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whiskedawayreads's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
kbranfield's review against another edition
5.0
Candlelight Christmas is a superbly written novel that has a lovely cast of characters and a compelling storyline. In this latest addition to the Lakeshore Chronicles series, Susan Wiggs expertly blends complex life issues with a charming romance and the resulting story is a magical love story that tugs at the heartstrings.
Candlelight Christmas is a leisurely paced romance between Logan O'Donnell and Darcy Fitzgerald. At the end of summer, they are introduced by Logan's matchmaking sister India who just happens to be Darcy's best friend. While there is a spark of interest on both sides, the timing is just not quite right for them to pair up. Fast forward to Thanksgiving where the two share a hot kiss and that spark between them gets a little more notice from both Darcy and Logan. But it is not until Darcy joins the O'Donnell family for Christmas that their relationship gets the attention it so richly deserves.
Since her divorce, Darcy has been fiercely guarding her heart. She has decided the only way to protect herself from ever feeling that much pain again is to avoid any type of emotional entanglement. While she is not averse to casually dating, she does not plan on getting too seriously involved and men with children are definitely off limits.
Logan's marriage may have ended in divorce, but he still dreams of having a large family. He is devoted to his son Charlie and he treasures the time they have together. After returning Charlie to his ex at the end of their latest visit, Logan is struck by the realization that he needs to make some changes to his life. He jumps at the chance to purchase his favorite ski lodge and throws himself into making a go of his new business. The only thing missing in his life is the big family he has always longed for.
While there is a romantic element in Candlelight Christmas, the story mainly focuses on the changes Logan and Darcy are making in their personal lives. Without the growth of the characters, a romance between them would be impossible. Once they redefine their ideas of what they want out of a relationship, their romance falls easily into place. The beauty of the Christmas season is the perfect backdrop for them to explore their burgeoning relationship.
The dynamics of their respective families add another dimension to both the storyline and the characters' growth and development. While Darcy is quite close to her parents and sisters, her interactions with them are pretty limited due to the complicated past with her ex-husband's family. Logan's decision to buy the ski lodge is met with his father's disapproval and that in turn revives his feelings of inadequacy that stem from past mistakes.
The children in Candlelight Christmas invoke many of the "awww, how sweet" moments. Charlie is a typical kid in many ways but he is a little more mature than his contemporaries because of his parents' divorce. The circumstances of Charlie's close friend Andre bring another realistic facet to the storyline and together these two manage to find a little mischief that brings Charlie closer to Darcy. While both kids are a little worldly wise, they still retain a blind faith that Christmas will bring them their greatest wishes.
Candlelight Christmas is sure to be a hit with old and new fans of this wonderful series. Susan Wiggs keeps the Lakeshore Chronicles fresh and interesting with inventive storylines and the addition of new characters. While characters from previous novels make guest appearances, newcomers to the series will feel right at home in this warm and loving community.
Candlelight Christmas is a leisurely paced romance between Logan O'Donnell and Darcy Fitzgerald. At the end of summer, they are introduced by Logan's matchmaking sister India who just happens to be Darcy's best friend. While there is a spark of interest on both sides, the timing is just not quite right for them to pair up. Fast forward to Thanksgiving where the two share a hot kiss and that spark between them gets a little more notice from both Darcy and Logan. But it is not until Darcy joins the O'Donnell family for Christmas that their relationship gets the attention it so richly deserves.
Since her divorce, Darcy has been fiercely guarding her heart. She has decided the only way to protect herself from ever feeling that much pain again is to avoid any type of emotional entanglement. While she is not averse to casually dating, she does not plan on getting too seriously involved and men with children are definitely off limits.
Logan's marriage may have ended in divorce, but he still dreams of having a large family. He is devoted to his son Charlie and he treasures the time they have together. After returning Charlie to his ex at the end of their latest visit, Logan is struck by the realization that he needs to make some changes to his life. He jumps at the chance to purchase his favorite ski lodge and throws himself into making a go of his new business. The only thing missing in his life is the big family he has always longed for.
While there is a romantic element in Candlelight Christmas, the story mainly focuses on the changes Logan and Darcy are making in their personal lives. Without the growth of the characters, a romance between them would be impossible. Once they redefine their ideas of what they want out of a relationship, their romance falls easily into place. The beauty of the Christmas season is the perfect backdrop for them to explore their burgeoning relationship.
The dynamics of their respective families add another dimension to both the storyline and the characters' growth and development. While Darcy is quite close to her parents and sisters, her interactions with them are pretty limited due to the complicated past with her ex-husband's family. Logan's decision to buy the ski lodge is met with his father's disapproval and that in turn revives his feelings of inadequacy that stem from past mistakes.
The children in Candlelight Christmas invoke many of the "awww, how sweet" moments. Charlie is a typical kid in many ways but he is a little more mature than his contemporaries because of his parents' divorce. The circumstances of Charlie's close friend Andre bring another realistic facet to the storyline and together these two manage to find a little mischief that brings Charlie closer to Darcy. While both kids are a little worldly wise, they still retain a blind faith that Christmas will bring them their greatest wishes.
Candlelight Christmas is sure to be a hit with old and new fans of this wonderful series. Susan Wiggs keeps the Lakeshore Chronicles fresh and interesting with inventive storylines and the addition of new characters. While characters from previous novels make guest appearances, newcomers to the series will feel right at home in this warm and loving community.
sandylovesbooks's review against another edition
5.0
I so loved this book. It's part of the Lakeshore Chronicles and would love to read more in this series. I loved the main characters, Darcy and Logan. I loved the other characters as well, but I have a small problem with names. I get that when you write many books it's hard to find names for characters and not be repetitive. Logan has sisters, India and China. India's sons are named Fisher and Goose. I later found out that Goose is a nickname from the movie Top Gun. But his real name is Reginald. Logan's son, Charlie, has a mom named Daisy and her sister is named Sonnet. Darcy's ex is named Huntley and his brother is named Badgley ( I don't even know how to pronounce that one). I realize both families are rich or well-off but, seriously, do all rich families name their kids this way? Then on page 209, Logan tells someone "Yo, I like the way you think". No other place does he speak like this. I don't like it when authors try to make their characters talk a certain way in one or two places if they don't talk that way throughout the book.
I loved how the story went from one Christmas to the next and during the summer. It wasn't insta-love and I loved that Darcy and Logan had flaws and didn't agree on everything. A great Christmas romance.
I loved how the story went from one Christmas to the next and during the summer. It wasn't insta-love and I loved that Darcy and Logan had flaws and didn't agree on everything. A great Christmas romance.
kspadini1010's review against another edition
5.0
This was a good one. I remember feeling sort of sorry for Logan in previous books. So it was nice to have a book about him for a change. I do wonder how long this story will go on though. It seems like she's covered most everyone. Maybe it's time to start a new series.
blondeeishere's review against another edition
5.0
I love this entire series!!! Susan Wiggs does not disappoint!!!!
acerone86's review against another edition
4.0
Cute, easy read! Just like a Christmas Hallmark movie, which I was searching for ❤️
gemmalaszlo's review against another edition
3.0
The font in this book was huge. I thought I must be reading a large print edition, but it wasn't. This was more like a 200-250 page story.
I honestly would like to read a story where the heroine doesn't want kids, and doesn't change her mind by the end of the book. People like that do exist, but apparently not in romancelandia. The whole "she thought she didn't want kids, but she just hadn't met the right guy yet" is getting really old.
I honestly would like to read a story where the heroine doesn't want kids, and doesn't change her mind by the end of the book. People like that do exist, but apparently not in romancelandia. The whole "she thought she didn't want kids, but she just hadn't met the right guy yet" is getting really old.
bookwyrm_lark's review against another edition
3.0
Review originally published at The Bookwyrm's Hoard.
Neither Logan nor Darcy is looking for love. In fact, Darcy has pretty much sworn off, after finding out her ex was cheating on her with his ex-wife. She's sworn off kids, too, given her experience with loving and then losing her stepchildren. Logan is more focused on making the best of his holidays with his son and surviving the times when they're apart. But when life offers both Logan and Darcy a second chance, they have to decide whether to open their hearts to love.
This isn't a romance about perfect people or even perfect endings, though the ending is quite satisfying. Nor is the romance fraught with danger or major misunderstandings. Instead, it's a gentle romance about the quiet unfolding of love between two people, and about the circle of people who care about them. Susan Wiggs is terrific at showing families and friendship at their messy, complicated, and loving best, and these underpin and uplift the entire novel. From Logan's impulsive offer to help out when his son's best friend's mother needs a hand, to Darcy's instinctive understanding of what a young boy most want -- and needs -- for Christmas, the genuine goodwill and caring in this book warmed my heart and put me in the holiday spirit.
FTC disclosure: I received a review copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Neither Logan nor Darcy is looking for love. In fact, Darcy has pretty much sworn off, after finding out her ex was cheating on her with his ex-wife. She's sworn off kids, too, given her experience with loving and then losing her stepchildren. Logan is more focused on making the best of his holidays with his son and surviving the times when they're apart. But when life offers both Logan and Darcy a second chance, they have to decide whether to open their hearts to love.
This isn't a romance about perfect people or even perfect endings, though the ending is quite satisfying. Nor is the romance fraught with danger or major misunderstandings. Instead, it's a gentle romance about the quiet unfolding of love between two people, and about the circle of people who care about them. Susan Wiggs is terrific at showing families and friendship at their messy, complicated, and loving best, and these underpin and uplift the entire novel. From Logan's impulsive offer to help out when his son's best friend's mother needs a hand, to Darcy's instinctive understanding of what a young boy most want -- and needs -- for Christmas, the genuine goodwill and caring in this book warmed my heart and put me in the holiday spirit.
FTC disclosure: I received a review copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
aprilbooksandwine's review against another edition
3.0
I have never before read a Susan Wiggs book, but I know of a few bloggers who are fans. I tend to trust book bloggers and their opinions, at least the ones I know well. So, when several Christmas books presented themselves on Netgalley, I did not hesitate in downloading the ones that were authored by Susan Wiggs. Y’all, she might not be a new favorite author, but I did really enjoy Candlelight Christmas to the point of emotional tearing up and also to the point where if I see one of her books, I will read it. Also, I want to give her props before I get into the meat of the review for setting her book in upstate NY, even though it’s kind of like the City version of upstate (not Plattsburgh or Buffalo, but Ulster County). Candlelight Christmas by Susan Wiggs is a sweet romance that’s helping to get me in the mood for the season.
Read the rest of my review here
Review will be posted December 3, 2013.
Read the rest of my review here
Review will be posted December 3, 2013.