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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-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:
Yes
"Christmas was the one thing Natasha could control. Moolah may no longer be lost but for as long as she wasn't here, much still hung in the balance. Nonetheless, if this man had managed to send one photo from the back of beyond, surely he could send another? Would he, though?"
A missing beloved toddler's toy and her mother's unhappy marriage comes together with a man trekking in the Himalayas for feel-good, romantic fiction. My first Karen Swan (thanks to an Insta comp win from @nic_thebookworm) and I can see why Swan is described as 'the Queen of destination fiction', because both the Cotswolds and Himalayas locations were beautifully described.
Escapist and romantic fiction, I took to the engaging protagonists Natasha (mum to three year old Mabel who's lost beloved 'Moolah', married to older and rather distant Rob) and Duffy (trekking in the Himalayas) and enjoyed their stories playing out. There's also a past narrative in 2018, on Natasha's Hen Party at Center Parcs. Set over Christmas time, it's not the main focus, but the Cotswolds during the festive and wintry season sounds gorgeous and the Himalayas was suitably snowy and cold too. It's clearly written by an experienced author, familiar with her craft, creating atmospheres and locations with ease. In terms of the plot, it took a while for the postcards to be sent and received, creating the necessary context, then a few surprises, however any predictability and unrealistic coincidences are part of comfort reads' charm.
Understanding the author writes two novels a year - one for summer and one for Christmas - I'll definitely try a summer read of hers next year. Seasonal and comfort romantic fiction, I enjoyed escaping to.
A missing beloved toddler's toy and her mother's unhappy marriage comes together with a man trekking in the Himalayas for feel-good, romantic fiction. My first Karen Swan (thanks to an Insta comp win from @nic_thebookworm) and I can see why Swan is described as 'the Queen of destination fiction', because both the Cotswolds and Himalayas locations were beautifully described.
Escapist and romantic fiction, I took to the engaging protagonists Natasha (mum to three year old Mabel who's lost beloved 'Moolah', married to older and rather distant Rob) and Duffy (trekking in the Himalayas) and enjoyed their stories playing out. There's also a past narrative in 2018, on Natasha's Hen Party at Center Parcs. Set over Christmas time, it's not the main focus, but the Cotswolds during the festive and wintry season sounds gorgeous and the Himalayas was suitably snowy and cold too. It's clearly written by an experienced author, familiar with her craft, creating atmospheres and locations with ease. In terms of the plot, it took a while for the postcards to be sent and received, creating the necessary context, then a few surprises, however any predictability and unrealistic coincidences are part of comfort reads' charm.
Understanding the author writes two novels a year - one for summer and one for Christmas - I'll definitely try a summer read of hers next year. Seasonal and comfort romantic fiction, I enjoyed escaping to.
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
So my annual Christmas read was one I was looking forward to as I knew the author was highly regarded. Unfortunately it fell super flat.
This was also the most predictable read I have ever read! I’ve never guessed so much, so early, so correctly!
It also felt a little too long and dull (perhaps due to it’s predictability?) There were far too many unnecessary details, at one point the book basically introduced us to the whole female half of the village! For the sake of one scene?!
It was however, a much better book in terms of writing (which I expect from this author) and she clearly seemed to have researched rock climbing.
A big part of my problem with these books is the idea of love at First sight, of people falling in love in the space of a month (or 24 hours). It’s stupid,and I realise I hate it.
These people always seem to need therapy to deal with past trauma/abandonment issues but instead “fall in love” and it solves everything.
So unfortunately call me a grinch, after two tries, these books are not for me.
This was also the most predictable read I have ever read! I’ve never guessed so much, so early, so correctly!
It also felt a little too long and dull (perhaps due to it’s predictability?) There were far too many unnecessary details, at one point the book basically introduced us to the whole female half of the village! For the sake of one scene?!
It was however, a much better book in terms of writing (which I expect from this author) and she clearly seemed to have researched rock climbing.
A big part of my problem with these books is the idea of love at First sight, of people falling in love in the space of a month (or 24 hours). It’s stupid,and I realise I hate it.
These people always seem to need therapy to deal with past trauma/abandonment issues but instead “fall in love” and it solves everything.
So unfortunately call me a grinch, after two tries, these books are not for me.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
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:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No