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3.63 AVERAGE
3.63 AVERAGE
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
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:
Yes
emotional
lighthearted
Funny, Amazing, Beautiful
Wow I was not expecting this to be so amazing. I laughed a lot about all that happened and can honestly say it is one of the best Christmas books I have read. It's so beautiful and lovely. I highly recommend for anyone who loves a bit of comedy and drama.
Wow I was not expecting this to be so amazing. I laughed a lot about all that happened and can honestly say it is one of the best Christmas books I have read. It's so beautiful and lovely. I highly recommend for anyone who loves a bit of comedy and drama.
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
funny
lighthearted
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Always willing to explore new James Patterson collaborations, I gladly reached for this piece. With the holiday season upon us, I thought that I would add something to my reading collection. Tad Safran joins Patterson with this modern version of a long-sung piece about the Christmas season. Adding some intrigue and a little humour to the events of multiple gifts, they help the reader feel fully ensconced with the holidays and the importance of the season. A great piece that surprised me with how thoroughly I enjoyed it.
It is a long-spoken tradition in the Sullivan household that Christmas is for others to celebrate. Will and Ella have had to suffer through this, as their father, Henry, has been left feeling the pain of missing his wife. There is nothing to show the holidays are around the corner, as the Sullivans have no tree, no decorations, and certainly, no presents.
Will and Ella work to change that by trying to match their father up with someone on a dating site. When Henry comes upon them, he curtails this before the children can launch the profile. All the children want is someone to make their father happy, but Henry insists that he only wishes to be left alone.
While the profile is not ‘live’, Henry receives a message from someone who goes by the name of ‘True Love’, insisting that he is someone special. Once gifts begin to arrive, this angers Henry and leaves the children flummoxed. These are not typical gifts, but rather plants, fowl, and other very unique items. Will and Ella soon draw the parallel between the gifts and the twelve days leading up to Christmas, though Henry is more concerned with who is sending the gifts, going so far as to threaten legal action. As the gifts keep multiplying, the Sullivans have to reflect on the season, the gift-giver, and what it all means. Things may not be typical or traditional, but something is going on, leaving the Sullivans to think more about the holidays, their family situation, and the meaning of Christmas.
I have had a love/hate relationship with James Patterson. This usually depends on the collaborator and how much freedom said author is given in crafting the story. This piece was a fabulous change of pace and holiday-themed as well. Tad Safran does a masterful job at keeping things moving and on the right track. With a Christmas-themed story that gets to the heart of the season, the authors show how a little love and a great deal of patience can go a long way. The story is built on some great themes and develops well as it progresses. Patterson and Safran keep the reader enticed with short chapters, packed with great development and some humour to lighten the mood.
The characters in the piece help add depth and something special to the story. I enjoyed how there was a great contrast between all three central characters. Ella is trying to define herself, Will is forced to defy temptation, and Henry must overcome the loss of his wife. The authors developed these three characters well, which offers the reader something exciting to follow. The use of a mysterious gift giver provides even more flavour the story at the same time.
While one could look for plot twists in this piece, I prefer to find some of the great surprises that arise throughout the gift giving. ‘True Love’ has a real sense of humour in the fights that arise, and the blowback from these gifts is also highly entertaining. I was pleasantly surprised to see how well things flowed and how the themes of the story arose with ease as the piece progressed. While being pleasantly surprised as to how effective the piece turned out to be, I am just as perplexed that this was a James Patterson collaboration. Well done and so much fun to read!
Kudos, Messrs. Paterson and Safran, for a great holiday piece that left me smiling. I hope others grab this book and enjoy a warming feeling this holiday season.
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funny
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:
Yes