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The Twelve Dates of Christmas
Lexi's feeling a little holidazed this winter.... Lexi's been going out with Cameron for way too long. Sure, he's a nice guy, but there's a spark missing between them. So she comes up with the perfect get him to fall for another girl so she'll be free -- and guilt-free, too. But when Lexi sees Cameron looking awfully cozy with Jaylene, her heart melts, especially when her budding psychologist best friend tells her that once a new couple has gone out a dozen times, their relationship is pretty much set. Cameron's twelfth date with Jaylene -- the Christmas Ball -- is coming up. Can Lexi find a way to rekindle her relationship with Cameron in the (saint) nick of time?
272 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2008
16 people are currently reading
1198 people want to read
About the author
Catherine Hapka
427 books195 followersCatherine (Cathy) Hapka has written more than one hundred books for children and adults, as a ghostwriter for series as well as original titles, including the Romantic Comedies Something Borrowed, The Twelve Date of Christmas, and Love on Cue. She lives in Pennsylvania.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
July 27, 2020
3.5* - She didn’t deserve him but then again he let her go way too easily so...uh it kinda infuriated me a little. Playing games in relationships is not my thing.
July 20, 2016
The first time I read this book, I was probably just starting high school. Now I'm well into college and I figured it was high time I gave this rom com another try. I don't remember loving it after my first read and that's mostly because younger me spent 90% of the book pissed off at the MC for getting herself into a stupid situation and then trying to reverse said situation the entire time.
Of course, older me realizes that this an essential part of the plot and part of what makes this story prime time RomCom material. I have to say, I appreciated both the story and the MC considerably more this time around. Lexie was more well-rounded and level-headed than I remembered; she was very conscious about her scheming and how it would affect all of the people involved. I liked that she was cognizant of how a reconciliation with Cam based on lies would not be a reconciliation at all, and how she grew to value honesty and effective communication above all, because those are two essential elements of a strong relationship. I also enjoyed the whole "appreciating what one has lost after one has lost it" theme more than I did previously; at least Lexie was smart enough to acknowledge when she was wrong and to ask for help.
Sure, some of the plot points were a little far fetched, but it was still very fun to read, not to mention festive! I thought, overall, it was an extremely cute book with a lot of comedic scenes, and it was just better than I recalled. I fully expected to dislike the writing style or the overall theme of the book, but, all in all, it was pretty likable. I'm glad I reread it, especially during this holiday season!
Of course, older me realizes that this an essential part of the plot and part of what makes this story prime time RomCom material. I have to say, I appreciated both the story and the MC considerably more this time around. Lexie was more well-rounded and level-headed than I remembered; she was very conscious about her scheming and how it would affect all of the people involved. I liked that she was cognizant of how a reconciliation with Cam based on lies would not be a reconciliation at all, and how she grew to value honesty and effective communication above all, because those are two essential elements of a strong relationship. I also enjoyed the whole "appreciating what one has lost after one has lost it" theme more than I did previously; at least Lexie was smart enough to acknowledge when she was wrong and to ask for help.
Sure, some of the plot points were a little far fetched, but it was still very fun to read, not to mention festive! I thought, overall, it was an extremely cute book with a lot of comedic scenes, and it was just better than I recalled. I fully expected to dislike the writing style or the overall theme of the book, but, all in all, it was pretty likable. I'm glad I reread it, especially during this holiday season!
December 6, 2017
I ended up liking this more than I thought I would. As a matter of fact, I hated this in the beginning. The main character Lexi and her boyfriend Cam are in a rut and she doesn’t know if she wants to be with him. Should she break up with him? Goodness no. She doesn’t want to hurt his feelings. Talk to him about her feelings? Nope. She’s ashamed of feeling that way.
Her solution to this problem is ludicrous - she introduces her boyfriend to the new, hot girl in school (Jaylene) and force him to spend time with said girl. Lexi hopes that hanging out with Jaylene will cause Cam to break up with her. (Who in their right mind WANTS someone to break up with them???)
Of course, as soon as Cam breaks up with her, she wants him back and spends the rest of the book trying to win him back using one shady scheme after another.
I did like Lexi better by the end of the book. She did grow as a character and seemed less immature.
Also - I would love to live in a town called Claus Lake. They had a lot of Christmas spirit. I enjoyed reading the sections about preparing for the holiday the best.
Her solution to this problem is ludicrous - she introduces her boyfriend to the new, hot girl in school (Jaylene) and force him to spend time with said girl. Lexi hopes that hanging out with Jaylene will cause Cam to break up with her. (Who in their right mind WANTS someone to break up with them???)
Of course, as soon as Cam breaks up with her, she wants him back and spends the rest of the book trying to win him back using one shady scheme after another.
I did like Lexi better by the end of the book. She did grow as a character and seemed less immature.
Also - I would love to live in a town called Claus Lake. They had a lot of Christmas spirit. I enjoyed reading the sections about preparing for the holiday the best.
December 15, 2020
Such a great read to get you set in a cold, winter setting. Loved reading this next to a warm, cozy fire and sipping on hot cocoa!
February 18, 2021
One dimensional, cliched characters and terrible story line. The author really did the whole "if you wear skimpy clothes you're a terrible person" schtick. And "if you're smart and don't wear makeup you're amazing" Don't waste your time. I don't know how this got published.
December 19, 2016
This teen romance novel is part of a series called The Romantic Comedies, which is published by Simon Pulse. The series title perfectly describes the plot of this particular story, which is, from beginning to end, a comedy of errors.
Scientifically minded high school senior Lexi has been dating nice guy Cam for years. As she looks ahead to the future, however, she sees the completely divergent paths they will take once high school ends. Unable to find the logic in staying together when the end will inevitably come, Lexi decides to end things with Cam by forcing him onto another girl, newcomer Jaylene. The practical side of her thinks this is a perfect solution to a tricky problem, but her romantic side has a harder time accepting the shift from romance to friendship. When Allie, Lexi’s best friend, who is a budding self-help guru presents the theory that a relationship is solidified after a dozen dates, Lexi starts counting down. As Cam’s twelfth date with Jaylene approaches, she realizes she’s made a mistake. Will it be too late to get Cam back?
This book is a light-hearted, funny, and fast-paced romance novel. The characters are mostly one dimensional, and many of the events of the story are predictable and contrived, but that’s not really a problem, since it is obviously intended to be a feel-good, escapist kind of novel. The setting of Claus Lake, with its various Christmas traditions evokes a lot of the warm and cozy feelings associated with the holiday season. Christmas doesn’t necessarily play a main role in the plot, but many of the main events of the story do take place at Christmas-related events, which makes it a good fit for this time of year. Some suspension of disbelief is required, especially when it comes to walking, talking stereotypes like Southern gal Jaylene and womanizing jerk Bruce, but the main players in the story ring true enough, and I think romance fans will zip happily through the book.
Though the characters are in their last year of high school, this book doesn’t really contain any mature content. Readers in middle school and maybe the first year of high school are probably the most likely audience for this story, and it will suit their interests and maturity level just fine, even if they might not relate to the concerns about college and the future.
Catherine Hapka is quite a prolific author. In addition to The Twelve Dates of Christmas, she is also the author of several other Romantic Comedies: At First Sight, Love on Cue, and Something Borrowed, as well as the Pony Scouts books, and many other titles for young readers.
Scientifically minded high school senior Lexi has been dating nice guy Cam for years. As she looks ahead to the future, however, she sees the completely divergent paths they will take once high school ends. Unable to find the logic in staying together when the end will inevitably come, Lexi decides to end things with Cam by forcing him onto another girl, newcomer Jaylene. The practical side of her thinks this is a perfect solution to a tricky problem, but her romantic side has a harder time accepting the shift from romance to friendship. When Allie, Lexi’s best friend, who is a budding self-help guru presents the theory that a relationship is solidified after a dozen dates, Lexi starts counting down. As Cam’s twelfth date with Jaylene approaches, she realizes she’s made a mistake. Will it be too late to get Cam back?
This book is a light-hearted, funny, and fast-paced romance novel. The characters are mostly one dimensional, and many of the events of the story are predictable and contrived, but that’s not really a problem, since it is obviously intended to be a feel-good, escapist kind of novel. The setting of Claus Lake, with its various Christmas traditions evokes a lot of the warm and cozy feelings associated with the holiday season. Christmas doesn’t necessarily play a main role in the plot, but many of the main events of the story do take place at Christmas-related events, which makes it a good fit for this time of year. Some suspension of disbelief is required, especially when it comes to walking, talking stereotypes like Southern gal Jaylene and womanizing jerk Bruce, but the main players in the story ring true enough, and I think romance fans will zip happily through the book.
Though the characters are in their last year of high school, this book doesn’t really contain any mature content. Readers in middle school and maybe the first year of high school are probably the most likely audience for this story, and it will suit their interests and maturity level just fine, even if they might not relate to the concerns about college and the future.
Catherine Hapka is quite a prolific author. In addition to The Twelve Dates of Christmas, she is also the author of several other Romantic Comedies: At First Sight, Love on Cue, and Something Borrowed, as well as the Pony Scouts books, and many other titles for young readers.
March 5, 2013
This book was really slow in the beginning and didn't get any better as I read on. The main character loses her boyfriend becuase of her lack of appreciation for him and she later on finds out that she still want her ex-boyfriend. Why would she go through all the trouble to get rid of her boyfriend to only want him in the end? Why would he go back to her when she obviously wasn't enthusiastic about their relationship anymore and was the one that was suggesting that they seperate? I thought that this book was pointless and didn't have any dramatic scenes. There was no real development of plot and there were never any parts that was interesting in this book.
December 19, 2021
96th book of 2021
Awww this book was everything I expected and also more. The cover immediately gave off old book vibes (there’s a certain quality to old contemporary books you know? especially with their writing style) so I didn’t expect very much, but this turned out to be quite interesting.
Characters have flaws, especially the main character, Lexi, which made reading though her perspective tolerable and more realistic. She has a nerdy ambitious, scientist personality, which I prefer more than characters who are purely emotionally driven and don’t think about the future very much at all. She’s the kind of girl driven by logic, and yes, she can be manipulative and stubborn, but by the end of the book she grows.
The main plot links to Lexi’s personality from the very beginning (more on pacing later) and while there are definitely some unrealistic things, such as how convenient it was for her to fake date some guys, and while it did feel like there was just one or two characters who were unnecessary, the characters overall were done well. There’s a nice cast and most of them were quite distinct and memorable. (The funniest: Charlie. The most unique: Allie.)
What I was expecting from the title was pls book similar to Ten Blind Dates, another winter romance, where it’s the main character who goes on dates with a variety of people—instead, it became something completely different and in turn more satisfying. It’s the love interest who goes on the dates, and the concept isn’t the highlight (characters’ growth and the romance are) but comes naturally from a friend’s theory, making so much of it character driven rather than plot driven.
The story picked up after the first few chapters. The prologue was completely unnecessary and I skimmed through it. Finishing the book, I feel that it has no use when we don’t even know who the characters are. The first few chapters also don’t instantly pick up with action, but introduce Lexi’s goal and the overall mood of the novel. After that though, goals are crystal clear and obstacles are set up well. I thought I wouldn’t like the book because of the first chapters but I was able to adjust well.
Sometimes things are wayyy too convenient for Lexi, and obstacles that seemed like obstacles turn out to not be obstacles after all. But overall the ending is all right in terms of closure.
The romance (how could I forget) is also sweet, and plays with a couple of a different kind and different beginning than usual romance novels, which I really liked. The characters fall in love again and realize they’re always in love, the whole book is them improving their romance and learning from the conflict. While it’s not as central of a plot as the character growth arc, it’s sweet and is based more on the characters’ personalities and how they complement and work with each other. It’s not the sweet sweet romance like you’d expect.
I don’t have much else to say about this book. The writing style fits it in a traditional ish way, and after a while you can get used to the overall story. It’s a good book for anyone looking for a light hearted winter read :)
started december 18, finished december 19, 2021
Awww this book was everything I expected and also more. The cover immediately gave off old book vibes (there’s a certain quality to old contemporary books you know? especially with their writing style) so I didn’t expect very much, but this turned out to be quite interesting.
Characters have flaws, especially the main character, Lexi, which made reading though her perspective tolerable and more realistic. She has a nerdy ambitious, scientist personality, which I prefer more than characters who are purely emotionally driven and don’t think about the future very much at all. She’s the kind of girl driven by logic, and yes, she can be manipulative and stubborn, but by the end of the book she grows.
The main plot links to Lexi’s personality from the very beginning (more on pacing later) and while there are definitely some unrealistic things, such as how convenient it was for her to fake date some guys, and while it did feel like there was just one or two characters who were unnecessary, the characters overall were done well. There’s a nice cast and most of them were quite distinct and memorable. (The funniest: Charlie. The most unique: Allie.)
What I was expecting from the title was pls book similar to Ten Blind Dates, another winter romance, where it’s the main character who goes on dates with a variety of people—instead, it became something completely different and in turn more satisfying. It’s the love interest who goes on the dates, and the concept isn’t the highlight (characters’ growth and the romance are) but comes naturally from a friend’s theory, making so much of it character driven rather than plot driven.
The story picked up after the first few chapters. The prologue was completely unnecessary and I skimmed through it. Finishing the book, I feel that it has no use when we don’t even know who the characters are. The first few chapters also don’t instantly pick up with action, but introduce Lexi’s goal and the overall mood of the novel. After that though, goals are crystal clear and obstacles are set up well. I thought I wouldn’t like the book because of the first chapters but I was able to adjust well.
Sometimes things are wayyy too convenient for Lexi, and obstacles that seemed like obstacles turn out to not be obstacles after all. But overall the ending is all right in terms of closure.
The romance (how could I forget) is also sweet, and plays with a couple of a different kind and different beginning than usual romance novels, which I really liked. The characters fall in love again and realize they’re always in love, the whole book is them improving their romance and learning from the conflict. While it’s not as central of a plot as the character growth arc, it’s sweet and is based more on the characters’ personalities and how they complement and work with each other. It’s not the sweet sweet romance like you’d expect.
I don’t have much else to say about this book. The writing style fits it in a traditional ish way, and after a while you can get used to the overall story. It’s a good book for anyone looking for a light hearted winter read :)
started december 18, finished december 19, 2021
January 1, 2019
Found this extremely predictable. Only finished it because I went to such effort to get it via inter library loan. So glad to not live in a Christmas town. Being a teenager sucks. Spoiler: the six characters introduced in the prologue are all nicely paired up in the end. Looses a star for nasty creepy guy who everyone fucking laughs off. Not ok.
September 15, 2021
Lexi and Cam have very different paths they want to follow in life and Lexi doesn't think their relationship can weather it.. I loved the setting (my home state of Wisconsin) but the plot itself was super wacky and unrealistic. Lexi is just the most oblivious person in the world and to be honest I don't know how well she would actually do in her chosen career. But still a festive pretty fun read.
January 24, 2021
Note to self - double check the author’s name when reserving a book at the library - I read this “teen” book, a cute story - instead of the one I wanted to read - two books, same title, different authors...lol - now to reserve the one I wanted at the library...
December 29, 2022
Wasn't expecting a teen romance so at first I was uncertain if I'd like the book. It was a quick and cute read! Definitely recommend for teens around the holidays to read this for a cute story with an "improve yourself" mentality from the main character.
November 7, 2023
I totally downloaded the wrong book- same title but different author. I was a bit shocked reading it, because it wasn’t great in my opinion. Well it wasn’t the book I meant to read ha! But oh well. It definitely fell into a teen read hallmark feel book. It was super short and an easy read.
January 2, 2024
She is a talented designer and has had too much of the rat race. So she moved back home. And maybe her biological clock is clicking. So she tries the 12 dates of Christmas and most of them flop. She fights often with Matt and he is protective, of her or his heart.
September 27, 2024
The overall story is interesting and unique. However, I have a distaste that she has no repercussions for her actions. I get that this is a feel-good romantic story, but I don't think it is okay to teach young people that in the end you won't get consequences for your actions.
December 24, 2017
Okay I didn’t hate it, but it wasn’t my favorite. I think we all knew what was coming in the end, though.
December 26, 2018
Cute, fun and clean. I liked her friend's theories. She was a little too clever for her own good, but she figured it out in the end! I love a Christmas themed town and story!
December 22, 2020
3.5 stars
Cute YA rom-com. Easy writing style, quick and entertaining read.
Cute YA rom-com. Easy writing style, quick and entertaining read.
December 25, 2020
Too predictable!
January 2, 2021
Cute little YA that Kate picked up sitting on the table. High school seniors and their high jinx!
November 12, 2022
2.5 cute quick read and a reminder of how silly we could be in high school and how everything felt like the end of the world. If only we knew then what we know now…
Read
November 4, 2023This was a really cute book. The activities and the dates are so funny! Quick read
December 29, 2020
A ridiculous story! Not at all a realistic or healthy example of a relationship but it was a quick read. I didn't really enjoy how the main character's manipulation of her boyfriend was just kind of glossed over and accepted but overall there were entertaining moments and it was kinda cute and sweet how it all came together at the end.
May 21, 2022
Romance, fun
October 29, 2020
Bueno, la verdad es que no tengo mucho que decir.
Este libro a pesar de su puntuación no me ha parecido malo. Entretenido, pero como una película de sobremesa de Antena 3. Lo cierto es que, en ciertos momentos, me preguntaba porqué seguía leyendo. Es evidente que tiene sus carencias, una trama simple, con unos personajes más bien unidimensionales que se comportan de manera absurda, y con un final que no sorprende.
Hay muchas cosas que no se sostienen por ningún lado, pero es una lectura sencilla, muy rápida, que cualquier amante de la literatura romántica juvenil no podrá evitar terminar de leer.
Este libro a pesar de su puntuación no me ha parecido malo. Entretenido, pero como una película de sobremesa de Antena 3. Lo cierto es que, en ciertos momentos, me preguntaba porqué seguía leyendo. Es evidente que tiene sus carencias, una trama simple, con unos personajes más bien unidimensionales que se comportan de manera absurda, y con un final que no sorprende.
Hay muchas cosas que no se sostienen por ningún lado, pero es una lectura sencilla, muy rápida, que cualquier amante de la literatura romántica juvenil no podrá evitar terminar de leer.
October 18, 2012
Review originally posted on Rather Be Reading Blog
As a huge Christmas fan, I was ecstatic to discover this book while surfing the B&N bookstore on my Nook. That being said, I was mostly a fan of Claus Lake, the setting, then the actual story. A place where people actually start preparing for Christmas in September and gladly overlook Halloween. Sounds like my kind of place! The plotline, though, is pretty unbelievable and made me wish it was a cute ABC Family movie instead of a YA novel. (In fact, I felt, at times, too old to be reading this one.)
Lexi is an ambitious girl. But it’s a little ridiculous for her to want to pawn her long-term boyfriend into the arms of another. Who in their right mind would do that? (Some might call it heartless.) I mean, if she just decided to tell him the spark was gone and they wanted different things for their future, there would have been no story. So you have to take it for what it is.
Once you do, it’s a fun, heart-warming silly story with a bunch of characters. One of my favorites was Allie, Lexi’s best friend, who concocts all these “theories” about relationships. (Keep in mind, she is single herself.) Most are ridiculous but it’s her “12 Dates” rule that gets the ball rolling on another one of Lexi’s big ideas. This isn’t much of a spoiler since it’s in most book descriptions. After Cam and Lexi break up and he moves on with Jaylene (who is always wearing little to no clothing) Lexi (surprise!) decides she must get Cam back. So instead of just talking to him… she decides she needs another plan.
If it wasn’t so lighthearted, this story would almost qualify as some sort of farcical, Lucy-esque comedy. Unfortunately, it’s not that sophisticated or unpredictable. But it is fluffy and full of holiday spirit, which are two things I can’t deny loving when it comes to taking a book along on the commute, and when life gets stressful during the holidays and you need an escape!
Just a note: The Nook version of this eBook wasn’t the best. The spacing between scenes was off most of the book.
Also being paired with Jennifer Echols’ The Ex Games in a collection called Winter’s Kiss – releasing Tuesday, January 3.
As a huge Christmas fan, I was ecstatic to discover this book while surfing the B&N bookstore on my Nook. That being said, I was mostly a fan of Claus Lake, the setting, then the actual story. A place where people actually start preparing for Christmas in September and gladly overlook Halloween. Sounds like my kind of place! The plotline, though, is pretty unbelievable and made me wish it was a cute ABC Family movie instead of a YA novel. (In fact, I felt, at times, too old to be reading this one.)
Lexi is an ambitious girl. But it’s a little ridiculous for her to want to pawn her long-term boyfriend into the arms of another. Who in their right mind would do that? (Some might call it heartless.) I mean, if she just decided to tell him the spark was gone and they wanted different things for their future, there would have been no story. So you have to take it for what it is.
Once you do, it’s a fun, heart-warming silly story with a bunch of characters. One of my favorites was Allie, Lexi’s best friend, who concocts all these “theories” about relationships. (Keep in mind, she is single herself.) Most are ridiculous but it’s her “12 Dates” rule that gets the ball rolling on another one of Lexi’s big ideas. This isn’t much of a spoiler since it’s in most book descriptions. After Cam and Lexi break up and he moves on with Jaylene (who is always wearing little to no clothing) Lexi (surprise!) decides she must get Cam back. So instead of just talking to him… she decides she needs another plan.
If it wasn’t so lighthearted, this story would almost qualify as some sort of farcical, Lucy-esque comedy. Unfortunately, it’s not that sophisticated or unpredictable. But it is fluffy and full of holiday spirit, which are two things I can’t deny loving when it comes to taking a book along on the commute, and when life gets stressful during the holidays and you need an escape!
Just a note: The Nook version of this eBook wasn’t the best. The spacing between scenes was off most of the book.
Also being paired with Jennifer Echols’ The Ex Games in a collection called Winter’s Kiss – releasing Tuesday, January 3.
November 11, 2012
Reviewed by Jaglvr for TeensReadToo.com
For those in the mood for a holiday romance, then curl up with THE TWELVE DATES OF CHRISTMAS. As with all the Simon Romantic Comedies, this one won't disappoint. The ending can be deduced from it being part of the Romantic Comedies collection, but how Lexi gets to her "happily ever after" is what makes this story so much fun!
Lexi has been dating Cameron Kehoe for the last three years. It's her senior year, and she's not sure that Cameron is going to fit into her "long-term" plans. She's determined to land the Simpson Scholarship to help her get into a good East Coast college and eventually work her way through medical school. Cameron is content to stay in the quaint town they live in, Claus Lake.
Claus Lake is everything Christmas. From the first hint of fall weather, the town gears up for the Christmas season, ending the celebrations with the traditional Christmas Eve Costume Ball.
Lexi is far too nice a girl to dump Cameron, though. She is torn with thinking she'd be responsible for giving him a broken heart. He's truly a decent guy but Lexi is afraid he's not "The One" for her. So her plan, with the assistance of her best friend, Allie, is to find another girl for Cameron. That way, he will have someone else.
The two decide to use the new girl in town, Jaylene, as Cameron's next girlfriend. However, once the plan starts to work (clearly Jaylene is interested in Cameron!), Lexi starts to have doubts. Allie is always coming up with new psychological theories, and her current one involves the "twelve date" theory. She proposes that by the time two people have gone on twelve dates, they've established a relationship and have become a couple.
Lexi realizes she's made a huge mistake and that Cameron was perfect for her after all. But as Cameron and Jaylene inch closer to the twelfth date, Lexi and Allie go into full reversal to win Cameron back.
Of course, the reader can imagine all the crazy schemes that the two hatch, and the aftermath of each failed plot. Read THE TWELVE DATES OF CHRISTMAS and curl up with a cup of hot chocolate. You'll feel all warm inside by the last page.
For those in the mood for a holiday romance, then curl up with THE TWELVE DATES OF CHRISTMAS. As with all the Simon Romantic Comedies, this one won't disappoint. The ending can be deduced from it being part of the Romantic Comedies collection, but how Lexi gets to her "happily ever after" is what makes this story so much fun!
Lexi has been dating Cameron Kehoe for the last three years. It's her senior year, and she's not sure that Cameron is going to fit into her "long-term" plans. She's determined to land the Simpson Scholarship to help her get into a good East Coast college and eventually work her way through medical school. Cameron is content to stay in the quaint town they live in, Claus Lake.
Claus Lake is everything Christmas. From the first hint of fall weather, the town gears up for the Christmas season, ending the celebrations with the traditional Christmas Eve Costume Ball.
Lexi is far too nice a girl to dump Cameron, though. She is torn with thinking she'd be responsible for giving him a broken heart. He's truly a decent guy but Lexi is afraid he's not "The One" for her. So her plan, with the assistance of her best friend, Allie, is to find another girl for Cameron. That way, he will have someone else.
The two decide to use the new girl in town, Jaylene, as Cameron's next girlfriend. However, once the plan starts to work (clearly Jaylene is interested in Cameron!), Lexi starts to have doubts. Allie is always coming up with new psychological theories, and her current one involves the "twelve date" theory. She proposes that by the time two people have gone on twelve dates, they've established a relationship and have become a couple.
Lexi realizes she's made a huge mistake and that Cameron was perfect for her after all. But as Cameron and Jaylene inch closer to the twelfth date, Lexi and Allie go into full reversal to win Cameron back.
Of course, the reader can imagine all the crazy schemes that the two hatch, and the aftermath of each failed plot. Read THE TWELVE DATES OF CHRISTMAS and curl up with a cup of hot chocolate. You'll feel all warm inside by the last page.
November 13, 2008
In Claus Lake, the holiday season lasts about one-third of the year. Sure, it’s charming and fun, but Lexi doesn’t plan to stay there forever. She’s practically got the rest of her life planned out, from winning the Simpson Scholarship all the way to becoming a successful and famous medical researcher. Unfortunately, her life plan can’t seem to accommodate Lexi’s long-term boyfriend Cameron who appears to want to stay in Claus Lake forever. In an attempt to make both their lives simpler, Lexi tricks Cam into falling for another girl. And it works—almost too well. The more Lexi sees Cam with his new girlfriend Jaylene, the more she wonders if she made a huge mistake by giving him up in the first place. And now that Cam and Jaylene’s twelfth date is coming up—a marker that solidifies their relationship according to Lexi’s friend Allie—Lexi has to find a way to get Cam back—before it’s too late.
The Twelve Dates of Christmas was a cute and very creative story. The characters, setting, and plot were well-written. I especially liked Lexi’s character, particularly because I could relate to her ambitious drive and big-city dreams. At times, I felt she was a little too conflicted, but her rationality and emotions actually mixed well in the end. The setting of Claus Lake was undeniably cute, especially with all the cutesy and quaint Christmastime rituals. I would have liked some of the smaller characters to have been developed more, because I felt several of them merely made appearances before they were written out. Overall, The Twelve Dates of Christmas was satisfactory, but it didn’t really stand out as particularly romantic or unforgettable.
The Twelve Dates of Christmas is a good read for the holiday season, and fans of Kissing Snowflakes by Abby Sher will also enjoy this story. I personally prefer Catherine Hapka’s Something Borrowed over this novel, and I can’t say The Twelve Dates of Christmas is one of the better Simon Pulse Romantic Comedies that I’ve read, but, nonetheless, it’s a fun and enjoyable read.
reposted from http://thebookmuncher.blogspot.com
The Twelve Dates of Christmas was a cute and very creative story. The characters, setting, and plot were well-written. I especially liked Lexi’s character, particularly because I could relate to her ambitious drive and big-city dreams. At times, I felt she was a little too conflicted, but her rationality and emotions actually mixed well in the end. The setting of Claus Lake was undeniably cute, especially with all the cutesy and quaint Christmastime rituals. I would have liked some of the smaller characters to have been developed more, because I felt several of them merely made appearances before they were written out. Overall, The Twelve Dates of Christmas was satisfactory, but it didn’t really stand out as particularly romantic or unforgettable.
The Twelve Dates of Christmas is a good read for the holiday season, and fans of Kissing Snowflakes by Abby Sher will also enjoy this story. I personally prefer Catherine Hapka’s Something Borrowed over this novel, and I can’t say The Twelve Dates of Christmas is one of the better Simon Pulse Romantic Comedies that I’ve read, but, nonetheless, it’s a fun and enjoyable read.
reposted from http://thebookmuncher.blogspot.com
December 18, 2017
3.5 Stars
The Twelve Dates of Christmas is listed as a romantic comedy, but it's not a very funny read for me. The scheming, the lies upon lies, and the overthinking of the main character Lexi is not an endearing or comedic perspective to have to follow. The boyfriend, Cam, is a much more likeable character to me. He's honest, steadfast, dependable, and just an all-around nice guy. (Fiction writers take note: not every main guy has to be a "bad boy/rebel" sort.) Then again, from his point of view there would be very little humor to be found in the situation either. So as a comedy, this is a failing grade from me. It's not funny. Not the break-up, and definitely not Lexi's plotting to win him back.
As for the romantic part of "romantic comedy," there's not a lot of romance to be had, unless out of desperation you count the "other girl" Jaylene fawning over Cam and Lexi being green with envy. There were some nice honorable mentions to traditions Lexi and Cam have/had, but that's telling us, not showing us the romance. The most romantic bits of the whole book happen at the end in an almost blink-and-you'll-miss-it type way. To be clear, I think kissing/hugging/hand-holding is very nice/romantic, but that's not all that I consider romance to be either.
The setting of this book is probably one of my favorite things about this book. There's just something very cozy and Hallmark-like reading about a picturesque small town where celebrating Christmas is part its very DNA. Which is probably why even though this isn't my favorite holiday read, I do pull it out every couple of years for a reread.
The Twelve Dates of Christmas is listed as a romantic comedy, but it's not a very funny read for me. The scheming, the lies upon lies, and the overthinking of the main character Lexi is not an endearing or comedic perspective to have to follow. The boyfriend, Cam, is a much more likeable character to me. He's honest, steadfast, dependable, and just an all-around nice guy. (Fiction writers take note: not every main guy has to be a "bad boy/rebel" sort.) Then again, from his point of view there would be very little humor to be found in the situation either. So as a comedy, this is a failing grade from me. It's not funny. Not the break-up, and definitely not Lexi's plotting to win him back.
As for the romantic part of "romantic comedy," there's not a lot of romance to be had, unless out of desperation you count the "other girl" Jaylene fawning over Cam and Lexi being green with envy. There were some nice honorable mentions to traditions Lexi and Cam have/had, but that's telling us, not showing us the romance. The most romantic bits of the whole book happen at the end in an almost blink-and-you'll-miss-it type way. To be clear, I think kissing/hugging/hand-holding is very nice/romantic, but that's not all that I consider romance to be either.
The setting of this book is probably one of my favorite things about this book. There's just something very cozy and Hallmark-like reading about a picturesque small town where celebrating Christmas is part its very DNA. Which is probably why even though this isn't my favorite holiday read, I do pull it out every couple of years for a reread.
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