A Funny, Heartwarming Cross-Cultural Romance

Another well done piece in word and in performance by the incomparable E. J. Noyes and Abby Craden. This dynamic duo, honestly..!! BRILLZ. We listeners/readers of their work really lucked out. Grateful.

This holiday-themed but uniquely told story is funny especially in the beginning. It's heartwarming, whichever way you see it. It's a refreshing cross-cultural romance wrapped in holiday feels. This time, Noyes/Craden bring in a taste of festivity in the breath of family [drama] (in all shapes and forms), AND, to my [personal] joy, a delightfully scrumptious dose of.... DEUTSCH! Ja!

Craden really hits it out of the park speaking English with a heavy German accent! Not just here and there but all throughout the entire story! Well, because the character, Annika, a native German through and through, occupies one-half of the entire story! The constant back-and-forth accent switch between American and German? That's no small feat for a vocal performer! I must say, it flowed so effortlessly smooth like it was nothing! Honestly! Abby Craden SLAYS. GUT GEMACHT!!

Obviously, my fave is Anni(ka)! Hands. Down.

Go listen to it. It's a MUST, imho.

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I also highly recommend you read the book. It's Noyes. It's a no-brainer. Anyway, here's what I have to say about it... (it's on Amazon and Goodreads)..

As usual, Noyes' storytelling always delves into the inner psyche of her MCs with staggeringly poignant, at times, brutally honest, take on her character(s)' emotive response(s) and behavioural characteristics stemming from causality. Emotional trauma. It's another case study of emotional/psychological trauma for Evie's journey. But, the difference, this time, in this particulary story, is the environment it's immersed in. It's the magic spell that is the ever-festive X'mas holiday season. Despite the apparently melancholic, regretful feeling of Evie's trauma (backstory), Noyes managed to navigate her journey (with the influence of Anni) of letting go, forgiveness and reconciliation in the spirit of the holiday season with poise and authenticity, making everything, when it all came together, feel all warm and cosy. It's like drinking a cuppa delicious hot chocolate with marshmallows on top. It's like wrapping yourself with a warm blanket. Blissfully warm and cozy. These words that I wouldn't normally use to describe Noyes' stories. This story is an exception to the rule because it is quite different than her other ones. But in a very good and joyous way!

All in all, reading Noyes' words and listening to Craden deconstruct them with such vocally visual precision, the characters simply spring to life right before your eyes, your mind's eye, and before you know it, you feel like you're observing them and experiencing their journeys IRL! This story told in the spirit of the holidays is personable, relatable and resonates, and at the end of it, it'll make you feel the joy, the peace, the tranquility, wrapped in the all-encompassing heartwarming feel that is love!

Go read it. Go listen to it. Immerse in Noye's lyrical rhythm with Craden's visual vocals. It's a MUST. IMHO.

A ticklish moment [for me]:
Imagine my utter surprise (pleasant) when another fave author of mine suddenly "appeared" in Noyes' story!! Say wot?!! Oh yeh, what a lovely shoutout nugget to let slip in there! Right in the midst of Evie and Anni's cosy lil' romantic journey, no less! I know what you did there, mate! I SEE you, Noyes! Brillz! Well done! Luv it!!
(Psst! This particular author has her book coming out SOON which is going to be a doozy!! Yaaas!)

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