The Most Wonderful Time: A Heartwarming Holiday Rom-Com About Love and the Magic of Second Chances in Malibu and Chicago for Fans of the Black Girls Must Die Exhausted Series

I have to admit, I dove into this book without checking out the synopsis—shame on me! But, in my defense, I absolutely loved Allen's previous work in the "Black Girls Must Die Exhausted" series. Plus, this was a book club pick, so it felt almost mandatory to read! I approached it with the expectation of a festive, Christmas-themed story, but let me tell you, I was gently let down. While it’s definitely a good read, the heart of the story is really about our two main characters, Ramona and Chelsea, who decide to swap homes for the holidays. Ramona is desperately trying to keep a secret from her family, while Chelsea, a struggling artist, is counting on this swap to help save her home. I listened to the audiobook, and wow—Mela’s narration was phenomenal! She brought each character to life in such a way that it felt like a full cast performance. It really enhanced the storytelling experience. Now, let’s talk about Joan. Honestly, I think she could really use some lessons on minding her own business; her actions teetered on the edge of harassment. This character choice brought to light the lingering issue of racism, reminding readers that if Ramona had been white, Joan’s behavior would probably have never happened. Instead of owning up to her mistakes, Joan resorts to bribing Ramona with what she mistakenly believes are “friendly” overtures. And can we take a moment to appreciate Latrice? If I’m remembering her name correctly, she’s the supportive friend we all need in our lives! I’d love to see a standalone story featuring her. The love interests added a wonderful layer of depth to the narrative that I felt was a bit lacking initially, but i wished it didn't revolve entirely around those points. In the end, I was thrilled to see Ramona take Latrice’s advice and start advocating for herself. I’ll be honest, though—I did drift off a bit towards the end while Jay was reaching out to return the gift from Joan. I feel like he should have been upfront about it; at that point, I doubt Ramona would have wanted anything to do with it. Still, I’m intrigued to see where things might go after their initial spark. I plan to go back and relisten, so keep an eye out for possible edits! Overall, I’d say it was a good read, even if it wasn’t what I expected.