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meuyi's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
a_ab's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
The beginning was rocky, and the whole book is heavy on the clunky exposition and extremely manipulative characters, whose manipulative behavior is not only forgiven, but, apparently, commended based solely on their "good intentions". Otherwise I found the book mostly entertaining, except for what amounts to a reverse murder mystery (the search is mounted not for murderer, but by the killers for their intended victims — the geese 😢) — I kept hoping that particular plotline would end in failure, but alas.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death of parent and War
daniellesalwaysreading's review against another edition
3.0
A general historical novel story taking place during Christmas. There was not as much Christmas as I wanted, but I will definitely read the next book in the series. This story was just sweet with no real problems or trouble, just easy reading. Definitely comfort reading.
attytheresa's review against another edition
5.0
Just as magical and wonderful as when I first read it! The recently widowed Grand Dame Lady O is spending Christmas at her dower property in the village of Little Mosely, and, if all goes well and she feels comfortable and engaged in village affairs, planning on making it her permanent home when not in London or visiting friends. However some of her young grandchildren descend on her for the holidays when their father becomes ill. At first wondering how to entertain them, soon they are all wrapped up in village affairs, the local annual holiday traditions and some gentle matchmaking when they set out to assist Farmer Took solve the mystery of the disappearance one day of the flock of geese being fattened up for the villagers' Christmas dinners.
This time I listened to an audio book read by the incomparable Helen Lloyd. Absolute perfection. Her voice, intonation, and performance was perfect for Lady O, her children and the villagers. By a landslide, this was my most successful pandemic listen....graduating to amusing me while I put together a jigsaw puzzle rather than help me sleep.
This time I listened to an audio book read by the incomparable Helen Lloyd. Absolute perfection. Her voice, intonation, and performance was perfect for Lady O, her children and the villagers. By a landslide, this was my most successful pandemic listen....graduating to amusing me while I put together a jigsaw puzzle rather than help me sleep.
helenephoebe's review against another edition
4.0
Review - I absolutely loved Lady Osbaldestone in Stephanie Laurens' other novels, right from the very first Cynster novel, so I was absolutely thrilled when I learned she was writing a series based entirely around this very opinionated, forthright and indomitable woman. I was not disappointed. All the supporting characters were also entirely likeable, and I hope they appear in later books in this series as well. Lady Osbaldestone manages to interfere without it being too much, and her adorable grandchildren are learning from the master, so I can see they are going to cause chaos as they get older, and I hope the series continues to include them in the stories. Not too long, but a great story nonetheless.
Genre? - Historical / Romance
Characters? - Therese, Lady Osbaldestone / Eugenia Fitzgibbon / Christian, Lord Longfellow / Lottie / James / George / Henry Fitzgibbon
Setting? - Little Moseley (England)
Series? - Lady Osbaldestone's Christmas Chronicles #1
Recommend? – Yes
Rating - 17/20
Genre? - Historical / Romance
Characters? - Therese, Lady Osbaldestone / Eugenia Fitzgibbon / Christian, Lord Longfellow / Lottie / James / George / Henry Fitzgibbon
Setting? - Little Moseley (England)
Series? - Lady Osbaldestone's Christmas Chronicles #1
Recommend? – Yes
Rating - 17/20
morepagesplease's review against another edition
3.0
This was a cute read for Christmas. The ending was predictable, but the characters were like able and it was a nice enough read.
nipomuki's review against another edition
3.0
I used this as a palate cleanser when I realized I was out of Magic Thief books, and nothing else appealed to me.
This story of a grande dame who together with her grandchildren meddles in the affairs of a small village did the trick. By the way, the elderly lady was 50 - which was probably older then than now, but still...
It was all very pleasant, with a scared war hero, a nativity play, a romance and a goose chase.
It did not end well for the geese, sad to say. And those children were too obedient and proper for my liking. Few can write children that feel realistic and are still likable though.
This story of a grande dame who together with her grandchildren meddles in the affairs of a small village did the trick. By the way, the elderly lady was 50 - which was probably older then than now, but still...
It was all very pleasant, with a scared war hero, a nativity play, a romance and a goose chase.
It did not end well for the geese, sad to say. And those children were too obedient and proper for my liking. Few can write children that feel realistic and are still likable though.
brittanybwrites's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0