julianna_clare's review
4.0
3.75/5 - rounded to 4. I would’ve finished this faster if I hadn’t been so busy this season, but I couldn’t find an audiobook on libby to help me faster along. This was made into a Hallmark movie so I expected it to be 2 dimensional, but it was better than that! Very warm and fuzzy and a great Christmas read.
kayfett's review against another edition
3.0
I liked the sentiment & characters but it felt like a lot of unneeded setup with a rushed payoff. Also, the central romantic relationship felt a little awkward, though the relationships written between all the other characters were actually quite heartwarming. Ups & downs, parts that grabbed my attention & parts that were a bit boring. A decent holiday read.
lumbermouth's review against another edition
4.0
Look, I have read a LOT of really stupid garbage books, and this was no exception. Mindless, seasonal garbage. But also super enjoyable! Who doesn't want to read a mindless book about decorating for the big Christmas decoration contest in a small town? While also decorating your own house? Monsters, that's who. So anyway: pretty mindless and enjoyable, thinkpieces about wreaths, until the very end, when apparently Nancy Naigle's kitchen timer went off and she had to take the cookies out of the oven, because the ending was so abrupt and stupid that I said aloud, to the empty living room, "That was the stupidest...."
OTHER NOTE: target recently changed their cartwheel discount/coupon app, such that now you scan it every time you check out, and you accumulate cartwheel points based on your overall purchases, and then you earn rewards based on how many points you have. So just as something to think about, you may find yourself wandering the book aisle of target, not really wanting to buy anything, but kind of seduced by a bright red paperback with a big wreath on it. What you should do next is open up cartwheel and see what your reward points situation is because MAYBE YOU CAN GET THAT BOOK FOR FREE.
(The romantic dude in this is supposed to be dashingly handsome, of course, but for some reason, maybe because his name is Ben, I just pictured him as Ben Garant.)
OTHER NOTE: target recently changed their cartwheel discount/coupon app, such that now you scan it every time you check out, and you accumulate cartwheel points based on your overall purchases, and then you earn rewards based on how many points you have. So just as something to think about, you may find yourself wandering the book aisle of target, not really wanting to buy anything, but kind of seduced by a bright red paperback with a big wreath on it. What you should do next is open up cartwheel and see what your reward points situation is because MAYBE YOU CAN GET THAT BOOK FOR FREE.
(The romantic dude in this is supposed to be dashingly handsome, of course, but for some reason, maybe because his name is Ben, I just pictured him as Ben Garant.)
bjohnny's review against another edition
4.0
This was a super cute story about letting go, reuniting with family, and finding love. Definitely a worthwhile holiday read.
booksavvyreviews's review against another edition
3.0
A cozy, winter read much like turning on Hallmark to watch a sappy feel good movie.
Joy Holbrook's life revolves around her work, which is Market Research in Washington, D.C. but when she receives a phone call regarding her Aunt Ruby in Crystal Falls, NC, she doesn't hesitate to take the five hour drive and abandon work, which until now has taken precedent over everything in her life.
Aunt Ruby is a strong and fiesty lady who refuses help, but given that she lives on a farm and has recently broken her foot it doesn't seem as if she can. She has a lot of connections in the small town, though and more than enough people to step in.
Initially, it seemed to tread water, there was nothing heartwrenching or warming transpiring. Not until Joy arrives in Crystal Falls did I become invested in the story - especially when we meet Ben who is an accountant at the hospital that happens to be handy in - everything?
Ben is a great guy and not unlike Joy, they both have a past which troubles them in the present, but their chemistry is fantastic and one that I was all for from the start.
Altogether, a cutesy read, but it was fairly forgettable for me. The characters didn't have enough depth to them, the story was so-so... It was really only worth the 3 stars I gave it.
Website - Facebook - Instagram
Joy Holbrook's life revolves around her work, which is Market Research in Washington, D.C. but when she receives a phone call regarding her Aunt Ruby in Crystal Falls, NC, she doesn't hesitate to take the five hour drive and abandon work, which until now has taken precedent over everything in her life.
Aunt Ruby is a strong and fiesty lady who refuses help, but given that she lives on a farm and has recently broken her foot it doesn't seem as if she can. She has a lot of connections in the small town, though and more than enough people to step in.
Initially, it seemed to tread water, there was nothing heartwrenching or warming transpiring. Not until Joy arrives in Crystal Falls did I become invested in the story - especially when we meet Ben who is an accountant at the hospital that happens to be handy in - everything?
Ben is a great guy and not unlike Joy, they both have a past which troubles them in the present, but their chemistry is fantastic and one that I was all for from the start.
Altogether, a cutesy read, but it was fairly forgettable for me. The characters didn't have enough depth to them, the story was so-so... It was really only worth the 3 stars I gave it.
Website - Facebook - Instagram
naomi_branham's review against another edition
2.0
This one didn't work for me. Joy annoyed me most of the book with her self-centered, career only attitude. When Ruby breaks her ankle and has to go to rehab, she depends on Joy to get her holiday party set up. Molly was the highlight of the story. Ben was really sweet, I didn't expect him to be so rash at the end.
irshqq79's review against another edition
5.0
Love!!
I have fallen in love with Crystal Falls. Nancy Naigle nailed this one perfect!y. I love the change in Joy was so seamless and absolutely perfect!
I have fallen in love with Crystal Falls. Nancy Naigle nailed this one perfect!y. I love the change in Joy was so seamless and absolutely perfect!
kathrynelise8's review against another edition
4.0
This was a Hallmark movie in a book. So obviously I thought it was great. If you’re looking for pure holiday joy but feel like reading a book instead of watching a movie here you go this is perfect.
books_by_bethany's review against another edition
4.0
Christmas Joy follows Joy Holbrook as she returns home to her family’s farm in Crystal Falls after her Aunt Ruby is injured. Joy takes over planning the annual Christmas Home Tour, and helping to care for a young girl named Molly.
This heartwarming novel have been adapted into a Hallmark movies, and it was exactly what I was looking for in a holiday book. It is a perfect novel to curl up on the couch with this Christmas!
This heartwarming novel have been adapted into a Hallmark movies, and it was exactly what I was looking for in a holiday book. It is a perfect novel to curl up on the couch with this Christmas!