kitvaria_sarene's review
4.0
A lovely Christmas story that has two main characters who suffered a bad loss.
I loved to see how well the grief was handled - showing that it affects every person differently and that there is no right or wrong way.
While one tries to be always optimistic and loves to help people, the other turned away from everyone and went a rather Grinch-like route.
One is doubting herself, the other seems to be rather arrogant. Both have their strong and weak points though!
What I did enjoy most was the lack of teenage drama. Instead the friction here felt realistic and understandable, even to someone as pragmatic as me! Always a plus in my eyes if characters behave like actual adults. The character growth was well done, if at times a bit rushed for side characters.
As always bonus points for the dog!
I loved to see how well the grief was handled - showing that it affects every person differently and that there is no right or wrong way.
While one tries to be always optimistic and loves to help people, the other turned away from everyone and went a rather Grinch-like route.
One is doubting herself, the other seems to be rather arrogant. Both have their strong and weak points though!
What I did enjoy most was the lack of teenage drama. Instead the friction here felt realistic and understandable, even to someone as pragmatic as me! Always a plus in my eyes if characters behave like actual adults. The character growth was well done, if at times a bit rushed for side characters.
As always bonus points for the dog!
cnsnape's review
5.0
I try to avoid reading Christmas books too early because the good ones always get me in the Christmas spirit. However, this one didn’t feature too much of Christmas although it didn’t make the book any less enjoyable.
Our two main characters Jake and Evie are both trying to escape Christmas for their own reasons. Jake is trying to flee the memories of his deceased wife and also the pressure from his sisters to spend the holidays with them. Evie is trying to avoid having to spend the holidays at the home of her ex-boyfriend whom her parents are trying to reunite her with. Neither of them is looking for a new relationship.
So when the chance arrives to spend Christmas in a French villa both Evie and Jake are eager to escape the meddling of their families and just be themselves. However, they are both drawn to each other and things don’t always go to plan.
The characters were engaging and interesting, the story moved at just the right pace to keep everything going along without dragging anything out or feeling like we were rushing towards the inevitable. it was enjoyable but also thought-provoking how the past can influence our present and how we deal with life’s knocks and carry on in the future without forgetting.
I look forward to reading more from this author in the future,
A not so Christmassy story of romance and healing
Our two main characters Jake and Evie are both trying to escape Christmas for their own reasons. Jake is trying to flee the memories of his deceased wife and also the pressure from his sisters to spend the holidays with them. Evie is trying to avoid having to spend the holidays at the home of her ex-boyfriend whom her parents are trying to reunite her with. Neither of them is looking for a new relationship.
So when the chance arrives to spend Christmas in a French villa both Evie and Jake are eager to escape the meddling of their families and just be themselves. However, they are both drawn to each other and things don’t always go to plan.
The characters were engaging and interesting, the story moved at just the right pace to keep everything going along without dragging anything out or feeling like we were rushing towards the inevitable. it was enjoyable but also thought-provoking how the past can influence our present and how we deal with life’s knocks and carry on in the future without forgetting.
I look forward to reading more from this author in the future,
A not so Christmassy story of romance and healing
oncemorewithreading's review
4.0
This was a really cute, slow burn romance which I really enjoyed. I ended up reading this book in one sitting as I seriously could not put it down.
I really liked the characters in this book, especially Evie who has been through so much in her life but is still so optimistic. She has flaws, she’s incredibly clumsy but that never stops her from living her dream. Jake is still dealing with the grief of losing his wife and I really enjoyed seeing how much he developed in this book. I loved the interaction between the two and it honestly had me hooked.
This is a story that has you rooting for both Evie and Jake and this book has the perfect slow burn romance that I love. Nothing felt forced or too rushed. Even if this wasn’t a romance I would have still enjoyed how much their friendship helped them develop and move on from their past. The fact that this book was based at Christmas time was just an added plus for me.
Overall, this was an adorable and heart-warming romance which I recommend reading curled up with a blanket and completely immersing yourself into!
Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review
I really liked the characters in this book, especially Evie who has been through so much in her life but is still so optimistic. She has flaws, she’s incredibly clumsy but that never stops her from living her dream. Jake is still dealing with the grief of losing his wife and I really enjoyed seeing how much he developed in this book. I loved the interaction between the two and it honestly had me hooked.
This is a story that has you rooting for both Evie and Jake and this book has the perfect slow burn romance that I love. Nothing felt forced or too rushed. Even if this wasn’t a romance I would have still enjoyed how much their friendship helped them develop and move on from their past. The fact that this book was based at Christmas time was just an added plus for me.
Overall, this was an adorable and heart-warming romance which I recommend reading curled up with a blanket and completely immersing yourself into!
Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review
zieglerlilly's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5