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A review by illstoptheworldandreadwithyou
Christmas Is All Around by Martha Waters
4.25
Charlotte is not a big fan of Christmas. She finds many of its wrappings and trappings to be too “cloying”.
And this holiday season she’s in an especially grumpy mood.
She’s the odd duck in her family, not directly participating in film or theater with the exception of one moment: that moment when she starred in a much beloved by many, scorned by some, holiday flick as a child—a holiday flick who’s reboot hinged on her joining the cast, which she emphatically refused to do.
She’s the sensible one, the not overly dramatic one, the one who wants to be known for her paintings and illustrations, not for her connection to a Christmas movie.
And so the reboot never took off.
Maligned as a villain by social media and certain news outlets for squashing their holiday reboot hopes, Charlotte escapes her home for an extended visit with her sister, brother-in-law, their six-month-old, and, unexpectedly, her sister’s in-laws in London. She wants to avoid all the holiday hullabaloo, but between the excited parents and grandparents eager to celebrate baby’s first Christmas and being talked into creating drawings for an Englishman and his family manor with ties to THAT movie, Charlotte just can’t seem to avoid Christmas and its spirit. As it turns out, you see, Christmas is all around.
I ended up thoroughly enjoying this one, but I will admit that Charlotte is so over-the-top grumptastic at the beginning that I was worried that I would struggle some with the story. Thankfully, although she still grumps and harrumphs over Christmas (and the baby), her prickliness becomes less over-the-top as the book progresses. And all of the holiday entanglements she finds herself in become more and more humorous.
I pretty much knew I would love Graham from the moment of their meet-cute. Tall, handsome, bespectacled, sporting a barely-there smile with a dimple popping out, and wearing half of a reindeer suit, it’s tough not to feel immediately smitten.
And I loved his steadiness, his dry humor, his dedication to his family, and how he never pushed Charlotte. Things happen organically in their relationship. Nothing feels forced.
In the end Christmas Is All Around hits the beats of a holiday romance so well, and I have a feeling I’ll be rereading this one again during the holiday season.
I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed Nikki Massoud’s narration. Her vocal choices for Charlotte and Graham capture their personalities perfectly. The supporting characters are a hoot in this one, and I especially loved how Massoud captures their energy levels and various personalities. I recommend popping in/on your headphones and listening to it while you decorate or as you travel for the holidays.
I received an advance copy of the audiobook from Simon & Schuster Audio. Review opinions are my own.
And this holiday season she’s in an especially grumpy mood.
She’s the odd duck in her family, not directly participating in film or theater with the exception of one moment: that moment when she starred in a much beloved by many, scorned by some, holiday flick as a child—a holiday flick who’s reboot hinged on her joining the cast, which she emphatically refused to do.
She’s the sensible one, the not overly dramatic one, the one who wants to be known for her paintings and illustrations, not for her connection to a Christmas movie.
And so the reboot never took off.
Maligned as a villain by social media and certain news outlets for squashing their holiday reboot hopes, Charlotte escapes her home for an extended visit with her sister, brother-in-law, their six-month-old, and, unexpectedly, her sister’s in-laws in London. She wants to avoid all the holiday hullabaloo, but between the excited parents and grandparents eager to celebrate baby’s first Christmas and being talked into creating drawings for an Englishman and his family manor with ties to THAT movie, Charlotte just can’t seem to avoid Christmas and its spirit. As it turns out, you see, Christmas is all around.
I ended up thoroughly enjoying this one, but I will admit that Charlotte is so over-the-top grumptastic at the beginning that I was worried that I would struggle some with the story. Thankfully, although she still grumps and harrumphs over Christmas (and the baby), her prickliness becomes less over-the-top as the book progresses. And all of the holiday entanglements she finds herself in become more and more humorous.
I pretty much knew I would love Graham from the moment of their meet-cute. Tall, handsome, bespectacled, sporting a barely-there smile with a dimple popping out, and wearing half of a reindeer suit, it’s tough not to feel immediately smitten.
And I loved his steadiness, his dry humor, his dedication to his family, and how he never pushed Charlotte. Things happen organically in their relationship. Nothing feels forced.
In the end Christmas Is All Around hits the beats of a holiday romance so well, and I have a feeling I’ll be rereading this one again during the holiday season.
I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed Nikki Massoud’s narration. Her vocal choices for Charlotte and Graham capture their personalities perfectly. The supporting characters are a hoot in this one, and I especially loved how Massoud captures their energy levels and various personalities. I recommend popping in/on your headphones and listening to it while you decorate or as you travel for the holidays.
I received an advance copy of the audiobook from Simon & Schuster Audio. Review opinions are my own.