Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.49 AVERAGE
3.49 AVERAGE
The writing in this one was really sloppy and repetitive.
In a change from my usual fare I picked this out of the library to read in an attempt to get into the seasonal spirit, something I struggle with every year. I'd enjoyed the first in the series when I read it back in the summer. This is a nice kind of sequel in which the characters from the first are around and you get to see what they did next but the main characters are new ones. I'm not sure it really helped me with feeling seasonal - reading about characters who weren't generally expecting Christmas to be the best thing ever did make me feel a bit less of an Christmas outcast. And everything turned out happy in the end, in the book and for me, the same as every year.
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
It was lovely to make a return to Porthmellow, the site of the summer novel ‘A Perfect Cornish Summer’. Returning to such a wonderful location was really special, and although the original cast of characters were present, this book introduced a new group of people to Porthmellow.
This book focuses on sisters Scarlett and Ellie who move into their Great Aunt’s house near Porthmellow in Cornwall, which their mother had inherited, after an explosive Christmas when DNA tests purchased as a fun gift blew their family apart. Both sisters needed a resolution to their problems, but as the story progresses, it is clear that nearly everyone has a secret. This is a story about love, about family, and more importantly, about honesty and trust.
Although this is, in essence, a Christmassy novel, it actually follows the story through a full year, from Christmas to Christmas, so it’s not so Christmassy that it could not be read at any other time of year. Both sisters find love interests in Porthmellow, and I have to say I did enjoy the connection Scarlett had with Jude, who was a fascinating man, but this is so much more than a story of romance. This was a wonderful return to a much loved fictional location for me and one that I recommend!
‘A Perfect Cornish Christmas’ is out now. Many thanks to Netgalley and Avon for my copy of the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book focuses on sisters Scarlett and Ellie who move into their Great Aunt’s house near Porthmellow in Cornwall, which their mother had inherited, after an explosive Christmas when DNA tests purchased as a fun gift blew their family apart. Both sisters needed a resolution to their problems, but as the story progresses, it is clear that nearly everyone has a secret. This is a story about love, about family, and more importantly, about honesty and trust.
Although this is, in essence, a Christmassy novel, it actually follows the story through a full year, from Christmas to Christmas, so it’s not so Christmassy that it could not be read at any other time of year. Both sisters find love interests in Porthmellow, and I have to say I did enjoy the connection Scarlett had with Jude, who was a fascinating man, but this is so much more than a story of romance. This was a wonderful return to a much loved fictional location for me and one that I recommend!
‘A Perfect Cornish Christmas’ is out now. Many thanks to Netgalley and Avon for my copy of the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc of this book in exchange for an honest review. This is a feel good festive romance special. I have really enjoyed reading this book, this is a great Christmas read. I have liked the characters and the plot of this book. Overall, a delightful read.
I’ve rarely read women’s fiction because I love the romance more, but I was so into the familial dynamics, the town peoples (their Winter Solstice festival) and how they affected Scarlett, the love stories of both sister, and how it discusses the importance of belonging. However, I did feel their parents lacked motivation for some of their decisions, and in that aspect, it felt repetitive.
More of my review on my website: https://www.keisbookishlife.com/home/review-a-perfect-cornish-christmas-by-phillipa-ashley
More of my review on my website: https://www.keisbookishlife.com/home/review-a-perfect-cornish-christmas-by-phillipa-ashley
I recieved a free digital edition of this book from Avon Books and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I really struggled with this one, I expected a cute little romance and what I got was a romantic mystery, so I was a little disappointed
I love the Cornish setting, Cornwall is a gorgeous place and I can't wait uld imagine all the scenes that they talk about, having visited earlier this year where it rained for the entire weej, but that didn't stop us wearing shorts and having fun.
It's hard to decide on if I like any of the characters, Scarlett seemed so whiney and annoying and Ellie was trying to hard, shes a lovely girl but she's so peppy... Its annoying... I disliked her mother soich in this book and I found it hard to believe that she wouldn't tell Scarlett anything about her her biological dad until she basically forced it out of her. I did also jump to the same conclusion as Scarlett, however I thought it much earlier than she ever did. Jude was fun and not the normal type of love interest which was fun. Aaron was just th eye candy.
I found it weird with it flicking between the sisters but I understood a lot of their thoughts and feelings.
I will definitely be trying more books by Phillipa Ashley
I really struggled with this one, I expected a cute little romance and what I got was a romantic mystery, so I was a little disappointed
I love the Cornish setting, Cornwall is a gorgeous place and I can't wait uld imagine all the scenes that they talk about, having visited earlier this year where it rained for the entire weej, but that didn't stop us wearing shorts and having fun.
It's hard to decide on if I like any of the characters, Scarlett seemed so whiney and annoying and Ellie was trying to hard, shes a lovely girl but she's so peppy... Its annoying... I disliked her mother soich in this book and I found it hard to believe that she wouldn't tell Scarlett anything about her her biological dad until she basically forced it out of her. I did also jump to the same conclusion as Scarlett, however I thought it much earlier than she ever did. Jude was fun and not the normal type of love interest which was fun. Aaron was just th eye candy.
I found it weird with it flicking between the sisters but I understood a lot of their thoughts and feelings.
I will definitely be trying more books by Phillipa Ashley
Ashley's books are the ones you snuggle with on a chilly night with a mug of hot chocolate and this was exactly that. I haven't read any other book in this series, hence I couldn't recognize a few recurring people. But that didn't make a difference to how much I enjoyed the book.
All Scarlett wanted to do was to find out if she and her sister Ellie had any Viking blood in them, but the surprise is a bust as a dangerous secret is revealed during a family Christmas dinner. Scarlett, still recovering from it decides to move back to the Cornish town of Porthmellow to find more about all that she lost because of a well-kept secret by her other. She moves in with her sister, Ellie into the family mansion and goes about her investigation.
Both these ladies encounter love along the way, but turbulence and troubled time follow them like a shadow. Some hidden and well-placed twists add thrill to this cozy romance. The Winter Solistice Festival, which is one of a kind (and something I haven't heard of before) is the life of the book. The entire town coming together was truly a joy to read, The story gets repetitive and that is probably my only problem. We are told countless time about the now-broken family Scarlett and Ellie dwell in and how everyone is losing their calm and reliving that same evening again and again. The same thing keeps happening throughout the book and Honestly, it was a bit tiring.
Just like any other Christmas-y story, this one right here is about the importance of Christmas and family, and how it brings together people despite their differences. The story isn't all Christmas trees and reindeers (basically, not shoving everything Christmas-y on our face), but cute enough to continue the tradition and give us a story at the same time.
All Scarlett wanted to do was to find out if she and her sister Ellie had any Viking blood in them, but the surprise is a bust as a dangerous secret is revealed during a family Christmas dinner. Scarlett, still recovering from it decides to move back to the Cornish town of Porthmellow to find more about all that she lost because of a well-kept secret by her other. She moves in with her sister, Ellie into the family mansion and goes about her investigation.
Both these ladies encounter love along the way, but turbulence and troubled time follow them like a shadow. Some hidden and well-placed twists add thrill to this cozy romance. The Winter Solistice Festival, which is one of a kind (and something I haven't heard of before) is the life of the book. The entire town coming together was truly a joy to read, The story gets repetitive and that is probably my only problem. We are told countless time about the now-broken family Scarlett and Ellie dwell in and how everyone is losing their calm and reliving that same evening again and again. The same thing keeps happening throughout the book and Honestly, it was a bit tiring.
Just like any other Christmas-y story, this one right here is about the importance of Christmas and family, and how it brings together people despite their differences. The story isn't all Christmas trees and reindeers (basically, not shoving everything Christmas-y on our face), but cute enough to continue the tradition and give us a story at the same time.