I found Jackie Lau's holiday books while trying to find more diverse holiday romances and saw my library had audiobooks of so many of her works! This one caught my eye so I decided this will be my introduction to her backlog!

At 30 years old, Amy Sharpe moves from her town of two thousand people to Toronto after inheriting her Great Aunts house. She promises herself she will make a new life for herself outside of her overbearing family's sphere. There she meets her grumpy yet hot neighbor Victor Choi and slowly starts to build a relationship with him...

The Good
I liked Amy immediately. She was so bright and charming! I loved seeing her overcoming her people pleasing ways and try to become who she wanted to be. Victor was a good grump. I liked how obsessed he became with Amy when when it was begrudgingly. I really liked in the second half where Amy and Victor really opened up to each other and became vulnerable. They had a couple minor issues and difficulties but they were resolved easily and it made their relationship feel more real. I loved watching Amy grow and stand up for herself! It was amazing. Being a people pleaser is really hard. Breaking away from the expectations of others after always being a pushover makes those who have taken advantage of you want you to return to being who you were when it benefited them and they can't adjust right away.

The Bad
I hate a third act break up I'm sorry especially done almost 90% into the book. It made sense but also made me roll my eyes. I know people love the big gestures at the end but I prefer a break up earlier in the book if it must happen and then actual groveling.

Tropes:
— Neighbors
— Grumpy x sunshine
— Friends to Lovers

Horn Level: 4/5