The Holiday Switch(68)
I snicker. “Not sure who you’re talking about. I don’t even know what I’m doing.”
“Aw, Ate. I don’t think anyone knows what they’re doing, but I think you might know what the next step is.” She has a faint and encouraging smile on her face. “You just have to admit it.” She turns me toward the screen. Then she backs out of my room with a final wave. “Kick butt.”
I nod, still with my sister’s words hanging in the air: You just have to admit it.
No more secrets. It’s time.
TINSEL AND TROPES
A HOLIDAY BOOK BLOG
Title: Holiday by the Lake by Charlene Dizon
GENRE/CATEGORY: CONTEMPORARY FICTION
**It’s our second anniversary! Look below this post for a surprise!**
How does one make a true apology?
This is a reread of Holiday by the Lake, which I first read about five years ago. I don’t do very many rereads, because there are so many new books on my list to tackle. But this season begged for a second chance.
The first time I read it, I focused on the romance and the gorgeous setting. I remember being swept up by the author’s descriptions of the town and its people. But this time, what jumped out at me was how the characters interacted—how they fought and apologized. At how real and sincere they were when they did so. Not to spoil it, but these characters were tough on each other, both in the past and in the present, and I wondered—would that friendship have held up in real life?
In a lifetime, a person can have a spectrum of friendships. Some lifelong, and others, not so much. Some remain lighthearted throughout, and some run deep from the jump. There are the friendships you make by choice, and some made by happenstance. Many of these friendships tend to fizzle out. Even though it’s a romance, Holiday by the Lake is about two people who have to decide if all their struggles are worth their friendship.
In all ways, it’s about a second-chance relationship, my most favorite trope!
Do I recommend this book the second time around? Absolutely. Not only does it have a happily-ever-after—and was adapted into one of the best movies of all time—but it’s a reminder that we have to try to apologize when we do something wrong.
Pros: Twin timelines are so fun! Just when you have a question about what happened in the past, it jumps backward in time.
Cons: If you watched the movie first, then it will be hard to separate the movie from the book.
Recommended for: Everyone
Rating: 5 stars
***
Happy second anniversary to us! Tinsel and Tropes started with me wanting to spread the word about books I love. I decided that my identity would be anonymous because I wanted to protect my and my family’s privacy. Over time, I liked the fact that this blog was less about me and more about the books I read.
But here’s the thing: If you read the posts carefully, this blog really is most definitely about me. In the last two years, this has been like my diary, even if I hadn’t realized it at the time.
So, my name is Lila. I’m the book blogger behind Tinsel and Tropes. While I won’t get much more personal than that, I am ready to admit that this blog means so much to me, and I no longer want to keep it a secret. And I want to celebrate it by giving away a special holiday book box to one reader! Below is a pic—feast your eyes on these five-star reads!
To enter, please leave me a message with the title of your favorite holiday book! I’ll announce the winner January 4th at 5pm EST. International okay.
Thank you, loyal readers, for hanging in there, and for reading this blog even if I didn’t give it the credit—or give myself the credit—that it deserves.
MONDAY, JANUARY 3
The long hand on the grandfather clock clicks to the twelve, and the bell chimes nine times.
I pace and cross my arms over my chest. And despite the crackling fireplace and the warm sweater I’m wearing, I’m feeling cold and unsettled.
Yesterday ended better than it started. Martina Flowers from BookGalley was cheerful and encouraging, and we talked about Holly and my blog, and what I wanted to get out of the internship.
I love books, and I want to know if I can do something with that, I said.
And: Yes, I think I’m now ready to go public as the Tinsel and Tropes author.
Then, after my half-hour-long interview, I hid back in my bedroom and finished Holiday by the Lake and untangled all my thoughts on my blog.
No more secrets.
But right now, my mind’s not on that.
Teddy’s competition starts in one hour.
I can picture his face, etched in worry. And I wonder who will be there in the crowd to watch him. Did he tell Ms. Velasco about the competition? Did he and his parents make up?
I’ve got you too.
I meant those words, and it feels wrong for me to be here, at home, instead of there, cheering him on. Even at our family’s lowest point, when we thought Dad’s business might be gone forever, when they were living in fear from the doxing, I knew, no matter what, my family was there for one another. It’s why these last couple of days have been so hard—being at odds with my parents makes me feel like I’ve lost a part of myself.