🐉 2024/111 | SARA BREAKER - “HOLIDAY BLUES” | 4★

DETAILS

Synopsis

Snowed in at school over Christmas. What else is there to do? Maybe fall in love with the guy you least expected? Too bad he's dating your roommate... College junior Ashleigh De Luca has always been happy to go with the flow. Not one to call attention to herself, she's a firm believer in keeping her head down, doing the work, following the plan. Until one Christmas break when the plan is shot to heck as heavy snow grounds all flights and she's stuck at the school dorms with her flighty roommate Wanda. And Wanda has all kinds of plans for vacation. Such as bagging the hottest jock in school just because her dull, long-suffering boyfriend Locky is miles away. But surprise! Locky decides to drop in for a visit and is knocking on the door. It's up to Ashleigh to run interference. Except dull Locky is not so dull anymore. In fact, one look from his intense, puppy dog eyes makes Ashleigh want to step way, way out of her comfort zone. So exactly who's going to distract whom? * A clean & wholesome standalone young adult holiday romance from the author of "The Perfect Deal." Simple, sweet stories and all the happy endings. Check out other books by Sara Breaker on Amazon.

 

Chapters In Total

Prologue	:	-
Chapters	:	20
Epilogue	:	01
Pages	:	-

 

Note(s)

·       Standalone

 

Destination

1.    California 2.    Florida 3.    Alaska 4.    New York 5.    Chicago 6.    North Dakota 7.    Cambridge

 

Song(s)/Band(s)

1.    Chipmunks – Deck the Halls 2.    The Little Drummer Boy

 

Main Character(s)

Male	:	Lachlan
Female	:	Ashleigh De Luca

 

Other Character(s)

Lachlan	:	Caunselor Wanda’s ex-boyfriend
Ashleigh De Luca	:	Junior
Wanda Meyers	:	Caunselor Ashleigh’s roommate Junior
Yvette Molenberg	:	Junior
Gilbert Lawson	:	Ashleigh’s admirer
Doug Taylor	:	Wanda’s date Football player
Jason Hart	:	Ash’s childhood sweetheart
Spencer Hoffman	:	Stella’s brother
Stella Hoffman	:	Ash’s friend
Pete Rodriguez	:	Stella’s boyfriend
Jack	:	Ash’s grandpa
Becca	:	27 years old House chaperon Receptionist
Celia De Luca	:	Ash’s mom
Jim De Luca	:	Ash’s dad

 

Quote(s)

1.    Still… I guessed I could understand where Wanda was coming from. She had barely seen or heard from her boyfriend for so long, and sometimes when you don’t see someone, maybe you forget what they’re like. 2.    “I’m not saying you’re wrong. I’m just saying… it’s hard.” “I say take the leap anyway,” Pete piped up as he bent down to haul a packing box into his arms. “Anything’s hard until you do it once.” 3.    Look, I know we give you a lot of flack about being too nice. But it’s only because we know you deserve way more than you give yourself. And you can’t always just wait for someone else to give happiness to you. Sometimes you have to take it. 4.    “Wait.” I struggled to keep a level head. “I still think you should clear things up with Wanda first. Before – before you…” 5.    Lachlan shifted into the booth beside me before Wanda slid in, and when Lachlan set his Christmas milkshake down, without my saying so, or moving anywhere remotely near him, he began to pick out a couple of marshmallows off it and set them on the side of my plate. 6.    I did want it to work out but she could never be bothered. I was the one who always had to be at her beck and call. And it just got to a point where it was getting harder and harder to remember why we were even together. 7.    He pursed his lips. “It means I know,” he declared. “Ashleigh, I used to be you. I used to think all I needed to do was keep my head down, do what I’m told, accept whatever comes. And by trying to please everyone else, I forgot to work for what I wanted.” He gave me an even look. “But you have to live your own life, even if sometimes that means being selfish.” He blew out a breath. “You can’t hide in Wanda’s shadow forever, Ashleigh.” 8.    I just… I feel like I can’t ever do anything right with her. And whatever I do, no matter how hard I try, it’s like I still keep hearing her voice in my head. ‘Why isn’t it better? It could always be better. You’re going to do it wrong. Don’t even think about it.’ 9.    Just try your best to be exactly like you. 10. “But what if I make the wrong decisions or choose the wrong thing?” 11. “You know the thing about decisions dear is that… most of the time they’re not really right or wrong. You just…. Make your choices as best you can and then you deal with the consequences.” 12. “You’re the only one who can really plan your life,” Mom went on assuredly. “You have to choose your own future, your own career, your own job.” 13. I needed to be able to navigate my own life without relying on Wanda or anyone else to lead. I had to start taking responsibility for my own decisions which meant I had to start making them – by myself, and not just going along with whoever had the loudest voice. 14. Jason and I had been apart longer than we’d been together. and for the first time, I could imagine a day when I didn’t pine away for him or wait for his call. 15. I did like Jason – a previous version of him. Back when I was a previous version of me. And I would always cherish those memories with him but that was they were now. Memories. I had been certain that if it ever came to this, I was resolved to let him down easy. But maybe there really was no simple way to break up with someone. Someone always ended up hurt. 16. “I already have a girlfriend.” 17. “And… she’s very pretty.” A corner of his mouth turned up. “Especially right now when she’s looking at me like that.”

 

BOOK JOURNEY

Thoughts

(4) Atta girl! —————— ฅ՞• •՞ฅ ——————— (5) That is so sweet!!! Considering they’ve been knowing each other for days! —————— ฅ՞• •՞ฅ ——————— (16) Oh no! —————— ฅ՞• •՞ฅ ——————— (17) Yayyy!!!!!

 

Reading Experience

Overall, it was fine. I expect something… more… The story is too plain. I mean I get that there is this female character in real life but urgh! This really gets on my nerve. Something you can help and there is something you can’t. Ash just simply cannot differentiate that.   Moreover, at the epilogue, it shows that Ash and Lachlan have been together for a year. How about the roommate, Wanda? How does she feel about this? Do not simply avoid this and consider that the story is just between Ash and Lachlon. Are they still roommate? Or maybe there is culture differences that I don’t understand hence I’m making a big fuss?   Despite so, I really like the part where Lachlan makes Ash a better person by encouraging her and supporting her. Relationship should be like this! Lachlan supported her to pursue Computer Science. He also teaches her how to overcome her fear of not sending back food to the kitchen and on how to talk to the waitress politely. That is how a working relationship is! The partner makes each other a better person! In contrast, see what Jason had done to Ash. That is just so awful!   Furthermore, it gives me a fresh air to read novel with no intimacy at all, except for one or two kisses. I really like that! Other than not liking to fold clothes, Ash’s life is quite simple. She doesn’t drink, smoke, do drugs and even hanging out with opposite sex. Finally someone who doesn’t do that in a story! Even though Wanda hangs out with Doug, that’s just one boyfriend, not more than that. Thank goodness! Not to mention Stella and Pete, they have been together for two years! Solid two years with Pete rejected Wanda when she tried to flirt with him as a record! That’s how relationship works! Additionally, I love how supportive Stella, Pete and Spencer to Ash. They are good friends to have around Ash. This, is a functional circle. Also, the family! They do support Ash spiritually! Finally, I do admire Ash tried to convince Lachlan to clear things up with Wanda first before they go further into their relationship. W.O.W! I mean this is how things should work but, in most stories, they would’ve kissed by now. I mean, yeah, they did but still. Effort counts right? Besides, at the beginning, when Lachlan smile looking at Ash taking the marshmallow from his drink, aww… I love that! He even gives her some towards the end of the book knowing she loves it. Isn’t that sweet! Awww… I’m melting already!   Anyhow, I wouldn’t recommend it unless you’re out of book to read. Besides, there is no Christmas spirit although Christmas is mentioned. Despite the above-mentioned flaws, the value inserted in this story is mind-blowing.

 

Question(s)

1.    Are Ash and Wanda still roommate?

 

Three Most Important Concepts in This Book

1.    You be you, do not let people tell you who you are. 2.    Whether your partner likes or loves you, it can be seen in their action. 3.    Make your own decision and prepare to take the consequences.

 

Suitable For People Who

1.    Please refer to “Tags”

 

Reading Start and End Dates

Start	:	21.12.2024
End	:	21.12.2024

 

Total Reading Duration

4

Hours

1

Minute(s)

 

Reading Timeline [In Chapter(s)]

21.12.2024

:

01

à

Epilogue

 

Tags

Fiction; Contemporary; Romance; Christmas

 

Pace

·       Medium

 

Spiciness

·       🌶️

 

Rating



 

Social Media

Goodreads

Instagram

 

Notes

Reading Experience

·       Plot and Content: The appeal of the storyline, the depth and interest of the content, and the relevance and accuracy of the information presented. ·       Language and Style: The fluidity and beauty of the writing, and whether the author’s style aligns with the reader's preferences and expectations. ·       Characterization and Development: The dimensionality and vividness of the characters, and whether their development feels deep and credible. ·       Pacing and Structure: The appropriateness of the pacing, the coherence of the structure, and whether the plot progresses smoothly. ·       Emotional Resonance: Whether the reader can connect with the emotions, themes, or viewpoints presented in the book. ·       Visual Presentation: The book’s design, including layout, font, illustrations, and cover design, and how these elements enhance the reading experience. ·       Personal Impact: The influence of the book on the reader’s thoughts, emotions, or life experiences. ·       Reading Comfort: The comfort of reading, considering factors like paper quality, book weight, and the reading environment.

 

Pace

·       Fast Pace: The plot progresses rapidly, with frequent events occurring, creating a sense of tension and urgency for the reader. Typically, these books have short paragraphs and chapters, with concise and brisk language, and frequent conflict and suspense. Examples include thrillers or action-adventure novels. ·       Medium Pace: The plot develops at a moderate speed, neither too rushed nor too slow. These books usually feature a balanced progression of story and character development, with a relatively even writing style. Many literary or commercial novels may have this pace. ·       Slow Pace: The plot advances slowly, often focusing on the characters' inner worlds, environmental descriptions, or nuanced emotional portrayals. These books typically have longer paragraphs and chapters, with a more complex writing style and a lot of information. Literary classics or works with intricate psychological depictions often exhibit a slow pace.

 

Spiciness

·       0★ No Spiciness Completely non-romantic and non-suggestive; suitable for all ages. ·       1★ Very Mild Occasional flirtation or light hints; very tame and appropriate for most readers. ·       2★ Mild Some romantic tension or innuendo; suitable for young adult readers but no explicit content. ·       3★ Moderate Noticeable romantic or sexual themes; suitable for mature readers with some emotional depth. ·       4★ Spicy Frequent and more explicit romantic or sexual content; intended for adult readers with significant emotional stakes. ·       5★ Extremely Spicy Highly explicit content with detailed sexual scenes or intense emotional drama; strictly for mature audiences.

 

Ratings

·       0.0: Unreadable or offensive. ·       0.5: Extremely poor; frustrating and unenjoyable. ·       1.0: Poorly written with little redeeming quality. ·       1.5: Very weak; minimal positives, mostly disappointing. ·       2.0: Some merits but overall disappointing. ·       2.5: Slightly above disappointing; some redeeming qualities. ·       3.0: Solid but flawed; enjoyable but forgettable. ·       3.5: Good; has engaging moments but still some flaws. ·       4.0: Very good; well worth reading with a few minor issues. ·       4.5: Excellent; impactful and nearly perfect, with just a few minor flaws. ·       5.0: Exceptional; a must-read that stays with you.