So many Christmas books too early in the year! But I can’t say I didn’t love this one! First of all, the whole narration just like from How the Grinch Stole Christmas at the beginning of each chapter (and occasionally mid-chapter) was hilarious. The rhyming something probably only a comedic genius like Meghan Quinn could come up with so much of. The banter between the Cole and Storee, the over the top competitions to become the winner of the Kringle contest, and of course the wonderful town and other characters are all something that I expect, and am never disappointed to find in a book by Quinn. 

So many laugh out loud moments. Where I have to literally set the book aside and get the laugh out until I can stop laughing enough to pick up the book and keep reading. A few new terms, one this time was co*k-shocked. Heard it with blocked before, but not shocked, so that was giggle worthy. There was the lederhosen bit at the beginning, the using Aunt Cindy’s “frailness” to get votes, and oh my gosh, Taran’s light display, hilarious.

I actually would love to participate in some of those challenges, or at least try some of the stuff out. Like making candy canes or tasting different flavors of eggnog. Speaking of which I’m also now craving eggnog and will have to buy some at the store next time I go, lol. 

While there was a third act break-up, it totally made sense, wasn’t overly dramatic, when you consider both characters’ history. And the grand gesture to fix it was perfect, perfect for the romance, and perfect for this holiday story that has so many ties to the Grinch story/movie. There was a reveal with Aunt Cindy at the end that I kind of wondered a little about. Although the whole crevice washing that Taran had to do was hilarious. 

The epilogue had talk about the next Kringle challenge, as well as a bit of a surprise for Storee and Cole. And while I don’t think there is a sequel, I would adore reading how Max, also known as Atlas, does in the competition on his own. 

Meghan Quinn has another winner, proving she can totally do holiday romance, and that there probably isn’t any kind of romance she can’t write.