Tag: christmas

‘Talk Santa to Me’ Turns a Hallmark Movie into a Book

This very Hallmark-esque book will warm your heart during the holidays.

I would love to thank Netgalley and the publisher for granting me access to an eARC of this story in exchange for a review.

This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something I may earn a commission. Thank you!

Overall:

Talk Santa to me book cover hallmark movie

Talk Santa to Me will make for a cute holiday read this year. It promised to give me that Hallmark movie feel, and I really feel like it delivered, especially on its heartfelt ending.

Teen angst and the holiday cheer entwined to make a cute short read. A girl searching for a redo on her first kiss and to help her family business embarks on a new task as Santa’s intern to help bring holiday cheer.

I felt transported to December while reading this in August. Linda Urban delivered Christmas right to my feet. It really cooled me down during these warm months, and it will be sure to warm your heart during winter.

Talk Santa to Me by Linda Urban will be released on September 27th of this year. It will be a perfect gift for the readers in your life, or for yourself! View more information about this book here.

Plot:

Hallmark should be calling this author for a movie deal. This story was told in their exact wispy camera shots and their dramatic emphasis on the importance of Christmas.

It delivered on its promise of a heartwarming and fulfilling story. I felt like I was transported to being ten watching the Hallmark channel the entire month of December again.

Characters:

One of the major critiques I have of this piece is the main characters were static and had no real growth. The main character Francie learns to cope with her trauma, but that is dealt with very behind the scenes, not really worked on through the words of the story.

The other main characters, like Alice and Hector, were also a bit static, but I do believe that blends well with the hallmark vibe.

Romance:

The romance of the book is my major complaint about this novel. As promised, “A teen girl gets the perfect second try at a first kiss in this hilarious, romp-filled young adult romantic comedy,” but, this is more of a side plot.

The real romance aspect didn’t arrive until 50% of the way through the story. I do prefer my romance to be a bit more spread out.

(Also sidenote to add at the very end here, I don’t know how I feel about a seemingly white author calling a group of Hispanic men in her story the “Lumberjuans,” but I can tell you I didn’t really like that aspect of the story.)

What I Liked:

  • Hallmark feel
  • Christmas vibes
  • Puns scattered throughout

What I Didn’t:

  • Lack of romance

Read This If You Love:

  • Christmas
  • Hallmark movies
  • Gigantic Rudolph statues
  • Elf puns
  • Teen life

Star: 3.5

Rating: 2.5 out of 5.

As always, thanks for reading,

A Bookie

Late Christmas Book Haul pt. 1

Okay guys,

The post I have been waiting for…

My Christmas Book Haul!!

(Disclaimer: This is one of 2 because I got about $100 in gift cards for bookstores this Christmas so I am ordering new ones as I post this.)

  • Kingdom of Ash by Sara J. Maas

Aelin Galathynius has vowed to save her people ― but at a tremendous cost. Locked within an iron coffin by the Queen of the Fae, Aelin must draw upon her fiery will as she endures months of torture. The knowledge that yielding to Maeve will doom those she loves keeps her from breaking, but her resolve is unraveling with each passing day…. –Goodreads

  • A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas

She has left the Night Court – and her High Lord – and is playing a deadly game of deceit. In the Spring Court, Tamlin is making deals with the invading king threatening to bring Prythian to its knees, and Feyre is determined to uncover his plans….-Goodreads

  • A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas

Feyre, Rhys, and their close-knit circle of friends are still busy rebuilding the Night Court and the vastly-changed world beyond. But Winter Solstice is finally near, and with it, a hard-earned reprieve….-Goodreads

  • The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

It is 1939. Nazi Germany. The country is holding its breath. Death has never been busier, and will be busier still.

By her brother’s graveside, Liesel’s life is changed when she picks up a single object, partially hidden in the snow. It is The Gravedigger’s Handbook, left behind there by accident, and it is her first act of book thievery. So begins a love affair with books and words, as Liesel, with the help of her accordian-playing foster father, learns to read. Soon she is stealing books from Nazi book-burnings, the mayor’s wife’s library, wherever there are books to be found….-Goodreads

  • The Ickabog by J.K Rowling

Once upon a time there was a tiny kingdom called Cornucopia, as rich in happiness as it was in gold, and famous for its food. From the delicate cream cheeses of Kurdsburg to the Hopes-of-Heaven pastries of Chouxville, each was so delicious that people wept with joy as they ate them….-Goodreads

  • Midnight Sun by Stephanie Meyer

When Edward Cullen and Bella Swan met in Twilight, an iconic love story was born. But until now, fans have heard only Bella’s side of the story. At last, readers can experience Edward’s version in the long-awaited companion novel, Midnight Sun….-Goodreads

I got some others but I left them back at my parents house when I came back home for college so I cant remember everything I got. I got some more special edition Harry Potter books but I do not want to list the wrong editions of them.

I want to thank my parents, my grandparents, and my secret santa for getting me all of these wonderful books. I am so excited to read them.

Look out for my part 2 when I order my other books.

As always, thank you for reading,

A Bookie