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heather667's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Misogyny, Homophobia, Infidelity, and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Forced institutionalization, Grief, Death of parent, and Mental illness
Minor: Medical content and Sexual harassment
agentkp's review
3.0
I don't know how to feel about this one, I liked the universe and the characters just fine but I didn't connect much with the story.
pantaruja's review
3.0
I think that I read this book with a bad premise. I should’ve thought about it as a romance instead of a Christmas Carol retelling, because the romance was the thing that let me down. I wasn’t interested in it nor in the love interest. I loved the Bureau of Holidays Affairs and its workers and I wish that the book would’ve been about them instead of the romance.
For me, A Christmas Carol is a story about three spirits that torment a person in power so that this person changes their behaviour for the good of the people without power. In this retelling it’s a story about this “ghosts” teaching a woman how to love herself and letting others love her. It’s not a bad perspective, but if I read a retelling about ghosts scaring billionaires, I want to see that. Robin, the protagonist, had no power inside the company where she worked so I don’t see why the Christmas ghosts would waste their time scaring her. At the end, she did nothing relevant for the employees (just for three of them).
Another critique is that the dialogues at the last third were super boring. In them Robin explained what I had already read in the first two thirds. It was unnecessary.
In conclusion, if you want to read about a sad and angry woman who learns how to love herself and to open up to others, you may like it.
For me, A Christmas Carol is a story about three spirits that torment a person in power so that this person changes their behaviour for the good of the people without power. In this retelling it’s a story about this “ghosts” teaching a woman how to love herself and letting others love her. It’s not a bad perspective, but if I read a retelling about ghosts scaring billionaires, I want to see that. Robin, the protagonist, had no power inside the company where she worked so I don’t see why the Christmas ghosts would waste their time scaring her. At the end, she did nothing relevant for the employees (just for three of them).
Another critique is that the dialogues at the last third were super boring. In them Robin explained what I had already read in the first two thirds. It was unnecessary.
In conclusion, if you want to read about a sad and angry woman who learns how to love herself and to open up to others, you may like it.
elvang's review
5.0
Andi Marquette has outdone herself with this wonderful adaptation of an old classic. She has taken A Christmas Carol and turned it on its ear. She's even added in a romance to sweeten the deal.
Robin Preston has been working her way up the corporate ladder for years at the expense of her personal life, her family and her soul. When an unexpected visitor arrives in her office announcing that she is a senior agent of the Bureau of Holiday Affairs, Robin assumes her brother Frank is pranking her once again.
I loved the pace of this story and the well rounded characters. Marquette's dry humour shines in the writing. She also handles the more serious underlying themes with ease. She gives the reader an opportunity to reflect on the lives we lead and where we can try to be better friends, lovers, better humans.
The expected cast of Christmas's Past, Present and Future turn up and are refreshing in their originality. I laughed, got scared, won't give away who they represent as they must be enjoyed by each new reader.
The happiness and joy comes with a rekindling of a love thought lost.
The Bureau of Holiday Affairs is a perfect holiday read. Any book that leaves me with a softened heart and a big stupid grin on my face is one I will reread over and over.
Loved it.
5 stars
ARC received via publisher from NetGalley for review.
Robin Preston has been working her way up the corporate ladder for years at the expense of her personal life, her family and her soul. When an unexpected visitor arrives in her office announcing that she is a senior agent of the Bureau of Holiday Affairs, Robin assumes her brother Frank is pranking her once again.
I loved the pace of this story and the well rounded characters. Marquette's dry humour shines in the writing. She also handles the more serious underlying themes with ease. She gives the reader an opportunity to reflect on the lives we lead and where we can try to be better friends, lovers, better humans.
The expected cast of Christmas's Past, Present and Future turn up and are refreshing in their originality. I laughed, got scared, won't give away who they represent as they must be enjoyed by each new reader.
The happiness and joy comes with a rekindling of a love thought lost.
The Bureau of Holiday Affairs is a perfect holiday read. Any book that leaves me with a softened heart and a big stupid grin on my face is one I will reread over and over.
Loved it.
5 stars
ARC received via publisher from NetGalley for review.
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