December 2024
- Katie Peterson
- Dec 7, 2024
- 8 min read
Updated: Dec 29, 2024
Something old, something new, something steamy, something true-ish
Holiday gatherings with favorite dishes,
Sugar filled dreams and Christmas Eve wishes.
Snow covered landscapes and parties galore,
Family drama means Christmas is never a bore.
(Hint: If you click on the image of a book below, it will take you directly to the section about that book!)
Something old: The Kingdom of Sweets by Erika Johansen
Something new: The Holiday Swap by Maggie Knox
Something steamy: In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren
Something true-ish: The Santa Clause Girl by Patricia P. Goodin
Book club pick: The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon
The Ratings:
Like plain, black coffee. Strong dislike.
A little cream, a little sugar. Not bad. Not great.
Add some flavor or syrup, it's getting good.
I liked this a latte!
Love! Refill please!
The Steam:
No peppers: Love/romance not a major part of this story
One pepper: Mild! Some love scenes; nothing risque on the page; fade to black
Two peppers: Moderate! Slightly descriptive romantic scenes may occur on page; some implied innuendos
Three peppers: Hot! Blushing while reading may occur; lots of spice
The Kingdom of Sweets
Erika Johansen
Christmas Day. The day Clara and Natasha came into the world, as different as two twins can be. Blessed (or cursed) by their Godfather as 'light' and 'dark', their worlds are completely mismatched. Clara is a fair beauty. Graceful and polished, admired by all. Natasha is stoic and serious. Dark featured and studious, not a detail goes by unnoticed by her watchful eyes. Although vastly dissimilar, the twins do share a special closeness. Sharing secrets and dreams in each other's bedrooms, there's nothing hidden between them.
Until.
Christmas Eve. The night before their 17th birthday, the entire neighborhood has gathered at their home for the annual Christmas Eve ball. With everyone as witnesses, Clara makes an announcement, which is seen as the ultimate betrayal from Natasha. Still reeling from the shock, the twins are surprised by the appearance of their Godfather, bearing early birthday presents. Godfather Drosselmeyer has always been viewed as eccentric, with his toys containing bits of magic. The gifts tonight are no different, with Natasha opening a lifelike Clown, who seems to be keen on injuring her, while Clara opens a beautiful Nutcracker.
Morning. When the twins awake, they are no longer in their home, but in a magical, sweet filled land. The Nutcracker's magic has transported them to the Kingdom of Sweets, where they quickly meet the Sugar Plum Fairy. Why were they sent here? And when only one is allowed to return home, who will it be?
A lifetime of bottled up resentment explodes from Natasha as she takes what she's always wanted. But nothing in the Kingdom of Sweets is given away freely...and every bargain must be upheld.
A dark, twisted version of The Nutcracker delivered everything it promised.
My rating:
Note: I'm obsessed with anything Nutcracker related...so I was predisposed to like this one. The story was a bit confusing at times, but I still thoroughly enjoyed.
The Holiday Swap
Maggie Knox
This one was like a Hallmark movie, but in book form {Edit: As I was writing this post, I found out The Holiday Swap IS also the name of a movie...different plot than this book though.} If you're looking for a sweet, holiday story with a guaranteed happy ending for all, this will hit the spot!
Cass and Charlie are identical twins. Cass resides in their hometown of Starlight Peak (a quaint, mountainous town where community is everything) helping her parents run their family bakery. Charlie lives in busy, non-stop Los Angeles, where she co-stars on a hit holiday baking show. Both twins are feeling the strains of the momentous stress in their lives. Cass is dealing with a chain mega-bakery attempting to set up shop right down the road from their small, independent shop. In addition to that, she's going through a break up from hell. Charlie has to dazzle her producers and audience members with absolute perfection at all times, for fear of not being chosen to host her own show once the holiday baking show has run it's course. She's in fierce competition with her fellow co-host, who will do anything to make her look bad.
One day on set, Charlie experiences a terrible accident, which leads to her losing consciousness, as well as her ability to taste and smell. Knowing she can't properly judge contestants without being able to do so, she begs her sister to pull the old twin switcheroo. Eager to escape her own problems, Cass readily agrees. While their plan covered helping each other with work complications, it didn't take into account how messy their personal lives may get with switched identities. Charlie finds herself falling for a firefighter from Starlight Peak...while Cass is smitten with Miguel, the Physician Assistant in L.A. who originally treated "her" concussion. As their feelings get deeper, so does the guilt that goes along with the lies. As Christmas draws closer, the twins desperately need to swap back...but when the truth comes out, will they lose everything they worked so hard to save?
My rating:
Predictable, but charming. Not my most favorite rom-com, but I would definitely recommend it if you like this genre.
In a Holidaze
Christina Lauren
A fun Christmas themed take on Groundhog's Day. Maelyn spends every Christmas in a cozy cabin with the same crew. A mix of family and close friends, they all partake in the many traditions and events of the holidays with enthusiasm and nostalgia. But, on the last day of the trip, they all learn that the cabin is going to be put up for sale. The anxiety and worries of the unknown future for their time together make everyone uneasy. As they leave to go their separate ways, Mae and her family are in a car accident.
Or are they?
No one else seems to remember the accident except Mae. And when she awakens, expecting to be in a hospital, she instead finds herself back on the first day of the holiday vacation. With the help of her understanding uncle, Mae determines that there must be something she's meant to change about this Christmas. As she relives the holiday experiences, she continues to be sent back to day 1. Never knowing if she's going to wake up in the past or future is disconcerting and worrisome.
To break the cycle, Mae knows she has to take her future into her own hands. Throwing caution to the wind, she stops caring about what other people think, and starts trying to find her own happiness. To do so, she must face some big obstacles, including a lifetime of expectations and traditions, as well as a houseful of people who have opinions and thoughts about everything. But, with the fear of relapsing hanging over her head...will she be able to stop herself from overthinking every decision, and to just 'go for it', regardless of the outcome?
My rating:
I really loved this one! It had a quirky cast, but none of them fell into the common trope of being 'annoying' or 'overbearing' family members. I thought the repeating days was perfectly done...enough that you got the gist, but not so much as to feel overdone or redundant.
Steam rating:
*I know this was my 'steamy' pick this month...but it was mostly 'off page' romance. A few implications of some spice...but nothing too descriptive.
The Santa Claus Girl
Patricia P. Goodin
8-year-old Virginia becomes a national sensation when her letter to the editor is published in the New York Sun, seeking an answer for the age-old question, "Is Santa Claus Real?" The heartfelt reply and reaction from readers everywhere made the article an instant classic, getting republished every year at Christmastime. David Lindsey is the reporter tasked with writing up the 1952 holiday article, which is why he finds himself at the New York General Hospital awaiting an interview with 'The Santa Claus Girl', now all grown up. Virginia works at the public school housed in the hospital, helping to encourage and educate children who spend long periods of time hospitalized and cannot attend traditional school. Many of the students under her tutelage are suffering from the effects of polio, a disease spreading rampantly throughout the United States.
During the interview, David learns that a young girl was recently admitted to the hospital with the onset of polio. The severity of her condition requires the use of an iron lung, all of which are already in use by other patients. What began as a rush to meet a story deadline becomes a race against life or death. Taxi drivers, snow plow operators, pilots, and doctors pull together to attempt a Christmas miracle. David's column works as a catalyst, explaining the situation to citizens all over the city. As support and donations pour in, everyone can only hope it isn't too late.
Based on true events, this story is must-read this holiday season. Redemption, forgiveness, working together, kindness and generosity all play a central theme in this story. If those don't scream Christmas spirit to you, then you're likely a regular old scrooge.
My rating:
The Frozen River
Ariel Lawhon
Every once in awhile you start a book that you love so much you want it to just keep going forever. This was one of those books.
Hallowell, Maine: 1789.
Towns are built near rivers, which are the source of livelihoods in this time period. Whether transporting people, goods, or services, the Kennebec River is a bustling channel for much of the year. But once winter hits and the river freezes over, a silence befalls the water wheels until the spring thaws. In the winter of 1789, a body is found trapped underneath the ice. Martha Ballard, an experienced midwife and one of the only townspeople with medical training, is called on to perform an autopsy. What she finds is most peculiar. Rather than looking like an accidental mishap, she concludes that foul play was involved. Part of her assessment is knowing that the deceased has many enemies in the town, as he was recently accused of rape.
While it's true that the dead man had many foes, it appears that he also has some friends... in high places. A local judge, who was also accused of rape alongside his comrade, defends both of their actions and demands a new autopsy be completed by a doctor, newly arrived to Hallowell. There are simultaneous mysteries unraveling throughout this book. The trial for the previously charged rape, as well as the unsolved death of the accused. All the while, we follow Martha as she stealthily delivers babies, even in the worst of circumstances, all while being closely watched (and patronized) by the new doctor. As the story lines weave towards a conclusion, Martha and her family are at the forefront of all the action. Martha's calling is saving babies...but can she use her skills to save her loved ones when they need her most?
Good to know before reading:
Based on a real person and events. A Midwife's Tale by Laurel Thatcher Ulrich may provide a more accurate view of Martha's actual life (I haven't read yet...but it's on 'The List').
My rating:
One of my favorite books this year. Book club ratings were all high for this one-4's and 5's all around.
New Year...New books.
Read along with me in January
Something old | In Five Years by Rebecca Serle |
Something new | The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow |
Something steamy | This Time Next Year by Sophie Cousens |
Something true-ish | Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space by Adam Higginbotham |
Book club pick | Lights Out by Navessa Allen |
As always, send any book recommendations, comments or questions my way: sosnssst@gmail.com. Looking to fill my February and March reads {bonus if they have a February/March connection].
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