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In Season 1 Episode 5 of “Romance on the Rocks,” hosts Meghan Lee and Nicole Danielle invite listeners to indulge in a delightful mix of mystery, romance and festive cocktails. The holiday season is in full swing and what better way to celebrate than by diving into the whimsical world of holiday-inspired romance novels? If you’re new to Romance on the Rocks, we’re two bookish biddies who love to imbibe cocktails and share our latest trashy romance rag read. We rate our books on our Spicy Scoville Scale and, although the quest for a Carolina Reaper-level book continues, the journey with these two Christmas novels is filled with cozy hot chocolate spiked with brandy and a unique Christmas margarita with cranberry.
Meghan’s book for this episode is Caroline Burnes’ “A Familiar Christmas,” a tale that combines mystery and romance in a holiday setting. We’re talking about a mystery-solving cat named Familiar who adds charm and humor to the story, which features protagonists Hunter Semmes and Sylvie West. As the narrative unfolds, Hunter has invented antibacterial dolls to aid children’s health … but we’re honestly a little disturbed by the peculiar names of these dolls: Buster Big Boy and Molly McBright. Needless to say, it’s a topic of humorous discussion in this episode.
Our heroine, Sylvie West, is a toy store employee caught up in a peculiar heist involving a man disguised as Santa Claus. The story takes unexpected turns that we can’t quite understand — especially when there’s a detective cat helping to narrate the story. Meghan was disappointed with the lack of genuine chemistry between the characters, as the plot prioritizes solving a poisoning mystery over romance. Despite the intriguing mystery aspect, the book falls short in romance, leaving us both unconvinced by the rushed love story. Our discussion highlights narrative inconsistencies, particularly concerning characters who commit serious crimes without facing consequences, suggesting a need to suspend disbelief.
The episode doesn’t shy away from exploring the dynamics of other holiday-themed books as we dive into the world of the “Official Storyteller of Christmas,” Debbie Macomber, and her novel, 1225 Christmas Tree Lane. The plot line seems straight out of “The Parent Trap” and is a bevy of cliched portrayals. We express frustration with unrealistic rekindling of relationships and outdated gender roles. Throughout our discussion, the importance of genuine connections and realistic portrayals of love and relationships is emphasized, challenging traditional narratives.
We also preview our upcoming reads for Season 1 Episode 6 and promise more holiday romance reviews in the next episode. Meghan finished her next book, A Charming Christmas Arrangement by Heatherly Bell in record time and Nicole is excited for her historical romance, A Wallflower Christmas by Lisa Kleypas. With a focus on creating cozy and warm beverages that complement the season, our discussion turns to winter cocktails, and we invite listeners to embrace the allure of comforting drinks during colder months.
“Romance on the Rocks” continues to be a podcast that brings together romance enthusiasts, creating a supportive and loving community where love stories unfold in the most unconventional ways amidst holiday cheer. Whether you’re a fan of spicy romance reads or cozy winter cocktails, this episode promises to leave you with a warm heart and a festive spirit. Join the conversation and explore the magical world of holiday romance with us.
Have you read these holiday romances? What did you think of them? Comment below. We’d love to hear from you. Interested in reading these Christmas romance novels yourself? You can purchase Familiar Christmas here and 1225 Christmas Tree Lane here.
