Christmas movies start on the Hallmark channel in 2 days, so I feel justified that the books I am reading right now are all Christmas related. Up next to review – Christmas at Fireside Cabins by Jenny Hale!

Lila’s friends are her family, and every Christmas they get together and spend a week somewhere reveling in the Christmas spirit. This year, which may be their last, Lila finds a quaint small town that Hallmark movies are made of in Pinewood Hills. The plan was to spend the week in a cabin, participating in town events and hiking in the mountainside of Tennessee. So imagine their dismay when they arrive to find their dwelling is falling apart, and everything was not quite as advertised.

The cabins are falling apart, the trails no longer exist, and the local coffee shop owner is anything but friendly. As Lila decides to stay to help Eleanor clean up the cabins, she finds herself intrigued by Theo, the coffee shop owner. But he comes with many secrets. All the while, Lila is trying to find herself and her place in life.

Tis The Season

Deck those halls and trim those trees, because these girls are decorating the town in the color of Christmas. But this isn’t just any ole Christmas – this is one where the girls go all out. One by one, they leave Lila alone, and Lila begins to get to know Theo. Theo’s story was what really kept me turning the pages. I was intrigued by what his secret was, and why he would disappear on a whim. Where was he going? What was he running from? I didn’t go into this book for a mystery, but I was here for it.

The festive holiday spirit was contagious, and the spirit of giving was definitely alive and well, which is something that’s almost required of a Christmas tale.

Is That a Lump of Coal?

The one sticking point of this book that had me saying “I liked it” instead of “I loved it” was the character development. Ok – maybe that’s more than one. Hear me out.

• Lila: She was written to be “empathetic” and focused on helping everyone. She wants to help Eleanor clean up the cabins. She wants to help Theo with everything under the sun. She does this to avoid her own problems. BUT, the way she goes about it is extreme. When people tell her no, she does it anyways. It’s very offputting that everyone is so appreciative of this. When does no really mean no? And why does she not respect this? No one ever calls her out on this – her friends give “gentle reminders” and then excuse away her behavior.
• Lila’s friends: speaking of Lila’s friends, they were a bit too one dimensional for me. It felt like they were only there as her Greek chorus of enabling her screwball behavior.
• Theo and Lila: This pair…never did I think this pair was meant to be together. I’m sorry – I just didn’t. They met and in like 2 days Lila was begging him to let her in and share his life story with her. He told her no, but she persisted. Flip those genders, and there would be many angry reviewers. I get that Hale was trying to show he had walls up and Lila was pecking away at them, but to me she just read STALKER! And stop decorating for Christmas when people say no! Not everyone celebrates Christmas and it is very narcissistic to assume everyone will love what you love.

For those who love pure romance books, without the sex scenes, this one may be for you!