REVIEW: "Season of Joy" by Annie Rains
As I’ve mentioned before, the motivation behind many of my most impactful life decisions was a deep desire to avoid becoming destitute.
Throughout my childhood, I was naturally drawn to artistic endeavors. It was these kinds of pursuits, I knew, that made me really feel… happy. But, being that I am as analytical and, perhaps, cynical as I am creative, I also knew that careers in the arts were among the least lucrative*.
*Don’t get me wrong. I did end up going into education. so I’m obviously not all about the Benjamins.
Now, though, I do wonder if my life might have been better had I been braver. Had I been willing to venture off the safe path and allow my heart alone to dictate my destination.
I wonder what my life would have been like if I had been more like Joy, the protagonist of this Christmas romance by the prolific Annie Rains.
An artist both by passion and by trade, prior to the start of this novel, Joy decides to follow her passion. She promises herself that she will fully commit to her art and only employment if it is directly art-related.
And, I must admit, though I definitely couldn’t mirror her courage, I do appreciate her passion.
But it isn’t just art about which Joy is passionate. She’s also passionate about people, continuously dedicating her time to supporting members of the smalltown she calls home: Sweetwater Springs. From the children she teaches at the library to the elderly for whom she gives free lessons at the senior center, Joy altruistically supports the artistic endeavors of everyone.
Caring for people seems to run in Joy’s genes. Her parents, doctors at the local hospital, are perhaps even a little bit too dedicated. Their focus on their admittedly noble careers has led to the development of a strained relationship with Joy, their now-grown daughter. As a result of their seemingly unbreakable tether to the hospital, they missed many elements of their daughter’s childhood, including holidays.
Perhaps it is because she lacked a strong family life during her childhood that Joy finds herself subconsciously hunting for a family, constantly seeking out connections of her own. In fact, she’s still nursing her wounds from her most recent near-miss at building a family of her own. Not so long ago, she became deeply enmeshed in a relationship with Dan, a doctor who works at the same hospital as her parents.
Though his job likely made their union ill-fated from the start, Joy had followed her heart. But, like too many relationships, theirs grew complex. More complex than Dan was willing to handle. Her heart still on the mend, Joy is reluctant to open herself up again, yet at the same time she’s desperate for something that she can only achieve by truly opening her mind and her heart.
Meanwhile, Granger has hang ups of his own. This father is struggling to raise his two daughters alone following the departure of his wife, Erin. And his obligations extend far beyond parenthood. Granger also has to play an active role in his family's business, a Christmas tree farm called Merry Mountain that his aging parents are increasingly unable to handle on their own.
It’s too heavy a burden for one man to shoulder, really, so Granger seeks help. And this season, at least, it seems like that help can only come from one person: Joy.
Thrust together by circumstance, Joy and Granger find their mutual appreciation growing. Will the complexities of their pasts keep them apart or will their love grow just as intoxicating as that unavoidable Christmas spirit?
This Annie Rains read — the 6th in her Sweetwater Springs series — follows the format lovers of small-town romance will expect. While some might see this as a negative critique, it isn’t intended as such. Quite the contrary, it’s a strength. Readers will likely find comfort in the consistency of the tropes in this novel.
But this novel is not all formula and predictability. Peppered throughout are surprises that will likely catch even savvy readers off guard. While these tiny twists in the road weren’t substantial enough to upend the plot, they were sufficiently significant to add sparkle and charm to this Christmas read.
*Spoiler Alert*
Also pleasantly surprising is the depth with which Rains dealt with some more complex issues, including postpartum depression and pregnancy loss. Though neither of these issues were central to the plot of this romance, they existed on the periphery and were given the care and consideration they deserved.
*End of Spoilers*
Additionally advantageous, Rains succeeded in establishing a protagonist you couldn’t help but root for. Authentically good Joy, with her uncomplicated sweetness and her woefully happiness-light past, served as the type of purely perfect protagonist you want to find happiness.
Fans of Christmas romances will definitely find much to love in this peppermint-patty-sweet novel. Rich in depictions of the quaint and cozy traditions that make small towns so special to the subtle reminders of just how magical Christmas really is, this novel is a success. Season of Joy will put you right in the mood to deck the hell out of those halls and snuggle up with some cider, preferably some produced by Merry Mountain Farms.
Exactly what I needed in the weeks leading up to Christmas, this novel earns 4 out of 5 cocktails.
Seeing all of the holiday traditions in this novel made me feel like I’m a slouch when it comes to traditions. Does your family do anything special during the holidays? Tell me about your traditions in the comments, below.
Let’s see what’s up next. Subscribe to updates in the sidebar on the right and follow me on Goodreads to keep up with my reading and drinking.
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