Ava Catori

I purchased Their Small Town Christmas Romance years ago and while it sat on my Kindle the author completely rebranded, complete with a new author name, and renamed the novel Saving Christmas. I am really trying to read more books that have been out for awhile, especially ones that I’ve purchased and never finished, and so I read this during the 2021 holiday season.

Saving Christmas poses the age old question that many people face: do I choose my career or do I choose love? It is a question that Holly, our protagonist, wrestles with for a good part of the story, and what does she come up with? “Her heart had never felt so empty. It was as if the core of her being was hollow.” Man, have I been there!

Holly comes across as a selfish corporate type, a trait which I do not care for at all, and was very grating for me, especially at the beginning, but when she reconnects with her childhood friend Matt that’s when the story really picked up for me.

Matt is a wonderful person who is self assured and knows what he wants. He’s comfortable with himself and his life and I loved that about him! Those are traits that I am hoping to have one day, and I could tell through the whole book that Holly wanted that too.

Holly wants to tell herself that she’s happy but it’s obvious to everyone that she’s not. It takes a trip back home on her least favorite holiday to open her eyes to this fact, and help her see what truly matters. Saving Christmas is a story of love of redemption that is the perfect length for a weekend read, and one that was pretty enjoyable for me.… (més)

Okay, so I picked up this book thinking, hmm this could be interesting. Let's see how the author works through a fat girls' insecurities. Yes, we big girls have them but I'd like to think we don't obsess to the degree Becky does.
Hot guy breaks engagement to hot girl for curvy girl he can't get out of his thoughts. Now, let's get real-and we can leave size and hotness out of this- what woman is going to trust a man who breaks a long term commitment to go after someone he just met? Really, and what makes you think he won't do it to you?
Now I did appreciate the good laugh, the unexpected farting, and food on the teeth: it happens to the best of us.
And the ending, did she have a date/appointment she was late for? Rushed and so abrupt. Left a bad taste in my mouth. Not sure if I'll give this author another chance.… (més)