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sarahs_bookish_life's review against another edition
4.0
I have to give the author credit as the story is mainly set in Tennesse and when it's a British writer, sometimes the authenticity of the setting doesn't always feel right and it can feel like the author is trying to hard. With this novel though, for me, it felt right.
You have got to love secluded settings. The place where Fee decides to get away from it all for a while was so picturesque and not far from a small idyllic town. I enjoyed getting to know the area and the people better.
Right from the start you can sense a chemistry between Fee and Tom. As with all romance stories, nothing is straight forward and the pair come with a fair amount of baggage between them. Tom has a vast network of family, all of who I loved. They are the type of people who are welcoming and you feel right at home straight away.
I have to admit to start with, the story did feel at times like it was heading more towards the crime genre, which did throw me. Don't get me wrong I love crime but I wasn't expecting the story to take certain turns that it did. These parts were also slightly quite brief and I would have loved for the author to delve more into it but then it would probably have got in the way of the romance.
Christmas at Black Cherry Retreat is an easy and engaging read. I liked Fee and Tom though have to admit to maybe falling in love with Tom's family that little bit more than them. The family side of things really adds to the heart warming feel that I would expect from this sort of genre and whilst not overly Christmassy, it's still a good book to snuggle up under a blanket with and enjoy.
My thanks to Rachel at Rachel's Random Resources for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
You have got to love secluded settings. The place where Fee decides to get away from it all for a while was so picturesque and not far from a small idyllic town. I enjoyed getting to know the area and the people better.
Right from the start you can sense a chemistry between Fee and Tom. As with all romance stories, nothing is straight forward and the pair come with a fair amount of baggage between them. Tom has a vast network of family, all of who I loved. They are the type of people who are welcoming and you feel right at home straight away.
I have to admit to start with, the story did feel at times like it was heading more towards the crime genre, which did throw me. Don't get me wrong I love crime but I wasn't expecting the story to take certain turns that it did. These parts were also slightly quite brief and I would have loved for the author to delve more into it but then it would probably have got in the way of the romance.
Christmas at Black Cherry Retreat is an easy and engaging read. I liked Fee and Tom though have to admit to maybe falling in love with Tom's family that little bit more than them. The family side of things really adds to the heart warming feel that I would expect from this sort of genre and whilst not overly Christmassy, it's still a good book to snuggle up under a blanket with and enjoy.
My thanks to Rachel at Rachel's Random Resources for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
jessbookishlife's review against another edition
4.0
This is my first novel by Angela Britnell, but now my first Christmas book this year, nevertheless, the author give us a sweet Christmas Romance novel, full of cute moments and some scenes that made me think, and of course great characters.
The book follows Fee and Tom. Fee is a photographer and Tom is the Black Cherry Retreat. Well, I have ever been to a retreat before, so I get quite intrigued about books that are located in one, and I was very curious about Tom and Fee's stories before them met.
The characters are all quite intriguing. We met new characters as we follow Fee and Tom's lives and relationship, and although it felt like it was a quite story, and I would have loved to explore more about the characters personalities and lives, especially Fee and Tom's past, in an overall, it was a cute and entertaining story.
What I liked a lot was the present, the development in the main characters' relationship. Fee and Tom are both suffering, are both damaged and that's okay, we are all dealing with things in our lives and it was something I could relate too in a way. The lost of someone important is hard, and seeing how they are dealing with it was a good touch. Plus, it was funny to see their interactions too.
Then there are the descriptions of the setting and moment in time that made the book sound real, despite the quick development in just a short amount of time, months really. I loved the retreat and I wish I could go there. It made the love story pop and made it like this wonderland. For me at least since I never been to a retreat and I have this dreamy version of that it may look like.
Overall, it was a Christmas romance that start before Christmas and it was the classic tale of opposites attract. A story that made me feel and dream, it was a good start in the holiday celebrations, now that we are in December, and I like it.
[I want to thank Rachel, at Rachel’s Random Resources, and Angela for the eCopy of this book and for allowing me to join in the fun and by being a part of the blog tour with my honest review of the book.]
The book follows Fee and Tom. Fee is a photographer and Tom is the Black Cherry Retreat. Well, I have ever been to a retreat before, so I get quite intrigued about books that are located in one, and I was very curious about Tom and Fee's stories before them met.
The characters are all quite intriguing. We met new characters as we follow Fee and Tom's lives and relationship, and although it felt like it was a quite story, and I would have loved to explore more about the characters personalities and lives, especially Fee and Tom's past, in an overall, it was a cute and entertaining story.
What I liked a lot was the present, the development in the main characters' relationship. Fee and Tom are both suffering, are both damaged and that's okay, we are all dealing with things in our lives and it was something I could relate too in a way. The lost of someone important is hard, and seeing how they are dealing with it was a good touch. Plus, it was funny to see their interactions too.
Then there are the descriptions of the setting and moment in time that made the book sound real, despite the quick development in just a short amount of time, months really. I loved the retreat and I wish I could go there. It made the love story pop and made it like this wonderland. For me at least since I never been to a retreat and I have this dreamy version of that it may look like.
Overall, it was a Christmas romance that start before Christmas and it was the classic tale of opposites attract. A story that made me feel and dream, it was a good start in the holiday celebrations, now that we are in December, and I like it.
[I want to thank Rachel, at Rachel’s Random Resources, and Angela for the eCopy of this book and for allowing me to join in the fun and by being a part of the blog tour with my honest review of the book.]
booksuperpower's review against another edition
4.0
Christmas at Black Cherry Retreat by Angela Britnell is a 2018 Choc Lit publication.
Fee Winter has arrived at The Black Cherry retreat for a much needed break. She’s a photographer who has witnessed entirely too much while on assignment. The remote area in Pine Tree, Tennessee is the perfect, tranquil place for Fee to lick her wounds, to nurse her broken heart and spirit back to health.
However, she never planned on Tom…
Tom is a former policeman, who is working to refurbish the family retreat. Tom, too, has seen and experienced major pain and loss in his life. When he meets Fee, despite coming from vastly different worlds, he senses she is a kindred spirit.
Despite their growing attraction to each other, they must first overcome their fears of making another mistake, of experiencing pain or loss, and overcome crushing guilt.
This story is not your sweet and syrupy sort of holiday fare. In fact, the story begins a couple of months prior to Christmas. However, it certainly embodies the spirit of the season, giving hope to two people who deserve a fresh beginning.
I love to see two people who have been knocked sideways by devastating life events, find a way to fight their way out of bleak depression and pain- experiencing personal growth, first, which then enables them to look to the future with the promise of new beginnings, hope and of course, love.
No person is an island, as they say, so Fee and Tom lean on each other to heal and forgive themselves, and others. However, each of them will have to take the ultimate leap of faith if they hope to have a future together.
Running in the background of this high drama, is a personal criminal case Tom has a stake in, and the delightful interactions with Tom’s family, especially with his little niece, who is simply adorable.
The story does deal with some somber and heavy issues, but there’s plenty of southern charm and humor in the story, as well. I love a story which features more mature characters who have to deal with real adversity and cope with deep emotional traumas. When they finally step into the light, it means so much more, and is so satisfying for the reader who has taken this journey along with them.
Although this story is set against a holiday backdrop, it’s a mild reference, making this a book one can enjoy any time of the year.
Fee Winter has arrived at The Black Cherry retreat for a much needed break. She’s a photographer who has witnessed entirely too much while on assignment. The remote area in Pine Tree, Tennessee is the perfect, tranquil place for Fee to lick her wounds, to nurse her broken heart and spirit back to health.
However, she never planned on Tom…
Tom is a former policeman, who is working to refurbish the family retreat. Tom, too, has seen and experienced major pain and loss in his life. When he meets Fee, despite coming from vastly different worlds, he senses she is a kindred spirit.
Despite their growing attraction to each other, they must first overcome their fears of making another mistake, of experiencing pain or loss, and overcome crushing guilt.
This story is not your sweet and syrupy sort of holiday fare. In fact, the story begins a couple of months prior to Christmas. However, it certainly embodies the spirit of the season, giving hope to two people who deserve a fresh beginning.
I love to see two people who have been knocked sideways by devastating life events, find a way to fight their way out of bleak depression and pain- experiencing personal growth, first, which then enables them to look to the future with the promise of new beginnings, hope and of course, love.
No person is an island, as they say, so Fee and Tom lean on each other to heal and forgive themselves, and others. However, each of them will have to take the ultimate leap of faith if they hope to have a future together.
Running in the background of this high drama, is a personal criminal case Tom has a stake in, and the delightful interactions with Tom’s family, especially with his little niece, who is simply adorable.
The story does deal with some somber and heavy issues, but there’s plenty of southern charm and humor in the story, as well. I love a story which features more mature characters who have to deal with real adversity and cope with deep emotional traumas. When they finally step into the light, it means so much more, and is so satisfying for the reader who has taken this journey along with them.
Although this story is set against a holiday backdrop, it’s a mild reference, making this a book one can enjoy any time of the year.
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