YA Buddy Readers' Corner ♥ discussion

Sophie wants one thing for Christmas-a little freedom from her overprotective parents. So when they decide to spend Christmas in South Louisiana with her very pregnant older sister, Sophie is looking forward to some much needed private (read: make-out) time with her long-term boyfriend, Griffin. Except it turns out that Griffin wants a little freedom from their relationship. Cue devastation.

Heartbroken, Sophie flees to her grandparents' house, where the rest of her boisterous extended family is gathered for the holiday. That's when her nonna devises a (not so) brilliant plan: Over the next ten days, Sophie will be set up on ten different blind dates by different family members. Like her sweet cousin Sara, who sets her up with a hot guy at an exclusive underground party. Or her crazy aunt Patrice, who signs Sophie up for a lead role in a living nativity. With a boy who barely reaches her shoulder. And a screaming baby.

When Griffin turns up unexpectedly and begs for a second chance, Sophie feels more confused than ever. Because maybe, just maybe, she's started to have feelings for someone else . . . Someone who is definitely not available.

This is going to be the worst Christmas break ever... or is it?

Ahhh I loved this so much! The audiobook was great too

I've been wanting a holiday romcom for ages and this was the perfect thing

I want to read it. It sounds so exciting!

Jaye wrote: "Ahhh I loved this so much! The audiobook was great too"

every time you say this i wish I could handle audiobooks :C I'm glad it was good though!!

the family dynamic in this book is *chef's kiss* - I really love when books manage a healthy balance between romance and family plotlines, it's really underrated how valuable they can be

turniip wrote: "the family dynamic in this book is *chef's kiss* - I really love when books manage a healthy balance between romance and family plotlines, it's really underrated how valuable they can be"

Right? It feels like it rarely happens too these days

The romance was sweet too, aw

Jaye wrote: "The romance was sweet too, aw"

right? I still agree with the kasie west vibes, this is just so wholesome and it was just what I needed! I'm glad I didn't listen to my gut that it was being hyped so much that i'd be disappointed. C:

turniip wrote: "Jaye wrote: "The romance was sweet too, aw"

right? I still agree with the kasie west vibes, this is just so wholesome and it was just what I needed! I'm glad I didn't listen to my gut that it was ..."

Omg same though, all the hype and promo was so scary but I'm glad I read it! Love a fast and cute book

I feel like, overall, there's not much I can complain about at all - I really was pleasantly surprised by this and I'm so glad :D

I hope this author writes a bunch more like this! Holiday cutesy books forever!

Date 1- (view spoiler)[ aww! Super cute so far! Glad her first date went well! Although this is all very unrealistic, it’s still a very fun read! I love the family relationships and conversations, and I hope her sister’s pregnancy ends well!! (hide spoiler)]

Date 2-(view spoiler)[ Bahahahah! The date with the freshman in high school with the light up robe... I smiled the entire time reading this! And that he had wandering hands.... Hahahahah! (hide spoiler)]

Date 3- (view spoiler)[ Her date with crazy Judd was super fun! I want to know more about Wes and her cranky girlfriend!! I’m liking Wes ;) (hide spoiler)]

Date 4- (view spoiler)[ She went to a formal party with a freshman in college, and they were very honest with each other about their complicated relationships. And then Sophie and Wes almost kissed!! During her days off from dates, Sophie went and visited her sister in the hospital. (hide spoiler)]

Date 5- (view spoiler)[ bahahahahahah! Porn movie on a field!!! Glad Wes came to help her! (hide spoiler)]

Date 6- (view spoiler)[ The hockey date had some serious potential, but it’s obvious Sophie and Wes are interested in each other. They will probably be the last date on New Year’s Eve. (hide spoiler)]

Date 7- (view spoiler)[ Griffin ended up snagging a spot on the date list so he could try and talk to Sofie...I was actually starting to wonder if he really did want to get back with Sofie, but then the fight on the way to the hospital kind of ended that... (hide spoiler)]

Date 8- (view spoiler)[ The bowling date. It was cute and they both knew they wanted to be with other people and didn't make it more awkward for each of them. They ended it early. I just want date 10! HAHAAH! (hide spoiler)]

Date 9- (view spoiler)[ The date ended up getting sick and Wes was the messenger, so Sofie thought he was the date for a brief moment, but then saw that he was still with Laurel, and that they would be going to the party together. However.....They aren't together! HA! So Wes and Sofie got to dance a dance together before he left. (hide spoiler)]

Date 10- (view spoiler)[ Yay! Happy ending...predictable, but cute! Glad she figured out how to be happy again, and I'm glad her niece was okay! (hide spoiler)]

Just couldn’t resist something contemporary - the fantasy focus this month has left me feeling the need for something a little lighter...

^^ me too, Karen!! :) hah!

14% the set-up. Oh my goodness, this idea is either going to be your worst nightmare come true, or good fun. Please let it not be an utter disaster!

Date 1 - okay, so far so good. Not a bad start to proceedings. (view spoiler)[ I like that Seth was fully in on this so it felt quite light-hearted. (hide spoiler)]

Date 2 - so bad it was hysterical. There should be rules against people’s family putting them through such humiliation.

Date 3. (view spoiler)[ Wes all the way.his girlfriend is unpleasant enough that I hope it’s all over soon. My guess is the awkward moments will increase over the next few dates...and he’ll be one of the last ones! (hide spoiler)]

Date 4 - feeling all warm and fuzzy. What a party!

:) :) Glad you're enjoying it Karen!! :) Super cute!

The date break was better than I thought. Inevitable drama, but even that works out. This will make such a feel-good movie.

Date 6 - wish I could read the spoilers on here, but I am torn between hysterical laughter and shock. Was not what I expected!

Date 6. Confused my dates...date 6 hints at a potential problem.

Dates 7 and 8. Certainly seeming like there’s only one way this can go...

Date 9. Totally being manipulated, but not minding it. The family are so warm it’s a joy to see them together.

Finished. Review on home page. Totally different to the only other book I’d read b6 this author, but it was just what I needed today.

Karen wrote: "14% the set-up. Oh my goodness, this idea is either going to be your worst nightmare come true, or good fun. Please let it not be an utter disaster!"

I just imagine her dread and despair as her family was filling up that sheet with dates hah! I'm hoping for a bit of fun and a bit of disaster as the dates go by!

December 16th and 17th - set up
(view spoiler)[ I ADORE the family dynamic here. I love the relationship that is apparent even through text with her sister and I like her parents and their fierce protectiveness of her. The extended family holds all kinds of characters and its so sweet to read about their interactions. The awkward distance between her and her cousins after she's been away for awhile is so relate-able and gosh her Nonna is SO SWEET! I can't wait to see how the dates go! (hide spoiler)]

December 18th:

I already feel like I'm really going to love this! Looking forward to continuing on.

(view spoiler)[Having experienced a similar type of breakup before, I really relate to the MC! I also really like seeing snippets of her interactions with her sister and parents! Each of the family members have their own voice and characteristics, but they all exhibit a loving family, which is something we don't get enough of in YA! I loveee Nonna thus far.. reminds me of my Grandma (who is a cooking grandma, too) and thought it was so sweet that the kitchen was described as the heart of the home... That brings a warm and cozy vibe into the book right from the beginning that sets the tone for a Christmasy good time! (hide spoiler)]

@Bre (view spoiler)[ I LOVE how loving this family is! Also how quirky and real they feel. (hide spoiler)]

@HeatherH same! soo precious!

December 19th:

Still going great! I love the setup! Can't wait to see who they each pick!

(view spoiler)[I also enjoy seeing the beginnings of the subplot of what happened to cause the awkwardness between Charlie and Olivia and Sophie.

I'm also wondering what role Wes will play! Could he be a potential love interest or a best friend type of role??

The family is HILARIOUS in this chapter! I love how invested they all are in the idea of the blind dates, haha! I love to see the individuality of the family members.. they each have their own voice.

I feel like some of these dates are going to be hilarious! lol

Wondering if the person picking the date is also choosing the activities for said date? We'll find out tomorrow, probably! (hide spoiler)]

Bre wrote: "December 19th:

(view spoiler)[Still going great! I love the setup! Can't wait to see who they each pick!

I also enjoy seeing the beginnings of the subplot of what happened to cause the awkwardness between Charl..." (hide spoiler)]

(view spoiler)[ I am so curious what has happened between the three cousins! I mean, just time and distance can cause that awkwardness but it definitely feels set up to be more than that.

Also.. Wes!! I hope he ends up being one of the dates. He seems sweet already <3

Her uncles shoving each other around to get the last date?! So great! Looking forward to tomorrows entry! (hide spoiler)]

HeatherH wrote: "Bre wrote: "December 19th:

Still going great! I love the setup! Can't wait to see who they each pick!

I also enjoy seeing the beginnings of the subplot of what happened to cause the awkwardness b..."

(view spoiler)[I totally think the same thing about the cousins and Wes!! (hide spoiler)]

December 20: Date 1

(view spoiler)[OMG! This started with a bang! I'm SO glad she had so much fun! I think it helped her to begin to see the downfalls of her relationship with Griffin!

The date idea was SO cute! I think that the person who picks the guy also picks what they do for the date, based on today's reading... Still hasn't been said on page, though. lol

I'm now stuck between being team Seth or still rooting for Wes to be a date! haha.

Olivia set the bar high for the rest of the dates!

I CANNOT with the Living Nativity... of all the date ideas😂 I can't wait to see how that goes! lol (hide spoiler)]

December 20th: Date 1

(view spoiler)[ this date was total swoon and I'm here for it. Olivia picked such a cute, sweet date and the location was perfection. It truly did set the bar high!!

I'm with you - struggling between a second date with Seth and wanting Wes to have a shot!

So looking forward to the disaster ahead with this whole living nativity thing.. I have a feeling it's going to be completely hilarious and cringeworthy! (hide spoiler)]

December 21: Date 2

OMG SO MANY THINGS!

(view spoiler)[ I CANNOT! That "date" was SO bad! I'm not sure it can even count as a date so much as Sophie being volunteered to fill in as Mary. Which kind of annoyed me, to be honest.

But the outcome was so good with her and her cousins starting to chip away at the ice between them made it so worth it!

I'm wondering what Charlie's dislike of Laurel stems from.

I am also wondering if Charlie's plan has been to try to get Wes to go on the date with her?? I doubt this would be the case (especially with it being so early in the book) but we won't know for sure until tomorrow! haha

Looking forward to seeing what Charlie has in store for Sophie! (hide spoiler)]

December 21: Date 2
(view spoiler)[ OMG that was so worth it! I cannot imagine the embarrassment when Aunt Patrice showed up with Harold!!!!!

It was definitely annoying that her aunt took advantage of the situation to force Sophie into the Mary role instead of actually aiming for a real date. Also, how did that TWELVE YEAR OLD GIRL know that Harold is handsy?! Hopefully just rumors and not by experience..

I would love if Wes was somehow the date for tomorrow but agree that it is probably too early in the book. Am curious about the Laurel situation though! (hide spoiler)]

So glad everyone is enjoying this :)

Katie wrote: "So glad everyone is enjoying this :)"

IT'S SUPER ADORABLE!

December 22: Date 3
(view spoiler)[ 100% Wes ALL THE WAY!!! I AM HERE FOR IT!!!
Judd was lame but not as bad as date two. The party games here had me cracking up at work lol. I love the awkward adorable moments with Wes.. And since grandma has no clue who she is going to pick for new years eve and keeps asking random strangers in the worst possible times/places, my new bet is that Wes ends up grandma's pick! *crosses fingers* (hide spoiler)]

NGL, super hard not to keep on reading!

Dec 22: Date 3

(view spoiler)[I feel the same way about Judd! I had played the ping pong ball game before at a church youth group game night and it's as funny in person as it was in the book! I was kind of thinking the same thing about grandma's pick! Worried about sister and baby :( (hide spoiler)]

I have trouble stopping, too! haha! Curious about Sara's pick tomorrow!

Won't have much reading time the next two days due to family stuff for the holidays so went ahead and read ahead a bit.

December 23: Date 4
(view spoiler)[ Another cute one in the books! Paolo was sweet and I like that their date helped them both out with their situations. I loved his playing along with making Griffin jealous and with Judd's challenges! I wish we had gotten a bit more detail on the party itself.

Grandma may have just had the seed planted for Wes to be the NYE date! <3 And I really loved all the bonding time with Olivia and Sara while getting ready for the date!

Hoping Margot and the baby are ok! (hide spoiler)]

December 24: Free Day
(view spoiler)[ Margot and baby Anna Sophia!!! I love this sneaky little road trip so she can see her sister and the memories flowing through the car as the Fab Four find their way back together. So sweet. And so full of awkward moments with Wes!

But.. Griffin showing up? Yo, crazy dude, she said she wasn't ready to talk to you. I adored Wes checking on her after hearing the yelling. And I do actually appreciate the author showing the real conflicted feelings that most people in her position would have. (hide spoiler)]

And if you do decide to read ahead.. I could probably easily finish this in a sitting! hah

December 23: Date 4

(view spoiler)[I lovvvedd this one! Super cute, but not turning the whole thing into a big list of potential boyfriends. I enjoyed the challenges, too! I also wish we had gotten to see more of the party itself, and gotten a full list of the challenges!

I was thinking the same thing about Nonna maybe getting the idea for the NYE date!!

I also LOVE seeing what Nonna's apron says each day, haha!

Sara knocked it out of the park, though!
Curious to see how the lunch with Seth goes and if it causes a triangle of sorts between him, Sophie, and Wes!

Also worried about Margot:( (hide spoiler)]

I'm gonna wait, I think, to continue, even though I could totally read this in one sitting, because I have events, but they're spread out, and I have to get some housework done leading up to some of them, so this way I can break it up with reading, haha! I'll read you thoughts on the next chapter after I read it in the morning, though:) ( I may read ahead a chapter tomorrow because Christmas day may be a more full schedule, I haven't decided for sure though.)

Totally ok with waiting as well - either way works! The few days I know I won't have reading time I'' double up on and of course plan to finish it on the 31st to wrap it up for December's reads and for challenges sake!