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beaureads's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
amym84's review
4.0
I read both [b:Rainshadow Road|8546771|Rainshadow Road (Friday Harbor, #2)|Lisa Kleypas|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1341008055s/8546771.jpg|21561710] and [b:Dream Lake|9285100|Dream Lake (Friday Harbor, #3)|Lisa Kleypas|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1342464043s/9285100.jpg|14167526] before I read this book although the events in this book happen before the other two. I don't know if Kleypas had a series really planned out when she wrote this because whereas the other two books' storylines slightly intersect with each other and things that happen in the foreground in one also happen in the background in the other, this book stands alone. You can also tell as a reader, if you've read the other books first, that there are some slight timeline inconsistances. It's nothing that diminishes the book, but was definitely noticed.
The book was a quick read. I almost would have liked it to be longer because I really liked Maggie and Mark's story. In Rainshaow Road they are already a couple, but here is where we are supposed to get their backstory. Even though the book takes place over a few months (ending of course on Christmas Eve) it seems to fly by to the point where their relationship felt very quick and rushed, but if you step back and look at how many months it was supposed to take, it was anything but quick.
Mark has just been given some life changing news. Upon his sister Victoria's death he becomes the legal guardian of her six year old daughter Holly. Mark a confirmed bachelor who doesn't see marriage in the future with anyone is now responsible for a child. To help, Mark moves in with his brother Sam and they both take the responsibility of helping Holly through it rough time in her life and give her the love and care she needs. Having Holly really makes Mark reconsider his life, it makes him start to think about more than himself obviously because it is more than him.
Maggie is new to town and just opened a toy shop. She's fun and whimsical and believes whole heartedly in magic. She's been hurt in life and part of the reason she moved was to get away from her old life, start over. She doesn't want to be in a relationship because she feels it will only lead to heartbreak in the end.
They both start out with an easy friendship. Holly even opens up to Maggie in a way that she hasn't with Mark's current girlfriend Shelby.
This was a cute and sweet story. I like that it didn't really rely on the supernatural / magical element as much as the other two books have and likely [b:Crystal Cove|9285099|Crystal Cove (Friday Harbor, #4)|Lisa Kleypas|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1337584800s/9285099.jpg|14167525] will as well. It was just a straight up contemporary romance.
The book was a quick read. I almost would have liked it to be longer because I really liked Maggie and Mark's story. In Rainshaow Road they are already a couple, but here is where we are supposed to get their backstory. Even though the book takes place over a few months (ending of course on Christmas Eve) it seems to fly by to the point where their relationship felt very quick and rushed, but if you step back and look at how many months it was supposed to take, it was anything but quick.
Mark has just been given some life changing news. Upon his sister Victoria's death he becomes the legal guardian of her six year old daughter Holly. Mark a confirmed bachelor who doesn't see marriage in the future with anyone is now responsible for a child. To help, Mark moves in with his brother Sam and they both take the responsibility of helping Holly through it rough time in her life and give her the love and care she needs. Having Holly really makes Mark reconsider his life, it makes him start to think about more than himself obviously because it is more than him.
Maggie is new to town and just opened a toy shop. She's fun and whimsical and believes whole heartedly in magic. She's been hurt in life and part of the reason she moved was to get away from her old life, start over. She doesn't want to be in a relationship because she feels it will only lead to heartbreak in the end.
They both start out with an easy friendship. Holly even opens up to Maggie in a way that she hasn't with Mark's current girlfriend Shelby.
This was a cute and sweet story. I like that it didn't really rely on the supernatural / magical element as much as the other two books have and likely [b:Crystal Cove|9285099|Crystal Cove (Friday Harbor, #4)|Lisa Kleypas|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1337584800s/9285099.jpg|14167525] will as well. It was just a straight up contemporary romance.
earthboundcutie's review
3.0
3.5 stars
This was good. I mean, I read it in one sitting in about 2 hours. Short and sweet. But maybe too short? The emotional change within and between Maggie and Mark weren't necessarily jumpy, but it did move fast. There wasn't as much on-page development as I'm used to.
However, Holly was very sweet and I did really like Mark and Maggie together. I'm excited to get to Alex's book. Love me a tortured hero....
This was good. I mean, I read it in one sitting in about 2 hours. Short and sweet. But maybe too short? The emotional change within and between Maggie and Mark weren't necessarily jumpy, but it did move fast. There wasn't as much on-page development as I'm used to.
However, Holly was very sweet and I did really like Mark and Maggie together. I'm excited to get to Alex's book. Love me a tortured hero....
judithdcollins's review
3.0
"Awesome! Great read - finished in two days, as could not put it down! Loved the same characters as is Rainshadow (read this one first, then Rainshoadow Road). Cannot wait until Dream Lake comes out - I look forward to reading some of her older books and future creations! "
ja3m3's review
4.0
It is what it is. A delightful, feel good story to help you forgot all the books with unhappy endings.
jbarr5's review
5.0
Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor by Lisa Kleypas
This family series is about Mark Nolan. He is taking care of his niece, along with his two brothers; Sam and Alex. Sam runs the vineyard and Alex likes to build condo's on the island. Mark has a coffee business.
She is so energetic and needs a family loving. Sam and his huge house that he's renovating along with his vineyard has agreed to let Mark and their niece Holly come live with them. She's not said a word since they told her of her mother's death, days ago.
Maggie is a widower and she moved her toy shop to the island. She's taking a liking to Holly showing her books all about fairies.
Love how she uses seashells to talk magic to Holly. It worked cuz she started talking and he was so relieved. It had been 6 months.
Mark is dating Shelby but he really is interested in Maggie as they share a meal while waiting for the ferry to take them back to the island.
They talk so much about anything and nothing that they are at ease with one another.
Maggie has choices to make as time goes on and Mark also as to what direction his life will take.
This family series is about Mark Nolan. He is taking care of his niece, along with his two brothers; Sam and Alex. Sam runs the vineyard and Alex likes to build condo's on the island. Mark has a coffee business.
She is so energetic and needs a family loving. Sam and his huge house that he's renovating along with his vineyard has agreed to let Mark and their niece Holly come live with them. She's not said a word since they told her of her mother's death, days ago.
Maggie is a widower and she moved her toy shop to the island. She's taking a liking to Holly showing her books all about fairies.
Love how she uses seashells to talk magic to Holly. It worked cuz she started talking and he was so relieved. It had been 6 months.
Mark is dating Shelby but he really is interested in Maggie as they share a meal while waiting for the ferry to take them back to the island.
They talk so much about anything and nothing that they are at ease with one another.
Maggie has choices to make as time goes on and Mark also as to what direction his life will take.
chandlerainsley's review
2.0
on the hunt for good holiday romances. this was uh fine i guess? not much depth though.