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 show more 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. show less

Although it's a bit different from what I usually read, I thought I'd try this light romance, in part because I obtained a free copy through a Bookbub offer in January. It's a brief novel featuring Becky, a 20-something woman who is trying to start a web dating service for "curvy" women. Along the way, she meets with a designer who happens to be a hunk. Becky is pretty insecure about her weight, which is a major plot point. (And perhaps it's one of the major "sales points" for this author, show more who seems to specialize.) Because this is a romance, you know it'll work out somehow in the end. The plot is perhaps a little silly and mostly light-hearted; the banter between Becky and Samantha is generally fun; and there are some definite charming moments. There are a few brief sex scenes in the latter half of the book, one of which is pretty funny and charming. Now, I have no idea if the protagonist's nonchalance represents the sexual attitudes of the current 25+ generation of women, but golly, good for her. Just in passing, I'll also admit that throughout most of the book I imagined Becky as a Brooke Elliott look-alike, but with blonde hair. That is totally a compliment, by the way.

I wanted to like the book more than I did, but it has some significant structural and editorial issues with the writing, which I needn't go into, but which I kept bumping into. And in all honesty, they could have been mostly cleaned up by a careful copy-editor.

Overall, I enjoyed the story pretty well, and if you can get it for free or a dollar, check it out. show less

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, show more 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. show less

Finally! A book that I could really get into, and did! Unfortunately, I had been on a bit of a reading hiatus as I had gone through a few books that were more irritating to me as a reader rather than entertaining. Finally, a book that pulled me out of the hiatus. Therefore, I would like to personally thank the author(s) for writing this fantastic book. It has a little bit of everything in this book: transformation, loyalty, intimacy, misunderstanding, stereotyping, suspense, and family show more drama. I have read books in the past where the amount of topics were overwhelming in one book, however, they blend beautifully in this one. The main character, Barbara transformed from a practically invisible small-town nobody with an embarrassing drunk mother into a powerful, smart business woman (shout out to feminism-you go girl!) that is in town on business from New York City. The love interest in the book, Ryder, has been a playboy since high school who originally overlooked Barbara in high school but is now taking a job renovating her house. The very place that her drunk mother was let go from for her drunken episodes, Barbara has been sent to shut down. Something she has had to do in several towns as part of her job, but this time it gets personal. Not just for Barbara, but for Ryder, and someone else who demands to cause damage. In general, I don't particularly mind cursing. But for those readers who do, you should know that the foul language is rather minimal, only a time or two. There is a lot of steamy scenes in which those readers who are not comfortable with adult situations may want to be wary. Without giving any more away, I'll just wrap this up with it's a great summer read. There's romance, grilling out, suspense, a beach, and warm summer sun. I loved this book and highly recommend it to any reader looking for a fun, sizzling, beach read!
Please note: an ARC was generously provided in exchange for an honest review. show less