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bargainsleuth's review
4.0
For this and other book reviews, visit www.bargain-sleuth.com
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and Boldwood Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
I’ve never been to Iceland, but through Kate Frost’s prose, I feel like I have spent a lot of time in the country. The setting was a character in itself, part travelogue, part love letter. I loved that aspect of the book. I can’t begin to list all the things that Molly did, like snowmobiling and viewing the Northern Lights. The way the activities were described was magical.
This book was not the easiest to read, because a great portion of it is the bereavement felt by Molly following two years of caring for aging parents in England, their deaths, and dealing with the estate like selling her childhood home. Her sister, Claudia, lives in Iceland, and couldn’t do much to help. I am still dealing with my mom’s estate, so all those feelings Molly is having are still fresh in my mind.
Molly has a douche of a boyfriend; they’ve been together for seven years, but he hasn’t been very understanding about her need to grieve and process everything. He’s promised to take some time off of work and go to Iceland for two weeks over the Christmas holidays but finds one excuse after another to delay his departure. Finally, he makes up a lame excuse that he missed his plane and is spending the holidays with his parents. Molly accepts the inevitable, but she isn’t done talking to the loser yet.
Molly’s sister, Claudia, and her husband, happen to run a mountain lodge and have an eclectic group of couples staying with them over the holiday break. One is a man that Molly had a flirtation with years before she was with her now ex-boyfriend. He’s recently split from his wife and has his young daughter with him. Also chumming along is his old friend, James, who was there for that magical holiday and remembers the sparks that flew between Molly and his friend. No matter, James is engaged to an uppity woman who has zero interest in being in Iceland, but she came as a favor to her fiancé. The only complaint is that the romance that was introduced for Molly with James was a slight turn-off since he was literally engaged at the beginning of the holiday, then jumps into a relationship with her as soon as he’s free.
Ultimately, this book is about grieving loved ones, moving on, losing love, and finding it again in the most unlikely of places. I did really enjoy the book, as I believe in some ways it has helped me move on a little bit more in the grieving process with my mother, too.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and Boldwood Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
I’ve never been to Iceland, but through Kate Frost’s prose, I feel like I have spent a lot of time in the country. The setting was a character in itself, part travelogue, part love letter. I loved that aspect of the book. I can’t begin to list all the things that Molly did, like snowmobiling and viewing the Northern Lights. The way the activities were described was magical.
This book was not the easiest to read, because a great portion of it is the bereavement felt by Molly following two years of caring for aging parents in England, their deaths, and dealing with the estate like selling her childhood home. Her sister, Claudia, lives in Iceland, and couldn’t do much to help. I am still dealing with my mom’s estate, so all those feelings Molly is having are still fresh in my mind.
Molly has a douche of a boyfriend; they’ve been together for seven years, but he hasn’t been very understanding about her need to grieve and process everything. He’s promised to take some time off of work and go to Iceland for two weeks over the Christmas holidays but finds one excuse after another to delay his departure. Finally, he makes up a lame excuse that he missed his plane and is spending the holidays with his parents. Molly accepts the inevitable, but she isn’t done talking to the loser yet.
Molly’s sister, Claudia, and her husband, happen to run a mountain lodge and have an eclectic group of couples staying with them over the holiday break. One is a man that Molly had a flirtation with years before she was with her now ex-boyfriend. He’s recently split from his wife and has his young daughter with him. Also chumming along is his old friend, James, who was there for that magical holiday and remembers the sparks that flew between Molly and his friend. No matter, James is engaged to an uppity woman who has zero interest in being in Iceland, but she came as a favor to her fiancé. The only complaint is that the romance that was introduced for Molly with James was a slight turn-off since he was literally engaged at the beginning of the holiday, then jumps into a relationship with her as soon as he’s free.
Ultimately, this book is about grieving loved ones, moving on, losing love, and finding it again in the most unlikely of places. I did really enjoy the book, as I believe in some ways it has helped me move on a little bit more in the grieving process with my mother, too.
kirstyreviewsbooks's review
4.0
One Winter's Night by Kate Frost
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Blurb
With Christmas just around the corner, Molly Bliss has almost hit rock bottom.
After the heart-breaking loss of her parents, an escape to Iceland to spend the holidays with her sister Claudia is a chance for her to find solace and focus on her neglected relationship with her boyfriend Howard. But when Howard 'misses' his flight, Molly is forced to rethink her whole outlook on life.
Surrounded by her family, Molly has never felt more alone. With ongoing family tensions rumbling and a surprising connection with old flame Leifur and his friend James, Molly realises she has an opportunity to rediscover who she really is.
While exploring the wild beauty of Iceland, a fragile hope seeds itself in Molly and alongside the life-affirming experiences and new friendships that are forged, she’s forced to question why she ever put her own dreams on hold.
Will Molly allow grief and disappointment to destroy her chance at happiness, or can new love sparkle as the land of fire and ice begins to work its magic?
My Opinion
This was my first book by Kate Frost but I am sure that it won't be my last. Kate described everything beautifully, so much so that I now want to visit Iceland for Christmas. Right from the beginning, you feel for Molly with all that she has been through and you can tell how much she needs a nice relaxing holiday. This was such an emotional, but great festive read. I would make sure this is on your list of festive books to read this year.
Rating: 4/5
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Blurb
With Christmas just around the corner, Molly Bliss has almost hit rock bottom.
After the heart-breaking loss of her parents, an escape to Iceland to spend the holidays with her sister Claudia is a chance for her to find solace and focus on her neglected relationship with her boyfriend Howard. But when Howard 'misses' his flight, Molly is forced to rethink her whole outlook on life.
Surrounded by her family, Molly has never felt more alone. With ongoing family tensions rumbling and a surprising connection with old flame Leifur and his friend James, Molly realises she has an opportunity to rediscover who she really is.
While exploring the wild beauty of Iceland, a fragile hope seeds itself in Molly and alongside the life-affirming experiences and new friendships that are forged, she’s forced to question why she ever put her own dreams on hold.
Will Molly allow grief and disappointment to destroy her chance at happiness, or can new love sparkle as the land of fire and ice begins to work its magic?
My Opinion
This was my first book by Kate Frost but I am sure that it won't be my last. Kate described everything beautifully, so much so that I now want to visit Iceland for Christmas. Right from the beginning, you feel for Molly with all that she has been through and you can tell how much she needs a nice relaxing holiday. This was such an emotional, but great festive read. I would make sure this is on your list of festive books to read this year.
Rating: 4/5
booksnug's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-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
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
cherese's review
emotional
medium-paced
4.0
Iceland! Good story and good writing - likable characters - would read another book by Kate Frost
sharongrigg's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
So relatable for me having ended a long term relationship this year and spent time in Iceland. Unfortunately, I didn't find new love whilst there myself but it did reawaken my vest for living, much like it did for Molly. A fun, cheerful romantic story.
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