Scan barcode
jacki_f's review
2.0
First of all, despite the title and cover, this isn't really a Christmas novel at all. It feels like the publishing company thought that would be a good idea so they shoehorned in a couple of references to Christmas approaching and gave it a title that has nothing whatsoever to do with the book.
This is an easy enough read which I got through in a few hours, but it doesn't amount to much. Two pretty silly characters who each have their own hang ups dance around one another with the reader supposedly wondering will they-won't they get together at the end. Beth has been working at an old cinema in Brighton for six years. She loves movies and her dream job would be to one day run the place. Matt works for Apollo Cinemas, a massive chain which is looking at acquiring the cinema where Beth works. Beth has boyfriend issues and wonders why no one has ever told her they love her while Matt has recently broken up with a complete nutter who wants him back. Oh and he has a loveable Granddad to give him occasional pieces of hokey wisdom. It's all very predictable and I just couldn't bring myself to care about any of the characters. The business related parts felt completely unrealistic and the amusing parts just didn't do it for me.
I will freely admit that I don't read a lot of chicklit and I probably am not the target audience for a book like this, but I do like chicklit when it's written with a bit of genuine heart and humour. To me, this wasn't.
If you want a heartwarming, genuinely Christmassy chicklit read, I recommend All I Want for Christmas. Or if you just want a similar story that works, I recommend The Opposite of Love.
This is an easy enough read which I got through in a few hours, but it doesn't amount to much. Two pretty silly characters who each have their own hang ups dance around one another with the reader supposedly wondering will they-won't they get together at the end. Beth has been working at an old cinema in Brighton for six years. She loves movies and her dream job would be to one day run the place. Matt works for Apollo Cinemas, a massive chain which is looking at acquiring the cinema where Beth works. Beth has boyfriend issues and wonders why no one has ever told her they love her while Matt has recently broken up with a complete nutter who wants him back. Oh and he has a loveable Granddad to give him occasional pieces of hokey wisdom. It's all very predictable and I just couldn't bring myself to care about any of the characters. The business related parts felt completely unrealistic and the amusing parts just didn't do it for me.
I will freely admit that I don't read a lot of chicklit and I probably am not the target audience for a book like this, but I do like chicklit when it's written with a bit of genuine heart and humour. To me, this wasn't.
If you want a heartwarming, genuinely Christmassy chicklit read, I recommend All I Want for Christmas. Or if you just want a similar story that works, I recommend The Opposite of Love.
cjneil's review
2.0
maybe 3 mentions of the word Christmas, the most generic plot ever, and the characters were so unlikeable except for Grandad. not cozy not cute not my friend
prithika's review
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
amberpocknall's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
poppy31's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
et7's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
rachaelb_143's review
4.0
Loved this book, few shocks along the way but hilarious and also really sad too, gave me a Christmassy feeling at the end. Want to read more of Cally Taylor's books in the future
lehlara's review
emotional
lighthearted
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? Yes
5.0