Okay, I know it’s still September, but I’m already in the mood for some holiday cheer. I’m a big fan of anything Christmas and Christmas themed books are the best! So I got to do a buddy read with The Artsy Reader (who loves Christmas just as much as me) and we chose to pick up The Twelve Dates of Christmas. So keep on reading to find out more about the book and what I thought!

‘Tis the season for finding romance in this hilarious and uplifting holiday read

When it comes to relationships, thirty-four-year-old Kate Turner is ready to say “Bah, humbug.” The sleepy town of Blexford, England, isn’t exactly brimming with prospects, and anyway, Kate’s found fulfillment in her career as a designer, and in her delicious side job baking for her old friend Matt’s neighborhood café. But then her best friend signs her up for a dating agency that promises to help singles find love before the holidays. Twenty-three days until Christmas. Twelve dates with twelve different men. The odds must finally be in her favor . . . right?

Yet with each new date more disastrous than the one before–and the whole town keeping tabs on her misadventures–Kate must remind herself that sometimes love, like mistletoe, shows up where it’s least expected. And maybe, just maybe, it’s been right under her nose all along. . . .

Review

“All was silent but for the sound of the lovers breathing and the beating of their two hearts made whole.”

Lately I’ve been craving the warm and cozy feelings only holiday reads tend to give me. The Twelve Dates of Christmas sounded like it would fit everything I needed to get the warm and cozy feelings I was looking for. Thankfully, I was right! This book was so much fun and I’m so glad that this was my first holiday read of the year.

Our main character Kate isn’t against finding love, but isn’t exactly loving the idea of a dating agency. Her best friend disagrees and signs her up for the twelve dates of Christmas. She eventually opens up to the idea of finding love and decides to start this adventure with an open mind. I really enjoyed Kate as a character and I loved that she still tried to stay optimistic even when the dates really weren’t going as planned. She’s a kind person that works hard for what she loves and cares a lot about her friends and family.

“A man is like an optional extra; you should only take one on when it is beneficial to do so. It’s like refraining from the fourth plate at the all-you-can-eat curry buffet. Just because it’s there, doesn’t mean you have to have it.”

To say that the twelve dates don’t all go well is definitely an understatement. I really couldn’t make the things up that happen during these dates. While I did feel bad for Kate some of her experiences really had me laughing out loud. I’m sure if any of us experienced the dates Kate does we wouldn’t ever forget them, haha. I don’t want to really talk about the dates in detail, because I honestly think it’s more fun to read about them yourself!

Besides the dates that kept me entertained I loved the cast of side characters. This little town is amazing and I would definitely sign up to live there. Add an amazing best friend, a former best friend and a father who loves Kate to pieces and I was very happy. The feel of this small town, mentioning all of the holiday decorations and traditions, and the snowy weather had me hooked.

All in all, The Twelve Dates of Christmas was the perfect book to start off my holiday reading this year. It’s everything I look for in a Christmassy book and left me happy, warm, and cozy. I would be surprised if I don’t revisit this one in the future.

 

The Twelve Dates of Christmas was really the best book to start off my Christmas reading for the year. It had everything I wanted. I have an e-arc of this author’s next book The Winter of Second Chances. I really hope I love it just as much!