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aswinoc's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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
4.0
rnshack's review against another edition
2.0
2 stars
I was so excited to read this book. I waited weeks for my hold at the library to come though and ultimately I was so stinking bored. Nothing happened in the book for 350 pages! Nothing.
You are introduced to the man she will no doubt end up with on literally the second page of the book. And it’s not even subtle. There is no reason to keep reading!?!? Why would an author do this?
I did keep reading though hoping it works at least be fun. It wasn’t. This bill was a fun, laugh out loud premise that just fell so sadly short. There was too much telling (SO MUCH TELLING), descriptions, and cooking. The cooking was so random. Why was an artist by trade and profession doing so much cooking for her friend who owes a coffee shop? And for free? I can’t even imagine how much her grocery bill is!?! And how many times can a person describe the same walk up a hill, or to a manor, or describe the same square. It was all just so wordy. I bet if you took only the dialogue and put it on pages all by itself it wouldn’t total any more that 50 pages.
As for Matt. He was pretty unlikeable. It felt to me like he was using her a lot. Her cooking, helping him at his store and the market. He was controlling and was not nice to her about dating and trying to fall in love. Kate wasn’t much better though. It was so weird how she just all of a sudden 250 pages in declares that she loves Matt. Um, ok but that was random!?! The story wasn’t fleshed out and the plot was a mess.
And the worst part? I loved the town. And I really like the idea of this book but the execution wasn’t there. Maybe she gets it right in her next book, this was her very first book after all. I hope so because I loved her vision she just got caught up in a lot of detail that didn’t contribute to the book in a way in which I ended up liking. It was a slog and I struggled to finish it. Too bad too because I would have sworn this was going to be a favorite.
I was so excited to read this book. I waited weeks for my hold at the library to come though and ultimately I was so stinking bored. Nothing happened in the book for 350 pages! Nothing.
You are introduced to the man she will no doubt end up with on literally the second page of the book. And it’s not even subtle. There is no reason to keep reading!?!? Why would an author do this?
I did keep reading though hoping it works at least be fun. It wasn’t. This bill was a fun, laugh out loud premise that just fell so sadly short. There was too much telling (SO MUCH TELLING), descriptions, and cooking. The cooking was so random. Why was an artist by trade and profession doing so much cooking for her friend who owes a coffee shop? And for free? I can’t even imagine how much her grocery bill is!?! And how many times can a person describe the same walk up a hill, or to a manor, or describe the same square. It was all just so wordy. I bet if you took only the dialogue and put it on pages all by itself it wouldn’t total any more that 50 pages.
As for Matt. He was pretty unlikeable. It felt to me like he was using her a lot. Her cooking, helping him at his store and the market. He was controlling and was not nice to her about dating and trying to fall in love. Kate wasn’t much better though. It was so weird how she just all of a sudden 250 pages in declares that she loves Matt. Um, ok but that was random!?! The story wasn’t fleshed out and the plot was a mess.
And the worst part? I loved the town. And I really like the idea of this book but the execution wasn’t there. Maybe she gets it right in her next book, this was her very first book after all. I hope so because I loved her vision she just got caught up in a lot of detail that didn’t contribute to the book in a way in which I ended up liking. It was a slog and I struggled to finish it. Too bad too because I would have sworn this was going to be a favorite.
saarrr's review against another edition
1.0
Dit is de boekenvariant van een urenlange vergadering die achteraf gezien ook best een e-mail had kunnen zijn. Het verhaal klonk wel leuk en het begin was prima (ook al weet je al vanaf de eerste pagina hoe het eindigt), maar daarna ging het bergafwaarts.
De hoofdpersoon (ik ben haar naam alweer vergeten) is in het begin nog van: ik heb geen man nodig, ik ben zelfstandig en ik doe alleen mee om een vriendin blij te maken, maar verandert opeens in een wanhopige vrouw die alleen nog met een man gelukkig kan zijn en daardoor vreemde keuzes maakt. En aan je fantasie hoef je niks over te laten, want ALLES wordt in dit boek verteld. Er is bijvoorbeeld een stuk over een escape room, maar in plaats van een globale beschrijving wordt er uitgebreid verteld wat de opdracht is, waar ze een sleutel vonden etc. etc. Alsof dat ook maar iets bijdraagt aan het verhaal. Hierdoor voelt het aan alsof het boek 1000 pagina's dik is. Het gaat maar door en er lijkt geen eind aan te komen. Zelfs bij het laatste hoofdstuk dacht ik meerdere keren dat het was afgelopen en duurde het nog zeker een half uur.
Ik had niet verwacht dit boek zo stom te vinden. Vooral omdat ik in deze tijd van het jaar al tevreden ben als er een kerstboom wordt genoemd en alle Hallmark kerstfilms opeens de leukste films aller tijden zijn. Ik ben blij dat ik het boek als luisterboek van de bibliotheek kon lenen, want een papieren versie was 1. Zonde van mijn geld geweest. 2. Zonde van de boom geweest. En 3. Ik had hem waarschijnlijk nooit uitgelezen als ik niet ondertussen een kerstige legpuzzel kon maken.
Helaas dus 1 ster voor dit boek. Of 1,5 ster dan. Omdat het bijna kerst is.
De hoofdpersoon (ik ben haar naam alweer vergeten) is in het begin nog van: ik heb geen man nodig, ik ben zelfstandig en ik doe alleen mee om een vriendin blij te maken, maar verandert opeens in een wanhopige vrouw die alleen nog met een man gelukkig kan zijn en daardoor vreemde keuzes maakt. En aan je fantasie hoef je niks over te laten, want ALLES wordt in dit boek verteld. Er is bijvoorbeeld een stuk over een escape room, maar in plaats van een globale beschrijving wordt er uitgebreid verteld wat de opdracht is, waar ze een sleutel vonden etc. etc. Alsof dat ook maar iets bijdraagt aan het verhaal. Hierdoor voelt het aan alsof het boek 1000 pagina's dik is. Het gaat maar door en er lijkt geen eind aan te komen. Zelfs bij het laatste hoofdstuk dacht ik meerdere keren dat het was afgelopen en duurde het nog zeker een half uur.
Ik had niet verwacht dit boek zo stom te vinden. Vooral omdat ik in deze tijd van het jaar al tevreden ben als er een kerstboom wordt genoemd en alle Hallmark kerstfilms opeens de leukste films aller tijden zijn. Ik ben blij dat ik het boek als luisterboek van de bibliotheek kon lenen, want een papieren versie was 1. Zonde van mijn geld geweest. 2. Zonde van de boom geweest. En 3. Ik had hem waarschijnlijk nooit uitgelezen als ik niet ondertussen een kerstige legpuzzel kon maken.
Helaas dus 1 ster voor dit boek. Of 1,5 ster dan. Omdat het bijna kerst is.
ewagner78's review against another edition
3.0
Oh if only people would communicate. I've never been a fan of conflict caused by characters refusing to talk to one another but overall I enjoyed the book and its lovable characters. I also can't pass up a fun Christmas rom-com.
a_reader_obsessed's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 Stars
Definitely one of the better MF’s I’ve read in awhile, this brought a great sense of Christmas spirit as it follows MC Kate as she puts herself through 12 prearranged holiday dates in the hopes of finding a love connection.
These dates range from fun to funny to off kilter disbelief and indignation as Kate encounters all sorts which makes for quite the entertaining read. Toss in a harried best friend for comedic relief, a lovely dear old dad, a truly aggravating narcissistic mom, and the requisite male buddy that shares a complex history with our heroine.
Just a heads up. This was tame. I’m not saying explicitness is always needed and not all explicitness will get my heart racing but this didn’t do anything for me at all. Just some kissing and a few lusty thoughts for those who need to know. This is also quite a very long book, laden with descriptions and setting up every scene to full wintery detail. Where this shines is the small town life in all its quaint charm and exasperating nosiness.
One surprising thing here that’s notable for just myself. Kate never really irked or annoyed me and that is truly a rarity when it comes to female protagonists in any shape or form. For the most part, she was reasonable and grounded, and pretty consistent in her decision making. I wouldn’t say no to being her friend. So, I actually liked her more than her romantic love interest who had his charming moments here and there but never really felt fully fleshed out for me to fall in love with.
Admittedly, I’m a bit disgruntled that this lengthy story didn’t bother to give me a much needed epilogue, but overall, this was still a charming holiday read!
Definitely one of the better MF’s I’ve read in awhile, this brought a great sense of Christmas spirit as it follows MC Kate as she puts herself through 12 prearranged holiday dates in the hopes of finding a love connection.
These dates range from fun to funny to off kilter disbelief and indignation as Kate encounters all sorts which makes for quite the entertaining read. Toss in a harried best friend for comedic relief, a lovely dear old dad, a truly aggravating narcissistic mom, and the requisite male buddy that shares a complex history with our heroine.
Just a heads up. This was tame. I’m not saying explicitness is always needed and not all explicitness will get my heart racing but this didn’t do anything for me at all. Just some kissing and a few lusty thoughts for those who need to know. This is also quite a very long book, laden with descriptions and setting up every scene to full wintery detail. Where this shines is the small town life in all its quaint charm and exasperating nosiness.
One surprising thing here that’s notable for just myself. Kate never really irked or annoyed me and that is truly a rarity when it comes to female protagonists in any shape or form. For the most part, she was reasonable and grounded, and pretty consistent in her decision making. I wouldn’t say no to being her friend. So, I actually liked her more than her romantic love interest who had his charming moments here and there but never really felt fully fleshed out for me to fall in love with.
Admittedly, I’m a bit disgruntled that this lengthy story didn’t bother to give me a much needed epilogue, but overall, this was still a charming holiday read!
roseyreadsbooks's review against another edition
3.0
This book felt like reading a Hallmark story. It was cute and funny with lots of cozy winter vibes
suzyq436's review against another edition
4.0
A cute and engaging British chick-lit with a sprinkle of Christmas. What more could you want?!
I loved this book from the random dates to the typical small English village vibes to the cutsie romance that ensues. Truly adorable and perfect for the Christmas season!
I loved this book from the random dates to the typical small English village vibes to the cutsie romance that ensues. Truly adorable and perfect for the Christmas season!
bargainsleuth's review against another edition
4.0
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I was just browsing Audible.com a few weeks ago when they had a sale on selected titles and was looking for Christmas-themed books when I stumbled across The Twelve Dates of Christmas by Jenny Bayliss. I decided to take a chance based upon the reviews I read.
Do you want a light and fluffy romance where all the characters are attractive, the problems aren’t that dark, and true love lives on in the end? I’m not saying the problems Kate has aren’t big, but even the subplots don’t involve issues that are more serious than an After School Special. And that’s just the point: this a feel-good holiday book with true love at the end of the story. I don’t know about you, but around the holiday, when I even have time to read, I want something lighthearted.
As Kate progresses on these 12 dates of Christmas set up through a dating service, I do have to say that she had the right attitude going in. That these dates were supposed to be fun, get you in the holiday spirit, and maybe, just maybe, find a love match. Or at the least, a lust match for a hookup. So many times the trope in a book is that the person being thrown into dating is reluctant to do so, and that was refreshing to have Kate be a willing participant in the dating plan.
The men Kate meets are all attractive and somewhat successful, and in some cases, if the situation were different, something would have sparked with Kate and the man into something more. All the dates were creative, festive and unique, yet still maintaining that traditional English cheer. There are so many other reasons to love this book: the picturesque English village (one of these days I’ve just got to stop reading about these villages and go visit one), a community of close-knit people celebrating traditional English Christmas tidings was wonderful. There’s a real sense of comradery and support for one another with the characters that makes you more invested in them.
One last thing: make sure you’re well-fed as you read this book, because the descriptions of all the food and drink made me so hungry! Everything sounded fabulous; it reminded me much of the feasts mentioned in my beloved Nancy Drew books.
I was just browsing Audible.com a few weeks ago when they had a sale on selected titles and was looking for Christmas-themed books when I stumbled across The Twelve Dates of Christmas by Jenny Bayliss. I decided to take a chance based upon the reviews I read.
Do you want a light and fluffy romance where all the characters are attractive, the problems aren’t that dark, and true love lives on in the end? I’m not saying the problems Kate has aren’t big, but even the subplots don’t involve issues that are more serious than an After School Special. And that’s just the point: this a feel-good holiday book with true love at the end of the story. I don’t know about you, but around the holiday, when I even have time to read, I want something lighthearted.
As Kate progresses on these 12 dates of Christmas set up through a dating service, I do have to say that she had the right attitude going in. That these dates were supposed to be fun, get you in the holiday spirit, and maybe, just maybe, find a love match. Or at the least, a lust match for a hookup. So many times the trope in a book is that the person being thrown into dating is reluctant to do so, and that was refreshing to have Kate be a willing participant in the dating plan.
The men Kate meets are all attractive and somewhat successful, and in some cases, if the situation were different, something would have sparked with Kate and the man into something more. All the dates were creative, festive and unique, yet still maintaining that traditional English cheer. There are so many other reasons to love this book: the picturesque English village (one of these days I’ve just got to stop reading about these villages and go visit one), a community of close-knit people celebrating traditional English Christmas tidings was wonderful. There’s a real sense of comradery and support for one another with the characters that makes you more invested in them.
One last thing: make sure you’re well-fed as you read this book, because the descriptions of all the food and drink made me so hungry! Everything sounded fabulous; it reminded me much of the feasts mentioned in my beloved Nancy Drew books.
sophrolijkbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Super leuk verhaal! Tussen die twaalf dates zit voor iedereen wel een herkenbare date denk ik! Verder is Laura, de beste vriendin, echt een leuk karakter, maakt het verhaal wat grappiger. Natuurlijk is het gewoon voorspelbaar a la kerstfilm op Netflix, maar daar was ik precies naar op zoek.
Wat ik ook erg leuk vond is hoe de Britse natuur in de winter steeds wordt omschreven, je krijgt echt een mooi winters beeld en zin om warme chocomel of een grote kop thee te drinken.
Wat ik ook erg leuk vond is hoe de Britse natuur in de winter steeds wordt omschreven, je krijgt echt een mooi winters beeld en zin om warme chocomel of een grote kop thee te drinken.
jquinn's review against another edition
1.0
Reading what the book was about seemed perfect for this time of year. A romantic Christmas book! Just what I been looking for!
There were spelling errors, grammar errors, and I couldn't get past the writing. All I read was two pages.
There were spelling errors, grammar errors, and I couldn't get past the writing. All I read was two pages.