angieondisability's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
xanthe87's review
4.0
My first Christmas read of 2020 :-)
It's an enjoyable enemies to lovers story as Head Executive Chef, Roland, and kitchen boy, Georgie, end up stuck together as they get lost on a long diversion road when Roland was, unwillingly, driving Georgie to the train station after the last day of work at the hotel. However, they end up in a fairy tale-esk hotel with the ever so charming Nicholas as their host. Stuck in the last available room with only one bed they are forced to share space that would never have happened otherwise.
Roland is a real Scrooge character who is hard on Georgie at work and strives for perfection in his kitchen, hiding past pain that he refuses to think about. Georgie is struggling with everything and there is such a sense of loneliness and isolation when in and out of work. He struggles especially at work as everyone followed Roland's example and is constantly putting the young man down.
At this eerie hotel, there is a chance for both men to see the other in a different light but it involves trust and taking a chance, though it doesn't take long for Roland to muck things up with his past hanging over his head. It's a good thing that Nicholas is there to lend a helping hand and bring the right spirit back to the couple. I enjoyed the time that the two men spent together from the start, the negatives that turn to positives. It's heartwarming and entertaining to read and another good festive story from Ali Ryecart.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.
It's an enjoyable enemies to lovers story as Head Executive Chef, Roland, and kitchen boy, Georgie, end up stuck together as they get lost on a long diversion road when Roland was, unwillingly, driving Georgie to the train station after the last day of work at the hotel. However, they end up in a fairy tale-esk hotel with the ever so charming Nicholas as their host. Stuck in the last available room with only one bed they are forced to share space that would never have happened otherwise.
Roland is a real Scrooge character who is hard on Georgie at work and strives for perfection in his kitchen, hiding past pain that he refuses to think about. Georgie is struggling with everything and there is such a sense of loneliness and isolation when in and out of work. He struggles especially at work as everyone followed Roland's example and is constantly putting the young man down.
At this eerie hotel, there is a chance for both men to see the other in a different light but it involves trust and taking a chance, though it doesn't take long for Roland to muck things up with his past hanging over his head. It's a good thing that Nicholas is there to lend a helping hand and bring the right spirit back to the couple. I enjoyed the time that the two men spent together from the start, the negatives that turn to positives. It's heartwarming and entertaining to read and another good festive story from Ali Ryecart.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.
ladyonequestion's review
4.0
A cosy short seasonal novella. Liked the characters and I enjoyed how the author integrated the magical elements. It had some wonderful Christmas descriptions of snuggling up in front of the fire, snow, massive Christmas trees and most importantly festive food and drink! If you love the forced to share a bed trope or the kind of book that makes you feel all warm and snuggly and festive you'll probably love this one!
shelbanuadh's review
2.0
I quite liked Georgie, but sob story or not, I didn’t care for Roland. As Georgie put it, what “absolutely, one hundred percent didn’t make sense, was Roland. Or, more precisely, his attraction to the man who, for almost six months, had been the cause of his life being a living, breathing hell.”
There’s also the dream sequence, that I’m not sure if it actually happened or not, but I found it more creepy than anything... then again, showing up at Santa’s chalet, where he orchestrated two people that hated each other banging and falling in love feels more creepy than cheery to me.
And one other point that annoyed me was that is chapter 9, Georgie refers to Roland by his name and Roland corrects him, grumbling, “It’s Mr. Fletcher Jones to you.” And then in Chapter 10, Roland says to please call him Roland, to which Georgie does, and wonders to himself if he had ever said Roland’s name aloud. Yes, you did, just the chapter previous.
There’s also the dream sequence, that I’m not sure if it actually happened or not, but I found it more creepy than anything... then again, showing up at Santa’s chalet, where he orchestrated two people that hated each other banging and falling in love feels more creepy than cheery to me.
And one other point that annoyed me was that is chapter 9, Georgie refers to Roland by his name and Roland corrects him, grumbling, “It’s Mr. Fletcher Jones to you.” And then in Chapter 10, Roland says to please call him Roland, to which Georgie does, and wonders to himself if he had ever said Roland’s name aloud. Yes, you did, just the chapter previous.
endemictoearth's review
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
2.5
A true fairytale story, which required a lot of suspension of disbelief. It had its charms, but Roland had been really horrible to Georgie . . . so in this case I don’t think he was sufficiently redeemed.
phrynne's review
2.0
I don't think I ever read something this cheesy and that's counting some very cheesy fanfiction
More...