10 Blind Dates by Ashley Elston Book Review

“Awesome. I’m going to be stuck in this getup for up to five hours just so we have something to giggle about over beignets later.”

(pg 76)

About

Author: Ashley Elston

Genre: Young Adult Contemporary

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Synopsis

Sophie wants one thing for Christmas-a little freedom from her overprotective parents. So when they decide to spend Christmas in South Louisiana with her very pregnant older sister, Sophie is looking forward to some much needed private (read: make-out) time with her long-term boyfriend, Griffin. Except it turns out that Griffin wants a little freedom from their relationship. Cue devastation.

Heartbroken, Sophie flees to her grandparents’ house, where the rest of her boisterous extended family is gathered for the holiday. That’s when her nonna devises a (not so) brilliant plan: Over the next ten days, Sophie will be set up on ten different blind dates by different family members. Like her sweet cousin Sara, who sets her up with a hot guy at an exclusive underground party. Or her crazy aunt Patrice, who signs Sophie up for a lead role in a living nativity. With a boy who barely reaches her shoulder. And a screaming baby.

When Griffin turns up unexpectedly and begs for a second chance, Sophie feels more confused than ever. Because maybe, just maybe, she’s started to have feelings for someone else . . . Someone who is definitely not available.

This is going to be the worst Christmas break ever… or is it?

Review

Spoilers Contained Below

Dear Christmas lovers,

It’s my favorite time of year: the holidays.

Thoroughly love the holiday season with the sweaters, the hot coco, the family, the giving of gifts, and most importantly the fact that there is NO SCHOOL!

Isn’t that the best?

Anyway, to get into the season, I picked this book up not only because it was a holiday book, but because the cover was SOOOOO CUTE!! It really gave me some Sandhya Menon cover vibes with the smiling girl and her eyes closed, but I really liked the gold balloon cover font balloons. I thought that was a nice touch. So shoutout to whoever created this cover because it’s absolutely gorgeous.

This book was such a fun ride that really had me laughing and smiling the whole time. It’s been a while since I’ve been this invested or joyful from reading a book, so it was nice to feel that way again.

Sophie is a cute Southern girl with a big family. And when I say big family, I mean takes up a whole floor at a hotel big. I got confused as I read because there are so many names mentioned that I would be mixed up about who was related to who and who was who. But then over time, I got used to all the names and the characters. I quite liked Sophie’s big, crazy family because what they exceed in size, they also exceed in heart.

They are all such unique people who truly love Sophie even though she lives far away from them. Generally, her family lives near each other and the Nonna’s house, but Sophie and her family don’t, so the rest of the family don’t see Sophie as much. Sophie used to be in this Fab Four group with her two cousins, Olivia and Charlie, and the best friend who lived next-door, Wes. They would do everything together and they had big plans to go to the same college when they grew up. But because Sophie lived in a different area from them, they naturally drifted a part and that made Sophie feel like her family didn’t care about her because she knew there was this literal distance between them. So she thought they were pushing her away and that made her feel like she should just stay comfortable back in her area with her friends and family as to not feel left out. But her family felt like she was pushing them away by never visiting. It’s understandable from both perspectives why they would feel the way they did, but once they talked about it and made those feelings known, they really were able to bond more.

In the beginning of the book, Sophie came across to me as a scared, fragile girl. A little rebellious too in how she tried to trick her Nonna and her family into thinking that she was at the Nonna’s house when really she stayed home for a few hours by herself, hoping her boyfriend Griffin would come over. Sophie’s plan was to spend this entire winter break driving back and forth between her Nonna’s, her boyfriend, and best friend. Her mom and dad were with the sister, Margot, at the hospital where she was experiencing pregnancy and birth complications. She called Griffin, inviting him over to her house so they could have alone time—-ewwwww—but he told her to come to this party.

When she got to the party, she overheard Griffin talking about her. And like Olaf didn’t say, it wasn’t all good things. He sounded completely devastated that Sophie was staying during the holidays and how he wanted that distance from her to know what it feels like when they broke up. Then he mentioned how she wasn’t fun anymore.

My poor baby was standing there hearing it all. I wanted to hug her. And of course, Griffin turned around and realized what a DUMMY he was for saying all those things. He ran after Sophie, but I loved that Addie (Sophie’s best friend) stopped him and yelled him. Gosh, if I was Addie, I would have whooped his butt!!!! I mean, don’t you EVER talk bad about your girlfriend to other people and how you want to breakup because she’s no fun. You’re no FUN! 😆

It was sadder—-that’s not a word, but let’s pretend it is—–when she drove to her Nonna’s house and she sat in the car crying because she wanted to get her feelings out before going inside. Then the Nonna came outside and asked her what was wrong. She then sat Sophie down and listened to her and I think doing that was so needed in order for Sophie to get her feelings out to a maternal figure when her mother wasn’t there.

I really loved the Nonna. She was always able to pick up when something was wrong or if someone was lying. It was like she had eyes on the back of her head. I also liked her quirky chefs apron that she wore. What I really liked about the Nonna was her crazy idea for this whole blind date things.

The next day when Sophie woke up, everyone in her family knew about Griffin because nothing stayed a secret in this family. I felt so bad for Sophie in how everyone was giving her the pitying looks, but I think by them knowing, it also made them understand why she looked and acted the way she was; Everyone thought Sophie looked like a despondent mess that day, and who could blame her when she probably did.

Sophie’s love life becomes everyone’s interest and they all start talking about how they could set her up on other dates to make her forget about Griffin, thus the list. If I were Sophie, I think I would have been receptive to do it too because why in the world would I go on 10 blind dates? But then like Sophie, I would think it would be a fun experience.

I think deep down, the real reason Sophie went along with this was because her family kept mentioning how Sophie used to be different—–more fun. Olivia said in a conversation once about how, “the Sophie I used to know,” and that line really stuck with Sophie because in her eyes, she felt like nothing changed with her. That’s natural as sometimes people don’t recognize the ways we have and haven’t change and it takes an outside perspective to realize that. I think also there’s such a negative connotation when someone says, “used to know” in that way because it implies that you were better before and what happened to you? Coupled with how Griffin said she was no fun anymore, Sophie internalized all these things and felt like she needed to prove something to others that she could be who they used to know or that she could be this fun person. There’s nothing wrong with that and I actually thought that her doing this whole blind date would probably be the most uncomfortable situation in her life, but at least it would help her grow and to do something different.

So let’s talk about each date shall we:

December 20: Olivia’s Pick

Blind date name: Seth

Occasion: Festival of Lights

I think he was one of the more successful blind dates. I think if she didn’t like Wes, this would be the boy I could see Sophie actually dating because he treated her nice and he was respectful. I liked how much he made Sophie smile because she hadn’t been doing that for a while. It was nice to have her family around with her to enjoy this date as well because it allowed her to be with a new guy, but also to make new memories with her cousins. I also liked that Seth was so understanding of how Sophie felt because he knew that his was just a blind date and she just had a falling out with Griffin. He knew that must have not been easy for her, so I thought it was sweet he understood that.

December 21: Aunt Patrice’s Pick

Blind date name: Hundred Hands Harold

Occasion: Nativity

Honestly, the FUNNIEST blind date in this whole book 😂

I really thought Sophie was going to use her free pass for this one. I think she really should have when she first saw that Mother of Mary outfit she had to wear. I mean, what did Sophie think she was going to do on this date? She had a Mother of Mary outfit, that should be a sign that this wasn’t going to be a typical date of dinner and a movie.

What was worse in the best way possible was how the dress lit up and how no one else’s dress in the play seemed to have the same star factor as hers did.

Her family was what made this date more hilarious than it already is. I just loved how Charlie and Olivia were laughing at her the whole time because I was just laughing along right there with them. I also liked when the family started getting in bets about how long the date would last and how they had this group chat with their bets. Then they actually made another board to keep things official. This was literally becoming a game to them 😆 Don’t even get me started on how it was just hilarious how everyone would just “casually” show up to the Nonna’s house every time before a date just to see who it was. Usually when a date meets the girl for the first time, it’s hard enough just meeting the dad, but nope, with Sophie, you meet everyone.

So who did Sophie go out with on this fine date?

A freshman who thought he was soooo cool school because he was on a date with an older woman. Aunt Patrice did her dirty! And the UTTER AUDACITY of this ten year old to always reach for her butt!!!! Where are your manners you idiot!!!! He barely knew her and she was much older than him and yet he was reaching for the booty like this is Finding Nemo. Please keep your hands and feet to yourself children. My gosh!

Don’t even get me started on the goat that started chewing on Sophie’s outfit and got electrocuted by her lights 😂 Why was there a real goat? If Sophie stayed long enough for the play, I think I would have been rolling on the floor in laughter. Ashley Elston, if you’re reading this, we need the deleted seen of the Nativity where Sophie is actually in it.

December 22: Charlie’s Pick

Blind date name: Judd

Occasion: Ugly Sweater Party

If I’m being honest, the name Judd’s pretty cool.

I liked the whole idea of her going to an ugly sweater party and then actually going to a craft store to buy random things to throw on a sweater. Sophie thought that her sweater was horrific, but she didn’t even know the half of it. I would really love to live where Sophie does because her family and her neighbors all shown like they know how to have a good time.

Charlie’s pick was more of a bro-mance pick. He had a matching sweater with Judd where Charlies half was throwing up candy and Judd’s reindeer have was pooping it out. Ugly indeed. If you had an ugly sweater idea, what would it be?

Judd and Sophie never really hit it off because Judd was with Charlie most of the night, so Sophie was left to just enjoy the company of those around her. At the party was also Wes and his long distance girlfriend Laurel. I don’t like Laurel, simple as that. She strikes me kind of like a Regina from Mean Girls in how disinterested she was in everything and closed off she seemed. She didn’t want to be there and rather have gone to a different party, which I was like, girl no one needs your negative attitude, so leave 👋🏼 I really didn’t know why Wes dated her. What did you see in her Wes?

Let’s be real here for a second. If you watched Nailed it on Netflix, you know that Nicole Byers always screams Wes. Wes is that behind the camera dude who brings the trophy. I think because he got so popular on the show as the random behind the scenes guy, they really made him a fun character. Anyway, anytime Wes’s name was mentioned, all I could hear in my head was her voice 😂 Was I the only one like that?

But back to the date, I liked how Wes was there to keep her company and I liked all the holiday games they played. Wes was cute in helping her shake the balls out of the box that was attached to her hip. He dipped her like an ice cream cone and she helped him too. We love friends who help each other. There was also the moment where they were playing that pass the orange game where they couldn’t use their hands. I think this is when we all started to figure out very early that Sophie liked Wes as more than just a friend. You don’t get that nervous in the presence of someone if you don’t like like him. I also just liked the way they seemed to fit together so easily with the laughter and the fun. They really made a cute pair and I was rooting for their happiness. But the reason they didn’t pursue it for a long time was because back then, Olivia liked Wes and they tried to date, which ruined the Fab Four’s friendship until Charlie was like this is awkward, so he fixed things. After that, they made a pact of sorts to not date each other to make things awkward like it was when Olivia and Wes tried to date. So Sophie kind of knew that Wes was off limits in this way, which made me hurt for her and him because it was obvious they both felt the same way, but yet there was this line between them that they knew they couldn’t cross.

December 23: Sarah’s Pick

Blind date name: Paolo Reis

Occasion: Underground Christmas

Sing to me Paolo 😂

This is what Sophie’s dreams were made of.

All the Lizzie McGuire references if you will because DUH! If your name is Paolo, you’ll never hear the end of it with me.

He was literally Mr.Perfect and I could imagine Paolo from the Lizzie McGuire movie. Not joking. Like Seth, Paolo was very respectful and kind to the situation and I liked how cool he was about just hanging out with Sophie and helping her complete this list of bets at the Underground Christmas that Judd gave her.

The Underground Christmas sounds like a very sketchy place if you ask me. Not like dirty, sketchy, but like promiscuous sketchy, like do people really have people naked with food on them that you eat off of? That has to be unsanitary. I don’t think I could ever muster up the courage to do that. But the Underground Christmas is hard to get into, so that’s why Judd gave Sophie a list of bets to do while there to see if she is actually bold enough. Suffice, to say she did all the things on the list and the deal was Judd had to run naked on the street. Not that I’m saying I would have liked to have seen a part written about that, but it would have been a nice closure for Judd as we don’t really see him past this date. Judd was an interesitng character that I really liked.

Sophie and Paolo make good friends, but I don’t think they could be something more. Paolo also has a woman he’s pinning after and for her sake, I hope she knows wha a catch she’s missing out on.

December 26: Evil Joe’s Date

Blind date name: Nathan Henderson

Occasion: Dinner and a “movie”

The Evil Joe’s spike again. I honestly don’t know what kind of bone they have to pick with with Sophie and the Fab Four, but gosh their evil. They’re like Luanne from that Hannah Montana episode with the evil twin.

When I saw dinner and a movie, that didn’t seem as bad as the other exotic dates Sophie had to go on. But we all knew there was a catch to it.

Nathan himself was a catch, right?

Eh, that’s debatable. At first, things didn’t seem bad, he was old enough to drive. But then he took her to the drive-thru for dinner and there’s nothing wrong with a cheap date, but could he have had the decency to at least park and let them eat rather than continue to drive to the movies. Then the red flags went up when they didn’t even go to the real movie theater, but a drive-in movie theater where they watched something scandalous that involved nudity. That fact that Nathan was unbothered by the movie once it started playing said a lot. Sophie literally ran from the screen into the gift shop only to be surrounded by sex toys. Nathan chased after her like a creep, saying he didn’t know that this was the type of movie that was playing. I really liked the lady, Alma, who protected Sophie and told her to come out of the bathroom when Nate was gone.

Good thing, Wes the knight and shining armor came to pick her up from this fiasco. When Nonna asked her how the date went when the evil Joe’s were around, Sophie feigned like it was a good movie and everything, but Nonna knew something was up and I liked how she asked Sophie, “Tell me what really happened.”

Don’t like those evils Joe’s.

December 27: Aunt Camille’s Pick

Blind date name: Wyatt

Occasion: Hockey Game

This had to be the other most awkward date in the sense that they were forced to kiss. Wyatt genuinely seemed like a good guy and Sophie kind of knew him from last year, but they didn’t know each other personally, so that’s why this date count in terms of being a blind date.

But I just wanted to SCREAM at the dumb jumbo tron to move onto another couple when it landed on Wyatt and Sophie because how A-W-K-W-A-R-D!!! They weren’t even really dating, so you can’t force them to kiss. AND WES was there and he was in the same room as them.

Gosh, when he got up and left the room, I wanted to leave with him 😆

I was screaming, “SOPHIE DON’T DO IT!!!” She did it, but she turned her head a bit, so they didn’t actually kiss on the lips, but still, how heartbreaking was it that Wes had to leave the room because he knew he couldn’t stand her kissing another man that wasn’t him.

Did I even mention how Wes and her almost kissed after one of her dates and she was sitting on the porch? I liked how Wes was always there for her to ask her how her dates went. He didn’t need to do that, but I guess if I was him, I would ask for two purposes 1) to be nice 2) to see if those dates were serious enough to be something more. Because if Wes got the sitch on the dates, then he would know whether or not to really pursue his crush. Smart move for him.

When they were about to kiss, Nonna opened the front door and saw them. I thought she was going to say something about it, but she didn’t. Given how intuitive this Nonna is, I would have thought she would have the two sense to know what Sophie felt, but I feel like she may or may not have picked up on it, but I couldn’t tell. Ever since that moment though, I had bets the Nonna’s pick was going to be Wes.

December 28: Aunt Maggie Mae’s Pick

Blind date name: Griffin

Free Pass Used

There are no words to describe this one.

Sophie obviously used the Free Pass on him. I mean, Aunt Maggie Mae truly lost this bet.

During all these dates, Griffin was being tagged in photos that Olivia or Charlie were posting. Seeing these photos, made Griffin desperate to talk to Sophie to clear the air because she never talked to him after what he said. She needed time to heal.

I truly believe if Sophie wasn’t out there going on these dates, living it up, that Griffin wouldn’t have given two hoots to care what she was doing; if Sophie were crying in her room, moping, Griffin wouldn’t have been that interested in getting her back. I think it’s kind of like a guy thing to be protective of one’s girl or guy and to see them with other people in that way makes a person even more territorial and I think that’s what Griffin felt. They weren’t technically broken up, but they kind of were because you don’t say you wanted to break up with a girl behind her back, have her hear you, and then stay together after that. You just don’t.

The reason he chased after her was ingeniunine and he really held her back from being her true self. I don’t know how Griffin held her back, but I think he was part of the reason why Sophie changed a lot. I guess when you have a boyfriend like him, you focus on being popular or trying to be good enough for him, so maybe that’s why Sophie changed. She also spent more time with him, which gave little time to figure things out for herself—–to be herself. I think time away from Griffin taught her she could be strong by herself and it gave her space to be herself. The Sophie who went on these dates was nothing compared to the Sophie who cried and ran through a bush when Griffin talked behind her back. This Sophie sledded down slides, she ate cake off of a naked person, she wore a blinking Mother of Mary costume, she did all these wild, adventurous things that brought her joy and so much growth. It brought her closer to other people, but especially her family.

Her family is what I think rooted her the most on this journey in knowing that family is truly your roots. They know who you were and they know who you are. Sometimes they can make crazy decisions for you and ask dumb things of you, but they always do it out of love/the best intentions. I think that that is what this whole book is about: family can be crazy and over the top, but the love they have for you is reflected in all that crazy. They just wanted to be in Sophie’s life and to make her happy and I loved how they all participated in this game because it showed how much they cared about just wanting the best for Sophie.

That type of love is irreplaceable and if there’s any hear in this book, it lies with the familial relationships.

Not any of the boys she dated or will date (but we’ll get into that more that later), but it was about the love she needed to rekindle with her family. When she let her family in again into her life, did I think she truly start to glow.

Griffin was just a nuisance at best to her.

I thought it was skeevy that he bought her a Christmas Eve bracelet with both their initials on it. He got the gift after they had their row. Sophie bough his Christmas gifts months ago, so his gift was just a ploy to mark his territory and to guilt her into getting back. But jokes on him, his gift was disgusting and evoked no feelings from her. I would have chucked that bracelet out the window!

I can’t believe she wore it though and that Wes saw. *Shakes head* Sophie what were you thinking?

On this supposed to be date, Sophie was going to go visit her sister and parents at the hospital and Griffin offered to drive her. Before that though, Wes saw Sophie wearing the bracelet. WHY DID YOU HAVE IT ON?

I get that maybe she wore it for closure, but honey, you don’t wear a man’s jewelry if you don’t have feelings for him!!!!

I would have felt triggered if I was Wes.

Anyway, on that ride to the hospital, I liked how they finally talked it out and Sophie was very mature in bringing up her questions like why the bracelet and would he still be chasing after her if things were different. Griffin didn’t have any good answers. But what really set me OOOOOFF was that post where he discreetly took a picture of Sophie in the gas station check out line and captioned it, “Glad I can be here for my girl.”

MY GIRL!!!

YOUR GIRL!!!!!!!!!

We Talking about the SAME GIRL!!!!!?

HOW DARE YOU!!!

What kind of sicko takes a picture of someone at a gas station and calls her his girl and uses this whole hospital situation as a way to sound like a good person. YOU ARE NOT!

Yes, hello, Instagram I would like to report a post 🤪

Darn, if I was Sophie, I would have slapped him.

But no, she doesn’t even rage at him, but then he says:

“Things are always so serious with you. You didn’t use to be like this.”

(pg 260)

Which goes back to that whole thing of Sophie being this before and after version that everyone knew. The thing I liked was that Sophie didn’t take it negatively this time in knowing she did lose her self and that she needed to focus on herself to find the parts she lost when consumed by Griffin. When a girl or a guy finds that type of empowerment in one’s self, I think it’s such a beautiful thing and I’m truly happy Sophie finally called a quits with him.

A few days later Griffin posted a campfire picture with a girl with all fire emojis. I mean, how lame can you be Griffin.

December 29: Uncle Michael/Uncle Sal’s Pick

Blind date name: Jason

Occasion: Bowling

So Uncle Sal and Uncle Michael had to both come up with ideas for this one and the whole family could bet which date Sophie should go on. Uncle Sal’s idea was cooking and Uncle Michale’s idea was bowling. Bowling one.

But this wasn’t any kind of bowling, I think it was the best type of bowling I have ever heard of: Cosplay bowling.

I’m not much of a bowling fan, but how FUN does cosplay bowling sound?!

I liked all the different teams that were there and how punny it was to bowling references. Wes, Olivia, and Charlie were Grease themes as Pin Ladies and T-Balls; Uncle Michael, Jason, Sophie, and others were Game of Thrones themed as Team Lane-ister; and there was Team Gutt-er- Done. I highly appreciated all the puns.

I thought it was kind of funny when Jason first met Sophie, he thought that she was Sara, so the whole date, he was more interested in Sara. It was cute though because as Jason was pinning for Sara, Sophie was pinning for Wes (bowling pun intended).

Of course, Wes had to do the classic, let me demonstrate it for you move that all men seem to have because naturally Sophie would suck at bowling and would need a strong, burly man’s help. So Wes came to the rescue and showed her how to swing the ball and with his guidance and proximity, he was able to help her actually score something. Clichéd, but it was cute because I like them together

December 30: Papa’s Pick

Blind date name: Peter

Occasion: Nonna’s Birthday Party

Well, it was supposed to be Peter, but he got sick so there really was no date.

I was SOOOOOO disappointed when Sophie got ready for the date and the Papa opened the door and Wes was standing there, and the Papa was like, “Wes, what are you doing here?”

STOP TEASING ME Ashley Elston!

For a second I thought the Papa actually nailed this one and chose the right date. I guess wrong. If only it was Wes. But Wes couldn’t be her date because Laurel was going to this party. Who invited her?

The party wasn’t a complete bust because at least Laurel left and Wes decided to dance with Sophie. It was super cute how they were flirting in subtle ways about how they both broke it off with the people they were with. For Wes, he said how he wished it were him who were on all these dates with her and that’s not something you say just to a friend. I also liked how Olivia was so cool about Wes and Sophie and tried to actively push them together to spend time together.

December 31: Nonna’s Pick

Blind date name: Free Choice

Occasion: Dallas Concert

The best for last, right?

I really thought Nonna was going to come through with this last date in choosing Wes for her. She teased us at first in saying how she found Sophie a date after she claimed to have been at the nursing home. Can we stop to mention, how I absolutely loved it whenever the Nonna would randomly ask teenage boys if they wanted to go out with her granddaughter and Sophie would be there in the most embarrassing of circumstances. Can’t forget when she was at the grocery store and had adult diapers and hemorrhoid cream in her basket 😂

If I’m being honest, kind of anticlimactic to lead up to this last big date and to have the Nonna let Sophie chose who she wanted. I think it would have been much cuter if she naturally set her up with Wes the boy she wanted to be with, but I think maybe Ashley Elston knew the reader was going to expect that, so she let Sophie chose as a way to represent her independence in how far she’s come.

This last date was perfect as it was spent with family, her best friend, and the boy she was in love with all this time. Sure took them long enough to actually act on it. I was kind of surprised how Wes proclaimed how he loved Sophie ever since they were little and how he was the one who wrote her that note saying he liked the cookies she baked. I guess, he knew it then but just bidded his time until it was right.

Their still not officially boyfriend and girlfriend, but maybe they’re figuring it out. I still think they should be ain a formal relationship because of how good they are for each other, but I can only hope for that. As I said, as much as this book was about dating all these boys, it was about family.

Ultimately, Sophie chose her family in spending the weekends with Charlie and Olivia so she could see them more. I loved how she recognized how much she missed them and knew she needed to be with them, so she made that happen. I think there’s something very humbling and wholesome about that.

I also need to talk about Margot and the family she started with Anna Sophie.

Where do I even begin with Margot?

LOVE HER! ❤️

I absolutely loved the sisterly banter texts that she would have with Sophie. It’s so like a sister to send a picture of her swollen toes while pregnant and to always bug Sophie for pictures of her recent dates. I also liked when they would tease each other because Margot couldn’t eat all these unhealthy foods while pregnant, but Sophie would text her that she would be eating Nonna’s cake and all these things that she knew Margot would want to eat. Their relationship was overall really cute and the love Sophie has for Margot really shows. They are literally sooo close and I think that’s such beautiful relationship to have with a sister. I know I’m not too close with my sister where we talk all the time, but sometimes I wish we were.

Margot was going through some tough pregnancy complications with contractions and everything, and during all the dates Margot gave birth in the hospital in an emergency C-section to a premature baby. When this part happened, what kind of threw me off was how the mom literally told Sophie five seconds ago that Margot was going to give brith and that she would update Sophie, but then like five seconds later, the mom’s like, it’s a girl! That was a quick update! It’s like they ripped the baby out of Margot 😳 Not a pretty picture.

But I thought the baby’s name was a testament to how close Margot is with Sophie in naming her Anna Sophie.

It hurt my heart that Anna was hooked to all those ventilation tubes and things like that because I think when people imagine a birth, they just think a baby pops out and everything’s fine, but it’s sooooooo much HARDER and sooooooo much more than that. And I give credit and have the ABSOLUTE MOST respect for any mother in knowing giving birth is not an easy thing to do, so KUDDO’s to you! I mean that. I feel like it’s hard for any mother, let alone a first time mother too, to see their baby hooked up to all those ventilation tubes and my heart ached for Margot because I could feel that.

I also felt hurt because Margot was so weak during this time and Sophie could feel that from miles away. So on her two free days—–Christmas Eve and Christmas Day——she drove with Olivia, Charlie, and Wes to sneak in and see Margot because every part of Sophie knew she needed to see and be there for her sister. Sophie promised she would be there when she gave birth and I love how she honored that. If there’s one thing Sophie is, it’s family orientated. I loved the sweet moment where she lied down with Margot on the bed and she secretly confided in her that she liked Wes. I give props to Margot for actually being awake and having that energy given how tired she was. But I thought it was sweet how she gave her sister the reassurance that she was there for her.

The Nonna knew they snuck out on Christmas Eve to the hospital even though they weren’t supposed to, but Christmas itself was a fun occasion for all of them. But Sophie was still worried about Margot and Anna’s health. Anna was still on the ventilation and Margot could barely move. That has to be hard to see the people you love in that way. Sophie was constantly worried and I just loved that things genuinely got better for Margot and Anna when things seemed to get better with Sophie—–such a good parallel. I think Sophie needed to get her closure with Griffin so that things could get better for everyone. Margot had a blood transfusion that gave her energy and Anna weaned off the tubes so that she was okay.

Backtrack though to how during Griffin’s “date,” where Sophie went to visit Margot again, there was this one part where she blew up at Olivia and Olivia her in saying how they though each other were pushing the other away. Again, the needed to really talk that out to see where both were coming from and I liked the cute surprise where the whole family was at the hospital in support of Margot, Anna, and Sophie. It was just nice seeing the family as a whole and how Sophie’s mom was with her sister (Sophie’s Aunt), and all the cousins were there. I don’t know, I’m a sucker for a good family plot.

But family really was the glue in this book and I liked the little epilogue where Sophie was trying back home, talking to Margot on the phone like old times, but this time Anna was screaming in the background because she was a healthy, happy baby. I liked how Sophie made time for her family and Wes and that she was getting through school.

I think all of us can relate to Sophie in feeling so consumed by people in our life that we change who we are to the point where we don’t know our own selves. But we all need to take a step back and ask ourselves if this is who we are. You know who can help us do that?

Family.

That’s why we spend so much time with family during the holidays because during the school or work year, we are all so consumed with work and trying to be the best boss, best worker, best student, that we don’t give ourselves time to be the best person. And self-care is so important in our growth. When it’s the holidays, we say bye-bye to school or work for the most part so that we can spend time with family to be grounded in who we are when we get so lost in the chaos of it all. I know I love the holidays for that reason too because being a college student isn’t easy and when I was in a dark place last year as a freshman in college, the holidays was my breath of fresh air where I relished every moment with my family in knowing those were the moment and the people that matter.

Make time for family today and everyday and to know that the crazy comes from the love.

If you read this book, wha twas your favorite part? Least favorite part? What was your favorite blind date? Let me know below in the comments as I love hearing from you all 💕

I hope you have a beautiful day whenever and wherever you might be reading this. Happy holidays to whatever you celebrate❤️

And as always, with love,

Rating

4.87 Full Bloom Flowers

Characters: Sophie finds empowerment within the span of this book and it’s refreshing to see how she grew from someone so fragile to so strong. And we gotta love Hundred Hands Harold, but definitely not the Evil Joe’s

Plot: I really enjoyed the all the cute, simple dates and how they were all so different and fun in what they brought. They were all very meaningful in helping Sophie grow and figure things out for herself. I think that Ashley Elston also did well on weaving the Wes love plot and the Margot baby plot in the background.

Writing: My first book from Ashley Elston and definitely not my last 😊

Romance: I was always rooting for Wes, since the moment he walked into this whole crazy 10 blind dates thing. It was him all along, but there were so really sweet guys Sophie also went on a date with and if there were spin off books with them, that would be really cute. I also loved the kinship of the family.