Advent Reads Day 3: The Holiday Swap by Maggie Knox

  Welcome to Advent Reads!

This is an event I have had on my blog for several years running now.  Each evening I feature a different holiday themed book. Think of it as your Book Advent Calendar! I post a variety of holiday books including romance, children's, middle-grade, mystery, paranormal, and I try to find some that are other holiday celebrations than Christmas too. I hope you will stop by each evening to see what new book I have for you!

Synopsis: "A feel-good, holiday-themed romantic comedy about identical twins who switch lives in the days leading up to Christmas--perfect for fans of Christina Lauren's In a Holidaze and Josie Silver's One Day in December.

All they want for Christmas is a different life.

When chef Charlie Goodwin gets hit on the head on the L.A. set of her reality baking show, she loses a lot more than consciousness; she also loses her ability to taste and smell--both critical to her success as show judge. Meanwhile, Charlie's identical twin, Cass, is frantically trying to hold her own life together back in their quaint mountain hometown while running the family's bustling bakery and dealing with her ex, who won't get the memo that they're over.

With only days until Christmas, a desperate Charlie asks Cass to do something they haven't done since they were kids: switch places. Looking for her own escape from reality, Cass agrees. But temporarily trading lives proves more complicated than they imagined, especially when rugged firefighter Jake Greenman and gorgeous physician's assistant Miguel Rodriguez are thrown into the mix. Will the twins' identity swap be a recipe for disaster, or does it have all the right ingredients for getting their lives back on track?"

My Review: This is a book that came out last year but I couldn't quite get to it in time for the Advent Reads event. So I wanted to make sure I got to it this year and I am glad it was one of my first of the year. This has the classic Hallmark Movie feel with the added twist of twin sisters. You know exactly what is going to happen but it is quite the ride getting there, plenty of bumbles and drama along the way to keep you reading all the way to the end. 

My Rating: If you have the time to pick this one up this holiday season, definitely go for it if you love that formula of leaving regular life and ending up some where completely different that the usual setting and finding the spirit of the season and a lot of romance. I give it a rating of Four Paws.

Advent Reads Day 2: Cats Don't Like Christmas by Andy Wortlock & Illustrated by Nahum Ziersch

 Welcome to Advent Reads!

This is an event I have had on my blog for several years running now.  Each evening I feature a different holiday themed book. Think of it as your Book Advent Calendar! I post a variety of holiday books including romance, children's, middle-grade, mystery, paranormal, and I try to find some that are other holiday celebrations than Christmas too. I hope you will stop by each evening to see what new book I have for you!

Read for: Requested Review/ Netgalley

Synopsis: "It’s Christmas time! It’s here again!

But first I need to say…

I think you’re making too much fuss

about this holiday!

Our adorable little cat is back this Christmas and he thinks there might be a little too much fuss this holiday season. Cats aren't great with change and there's plenty this time of year, in such a short period of time! For little and big readers, this is the funny, festive, companion to the award winning, Cats Don’t Like That! by Andy Wortlock and Nahum Ziersch"

Review: I was lucky enough to have been allowed to read this one through Netgalley, thank you to the Author and Publisher for the opportunity.  I have had cats all my life and will always jump at a chance to read a book about cats, this one combines that with the holiday season as well, what could go wrong?! This was such a silly and fun book to read. I loved the way the illustrations really brought the most out of the story. Yes, cats don't like change, they don't like having to dodge all the extra feet in the house but there is always something about the season to enjoy. What did the cat find to enjoy? Guess you will have to pick this one up to find out.

Rating: This is a great one for young and old cat lovers, it captures those furry friend's grumpy moods, feisty moods, and happy moods. It will have any cat owner say 'yup that is just like my cat'! I give it a rating of Four Paws.

I received a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley.

Cats Don't Like Christmas is out now and you can obtain your own copy from your local bookstore, Barnes & Noble or Amazon. Or check with your local library.

Advent Reads Day 1: The Christmas Pearl by Dorothea Benton Frank

  Welcome to Advent Reads!

This is an event I have had on my blog for several years running now.  Each evening I feature a different holiday themed book. Think of it as your Book Advent Calendar! I post a variety of holiday books including romance, children's, middle-grade, mystery, paranormal, and I try to find some that are other holiday celebrations than Christmas too. I hope you will stop by each evening to see what new book I have for you!

Synopsis: "Theodora is the matriarch of a family that, in her opinion, has grown into a bunch of truculent knuckleheads. They've all come together to South Carolina to celebrate Christmas. But this Christmas looks nothing like the extravagant, homey Christmases Theodora grew up with. What happened to the days when the holiday spirit meant tables groaning with home cooked goodies, over–the–top decorations, and long chats in front of the fire with Pearl, her grandmother's housekeeper/manager/caterer/psychiatrist/best friend? Luckily someone hears Theodora's plea for help and Merle (possibly Pearl?) arrives, pockets filled with Gullah magic and common sense to straighten everyone out."

My Review: I thought I would kick off this year's advent reads with a short but heartwarming book. This book certainly fits the bill. It is so relatable with the togetherness and warmth of the season being lost, along with traditions, to the hustle of daily lives and the polarizing views pulling people apart. I loved the concept of someone from the past coming in to bring back the traditions of old and to bring the family together. It was also interesting the way the family then had to settle old arguments and differences to be at peace and enjoy the season. I loved the way the generations are brought together in this one.

My Rating: I really enjoyed this one and recommend the audio book version if you enjoy them. It is a pretty short read and can be enjoyed in a day or two.  I give it a rating of Three Paws and a Stump Wag.

Advent Reads Announcement

 Hi there everyone! Long time no chat. I apologize for my very long absence from the book blog scene. I am not quite ready to come back on here full time and I will be assessing that come the new year. 

But . . . 

I couldn't go through the year without the annual Advent Reads event on here!

So I will be back throughout the month of December with all sorts of Christmas stories for you.  I am shooting for every day of the month and will do my absolute best to keep up but I can't make any promises on that.  As of right now I have over 15 books complete and have started getting the reviews done and posts scheduled. I have some great Children's books, Early Chapter Books, Fiction, Romance and a Cozy Mystery or two to share with you.  So I hope you will stop by each evening starting on December 1st around 6:00pm Eastern Time to find a book to warm you this holiday season!

Thank you and see you soon!