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sustainablyspooky's review against another edition
3.0
A tale of two people down on their luck, that meet each other and turn their lives around. I wanted to like this one more than I did, but the plot was a bit too slow moving for me.
reckless_reader's review against another edition
5.0
This book was everything I needed it to be. Romance as a subplot, with a focus on family and issues real people face. British wit, realistic obstacles faced by people in everyday life. Writing like this reminds us that life isn’t a fairytale, but some pretty amazing things can happen anyway.
This is holiday book for real people.
This is holiday book for real people.
ecjmama991's review against another edition
4.0
Such a sweet Christmas read with a bit more depth than the usual “Hallmark flavored” Christmas books.
audrielle_staples's review against another edition
2.0
While the holidays are the best time of year for some people, this book is more about how the holidays are hard for others. This isn’t a romance book or your typical cheesy Christmas book. There is a subplot of romance, but it literally doesn’t happen until the last page. Daniel and Kate have both lost people in their lives, which makes the holidays even harder for them. There was just so much going on that was depressing in both of their lives, that I wish there was a little more romance, or a comical relief character to balance it out.
I just couldn’t really get into this book or the characters. Right now I’m just wanting to read feel good books, so that’s probably why I didn’t enjoy this one.
damaris_anne's review against another edition
4.0
This was a sweet read with a bit more substance than your typical Christmas book, which I appreciated. I really liked the author’s style and the setting of a Bristol Christmas as well!!
entertainmyfaithh's review against another edition
4.0
I need half stars bc its more a 3.5 than 4
Slowburns of all slowburns jfc waited 342 pages for these people to kiss
Slowburns of all slowburns jfc waited 342 pages for these people to kiss
kerryanndunn's review against another edition
4.0
A lovely read for the Christmas season! A bit of a slow burn to start, but as Kate and Daniel start to build a friendship it picks up. There is A LOT going on in this story and it gets a bit overwhelming at times. Too many bad luck turns for our sad heroine, until enough is enough. And it is enough and after sinking to the lowest low, the story builds you back up again finishing with a satisfying ending. Wonderful characters and plenty of Christmas charm. I’m glad I read it.
a_ab's review against another edition
1.0
This was a slow, boring, depressing slog with no redeeming qualities.
The author is dragging her poor character through every single mud pile known to mankind, and then, unsatisfied with the effect, starts dumping mud on top of her for good measure, all the while milking the sob story for all it's worth. But, apparently, all a struggling widow with a child on the autistic spectrum needs is... drumroll, please... - a boyfriend with a stable job and good connections. Ta-da!
I found that aspect the most depressing of the whole sob story lot. I am not even going to examine the implications of that "message". Yuck.
Oh, and the new boyfriend is only interested in her because he's been creepily fixated on her and watching her for over a year.... (shudder)
Hopefully, this nonsense is forgettable. The closer you examine the book and the more you think about it, the more revolting it gets.
I read it to try the new author. Safe to say, it didn't work out.
The author is dragging her poor character through every single mud pile known to mankind, and then, unsatisfied with the effect, starts dumping mud on top of her for good measure, all the while milking the sob story for all it's worth. But, apparently, all a struggling widow with a child on the autistic spectrum needs is... drumroll, please... - a boyfriend with a stable job and good connections. Ta-da!
I found that aspect the most depressing of the whole sob story lot. I am not even going to examine the implications of that "message". Yuck.
Oh, and the new boyfriend is only interested in her because he's been creepily fixated on her and watching her for over a year.... (shudder)
Hopefully, this nonsense is forgettable. The closer you examine the book and the more you think about it, the more revolting it gets.
I read it to try the new author. Safe to say, it didn't work out.
kdtoverbooked's review against another edition
3.0
I get we want our Christmas books to have more than just the Hallmark story to them but this was almost too much. Death, disability, poverty, neurodivergence, sexual assault, suicide, abandonment, elder care, and the struggles of small businesses were all in this book and it just felt a bit much. Maybe the author was trying to be more realistic but I’d prefer a little less reality and maybe a bit more magic.
lauralovestoread's review against another edition
3.0
Went in thinking this would be a fun, cute holiday read but it got deep and a bit sad. I guess I’m on the watch for cozy happy reads when it comes to Christmas books.