Genre: Chick Lit / Romantic Comedy/ Contemporary Fiction
Author: Scarlett Bailey
Cover Critique:
Oh! I love the fuchsia coloured glittering Christmas tree on the cover! So festive, so attractive and visually delightful! I was browsing for Christmas books on Amazon and I just couldn’t resist such a pretty looking book which promised a Christmas setting. It was as if it was calling out to me, buy me! And I instantly did! Feast your eyes on my gorgeous copy shown above with my pink netbook, cute...right? *smiles*
Book Blurb:
"All Lydia's ever wanted is a perfect Christmas...
So when her oldest friends invite her to spend the holidays with them, it seems like a dream come true. She's been promised log fires, roasted chestnuts, her own weight in mince pies - all in a setting that looks like something out of a Christmas card.
But her winter wonderland is ruined when she finds herself snowed in with her current boyfriend, her old flame and a hunky stranger. Well, three (wise) men is traditional at this time of year..."
Review:
As soon as the book reached my doorstep, I was too eager to read it so I made myself cosy on the sofa by the fireside, with a hot cuppa tea and tugged into it. The book drew me straight in with its perfect opening.
In prologue, Lydia Grant finds the engagement ring in her boyfriend’s sock drawer, surprised and excited as she gets, it also becomes a question for her to decide whether she is actually in love with her present boyfriend Stephen or just fiddling around with the idea of “love” as shown in her favourite Hollywood romances.
We come to know that Lydia longs for the perfect Christmas, but unfortunately, she has never experienced it because of growing up in a blended family where nothing was ever close to perfect. This Christmas, she is invited by her closest friend, Katy (who runs a B&B) along with Lydia’s other BFFs Joanna and Alex to have some good time together though her current boyfriend does not really like the very idea of it. He wants to spend this Christmas alone with her, to surprise her with his proposal but it seems that Lydia wants to avoid it until she finds the right answer to it.
As they reach Katy’s guest house, Lydia feels that this is going to be her best Christmas as they are welcomed by the cosy decor of the hotel and the most spectacular Lakeview room but that feeling does not stay for long! She is soon greeted by her previous lover, Jake, with whom she had a heated romance until he disappeared one day in thin air. Guess what? He is dating her best friend Joanna but that is not all. To make things worse, enters Will, a handyman who is as inviting and delicious as "the mince pie"! Read the book to find out will Lydia get her “happy ever after” and a perfect Christmas or not.
The book is a wonderful surprise package from Scarlett as this is her first novel. With Christmas setting and theme, which runs throughout the story, I think Scarlett has created an unusual Christmas recipe (I mean book), blended beautifully with the wide array of supporting cast which also includes three tempting men and irresistible kissing scenes (which are a lot!). It is like a fiery hot romantic treat on a cold winter night!
I particularly liked the character of Lydia, because she is not a typical chick lit heroine – all nice and sweet. She is immature and superficial, who behaves like slut at times, but she is trying to find her inner self and learning about priorities in life, career and relationships. I also liked the character of Jake, whose image changes from being the mysterious and sexy playboy to the ideal marriage material.
The author has created well-rounded, believable characters with flaws and pitfalls that grow and mature with the development of the story. The story itself kept me engrossed and turning pages. I was not only curious to know who Lydia will end up with but also the fate of Stephen and Jake.
From beginning till the end, the advancement of the story is fast-paced and flows smoothly from one scene to another leading to a pleasing climax resolution. I loved author’s writing style using crisp dialogues to create sexual tension and enhanced descriptions for visual imagery. Well done Scarlett for a remarkable debut!
If you like books with Chrismassy feel, then grab this book for sure! Along with high dosage of sizzling romance, this book has all the ingredients to turn into a Hollywood blockbuster! Highly recommended!
Review Girl Rating: 10/10
To buy this book on Amazon, click here.
Review:
As soon as the book reached my doorstep, I was too eager to read it so I made myself cosy on the sofa by the fireside, with a hot cuppa tea and tugged into it. The book drew me straight in with its perfect opening.
In prologue, Lydia Grant finds the engagement ring in her boyfriend’s sock drawer, surprised and excited as she gets, it also becomes a question for her to decide whether she is actually in love with her present boyfriend Stephen or just fiddling around with the idea of “love” as shown in her favourite Hollywood romances.
We come to know that Lydia longs for the perfect Christmas, but unfortunately, she has never experienced it because of growing up in a blended family where nothing was ever close to perfect. This Christmas, she is invited by her closest friend, Katy (who runs a B&B) along with Lydia’s other BFFs Joanna and Alex to have some good time together though her current boyfriend does not really like the very idea of it. He wants to spend this Christmas alone with her, to surprise her with his proposal but it seems that Lydia wants to avoid it until she finds the right answer to it.
As they reach Katy’s guest house, Lydia feels that this is going to be her best Christmas as they are welcomed by the cosy decor of the hotel and the most spectacular Lakeview room but that feeling does not stay for long! She is soon greeted by her previous lover, Jake, with whom she had a heated romance until he disappeared one day in thin air. Guess what? He is dating her best friend Joanna but that is not all. To make things worse, enters Will, a handyman who is as inviting and delicious as "the mince pie"! Read the book to find out will Lydia get her “happy ever after” and a perfect Christmas or not.
The book is a wonderful surprise package from Scarlett as this is her first novel. With Christmas setting and theme, which runs throughout the story, I think Scarlett has created an unusual Christmas recipe (I mean book), blended beautifully with the wide array of supporting cast which also includes three tempting men and irresistible kissing scenes (which are a lot!). It is like a fiery hot romantic treat on a cold winter night!
I particularly liked the character of Lydia, because she is not a typical chick lit heroine – all nice and sweet. She is immature and superficial, who behaves like slut at times, but she is trying to find her inner self and learning about priorities in life, career and relationships. I also liked the character of Jake, whose image changes from being the mysterious and sexy playboy to the ideal marriage material.
The author has created well-rounded, believable characters with flaws and pitfalls that grow and mature with the development of the story. The story itself kept me engrossed and turning pages. I was not only curious to know who Lydia will end up with but also the fate of Stephen and Jake.
From beginning till the end, the advancement of the story is fast-paced and flows smoothly from one scene to another leading to a pleasing climax resolution. I loved author’s writing style using crisp dialogues to create sexual tension and enhanced descriptions for visual imagery. Well done Scarlett for a remarkable debut!
If you like books with Chrismassy feel, then grab this book for sure! Along with high dosage of sizzling romance, this book has all the ingredients to turn into a Hollywood blockbuster! Highly recommended!
Review Girl Rating: 10/10
To buy this book on Amazon, click here.
Hope you enjoyed my "Christmas Special" book review.
This is one of my favourite Christmas reads, which one is yours?
This is one of my favourite Christmas reads, which one is yours?
No comments:
Post a Comment