Holidays can be tough for some people, especially if you recently lost a loved one. For Beverly, it’s going to be a very tough Thanksgiving: her husband died earlier in the year, her house has to be tented for termites, and she’s forced to stay at her daughter’s in-law’s house for the week. Tom is a curmudgeon – a recluse, grumpy, and antisocial. For him, having Beverly at his house is a challenge. He wants to break her out of her shell and help her find how to live again. Will they push each other too far before the big day, or will this be a Thanksgiving to remember?
Apples Should be Red is a cute Thanksgiving-themed novella from Penny Watson. Released in 2014, this acclaimed book is a great way to get in the holiday spirit this week. Watson is known for her romcom works like Lumberjack in Love or the Klaus Brothers series and brings the same humor and romance to this novella. With just 86 pages, this is a great option to read on the ride to see your family or with a cup of coffee first thing on Thanksgiving morning.
I give Apples Should be Red 4 out of 5 stars. I loved the age of these characters – I’m almost at this age myself with a daughter almost the age of Beverly’s daughter. I appreciate the way Watson crafted Beverly to be controlled in the only areas that she has ever had control over – planning meals and taking care of her family. I also appreciate the way Watson crafted Tom to have almost a double life – the curmudgeon to the outside world and the careful creator in his personal space. It’s a reminder that not everything has to go to our plans this holiday season and to be more mindful of the plans of others. I did feel like some aspects of their romance moved a bit too fast to the point where it took on a Hallmark movie quality. With that said, this was the perfect early morning read for me this weekend.
If you enjoyed Janet Evanovich’s Thanksgiving back in 2022, you will love this one. I would also recommend this for anyone who is having a hard time letting go this holiday, or who is venturing into their first holiday season alone. With references to sex, I would recommend this to readers over 16, but it is a cute read for adults of all ages.
I chose Apples Should be Red for the Read With Lindsey Reading Challenge prompt “Thanksgiving”. Last year, I chose a nonfiction book for this prompt, but I was looking to get back to something a little lighter this year. A lot like when I read Thanksgiving a few years ago, I found myself on the couch with a hot cup of coffee, a warm blanket, and reading this book in one sitting on an early morning.
Happy Thanksgiving Week, friends! Wishing you safe travels if you’re on the road, and happy memories with those you love this week!
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- Current print book: An Island of Suspects, Jean-Luc Bannalec
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