So you guys, I visited Fool’s Gold for the first time and it turns out, I might just have to keep on revisiting Susan Mallery’s fictional California town set right in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. My very first encounter with Mallery’s much-recommended series was a book from the middle, but you know, I really enjoyed Christmas On 4th Street, which is the 12.5 book in the series, whatever that means. Anyways, I did not find myself confused while reading. HOWEVER, I did find myself looking up the other books to see if my favorite auxiliary characters get stories (spoiler alert: they do!).
Noelle moved to the town of Fool’s Gold a few months ago, based on just spinning and landing a pin on the map. You see, she used to be a pretty high powered lawyer in LA. You would not know that now though, as she is the sole proprietor of the town’s Christmas-themed shop. Noelle fits in pretty well in Fool’s Gold, for someone who is new. As a testament to the town, despite not having family she does not find herself spending the holidays alone, but rather is invited to come over by her friend Felicia and her fiancé, Gideon. So anyways, Noelle goes to Felicia’s house to help take care of her dog Webster, a baby German Shepherd, when omg, there is a half naked intruder! ONLY! The intruder is Gideon’s fraternal twin brother Gabriel. The sparks fly, my friends. We also learn that Noelle is terrible at driving in the snow. Y’all, it’s about to be Christmas On 4th Street.
How could I not like Noelle? She’s not at all the clingy, whiny type. Instead, she goes into her romance with Gabriel with the knowledge that it’s just a temporary for now romance. You see, she knows Gabriel does not plan on staying. BUT, because she has a pretty tragic backstory, she goes into the relationship without regrets or qualms instead of you know saving her heart. You see, she is the sort of woman who lives life to it’s fullest. Basically, she is a great person and I want to be her friend ha ha.
As for the romantic interest in Susan Mallery’s Christmas On 4th Street, Gabriel has a lot of pain. First off, he’s a triage doctor for the army, so like he’s dealing with PTSD from what he’s seen in war. Second, his dad is an overbearing drill sergeant type who has never really supported Gabriel, so he’s still sorting through those negative emotions. Anyways. Noelle sparks something in Gabriel, even as he tries to fight his attraction to her because you know, he’s leaving and so it just would not be fair if he started something with her only to leave.
BUT YOU GUYS, neither party can resist the physical chemistry and sparks that fly between them. Soon enough there is kissing and more. ALSO. There are things like a super sweet search for the perfect tree, working retail to recuperate, kittens, and secret weddings. That’s a lot of hinting. All I will say is that I really liked Gabriel and Noelle together.
As for the writing, I thought the book was kind of awkwardly written. There’s this character Felicia, and she just talks so strangely. I really felt that a lot of the dialogue was unrealistic. Like, this book isn’t what I would consider to be Pulitzer Prize winning writing, but it is a fast paced read. And okay, when I finished it, I kind of wanted to move to Fool’s Gold. AND! AND! I did find myself immediately cracking open the other Fool’s Gold Christmas themed book on my Kindle.
On A Scale Of One To Clark Griswold, How Much Christmas Spirit Does This Book Have?
Christmas On 4th Street definitely has as much Christmas spirit as Clark Griswold. You guys, this town goes nuts for Christmas and has all these cool traditions and festivals, including a window decorating contest. Also? They truly have the heart of Christmas at mind as the members of the town all get together to pitch in and volunteer and give to those in need. That’s probably the best thing about the book, it’s show of community and caring.
Disclosure: Review Copy Provided By Publisher Via Netgalley
Other reviews of Christmas On 4th Street by Susan Mallery:
Rather Be Reading – “a real treat whether you are looking for a little holiday pick-me-up”
The Book Pushers – “It was sweet and sexy.”
Good Bad And Unread – “definitely plan on spending the holiday season in Fool’s Gold”
Latest posts by April (Books&Wine) (see all)
- Wreck The Halls by Tessa Bailey | Book Review - December 26, 2023
- Along Came Holly by Codi Hall | Book Review - December 23, 2023
- The Christmas Brides Of Twilight by Lori Wilde | Audiobook Review - December 14, 2023
I’ve heard a lot of great things about the Fools Gold books by Mallery. I will have to pick one up – actually I might already hav eone on my kindle. I always forget about this books 🙂
I do love holiday romance books, too.
As I’ve said in another comment, Christmas-y books are always fun! It’s even better when there’s a sweet romance to boot, which is what it sounds like for this one. Glad you enjoyed it!