic, and I personally couldn't jive with Birdie. I found myself annoyed with her antics more than once and not very funny. I also wish the book would have dived deeper into certain topics instead of playing it safe with more focus on the rom-com. This is not a book that will stick with me, but it was perfectly fine for seasonal entertainment! I look forward to reading more as the holiday season progresses!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book. This is my first Georgia Clark book and what an introduction. I am a sucker for holiday romances and this did not disappoint!

This was a fun, cute holiday read. I felt myself skimming a lot, though.

But it was funny and the characters felt relatable.

This was my first book by the author, although I have some of her others on my TBR shelf!

This was a cute read with a lot of potential but think it would have been better if it focused on one character and their romance rather than trying to give attention to three separate stories. I found the characters all enduring in their own way and enjoyed the family dynamics but would have actually liked more about the sibling relationships. It just felt like this book bit off a bit more than it could chew. It was trying to address a lot of serious topics as well and came off feeling a bit cheesy, almost like an after school special. Also, as someone who doesn’t always love the third act break up, having to endure three at once felt like a lot.

I would have loved more of a holiday vibe, it was lacking in the department for me. There was a Christmas party but otherwise could have taken place during any time frame.

I didn’t hate, didn’t love it. Just middle of the road romance. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc!

The author had me hooked with an all-queer cast, a friends-to-lovers storyline, and a holiday rom-com theme. This was such a cute read! I genuinely loved how each character was on a journey of self-discovery. While I had a stronger love for some characters (looking at you, Liz and Rafi) and not so much for others (Birdie, I'm talking about you), all of them were complex individuals with deep emotional layers, largely influenced by their larger-than-life mother. The author did a fantastic job of setting up the characters to explore who they truly are and uncover the underlying issues that might explain their behaviors. Overall, the story and plot were solid, and I really felt something while reading it! Plus, I'm a sucker for a good holiday queer romance!

Thanks to NetGalley, The Dial Press, and Penguin Random House for this copy of "Most Wonderful."

What an unforgettable, creative, original, (and steamy) story about three siblings who have reached a point in their lives where they're unsure what they want and are feeling stuck. Per Christmas tradition, they spend the holidays with their iconic actress mother at her "inn" in the Catskills.

Liz is a showrunner for a highly successful TV show, is blanking on ideas for a second season, and has a huge crush on the show's star Violet.

Birdie is a comedian who is afraid of commitment and uses humor to deflect what she's feeling.

Rafi just proposed to his girlfriend at a holiday party with his co-workers and she rejected him.

I'd love to know who author Clark would cast as the characters if this was made into a movie!

I generally enjoy more character driven books and I saved this for the holidays, but I am just not loving it. I don't mind romcom and have no problem with LGBTQ books but all the siblings? it just felt like it was trying to hard and one of the three, I just didn't like at all. Parts were cute and I loved the sibling relationship but I just couldn't find myself that invested in any of them and it made it a hard read for me, I found myself skimming for what was a predicable ending. Something about this book just wants connecting for me, this was my first Georgia Clark book, I would probably pick up another, I didn't hate it, just didn't give me the Christmas vibe I was hoping for! Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

Georgia Clark knows how to balance the perfect mix of family drama, new relationships and falling in love alongside character growth and self discovery so well.

I love a multi character and multi POV story. Most Wonderful follows three siblings as they end up back at their mother’s house in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Each of them are flawed, and searching for answers as to what is next for them in life, their careers and in their relationships.

The weeks contain lots of holiday traditions, and a Christmas party all while uncovering just what they are each going to do next.

Not your average Christmas book, but I really enjoyed this one and definitely could see it translating to screen sooo well!

This book was beautifully paced, which is quite hard to do when juggling so many storylines. The three siblings relationships with one another and their ups and downs all came together to form a picture of a family that felt real. I really enjoyed all three queer romances, but I loved that one was left open-ended. It not only felt more realistic, but it also served that character to have time to work on themself. The mother’s story was also beautifully done. She was an iconic character, but I love that she was still humanized. Her ending felt like a lovely way to take back some power. It was a very well-crafted novel and had wonderful queer representation!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with the eARC, but it did not affect my review in any way! #MostWonderful #NetGalley

Thank you netgalley and publisher for a chance to read this book for free in return for my honest opinion.

I loved the Christmas vibes mixed with LGBTQIA family. Each family member brings someone home to visit their mother and I loved all the stories, especially Birdie. She was a hot mess but I was here for it.

Rafi the brother was a hopeless romantic as well but I’m glad he had a chance to redeemed himself after proposing to just girlfriend in front of their whole work and getting shot down.

I loved this book and it was an easy, fast paced book.

A super cute queer rom com with heart and humor! Made me excited for the holidays to get here :) love Georgia Clark.

This review has been posted to Goodreads and Storygraph on November 18th, 2024. Links provided.

With the holiday season looming, the Belvedere siblings find themselves in turmoil. Liz, the oldest and a successful show runner in Hollywood, is uncertain how to build on the success of her show’s first season and is struggling with her intense attraction to the star of her show, Violet Grace. Birdie, the middle child, has channeled her chronic sense of being overlooked into a career in stand-up comedy, but her focus on flirting with women rather than perfecting her act leads to her downfall after her manager cuts ties with her. Ravi, the youngest and most sensitive of the three, is left heartbroken after his grand public proposal to his girlfriend is met with rejection. Raised by their legendary mother, actress and singer Babs Belvedere, the three siblings decide to spend the holidays at her country estate, hoping to recharge and put their love lives on the back burner and focus on themselves. But the holiday spirit has its own plans, and their well-meaning resolutions quickly unravel in the most charming and festive of ways. This heartwarming queer rom-com is a tribute to love, family, and personal growth.

I really enjoyed this book! If you’re looking for a queer holiday romance that’s emotional, funny, and full of heart, this book is perfect for you. It’s got everything - a quirky family dynamic, messy relationships, and characters who are very easy to relate to. The Belvedere siblings, each with their own unique struggles, are trying to figure out their lives, love, and careers, which makes their story so engaging. I especially loved how the book explores their individual journeys while weaving in the magic and chaos of the holiday season. It’s a great mix of humor and depth, and the way it celebrates love in all its forms is just beautiful. If you enjoy stories about family, self-discovery, and sweet romances, I highly recommend Most Wonderful!

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for the opportunity to read to an ARC of Most Wonderful in return for my honest review.

The Most Wonderful by Georgia Clark is a queer holiday rom com centered on the 3 Belvedere siblings. Each facing a crossroads in their lives they all spontaneously decide to head home to their moms Catskill mansion hoping to recharge themselves during the holiday. This was a cute story, but I was a bit overwhelmed by the 3 different love interests and it was difficult to connect with the characters. I was really invested in Rafi and Ash’s story and really wish theirs was the main storyline. I could have done without Birdie altogether... Overall, it’s a feel-good queer holiday novel that will get you in the festive spirit. Many thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Georgia Clark’s Most Wonderful is a vibrant and heartwarming holiday tale that breathes fresh air into the seasonal genre with its cast of unconventional, utterly lovable characters. The story deftly interweaves humor, chaos, and moments of poignant intimacy, making it a standout holiday read.

At the heart of the narrative are the siblings, each with their own journey of self-discovery and transformation. Clark skillfully explores their individual stories, painting their struggles and triumphs with a mix of wit and empathy. As the family comes together in a flurry of holiday madness, the bonds between them deepen in unexpected ways, highlighting themes of growth, forgiveness, and the power of connection.

What sets Most Wonderful apart is its ability to balance hilarity with heartfelt moments, keeping readers engaged and invested in the characters’ arcs. The spice in the story adds a modern edge, appealing to readers looking for a holiday novel that feels both fresh and relatable.

Clark’s ability to create characters that feel so genuine ensures that readers will root for them at every turn. The growth they experience feels authentic, making the conclusion all the more satisfying. Most Wonderful is a joyful, laugh-out-loud, and ultimately moving holiday read that reminds us of the beauty in embracing the chaos of family and love.

Highly recommended for fans of contemporary holiday fiction with a twist of humor and heart.