bookmarklit's review
DNF / on hold at 20%. It makes me sad to quit a book where there’s realistically nothing wrong with it, I’m just not in the mood for it. I don’t have motivation to pick it up and it’s dragging my reading life down a little bit. The MC was interesting enough and I kind of like the love interest (and his cute son) but I’m just not into this for me right now. Maybe next year, I mean it!
annathebibliophile's review
3.0
An enjoyable little love story—one at Christmas no less! As much as I enjoyed this, I couldn’t help thinking, “Seriously, are these people REAL?” I’m all for fictional creations of characters, but the unrealistically PERFECT depictions of some and the absolutes frustrating stupidity of others had me smh.
Still, if you’re a hopeless romantic who likes Hallmark, it’s worth the quick read!
Still, if you’re a hopeless romantic who likes Hallmark, it’s worth the quick read!
jilljemmett's review
4.0
This is a super cute story.
I loved the setting of the little village. There were a lot of comparisons to London since Cal was originally from there. But it was such a cozy little town, the perfect setting for a Christmas story.
This story has many of the stereotypical aspects of a Christmas romance. A stranger comes to the town and falls in love with one of their beloved residents. But there were some twists. One was that Lexi used to work with Formula One racers as a mechanic. She isn’t a stereotypical damsel in distress so she stands out in the story.
There also always seems to be a child that brings the couple together. Cal’s son George was that child in this story, and he was so adorable! He fit that role perfectly.
I really enjoyed this story. I recommend it for a cozy Christmas read!
I loved the setting of the little village. There were a lot of comparisons to London since Cal was originally from there. But it was such a cozy little town, the perfect setting for a Christmas story.
This story has many of the stereotypical aspects of a Christmas romance. A stranger comes to the town and falls in love with one of their beloved residents. But there were some twists. One was that Lexi used to work with Formula One racers as a mechanic. She isn’t a stereotypical damsel in distress so she stands out in the story.
There also always seems to be a child that brings the couple together. Cal’s son George was that child in this story, and he was so adorable! He fit that role perfectly.
I really enjoyed this story. I recommend it for a cozy Christmas read!
booksreviewsandprocrastination's review
4.0
Blog Review: https://trishadoeseverythingbutstudy2.wordpress.com/2021/01/01/my-november-in-book-reviews/#christmas-shop
Not one of my favourites from Maxine Morrey...
Overall, the book is just awesome! We have angst, we have pining, we have hot love interest who also has a really cute son; I mean, what's there to not love?
The answer is, probably nothing except for the writing and execution in some places. I felt this could have been a lot shorter, and with way less denial. It was also a bit of insta-lovey, but more or less made up for it?
I also didn't like the constant what-is-masculine-what-is-feminine-our-MC-is-definitely-too-masculine-to-be-feminine-or-is-she because that was getting on my nerves, and feeling pretty sexist. I'm sorry, but it did.
I loved the Christmas part of this, though it was pretty less in this book. I've loved this aspect of almost all of the Maxine Morrey books I've read with Christmas, which is not a lot, but I'm going to read more!
I'm definitely going to read others by her, and I'd recommend this to anyone who likes rom-coms, Christmas, hot love interests with small kids, slight previous love interest drama, and fluffy angst. (is that an oxymoron? I don't care)
Not one of my favourites from Maxine Morrey...
Overall, the book is just awesome! We have angst, we have pining, we have hot love interest who also has a really cute son; I mean, what's there to not love?
The answer is, probably nothing except for the writing and execution in some places. I felt this could have been a lot shorter, and with way less denial. It was also a bit of insta-lovey, but more or less made up for it?
I also didn't like the constant what-is-masculine-what-is-feminine-our-MC-is-definitely-too-masculine-to-be-feminine-or-is-she because that was getting on my nerves, and feeling pretty sexist. I'm sorry, but it did.
I loved the Christmas part of this, though it was pretty less in this book. I've loved this aspect of almost all of the Maxine Morrey books I've read with Christmas, which is not a lot, but I'm going to read more!
I'm definitely going to read others by her, and I'd recommend this to anyone who likes rom-coms, Christmas, hot love interests with small kids, slight previous love interest drama, and fluffy angst. (is that an oxymoron? I don't care)
fionayule's review
2.0
Thank you to the publisher, and to Netgalley, for a free ARC in return for an honest review.
I love wintry, Christmas novels, and this one with the steamed windows of the shop, and iced gingerbread men I was looking forward to reading in December.
This is the thing about reviewing books is the difference in opinions of the same novel. I just did not enjoy this book. In fact I abandoned it at 47%.
It’s a romance, at Christmas, and the festive sprit is very present. I just could not connect with Lexie and Cal.
I love wintry, Christmas novels, and this one with the steamed windows of the shop, and iced gingerbread men I was looking forward to reading in December.
This is the thing about reviewing books is the difference in opinions of the same novel. I just did not enjoy this book. In fact I abandoned it at 47%.
It’s a romance, at Christmas, and the festive sprit is very present. I just could not connect with Lexie and Cal.
thepeachmartini's review
4.0
1) I did not intend to read this all in one sitting. But I just couldn't help myself.
2) I was drawn into the story by Lexi's career choice. As an avid F1 fan, I really enjoyed that aspect, and actually appreciated that I could make the connections with some of the descriptions and situations.
3) I like Cal. And I LOVE George. And Bear.
4) Lexi has endometriosis. I can't tell you how much I appreciated this inclusion in the storyline, and could 100% relate to the emotions Lexi experienced. As soon as there were hints about this, I immediately connected with her, and as the story and challenges progressed, I can't tell you how many tears were shed.
5) I want to work in The Four Seasons. I'll even dress as an elf.
2) I was drawn into the story by Lexi's career choice. As an avid F1 fan, I really enjoyed that aspect, and actually appreciated that I could make the connections with some of the descriptions and situations.
Spoiler
I also couldn't help relate Marco's accident with that of Jules Bianchi's (which made my heart ache all over again).3) I like Cal. And I LOVE George. And Bear.
4) Lexi has endometriosis. I can't tell you how much I appreciated this inclusion in the storyline, and could 100% relate to the emotions Lexi experienced. As soon as there were hints about this, I immediately connected with her, and as the story and challenges progressed, I can't tell you how many tears were shed.
5) I want to work in The Four Seasons. I'll even dress as an elf.
zoe2088's review
5.0
As always with Maxine Morrey’s books I was not left disappointed. And the cover is just as gorgeous as the other books I have reviewed recently by her!
It is a shame Maxine Morrey does not have a whole back catalogue of Christmas books, so I could do a post every day for each of them for the whole of December!! I have completely fallen in love with her books.
The characters come to life and you feel everything they feel. This one was no differently. Cal and Lexi were fabulous characters, and the chemistry between them was written perfectly. It was great to come across a female character who was not all womanly perfection. I loved the fact that you are more likely to find her in a pair of overalls and trainers than a frilly dress and high heels. This is my sort of woman!! My childhood was spent in overalls and some days I wish I could go back to it!! This brought back that feeling. Cal was a perfect gent and I would have fallen from him a little more if we had his side of it as well. A man who can take on parenthood by himself is a hero in my eyes. All of Lexi’s family fit together well and I would love it if they all had their stories to tell!! I’d love to learn more about each of her brothers.
The writing style was quick and easy to read. I love that the chapters flowed perfectly together. As always, Maxine Morrey keeps you on your toes and doesn’t let it stop until the final page. Fair enough, you know what’s going to happen eventually, but it’s the journey getting there that I’ve loved in all of her books. This is definitely my favourite one by her. It shows that not all women have to be covered in make up and prancing around in flowery dresses – sometimes grease and oil just does the job for you!!
It is a shame Maxine Morrey does not have a whole back catalogue of Christmas books, so I could do a post every day for each of them for the whole of December!! I have completely fallen in love with her books.
The characters come to life and you feel everything they feel. This one was no differently. Cal and Lexi were fabulous characters, and the chemistry between them was written perfectly. It was great to come across a female character who was not all womanly perfection. I loved the fact that you are more likely to find her in a pair of overalls and trainers than a frilly dress and high heels. This is my sort of woman!! My childhood was spent in overalls and some days I wish I could go back to it!! This brought back that feeling. Cal was a perfect gent and I would have fallen from him a little more if we had his side of it as well. A man who can take on parenthood by himself is a hero in my eyes. All of Lexi’s family fit together well and I would love it if they all had their stories to tell!! I’d love to learn more about each of her brothers.
The writing style was quick and easy to read. I love that the chapters flowed perfectly together. As always, Maxine Morrey keeps you on your toes and doesn’t let it stop until the final page. Fair enough, you know what’s going to happen eventually, but it’s the journey getting there that I’ve loved in all of her books. This is definitely my favourite one by her. It shows that not all women have to be covered in make up and prancing around in flowery dresses – sometimes grease and oil just does the job for you!!
booksnbookends's review
4.0
I received a free copy of this book by the book’s publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you so much for letting me read this!
The story centres around Lexi, a tomboy who has grown up surrounded by boys. She’d been her parents last hope for a girl and when she arrived she wasn’t a girly girl after all. Instead she’d made her career in repairing vehicles, notably as an F1 mechanic. When life makes her take a decision choosing between family and career, she risks her career to be there for her family and loses her job as a result.
Lexi’s family own a seasonal business and at Christmas it’s one of the most popular shops around. When her family hear the news of her job loss, she’s thrown straight into helping fulfil orders and helping customers. One customer happens to make a huge impact upon her life. Cal Martin wanders into the store with his adorable five year old son and turns what she thinks she knows upside down.
This was definitely an easy to read and enjoyable holiday read. It felt realistic and had a lovely cosy feel to the novel. The author creates really vivid images in your mind of the world she’s created, which is probably why I enjoyed reading it so much! The dog in story is hilarious and probably my favourite character along with George.
The main reason for me not giving this book five stars is because at times I found Lexi irritating. There are only so many times you can try to push somebody away before they are going to go away and she clearly didn’t get the memo. It was as if she was expecting the world to do everything for her and fit the pieces together. Life and fate don’t work like that. Despite that, it was easy to read and enjoyable.
The story centres around Lexi, a tomboy who has grown up surrounded by boys. She’d been her parents last hope for a girl and when she arrived she wasn’t a girly girl after all. Instead she’d made her career in repairing vehicles, notably as an F1 mechanic. When life makes her take a decision choosing between family and career, she risks her career to be there for her family and loses her job as a result.
Lexi’s family own a seasonal business and at Christmas it’s one of the most popular shops around. When her family hear the news of her job loss, she’s thrown straight into helping fulfil orders and helping customers. One customer happens to make a huge impact upon her life. Cal Martin wanders into the store with his adorable five year old son and turns what she thinks she knows upside down.
This was definitely an easy to read and enjoyable holiday read. It felt realistic and had a lovely cosy feel to the novel. The author creates really vivid images in your mind of the world she’s created, which is probably why I enjoyed reading it so much! The dog in story is hilarious and probably my favourite character along with George.
The main reason for me not giving this book five stars is because at times I found Lexi irritating. There are only so many times you can try to push somebody away before they are going to go away and she clearly didn’t get the memo. It was as if she was expecting the world to do everything for her and fit the pieces together. Life and fate don’t work like that. Despite that, it was easy to read and enjoyable.
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