The Twelve Dates of Christmas by Jenny Bayliss

 

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

Release Date: September 28, 2020

Genre: Holiday romance, fiction

Rating: 

Summary:

 When it comes to relationships, thirty-four-year-old Kate Turney 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 within her reach along...

Review:

This is a momentous occasion: I finished reading my very FIRST holiday romance book! Or really, any holiday book! For some reason, I have never been interested in reading a holiday or Christmas book but after being inspired by bookstagram, I sought to change that this year! One down, many more to go! However, I may only be able to read one this December, but I will get an early start next year and try to read more Christmas books in 2023!

This was a sweet Christmas book that had plenty of small-town charm and Christmas spirit. It just was missing something for me, the spark or the magic. However, I still really enjoyed this book! I think it was a great first read. 

For the most part, this book was extremely predictable. Almost immediately I jotted down to myself, “Kate ends up with Matt. Mac ends up with Evelyn. Duh.” That is okay though! This book wasn’t supposed to be revolutionary; it isn’t supposed to be. It is a feel-good romance. It was nice to follow these couples and see how they finally ended up together, but I do wish I could have spent more time getting to know these couples and their relationships. There was so much history that I felt never truly was unpacked.

I was initially worried about how we are going to fit 12 dates into such a small book, but I do feel like Jenny did a good job delivering. I feel that Jenny spent a good portion of the book describing the environment and nature around Kate and Blexford. I appreciate that to really be able to visualize the scenery of this book. However, I feel they were a bit too lengthy or too frequent for my taste. I could have spent more time on character dialogue or more time on the dates! Ultimately, all these dates were such DUDS. Except for Drew. Drew was honestly one of my favorite characters out of the entire book. I definitely needed more Drew time. Maybe a spin-off book?

I really love books with characters that have really odd careers. Kate was a perfect example of that. A fabric designer who bakes on the side? I was obsessed. Something so small but I love little details like that, and it really sucks me into their world. I loved the energy of this small town where everyone knows each other. I understand that it may get frustrating when EVERY person knows your business but also that whole town had Kate’s back and I find that so precious. I am from a big city, so I have never had that dynamic myself.

Definitely a sweet holiday romance book! Now that I have read one, I cannot wait to read many more! 

Quotes:

"A bigger pool doesn't necessarily mean a better swim."

"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."

"She smiled to herself; the first coffee of the day was a joy unlike any other."

"Because that's what people in love do: they protect the hearts of those they love, even if that love will never be returned."

"Home wasn't her house, or this tiny village. Home was inside of her, in her heart, where Matt lived."

"And here is where I want to be, with you."

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