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polarheights's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Fatphobia
jessica_reading_writing's review
3.0
3.5 Stars
Overview: Decided to read this cute read as part of a book club. I've never read this author before. It was fine...It basically does what is says on the tin. It's a cute and warm and fluffy Christmas book. However...all the characters (and I mean all) were positively horrible (apart from maybe the children who were actually quite funny). The only reason I've given it 3 and a half stars is because it's set in Edinburgh where I used to live and the scenery and descriptions of the town literally made me feel warm and Christmassy. It had nothing to do with the characters at all...
Good points: The setting. I can speak from experience that Edinburgh is a wonderfully magical city especially at Christmas and I could easily see the city in my mind as I read some of the wintry and Christmassy scenes. I also enjoyed the story of saving an old bookshop and turning it into something magical.
Not so good points: Every single character was unlikeable and made me want to scream at them. And the love interests? Ick. Neither of them were exciting or had any chemistry. Luckily the story and setting was enough to keep me reading.
The ending somewhat saved this book too where everything came together and everyone was happy, but still...Don't expect to fall in love with these characters...but this book should fill you with Christmas spirit.
Overview: Decided to read this cute read as part of a book club. I've never read this author before. It was fine...It basically does what is says on the tin. It's a cute and warm and fluffy Christmas book. However...all the characters (and I mean all) were positively horrible (apart from maybe the children who were actually quite funny). The only reason I've given it 3 and a half stars is because it's set in Edinburgh where I used to live and the scenery and descriptions of the town literally made me feel warm and Christmassy. It had nothing to do with the characters at all...
Good points: The setting. I can speak from experience that Edinburgh is a wonderfully magical city especially at Christmas and I could easily see the city in my mind as I read some of the wintry and Christmassy scenes. I also enjoyed the story of saving an old bookshop and turning it into something magical.
Not so good points: Every single character was unlikeable and made me want to scream at them. And the love interests? Ick. Neither of them were exciting or had any chemistry. Luckily the story and setting was enough to keep me reading.
The ending somewhat saved this book too where everything came together and everyone was happy, but still...Don't expect to fall in love with these characters...but this book should fill you with Christmas spirit.
heidilreads's review against another edition
4.0
Not quite a Hallmark movie, but definitely some of the characteristics... Just not as cheesy.
gtjarvis's review against another edition
5.0
Jenny Colgan strikes again with this delightful winter read. Warm and fuzzy feelings feel like you're wearing warm and fuzzy socks. This book makes winters warmer, brighter and shorter. If you're looking for something cozy and fun I highly recommend it.
sofi0518's review against another edition
3.0
Super cute but typical Christmas rom-com. Just what you want for an easy end of the year book!
likesami's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
lavieboheme930's review against another edition
3.0
The pace of the book was too slow for me and I found it to be a struggle to get through at parts. The amount of time that passed during the time of the book, I would find myself forgetting what happened earlier because I felt that it dragged on.
❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️
Carmen and Phoebe were the only characters I liked in the book. Carmen was trying her best, especially when having to deal with her mother who would constantly talk about how great Sofia. Sofia was even worse, especially when Carmen arrived to live with her. She always threw it in Carmen’s face that she was better, not once thinking about Carmen’s feelings. Phoebe, Sofia’s daughter, also had a sister, Pippa, who was just like their mother. Phoebe was afraid to talk because of what Pippa would say. And for that, Sofia and Pippa were the worst characters in the book and I found them hard to be lovable.
I received this book from a Goodreads giveaway
❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️
Carmen and Phoebe were the only characters I liked in the book. Carmen was trying her best, especially when having to deal with her mother who would constantly talk about how great Sofia. Sofia was even worse, especially when Carmen arrived to live with her. She always threw it in Carmen’s face that she was better, not once thinking about Carmen’s feelings. Phoebe, Sofia’s daughter, also had a sister, Pippa, who was just like their mother. Phoebe was afraid to talk because of what Pippa would say. And for that, Sofia and Pippa were the worst characters in the book and I found them hard to be lovable.
I received this book from a Goodreads giveaway
karenholmes's review against another edition
3.0
There is something magic in Jenny Colgan's books, and if they happen to be set in Christmas time in Edimburgh that's the icing of the cake.
I loved the story of the two sisters falling out and having to find themselves again in Christmas, with a backdrop of a pretty bookshop even if it's a second hand one. The love triangle is not really very convincing but it's a nice backdrop, and of course romance is not as important as family and finding oneself.
Very Christmassy!
I loved the story of the two sisters falling out and having to find themselves again in Christmas, with a backdrop of a pretty bookshop even if it's a second hand one. The love triangle is not really very convincing but it's a nice backdrop, and of course romance is not as important as family and finding oneself.
Very Christmassy!
winemakerssister's review against another edition
5.0
Charming, sweet, and very typical of Jenny Colgan. It deviated from most of her other books in that the heroine was not particularly likeable in the beginning. But this is mostly a story of Carmen growing out of being a somewhat sulky, tentative young adult and it is completely successful in that regard. And I loved the secondary characters especially 'young' Mr. McCredie and Carmen's nieces and nephew(s).
There are a few appearances by Ramsey, Zoe, and the children from The Bookshop on the Shore.
There are a few appearances by Ramsey, Zoe, and the children from The Bookshop on the Shore.