Apparently the words “Christmas tree farm” are enough to make me download a book to my kindle. I don’t love the cover, but I fully anticipate that I’ll love the book.
Title: Any Girl But You
Author: Dana Hawkins
Vibe: A grumpy emotionally-wounded Christmas tree farm owner and a people-pleasing super-sunshiny bakery owner deal with their issues and discover a little holiday magic of their own.
Thoughts: What I loved most about this is that the characters are “perfect for each other, but,” with the “but” being they both have emotional issues they clearly need to deal with before they can be right for anyone, let alone each other. The book does a great job with the tricky balance between wanting to give the reader that “love can heal us” sprinkle of pure hopium while also keeping us grounded in “you need to work on your shit though, not put it on a partner’s shoulders to fix.”
What I loved second-most? It’s made very, very clear that work can be hell. I mean, there’s damage from other sources shown here (very imperfect parenting; a prior failed relationship), but what really hit my soul is the acknowledgement that a toxic workplace can leave you with real, lasting scars.
Taste:
Quinn’s early thoughts on Zoey (and herself):
She’s gentle, and kind, and caring. I’m saving her from me, even if she doesn’t know it.
Zoey’s not my type. Like, at all. She’s too pure for this world, probably the type of woman who likes gentle sex on a bed with roses sprinkling the ground after having a picnic in the park. I like quick and dirty orgasms, names optional, and moving straight on with my life. Messy and fun. And Zoey is clean and stable. We’re built completely differently.
loc 969-970
Verdict: Hell yes, you definitely need to read this, and I personally intend to buy a physical copy for my Christmas Shelf.
Fuggy Hoff, NL 