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bookedwithbonnie's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
shakespearen_sisar's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
2.75
haileyldavidson's review against another edition
1.0
This had little to no holiday charm. It was undeniably blindingly boring. It was a Christmas Romance, that had no spirit of Christmas, and did not introduce the main romantic plot until 40% of the way through the book. And that’s not to mean that the romance began at that point- no. The two characters that were going to fall in love (supposedly) meet for the very first time, 40% of the way through the book. I feel like a lot of time was spent in places where it was not needed- I loved the main character coming to terms with her divorce and being comfortable with herself beyond who she was in her marriage. However- way way WAY too much time was spent on her ex-husband! And that’s not to mean the character was fixated on or reminiscing about her ex-husband but no he was actually an active character in the book that was very present until about 70% of the way through the book.
The book also seems to be trying very hard to convince me that it is British. The language used throughout is really aggravating. I don’t need to read “Blimey!” or “Bollocks” or “Jolly good” or EVEN “holy fuckwits!” every 3 pages to know that this character is a Brit. You can have a certain energy about the atmosphere and the characters that has a distinct feel. Something that says “This feels very British in a respectful and not at all obnoxious way that is actively compelling and endearing to the story, its characters, and the writing. (See: Olive by Emma Gagnon) This book- couldn’t do that to save its life. It felt like it thought it was quite clever and quirky- but for me, it fell flat and was annoying.
The romance is so incredibly boring and drags throughout the almost 500 pages of this book. (No romance novel should be almost 500 pages, almost no book should be 500 pages) And for some reason, despite the obvious length of the writing- none of it could endear me to a single character. The initial meeting of the two main romantic characters happens at about 40% of the way through the book- and they fight because this is also enemies to lovers. The enemies to lovers plot doesn’t work well for me. The concept is that our FMC is a winter guardian for an older woman’s historical home. The woman’s nephew, our MMC, is hoping to sell the property and not have his aunt return to it in the future. He is painted as a villain for this and I don’t disagree that he is a jerk about it. But anyone with a proper head on their shoulders knows that taking care of your aging relatives is extremely complicated, it’s difficult and upsetting to move people away from their home, but it’s hard to relocate yourself to be able to take care of them. In any case…at her big big age of like 40-something….this FMC should know that this is obviously a family dispute and likely a painful private matter. But she is really strange in the way that she has no friends so she seemingly attaches herself quite loyally to anyone who shows her kindness. So she is fighting tooth and nail for this old woman- who hardly knows her, against the wishes of her family. She is a STRANGER. This is such disrespectful behaviour. Like imagine telling a seasonal tenant “just remember you need to move out by this date, please and thanks. We’re moving my aging family member and dealing with the closure of this property.” And your tenant who again- is a stranger to your relative, and even stranger to you- starts yelling at you telling you that you’re a money hungry asshole, and your auntie deserves to be at home you monster. Like that is absolutely deranged.
So they obviously got off to a rough start, the MMC being portrayed as very grumpy (wonder why) until he very swiftly and randomly shifts into this playful, sweet, fun-loving guy. It felt like that part of his development was so insanely rushed just so these two could get together.
Lastly, this IS NOT a holiday romance. There’s more mentions of Halloween then there is mention of Christmastime. In fact- the majority of the book takes place throughout Autumn. It begins in September.
F this book I’m very sad about this I just want to feel festive.
The book also seems to be trying very hard to convince me that it is British. The language used throughout is really aggravating. I don’t need to read “Blimey!” or “Bollocks” or “Jolly good” or EVEN “holy fuckwits!” every 3 pages to know that this character is a Brit. You can have a certain energy about the atmosphere and the characters that has a distinct feel. Something that says “This feels very British in a respectful and not at all obnoxious way that is actively compelling and endearing to the story, its characters, and the writing. (See: Olive by Emma Gagnon) This book- couldn’t do that to save its life. It felt like it thought it was quite clever and quirky- but for me, it fell flat and was annoying.
The romance is so incredibly boring and drags throughout the almost 500 pages of this book. (No romance novel should be almost 500 pages, almost no book should be 500 pages) And for some reason, despite the obvious length of the writing- none of it could endear me to a single character. The initial meeting of the two main romantic characters happens at about 40% of the way through the book- and they fight because this is also enemies to lovers. The enemies to lovers plot doesn’t work well for me. The concept is that our FMC is a winter guardian for an older woman’s historical home. The woman’s nephew, our MMC, is hoping to sell the property and not have his aunt return to it in the future. He is painted as a villain for this and I don’t disagree that he is a jerk about it. But anyone with a proper head on their shoulders knows that taking care of your aging relatives is extremely complicated, it’s difficult and upsetting to move people away from their home, but it’s hard to relocate yourself to be able to take care of them. In any case…at her big big age of like 40-something….this FMC should know that this is obviously a family dispute and likely a painful private matter. But she is really strange in the way that she has no friends so she seemingly attaches herself quite loyally to anyone who shows her kindness. So she is fighting tooth and nail for this old woman- who hardly knows her, against the wishes of her family. She is a STRANGER. This is such disrespectful behaviour. Like imagine telling a seasonal tenant “just remember you need to move out by this date, please and thanks. We’re moving my aging family member and dealing with the closure of this property.” And your tenant who again- is a stranger to your relative, and even stranger to you- starts yelling at you telling you that you’re a money hungry asshole, and your auntie deserves to be at home you monster. Like that is absolutely deranged.
So they obviously got off to a rough start, the MMC being portrayed as very grumpy (wonder why) until he very swiftly and randomly shifts into this playful, sweet, fun-loving guy. It felt like that part of his development was so insanely rushed just so these two could get together.
Lastly, this IS NOT a holiday romance. There’s more mentions of Halloween then there is mention of Christmastime. In fact- the majority of the book takes place throughout Autumn. It begins in September.
F this book I’m very sad about this I just want to feel festive.
kirstyreviewsbooks's review against another edition
4.0
The Winter of Second Chances by Jenny Bayliss
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan and I am leaving this review voluntarily
Annie Sharpe has it all – an acclaimed restaurant she owns with her handsome husband Max, and two gorgeous grown-up sons. But after one indiscretion too many, she leaves behind the only life she’s ever known.
In search of a fresh start, Annie takes up a position as a caretaker of Saltwater Nook, a creaky but charming beach house on Kent’s beautiful, wild coastline. The village community is an eccentric but tightknit bunch, and Annie is swept up in a whirlwind of their traditional festive celebrations, from pumpkin carving to bonfires on the beach. It soon feels like home – she even reopens the long-dormant seafront café.
Back in 2020 I read The Twelve Dates of Christmas which I really enjoyed so I was glad to see that Jenny was bringing out another book. For some reason I had in my head that this was going to be a second chance romance book but I was pleasantly surprised. This is a heart-warming tale full of winter charm. A lovely seasonal book for when the weather outside is miserable.
Rating 4/5
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan and I am leaving this review voluntarily
Annie Sharpe has it all – an acclaimed restaurant she owns with her handsome husband Max, and two gorgeous grown-up sons. But after one indiscretion too many, she leaves behind the only life she’s ever known.
In search of a fresh start, Annie takes up a position as a caretaker of Saltwater Nook, a creaky but charming beach house on Kent’s beautiful, wild coastline. The village community is an eccentric but tightknit bunch, and Annie is swept up in a whirlwind of their traditional festive celebrations, from pumpkin carving to bonfires on the beach. It soon feels like home – she even reopens the long-dormant seafront café.
Back in 2020 I read The Twelve Dates of Christmas which I really enjoyed so I was glad to see that Jenny was bringing out another book. For some reason I had in my head that this was going to be a second chance romance book but I was pleasantly surprised. This is a heart-warming tale full of winter charm. A lovely seasonal book for when the weather outside is miserable.
Rating 4/5
bookwormbeccaanne's review against another edition
5.0
This book!!! Everything about this book is warm and cozy and fabulous!!! Literally the PERFECT winter read!!!
pboth1215's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A Season for Second Chances--PG13
Audiobook
Violence:
Language: fewer than 75, including deity, and about 40% were Fbombs
Sex: fade to black.
Drug use
Slow moving and comfortable, like a spicier episode of *Little House on the Prairie* or *Larkrise to Candleford*
Audiobook
Violence:
Language: fewer than 75, including deity, and about 40% were Fbombs
Sex: fade to black.
Drug use
Slow moving and comfortable, like a spicier episode of *Little House on the Prairie* or *Larkrise to Candleford*
kcook22's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
sarahrose126's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5