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fudgeelizabeth9's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
kimberly_b's review against another edition
5.0
This was my first Kleypas book, but it definitely won't be my last. I really loved this story. It was short and sweet, but it had me laughing out loud multiple times. I loved the Washington setting.
b_tellefsen_rescuesandreads's review against another edition
3.0
A cute, heartwarming novella. Just the thing you love to read this time of year!
novelesque_life's review against another edition
4.0
4 STARS
Since the death of her mother six-year-old Holly has not spoken. Her mother Victoria has chosen her bachelor brother, Mark to take care of her daughter. Mark knows nothing about taking care of children but he is all she has and has to do all he can for her. He moves in with his brother Sam and together they try to give their niece her life back.
Holly meets Maggie a toy shop owner who has imagination and also has broken heart (as a recent widow). As Maggie starts to bring the Nolans back to life she comes to the conclusion that being with the Nolans could very well break her heart.
I'm also weary of contemporary romance -if there is no mystery- but I instantly fell in love with Friday Harbor and the Nolan brothers. I like that while Maggie is a strong heroine she also has realistic fears and insecurities. The end felt a bit rushed but I find that is more the nature of romance genre to tie things up.
Since the death of her mother six-year-old Holly has not spoken. Her mother Victoria has chosen her bachelor brother, Mark to take care of her daughter. Mark knows nothing about taking care of children but he is all she has and has to do all he can for her. He moves in with his brother Sam and together they try to give their niece her life back.
Holly meets Maggie a toy shop owner who has imagination and also has broken heart (as a recent widow). As Maggie starts to bring the Nolans back to life she comes to the conclusion that being with the Nolans could very well break her heart.
I'm also weary of contemporary romance -if there is no mystery- but I instantly fell in love with Friday Harbor and the Nolan brothers. I like that while Maggie is a strong heroine she also has realistic fears and insecurities. The end felt a bit rushed but I find that is more the nature of romance genre to tie things up.
laurenjodi's review against another edition
3.0
Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor
3 Stars
Fairly bland and superficial romance with a saccharine sweet plot and ending.
The story is rushed and there is no real emotional depth to the characters, which makes it difficult to become attached to any of them (this is most probably due to the short basically novella length format).
Holly is a sweet child and the selective mutism has potential but fizzles out almost immediately as her return to normality is rapid and has no basis in reality.
Maggie gets over her reservations against becoming involved with Mark in no time at all and Mark goes from a commitment phobic, non-believer to an ardent pursuer and imagination convert in the blink of an eye.
The relationship between the brothers is unoriginal and lacks detail. On the surface, Sam seems like a nice guy while Alex is dark, broody and tortured (which means that I will continue on to his book because this is my favorite type of hero).
All in all, a disappointing book as both the story and the characters are underdeveloped. This is definitely not up to Kleypas's standards.
3 Stars
Fairly bland and superficial romance with a saccharine sweet plot and ending.
The story is rushed and there is no real emotional depth to the characters, which makes it difficult to become attached to any of them (this is most probably due to the short basically novella length format).
Holly is a sweet child and the selective mutism has potential but fizzles out almost immediately as her return to normality is rapid and has no basis in reality.
Maggie gets over her reservations against becoming involved with Mark in no time at all and Mark goes from a commitment phobic, non-believer to an ardent pursuer and imagination convert in the blink of an eye.
The relationship between the brothers is unoriginal and lacks detail. On the surface, Sam seems like a nice guy while Alex is dark, broody and tortured (which means that I will continue on to his book because this is my favorite type of hero).
All in all, a disappointing book as both the story and the characters are underdeveloped. This is definitely not up to Kleypas's standards.
wanderbykate's review against another edition
4.0
The book in my opinion was better than the Hallmark movie adaptation, Christmas with Holly. I read the entire book in one setting and fell in love not just with the characters but with the setting. I just wish it was longer
rebeccatc's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this sweet little story. It had an adorable orphaned girl in need of a family, two wisecracking uncles, some funny dialogue, and even a cute dog.
shan198025's review against another edition
4.0
A good short story introducing some good characters.
diaryofthebookdragon's review against another edition
3.0
For some other writer this might be a 4 star book, but I expected more from Lisa Kleypas. Don't get me wrong, Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor is a cute introduction to the San Juan Island and I loved the characters, descriptions and all-together-feel-to-the-place. But I expected more emotional development. It all ended much too quick. This book is too short.
thegeekyblogger's review against another edition
3.0
Listened for Fun (Audible)
Overall Rating: 3.50
Story Rating: 3.25
Character Rating: 3.75
Part of my 25 Books for the Holidays for 2012
How Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor put me in the Holiday Spirit: Don’t stories that involve kids and rescue dogs always pull at your heartstrings? This one even started with a letter to Santa–how could you not be in the Holiday spirit after that?
What I thought of the characters/story: Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor was a pretty short listen for an audio book (5 or so hours) and in places I thought the story was a little rushed. I felt the break-up with the current girlfriend to the “I Love You” was to quick. That being said, I loved the characters. I thought each of them were unique, fun, and in their own ways lovable. I am pretty sure that I will be continuing the series to find out what happens with the other two brothers. I loved Maggie and her relationship with Holly and Mark. I felt that the story from her side was very organic and wonderful. I loved that Holly and Reinfield (the ugly rescue dog) were important parts of the story too. Overall, for a short story it was very heartstrings pulling even though it was a little rushed.
What I thought of the audio: Tanya Eby did the audio and she did a pretty decent job. I still have problems with her male voices but she is certainly growing on me.
Overall Rating: 3.50
Story Rating: 3.25
Character Rating: 3.75
Part of my 25 Books for the Holidays for 2012
How Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor put me in the Holiday Spirit: Don’t stories that involve kids and rescue dogs always pull at your heartstrings? This one even started with a letter to Santa–how could you not be in the Holiday spirit after that?
What I thought of the characters/story: Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor was a pretty short listen for an audio book (5 or so hours) and in places I thought the story was a little rushed. I felt the break-up with the current girlfriend to the “I Love You” was to quick. That being said, I loved the characters. I thought each of them were unique, fun, and in their own ways lovable. I am pretty sure that I will be continuing the series to find out what happens with the other two brothers. I loved Maggie and her relationship with Holly and Mark. I felt that the story from her side was very organic and wonderful. I loved that Holly and Reinfield (the ugly rescue dog) were important parts of the story too. Overall, for a short story it was very heartstrings pulling even though it was a little rushed.
What I thought of the audio: Tanya Eby did the audio and she did a pretty decent job. I still have problems with her male voices but she is certainly growing on me.