Coming from someone who doesn’t do super cheesy/sappy stuff, Hallmark movies, and only recently started exploring the romance genre, THIS IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE BOOKD I’VE READ THID YEAR. It’s about grief and healing, regaining a sense of who you are and your purpose and self-confidence, about community, and love. There were moments where I was teary eyed, and many moments where I was genuinely LOL-ing, not just giving a little snort. This book is so incredible cute and heartwarming but not in a super cheesy/sappy way. It’s genuine, heartfelt, and therapeutic. It made so so happy, and I don’t know a better way to end the year.

Also, I’ve totally developed a thing for long-haired, bearded, pumpkin-farming Scotsmen with lip piercings and sweater-wearing chihuahuas. Noel had me absolutely SWOONING! For those interested, I’d classify it as a fairly clean romance. Scenes of passionate kissing and hints of wanting to take things farther, but they stop. Not even a fade to black or anything. But also those kissing scenes made me melt