felicitydisco's review
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
A DELIGHTFUL Christmas romance/mystery.
bluebirdsongs's review
4.0
3.5 stars.
The cast of side characters in this little town in post-WWII England were fantastic--I most enjoyed the reveals at the end that showed off the complexities in their lives that were hiding just out of sight. The details the author gave of their appearances, mannerisms, and reactions to the events around them also helped give them depth in a very pleasing way.
The main mystery was moderately interesting. I don't seek out murder mysteries that often because in general I don't care for their formula. Given this, I felt a bit let down by the writing that someone as inexperienced with the genre as myself was able to work out the main culprit by the halfway point. However there was still nuance in the characters' motives and off-screen dealings driving their actions, which led to several reveals I didn't see coming that were pleasant surprises.
Where I was most let down was how the development of the romance for me outpaced the chemistry between the two leads & the amount of time they spent together. (One week only...geez!) As this will be the first installment of a series, I agree with other reviewers that a pre-romance may have been a better choice, with the promise of additional layers and more involved interaction to come.
The cast of side characters in this little town in post-WWII England were fantastic--I most enjoyed the reveals at the end that showed off the complexities in their lives that were hiding just out of sight. The details the author gave of their appearances, mannerisms, and reactions to the events around them also helped give them depth in a very pleasing way.
The main mystery was moderately interesting. I don't seek out murder mysteries that often because in general I don't care for their formula. Given this, I felt a bit let down by the writing that someone as inexperienced with the genre as myself was able to work out the main culprit by the halfway point. However there was still nuance in the characters' motives and off-screen dealings driving their actions, which led to several reveals I didn't see coming that were pleasant surprises.
Where I was most let down was how the development of the romance for me outpaced the chemistry between the two leads & the amount of time they spent together. (One week only...geez!) As this will be the first installment of a series, I agree with other reviewers that a pre-romance may have been a better choice, with the promise of additional layers and more involved interaction to come.
richie_the_forgetful_reader's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-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? Yes
4.0
a_very_dyslexic_reader's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
amypruski's review
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
merryfaith's review against another edition
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Sexual content
Minor: War
littlegreycells's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
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? Yes
4.0
ryn_k's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-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? Yes
4.5