Wow. This was a delightful story. From start to finish it was endearing and oh so sweet. It's the perfect holiday romance. It perfectly straddles the two that take up America's focus for the last two months of the year.

I loved the slow burn between Darcy and Elle and how they realized their love for each other.. To me one thing that is always a testament to how people care for one another is how quick they are willing to defend them. And both Elle and Darcy were quick to defend the other against any of the naysayers. From when Darcy stood up to Elle''s family at Thanksgiving to when Elle showed up at Darcy's apartment with exactly what she needed to turn her day around? *chef's kiss*.

One thing that stands out to me is when both parts of a couple accept what is different about their partner. That may seem silly but it's true. They may not always see eye to eye on things but they acknowledge and accept the other's differences and, in some cases and this one, it makes them love each other more. that acceptance is amazing because honestly some of us don't even get that from our own family.

It took me to roughly 85% to realize it was a P&P retelling but that was on me. And, even though I don't love the original P&P (I know I'm a bad English major), I adore the retellings and variations on it. And I am completely enamored with this story.. Everything about it was sweet and wonderful and just what I needed at this point in my life. I fell in love with both Darcy and Elle and was cheering them on while reading my Kindle Paperwhite. And the grand gesture at the end? *sigh* You'll never look at cilantro the same way again.

The steam factor is fairly mild but the slow burn is oh so delightful. And the love realization comes at a believable pace. Would definitely recommend this book to fellow book lovers.