Review: Holding Out for a Holiday Hero by Cynthia Eden
As a long-time fan of Cynthia Eden, I was immediately drawn to Holding Out for a Holiday Hero as soon as it hit the shelves. Her knack for weaving suspense and romance has provided me with countless enjoyable reads over the years. So, you can imagine my dismay when, for the first time ever, I found myself unable to finish one of her books.
Holding Out for a Holiday Hero introduces us to Jake Hale, a tough bounty hunter, and True Blakely, the girl who once captured his teenage heart. When True walks into his office, seeking help after a series of alarming accidents—and, strangely, a dead body under her Christmas tree—the stage is set for a thrilling encounter. At least, that’s how it felt on paper. In practice, however, the chemistry between the characters left me more frustrated than intrigued.
From the very beginning, the characterization felt off. Jake and True’s supposed connection hinged on a vague high school crush, yet their interactions screamed “strangers” rather than the second chance romance I expected. Jake often came off as crass, and while I appreciate a good banter-filled dialogue, I found their exchanges more jarring than flirtatious. True’s seemingly impulsive reactions—like sprinting towards Jake after hearing about his tough upbringing—read as exaggerated and made me question the authenticity of their chemistry.
Is it just me, or did the physicality feel far too rushed? True’s touchy-feely behavior felt out of place for two people who hardly knew each other, and Jake’s reluctance to step back from what should have been an awkward reunion didn’t sit well with me. With True diving into Jake’s personal life just an hour into their reunion, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was being rushed through a relationship that deserved more depth and exploration.
And let’s not forget the Santa subplot that felt tacked on. The idea of Jake being the only available man to don the red suit just didn’t work for me. Surely there were other options? The lack of believability in this plot device added to my growing list of frustrations, ultimately making me decide to DNF at the 30% mark.
In terms of writing style, while Eden’s signature suspense was present, the pacing felt uneven. It was as if the story was determined to race ahead without allowing us to savor the builds that typically make her work so enjoyable.
While I can’t help but lament not finishing what I had hoped would be another favorite, I genuinely think Holding Out for a Holiday Hero might still resonate with readers who prefer their holiday romances brimming with adrenaline and immediate connections. If you’re a fan of fast-paced stories that don’t linger too long on the nuances of character development, this could indeed be a delightful read for you.
As for me, I’ll be keeping an eye out for Eden’s next book—after all, every author has their off days, and I still believe in her incredible talent!
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