Just For December by Laura Jane Williams: Book Review

Just For December features a best-selling author whose book is now being made into a Christmas movie and the film’s lead actor. I loved the Bavaria setting!

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From The Publisher:

Evie Bird is a romance writer whose latest bestseller is being made into a Christmas movie.
Duke Carlisle is a world-famous actor who has landed the role of leading man.

When Evie and Duke meet on set, it’s a frosty encounter – even icier than the cobbled Bavarian streets they’re filming on.

But after images of them arguing leak to the press and put the movie in jeopardy, they are left with no choice but to fake date until the cameras stop rolling.

As the pair start to put their differences aside, their feelings gradually begin to thaw… But can sparks ever really fly in a snowstorm?

My Thoughts:

When best-selling author Evie has one of her books made into a movie, the only stipulation is that she needs to be on the set during filming. She meets the leading man, Duke, and her initial reaction to him was not one of warmth. Caught by the press in a heated discussion, the two are to begin a fake romance for the paparazzi to shed some favourable interest in the movie.

As the two participate in this fauxmance, they realize they have more in common than they originally thought. Evie and Duke both have backstories that have led to trust issues. While not every reader can relate to these stories, there are unfortunately some that will.

I found Edie to be rather rude much of the time although you could see more positive change in her as the story progressed. I don’t think that love solves all, and Edie still had a long way to go to manage her impulsive spending. It was suggested that she was working on it, but the reader was not updated in the last quarter of the book as to how Edie was doing with this.

Duke’s character was more interesting and I appreciated how this man enjoyed romance novels – so much that he had read all of Edie’s books. I loved the romantic moments that he created for Edie transforming her into someone more likeable.

I enjoyed the Christmas in Bavaria setting of the film. The author made it easy to picture Edie and Duke walking in these German market towns. The book also provided insight into the business behind the movie industry as well as the need for the enforcement of boundaries with the press.

I recommend this book to readers who enjoy Women’s Fiction or romance.

What I Liked:

• The Christmas in Bavaria setting
• The central character’s backstories
• The grand gestures by Edie and Duke

Acknowledgments:

Thank you to Avon Books UK and Netgalley for the DRC of this book in exchange for the honest review provided here.

Other Books I’ve Reviewed written by Laura Jane Williams:

One Night With You

The Lucky Escape