readitwithred's review against another edition
2.0
This book started off well but for me it just lost its way. The whole premise of the Book according to the blurb, is a Romantic twist on A Christmas Carol, in place of three Ghosts from the Christmas past, we have three Boyfriends from our MC's Past.
But we don't meet the three Boyfriends until the second half of the Book and then it is all skimmed over and rushed.
It was slow and just not a lot really happened until the Christmas Camp commenced, but because that was so far into the book, it just didn't pack any punch.
It gave you cheese and feelgood like a good festive book but the romance was lacking. The two obvious MC's really didn't have enough moments for us to root for them.
I normally enjoy this authors work but this one was not for me.
But we don't meet the three Boyfriends until the second half of the Book and then it is all skimmed over and rushed.
It was slow and just not a lot really happened until the Christmas Camp commenced, but because that was so far into the book, it just didn't pack any punch.
It gave you cheese and feelgood like a good festive book but the romance was lacking. The two obvious MC's really didn't have enough moments for us to root for them.
I normally enjoy this authors work but this one was not for me.
thathappyreader's review against another edition
4.0
Have you ever heard of a Christmas Camp? It’s a total immersion into the holiday season for guests enrolled in the “camp” (it’s usually a warm inviting Inn). Having written two previous books in the Christmas camp series, Karen Schaler brings us to a new holiday destination full of all the Christmas joy we’ve come to expect.
Riley Reynolds is a journalist turned romance writer. She’s had success with several books already and has quite a fan base. Unfortunately, her last romance novel was lacking the romance - likely indicative of a challenged love life. Now she is faced with a task of writing a Christmas novel: a very difficult challenge given that she has not celebrated the holiday since she was eight years due to the death of her father. As a publicity stunt, Riley has been instructed to host a Christmas Camp at the Inn run by her publicist’s friend Luke who needs the media attention in order to sell the Inn. The guests of the camp are there because they are fans of her books. Riley reluctantly agrees - she really has no choice since her publisher demands it. What she doesn’t know is that three of her longer term boyfriends will also be there, each trying to charm Riley back into their lives. Will Riley find the inspiration for her new book at Christmas Camp?
I really enjoyed this book. It’s full of Christmas goodness with all the hot chocolate, cookies, and romance one comes to expect from a holiday book. Riley’s character is well-developed and it’s wonderful to watch her grow from a woman trying to ignore the holiday due to personal loss, to someone embracing it and ready to make new memories. I loved all the Christmas activities and the fact the author highlights green initiatives and community good will in this book. As one would expect, the book is somewhat predictable but I’m perfectly fine with this. In this world full of chaos, at least I can count on the predictability of a great holiday book.
Thanks to Netgalley and Hawktale Publishing for the ARC of this book in exchange for the honest review provided here. Christmas Ever After publishes on September 29.
Riley Reynolds is a journalist turned romance writer. She’s had success with several books already and has quite a fan base. Unfortunately, her last romance novel was lacking the romance - likely indicative of a challenged love life. Now she is faced with a task of writing a Christmas novel: a very difficult challenge given that she has not celebrated the holiday since she was eight years due to the death of her father. As a publicity stunt, Riley has been instructed to host a Christmas Camp at the Inn run by her publicist’s friend Luke who needs the media attention in order to sell the Inn. The guests of the camp are there because they are fans of her books. Riley reluctantly agrees - she really has no choice since her publisher demands it. What she doesn’t know is that three of her longer term boyfriends will also be there, each trying to charm Riley back into their lives. Will Riley find the inspiration for her new book at Christmas Camp?
I really enjoyed this book. It’s full of Christmas goodness with all the hot chocolate, cookies, and romance one comes to expect from a holiday book. Riley’s character is well-developed and it’s wonderful to watch her grow from a woman trying to ignore the holiday due to personal loss, to someone embracing it and ready to make new memories. I loved all the Christmas activities and the fact the author highlights green initiatives and community good will in this book. As one would expect, the book is somewhat predictable but I’m perfectly fine with this. In this world full of chaos, at least I can count on the predictability of a great holiday book.
Thanks to Netgalley and Hawktale Publishing for the ARC of this book in exchange for the honest review provided here. Christmas Ever After publishes on September 29.
bigskybooks's review against another edition
4.0
Christmas Ever After
By: Karen Schaler
Hawktale Publishing
Author Riley Reynolds writes romance novels. Her last novel didn’t do so well, so her publisher decides she should write a Christmas romance story to rebound. Everyone loves Christmas. Well, everyone, but Riley. How is she going to write about a holiday that’s not her favorite? How is she going to write about love when her love life isn’t going so well?
Not only does her publisher want her to write a Christmas novel, but also insists she goes on live tv to promote it and the upcoming “Christmas Camp” book event for her fans. While on tv the interviewer has the audacity to ask Riley how she could possibly write about romance when she hasn’t found “the one” herself. Flustered and angry, Riley answers that she has had great love in the past and it inspires her novels.
Unfortunately, for Riley her three ex-boyfriends saw the interview and assume she is talking about each of them. They decide to surprise her Christmas Camp book even to see about getting back together.
But, of course, Christmas Camp takes place at the picturesque Christmas Lake Lodge, and owners son Luke is sweet and charming.
Rating: This book is loaded with Christmas spirit, love and cheer. It made me smile and I think it will you too.
Thank you to @netgalley and hawk tale publishing for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
By: Karen Schaler
Hawktale Publishing
Author Riley Reynolds writes romance novels. Her last novel didn’t do so well, so her publisher decides she should write a Christmas romance story to rebound. Everyone loves Christmas. Well, everyone, but Riley. How is she going to write about a holiday that’s not her favorite? How is she going to write about love when her love life isn’t going so well?
Not only does her publisher want her to write a Christmas novel, but also insists she goes on live tv to promote it and the upcoming “Christmas Camp” book event for her fans. While on tv the interviewer has the audacity to ask Riley how she could possibly write about romance when she hasn’t found “the one” herself. Flustered and angry, Riley answers that she has had great love in the past and it inspires her novels.
Unfortunately, for Riley her three ex-boyfriends saw the interview and assume she is talking about each of them. They decide to surprise her Christmas Camp book even to see about getting back together.
But, of course, Christmas Camp takes place at the picturesque Christmas Lake Lodge, and owners son Luke is sweet and charming.
Rating: This book is loaded with Christmas spirit, love and cheer. It made me smile and I think it will you too.
Thank you to @netgalley and hawk tale publishing for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
bkwrm22's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
It took way too long to get to the actual conflict-the 3 ex-boyfriends-and tgen barely spent anytime with them. There are only two times where we got to see things from Luke's point of view, so I have no idea when or why his feelings changed.
travelbypagesph's review against another edition
2.0
I had mixed emotions on this one. Let me start my review with the not so good ones so I can finish it with the things that I liked from it.
This book follows the story of a best-selling author, Riley Reynolds, who doesn’t believe in Christmas and has not celebrated it since she lost her dad. Yet she had to write a Christmas novel to save her career. They set up a Christmas camp book event to gather her fans and somehow get ideas from them about what to include in her next book. Her three ex-boyfriends showed up for her book event to try to win her back, each thinking it was him Riley was talking about in one of her interviews.
Basing on the synopsis, I thought the story would revolve around the Christmas camp event and her three ex-boyfriends competing to win her heart. But it wasn’t until I was at 50%+ that her ex boyfriends made their first appearance. Well, that’s aside from the brief call with Luke to reserve a slot for the book event.
The first 50% wasn’t at all boring, but it lacked content. It was mostly repetitive information about Riley not celebrating Christmas, just written in different forms.
I didn’t in anyway feel connected to Riley. And just reading Riley and Luke prepare for the camp, which all happened during the first 50%, didn’t look like they had a connection at all. This was a romance book that didn’t have any love at all.
Also, I’d just like to reiterate how kind of frustrating it is that the supposedly main events happened only during the last approximately 30% of the book.
Here comes the good part.
I had fun reading Riley’s character development at the end of the book. My favorite part was when she saw the inscription on her Sant charm given to her by her father and her final speech when she admitted the truth to all the campers.
It was cute. I mean all the activities and foods make me want to be part of the camp. And also, thanks for the recipes! I’d like to try them all, especially the blueberry cinnamon rolls. I already tried the hot choco and I loved it.
This book follows the story of a best-selling author, Riley Reynolds, who doesn’t believe in Christmas and has not celebrated it since she lost her dad. Yet she had to write a Christmas novel to save her career. They set up a Christmas camp book event to gather her fans and somehow get ideas from them about what to include in her next book. Her three ex-boyfriends showed up for her book event to try to win her back, each thinking it was him Riley was talking about in one of her interviews.
Basing on the synopsis, I thought the story would revolve around the Christmas camp event and her three ex-boyfriends competing to win her heart. But it wasn’t until I was at 50%+ that her ex boyfriends made their first appearance. Well, that’s aside from the brief call with Luke to reserve a slot for the book event.
The first 50% wasn’t at all boring, but it lacked content. It was mostly repetitive information about Riley not celebrating Christmas, just written in different forms.
I didn’t in anyway feel connected to Riley. And just reading Riley and Luke prepare for the camp, which all happened during the first 50%, didn’t look like they had a connection at all. This was a romance book that didn’t have any love at all.
Also, I’d just like to reiterate how kind of frustrating it is that the supposedly main events happened only during the last approximately 30% of the book.
Here comes the good part.
I had fun reading Riley’s character development at the end of the book. My favorite part was when she saw the inscription on her Sant charm given to her by her father and her final speech when she admitted the truth to all the campers.
It was cute. I mean all the activities and foods make me want to be part of the camp. And also, thanks for the recipes! I’d like to try them all, especially the blueberry cinnamon rolls. I already tried the hot choco and I loved it.
rva_reader's review against another edition
4.0
As a Christmas Hallmark and Bachelorette fan, there was so much to love in this story.
Riley is a romance writer, who’s last book struggled so her publisher asked her to write a Christmas book and host a Christmas camp to drum up interest. During a promotional interview, her words were taken out of context and interpreted that she had one great love instead of 3 great loves that were in her past. As a result, her old boyfriends all show up at the Christmas camp to surprise her.
The writing was easy and enjoyable. I enjoyed the development of the main character. The only negative was I almost felt like there were added storylines that weren’t necessary. I think it could have been a really sweet story without the addition of the last boyfriends. Although I understand their importance, I don’t think quite enough time was spent on them because they took away from the main romance. I loved all the Christmas talk. Despite how much I love Hallmark Christmas movies, this was actually my first Christmas book! It was a good first one to check out. I could definitely see this as a movie!
I want to thank Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for my opinions.
Riley is a romance writer, who’s last book struggled so her publisher asked her to write a Christmas book and host a Christmas camp to drum up interest. During a promotional interview, her words were taken out of context and interpreted that she had one great love instead of 3 great loves that were in her past. As a result, her old boyfriends all show up at the Christmas camp to surprise her.
The writing was easy and enjoyable. I enjoyed the development of the main character. The only negative was I almost felt like there were added storylines that weren’t necessary. I think it could have been a really sweet story without the addition of the last boyfriends. Although I understand their importance, I don’t think quite enough time was spent on them because they took away from the main romance. I loved all the Christmas talk. Despite how much I love Hallmark Christmas movies, this was actually my first Christmas book! It was a good first one to check out. I could definitely see this as a movie!
I want to thank Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for my opinions.
blondeeishere's review against another edition
3.0
Cute Christmas story! Would make a great hallmark movie ❤️
idathevision's review against another edition
1.0
I had pretty low expectations for this one. I was ready for it being cheesy, and simple, and overly Christmas-y. But it's just bad. It's too on the nose, stripped of all subtlety. It's all tell an no show. It was a pain to get through.
melmo2610's review against another edition
5.0
Another fun and charming Christmas romance from Karen. I have come to love her Christmas stories because they are always full of humor, romance and great characters and this one fits the bill perfectly. Riley was a great character and her predicament when all three of her exes show up to win her back was hilarious. Great Christmas read!!
sarahfett's review against another edition
4.0
My brain has been overloaded by the reality of the world right now, and Christmas Ever After was a wonderful escape. It's a sweet Christmas romance, predictable in a comforting way, and features a cute dog.
I received an ARC from NetGalley.
I received an ARC from NetGalley.