What do you think?
Rate this book
Holly Jolly Summer
Four huge disasters,
Three months of tourists,
Two gorgeous boys,
And a partridge in a palm tree
In this lighthearted beach read about family, friendship, and fa-la-la, it's up to lovestruck teen Darby to save the spirit of a Southern town called Christmas.
Christmas, Kentucky, is a summer tourist destination known for its holiday-themed shops, ornament-sprouting potted palms, giant Snow Globe display, and cheerful residents—including the mayor's daughter, fifteen-year-old Darby Peacher. But as Darby stumbles her way into a job at the town's run-down amusement park, Holly Jolly Land, her summer quickly goes from merry to miserable: the boy of Christmas present is absent, a boy of Christmas past is her supervisor, and the town seems to be losing its cheer as it strives to become more commercial. As she tries to sort out her love life, Darby grows positively Scroogey until she gets wrapped up in reinventing Holly Jolly Land—and the town—as the wonderlands they once were.
Three months of tourists,
Two gorgeous boys,
And a partridge in a palm tree
In this lighthearted beach read about family, friendship, and fa-la-la, it's up to lovestruck teen Darby to save the spirit of a Southern town called Christmas.
Christmas, Kentucky, is a summer tourist destination known for its holiday-themed shops, ornament-sprouting potted palms, giant Snow Globe display, and cheerful residents—including the mayor's daughter, fifteen-year-old Darby Peacher. But as Darby stumbles her way into a job at the town's run-down amusement park, Holly Jolly Land, her summer quickly goes from merry to miserable: the boy of Christmas present is absent, a boy of Christmas past is her supervisor, and the town seems to be losing its cheer as it strives to become more commercial. As she tries to sort out her love life, Darby grows positively Scroogey until she gets wrapped up in reinventing Holly Jolly Land—and the town—as the wonderlands they once were.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published May 29, 2018
About the author
Tiffany Stewart
4 books11 followersTiffany Stewart has been writing stories about teenagers since she was eight and realized teenagers are the coolest people on the planet. Now, she has an eight year old son who is writing stories of his own and a nineteen year old step-daughter who is the coolest person on the planet.
When she's not writing, you can find her spending time with her extremely good-looking husband, amazing kids, and stubborn mini schnauzer in Tennessee. You may find her at a Tennessee Titans game, screaming like a madwoman. Or you might spot her sitting on the floor of a bookstore, half hidden by a tower of books. Or you can find her at church, where she hangs with her friends. Or on her front porch. She loves her front porch.
Tiffany's debut novel, HOLLY JOLLY SUMMER, hits shelves May 29th, 2018.
When she's not writing, you can find her spending time with her extremely good-looking husband, amazing kids, and stubborn mini schnauzer in Tennessee. You may find her at a Tennessee Titans game, screaming like a madwoman. Or you might spot her sitting on the floor of a bookstore, half hidden by a tower of books. Or you can find her at church, where she hangs with her friends. Or on her front porch. She loves her front porch.
Tiffany's debut novel, HOLLY JOLLY SUMMER, hits shelves May 29th, 2018.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
August 22, 2017
Tiffany Stewart has spewed vile on Twitter blatantly saying that they need to build a wall to keep liberals out (i,e all the black and brown people)
So This Donald Trump voting bigot won't be getting one black ass dollar from me
So This Donald Trump voting bigot won't be getting one black ass dollar from me
December 24, 2016
Ok: this is what I wrote on November 16th.
Nah, I'm good.
Tiffany has a political agenda that's divisive and alienates her core readers - e.g. she thinks building a wall down North Dakota is a grand idea. I have other authors I'd prefer to support.
***
This is what I have to say now:
Tiffany's a bigot, full stop. Her racism has only become even more overt and pathetic as time has gone on, and she's displayed a shocking amount of Islamaphobia on Twitter.
I can't recommend her; stay far away from her. Also, Macmillan: shame on you for enabling this racist.
Nah, I'm good.
Tiffany has a political agenda that's divisive and alienates her core readers - e.g. she thinks building a wall down North Dakota is a grand idea. I have other authors I'd prefer to support.
***
This is what I have to say now:
Tiffany's a bigot, full stop. Her racism has only become even more overt and pathetic as time has gone on, and she's displayed a shocking amount of Islamaphobia on Twitter.
I can't recommend her; stay far away from her. Also, Macmillan: shame on you for enabling this racist.
December 24, 2016
If you don't support/respect all minorities in 2016, you shouldn't be writing for teenagers.
-A Teen
-A Teen
Read
November 10, 2016Fevered Trump supporter. Pass on this, love. I know the book sounds good but don't do it.
Read
November 16, 2016Due to insensitive, racist comments by the author, I won't be reading or supporting this. I hope other people consider the same.
Read
March 6, 2017This book is gonna be extremely racist if the author's personal twitter account is any indication.
December 24, 2016
I honestly don't have to open the cover to know this is poor people hick Appalachian porn.
Shelved as 'will-never-read'
January 20, 2017Tiffany has expressed racist, bigoted, and Islamophobic views on her Twitter that I do not condone or want to support with my reading.
December 23, 2016
I will not support an author who wants to build a wall to keep liberals out. She does not deserve the support of the bookish community!!
Shelved as 'for-want-of-a-happy-ending'
December 24, 2016Author is a rampant Trump supporter so no.
July 1, 2018
Don't be fooled they renamed this it's still by the same Trump bigot who wanted to build a wall to keep liberals out after the election.
December 24, 2016
Putting this one on my 'oh fuck no' list because I will not and cannot in good conscience support a bigot who promotes islamophobia and openly supports political candidates who advocate for the harm of people of colour as well as lgbtqa people of all races. That is not someone who should be writing for anyone, much less teenagers.
July 19, 2020
I thought it was super cute! It was such a fun read. I will admit that it's a little cheesy sometimes but it was the perfect, quick summer read. It made me really want Christmas to come sooner! Holly Jolly Summer doesn't deserve the rating that it has. I thought it was a really good debut novel.
Shelved as 'no-thank-you'
April 18, 2018I missed the terrible things with this book the first time it was slated for publication, but now I guess it's back? It's interesting to note that Kirkus, which has been trying to draw attention to diversity in YA & Children's books recently in a positive way, says: "Darby is white, and there is a lot of diversity in the secondary characters (the town is described as being among the most diverse in the state)" in their 4/15/18 edition.
I just side-eyed so hard that I think I sprained something. What the actual what.
I just side-eyed so hard that I think I sprained something. What the actual what.
December 22, 2017
Somehow I'd missed hearing about this author's very damaging political beliefs prior to reading this book. While the story is ok, i did receive a digital galley, and would definitely not feel comfortable buying a copy of her book and supporting her bigoted views. In the future I will be steering clear of any books written by her.
June 2, 2018
This is such a cute book!!! It was a great easy read and I think perfect for any teenager (or adult!!). Who doesn’t love Christmas??! The author did a great job of making the characters and town come to life! I almost feel like I could go find these folks in Kentucky!
December 23, 2016
I am normally not the type of person to review a book I have not read, but I refuse to put my money towards this future release.
Shelved as 'will-never-read'
December 24, 2016I refuse to read a book written by someone who spews such blatant hatred as this author does. It's sad to me that she writes for teens.
January 11, 2017
a big o'l fuck no to this
April 26, 2018
No.
Just no.
There are many wonderful authors out there who are not raging racists...so I'd rather support them instead.
Just no.
There are many wonderful authors out there who are not raging racists...so I'd rather support them instead.
April 28, 2021
3.5 stars I would love to live in this town 😊
October 18, 2020
I was in the middle for this one. I liked it at points and I really didn't at others. My review is not based on what the author has said/done.
PARENT NOTE: This one is very clean. Nothing bad in this one!
AGE RECOMMENDATION: 4-6/10 (check my profile for how I rate!!!)
ROMANCE: Clean!
VIOLENCE/BLOOD: None!
Follow/Friend me for more reviews like this! Happy reading! I am also always looking for recommendations! -Ruby
PARENT NOTE: This one is very clean. Nothing bad in this one!
AGE RECOMMENDATION: 4-6/10 (check my profile for how I rate!!!)
ROMANCE: Clean!
VIOLENCE/BLOOD: None!
Follow/Friend me for more reviews like this! Happy reading! I am also always looking for recommendations! -Ruby
Read
February 6, 2018Surprise! I'm not a reviewer who rates a book based on an author's political views. I'd like to read it first. There's a longer synopsis on Edelweiss and it sounds cute.
September 9, 2018
I received this as an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Darby lives in the town of Christmas, Kentucky. It is just her and her father, who is the mayor of the town. Darby is her father's right hand helper, until she is caught smooching in front of the whole town at the annual life-size snow globe unveiling. With the town getting additional attention because of their recent feature in a national travel magazine, Darby is forced to find something to do far away from the mayor's office. She gets a job at the local amusement park, where her ex-friend/crush becomes her boss. Darby is left cleaning up vomit and pining away for the guy she was caught kissing in the snow globe. However, while he is away at camp, Darby is growing into her new amusement park life, developing new friends and perhaps new crushes.
I have to admit, this book was cute. I wasn't completely turned off by the town of Christmas, in fact it doesn't sound like a terrible place to visit. I do wish the author had more time to develop and explain character backstories and interactions. I wanted there to be more interaction between the amusement park crush and Darby with her father. I think another 100 pages could have accomplished that. This is a pleasant beach read, that wraps up quickly with a nice little bow.
Darby lives in the town of Christmas, Kentucky. It is just her and her father, who is the mayor of the town. Darby is her father's right hand helper, until she is caught smooching in front of the whole town at the annual life-size snow globe unveiling. With the town getting additional attention because of their recent feature in a national travel magazine, Darby is forced to find something to do far away from the mayor's office. She gets a job at the local amusement park, where her ex-friend/crush becomes her boss. Darby is left cleaning up vomit and pining away for the guy she was caught kissing in the snow globe. However, while he is away at camp, Darby is growing into her new amusement park life, developing new friends and perhaps new crushes.
I have to admit, this book was cute. I wasn't completely turned off by the town of Christmas, in fact it doesn't sound like a terrible place to visit. I do wish the author had more time to develop and explain character backstories and interactions. I wanted there to be more interaction between the amusement park crush and Darby with her father. I think another 100 pages could have accomplished that. This is a pleasant beach read, that wraps up quickly with a nice little bow.
December 28, 2021
Before I read this book, I was never really into reading. But when my aunt gifted me this book I was so grateful because I was struggling to find a book that got me loving reading!! I think it is a real page turner! I couldn’t put it down! Unfortunately, I had to because of school though. And I cannot believe the ignorance of some of the reviewers just “pass the book” because of their political beliefs compared to the authors. Anyway, I think this book is perfect for any teen!
July 19, 2022
What a pleasant surprise! This was such a great little story with lots of fun and so much heart! I picked this book about a town named Christmas to answer a challenge and I’m so glad I did.
December 28, 2020
A fun seasonal romp with some romance and lots of Christmas. Also, kudos to the author for Darby's creative swear words/ phrases as well as a sweet father/ daughter relationship where no divorce was involved.
Too bad most of the reviewers here engaged in religious discrimination, purposely rated it low, and missed out on a good book.
Too bad most of the reviewers here engaged in religious discrimination, purposely rated it low, and missed out on a good book.
July 8, 2019
Not as bad as I thought it was going to be. It was cute.
March 20, 2018
Reviewed for professional publication.
February 21, 2021
After a mishap turns the dad-devoted mayor's daughter to custodial work at the dilapidated christmas-style theme park, one girls' summer becomes a fast and funny adventure through relationships, friendships and a "save the the theme park" story.
Author Tiffany Stewart perfectly comprehends and shares the mentality of teenagers in dialogue, thought-process, naivety, and deed. The adults featured are just as descriptive in word, look and behavior, from the unsure dad of a mayor to the widower theme-park owner veteran.
A fun fast read for summer or winter time, a charming glimpse into teen jobs, honest depictions of the hard-labour side of "not-so-glamorous" jobs and the power of friendship, loyalty and being your true Misfit self, makes this light-hearted self-discovery rom com a keeper.
Author Tiffany Stewart perfectly comprehends and shares the mentality of teenagers in dialogue, thought-process, naivety, and deed. The adults featured are just as descriptive in word, look and behavior, from the unsure dad of a mayor to the widower theme-park owner veteran.
A fun fast read for summer or winter time, a charming glimpse into teen jobs, honest depictions of the hard-labour side of "not-so-glamorous" jobs and the power of friendship, loyalty and being your true Misfit self, makes this light-hearted self-discovery rom com a keeper.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews