Train wreck of what I can only assume is an unedited first draft.

Summer lives in a small coastal English tourist town. She owns her own travel agency and enjoys planning trips for others (even though she has never left her town). Noel moves to town to open a pop up Christmas store in the fall. Noel’s pop up store is next door to Summer’s travel agency. Summer is described in the blurb as “hating Christmas”, but in this novel hate isn’t a strong enough word. She loathes Christmas with a passion and will fight any stranger who dares to reference the holiday in her presence. On the first day of meeting Noel she loses her mind on three separate occasions. She is an adult woman who is described as feral at the sight of a Christmas tree. The story continues from there with added in plot lines from Summer’s mother (who is agoraphobic) to Summer’s cleaning lady.

This novel was all over the place from the characterizations to the plot to the narrative to the writing style. Several times throughout the book it felt like the author was trying to squeeze in way too many plot line or tropes when she was lost as to how to continue the story.

Brief highlights building to the train wreck:
-Zero idea why Noel was attracted to Summer. She was rude and terrible to him the first several times he met her. She acted like an immature child anytime someone mentioned Christmas.
-This may be a personal issue, but I really don’t like when POV changes without notice. Several times POV would change in the middle of a paragraph. To me this is completely jarring and forces me to go back to reread the page to figure out which POV we are viewing now.
-This was described as a “romantic comedy”, but had several trigger warning issues pop up out of the blue and seemed very unnecessary to continue the story (such as a drug overdose death of an adult child of a tertiary character).
-I can only assume that when the author wasn’t sure how to continue the story she would add in another POV. By the end of the novel we had 6 different POVs.
-There was never a true explanation for the depth of Summer’s hatred of Christmas.

Okay, first off, don't you just LOVE that cover?
The image is very striking with the colors used, but you can already see the potential for connection with their outfits matching each other's sides. So cute! But I digress...

Summer and Noel...
... from the moment they meet, it's anything but cute, but they're just unwittingly laying the groundwork for all that's to come!

She likes summer holidays, and travel, but Christmas isn't in her good graces. He lives for the holidays, and runs a business to match, and seems to have a growing affection for Summer... just not specifically the season. 😉 Together there's magic to be made, if only they can get past their own issues, and life stops throwing in new monkey wrenches to unsettle things... like a particular school girl that turns up looking for work (I had a feeling about her... which turned out to be right!). There are more surprises, both good and not so good, but in the end, things turn happily merry and bright in unexpected ways, giving us a HEA worth the read.

Aside from the grumpy sunshine romance angle, this story also deals with some pretty big issues like loss, abandonment, emotional trauma, and the healing effects of moving on. It shows in a real light the struggles that can plague some people, as well as the aid that the right helping hand, including that of a professional, can provide. It reminds us that getting help doesn't make us weak, but STRONG because we can acknowledge the problem and grow from them. When Summer's mom finally made steps forward, I couldn't help but give a little cheer... even if the outing ending in a little bloodshed 😆.... you'll have to read it to find out... even if I'm not certain I could forgive and not forget move forge a new path, it worked for them. Noel was a gem with all his holiday cheer, but even with all the jolly man facade, he was true blue at heart, which helped a great deal with the struggles later on in the book.

A great pick for Contemporary Fiction fans looking to jumpstart their holiday reading or for those that simply need a little Christmas now. 😉

Another Christmas read I was here for and really think you should read! Summer Hates Christmas by Rachel Dove is a magical read that will have you laughing, catching your breath, and cheering for a happily ever after. My heart was so happy while reading this.

Meet Summer. She hates Christmas with every fibre of her bring. A shop opens up next to hers and guess what? It’s a Christmas themed store. Will this handsome stranger be able to show Summer everything there is to love about Christmas? Or will Summer spend the rest of her life kicking Christmas trees?

This was my first book by Dove and will not be my last. From the first chapter where a Christmas tree was kicked, I was hooked! Dove has a writing style that has you watching the story play out as a movie in your head as you read. Aren’t those the best?! Just like J.K. Rowling, I agree with other reviewers who have said Dove has magic in her words.

I liked the premise of this book but found Summer, the main character fairly unlikeable and childish. Her attitude towards others didn’t make her any friends and even towards the end of the story she makes some mean choices. The tension between Summer and her mother provides a more complex element to the story but this relationship is very strained. It all felt very complex for a light hearted romance story in my opinion.

Summer loves the sun, beach and running her own travel agency but hates Christmas.
When gorgeous Noel moves into the shop next door to hers to run a pop-up Christmas shop it’s the ultimate nightmare for Summer.
Why does Summer hate Christmas so much and can her & Noel be civil to each other?

What a wonderful book!!! I picked it up because it's said "Christmas" on the cover and I love Christmas books but if you are not into Christmas books don't worry, you will still love it as it's not so much about Christmas. Of course there are some Christmas elements here and there but this book not about Christmas. I really enjoyed reading it from first to last page! This book is sometimes serious and a bit sad, and sometimes it's hilarious and funny. A very good balance! And of course there is a romance going on which I loved! I really recommend this book to anyone who love a good enemies to lovers romantic story wether you like Christmas books or not! It's for both!!! 4 stars out of 5 for this book for me!!!

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a fun book. I enjoyed it a lot.

This was mixed for me. I liked some of the family stories and lessons in the book but the romance was the weakest for me

I would like to thank netgalley and Boldwood Books for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

The dialogue felt wooden and there were pov chapters from random unknown characters.

I'm a fan of this book and I know my patrons will be too. I thought it was an easy read and I can definitely see this being popular around Christmas time.

"Summer Hates Christmas" by Rachel Dove is a delightful and heart-warming holiday romance. The story's premise of a Christmas-hating protagonist and a charming man who loves the holiday creates a perfect opposites-attract dynamic. Dove skilfully explores Summer's reasons for her Christmas aversion, adding depth to the narrative. The novel is a heartening journey of self-discovery and the magic of the holiday season, making it an ideal read for those seeking a feel-good Christmas romance.

I enjoyed this book and it was a fast, easy read. Perfect to read on my phone when I found a few minutes. However, it was a much heavier storyline than expected based on description and cover on NetGalley. (The new cover is much better for this story.) I didn’t care for the main character for the first 100 pages (she got better) and included issues of abuse and violence that I didn’t anticipate in a rom-com. The supporting characters were fun, I enjoyed the best friend, Jean. Overall, a 3.5.

Thank you to the publisher for an advanced copy.

I love a good romance, and this one was wonderful! It had witty banter, and lovable characters. I was rooting for them the whole way through!

At first, I picked up this novel with some reservations, as it seemed to have a strong Christmas theme, and I'm not particularly enthusiastic about the holiday season. However, the story exceeded my expectations in many ways. While it does have elements of Christmas woven throughout, it goes far beyond that, delving into various themes and intricate character dynamics.

The strength of this novel lies in its ability to explore a multitude of factors and considerations, creating a rich tapestry of storytelling. It's not just about Christmas; it's about human relationships, personal growth, and the complexities of life itself. The characters are well-developed, and their journeys are both relatable and thought-provoking.

One aspect that stands out is the author's skill in navigating the various elements of the plot. Despite my initial reservations, I found myself fully engaged in the story, eagerly turning the pages to see how it would all unfold. The pacing is just right, with moments of tension, reflection, and heartwarming scenes that keep you invested from start to finish.

In the end, while I may not be a Christmas enthusiast, this novel managed to captivate me with its depth and intricacy. It's a testament to the author's storytelling prowess and their ability to make you care about the characters and their journeys, regardless of your personal preferences. I highly recommend giving this novel a chance, as it has much more to offer than what may initially meet the eye.

𝘚𝘶𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘳 𝘏𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘴 𝘊𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘮𝘢𝘴 follows Summer being a grinch towards Noel's All Things Christmas shop. As the two try to reconcile their differences they may just fall in love with the Holidays and each other.

- ~ -

I found Summer to be very annoying and didn't feel like there was much basis as to why she hated the holidays.

But Noel was a very patient man and the way he stood up for her infront of her mum was just swoon.

Aside from all that, I hated the multiple POVs. I think only Summer and Noel's were enough to perfectly execute the story.

- ~ -

3.43 / 5✩

𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘉𝘰𝘭𝘥𝘸𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘉𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘱𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬, 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘐 𝘷𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸𝘦𝘥. 𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘰𝘸𝘯.

I’m sorry to say but I don’t think I’ve disliked a main character more than I do Summer in the first 100 pages or so! But God bless Noel for fighting his way through Summer’s extremely tough walls and getting to bring out the softer side to her. I think I would’ve like a 100 more pages to bulk out the story a bit - some bits were too fast paced and I would’ve loved to see more of the love stories developing. But that ending…Hallelujah!

Noel and Summer, Summer hates Christmas, what can be done. Read this good book to find out. 4 stars.

Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for this ARC

I want to thank Rachel Dove, Boldwood Books, and NetGalley for this ARC. This is my honest opinion.

This book is not your typical Christmas romance.

Summer, the main character, really hates the Christmas season and will have a hard time accepting the arrival of a new store neighbor whose owner is a big Christmas fan and whose name is Noêl (of course!)
It takes a while for the romance to take off, as Summer protects herself from everything and isn't ready to open up at Christmas.
This book touches on deep subjects: depression, family, and physical aggression.

I liked the relationship between Summer and Noël, especially Noël's character and commitment to Summer, his patience, and his presence. The dual point of view is a big plus in this book, even if I would have liked the changes of point of view to take place in different chapters and not in the same one.

Summer meets Noah when he opens a pop-up Christmas shop next door to her travel agents. She has her reasons for hating Christmas, which emerges as the book progresses. Can Noah change her mind and help her change her life too?

The premise of Summer Hates Christmas was so appealing to me. Unfortunately, there was instalove way too quickly for me to continue. I DNF’d about 30% in. I also was not a fan of the extra character point of views.

Thank you to #NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the early copy. All the opinions above are my own.