Review By: Ellen Pristash
Published: 2021; Findaway World, LLC
Series: Sequel to 100 Days of Sun Light
Genre: Romance, Christmas, Young Adult Contemporary Fiction, Holiday, Young Adult Romance, First Love Fiction, Interpersonal Relationship Fiction
Audience: 9, 10, 11, 12
Triggers: None
Summary: It’s Tessa and Weston’s first Christmas together, and Tessa is determined to make it the best holiday ever. But when her estranged mother shows up with a suitcase and plans to stay for two weeks, Tessa’s hopes are shattered. Bitter from the past and still holding a grudge, Tessa is in no mood to give her mother a second chance. The holiday season may be a time of reconciliation with family, but Tessa believes her mother will never change. Why get close when she’s just going to leave again? Tessa realizes there is only one way to save this Christmas: avoid her mother as much as possible. With the best intentions in mind, Tessa chooses to not tell her mother about Weston’s disability. But when they meet face-to-face, Tessa is mortified and ashamed by her mother’s insensitive remarks. Weston begins to think he is the real cause of Tessa’s shame. His old demons resurrect to haunt him with doubts: What if, one day, Tessa stops loving him because of his disability? Determined to prove his love for her, Weston makes it his mission to be the best boyfriend ever and works to reunite Tessa with her mother. Meanwhile, Tessa plots elaborate ways to avoid “mother-daughter time” at all costs. One scheme leads to another, until Tessa finds herself tangled in a web of deceit — and, worst of all, lying to Weston. When the secrets between them force Tessa and Weston to face their greatest fears, they must confront the inescapable question: Is true love worth the risk of heartbreak? Is it ever too late to forgive and start over? The Best Christmas Ever is a heartwarming holiday follow-up to 100 Days of Sunlight by Abbie Emmons. You’ll love this touching story of forgiveness, family, and first love.
Review: This was a cute read with no strong language which is a nice change from many YA reads. This is the sequel to Tessa and Weston from 100 Days of Sunlight. They meet in the first book because Weston thinks he can help Tessa through her blindness, to help her live even though there are difficulties. The backstory story is laid out early in this book, so it was easy to follow the storyline. Tessa (who has been raised by her grandparents) and Weston (who has no legs from the knees down) are in high school and very much in love with each other, can’t imagine life without each other, but are both unsure if they are worthy of the other. These two main characters have different backgrounds; Weston comes from that almost perfect family and Tessa has anger towards her mother for not being in her life and is afraid to let her back into her life. Weston is straight forward and shares what he is feeling while Tessa keeps many things to herself which proves to be an issue as the story develops. They have a huge argument just before Christmas because of Tessa’s lies. But it is just the break in their relationship that helps Tessa let her mother back in her life. In the end all is well with Tessa and Weston just like in a Hallmark movie. The underlying themes are first love relationship, honesty in a relationship, handling heartbreak as well as forgiveness. All are handled without being too preachy but at times handled a little too perfect. The cover will probably not catch a reader’s attention; hand it to that reader who wants that “Hallmark movie”, feel good story.
