babybookishyoda's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
monarchgirl's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
This was good. I had read this book a while ago and this was a reread for me. Enjoyed it but read a lot more critically this time around. Loved the dogs are for christmas story and i felt that the worst story was the last one called the Christmas fairy.
kaixxx's review
4.0
I am not usually a fan of short stories I find they can be slightly annoying as they are cut a bit too short. However with this book I really enjoyed them and found they were the perfect set of stories to get me into the christmas spirit. Each one I enjoyed listening to and found I wanted to hear the end of. My favourites had to be the christmas fairy, a dream christmas and dogs are for Christmas. Definitely a book I would recommend to get you in the christmas spirit. xxx
laurenwhiteley22's review
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
koplomps's review
Read the first two stories and disliked both of them. The first one was honestly more 'creepy' than 'charming', I thought it was heading to some kind of assault. I know most christmas stories are meant to be unbelievable/magical but I just couldn't get through that. 2/5 stars
bananatricky's review
4.0
An anthology of six Christmas short stories/novellas by Katie Fforde.
I don’t intend to review each novella separately. Suffice it to say that there are rock stars and members of the British aristocracy, power cuts, heavy snowfall, cancelled flights, absent parents, Christmas Fairies (as a profession), chefs, actors, babysitters, Frenchmen, dogs, a ghostly honeymoon, new beginnings and lots of Christmas romance whether in London or Scotland, town or country.
If you like Katie Fforde I’m sure you will like this collection. If you’ve never read Katie Fforde before then picture a quintessential fantasy English Christmas with family and snow and dogs and crises which all miraculously get averted. With glamorous and yet friendly people who help out and pitch in. Where dogs are always adored and everyone has an abundance of candles and oodles of artistic talent.
Anyway, I loved it.
I don’t intend to review each novella separately. Suffice it to say that there are rock stars and members of the British aristocracy, power cuts, heavy snowfall, cancelled flights, absent parents, Christmas Fairies (as a profession), chefs, actors, babysitters, Frenchmen, dogs, a ghostly honeymoon, new beginnings and lots of Christmas romance whether in London or Scotland, town or country.
If you like Katie Fforde I’m sure you will like this collection. If you’ve never read Katie Fforde before then picture a quintessential fantasy English Christmas with family and snow and dogs and crises which all miraculously get averted. With glamorous and yet friendly people who help out and pitch in. Where dogs are always adored and everyone has an abundance of candles and oodles of artistic talent.
Anyway, I loved it.
c_haakansson's review
3.0
There's six very different short stories in this book, and I'll split up my review.
The 1st story was just as expected (which might be nice for some people), but to me, it wasn't all that gripping and exciting... Maybe not the best story to start with.
The 2nd story was way better! I love the paranormal element, and the setting was just complete with deep snow, fires, a nice ghost, and such :D.
The 3rd story was sooo cute! Both the babies and Étienne & Maggie. I really did ship them from the moment he arrived; and the story was just gripping in some way, even if it "still" is just about a Christmas dinner.
The 4th story was a lot like the first story; not my cup of tea. Though, the grandma was very fun!
The 5th story was fun and quirky, and I love how I as a reader was on the tip of my chair and just hoping for Jo to not get caught.
The 6th story was a bit bland though cute enough - but, even if it was the last, I'm having trouble remembering what it was about (I do remember.... better than the 1st and 4th, at least).
If I had to rate the stories in order from the best to the worst, it would be like this: 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th, 4th and 1st.
The 1st story was just as expected (which might be nice for some people), but to me, it wasn't all that gripping and exciting... Maybe not the best story to start with.
The 2nd story was way better! I love the paranormal element, and the setting was just complete with deep snow, fires, a nice ghost, and such :D.
The 3rd story was sooo cute! Both the babies and Étienne & Maggie. I really did ship them from the moment he arrived; and the story was just gripping in some way, even if it "still" is just about a Christmas dinner.
The 4th story was a lot like the first story; not my cup of tea. Though, the grandma was very fun!
The 5th story was fun and quirky, and I love how I as a reader was on the tip of my chair and just hoping for Jo to not get caught.
The 6th story was a bit bland though cute enough - but, even if it was the last, I'm having trouble remembering what it was about (I do remember.... better than the 1st and 4th, at least).
If I had to rate the stories in order from the best to the worst, it would be like this: 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th, 4th and 1st.
laratomme's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Re-read to get into the holiday spirit. This book contains six Christmas stories, each short and sweet about friendship, family and love. It also features some cute dogs. This is the perfect book to relax with while drinking a hot chocolate on a cold winter day.
I recommend this book for the holidays and to people who love feel-good romance with a holiday filter.
rebeccabubz's review
3.0
I really enjoyed the first 3 stories in this collection the last 3 I did not really care for and ended up skim reading them.
The first story was a little unbelievable but I really enjoyed the characters.
The second story had the christmassy ghost vibes and I loved that.
The Third story was probably my favourite it made me feel like I was at the Christmas party to also I loved meggie so much.