Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Greer returns to the Jewish-owned Adirondack inn and Christmas tree farm Carrigan's All Year (after Season of Love) for a moving lifelong love story complete with a satisfying dose of personal growth for both protagonists. Hannah Rosenstein's shenanigans-filled childhood best friendship with demisexual Levi Matthews, whose parents lived and worked at her aunt Cass's inn, pivoted to romance when they were young adults. Their relationship exploded when Levi, who always longed to travel the world and follow his dreams of becoming a professional chef, did just that, while Hannah's lingering trauma from her parents' itinerant lifestyle left her unwilling to leave. When Cass dies, she leaves the inn to both Hannah and Levi, now in their late 30s, and Levi returns to take over the kitchen--and win Hannah back. Greer braids the two timelines and alternates between her protagonists' perspectives, carefully placing neither of them in the wrong. Meanwhile, their collaboration on managing a VIP wedding at the inn highlights how good they are together even in a nonromantic context. Greer manages a surprising amount of emotional depth while still highlighting the joy of big events and magical locations. Readers, like the charming supporting characters surrounding Hannah and Levi, will be rooting for this well-matched pair. Agent: Rebecca Podos, Rees Literary. (Nov.)
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Review by Library Journal Review
Hannah Rosenstein and Levi "Blue" Matthews grew up together at Carrigan's Christmasland Inn. For Hannah, Carrigan's was (and is) a refuge, her safe place. Even the idea of leaving gave her panic attacks. But Carrigan's was toxic for Blue. As the son of "the help," he felt stifled and judged by the small town's residents and Carrigan's guests. So he left, traveling the world to figure out who he was and who he could be. Four years later, he's back. Now a confident, queer celebrity chef, Blue is ready to win Hannah back. Their love is still strong, but Hannah is afraid to trust Blue with her heart again. This second-chance romance, told from the perspectives of two Jewish protagonists, is driven by emotion rather than plot. Flashbacks scattered throughout the novel show their early idealistic relationship, while the present-day storyline features characters who are much more self-aware and complicated. Demisexuality and mental health are sensitively and seamlessly incorporated within the plot and are essential parts of Hannah and Blue's relationship. VERDICT Fans of Greer's Season of Love will clamor for this sequel that shares the Carrigan's Inn setting, as will fans of Courtney Kae and Jean Meltzer.--Heather Miller Cover
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
Childhood friends turned exes are reunited at the inn of which they're now part owners. Hannah Rosenstein spent her youth traveling the world, and the only place she felt at home was in the Adirondacks with her best friend, Levi "Blue" Matthews, whose parents worked at her great-aunt's business, Carrigan's Christmasland. Since she became one of the owners of Carrigan's, she's helped reinvent the place as not just a holiday destination but an all-year-round inn and event space. When Levi--now a globe-trotting celebrity chef--returns after years away, he brings back all Hannah's memories of how they fell in love and then fell apart. She wants him to transfer his shares in Carrigan's and leave, but when an important bride discovers he's there, she wants him to cater her wedding. Although Levi always felt stifled and out of place growing up at Carrigan's, he now desperately wants to win Hannah back, so he makes her a deal: He'll help with the wedding, and in the meantime, she'll go on a series of dates with him. Much like its predecessor, Season of Love (2022), this story focuses on introspection and identity--Levi is demisexual, Hannah has anxiety, and both are working through emotional trauma. Although these elements are deftly crafted, the plot feels underbaked and conflicts overly drawn out, which leads to the story losing tension and momentum. Interspersed flashbacks fill in Hannah and Levi's backstory but further disrupt and slow the pace. Fans of the first book may enjoy this return trip to Carrigan's, but newcomers could be overwhelmed by the abundance of side characters. Thoughtful representation marred by a sluggish plot. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
