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nina10's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
cerisecarrot's review against another edition
4.0
Easy read. Didn’t realise it was a book of short stories, not really my thing.
vlreid's review against another edition
4.0
Maeve Binchy is an international treasure; I have loved every single one of her books that I've read. This one is no exception! I always like to read a Christmas novel in December, and this one was perfect -- a collection of short stories. Highly recommended for anyone who wants to get into the Christmas spirit; snuggle up with a cuppa tea and read this book.
Read more of my reviews at https://thegoodreader13.blogspot.com/.
Read more of my reviews at https://thegoodreader13.blogspot.com/.
nattyg's review against another edition
5.0
I adore Maeve - which makes this book right up my alley.
Bittersweet, sentimental, holiday focused, but without all the 'fakeness'
Real people, living real lives. Good, bad, and in between
Bittersweet, sentimental, holiday focused, but without all the 'fakeness'
Real people, living real lives. Good, bad, and in between
savmhunter's review against another edition
3.0
I liked this book but there were way to many stories about unfaithful men. It seemed like that was almost the underlying theme of the book. Most of the stories were about a couple dealing with affairs.
collierkeithj's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
novelesque_life's review against another edition
3.0
3 STARS
"In "A Typical Irish Christmas," a grieving widower heads for a holiday in Ireland and finds an unexpected destination not just for himself, but for a father and daughter in crisis. . . . In "Pulling Together," a teacher not yet out of her twenties sees her affair with a married man at a turning point as Christmas Eve approaches. . . . And in the title story, "This Year It Will Be Different," a woman with a complacent husband and grown children enters a season that will forever alter her life, and theirs. . . These stories, and a dozen more, powerfully evoke many lives--from step-families grappling with exes to children caught in grown-up tugs-of-war--during the one holiday when feelings cannot be easily hidden. The time of year may be magical, imbued with meaning." (From Amazon)
Another great collection of cozy short stories from Binchy.
"In "A Typical Irish Christmas," a grieving widower heads for a holiday in Ireland and finds an unexpected destination not just for himself, but for a father and daughter in crisis. . . . In "Pulling Together," a teacher not yet out of her twenties sees her affair with a married man at a turning point as Christmas Eve approaches. . . . And in the title story, "This Year It Will Be Different," a woman with a complacent husband and grown children enters a season that will forever alter her life, and theirs. . . These stories, and a dozen more, powerfully evoke many lives--from step-families grappling with exes to children caught in grown-up tugs-of-war--during the one holiday when feelings cannot be easily hidden. The time of year may be magical, imbued with meaning." (From Amazon)
Another great collection of cozy short stories from Binchy.
ecclescake's review against another edition
2.0
I hadn't realised until I started reading it that this was a book of short stories, so it was a bit disappointing. MB's short stories just aren't a patch on her novels.
The extract from her upcoming novel at the end looks promising, though.
The extract from her upcoming novel at the end looks promising, though.