Resting Scrooge Face by Meghan Quinn – Book Review

A huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of Resting Scrooge Face by Meghan Quinn in exchange for an honest review.

What It Is About

“This boorish antijoy attitude you’ve been wearing recently— it doesn’t have anything to do with Nola Bisley coming back into town, does it?”

Nola has just gone through a bad breakup, and right in time for the holidays. Back in her ridiculously festive hometown, her only plan is to avoid Christmas and her ex Caleb as much as humanly possible.

Caleb has his own reasons to be in a sour mood. And the over the top Christmas surroundings is not helping. To vent out, he puts on the paper everything he can’t stand about the season, convinced no one will ever see his scrooge-y letter.

But when the local mailman brings a mysterious letter signed with Resting Scrooge Face to Nola, she feels like she’s finally found someone she can agree with and decides to write back. With a new pen pal and as long as she manages to stay far away from Caleb, maybe this Christmas won’t be so bad after all.

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Themes and vibes:

• • quick Christmas reads
  • second chance romance
  • secret pen pals
  • two grumps supporting each other’s grumpiness
  • cute and funny
  • 2 POWs
    

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Resting Scrooge Face by Meghan Quinn – My Review

So, if anyone is listening, if anyone wants to offer some temporary relief from this cheerful and uplifting merriment, also known as my own personal purgatory, it would be most appreciated.
Sincerely, Resting Scrooge Face

I felt like it was about time to open the season of holiday reads for this year. And though Resting Scrooge Face by Meghan Quinn didn’t exactly sound like it could hold much cheer, you’d be surprised how much Christmas spirit was packed in this short novella.

I’m not going to talk much about it because, as I mentioned, the book is tiny. I don’t want to spoil it for you. But I am going to say this was a perfect way to get me into the holiday mood.

I generally started to appreciate novellas more lately, especially during the busy times. They are such a perfect way to get all the vibes and atmosphere I’m craving for without putting too much pressure on my already overwhelming schedule.

Resting Scrooge Face was a cute, charming, well written story about two people about to get a second chance at romance during the Christmas season in one of the most Christmassy small towns. And it was pure Hallmark – fun and endearing, packed with all you need for a solid holiday read.

Don’t let the fact that we are following two scrooges fool you. The setting, the side characters, and of course Nola and Caleb getting some much needed cheering… It all made this read perfectly Christmassy.

Port Snow is decked out in twinkle lights and green garlands, with holiday music pumping through speakers that are placed up and down Main Street, giving the coziest feel. It’s the kind of ambiance that should warm the soul of every person who strolls down the streets.

That doesn’t mean the novella was perfect. Its mere size means that certain problems got a bit less attention than I’d like. And, of course, typical for the genre, you will need to somewhat suspend your disbelief in order to fully enjoy it.

I mean, was it weird that neither Nola nor Caleb even tried to ask the mailman who the other person was? Eh, maybe a little.

Was it also a bit weird how quickly they went from lets exterminate each other to we’re cool? I mean, it is the holly jolly season of forgiveness.

But as long as you can just roll with the story and enjoy it for what it is instead of what it could be, this is a great, quick and fun December read. I can even see myself making it a tradition. Using it as a season opener every year from now on.

Dear Resting Scrooge Face,
Toe tapping, sugar cookies, hot chocolate . . . sniffing pine trees? What have you done with the pessimistic Christmas hater I met several letters ago?

In fact, my biggest complaint (though it’s one of its strengths too) is that I wish the story was longer. Just so I could spend some more time wrapped up in it. Seriously, I loved it. It was everything I hoped it would be and even a bit more.

If you are looking for your next Christmas read, and especially if you don’t have a lot of time on your hands, I’d definitely recommend you to check out this adorable novella. In fact, I am currently working on a post that will feature my favorite holiday reads. And I’m pretty sure Resting Scrooge Face by Meghan Quinn will be on it.

Hope you’ll love it too… 🎅🎄🎁🍬☃️