Review of Mint to Be (Scratch & Sniff Cover Edition) by Katie Cicatelli-Kuc
When I first caught wind of Mint to Be, the premise immediately piqued my interest. A festive narrative interwoven with tension among best friends and a budding romance during the Christmas season? Sign me up! I could already envision a cozy reading nook adorned with twinkling lights, a warm mug of cocoa in hand, eagerly diving into the pages penned by Katie Cicatelli-Kuc. However, as I gradually worked my way through the story, the excitement fizzled, leaving me with a rather underwhelming reading experience.
Tucked Behind the Plot
At its heart, Mint to Be revolves around Emma and Aiden, two childhood friends whose dynamic shifts as they navigate the complexities of young adulthood amid holiday cheer. Emma, ever the optimist and planner, dreams of escaping her small town and the ties that bind her there. Meanwhile, Aiden appears to be the cautious romantic, yet he perpetually reaffirms the phrase, “It’s just how my family is,” to a degree that felt repetitive rather than endearing. I found myself longing for depth in both characters, something that often materializes when plot tension simmers.
The pacing felt off-kilter; the romance didn’t truly kick off until it was almost too late, leaving me yearning for more development. By the time Emma divulged her feelings for Aiden, I struggled to resonate with the chemistry of their connection. It was hard to fathom Aiden’s feelings for Emma when she had previously been rather unkind, stifling the believability of their relationship.
Challenges Within the Writing Style
One aspect that proved distracting was the writing style itself. I couldn’t help but notice the overuse of exclamation points—seriously, they were on nearly every page! This excess punctuated enthusiasm undermined the emotional weight of pivotal moments, diverting my attention away from the unfolding narrative. I found myself mentally tallying the interruptions instead of immersing in the plot.
Emma’s character possessed some fun quirks, like her penchant for spewing facts when anxious, but I often felt that she behaved more like a middle schooler despite being seventeen. Aiden, on the other hand, initially portrayed as complex, quickly became a flat note. His rapid forgiveness of Emma after moments of conflict lacked the necessary character growth typically expected from a YA romance.
Final Thoughts: A Bittersweet Farewell
Overall, I sincerely wished for more from Mint to Be. The charming holiday backdrop carried so much potential, but I felt it was overshadowed by pacing issues and character inconsistencies. For those who enjoy light-hearted, cozy reads and are drawn to stories about friendship and young love, this book might provide a sweet escape. However, if you seek layered character development and deeper emotional arcs, you might find yourself as disappointed as I was.
As I closed this book, I couldn’t help but reflect: perhaps this holiday season is more about connections than grand, sweeping romances, and while Mint to Be didn’t quite deliver what I had hoped for, it still reminded me to search for joy in the simple moments—after all, that’s the essence of the season. Thank you, Katie Cicatelli-Kuc, for sharing this attempt at a heartwarming narrative, even if it didn’t fully resonate with my expectations.
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