ABOUT THE BOOK
Sophie wants one thing for Christmas-a little freedom from her overprotective parents. So when they decide to spend Christmas in South Louisiana with her very pregnant older sister, Sophie is looking forward to some much needed private (read: make-out) time with her long-term boyfriend, Griffin. Except it turns out that Griffin wants a little freedom from their relationship.
Heartbroken, Sophie flees to her grandparents’ house, where the rest of her boisterous extended family is gathered for the holiday. That’s when her nonna devises a (not so) brilliant plan: Over the next ten days, Sophie will be set up on ten different blind dates by different family members. Like her sweet cousin Sara, who sets her up with a hot guy at an exclusive underground party. Or her crazy aunt Patrice, who signs Sophie up for a lead role in a living nativity. With a boy who barely reaches her shoulder. And a screaming baby.
When Griffin turns up unexpectedly and begs for a second chance, Sophie feels more confused than ever. Because maybe, just maybe, she’s started to have feelings for someone else . . . Someone who is definitely not available.
This is going to be the worst Christmas break ever . . . or is it?
MY REVIEW
As you probably have learned by now, I love young adult books and this one is no exception. In fact, I’m adding it to my top 2019 favorites.
Set in Louisiana, Sophie’s plans for winter break take a turn for the worse. Her boyfriend wants to break up, her sister goes into labor prematurely with complications, and her large Southern family with whom she is staying decides to set her up with 10 blind dates.
We’re going to set Sophie up on a few blind dates, and by the time she goes back to school after the New Year, she’ll hardly remember what’s-his-name.
I can’t remember how many times I laughed out loud during the reading of this fun young adult romance. Sophie’s family is a hoot and when her colorful aunts, uncles, grandparents and cousins start taking bets on her dates (with a betting sheet no less) the antics just keep coming.
The dates include everything from an enlightening nativity scene to a hilarious ugly sweater party, but out of all the dates, she finds she has feelings for someone who is not available.
First of all, I want to be part of Sophie’s family and secondly, I would love to have had one date as fun and exciting as she had, not including the nativity scene. And finally, I am adding Ms. Elston to my favorite authors’ list. Recommend highly!
Thank you to Ms. Elston, Disney Book Group, and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to review this book without the expectation of a positive review.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ashley Elston lives is North Louisiana with her husband and three sons. She worked as a wedding and portrait photographer for ten years until she decided to pursue writing full time. Ashley is also a certified landscape horticulturist and loves digging in the dirt. Her debut novel, The Rules for Disappearing was published by Disney Hyperion in 2013 and was a finalist in the Best Young Adult category of the International Thriller Writers Awards.
