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angmander's review against another edition
3.0
I thought that this would be like a Hallmark movie in book form. Not exactly the case. How do I say this? There was a, uh, bedroom toy that’s introduced at about chapter 35. It’s mentioned only a few times in passing in the following chapters. But, still, I would be hesitant to recommend this book because of that. Oh, and the language is not PG either.
So, in summary, NOT a Hallmark story.
So, in summary, NOT a Hallmark story.
amlibera's review against another edition
4.0
I've moved on from the Regency romances into the holiday book pile. Not really fully a Christmas book, although there is Christmas in it and at the end, rather it's about finding a home and community and especially about making changes and moving on. I particularly appreciated that the main character was really good at her job and that how she moved into the cafe in the small town made perfect sense with her skill sets and passions. And the romance didn't feel forced.
emirose23's review against another edition
5.0
Took me 2 months to read the first 100 pages, 2 hours to finish the whole thing…what an ending!
elizabethr00's review against another edition
5.0
In LOVE with Jenny Bayliss’ style of writing. It’s so descriptive and captivating. This is the only “Enemies to Lovers” tropes that I have read that had phenomenal pacing and made SENSE!
My only problem with the book is that the title and summary lead you to believe that it’s much more holiday centered, and that wasn’t the case. But it’s such a small problem it doesn’t affect the stars! It’s a very cute feel-good read at any time of the year.
My only problem with the book is that the title and summary lead you to believe that it’s much more holiday centered, and that wasn’t the case. But it’s such a small problem it doesn’t affect the stars! It’s a very cute feel-good read at any time of the year.
pixiepages's review against another edition
4.0
Annie has had enough of her husband and refuses to give him a second chance. So she decides to start over and she gets the perfect opportunity to do so. This was a cute happy read. I will say I had some good laughs from their book club… reminds me of mine.
jackiehorne's review against another edition
3.0
2.5
A 44-year-old English chef/restaurant owner leaves her philandering husband of 20+ years after catching him for the first time in the act of cheating, and after a fortnight of grieving in a hotel, lands a job as a caretaker for a seaside house/former café. And fits right in with the locals. Except for the nephew of the homeowner. By which we know he's going to be her love interest.
But as he doesn't even appear on page until 42% in, you're not getting a romance here. You're getting a cosy, nostalgic, rather bland small town women's fiction.
"It sounds pretty insular when I talk about it, but it's really not like that. It's just a community that didn't forget how to be a community. They look after each other. It's nice." (358)
The word "nice" appears 30+ in the book. Which tells you a lot...
A 44-year-old English chef/restaurant owner leaves her philandering husband of 20+ years after catching him for the first time in the act of cheating, and after a fortnight of grieving in a hotel, lands a job as a caretaker for a seaside house/former café. And fits right in with the locals. Except for the nephew of the homeowner. By which we know he's going to be her love interest.
But as he doesn't even appear on page until 42% in, you're not getting a romance here. You're getting a cosy, nostalgic, rather bland small town women's fiction.
"It sounds pretty insular when I talk about it, but it's really not like that. It's just a community that didn't forget how to be a community. They look after each other. It's nice." (358)
The word "nice" appears 30+ in the book. Which tells you a lot...
lhouse91's review against another edition
4.0
This book was like a warm cup of coffee. Such a comforting read, you could tell where it was going, and it was COZY. Probably could have been 75 pages shorter…. But still a great holiday read!
karissalevan's review against another edition
3.0
I absolutely loved Jenny Bayliss' first novel Twelve Dates of Christmas, so I went into this one with high hopes.
Unfortunately it fell a bit short. I still enjoyed it and was rooting for Annie, less in her romance with John, but more in her own personal journey
I did enjoy the small, quirky community that Annie grew to be apart and how all the different residents played a part in the story.
Overall this was a heartwarming, feel good book about second chances and starting over.
Unfortunately it fell a bit short. I still enjoyed it and was rooting for Annie, less in her romance with John, but more in her own personal journey
I did enjoy the small, quirky community that Annie grew to be apart and how all the different residents played a part in the story.
Overall this was a heartwarming, feel good book about second chances and starting over.
courtneycole's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced