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missdorito's review against another edition
4.0
A bunch of wonderful stories that make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. :)
whatsjessreading's review against another edition
2.0
This book is alright if you're into your chic-lit. It's not normally something I would read but I did enjoy it. The themes of these short stories were mainly family and romance and it's a cute book to read around this time of year. Although, there were only about three stories that were related to Christmas so I'm not sure if not gonna be festive enough for most people. I don't know if I'll read it again, or read any more from this author, but it was fun while it lasted.
debrasbookcafe's review against another edition
4.0
klbaileyart's review against another edition
2.0
It was ok. An easy read for when you don't want to think too much. I found most of the stories predictable.
oneoflifeslollopers's review against another edition
4.0
Christmas Magic is a fantastic collection of delightful short stories, all taking place in Ireland though not all taking place at Christmas. While with reading the last book, Home for Christmas by Cally Taylor, I was annoyed to find it wasn’t actually about Christmas I found I was enjoying Kelly’s writing so much that I didn’t care.
This is the first novel of Cathy Kelly I’ve read, and I’m certainly convinced to give more a go now. Normally, I’m not a big fan of short stories, I like to get fully immersed in my characters and the story but Kelly does such an amazing job of using a few words to say a lot. In just a few pages, I was able to completely understand each character and feel keenly their situation and its resolution.
Becky grabbed Life by the throat and shook it: I was the sort of woman who’d politely ask Life if it minded me breathing.
All the characters have their own identity and every story stands out from the one before it. Each character starts their story in a bit of a conundrum; a recent separation, horrible relatives, a life only half lived, or a new beginning needed. It’s very easy to connect with these characters and hope that change is just around the corner, which it usually is. All the characters have just the help/person to turn things around and bring new life to a stale situation.
‘With your family, you will be helping them forever if you don’t pull back a little. You need to concentrate on yourself, Marcella. Stop trying to make them all happy and fulfilled. Enjoy your own life and leave them to theirs.
I’ve always loved the concept of the lovely English-countyside cottage and garden. I love any book that little bit more for taking place in Britain, but these books really did have that charm I love so much about the countryside (even if they were set in the city) and it really did make me feel all warm and cosy and imagining a snowy Christmas.
Primrose Cottage sat at the very end of Johnson’s Lane, an enchantingly pretty little house with wisteria snaking into the low roof and rose bushes clustering up to peer in the windows.
There’s plenty of fun and humour mixed in amongst the drama to ensure that one is never too bogged down so close to Christmas and it only added to the charm of the novel.
‘I bet Mother didn’t tell Aunt Maisie lies about Rob,’ said Kim bitterly.
‘Don’t be silly,’ Clodagh said. ‘She probably sad Stephanie was a nice person. That’s a lie, for a start.’
We’ve been talking about how, when the children leave home, lots of people discover that they don’t want to be married anymore,’ Ruth went on as if he hadn’t interrupted. ‘I wondered what you thought about that – should you have an affair, or will I? Or should we make a stab at actually being a couple again? Any thoughts?’
This is the first novel of Cathy Kelly I’ve read, and I’m certainly convinced to give more a go now. Normally, I’m not a big fan of short stories, I like to get fully immersed in my characters and the story but Kelly does such an amazing job of using a few words to say a lot. In just a few pages, I was able to completely understand each character and feel keenly their situation and its resolution.
Becky grabbed Life by the throat and shook it: I was the sort of woman who’d politely ask Life if it minded me breathing.
All the characters have their own identity and every story stands out from the one before it. Each character starts their story in a bit of a conundrum; a recent separation, horrible relatives, a life only half lived, or a new beginning needed. It’s very easy to connect with these characters and hope that change is just around the corner, which it usually is. All the characters have just the help/person to turn things around and bring new life to a stale situation.
‘With your family, you will be helping them forever if you don’t pull back a little. You need to concentrate on yourself, Marcella. Stop trying to make them all happy and fulfilled. Enjoy your own life and leave them to theirs.
I’ve always loved the concept of the lovely English-countyside cottage and garden. I love any book that little bit more for taking place in Britain, but these books really did have that charm I love so much about the countryside (even if they were set in the city) and it really did make me feel all warm and cosy and imagining a snowy Christmas.
Primrose Cottage sat at the very end of Johnson’s Lane, an enchantingly pretty little house with wisteria snaking into the low roof and rose bushes clustering up to peer in the windows.
There’s plenty of fun and humour mixed in amongst the drama to ensure that one is never too bogged down so close to Christmas and it only added to the charm of the novel.
‘I bet Mother didn’t tell Aunt Maisie lies about Rob,’ said Kim bitterly.
‘Don’t be silly,’ Clodagh said. ‘She probably sad Stephanie was a nice person. That’s a lie, for a start.’
We’ve been talking about how, when the children leave home, lots of people discover that they don’t want to be married anymore,’ Ruth went on as if he hadn’t interrupted. ‘I wondered what you thought about that – should you have an affair, or will I? Or should we make a stab at actually being a couple again? Any thoughts?’
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