Squishy Tulips

Grace & Henry's Holiday Movie Marathon by Matthew Norman (Adult Fiction)

This book was such a joy to read.  Each time I sat down to read it I checked how many pages I had left just to reassure myself it wasn't ending.  And as I neared the end of the book I stopped checking, because it started wrapping up at just the right moment.  I enjoyed the banter and rapport shared by the two main characters but also all their relationships with family and friends.  The humor was just my style of humor, and I didn't mind when Grace's comments teetered into hypocrisy.  She had a lot of snarky comments about gender-shaming in the holiday movies but kept referring to Henry's beverage choice as his "lady wine."

Grace and Henry had a fair amount in common - they both lost their spouses, had jobs they loved, strong connections with their families, and an obvious love for Christmas movies (see title), but they were completely different in other ways.  Henry did not have kids, was unable to even return to the home he had shared with his wife, and was on an extended leave from his job due to his loss.  Grace had kids who she was trying to be strong for, handled her grief with snark and dark humor, and talked to her dead husband to help cope with her loss.  

It took me only a few pages before I started reading bits to my husband.  He was initially horrified that a rom com could come from the shared grief of two people who lost their spouses, but I eventually won him over.  We had a few interesting conversations too while reading this book.  And even though we each have our plans for how we will deal with the loss of one another, we both know grief will have the final say.  The best we can hope for is the ability to haunt each other.

This book is for anyone who

* needs a good laugh
* is a fan of dogs and children
* loves holiday movies
* gets a little down during the holidays OR loves the holidays
* enjoys snark and dark humor
* is ok with a little cursing
* is looking for something lower in spice

Quotes I jotted down:

"Most of all, though, I know that when a girl asks a question, she's really asking several, like Russian dolls nested together."

TRUTH!

One of my favorite character relationships is between Henry and his brother Cal, who is NOT afraid to express emotion.  This is Cal talking to Henry:

"'I love you, by the way.  Okay, just be yourself - but maybe a little better.'"