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chlosbookishworld's review against another edition
3.0
3.5/5 This is a lovely cosy Christmas read. I really enjoyed meeting Ed & Kates families however Ed & Kate irritated me a little. I found it really frustrating that they couldn’t just communicate properly and at times their spats felt repetitive. I also feel as though the ended was a little rushed and didn’t quite leave me feeling satisfied. Overall I did enjoy this book, it did leave be feeling festive and I’m pleased I picked it up.
geegee_74's review against another edition
2.0
Disappointing. I have loved all her other books but just didn't gel with this story.
firefox's review against another edition
2.0
(Arc)
'Driving Home for Christmas' is one of those Christmas reads I expected better from. I had high expectations that weren't met. I don't think I could ever explain it but the plot wasn't working for me, none of the characters felt interesting to me. It was overall underwhelming.
'Driving Home for Christmas' is one of those Christmas reads I expected better from. I had high expectations that weren't met. I don't think I could ever explain it but the plot wasn't working for me, none of the characters felt interesting to me. It was overall underwhelming.
lychtoread's review against another edition
3.0
5.43 on CAWPILE, 3 stars. About a long-term couple and their relationship through the years, from 2007 to present day. Present day focuses on them working through their issues around the festive period - appreciate the different take but I wasn't excited to pick it up, found it quite boring at times. The overall message was sweet, preferred some of the side characters to the main couple though!
jules_writes's review against another edition
4.0
3.5*
It was good. An easy read with some characters I quite liked.
It was good. An easy read with some characters I quite liked.
_rebeccareads_'s review against another edition
3.0
I found this couple SO annoying at the start of the book - all the little sly digs at each other about appearance etc were too much for me. Throughout the book I kind of just wanted to bang their heads together.
Ed's mum I also didn't like - constantly forcing her wants on them both.
Overall a nice sweet ending, even if it was predictable.
Ed's mum I also didn't like - constantly forcing her wants on them both.
Overall a nice sweet ending, even if it was predictable.
kirstyreviewsbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Driving Home For Christmas by Joanna Bolouri
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Quercus Books and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Blurb
Three Christmases.
Two broken hearts.
One hell of a journey.
Driving home marks the start of the holidays for Kate and Ed, who have made this journey every Christmas of their ten-year long relationship. Normally the seasonal hits blare from the car stereo, and they are guaranteed to be wearing ridiculous jumpers in anticipation, but this year a frosty silence fills the car...
A massive argument leads to the immediate collapse of their relationship. But the show must go on, so they decide to brave their families together one last time.
With three Christmases to celebrate, an old flame waiting under the mistletoe and a shed load of expectation around their future together, this most wonderful time of year is anything but. There will be turkey, tiffs and tantrums galore, but it's sure to be a Christmas they'll never forget.
My Opinion
I enjoyed Kate and Ed's story and how Joanna Bolouri told it through alternative timelines and viewpoints. Ed and Kate have plans to visit family over Christmas and when they break up on the journey cannot bring themselves to ruin Christmas for everyone. An engaging read with a lot of family drama - just what is needed at Christmas.
Rating 4/5
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Quercus Books and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Blurb
Three Christmases.
Two broken hearts.
One hell of a journey.
Driving home marks the start of the holidays for Kate and Ed, who have made this journey every Christmas of their ten-year long relationship. Normally the seasonal hits blare from the car stereo, and they are guaranteed to be wearing ridiculous jumpers in anticipation, but this year a frosty silence fills the car...
A massive argument leads to the immediate collapse of their relationship. But the show must go on, so they decide to brave their families together one last time.
With three Christmases to celebrate, an old flame waiting under the mistletoe and a shed load of expectation around their future together, this most wonderful time of year is anything but. There will be turkey, tiffs and tantrums galore, but it's sure to be a Christmas they'll never forget.
My Opinion
I enjoyed Kate and Ed's story and how Joanna Bolouri told it through alternative timelines and viewpoints. Ed and Kate have plans to visit family over Christmas and when they break up on the journey cannot bring themselves to ruin Christmas for everyone. An engaging read with a lot of family drama - just what is needed at Christmas.
Rating 4/5
caitdonlew's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
portybelle's review against another edition
5.0
We meet Kate and Ed when they are driving home for Christmas. There’s already a bit of an atmosphere as Kate is an hour late leaving her job and Ed has had to sit in a chilly car for over an hour waiting for her. Sometimes stresses and strains seem amplified at Christmas and they certainly take their toll on this relationship. Although they have a massive argument on the journey and decide that time is up for the relationship, with three different family groups to spend Christmas with, they decide to fake it with the families, rather than risk spoiling their Christmases too. There were some rather uncomfortable scenes for both Kate and Ed as the weight of expectations from their families made for some rather awkward moments!
Kate’s grandmother, known as Gubba, was one of my favourite characters. She was feisty, astute and wasn’t averse to speaking her her mind which at time was hilarious. Kate’s much younger brother, Tom, was just so sweet and it was lovely to see how he looked up to Kate and especially to Ed.
Kate and Ed so obviously still loved each other, still fancied the pants off each other and admitted as much. We see how their very different life paths and expectations had led them to grow apart. I enjoyed getting to see how their relationship developed from when they first met as teenagers and what made them into the people they’d become. I so wanted them to resolve their differences but they seemed insurmountable.
Driving Home for Christmas is a book which will give you all the festive feels but could be enjoyed at any time of the year really. Ed and Kate are really relatable characters and I was completely caught up in their story. I absolutely loved this book and definitely recommend you add it to your Christmas reading list.
Kate’s grandmother, known as Gubba, was one of my favourite characters. She was feisty, astute and wasn’t averse to speaking her her mind which at time was hilarious. Kate’s much younger brother, Tom, was just so sweet and it was lovely to see how he looked up to Kate and especially to Ed.
Kate and Ed so obviously still loved each other, still fancied the pants off each other and admitted as much. We see how their very different life paths and expectations had led them to grow apart. I enjoyed getting to see how their relationship developed from when they first met as teenagers and what made them into the people they’d become. I so wanted them to resolve their differences but they seemed insurmountable.
Driving Home for Christmas is a book which will give you all the festive feels but could be enjoyed at any time of the year really. Ed and Kate are really relatable characters and I was completely caught up in their story. I absolutely loved this book and definitely recommend you add it to your Christmas reading list.