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A review by asourceoffiction
One More for Christmas by Sarah Morgan
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I really enjoyed the concept of this book, my third Christmas story by Sarah Morgan. It had a Scrooge feel to it, where an unsympathetic character has an experience that changes her outlook and causes her to build bridges with her family. Samantha, Ella and Gayle are great central characters, all struggling with Gayle's seemingly inexplicable change of heart and grappling with their own past traumas.
This is the second Christmas story I've read that's set primarily in the Scottish Highlands, and I'm so here for it; the blissful snowy landscapes, the cheerful, cosy villages, and in this case the stunning manor house with a welcoming kitchen filled with gingerbread and adorned with multiple Christmas trees. Reading about the house alone was festive bliss.
The secondary characters were also good fun; Samantha brings her family to the house for work, but Brodie and his family have their own chequered history and issues to work through. I felt bad for his sister Kirstie though - she's a great character and I would've enjoyed fleshing her out more, but she gets two measly chapters at the beginning and end which was a shame. I adored the bond Gayle forms with their mother Mary though.
As with all of Morgan's books, there are awkward characters putting their foot in it which leads to easy humour that is great to read. But the chapters (again as in so much of Morgan's work) are incredibly long, and it's so hard to come up for air or take a break. But I really enjoyed reading this just before Christmas, the timing was perfect for it and made the conveniently happy ending much more palatable when I was filled with festive cheer.
This is the second Christmas story I've read that's set primarily in the Scottish Highlands, and I'm so here for it; the blissful snowy landscapes, the cheerful, cosy villages, and in this case the stunning manor house with a welcoming kitchen filled with gingerbread and adorned with multiple Christmas trees. Reading about the house alone was festive bliss.
The secondary characters were also good fun; Samantha brings her family to the house for work, but Brodie and his family have their own chequered history and issues to work through. I felt bad for his sister Kirstie though - she's a great character and I would've enjoyed fleshing her out more, but she gets two measly chapters at the beginning and end which was a shame. I adored the bond Gayle forms with their mother Mary though.
As with all of Morgan's books, there are awkward characters putting their foot in it which leads to easy humour that is great to read. But the chapters (again as in so much of Morgan's work) are incredibly long, and it's so hard to come up for air or take a break. But I really enjoyed reading this just before Christmas, the timing was perfect for it and made the conveniently happy ending much more palatable when I was filled with festive cheer.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Domestic abuse