Book Review: “Rebel Without a Claus” (The Tink Holly Chronicles #1) by Abigail Drake 

Book Review: “Rebel Without a Claus” (The Tink Holly Chronicles, #1) by Abigail Drake (2021)

Genre: Holiday, Fiction

Audiobook Length: 7 hours

Synopsis:

Christmas elf Tinklebelle Holly is a screwup. Demoted to a job in the reindeer division after one infraction too many, she hates her job, hates her life, and despises the North Pole.

But when a surprise visitor arrives from Elven High Council, and Tink is assigned to show him around, everything changes. Jax Grayson is a dark elf, and unlike anyone, she’s ever met. Looking past his obvious hotness, Tink knows he has a secret, and the audit he’s supposedly performing doesn’t feel legit.

After an unexpected tragedy occurs, Tink’s life is thrown into even greater turmoil, and it seems like Jax might be the only one Tink can truly trust. Can she help him figure out what’s happening on the North Pole, or will Jax be her worst mistake of all?

Review:

Filled with Christmas puns galore? ✔️

Holiday hijinks and wackiness? ✔️

A murder mystery that needs to be solved? ✔️

A narrator/main character that makes reading this novel one big festive adventure? ✔️

Rebel Without a Claus was a joy to read from beginning to end. Following the main character, Tink, readers are taken through life at the North Pole through the eyes of someone who’s not really a big Christmas fan (hence her sarcastic comments on some of the elves’ zany Christmas traditions). However, when a tragedy occurs, it’s up to Tink and Jax to team up to solve the murder mystery before it’s too late. But who is behind the crime?

What I enjoyed about this book is that it puts a fun magical spin on all the holiday things we know and love in order to give it a fresh perspective. It was thoroughly entertaining to read about all the yummy Christmas treats, the somewhat naught reindeers behavior, gruff elves, and interacting with all the people ink encounters on a regular basis. I loved the amateur sleuth persona that Tink takes on to solve the case and which makes her even more enjoyable as a character. She’s loud, says, sarcastic, and does everything else typical elves aren’t supposed to be like. Her witty humor alone made me like her character and laugh along with the story constantly

I like that the book balances between the feelings of a holiday novel, cozy mystery, and even gives us a little bit of romance. The blend of genres gives readers a mix of everything within the plot and the smooth pace of the story keeps readers hooked. Most of all the narration, brought Tink and the entire to life! I was hooked immediately into the story and could not wait to read the next chapter. This book was such a delight to listen to!

Final Verdict:

FTC Disclaimer: I received this book from Books Forward in exchange for a fair and honest review.