the last sentence in a synopsis is useless (a rant)

I'm willing to grant you that this is one of my pettiest pet peeves, sure. But today I opened up Goodreads and felt my little Grinch heart shrinking 3 sizes.

Why? Because Goodreads released a list of holiday-themed reads! And since I haven't heard of nearly any of these titles, I found myself expanding a lot of synopses back to back.

Now, I definitely don't envy synopsis writers their job. It's a big ask to condense all the most interesting elements of a book into a bite-sized pitch to draw in a reader from nothing, and without spoiling any of the book.

However I also really really hate most synopses. Especially the last sentence. It's something I've ranted about to Mr. Shelf before (I am who I am 😌) but I just don't get it. So often this final sentence is a cliche or a question or trails off into an ellipses and almost 100% of the time it adds nothing to the pitch.

This is an example of one I don't hate.

The Christmas Crush

"When a cookie competition makes them join forces, sparks fly, and they’re both forced to decide just what price they’re willing to pay to reach their goals."

It sums up the main plot of the book and leaves me with a sense of what I'll be picking up should I choose to read it.

I wish I could say the same for the rest of the list.

So join me in my Scrooge era as I present to you the final sentence in the synopsis of the rest* of that Goodreads list.

*it's only a little less than the third of the rest of the list. I got bored! and wanted to pull my hairs out a little! these sentences are so filled with nothing that it sends me into a tiny rage, lol. but you're welcome to check out the others here: https://www.goodreads.com/blog/show/2796-tis-the-season-for-brand-new-holiday-themed-reading?ref=Soapbox_2024_Nov_Blog_2796

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A Jingle Bell Mingle

"And with these two opposites under one roof, there’s no way this jingle bell mingle could go off script…right?"

All I Want Is You

"Jess can't shake the feeling that Nick is the last guy on earth she should be falling for (again), but, as they both finally get back in their flow, is he actually all she wants for Christmas?"

The Christmas Countdown

"As they strike a deal to do the activities together, could the twenty four little doors on Callie’s Advent calendar not only open up one, but two closed-off hearts?"

Christmas in Spite of You

"With dramatic flair, Kincaid attempts to prove to Noel that they’re made for each other. Is it too late, or can they find love in spite of their misgivings?"

Make the Season Bright

"But it’s all in the past and nothing can melt the ice in their hearts...right?"

A Winter Wish

"But mixing business and pleasure isn’t always a good idea."

The Merriest Misters

"But can running a toy shop together save their relationship, or will Patrick and Quinn be stuffing coal in each other's stockings come next Christmas?"

The Knife Before Christmas // at least this is a tiny bit cheeky

"It’s up to Shannon and Mac to catch a sinister Scrooge before all of Lighthouse Cove receives coal for Christmas."

Make My Wish Come True

"But when old feelings start to bubble up, what will fall faster – Arden and Caroline or the Christmas Eve snow?"

Flopping in a Winter Wonderland

"Too bad true love isn’t on either of their Christmas lists…"

Christmas at Spruce Hill Farm

"With a little courage and a sense of adventure, it might just be the start of whole new chapters for both of them—and an accidentally perfect white Christmas."

The Merry Matchmaker

"And she’s determined to help him find that someone—whether he likes it or not."

Christmas with the Queen

"Olive decides to reveal the shocking truth of her secret, which threatens to tear her and Jack apart forever. Unless Christmas has one last gift to deliver…"

The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year

"Assuming they don’t kill each other first."

The Wedding Witch

"...oh, and the fact that somewhere between the mistletoe and the bonfire, they might be falling in love."