Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
In the festive second sapphic romance in Cochrane's Puck Struck series (after Wake Up, Nat & Darcy) Olympic gold medalist hockey player JT Cox is guilt-tripped into spending an uncomfortable Christmas season with her hard-to-please family in their hometown of Hart's Landing, N.H. There, she reunites with her best friend's older sister, Ali Porter, who's settling into a new home post-divorce. JT is more than happy to unpack boxes and build bookshelves for her childhood crush. The two also spontaneously decide to team up and compete in the annual holiday festival competition. JT hopes to beat her creative siblings and finally gain recognition from her parents, while Ali wants to outperform her arrogant ex and prove to her meddling mother that she's far happier without him. Quaint seasonal challenges, including a hot chocolate--making contest and a comically entertaining sled race, add to the feel-good atmosphere of their charming romance. Less successfully handled are both women's family conflicts, which become repetitive as they drag on, and some poorly fleshed-out side characters, including Ali's villainous ex-husband. Nonetheless, this heartfelt romance will get readers excited for the nostalgic merriment of the holidays. Agent: Paige Terlip, Andrea Brown Literary. (Oct.)
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Review by Library Journal Review
JT Cox is a member of the gold medal-winning U.S. women's hockey team and is about to go pro with a new women's hockey league. But first she is guilted into returning to her small hometown in New Hampshire to visit her family for the holidays. Being home brings back bad memories of the lack of support from town residents and her parents as she pursued hockey. At least she gets to see her long-time best friend. When they meet up for drinks, she also runs into his older sister Ali--JT's childhood crush. Recently divorced, Ali is interested in exploring her bisexuality with JT, and the two team up for the town's annual holiday contest, decorating gingerbread houses and carving ice sculptures. As they spend time together, their feelings for each other deepen, but JT plans to leave town soon, while Ali wants to stay. VERDICT Cochrane's (Wake Up, Nat & Darcy) latest is a satisfying and sexy sapphic holiday romance. JT and Ali give each other much needed support and love, and readers will enjoy watching as they fall for each other. Recommend to those who enjoyed Make the Season Bright by Ashley Herring Blake.--Melissa DeWild
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