I consumed this book in three days. THREE. That’s how you know I loved and adored this book. I liked the first book, but it wasn’t my favorite because I had some issues with the mechanics of how it was written. But this book? I love it, way more than the first book. I still have my small qualms, but I’m willing to overlook them because it’s the perfect cozy book for the holiday/winter season.
The Review
I really enjoyed this book. It was a beautiful, fluffy, but also heavy story in a good way. I don’t want to say too much because really you just need to go read the book. So, I’ll just say that Abbie totally nailed it with this book—I loved it even more than 100 Days of Sunlight.
Trigger Warnings
Frequent cursing, kissing, making out (not graphic), mentions of pregnancy before marriage, and smoking.
What I Liked
The realism of Tessa and Weston’s relationship. I’m really tired of reading romances that just…aren’t realistic? Or are way too realistic in ways that aren’t relatable??? I feel like this book found the perfect balance between portraying a realistic, teenage relationship, but not making it so real that it’s not an escape from real life. You know?
The Christmas aesthetic. I really haven’t read a lot of Christmas books, so this was absolutely delightful for me. Every Christmas activity and moment just had me snuggling into my couch deeper. It was so wonderful and I loved it.
What I Didn’t Like
Tessa is dating someone who isn’t very religious. I know that Tessa doesn’t always seem like the strongest Christian, but she is definitely religious…which means she shouldn’t be dating someone who isn’t also a Christian. I don’t think that Weston is against Christianity, but I also wouldn’t say that he’s a Christian. So, I really have issues with Tessa dating someone who isn’t religious because that means she’s unequally yoked, which is something the Bible strongly warns Christians against. I really love the book, but I hate that this is sending the message that it’s fine to date someone who doesn’t share your religion because that really doesn’t set younger readers up to realize how important that is in a dating relationship.
Tessa and Weston’s inner dialogue was just…a lot. I’m all for giving your characters some inner dialogue and thoughts, but this book had so. much. inner. dialogue. Normally, I’m fine with it, but for some reason Tessa and Weston’s just didn’t really feel organic…it felt kind of forced and unnatural.
My Rating
This book was a really comforting and beautiful book for me as I entered 2022, so I’m going to award it….five stars!
Favorite Quotes
“Love makes all of us vulnerable.”
“I thought love was supposed to be wonderful.”
“Not always. Sometimes it’s messy and sh**** and you wish you’d never fallen for the boy in the first place.”
Check Out My Tessa and Weston: The Best Christmas Ever Playlist
About the Book
It’s Tessa and Weston’s first Christmas together, and Tessa is determined to make it the best holiday ever. But when her estranged mother shows up with a suitcase and plans to stay for two weeks, Tessa’s hopes are shattered.
Bitter from the past and still holding a grudge, Tessa is in no mood to give her mother a second chance. The holiday season may be a time of reconciliation with family, but Tessa believes her mother will never change. Why get close when she’s just going to leave again? Tessa realizes there is only one way to save this Christmas: avoid her mother as much as possible.
With the best intentions in mind, Tessa chooses to not tell her mother about Weston’s disability. But when they meet face-to-face, Tessa is mortified and ashamed by her mother’s insensitive remarks. Weston begins to think he is the real cause of Tessa’s shame. His old demons resurrect to haunt him with doubts: What if, one day, Tessa stops loving him because of his disability?
Determined to prove his love for her, Weston makes it his mission to be the best boyfriend ever and works to reunite Tessa with her mother. Meanwhile, Tessa plots elaborate ways to avoid “mother-daughter time” at all costs. One scheme leads to another, until Tessa finds herself tangled in a web of deceit — and, worst of all, lying to Weston.
When the secrets between them force Tessa and Weston to face their greatest fears, they must confront the inescapable question: Is true love worth the risk of heartbreak? Is it ever too late to forgive and start over?
The Best Christmas Ever is a heartwarming holiday follow-up to 100 Days of Sunlight by Abbie Emmons. You’ll love this touching story of forgiveness, family, and first love.
About the Author
Abbie Emmons has been writing stories ever since she could hold a pencil. What started out as an intrinsic love for storytelling has turned into her lifelong passion. There’s nothing Abbie likes better than writing (and reading) stories that are both heartrending and humorous, with a touch of cute romance and a poignant streak of truth running through them. Abbie is also a YouTuber, singer/songwriter, blogger, traveler, filmmaker, big dreamer, and professional waffle-eater. When she’s not writing or dreaming up new stories, you can find her road-tripping to national parks or binge-watching BBC Masterpiece dramas in her cozy Vermont home with a cup of tea and her fluffy white lap dog, Pearl.
Where to find her: blog, bloglovin, facebook, goodreads, instagram, pinterest, spotify, website, and youtube.
Let’s Talk!
Have you read Tessa and Weston: The Best Christmas Ever? What was your favorite part (no spoilers!)? Did you like it better than 100 Days of Sunlight? If you haven’t read it yet, are you excited to dive into this holiday story? Let’s talk about this book in the comments.
The Long Voyage 