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Emily's Reviews > The Christmas Spirit
The Christmas Spirit
by
by
Book 188 of 2022
Sigh…I wanted to like this one. I really did, but there were too many things that just didn’t work for me.
1. Stereotypes — I’ve noticed a lot of cringe-worthy stereotypes in Macomber’s last several novels. They’re almost to the point of being uncomfortable. In this book, she latched onto a biker’s gang (Hell’s Outlaws) and strippers. She repeatedly called the women “the strippers.” Over and over and over. Why couldn’t we just call them by their names?
2. Story Line — I realize with Christmas novels, we have to release our grip on reality & embrace the fantasy and nostalgia of the season. Story lines & tropes that don’t work anywhere else work here. There are many “switcharoo” story lines that occur at Christmas. I can honestly say I didn’t anticipate a bar owner & a pastor switching jobs/roles for the week leading up to Christmas. 🥴
3. Confusing Characters — Macomber’s Christmas novels are on the shorter side, so to add a cast of characters that we know are based off people in real life, but have different names in the story was mega confusing. It was too much too quick at the beginning.
4. Inappropriate??? — This is a story of a grandma telling her 8-year old grandkids a Christmas story. A Christmas story about a pastor working in a bar, strippers, drug dealers, and a biker’s gang. I just cannot see these being in a story I’d tell kids that age. 🤷🏻♀️
I appreciate the message Macomber was trying to share. That Jesus us for everyone (even the bikers/drug dealers and strippers), but it needed some smoothing out. I *do* think there’s a target audience here that will love the book. I just don’t think I’m old enough to fall into that demographic.
Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This book is scheduled to be released on October 18th.
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Format: ARC
Sigh…I wanted to like this one. I really did, but there were too many things that just didn’t work for me.
1. Stereotypes — I’ve noticed a lot of cringe-worthy stereotypes in Macomber’s last several novels. They’re almost to the point of being uncomfortable. In this book, she latched onto a biker’s gang (Hell’s Outlaws) and strippers. She repeatedly called the women “the strippers.” Over and over and over. Why couldn’t we just call them by their names?
2. Story Line — I realize with Christmas novels, we have to release our grip on reality & embrace the fantasy and nostalgia of the season. Story lines & tropes that don’t work anywhere else work here. There are many “switcharoo” story lines that occur at Christmas. I can honestly say I didn’t anticipate a bar owner & a pastor switching jobs/roles for the week leading up to Christmas. 🥴
3. Confusing Characters — Macomber’s Christmas novels are on the shorter side, so to add a cast of characters that we know are based off people in real life, but have different names in the story was mega confusing. It was too much too quick at the beginning.
4. Inappropriate??? — This is a story of a grandma telling her 8-year old grandkids a Christmas story. A Christmas story about a pastor working in a bar, strippers, drug dealers, and a biker’s gang. I just cannot see these being in a story I’d tell kids that age. 🤷🏻♀️
I appreciate the message Macomber was trying to share. That Jesus us for everyone (even the bikers/drug dealers and strippers), but it needed some smoothing out. I *do* think there’s a target audience here that will love the book. I just don’t think I’m old enough to fall into that demographic.
Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This book is scheduled to be released on October 18th.
#ad
Format: ARC
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Reading Progress
September 10, 2022
– Shelved
September 10, 2022
– Shelved as:
to-read
October 16, 2022
–
Started Reading
October 16, 2022
–
Finished Reading
