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Review: Movie-Made Romance: Christmas in Garland Collection #4

Movie-Made Romance book cover on blue background

For anyone who has played bingo along with Christmas Romance movies, it's clear that there are definite (and repeated) themes. Movie-Made Romance by A.M. Heath plays on that idea, bringing a story within a story to life.

Book Synopsis

He wants a second chance. She wants him to get lost.

Carleigh St. John is tired of watching everyone else get their happily-ever-after, and her little sister’s engagement is the last straw. Stewing down the overused plot lines from Christmas Romance movies, Carleigh creates a dating playbook. With a marathon of Christmas dates ranging from picking out a tree with her first crush to volunteering with her grumpy co-worker, she’s bound to find her perfect movie-made ending. … If only her ex will stay out of the way.

Joshua Price has spent the last four years trying to outrun his past and the ex-fiancé he had hurt, but now he is back home. As he strives to help his grandfather, he keeps bumping into Carleigh. The pull between them is undeniable, and Joshua longs to convince her to see him as a changed man worthy of a second chance.

Will Carleigh’s movie-inspired dating book bring her the happy ending she desires, or is God ushering in a plot twist of His own? Find out in this heartwarming, laugh-out-loud romance full of all the sweet, cheesy movie moments you can’t get enough of.

Source: Amazon

Book Thoughts

This book was not easy to read, especially given the circumstances leading to why it became a second chance romance. However, I'm glad that I persisted in discovering what happens between Joshua and Carleigh in this story. While the Christmas movie tropes were a cute premise, I did feel like Carleigh took it too seriously at the onset. Thankfully, over time, other characters call Carleigh out for her behaviour, which I was happy to see when she started turning into a man-izer. What turned this book around for me was seeing how the author turned a somewhat unlikable female main character into someone that largely resembled me in how I respond to being hurt and the struggles I have in forgiving others. This was masterful writing at its finest where the message of overcoming bitterness was not preached so much as a mirror was held up to me. As a result, I truly appreciated all that Carleigh went through and the journey ahead of her.

As I've come to learn, A.M. Heath writes heartwarming side characters who enrich the story further. I really liked Joshua and how much it meant for him to become a changed man as a result of Jesus’ work in his life. I actually preferred his point of view as he provided a picture of endurance, faithfulness, and respect while working to make amends. This is a Christian fiction book that points to how much sin can wound others while demonstrating God's immense grace with us. The message of the book goes beyond movie tropes, wrapping deep truths in a light-hearted package.

Book Summary

  • Format of book: 📱
  • Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
  • Recommendation: 👍
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