One of my favorite reading experiences is what I call immersive reading. Basically it involves recreating some of the ambiance of the book in real life. Like reading a beach novel at the ocean. Maine winters provide an immersive setting for horror stories. Once Amber and I read The Shining during an intense blizzard that had knocked the power out...
...But this weekend when I read Abiola Bello's Love In Winter Wonderland I realized that the snow ❄️ season can also be the setting for romance. I read it on the sofa near the Christmas tree with glimpses of white out the windows and background Christmas music.
I sent away for the book because it's about the fight to save an independent Black owned bookstore. Wonderland has been in the same family for generations. Now the owners are having a hard time staying afloat. They're facing unfair competition from a soulless chain, Books! Books! Books!. And there's a gentrifyer sniffing around like a shark smelling blood on the water. If they can't solve their money problems by Christmas Eve which is only weeks away...
Of course to have a romance you have to have two human beings who are a good match (even if they don't initially seem to be) and hopefully will come to their senses by the last chapter.
Trey is the older son and future heir of the store owners. Working at Wonderland after school, he can see how dire the fiscal situation is. But he can't find the key to turning things around. And his father shoots down any ideas he has.
Ariel is a really talented artist who has a chance to get into a highly competitive art school. But it will take a lot more money than she has. So when Trey's father is sidelined for six weeks (yet another complication) she takes a part time job at Wonderland.
Trey unfortunately has a very possessive girlfriend of two years, Blair, who is a real piece of work: self centered, manipulative, thoughtless, cruel. She'll do anything to keep Trey under her thumb. He deserves much better. Too bad he doesn't seem to realize that.
Is Wonderland going to survive, maybe even thrive? Are Trey and Ariel going to see the light and fall in love?
I suggest you gather up winter snacks like Christmas cookies, cocoa, and cider, put on a Playlist--maybe the one in the book, and curl up in your favorite reading spot under a warm, soft blanket to create a immersive experience for reading a truly engaging romance narrative.
On a purrrsonal note, I really enjoyed reviewing this book as well as reading it. Eugene doesn't see why I keep this blog up because it doesn't earn me money. If you're a long time reader you know it's mostly about promoting the diverse, inclusive, truth telling books that government grinches are working overtime to ban, burn, and bury. But it's also for the pure joy of wordsmithing in my own unique voice.
I am also convinced that my constant writing (blogging, Journaling, poetry, fiction, nonfiction) is one of the reasons the stroke didn't touch my language centers. What we know about the brain 🧠 is that it evolves, weeding stuff we don't use and strengthening areas we use a lot. Creating links and multiple reinforcement.
I have been the sole content creator for this blog for over fourteen years and about to hit a major milestone. Love In Winter Wonderland is the 2,947 book I've reviewed. I'm due to get to my 3,000th in 2026. I'll keep you updated on the count down. I don't know how I'll celebrate. But I'll for sure celebrate 🥳 🎉 🎊 🍾 😌 when I hit that number!!!
Getting ready for New Year's Eve. Are you?
Jules Hathaway
Sent from my U.S.Cellular© Smartphone
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