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mjwerts's review against another edition
4.0
This romance novella set on San Juan Island off the Washington coastline tells the love story of toy shop owner Maggie and coffee roaster Mark, who recently became an unexpected guardian to his six-year-old niece Holly.
Maggie is a delightful heroine, while Mark has the cynicism with a heart of gold that romance readers love. With the addition of Holly, who may steal your heart more than Maggie and Mark, Friday Harbor is a charming place to visit.
For those fans of made-for-TV movies, Hallmark Channel's Christmas With Holly is a well-done adaptation of this story.
Maggie is a delightful heroine, while Mark has the cynicism with a heart of gold that romance readers love. With the addition of Holly, who may steal your heart more than Maggie and Mark, Friday Harbor is a charming place to visit.
For those fans of made-for-TV movies, Hallmark Channel's Christmas With Holly is a well-done adaptation of this story.
tiamushka's review against another edition
3.0
So, I chose this book because I was in the mood for a cheesy Christmas Hallmark movie type book. Not much happens in this book, really. And the Christmas part is only the last twenty or so pages, so that was disappointing for me. But it was a heart warming romantic read. I loved the location of the book and the beautiful cover.
desiree_mcl's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars.
This was a cute start to the series. And also my first contemporary romance by LK. I've stuck exclusively to LK's historical romance.
I really liked Holly and Maggie and I loved the family scenes with Mark, Sam, and Holly. I liked that Shelby, Mark's girlfriend, wasn't this awful person, even though I don't like how she handled but beside that I had no problems with her.
My only two major issues were that Mark was still with Shelby for the bulk of the book, if this had been longer it wouldn't have bothered me that they broke up at around page, but because this book is only 211 pages it bothered me. Also the other issue was that this wasn't long enough.
I am looking forward to the other books in the series. Especially Alex's.
This was a cute start to the series. And also my first contemporary romance by LK. I've stuck exclusively to LK's historical romance.
I really liked Holly and Maggie and I loved the family scenes with Mark, Sam, and Holly. I liked that Shelby, Mark's girlfriend, wasn't this awful person, even though I don't like how she handled
Spoiler
the Holly being sick situation,My only two major issues were that Mark was still with Shelby for the bulk of the book, if this had been longer it wouldn't have bothered me that they broke up at around page
Spoiler
160I am looking forward to the other books in the series. Especially Alex's.
joyousreads132's review against another edition
4.0
With a pretty easy-to-follow, pretty simplistic plot, Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor will leave you just hungry enough to read more about the Nolan brothers.
This follows the story of the oldest Nolan, Mark. After the recent death of the only Nolan girl in the family, Mark found himself the sole guardian for his niece, Holly. Aware that his life was about to change in the big way, Mark tackled the challenge without batting an eyelash. In fact, aside from the fact that he couldn’t get Holly to speak, he was doing a swell job of being Holly’s father. A trip of a toy store and a meeting with a lonely widow changed everything for the better or worse, depending on how you look at it. Better because Maggie, the store owner seemed to have the magical touch and words Holly needed to speak; and worse because Mark’s well thought out plan of finally getting serious with his current girlfriend, Shelby hit a snag. Unable to ignore his attraction with the red-haired toyshop owner, Mark pursued Maggie on the pretense of gaining her friendship. Two years after losing her husband to cancer, Maggie feels like she’s got nothing left to give. She thinks you’re only given one chance to find that all-consuming love, which she found in her husband.
A child’s Christmas wish, a man’s chance at a real family and a woman’s second chance at love: perfect recipe for heart-warming, smile-inducing story about family and love when you least expect it.
It feels weird reading a Christmas novel in the middle of summer. But I wanted to read this because I won Rainshadow Road through Goodreads First Reads Giveaway. I’m familiar with Ms. Kleypas’ contemporary romance work but not so much her historical fiction. This book was a bit on the skinny side but rest assured that the novel was as thorough and complete.
VERDICT: Stories that involved young kids are like a shot straight to my sternum and this book certainly had me choked up from beginning to end. Holly’s inability to speak after learning of her mother’s death was disheartening. I’m looking forward to reading more about the Nolan brothers, most of all, Alex. What can I say? I love tortured characters. :) Lisa Kleypas’ proficiency in writing the most heart-felt family stories never fail to amaze me. I can’t wait to read more from her.
This follows the story of the oldest Nolan, Mark. After the recent death of the only Nolan girl in the family, Mark found himself the sole guardian for his niece, Holly. Aware that his life was about to change in the big way, Mark tackled the challenge without batting an eyelash. In fact, aside from the fact that he couldn’t get Holly to speak, he was doing a swell job of being Holly’s father. A trip of a toy store and a meeting with a lonely widow changed everything for the better or worse, depending on how you look at it. Better because Maggie, the store owner seemed to have the magical touch and words Holly needed to speak; and worse because Mark’s well thought out plan of finally getting serious with his current girlfriend, Shelby hit a snag. Unable to ignore his attraction with the red-haired toyshop owner, Mark pursued Maggie on the pretense of gaining her friendship. Two years after losing her husband to cancer, Maggie feels like she’s got nothing left to give. She thinks you’re only given one chance to find that all-consuming love, which she found in her husband.
A child’s Christmas wish, a man’s chance at a real family and a woman’s second chance at love: perfect recipe for heart-warming, smile-inducing story about family and love when you least expect it.
It feels weird reading a Christmas novel in the middle of summer. But I wanted to read this because I won Rainshadow Road through Goodreads First Reads Giveaway. I’m familiar with Ms. Kleypas’ contemporary romance work but not so much her historical fiction. This book was a bit on the skinny side but rest assured that the novel was as thorough and complete.
VERDICT: Stories that involved young kids are like a shot straight to my sternum and this book certainly had me choked up from beginning to end. Holly’s inability to speak after learning of her mother’s death was disheartening. I’m looking forward to reading more about the Nolan brothers, most of all, Alex. What can I say? I love tortured characters. :) Lisa Kleypas’ proficiency in writing the most heart-felt family stories never fail to amaze me. I can’t wait to read more from her.
penandpencil's review against another edition
2.0
As far as this type of fiction goes, Lisa Kleypas is definitely one of the best. She has the best characters, takes time to develop relationships, is great at banter, and has moments of true humour in all of her books. This one is no where near her best, but overall an enjoyable and quick read.
My major beef (and the reason that this one can not compare to her other novels) is that the publishers actually packaged this and have the nerve to sell if for $16.99. This barely counts as a novella and the characterizations really suffered as a result, there is just not enough time to develop the story the way she usually does. The end is incredibly rushed and there was potential for a lot more story here.
My major beef (and the reason that this one can not compare to her other novels) is that the publishers actually packaged this and have the nerve to sell if for $16.99. This barely counts as a novella and the characterizations really suffered as a result, there is just not enough time to develop the story the way she usually does. The end is incredibly rushed and there was potential for a lot more story here.
fractaltexan's review against another edition
5.0
Oh my god what an amazing and touching book. I bought this book because of the movie, but the movie sucked compared to the true romance and caring in this book. That is all I can say about this book, as it makes me want to be a better father.
bee253's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75
hodanayan's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
nicandbooks's review against another edition
4.0
A sweet, short story
I have loved Lisa Kleypas' historical romance series but this was my first foray into her contemporary stories and I will say while this isn't my favourite of hers, it definitely shows that Lisa is more than capable of writing in both genres.
I have loved Lisa Kleypas' historical romance series but this was my first foray into her contemporary stories and I will say while this isn't my favourite of hers, it definitely shows that Lisa is more than capable of writing in both genres.