SEASON OF LOVE

When she inherits her Jewish great-aunt's Christmas tree farm in the Adirondacks, Miriam Blum faces her difficult past and embraces a new love.

Miriam hasn’t been to Carrigan’s Christmasland in a decade. Because of her father’s emotional abuse, she cut ties with her past and didn’t look back. When she learns her beloved great-aunt Cass has died, she returns to New York to sit shiva, intending to stay for just one week. Her plans are upended when Cass’ will reveals that Miriam has inherited part of the tree farm and inn, and the place is in financial distress. Noelle Northwood, manager of the farm, doesn’t think Miriam deserves to be an owner after having been absent for so long. Still, Noelle and Miriam have a common goal of saving the place, so they work together on a plan. Attraction is instantaneous between the women, even when they frustrate each other. As the season progresses from one holiday to the next, Miriam and Noelle work through their grief and trauma and start to find solace in each other. This slow-burn, closed-door romance focuses on the emotional growth of the characters. Aspects of identity are important to the leads’ characterizations, including their queerness, Noelle’s sobriety, and Miriam’s Jewish faith. Miriam’s personal growth as she faces her past is the most compelling aspect of the story, sometimes overshadowing the romance. Much of the pacing is slow, particularly at the beginning, but readers are rewarded with a charming setting and compelling characters for a cozy, wintry delight.

A warm, queer romance with holiday cheer and emotional depth.