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mcinkdrinker's review against another edition
4.0
Christmas Pudding, in a book. This is a wonderfully festive little read. It has the requisite quaint, intimate feel of a holiday story, but without the level of insufferable fluff that frequently bathes the genre. This story, about sweet, tragic Kate and lonely, willing Daniel, deals with motifs that face us all, with varying degrees of difficulty, and render us all sad, alone, and needing help but afraid to ask for it. It was a refreshing darkness, to the holiday themes, if such a thing exists. I would recommend this book, particularly if you get the Audible version (which is what I listened to but was unavailable as an edition option on this site.), for anyone who wants a story with just the right amount of sugar and spice to make the holiday nice(er).
1neverendingtbr's review against another edition
1.0
I rarely give one star reviews. It is so rare i can’t even remember the last. This book was awful. It was so depressing. I picked this one up to try and help me get in the Christmas spirit and it all it did was drag me down. I gave up somewhere around 150 pages. DNF for me.
cassiesnextchapter's review against another edition
3.0
Poppy Alexander has created a Christmas tale reminiscent of It's A Wonderful Life in this heart-rending story of grief, struggle, hope, and grit.
Full Book Review
Quick Synopsis:
Kate Thompson is a war widow that is struggling with some heavy issues (grief, poverty, elder care, workplace concerns, and her son's school issues). Can she find some purpose and hope in the 25 days leading up to Christmas in order to turn her life around?
My Thoughts... 2.5 stars
Unpopular opinion and full-out honesty alert: I feel hoodwinked by this novel. Or at least by the publisher's synopsis. The back of the book says "In this heartwarming, feel-good holiday novel, one woman needs to find a little inspiration in the 25 days leading up to Christmas to help her remember the magic of the season and the magic of falling in love." I was expecting a corny, fluffy Hallmark-worthy Christmas movie in book form...
I'll admit that, by the end, my heart was warmed. But there is no way that this is a "feel-good holiday novel" in the slightest! Poor Kate needs a whole new outlook on life after the death of her husband, her son is facing school troubles, they're struggling with poverty, she's paying out elder care for a dying woman, and her working conditions are horrendous. These are huge issues (that I feel were addressed with great compassion and realism) that really weigh down the mood of the book. She definitely - and understandably - needs more than "a little inspiration" to muddle through all of that to find the spirit of Christmas.
Perhaps with a more realistic set of expectations, I would have liked this book more. It really is full of heart and perseverance and hope. But the love story was such a slow burn, that halfway through, I'm not sure they'd even had a conversation yet. There was 90% struggle, and only the ending was uplifting.
Overall, an okay read. It plodded along, but had some really beautiful elements of grit and hope. I did chuckle and tear up at some parts, so points added for that. I think the meat of the story is solid, but it could have done with a bit more pep to live up to promises of the back cover blurb.
Full Book Review
Quick Synopsis:
Kate Thompson is a war widow that is struggling with some heavy issues (grief, poverty, elder care, workplace concerns, and her son's school issues). Can she find some purpose and hope in the 25 days leading up to Christmas in order to turn her life around?
My Thoughts... 2.5 stars
Unpopular opinion and full-out honesty alert: I feel hoodwinked by this novel. Or at least by the publisher's synopsis. The back of the book says "In this heartwarming, feel-good holiday novel, one woman needs to find a little inspiration in the 25 days leading up to Christmas to help her remember the magic of the season and the magic of falling in love." I was expecting a corny, fluffy Hallmark-worthy Christmas movie in book form...
I'll admit that, by the end, my heart was warmed. But there is no way that this is a "feel-good holiday novel" in the slightest! Poor Kate needs a whole new outlook on life after the death of her husband, her son is facing school troubles, they're struggling with poverty, she's paying out elder care for a dying woman, and her working conditions are horrendous. These are huge issues (that I feel were addressed with great compassion and realism) that really weigh down the mood of the book. She definitely - and understandably - needs more than "a little inspiration" to muddle through all of that to find the spirit of Christmas.
Perhaps with a more realistic set of expectations, I would have liked this book more. It really is full of heart and perseverance and hope. But the love story was such a slow burn, that halfway through, I'm not sure they'd even had a conversation yet. There was 90% struggle, and only the ending was uplifting.
Overall, an okay read. It plodded along, but had some really beautiful elements of grit and hope. I did chuckle and tear up at some parts, so points added for that. I think the meat of the story is solid, but it could have done with a bit more pep to live up to promises of the back cover blurb.
owlyreadsalot's review against another edition
2.0
Here was a book that I wanted to love so much, especially because it included Christmas. That's the main reason I picked up this book, because I wanted a good feels, Christmas miracle story. But, that's far from what this book was and I wasn't prepared for any of it. And yes, all of that made a big difference in how I rated this, but also other parts that really didn't sit well with me.
"When the oxygen masks come down from the ceiling you've got to put your own one on first, haven't you? That's what they tell you. Before you can do anything to save your loved ones, right?' 'Okay, I get it,' muttered Kate. 'A bit of a tortured analogy, but fair enough. I get it. To help Jack I have to help myself be well first."
That's where this all goes wrong. Kate doesn't do much throughout the story to help herself get out of all that surrounds her, and the craziness that keeps trying to take over. And every time I thought some of the story might change for the better, I was proven that it could only go downhill, which is not what I wanted to read during the holidays.
Plus, as the story progresses, the reader is made to feel like there might be a great relationship being setup between Kate and Daniel, but much of that falls flat with everything that keeps getting piled on. Believe me, there is A LOT that gets added in here, much of that is the money issues Kate has (all the way 'til the end of the book) and Daniel's loss, which never truly gets closer. It's really not the holiday read I was expecting, or needing at the time.
"She was sobbing openly as she walked through the teeming crowds on the pavement. People stared; an older woman looked concerned. But nobody approached her, and she was glad. She was on her own again. Just her and Jack against the world."
If this story was marked as a different type of read, meant for a very different time (really not something for the holidays), it might have worked better. It's written in the synopsis that this was "Kate's countdown to the best Christmas ever", which you can see by the quote above (a quote in the last chapters), that it isn't so at all. And when the end finally comes along (STOP HERE if you don't want more spoilers), everything gets wrapped up in the worst possible way.
"I have so much to tell you. What do you need?' 'Money for Maureen's nursing home.' 'Done.' 'A career.' 'Done.' 'A school for Jack.' 'Okay, erm, done. Somehow."
Yup, all of this book, the "I'm going to help myself be well first" never happened. Instead, Daniel comes in and saves the day. Yeah, what did I just read? Not only is the school system made to look bad here also, but Jack never gets his happy ending with all of it. Nothing gets resolved with Kate's work, which I wanted to see her rise above it and win, but hey Daniel is going to give her a career now so no biggy. This book just wasn't for me and that makes me all kinds of sad.
***I received this copy from Orion, through a Goodreads giveaway, in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.***
"When the oxygen masks come down from the ceiling you've got to put your own one on first, haven't you? That's what they tell you. Before you can do anything to save your loved ones, right?' 'Okay, I get it,' muttered Kate. 'A bit of a tortured analogy, but fair enough. I get it. To help Jack I have to help myself be well first."
That's where this all goes wrong. Kate doesn't do much throughout the story to help herself get out of all that surrounds her, and the craziness that keeps trying to take over. And every time I thought some of the story might change for the better, I was proven that it could only go downhill, which is not what I wanted to read during the holidays.
Plus, as the story progresses, the reader is made to feel like there might be a great relationship being setup between Kate and Daniel, but much of that falls flat with everything that keeps getting piled on. Believe me, there is A LOT that gets added in here, much of that is the money issues Kate has (all the way 'til the end of the book) and Daniel's loss, which never truly gets closer. It's really not the holiday read I was expecting, or needing at the time.
"She was sobbing openly as she walked through the teeming crowds on the pavement. People stared; an older woman looked concerned. But nobody approached her, and she was glad. She was on her own again. Just her and Jack against the world."
If this story was marked as a different type of read, meant for a very different time (really not something for the holidays), it might have worked better. It's written in the synopsis that this was "Kate's countdown to the best Christmas ever", which you can see by the quote above (a quote in the last chapters), that it isn't so at all. And when the end finally comes along (STOP HERE if you don't want more spoilers), everything gets wrapped up in the worst possible way.
"I have so much to tell you. What do you need?' 'Money for Maureen's nursing home.' 'Done.' 'A career.' 'Done.' 'A school for Jack.' 'Okay, erm, done. Somehow."
Yup, all of this book, the "I'm going to help myself be well first" never happened. Instead, Daniel comes in and saves the day. Yeah, what did I just read? Not only is the school system made to look bad here also, but Jack never gets his happy ending with all of it. Nothing gets resolved with Kate's work, which I wanted to see her rise above it and win, but hey Daniel is going to give her a career now so no biggy. This book just wasn't for me and that makes me all kinds of sad.
***I received this copy from Orion, through a Goodreads giveaway, in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.***
stratfam's review against another edition
3.0
A Hallmark movie in a book. A down and out single mother finds ways to make Christmas magical for her son. It gave me some insight into the struggles of being poor.
smalltownbookmom's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 - Not the typical light and fluffy Christmas story but I liked that about it. This was a dual perspective light romance that follows single mom Kate who is struggling to make Christmas a happy one for her son this year. When her path crosses with Daniel, another lonely soul struggling during the season, the two start hanging out. Both Kate and Daniel are grieving the loss of loved ones and not feeling the festive season. Daniel also works as a suicide hotline helper and there’s some heavy mental health and suicide mentions.
I enjoyed that this book addresses real things people grapple with during the holidays and wasn’t just a sweet happy story. There is a happy ending though so don’t fear that this book is all dark. Kate’s son Jack also brings much needed levity to the story and I felt so much for Kate dealing with a child with special learning needs but lacking the financial capacity to pay for the best help. Recommended for fans of Always, in December or One day in December.
⚠️CW: death of a loved one, suicide, Alzheimers
I enjoyed that this book addresses real things people grapple with during the holidays and wasn’t just a sweet happy story. There is a happy ending though so don’t fear that this book is all dark. Kate’s son Jack also brings much needed levity to the story and I felt so much for Kate dealing with a child with special learning needs but lacking the financial capacity to pay for the best help. Recommended for fans of Always, in December or One day in December.
⚠️CW: death of a loved one, suicide, Alzheimers
nikki1211's review against another edition
3.0
Young widow Kate cannot catch a break, whether its working for a terrible company, dealing with the mean moms at her son’s school, dealing with the school admin who make her son feel less than welcome, and missing her husband terribly during a time of year she used to love the most. Daniel is grieving himself and the thought of Kate - whom he has yearned from a far - brings him joy when most things do not. Will these lonely souls bring back the holiday spirit for each other?
I whipped through it in a day. This one is not a cheery, sugar cookie read. It’s more in line with It's a Wonderful Life, where you watch and hope for goodness to come, and come fast. It counts down until Christmas, but the holiday is not really the focal point. It’s more about the challenges and setbacks Kate keeps experiencing while trying to keep Christmas - and life in general - merry for her son, Jack. It would be a Lifetime movie versus Hallmark. For fans of A Christmas Carol (as well as Its a Wonderful Life).
I have to say that I adore the book cover illustrated by Nathan Burton!
Thank you William Morrow for gifting me my first holiday read of the season!
To read my reviews visit: www.saturdaynitereader.com
I whipped through it in a day. This one is not a cheery, sugar cookie read. It’s more in line with It's a Wonderful Life, where you watch and hope for goodness to come, and come fast. It counts down until Christmas, but the holiday is not really the focal point. It’s more about the challenges and setbacks Kate keeps experiencing while trying to keep Christmas - and life in general - merry for her son, Jack. It would be a Lifetime movie versus Hallmark. For fans of A Christmas Carol (as well as Its a Wonderful Life).
I have to say that I adore the book cover illustrated by Nathan Burton!
Thank you William Morrow for gifting me my first holiday read of the season!
To read my reviews visit: www.saturdaynitereader.com
rcoffey22's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
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? No
4.0
okiegirl4's review against another edition
3.0
Not what I expected but it was a good Christmas story.