What I Read In December 2020
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All the books I read in December are from my holiday reading list. I was really in the mood for books that would get me into the holiday season and/or get me to feel that ‘Christmas magic’. So overall, the genres aren’t that different just the storylines. But it was nice for a change to have a month full of feel good books.
What I Read In December 2020
A Princess For Christmas by Jenny Holiday
Leo is handling a lot. He is taking care of his younger sister, Gabby, ever since his parents passed, dropped out of college and works as a cab driver, and he is the super of his apartment building. Gabby spots a princess who badly needs a taxi and begs Leo to help her. Princess Marie of Eldovia should not be hailing a cab, but has no choice. Ever since her mom passed away, it brought her dad the King into a depression and she is doing what she believes is best for her kingdom. Princess Marie asks Leo to be her driver for the entire time she is in NYC. Which has led Leo and Gabby to visit Eldovia for Christmas. But their time in Eldovia has taken surprising turns and Leo starts to understand the Princess and there is more than meets the eye.
If you want Hallmark, this book is basically Hallmark. The scenery of Christmas time in Eldovia is actually what you’ll see in Hallmark Christmas movies. It also does a great job of depicting Christmas in New York City. I really thought this book was going to be a wholesome book, but there are definitely scenes where I’m like ‘wow, this is definitely rated R’ haha.
In A Holidaze by Christina Lauren
Maelyn Jones feels like her life is not going anywhere. Her job is unfulfilling, she moved back to live with her parents, and her love life is non-existent. To make it worse, her favorite place in the world, her Utah cabin that they go to every year, is being sold. So on their drive back home, she makes a wish to live a happier life and next thing she knows she was in a major car accident and is reliving Christmas over and over again. Mae is trying to figure out how to get out of this time travel warp she is stuck in.
What a fast and easy read! I finished this book so quickly. What I like about this holiday book is that it is slightly different from the other books in my holiday reading list. The entire time, I wanted to know how she will eventually get out of the time travel warp. Overall, I enjoyed it but was slightly disappointed in the end. Maybe it is the analytical side of me, but I want to know how the time warp thing even happened.
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The Twelve Dates of Christmas by Jenny Bayliss
Kate Turner is ready to give up on relationships. Her small town in England doesn’t have much prospects. At least she is fulfilled in her career and has a side job as a baker for her friend Matt’s cafe. Kate’s best friend signs her up for a dating agency that sets her up with 12 different dates leading to Christmas. Each date gets more and more disastrous. Her entire town seems to be involved in her love life and dates. Kate is constantly reminding herself that love can show up where it is least expected.
This was a cute book, but I personally think it would have been better as a movie. I would love to see this on TV since I’m craving another good English Christmas movie (I need more Love Actually and The Holiday). The small town in England sounds very cute and the author does an incredible job visualizing that for you. But there are some parts where it felt like it dragged a bit especially when I have a strong idea where it might lead.
One Christmas In Paris by Maggie Baggot
Ava decided to join her best friend Debs for a Christmas getaway in Paris. Everything in Paris just feels so perfect and it is exactly what Ava needed especially after finding out her boyfriend cheated on her and her mother is forcing a career on her that she has zero passion about. Julien is still grieving about his sister. She died a year ago from a tragic fire. He stopped being a photographer and is pretty much living like a hermit and his relationship with this father is getting worse. One day, Julien bumps into Ava. For some reason, they’re both magnetized towards each other. However, both of their pasts seem to prevent them from moving forward.
I really enjoyed this book! Some may say the pace of the book is slow. While I don’t disagree with that, I felt like the slower pace is exactly what this book needed to be. It kept me present in the book and enticed my wanderlust to visit Paris. There’s a lot of charm to this book. Honestly, if you want a book that will make you slow down and enjoy the moment with a delicious cup of coffee (or tea), I think you will enjoy this book too!
What about you? Did you read any holiday books / Christmas books during the month of December? Which books did you read?
xo RD
I want to read one Christmas in Paris!
Jennifer
Curated By Jennifer
It’s definitely a good one!
I spent so much time watching Hallmark and Lifetime, I didn’t get to read much over the holidays!
Omg I spent my time watching those channels too haha.
Love the fun festive reads!
Thanks!
These books sound so great! Also, your overalls and striped tee look absolutely adorable on you! I hope you’re doing well and feeling great!
Thank you! I’ve been loving these maternity overalls. So comfortable during pregnancy!
We read a couple of the same books! I enjoyed In a Holidaze, but I totally agree with you: knowing how the time warp happened would’ve been nice. Maybe it was just a Groundhog Day thing where she had to “complete her quest” to get back to normal? I dunno. And The Twelve Dates of Christmas was cute – but your right, it would’ve been better as a movie. I almost read A Princess for Christmas, but just barely ran out of time in December. It’ll be on my holiday TBR for this year!
Aww yay! I’m glad to hear we have the same thoughts on the same books.
I love the idea of reading festive books in December, how have I never thought of that?! Right now I’m reading “Where The Crawdads Sing” and I’m really enjoying it!
xx Helen
https://styleinherited.com
I’ve heard so many great things about that book!
Thank you to share with us your reading list, you make every book sound so interesting.
By the way, awesome outfit, and you look so lovely 🙂 Stay safe <3
Lots of love ♥ January Girl
Thank you!
Is “A Princess for Christmas” connected to the movies on Netflix with the Princess of Eldovia?! It sounds like such a fun book and I love those movies!
Oo I’m not sure! I didn’t even think to make the connection haha
Oh the princess book reminds me of the Christmas movie in Netflix.
Just like you I love to read Christmas books during the season.
This year I purchased 3 : ” One year In December”, “Christmas at the island hotel” and “The noel diary”.
I’m currently reading the “noel diary” and soon I’ll start “Christmas at the island hotel” 🙂
I thought about getting “holidaze” as well. I’ll probably get it next year.
xx
Margot
https://troughthepasturesofthesky.com
Someone else just mentioned about the Netflix movie. It’s quite possible but I didn’t think to make the connection haha. You read some really good festive books!
Sound like some fun reads! Didn’t pick up a book at all last month but got my fill on all the Christmas movies, lol! xoxo, Sarah
Christmas movies are the best!
In a Holidaze was my Christmas read and I thoroughly enjoyed it!
xoxo
Lovely
http://www.mynameislovely.com
It was fun to read!
I always love your book roundups! Adding some of these to my library check out list now.
Thank you Greta!
I always love to see wwhat you are reading and will definitely have to revisit these next holiday season! such a fun and festive idea.
Thank you Rebecca!
Thank you for sharing your holiday read picks! I would love to read “One Christmas in Paris’
Julia x
https://www.thevelvetrunway.com/
It’s a great read!
All of these books look great and so festive. It makes me wish we could go back to the holidays for a bit!
Make Life Marvelous
I know! The holidays went by so fast!
I’m adding One Christmas in Paris to my library list! Thanks for sharing!
Jill – Doused in Pink
Thank you Jill!