gloriamitchell821196844's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
kitvaria_sarene's review against another edition
5.0
4,5*
Accidentally, my three last Christmas books were incredibly similar. Not in the typical winter romance plot - that was to be expected - buy they had a lot more in common.
Most of all the way the main characters romance felt nicely "teenage drama" free! Yes, it took a while for them to get going, but the friction in the budding relationship felt realistic and reasonable and not contrived.
I love how I managed to find three books in a row where the main protagonists actually behave like adults and not storm off in a huff because of some perceived slight. Yes, not everything is going to plan, and wires get crossed, but the way the main characters handle things just had me hooked.
I never understood the "Do I or don't I love him? And which of these two do I love?" and the utter lack of communication. And so I definitely prefer books with a more pragmatic look on life.
This also was a weird mix of funny and humourous (like the mum of one of the women having her maybe 4th husband with her and spending a lot of the time naked) and serious topics (drunk driving, trauma, accident).
But it did work! The serious topics were handled quite well and not made light off. And the humour while a bit over teh top had me smiling and snorting at times. A good balance to not be too shallow but also not to heavy.
All in all definitely a good and fun Christmas read.
Accidentally, my three last Christmas books were incredibly similar. Not in the typical winter romance plot - that was to be expected - buy they had a lot more in common.
Most of all the way the main characters romance felt nicely "teenage drama" free! Yes, it took a while for them to get going, but the friction in the budding relationship felt realistic and reasonable and not contrived.
I love how I managed to find three books in a row where the main protagonists actually behave like adults and not storm off in a huff because of some perceived slight. Yes, not everything is going to plan, and wires get crossed, but the way the main characters handle things just had me hooked.
I never understood the "Do I or don't I love him? And which of these two do I love?" and the utter lack of communication. And so I definitely prefer books with a more pragmatic look on life.
This also was a weird mix of funny and humourous (like the mum of one of the women having her maybe 4th husband with her and spending a lot of the time naked) and serious topics (drunk driving, trauma, accident).
But it did work! The serious topics were handled quite well and not made light off. And the humour while a bit over teh top had me smiling and snorting at times. A good balance to not be too shallow but also not to heavy.
All in all definitely a good and fun Christmas read.
emmad94's review against another edition
4.0
Cute. Very festive. Very lovable and realistic characters.
Prefer more smut in my romances though so not quite a 5 star
Prefer more smut in my romances though so not quite a 5 star
sarah70's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75
ria_mhrj's review against another edition
2.0
I was optimistic going in, a cosy Christmas read with a grumpy hero sounded perfect, but alas this wasn't for me. A lot of telling not showing made for a confusing introduction - the history between Ivy and Bill/Will is flung in the reader's face, all in chapter one, before we're given much time to orient in the here and now. Such a shame.
leahfoko's review
1.0
The characters in this book were really annoying in my opinion and barely anything interesting happened the whole time. I had to skim most of it and only really “finished” it because I wanted to know what would happen with Ivy and Bill. So I just skimmed to every scene with the two of them in it together and then skipped over everything else. However, I appreciated the Christmas spirit, the romance and the British-ness, that was all very fun.
I think this book could be a hit if you like the writing style (with lots of pop culture references and hashtags and influencer talk and such) but I personally wasn’t a big fan. It did the job though and brought some Christmas spirit in the lead up to Christmas!
I think this book could be a hit if you like the writing style (with lots of pop culture references and hashtags and influencer talk and such) but I personally wasn’t a big fan. It did the job though and brought some Christmas spirit in the lead up to Christmas!
annarella's review against another edition
5.0
I was in the mood for a festive, humorous and sweet Christmas story and this was the perfect match.
I loved the quirky and well written cast of characters and the lovely setting that made me wish to be there.
The plot is cute, engrossing and entertaining.
It was an excellent reading experience, highly recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
I loved the quirky and well written cast of characters and the lovely setting that made me wish to be there.
The plot is cute, engrossing and entertaining.
It was an excellent reading experience, highly recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
totallytales's review against another edition
5.0
A charming Christmas read that left me with a warm glow.
Linfoot is fast becoming one of my goto authors she combines the perfect amount of funny, cringeworthy, serious and heartfelt moments to make the most wonderful feel-good reads.
Ivy is hired to make Instagram-worthy pictures in a castle in Cornwall at Christmas - frankly, she would have done if for free but is happy to have the added bonus of a paycheck! Of course, nothing is plain sailing and the owner Bill (Scrooge personified) is not helping matters at all.... can they turn it around and make this a Christmas for the memory books or will it be one they would rather forget?
The characters are fabulous, they really jump off the page making you feel like you are sitting in the corner of the castle alongside them and their festive frolics. Brimming with, humour and hear this is the perfect holiday read.
Linfoot is fast becoming one of my goto authors she combines the perfect amount of funny, cringeworthy, serious and heartfelt moments to make the most wonderful feel-good reads.
Ivy is hired to make Instagram-worthy pictures in a castle in Cornwall at Christmas - frankly, she would have done if for free but is happy to have the added bonus of a paycheck! Of course, nothing is plain sailing and the owner Bill (Scrooge personified) is not helping matters at all.... can they turn it around and make this a Christmas for the memory books or will it be one they would rather forget?
The characters are fabulous, they really jump off the page making you feel like you are sitting in the corner of the castle alongside them and their festive frolics. Brimming with, humour and hear this is the perfect holiday read.