August 19, 2024
In this lightly holiday-themed outing, Clark (It Had to Be You) braids together three queer romances all full of character and heart. The three adult children of storied performer and oversized personality Babs Belvedere, each from a different father, gather at her home in the weeks before Christmas, each with something on their minds. Liz is struggling both with building the pitch for the second season of her TV show and with her crush on its star, Violet Grace. Stand-up comedian Birdie has just lost her agent due to her partying and womanizing interfering with her gigs, but somehow pivots an embarrassing meet-ugly with a local artist into romance. And Rafi is reeling from his girlfriend’s very public rejection, only to discover that his feelings for his best friend, Ash, might be more than platonic. Clark weaves common themes, like the siblings addressing long-buried feelings about their missing fathers, through all of the stories, to create a sense of cohesion to the three threads. Christmas atmosphere is light, with the holiday primarily serving as an excuse to bring the family together and to throw several drama-filled parties. The result is a solid, feel-good romp that may be just the escapist treat readers need to get through the season.
March 7, 2025
The three adult children of Babs Belvedere--Liz, Birdie, and Rafi--are each facing heartbreak. Liz has fallen for Violet Grace, the star of her hit TV show; stand-up comedian Birdie has just lost her agent; and younger brother Rafi's marriage proposal has just been publicly rejected. With Christmas approaching, they each decide to go to the family home in upstate New York. The siblings had planned to focus on themselves and spend time with their mother, but the festive season will not let them avoid love. Clark's (Island Time) newest is a flirty and fun holiday tale. Narrators Patti Murrin, Kristen Sieh, and Shawn K. Jain set a breezy tone but ably switch gears as the novel touches on difficult topics such as alcohol addiction, depression, and chronic illness. As with any family during the holidays, there are moments of happiness and moments that test the bonds between loved ones; Clark does a wonderful job of balancing the two. Listeners will enjoy the well-developed relationships, the holiday cheer, and the tender sibling bonds. VERDICT A bighearted holiday romance with triple the happy endings. Fans of Ashley Herring Blake and Emily Henry will be delighted.--Elyssa Everling
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