Review of All the Christmas Vibes by Melissa Baldwin

 

All the Christmas Vibes

'Tis the season for a spontaneous holiday getaway and an unexpected connection. Will the magic of Christmas offer a new chance at love?

Sophie
It’s Christmas, and I can’t help but believe that magic happens around this time of year—or at least, I really hope it does. I’ve always been obsessed with the holidays, and the best part? I can binge-watch all the Hallmark movies I want. Secretly, I might be hoping for my own love story to play out just like in the movies. It’s possible, right? I mean, it happened for my friend.

A girls' trip to Tennessee seems like the perfect way to unwind. Then, I meet Jake—the coach of the Tennessee Wolves. Our connection is instant, and I find myself wanting to get to know him better. But there’s one small issue… I don’t know if he’s available.

That’s when I get my reality check—life isn’t a Hallmark movie, and love? It’s complicated.

Jake
This Christmas feels different, like everything is a bit out of place. I guess that’s what an unexpected breakup will do to you. At least I have my career to keep me focused—coaching a professional hockey team is no walk in the park, but it definitely keeps my mind occupied.

The last thing I need is to get involved with someone new. Then Sophie walks into my life—fun, spontaneous, and not afraid to take chances. They say opposites attract, but I’m not sure if I’m ready for that.

To complicate things even more, my ex has started coming around again. I don’t know if it’s easier to stay with what’s familiar or take a chance on something new.

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Check out the related Love on Thin Ice multiauthor series!

**My thoughts**

This latest offering from Melissa Baldwin is a spinoff from the Love on Thin Ice series that Melissa worked on with many of her author friends (and some of my other favorites to read). I am ashamed to admit that I am behind on that series, though I'm dying to sink my teeth in it. But I didn't feel like was missing anything in this book having not yet read that series. Melissa's book in that series was about Blair, Sophie's best friend, and her relationship with Cooper, Jake's teammate. Having met them in this book, I can't wait to go back and read their story! And I love that there are enough characters for the story of this hockey team to continue with spinoffs.

Sophie gets to do something I have always wanted to do - takes off on an adventure to Tennessee and ends up finding herself a good man. For someone who loves those cheesy holiday Hallmark movies - I'm referring to both myself and to Sophie - it's the perfect trip and setting!

You can tell that Sophie is comfortable in her life in Texas, but she's also kind of stuck. She's at one of those turning points where she could keep on keeping on, but then if the right path diverges, she can easily choose to follow that one. Jake may be coming off of a long-term relationship, but he has clearly moved on.

Jake's sister Julia is a little intense in the beginning. I did soften toward her as the book went on, thoug, because she's just intense to protect her brother.

And then we have the ex, Traci. OY! I had all of the flashbacks to some catty women in my younger years! Good riddance to her and kudos to Sophie for being able to stay strong.

I admit that the chemistry didn't jump off the page for me the way that I expected it to. But it's there and it burns at a respectable pace. We come to a satisfying stopping point in the story of Sophie and Jake, but you know there's a lot more to come. I'm hoping that this world continues so that we can see what happens!