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emmascr's review
5.0
This review was originally posted on Star Crossed Reviews I received this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.Thank you to Holly for asking me to be part of this tour. I am a huge fan of Holly’s work and there’s nothing more exciting for me than a Christmas book by Holly.
This is the second book set on Juniper Island but both books can be read as a standalone.
This book is centred on Neve and Oakley but also includes the stories of Adam, Ivy, Luke and Audrey.
Neve and Oakley recently broke up before he went to Hollywood to shoot his dream movie. Neve thought that she was holding him back and decided that she should let him go. Oakely arrives on Juniper Island with the plan of winning her back. It is clear to the outsider that these two are made for each other. Neve is a fiery, no nonsense kinda girl. She doesn’t take any crap from anyone. Oakely is a big shot actor who only has eyes for one.
Adam had agreed to a 3 month secondment to Stardust Hotel on Juniper Island. After working his way up at a top London Hotel, Adam has been assistant manager for many years. The move to Juniper was exactly what he needed, but there was much more going on than he expected. After a busy morning on his first few days Ivy Storm goes missing. It’s the last thing Adam needs with everything else he needs to be getting on with.
Luke and Audrey have been mooning over each other for months and the whole island is waiting for them to get together but can Luke trust Audrey after everything he’s been through?
This book has everything you need for the perfect Christmas read. It’s got the drama, it’s got lots of festive spirit and most importantly it’s got the romance.
This is the second book set on Juniper Island but both books can be read as a standalone.
This book is centred on Neve and Oakley but also includes the stories of Adam, Ivy, Luke and Audrey.
Neve and Oakley recently broke up before he went to Hollywood to shoot his dream movie. Neve thought that she was holding him back and decided that she should let him go. Oakely arrives on Juniper Island with the plan of winning her back. It is clear to the outsider that these two are made for each other. Neve is a fiery, no nonsense kinda girl. She doesn’t take any crap from anyone. Oakely is a big shot actor who only has eyes for one.
Adam had agreed to a 3 month secondment to Stardust Hotel on Juniper Island. After working his way up at a top London Hotel, Adam has been assistant manager for many years. The move to Juniper was exactly what he needed, but there was much more going on than he expected. After a busy morning on his first few days Ivy Storm goes missing. It’s the last thing Adam needs with everything else he needs to be getting on with.
Luke and Audrey have been mooning over each other for months and the whole island is waiting for them to get together but can Luke trust Audrey after everything he’s been through?
This book has everything you need for the perfect Christmas read. It’s got the drama, it’s got lots of festive spirit and most importantly it’s got the romance.
jo_bookworm's review
5.0
When we left Juniper Island in Christmas Under a Cranberry Sky - film star Oakley Rey had just landed.
The man Neve Whitaker, manager of the Stardust Lake Hotel and sister to Gabe it's owner, had left nine weeks previously. The man she rejected for only reasons that she seems to know and understand. She was going to be no good for the burgeoning film star Oakley Rey.
If she keeps telling herself and us this, then obviously it was for all the right reasons.
The secret Neve is trying to keep is eating her up and Oakley is determined to do whatever he can to win her back, but Neve is frightened of having her heart broken again and does not feel like she has the strength to put a barrier up between her and Oakley. Of course the path of true love never does run smooth, especially when it is covered in snow!
Of course there are some familiar faces from the first novel, and it was lovely to return to Juniper Island. We learn a bit more about Adam, who arrived towards the end of the first book to assistant in the hotel. He falls for Ivy, when he has to get her out of a hole she has managed to get herself into, but for them the magic of the landscape and love knows to conquer every impossibility.
Nothing is lost in this second novel. Holly Martin manages to magically transport you away, to the snow, to the log fires, the promise of the Northern lights. This is where you want to spend CHristmas, although perhaps without the calamities that seem to befall some of the main characters.
If you can read the first one, then pick this one up straight away you can hold onto the magic that bit longer and whilst I was left disappointed that it came to the end. It was a fitting one, even if I do want to return there at some point in the future.
The man Neve Whitaker, manager of the Stardust Lake Hotel and sister to Gabe it's owner, had left nine weeks previously. The man she rejected for only reasons that she seems to know and understand. She was going to be no good for the burgeoning film star Oakley Rey.
If she keeps telling herself and us this, then obviously it was for all the right reasons.
The secret Neve is trying to keep is eating her up and Oakley is determined to do whatever he can to win her back, but Neve is frightened of having her heart broken again and does not feel like she has the strength to put a barrier up between her and Oakley. Of course the path of true love never does run smooth, especially when it is covered in snow!
Of course there are some familiar faces from the first novel, and it was lovely to return to Juniper Island. We learn a bit more about Adam, who arrived towards the end of the first book to assistant in the hotel. He falls for Ivy, when he has to get her out of a hole she has managed to get herself into, but for them the magic of the landscape and love knows to conquer every impossibility.
Nothing is lost in this second novel. Holly Martin manages to magically transport you away, to the snow, to the log fires, the promise of the Northern lights. This is where you want to spend CHristmas, although perhaps without the calamities that seem to befall some of the main characters.
If you can read the first one, then pick this one up straight away you can hold onto the magic that bit longer and whilst I was left disappointed that it came to the end. It was a fitting one, even if I do want to return there at some point in the future.
christinavarela's review
1.0
Continuing my search for Christmas books. 1.5 stars. The first book in the series I gave three stars and it ended on a cliffhanger. When I found out there was a second book in the same town, same characters, I thought sure why not? However this book was not nearly as entertaining as the first book. The Neve storyline was very irritating. I need at least a little darkness in the story.
kirstyreviewsbooks's review
4.0
Christmas Under a Starlit Sky by Holly Martin
Blurb
Neve Whitaker loves managing the Stardust Lake hotel. She gets to work alongside her wonderful family and she’s spending Christmas on the most enchanting, snow-covered island in Scotland. So why is her heart so heavy this festive season?
My Opinion
Holly Martin and Christmas - everything about this book appealed to me so I just had to read it. I read the first book in the series recently and so I was ready to return to catch up with the residents of Juniper Island. I really enjoyed this lovely, festive book - which will come to no surprise to the people that have followed me for a while, I love Christmas book and Holly Martin's writing. Another great festive read.
Rating 4/5
Blurb
Neve Whitaker loves managing the Stardust Lake hotel. She gets to work alongside her wonderful family and she’s spending Christmas on the most enchanting, snow-covered island in Scotland. So why is her heart so heavy this festive season?
My Opinion
Holly Martin and Christmas - everything about this book appealed to me so I just had to read it. I read the first book in the series recently and so I was ready to return to catch up with the residents of Juniper Island. I really enjoyed this lovely, festive book - which will come to no surprise to the people that have followed me for a while, I love Christmas book and Holly Martin's writing. Another great festive read.
Rating 4/5
nannyf's review
4.0
I enjoyed reading the first book in this series and couldn't wait to read Neve and Oakley's story. This starts immediately after the end of the first book so it should be read first in order to understand the story.
Neve has a secret and she really needs to share it with Oakley. But fear of ruining things for him is holding her back, his best interests at the heart of her decision however misguided that may be. Circumstances conspire against Neve and she finds herself having to change her plans in a drastic way.
Not only do we have Neve and Oakley's story, we also catch up with the characters from book one. Piper, Gabe and Wren feature heavily, as do Luke, Adam et al. In fact we find out a lot more about Adam and Ivy in this book as their story features too. This adds a different element to the whole story which I enjoyed.
The ending is perfect, the setting once again is very well written and I felt myself once again transported to the north of Scotland to Juniper Island.
Many thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Neve has a secret and she really needs to share it with Oakley. But fear of ruining things for him is holding her back, his best interests at the heart of her decision however misguided that may be. Circumstances conspire against Neve and she finds herself having to change her plans in a drastic way.
Not only do we have Neve and Oakley's story, we also catch up with the characters from book one. Piper, Gabe and Wren feature heavily, as do Luke, Adam et al. In fact we find out a lot more about Adam and Ivy in this book as their story features too. This adds a different element to the whole story which I enjoyed.
The ending is perfect, the setting once again is very well written and I felt myself once again transported to the north of Scotland to Juniper Island.
Many thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.
nevergiveyoupeaceswift's review
4.0
This book was cute. It was way better than the last “Christmas” book I read. This book, I loved the characters so much.
illbefinealone's review
4.0
Copy received through NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.
This series is continued in a wonderful way. A quite enjoyable, swoony read perfect for the Christmas season. Mrs. Martin's ability to capture the Christmas atmosphere and incorporate it into her books is one of a kind, and she does it in an interesting way: through a playful style, amazing characters and a picture perfect setting.
I am just now discovering Holly Martin's works and I have to say, I am excited to see what else she has in store.
This series is continued in a wonderful way. A quite enjoyable, swoony read perfect for the Christmas season. Mrs. Martin's ability to capture the Christmas atmosphere and incorporate it into her books is one of a kind, and she does it in an interesting way: through a playful style, amazing characters and a picture perfect setting.
I am just now discovering Holly Martin's works and I have to say, I am excited to see what else she has in store.
wickie's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-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
5.0
„Градче на име Коледа“ е продължение на „Коледа под боровинковия залез“, която оцених с четири звезди. Историята на Нийв (сестрата на Гейб) и Оукли ми беше по-интересна и този път Холи Мартин събра двойката постепенно. Тъй като „Коледа под боровинковия залез“ завърши неочаквано, със сцена като от филм, се надявах да прочета още няколко страници за тези персонажи. Радвам се, че издателство „Ера“ са включили продължението към коледния си списък тази година.
В „Градче на име Коледа“ заедно с главната любовна история, се развива още една - между Адам и Айви, а мога да добавя и като бонус, тази между Люк и слънчевата Одри. Всички те успяха да преодолеят различията и пречките във връзките си, а любовта им е описана много красиво, особено сред заснежения шотландски остров Джунипър.
Ще оставя и цитат, който показва, че не бива сами да разрушаваме шансовете си за щастие.
Стр. 227 - „Направи няколко крачки напред и се загледа в пръстена, който искреше в снега. Вдигна го и го задържа в дланта си. Стори ѝ се тежък, пълен с живот на любов и смях, който тя най-нехайно беше захвърлила. Пъхна го в джоба си, за да ѝ напомня за онези кратки мигове, когато всичко в живота ѝ беше добро, съвършено, вълшебно, преди тя да унищожи всеки шанс отново да е щастлива.“
Оценявам читателското си преживяване с 5.0 ⭐🎄✨
В „Градче на име Коледа“ заедно с главната любовна история, се развива още една - между Адам и Айви, а мога да добавя и като бонус, тази между Люк и слънчевата Одри. Всички те успяха да преодолеят различията и пречките във връзките си, а любовта им е описана много красиво, особено сред заснежения шотландски остров Джунипър.
Ще оставя и цитат, който показва, че не бива сами да разрушаваме шансовете си за щастие.
Стр. 227 - „Направи няколко крачки напред и се загледа в пръстена, който искреше в снега. Вдигна го и го задържа в дланта си. Стори ѝ се тежък, пълен с живот на любов и смях, който тя най-нехайно беше захвърлила. Пъхна го в джоба си, за да ѝ напомня за онези кратки мигове, когато всичко в живота ѝ беше добро, съвършено, вълшебно, преди тя да унищожи всеки шанс отново да е щастлива.“
Оценявам читателското си преживяване с 5.0 ⭐🎄✨
booksavvyreviews's review
2.0
Generally, I'm not really a fluffy romance reader. I use them to break up my time between big books that I know are going to take a lot of the wind out of my sails and so I choose a smaller, fluffy book that doesn't exactly take a lot of brain power but is well written and cute. That being said, this book reads like a Hallmark movie, so if you're looking for a warm hearted, quick read then this would be it.
This book has two stories in it, a total of four main characters. Neve, Oakly, Adam and Ivy.
Neve is the manager of Stardust Lake hotel, in Scotland, she recently broke up with her up and coming movie star boyfriend, Oakley and she's harboring a secret. What's more is that her previous boyfriend has broken her faith in men and she has taken it out on Oakley. He comes back to spend Christmas with her and to win her back.
Adam is the assistant manager to the hotel, it's a temporary job and he won't be around for long. His ex wife broke his heart but when he stumbles on Ivy when he's out on a search, it's love at first sight, but she has a heartbreaking past, too.
I largely preferred the story between Oakley and Neve, they had an established past and therefore more believable. Oakley was by far the strongest and most believable character out of the bunch, Neve was rather immature and foolish for a 31-year-old. She continuously jerked Oakley around and lied to him. Not counting the initial break up, she hurts him two times in a big way.
Adam and Ivy's relationship seems to happen too fast, things become seriously really quickly in a short period of time and it just left me blinking. I also found myself flicking through their scenes because I couldn't connect with them and really just wanted to get back to Neve and Oakley.
All issues are resolved and wrapped up by the end of the book, the epilogue is also adorable. I found the beginning of the book stronger than the half way mark and onward. What I initially would have given would have been a 3 crown rating, but I feel as though it lost me along the way so a 2.5 it is.
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This book has two stories in it, a total of four main characters. Neve, Oakly, Adam and Ivy.
Neve is the manager of Stardust Lake hotel, in Scotland, she recently broke up with her up and coming movie star boyfriend, Oakley and she's harboring a secret. What's more is that her previous boyfriend has broken her faith in men and she has taken it out on Oakley. He comes back to spend Christmas with her and to win her back.
Adam is the assistant manager to the hotel, it's a temporary job and he won't be around for long. His ex wife broke his heart but when he stumbles on Ivy when he's out on a search, it's love at first sight, but she has a heartbreaking past, too.
I largely preferred the story between Oakley and Neve, they had an established past and therefore more believable. Oakley was by far the strongest and most believable character out of the bunch, Neve was rather immature and foolish for a 31-year-old. She continuously jerked Oakley around and lied to him. Not counting the initial break up, she hurts him two times in a big way.
Adam and Ivy's relationship seems to happen too fast, things become seriously really quickly in a short period of time and it just left me blinking. I also found myself flicking through their scenes because I couldn't connect with them and really just wanted to get back to Neve and Oakley.
All issues are resolved and wrapped up by the end of the book, the epilogue is also adorable. I found the beginning of the book stronger than the half way mark and onward. What I initially would have given would have been a 3 crown rating, but I feel as though it lost me along the way so a 2.5 it is.
Website - Facebook - Instagram
gill's review
3.0
Set on the Scottish island of Juniper in the Whittaker's family hotel, this novel tells the stories of Gabe and Neve Whittaker, brother and sister. They are both equally unlucky in love but enjoy working on the remote island. Will romance blossom in the snow drifts?
Of all the Christmas themed chick-lit books I read on holiday (yes, there are more to come during December), I think these were two of my favourites. They are nice stories with likeable characters, I particularly liked Neve as she wasn't your typical heroine. The story-line's are slightly unbelievable, but it's Christmas and it's romantic so I forgive them that.
Of all the Christmas themed chick-lit books I read on holiday (yes, there are more to come during December), I think these were two of my favourites. They are nice stories with likeable characters, I particularly liked Neve as she wasn't your typical heroine. The story-line's are slightly unbelievable, but it's Christmas and it's romantic so I forgive them that.