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meliaraastair's review against another edition
4.0
Jenny Collins, famous country music writer, returns home for Christmas after many years away. Her mom got remarried and had another kid and Jenny feels like she no longer has a place in the family. But, after a nasty, very public breakup the year prior, she really needs to step away for a bit and return to her roots. Can she repair that damage that's been done with her family? When her ex-boyfriend Caleb turns up, can she resist his apologies?
First of all, romance is not usually my thing. Not usually a genre for great writing. I loved this book, but it was no exception. Jenny is very much no, no, no, no, YES, predictable issue...then I'll let you read the ending but I'm sure it's not a surprise. The more I think about it, the more any sort of detail with anything outside of the relationship was kind of hastily finished so Jenny could spend the whole book thinking about Caleb.
While it's a cute, cheesy, PG, Hallmark-y Christmas book, it's exactly that. Fluff. Enjoyable delectable (and again WONDERFULLY PG...I'm not a fan of anything that goes too crazy erotic-a...that's just not what books are for, in my opinion...)...but. It's cheesy.
So, if you need a little Christmas Hallmark movie in book form, check this out. If you want satisfying plots with all details taken care of, this isn't it. (Like the whole brother...and play...and the song? and the family? and her stepdad? Like seriously, what happened with any of that?) But...I still enjoyed it.
I'll go 8 of 10 overall and 5 of 5 for readability. 8 of 10 only because it gives you all those perfect right Christmas feels. Not because of a well written plot with everything resolved in a way that actually makes any sense.
I'd still say...check it out.
For more reviews, check out bedroopedbookworms.wordpress.com
First of all, romance is not usually my thing. Not usually a genre for great writing. I loved this book, but it was no exception. Jenny is very much no, no, no, no, YES, predictable issue...then I'll let you read the ending but I'm sure it's not a surprise. The more I think about it, the more any sort of detail with anything outside of the relationship was kind of hastily finished so Jenny could spend the whole book thinking about Caleb.
While it's a cute, cheesy, PG, Hallmark-y Christmas book, it's exactly that. Fluff. Enjoyable delectable (and again WONDERFULLY PG...I'm not a fan of anything that goes too crazy erotic-a...that's just not what books are for, in my opinion...)...but. It's cheesy.
So, if you need a little Christmas Hallmark movie in book form, check this out. If you want satisfying plots with all details taken care of, this isn't it. (Like the whole brother...and play...and the song? and the family? and her stepdad? Like seriously, what happened with any of that?) But...I still enjoyed it.
I'll go 8 of 10 overall and 5 of 5 for readability. 8 of 10 only because it gives you all those perfect right Christmas feels. Not because of a well written plot with everything resolved in a way that actually makes any sense.
I'd still say...check it out.
For more reviews, check out bedroopedbookworms.wordpress.com
bookwyrm_lark's review against another edition
4.0
Review originally published at The Bookwyrm's Hoard.
Sherryl Woods makes a welcome return visit to Chesapeake Shores and the complex O'Brien family in this heartwarming second-chance romance. Country star Caleb Green broke songwriter Jenny Collins' heart a year ago, when photos of him with another woman were splashed across the cover of every tabloid. But their relationship had already been on the rocks, the tensions fueled by Caleb's drinking and long absences while on tour. Now sober, Caleb knows how badly he messed up -- and he'll do almost anything to woo Jenny back.
Jenny has come home to Chesapeake Shores to write songs for a Christmas play written by her friend and aunt-by-marriage, Bree. But her return isn't without its challenges; Jenny's relationship with her mother was strained by her mother's remarriage and the birth of her little brother four years earlier. Despite her deep longing for family, Jenny has never accepted her stepfather or his large and boisterous extended family. The same can't be said of the O'Briens, who consider Jenny one of their own despite her long absence.
When Caleb shows up in town, Jenny wants nothing to do with him. But it's not long before Caleb has won even the protective O'Brien men over to his side. With Caleb and the whole family ranged against her, Jenny isn't sure she can continue to protect her heart -- or if she even wants to.
I loved Jenny and Caleb's romance. Jenny's pain and Caleb's unequivocal acceptance of his mistakes ring very true, so it was easy to understand both Jenny's reluctance to trust and Caleb's perseverance. The chemistry between them is strong, and it's clear they are meant to be together if Jenny can ever get past the history and forgive him. Caleb is almost too perfect now; I heaved a sigh of relief when he finally lost his temper a bit, because it showed he was (still) human. I also loved the musical thread that runs through the whole book. Woods describes some of Jenny's songs so well that I wished I could actually hear them.
The strain between Jenny and her mother felt so real that I found it painful to read. It was a relief to see them slowly, tentatively rebuilding their relationship. Given how much of Jenny's issues around family, trust, and abandonment have to do with her absent father, I was surprised that that he never showed up -- surprised, but pleased. Too often, romance writers try to fix everything that's wrong in a main character's life. It was refreshing (not to mention realistic) to see Jenny dealing with her issues without that resolution.
The O'Brien family is a delight, as usual, and we get at least a glimpse of almost everyone. Briony, Jake, Jess, and Thomas show up most frequently, and of course Mick can't resist putting his oar in. Matriarch Nell is her usual wise self, and her delightful Irish husband Dillon is still on hand.
If you're new to Chesapeake Shores, A Seaside Christmas works just fine as a standalone romance, though there are more than the usual number of secondary characters to keep track of. On the other hand, if you're a fan been longing to return to Chesapeake Shores, you're in luck. Grab a copy, tuck an afghan around you, curl up with a cup of hot chocolate, and let Sherryl Woods enchant you all over again.
FTC disclosure: I received a review copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Sherryl Woods makes a welcome return visit to Chesapeake Shores and the complex O'Brien family in this heartwarming second-chance romance. Country star Caleb Green broke songwriter Jenny Collins' heart a year ago, when photos of him with another woman were splashed across the cover of every tabloid. But their relationship had already been on the rocks, the tensions fueled by Caleb's drinking and long absences while on tour. Now sober, Caleb knows how badly he messed up -- and he'll do almost anything to woo Jenny back.
Jenny has come home to Chesapeake Shores to write songs for a Christmas play written by her friend and aunt-by-marriage, Bree. But her return isn't without its challenges; Jenny's relationship with her mother was strained by her mother's remarriage and the birth of her little brother four years earlier. Despite her deep longing for family, Jenny has never accepted her stepfather or his large and boisterous extended family. The same can't be said of the O'Briens, who consider Jenny one of their own despite her long absence.
When Caleb shows up in town, Jenny wants nothing to do with him. But it's not long before Caleb has won even the protective O'Brien men over to his side. With Caleb and the whole family ranged against her, Jenny isn't sure she can continue to protect her heart -- or if she even wants to.
I loved Jenny and Caleb's romance. Jenny's pain and Caleb's unequivocal acceptance of his mistakes ring very true, so it was easy to understand both Jenny's reluctance to trust and Caleb's perseverance. The chemistry between them is strong, and it's clear they are meant to be together if Jenny can ever get past the history and forgive him. Caleb is almost too perfect now; I heaved a sigh of relief when he finally lost his temper a bit, because it showed he was (still) human. I also loved the musical thread that runs through the whole book. Woods describes some of Jenny's songs so well that I wished I could actually hear them.
The strain between Jenny and her mother felt so real that I found it painful to read. It was a relief to see them slowly, tentatively rebuilding their relationship. Given how much of Jenny's issues around family, trust, and abandonment have to do with her absent father, I was surprised that that he never showed up -- surprised, but pleased. Too often, romance writers try to fix everything that's wrong in a main character's life. It was refreshing (not to mention realistic) to see Jenny dealing with her issues without that resolution.
The O'Brien family is a delight, as usual, and we get at least a glimpse of almost everyone. Briony, Jake, Jess, and Thomas show up most frequently, and of course Mick can't resist putting his oar in. Matriarch Nell is her usual wise self, and her delightful Irish husband Dillon is still on hand.
If you're new to Chesapeake Shores, A Seaside Christmas works just fine as a standalone romance, though there are more than the usual number of secondary characters to keep track of. On the other hand, if you're a fan been longing to return to Chesapeake Shores, you're in luck. Grab a copy, tuck an afghan around you, curl up with a cup of hot chocolate, and let Sherryl Woods enchant you all over again.
FTC disclosure: I received a review copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
samantha_randolph's review against another edition
4.0
"Much like other women have experienced, successful songwriter Jenny Collins has had her heart broken. Only this time, her heartbreak came in the form of singer Caleb Green, and his betrayal with another woman was all over the magazine covers. Not wanting to spend another holiday alone even more than not wanting to return home, Jenny heads to Chesapeake Shores. While there, she starts to slowly remember why she used to love Chesapeake Shores, but when Caleb shows up there asking for her back, she has to figure out what her heart is trying to tell her more than ever." Full review at Fresh Fiction: http://freshfiction.com/review.php?id=42262
the_french_librarian's review against another edition
4.0
Jenny is coming back to Chesapeake Shore after a very public and difficult break up with country star Caleb. Even if her relationship with her family is complicated seeing over and over her boyfriend with another woman is too complicated. But after a rehab Caleb is coming to Chesapeake Shore reading to win her back over.
I dived in this book not knowing a thing except that it took place during Christmas. And I must say I was not ready to see the character that cheated come back. I hate cheating trope ! But I must give to Sherryl Woods that her book was really good. I liked the story that mingled family and love and show that it is normal to have struggles to acclimate to a new family. Even though the characters had nothing particular the story has this Christmas ambiance, the story was super cute and even if Caleb cheated it was impossible for me not to like him.
My only complaint is that for the end is not done well. The last chapter before the epilogue is done so quickly, even if I knew what was going to happen I would have liked something more worked on.
Overall, with the holidays coming, I totally recommend this book which is quite short.
I dived in this book not knowing a thing except that it took place during Christmas. And I must say I was not ready to see the character that cheated come back. I hate cheating trope ! But I must give to Sherryl Woods that her book was really good. I liked the story that mingled family and love and show that it is normal to have struggles to acclimate to a new family. Even though the characters had nothing particular the story has this Christmas ambiance, the story was super cute and even if Caleb cheated it was impossible for me not to like him.
My only complaint is that for the end is not done well. The last chapter before the epilogue is done so quickly, even if I knew what was going to happen I would have liked something more worked on.
Overall, with the holidays coming, I totally recommend this book which is quite short.
shell74's review against another edition
4.0
See my full review:
http://harlequinjunkie.com/review-a-seaside-christmas-by-sherryl-woods/
http://harlequinjunkie.com/review-a-seaside-christmas-by-sherryl-woods/