Review - - Christmas at Corgi Cove

Christmas at Corgi Cove: A Novel

by Annie England Noblin

Publisher: Avon

Release Date: October 17, 2023

Reviewed by PJ

Rosie Reynolds had come to lakeside Corgi Cove as a lost, lonely girl abandoned by her own mother, but there she discovered a true place to call home. She loves her Corgis, Bonnie and Clyde; loves the lakeside life; and loves her aunt and uncle most of all. But when she discovers their struggling inn is about to be bought out by some big city chain, she hatches a plan: to win a contest naming theirs the best Christmas-themed inn in the USA. It's a long shot, but she knows if the whole town pulls together that they can do it.

But she didn’t count on Everett St Claire, who emerged from his gleaming, black BMW, straightening his tie and asking himself how did a big-city guy like him find himself in a speck on the map like Corgi Cove? And how fast could he get back to the city? After all, it couldn’t be that difficult to convince one elderly couple to take the money to retire.

He didn’t count on getting sucked into life on the lake. Sure, the people might be…eccentric, and Rosie might seem like a pain in the backside, but there is something alluring about the place. And with the holidays nearing, and the deadline looming, Rosie and Everett are about to discover the magic of a Christmas at Corgi Cove.

PJ's Thoughts:

I discovered this author two years ago but it only took that first book (Maps for the Getaway-click for review) to have me snapping up her backlist and eagerly anticipating each new release, especially the winter books. If, like me, you're counting down the days until the start of what I call Hallmark Holiday Movie Season, you'll want to add Noblin's newest offering, Christmas at Corgi Cove to your 2023 reading list. 

This book has all the feel-good elements that I've come to enjoy in my winter holiday reading: humor, love, family dynamics, seemingly insurmountable obstacles, community spirit, holiday hijinks, happy endings, and adorable, mischievous, lovable dogs (cats are good too but this book has dogs). 

I love that the author uses alternating chapters to tell the story from both Rosie's and Everett's points of view. Everett could easily be the villain of the piece but watching his evolution through his own thoughts and actions gives the reader the insight needed to feel empathy for him and his situation. Rosie and her family elicit the reader's support immediately (who doesn't love an underdog?) but Rosie herself has issues to work through. I enjoyed watching both of these characters grow throughout the story, learning what's really important in life, falling for one another bit by bit, discovering the fine art of compromise. By the end of the book, I was cheering for both of them equally hard.

The secondary cast of characters is pure gold and that includes the hilarious Bonnie and Clyde as well as quirky citizens who insert themselves into the picture at every opportunity. Nosy? Oh, heavens no. They're just concerned. The joys of small town life, am I right? They bring plenty of humor to the story but also genuine caring. When the chips are down, the citizens of this town rally to support one of their own without hesitation.

Christmas at Corgi Cove is another heartwarming story from Annie England Noblin that left me awash in the spirit of Christmas and smiling with delight. 

Winners - - Maida Malby

 

It's a book for you, and a book for you, and a book for all of you! 

Annette N

petite

Shari 

traveler

Glenda

Patricia B

You have each won an e-book of your choice

from Maida's list of titles. 

Please send an email with your choice of book to:

theromancedish (at) gmail (dot) com

patoct

You have won the print copy of 

Boracay Vows and New York Engagement

Please send your full name and

mailing address to:

theromancedish (at) gmail (dot) com

Winner - - The Beach House on Amelia Island

 

The randomly chosen winner of

a print copy of

The Beach House on Amelia Island is:

Jody Hunt

Congratulations!

Please send your full name and mailing address to:

theromancedish (at) gmail (dot) com

Review - - Sister of the Bride

Sister of the Bride

by Lauren Morrill

Publisher: Yellow House Media

Release Date: September 12, 2023

Reviewed by Santa

A romcom retake on Father of the Bride about letting go, falling in love, and a whole lot of lasagna

For someone who doesn’t do well with change, Pippin Marino sure is dealing with a lot of it. First her twin sister returns from Europe with a fiancé and a plea for Pippin to plan the wedding. Then her mom announces plans to sell the 100 year old family restaurant that Pippin has been running since her father died.

But at least there’s one good development in Pippin’s life. After eight years on the west coast, her best friend Toby Sullivan surprises her by moving back to Boston. Having him back is the one bright spot amidst her summer of panic, especially when he offers to help her plan the wedding.

But then one kiss changes everything.

And Pippin Marino does not do well with change.

Sister of the Bride is a steamy, slow-burn friends-to-lovers romcom with wedding planning, pasta, a Grey's Anatomy-loving Nonna, and a guaranteed HEA.

Santa Says:

Sister of the Bride by Lauren Morrill is a five star read that is not to be missed. This is her debut foray into rom coms for adults. She is a successful YA author. Given how good this book was, I am sure I will be reading her other books, as well. 

Pippin Marino likes things just the way they are, thank you very much. It turns out the universe has other ideas for her. It’s one thing to have her twin away in Europe but now she’s engaged to be married and has asked Pippin to plan their wedding. No problem since she is running their family’s restaurant. At least that is a constant until her mother announces that she is going to sell it. It is a legacy that Pippin has been struggling to maintain in her father’s memory but her father never intended for her to feel tied to it. Now Pippin is adrift in so many ways with the future seeming so uncertain. 

The only silver lining for her is that her best friend Toby has moved back to Boston to pursue his medical career. Pippin is ecstatic to have Toby back into her life. He has even agreed to help her plan the wedding. But Toby’s feelings for Pippin go beyond the bff stage and have for many years. Pippin is unaware that his feelings run deeper and they share a kiss that changes everything! There’s that word again - change. 

Pippin has a lot on her plate. Will she be able to come to terms with the sale of her beloved family’s business? Has she always had stronger feelings for her bff? Pippin learns that change is not a four letter word when you learn to open up to the people in your life who will always be there through it all. Maybe change is not such a bad thing after all. 

I really enjoyed this book! I found it funny and poignant. The characters were lively and the dialog on point! I think you will enjoy it, too!

Coastal Magic Featured Author & Giveaway: Maida Malby

 

 

Filipino American author Maida Malby cooks up foodie, multicultural, and contemporary destination romance stories filled with heat, sizzle, spice, and a whole lotta love. 

Hi, Maida! Welcome to The Romance Dish. It’s a pleasure to have you visit with us today.

Hi, PJ. It’s great to be here. Thanks for the opportunity to introduce myself and my books to your readers.  

For those who have yet to discover you, please share what readers should expect when they pick up one of your books.

Filipina and American main characters, a rich sense of place, loads of delicious food, tight bonds of friendship, and strong family ties.

To fulfill one vow she has to break another

Krista Lopez has five days to fulfill her Turning-Thirty Vow—the promise to do something life-changing in celebration of this milestone birthday. Her plan: give in to her attraction to her Irish-American hunk of a boss Mr. Blake Ryan who is conveniently vacationing in the same posh resort in Boracay. When he proposes a one-week affair while they're on vacation, she accepts. It's only a fling, after all. Krista will not fall for an American. She can't. She promised her mother.

Promises are made to be broken

Krista and Blake hope what happens in Boracay stays in Boracay. They want to keep their affair a secret from their colleagues, from her family. But, secrets have a way of coming out. When they're found out, will Krista and Blake end their affair or will they say Carpe Diem to the promise of a love of a lifetime?

Boracay Vows is the first book in the fun and sexy multicultural contemporary romance series Carpe Diem Chronicles.

Travel is a central theme in your books. Why is that? Do you have a bucket list of locations for upcoming stories? Or, perhaps, a bucket list for in-person travel?

Having grown up poor, I didn’t have a lot of means to travel far from my immediate place of residence until I graduated from college and started earning a salary. Physically, at least. Because in my imagination and through the books I’d been reading, I had gone around the world many times over. That’s one of the gifts reading gave me and I want to offer the same gift to prospective readers of my books.

I lived in Thailand for several years and traveled all over the country in my work with the US Embassy, so several cities there will be settings for future stories. Indonesia was another former country of residence and Bali was a favorite destination of mine. I visited over thirty-three countries, some of them several times like Australia.

In the US, I’ve lived in New Mexico, Colorado, Texas, and Virginia. Expect stories to be located in those areas as well.

As for personal bucket list, Africa and South America are dream future destinations.

Female friendships are also an important theme in your stories. What is it about a group of friends that inspires you as an author?

As with many aspects of my writing, this is derived from personal experience. The idea of a group of friends, each member finding love, expanding their families yet keeping their lifelong connection with one another is a wonderful reality for me and I can’t help but pay tribute to that in my stories.

Their one torrid weekend tryst is not nearly enough. They want more.

French-Filipina Maddie Duvall should be living it up at her challenging new job in glamorous Singapore. But two months after her wild weekend with US Air Force officer Aidan Ryan, she’s still yearning for him. She craves the passion only he can ignite in her. Aidan’s job takes him around the world, yet he can’t get Maddie out of his mind. When he returns to his assignment in Singapore, he seeks her out with a proposition she can’t turn down. Intensely enamored with one another, their relationship takes off. But when Aidan’s mission exposes treachery by someone close to Maddie, lines blur and wires get crossed. Can their growing love survive the intrigue?

Singapore Fling is Book 2 of Carpe Diem Chronicles, a series of multicultural contemporary romance novels. The stories celebrate the rich cultures of exotic Southeast Asian islands through languages, food, and festivals.

I enjoy that your heritage is celebrated in your books. What would you like readers to know/appreciate about the Filipino culture? And, on that topic, please share with us why October is an important month in your life and how you celebrate.

Filipinos are some of the funniest, most talented, friendliest, and most caring people you’ll ever know. We will laugh with you, sing for you, feed you at every opportunity (having lived next door to a Filipino-American family for several years, I can confirm that this is absolutely, deliciously true). We’re not perfect but you can consider most of us good people.

October is Filipino American History Month. As a creative, I’m trying my best to make tomorrow’s history today by sharing my stories of Filipino American joy with as many people as possible who are open to embracing diversity.

Let’s learn a bit more about you. What are your passions (aside from writing, of course)?

I love cooking. I enjoy giving my own spin to classic favorites. Before I became a writer, I was first and foremost, a reader. I blog, I review, and I recommend romance books I enjoy.

What would readers be surprised to learn about you? 

I have an extensive hat collection – close to sixty head coverings now. I have hats, caps, fascinators in various materials, sizes, and colors. I bought most of them in Bangkok during the three years we were assigned there. We lived behind the embassy and would walk everywhere. I wore hats to protect my skin from intense heat and to look good, often color-coordinating them with my outfits. Even now, when I mostly work from home, I still buy hats to add to my collection.

What are you currently reading or looking forward to reading?

I am trying to catch up with the backlists of my fellow Filipina American romance authors, especially those who worked with me in my latest anthology Forevermore.

You are cordially invited.

The Moore family requests the pleasure of your company on a starry harvest night, rich with tales of passion, magic, and love.

Our beloved Filipino American family hosts a gathering at Hacienda Luz this autumn for another grand celebration – Vida and Rafa’s long-anticipated wedding. As promises of fidelity and infinity fill the air, ten couples live and relive intimate stories that attest to the true meaning of happily ever after.

Acclaimed and bestselling Filipino American authors – Aurora Paige, Elle Cruz, June Gray, Kaye Rockwell, Liz Durano, Maan Gabriel, Maida Malby, Mia Hopkins, Sarah Smith, and Tif Marcelo – bring you Forevermore, a romance collection celebrating love everlasting.

What’s next in your writing career?

I intend to finish my Carpe Diem Chronicles series next year with the release of Samui Heat and Palawan Promises. I plan to compile a cookbook containing recipes of all the food I mentioned in the series. I’ll contribute a short story to a charity anthology as well.

After those books are published, I will start on a new series –own voice, military romance, immigrant stories- set in Texas.

That's a lot of good reading to look forward to. Where can readers find more information about you and your books online?

My website – maidamalby.com; on social media as @maidamalby or @maidamalbyauthor

Thank you so much for visiting with us today, Maida. I'm excited to see you in Daytona Beach next February for Coastal Magic Convention 2024. It's been way too long! Before we wrap this up, do you have any questions for The Romance Dish readers? 

 

Who are other Filipina American romance authors you’ve heard of/read?

What destinations are you interested in reading about?

What Filipino/Singaporean/Thai food do you want a recipe of to be included in my cookbook?

Maida has generously offered several giveaways today so get busy posting those comments!

Seven randomly chosen people who post a comment before 11:00 PM, October 14 will each receive an e-book of their choice from Maida's titles. Open internationally. U.S. winners: gifted book via Amazon. International winners: direct to Kindle address.

For the print readers among you, one randomly chosen reader who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, October 14 will receive a signed, print copy of Maida's books, Boracay Vows and New York Engagement.

*Print giveaway is U.S. only

*Must be 18 (all giveaways)

Interested in joining us for Book Besties Weekend in Daytona Beach, Florida? Click here for more information about Coastal Magic Convention 2024, a casual, welcoming, and fun gathering of readers and authors February 22 - 25, 2024.  

 

 

Review - - Christmas at the Shelter Inn

Christmas at the Shelter Inn

by RaeAnne Thayne

Publisher: Canary Street Press

Release Date: October 10, 2023

Reviewed by PJ

Come home to Shelter Springs this Christmas, where hearts are warm and hopes are bright…

Growing up at the Shelter Inn hotel, Natalie Shepherd envied guests who could come and go as they pleased. So when it was time to finally leave for college and put the lush green mountains around Shelter Springs—along with the cloud of loss that seemed to follow her family—behind her, she swore she’d never come back. But now her sister McKenna needs a favor. On pregnancy bed rest at doctor’s orders, McKenna needs a helping hand with her two young daughters and someone to take over the inn during the hectic holiday season, and Nat can’t refuse. And just when things can’t get worse, she runs into her late brother’s best friend, Griffin Taylor…

Griff has mixed feelings about Natalie’s return. She’s just as beautiful and full of life as he remembered, but there’s a secret he’s carried for years about her brother—and the guilt is eating away at him. Still, Christmas in this small town is filled with treasured traditions and new adventures that hold the promise of something sweet and lasting. From matchmaking seniors to rambunctious nieces, it seems everyone is hoping Nat and Griff will put loss behind them and find a happy new beginning…

PJ's Thoughts:

What a lovely, feel-good story. If this one doesn't put you in the holiday spirit, I don't know what will. 

Thayne has once again assembled a cast of characters who drew me into their lives and their hearts with ease. They are intriguing, fully-developed characters with life experiences that give them complex layers, making them both realistic and relatable. I love the attention she gives in creating them, all of them, regardless of age or importance to the story. Actually, they are all important, just in varying degrees. That's another of Thayne's gifts; creating a community of characters who all contribute - in ways small and large - to the richness of the overall story. 

There's plenty of humor in the journey - how could there not be with two adorable, rambunctious, high on holiday spirit little girls - but this is also a story with significant emotional depth. As in real life, it's rarely all one and none of the other. Thayne blends the two smoothly, eliciting both laughter and tears while guiding these characters through grief, guilt, forgiveness, growth, new beginnings, and love. It's a story that left me with a smile on my face and happiness in my heart. I'm eager to read it again. 

Review - - Dreaming of a Duke Like You

Dreaming of a Duke Like You

by Sara Bennett

Publisher: Forever

Release Date: October 10, 2023

Reviewed by PJ

Raised in a foundling home and now proprietor of a successful club, Gabriel Cadieux hasn’t ever been welcomed by polite society. But when he discovers he’s the legitimate heir to a dukedom, he must make a choice: accept the debt-ridden title and the trappings of the peerage who shunned him or decline and leave his six rebellious half sisters to fend for themselves. As much as he hates the idea, Gabriel can’t abandon his siblings, even if it means making a deal with the most frustrating—and aggravatingly beautiful—woman he’s ever met.

Vivienne Tremeer storms into Cadieux’s club with one thing on her mind: get the loathsome owner to discharge her brother’s gambling debts. So when Gabriel offers her a trade—if she’ll teach his wild sisters the ways of the ton, he’ll clear the notes—she has no choice but to accept. But with her reputation already on a knife’s edge, falling for the duke could cause the scandal of the season.

PJ's Thoughts:

I really enjoyed this book. It's my first by Sara Bennett and it left me eager to read more, hopefully featuring secondary characters from Dreaming of a Duke Like You. 

Do you enjoy grumpy-sunshine romance? Rags to riches heroes? Fish out of water tropes? Slow-burn chemistry? A flock of younger sisters you didn't know existed? Bennett offers up all that and more in this new historical romance. I love a self-made man and Gabriel is certainly that. He's the ruler of his gambling club world, at home there, in charge, and immensely successful. But give him a dukedom he doesn't want, responsibilities he didn't ask for, and a grandmother he has every reason to despise and our uber-confident business owner is suddenly out of his element. It exposes his vulnerable side and I do love a confident man with a vulnerable core. Enter our heroine, the woman he doesn't want to want but can't seem to resist and the only one with the ability - and willingness - to help teach his half-feral half-sisters how to navigate society. Okay, not so much willingness but if doing this gets her scapegrace brother's debt to Gabriel's club wiped clean then she's all in, even if Gabriel's presence makes her heart race and her libido flutter. This should be fun. 

I love how Gabriel and Vivienne go toe to toe, how she challenges him, and how the chemistry between them grows with every encounter. The relationship between Vivienne and Gabriel's sisters gave me Sister Maria vibes, especially the closeness that develops between Vivienne and the oldest sister, Olivia. That is second only to the melt-my-heart adorableness of youngest sister, Edwina. She captured Gabriel's heart and mine too. I also enjoyed Vivienne's complicated but loving relationship with her brother (four younger brothers: I understand) as well as her cousin. I'd like to see more of both of them in future books. 

I do hope this is the beginning of a series. There are several secondary characters who interest me, such as Gabriel's two best friends. Together since childhood in the orphanage, these men already have me wanting to know more about them and, hopefully, their journeys to love. There are a few loose threads left hanging (Vivienne's step-father for one) that I'm hoping will be taken care of in a future book. The lack of comeuppance for both the step-father and Gabriel's grandmother were the only drawbacks for me in what was otherwise a very enjoyable book. I'll definitely be back for the next one. 

Winner - - Faking Christmas

 

The randomly chosen winner of 

a print copy of Faking Christmas is:

The Linda Show

Congratulations!

Please send your full name and mailing address to:

theromancedish (at) gmail (dot) com

Winner - - October Coming Attractions

 

The randomly chosen winner of

a package of books is:

Penney Wilfort

Congratulations!

Please send your full name and mailing address to:

theromancedish (at) gmail (dot) com

Review & Giveaway - - The Florist on Amelia Island

The Florist on Amelia Island

by Hope Holloway

Seven Sisters - Book 4

Publisher: Hope Holloway

Release Date: October 6, 2023

Reviewed by PJ

A feel-good family drama full of twists, turns, and true love.

The scent of flowers and change is in the air for the Wingate sisters. With her husband gone for weeks at a stretch, Rose’s unwavering enthusiasm is tested, forcing her to remove her famous rose-colored glasses and face a family crisis. While Susannah plans an anniversary surprise for Rex, Chloe finds the courage to try one more career path, with help coming from the one constant in her life, her precious furbaby, Lady Bug.

Raina's life is in a state of constant change, too, as she cruises into her third trimester. She finds closure and comfort in her new beachfront home, but there’s one big complication…a roommate who isn’t at all the man she thought he was.

When the clouds roll over Amelia Island, the Wingate women learn over and over again that the bond between seven sisters is as strong as steel, as gentle as an ocean breeze, and as lasting as their family legacy.

PJ's Thoughts:

Reading a new book in Hope Holloway's Seven Sisters series is like settling in for a three-hour conference call with a group of your best friends or, better yet, a weekend getaway. There's a sense of comfort, acceptance, and love among these women who are there for one another through life's peaks and, most importantly, the valleys. And, for this reader, there's a warm welcoming into the world of the Wingate family that immerses me into their lives as if I was right there with them every step of their journey.

There's a lot happening in this fourth book of the series with life-altering events in the offing for several of the sisters. Raina's pregnancy continues to flourish as she settles into her new normal but there's a new man causing flutters in the region of her heart, a totally unexpected occurrence. He makes my heart flutter too. Youngest sister, Chloe is taking tentative steps into a new relationship while searching for the right career path. She's figured out where she doesn't belong but will she be able to open her eyes to the calling that's been right in front of her all along? Raina's twin, Rose, continues to struggle with her husband's absence while trying to balance obligations to both her business (the Florist Shop) and her children. Sadie finally returns from Europe, but doesn't want anyone to know. What's up with that? And we finally get a peek into oldest sister, Madeline's life. Could there be a mysterious man in her past...or present?

Holloway handles all of these characters - and their stories - with ease. Transitions from one character's point of view to another (in alternating chapters) flow smoothly, never feeling abrupt or confusing. There's a clear sense of who each character is and how they fit into the tapestry of the Wingate family, how each sister's story interweaves with the other's. For me, the reader, it allows me to get to know these characters as if they were real people. I'm invested in them, genuinely care for them, and eagerly look forward to spending time with them when each new book releases. 

If you haven't yet discovered Hope Holloway's Seven Sisters series, I enthusiastically recommend picking up a copy of book one, The Beach House on Amelia Island and jumping in. This family will give you all the hope, humor, sibling dynamics, life-altering chaos, and enduring love you've been looking for. 

Have you read Hope Holloway yet?

Do you enjoy a family-centric series? Is there one you've read that you would recommend?

One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, October 9 will receive a print copy of book one in the series, The Beach House on Amelia Island.

*U.S. only

*Must be 18

Review & Giveaway - - Faking Christmas

Faking Christmas

by Kerry Winfrey

Publisher: Berkley

Release Date: September 26, 2023

Reviewed by Hellie

Laurel Grant works as the social media manager for Buckeye State of Mind, an Ohio tourism magazine and website. She most definitely does not run a farm . . . but one tiny misunderstanding leads her boss, Gilbert, to think she owns her twin sister Holly’s farm just outside of Columbus. Laurel only handles the social media for the farm, but she’s happy to keep her little white lie going if it means not getting fired—she cannot be jobless again. 

And keep it going she must when Gilbert, recently dumped by his wife, invites himself over for the farm’s big Christmas Eve Eve dinner (as advertised on Meadow Rise Farm’s Instagram, thanks to Laurel herself). Laurel immediately goes into panic mode to figure out how she can trick Gilbert into thinking she’s basically the Martha Stewart of rural Ohio and keep her job in the process. 

Laurel and Holly come up with the perfect plan—all Laurel has to do is pretend to own the farm for one dinner. But Laurel shows up at the farm to find an unwelcome guest is waiting: Max Beckett, her nemesis since Holly’s wedding. The annoyingly attractive man she hates will be posing as Laurel’s husband just for the evening, but when a snowstorm traps them all for the entire weekend, Laurel is going to have to figure out how to survive with her job and dignity intact. Whatever the case, this promises to be the most eventful Christmas in ages. . . .

 

Hellie’s Heeds:

Like PJ and Janga, I do love a good Christmas story, and I was very excited when I saw this title come up for review because the premise is the trope of one of my favorite Christmas movies, Christmas in Connecticut. Like its predecessor, Faking Christmas immediately ramped up with the hijinks and hilarities only a traditional rom-com can do. Kerry Winfrey’s dialogue snaps and crackles on the page like the jolliest of Christmas Eve fires, and I kept turning pages like a mad-woman to get the next belly laugh. I soon came to realize Kerry’s story is more like if Christmas in Connecticut and Bridget Jones’ Diary had a baby, due to the main character’s hysterical inner monologues and her Bridget-like catastrophes that always made her look just a little more ridiculous and/or cranky in front of the hero, who had some very Mark Darcy/Colin Firth vibes.  

The story is frothy, fun, and as festive as the movie, Elf, if occasionally that ridiculous. From a critique-type perspective, there were a number of times I wanted to shake the heroine for her behavior, which could be a bit self destructive. Perhaps if the heroine had behaved like a moderate adult and had communicated why she didn’t like the hero to his face–and allowed the hero to explain his behavior–I wouldn’t have been so annoyed with her, but it would have made for a much shorter book. Also, I admit, as much as we like to think we’re mature enough to be adults and communicate using words (rather than snarky remarks), there’s many times we all go about in the world acting like insecure, self-righteous teenagers and avoiding the conversation that would have saved years of angst, out of loyalty or fear or both. While it’s believable as conflict, I tended to like the character less. Fortunately, eventually, Laurel has a few conversations and realizes she’s been angsty and obnoxious for no reason to our dear hero, who does seem to be a patron saint of patience where she is concerned. This character behavior may not bother other readers who identify with how she’s behaving–but as a firm Brene Brown reader, I did find Laurel occasionally tiresome. I grant you not everyone has read Brene Brown all the way through–Laurel certainly hadn’t.  

The secondary characters are all wonderful, different, and memorable, especially Gilbert, the boss, who I imagine looks a bit like that guy from Office Space whose stapler is stolen, only in the book, it was his wife that was stolen. Gilbert, who upon being dumped by his wife, realizes he’s in for the worst Christmas of his life, brilliantly and accidentally invites himself to partake in the majestic Christmas events at Laurel’s family farm–only it’s not Laurel’s farm. It’s her twin sister, Holly’s farm, and due to some unfortunate events, Gilbert is under the mistaken impression, Laurel actually owns the farm. And he can’t wait to sample her legendary cooking, help milk the goats, and do all those fun farm things that Laurel has been writing about in her monthly articles for Gilbert. None of which she actually can do. In the beginning, you may ask yourself, why doesn’t Laurel just explain the misunderstanding? And it’s really not until ⅔ of the way in the book when there’s another inner dialogue where you truly understand it. The revelation where Laurel wants to not be thought of as the Bridget Jones fuck-up in her family, when she’s surrounded by people who have clearly got their acts together. She understands she’s creating the messes, mind you–she knows she’s to blame–it’s that she doesn’t know how to stop.  

Still, Laurel is someone you root for–and her family roots for her as well since they’re all willing to pretend she’s the competent Martha Stewart farmer-ess with goats, though she’s actually notorious for burning up a microwave while making mac & cheese. Max, who is as serious as Colin Firth, and has the misfortune for having said something unflattering within Laurel’s hearing some years ago, is the Mr. Darcy we all know and love. Yes, yes, he did say something belittling and awful once upon a time, but it’s clear as soon as he’s in the same room with Laurel, none of it changes the fact he is madly in love with her and there’s nothing he can do about it. Despite all Laurel’s best efforts to screw up a sure thing, eventually communication prevails for a few different levels, the truth comes out, and everyone gets the best Christmas gift ever. Even Gilbert.  

There’s a lot of love, loyalty, and patience–as well as the bonus of “we love you just as you are” and I was totally here for it. The humor could veer to a bit slap-stick, but it was more dialogue “Philadelphia Story” banter that had me laughing on every page. Kerry Winfrey’s dialogue banter is on point. It felt like a rom-com book worthy of the name, a throwback to the early rom-com books. For me, it was a total top dish–and I can’t wait to sink myself into some more Christmas books of the season.

Do you enjoy throwback romantic comedies from the 1940's and 1950's like Christmas in Connecticut? Or, maybe more current movies like Elf? Is there a favorite you watch every holiday season?

One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, October 8 will receive a print copy of Faking Christmas.

*U.S. only

*Must be 18

 

Review - - The Twelve Months of Christmas

The Twelve Months of Christmas

by Sheila Roberts

Publisher: MIRA

Release Date: October 3, 2023

Reviewed by PJ

Sunny, Arianna and Molly are having three very different but equally terrible Christmases. Sunny is a newlywed with two new stepkids who want nothing to do with her; Arianna is newly divorced and hates having to send her daughter off to spend the holiday with her dad; for Molly, nothing is new, but her job at the post office is getting very, very old.

The whole Christmas season has been a bust all around. But Sunny and Arianna have a wild idea: What if they had a Christmas do-over in January? February? On Saint Patrick’s Day?

Christmas all year long—what could that look like? As these three determined women chase the perfect holiday through twelve months of cooking disasters, over-the-top festivity, and lots of laughter and tears, they’ll discover perfection is way overrated.

PJ's Thoughts:

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to celebrate the spirit of Christmas every month of the year? That's what friends and neighbors, Sunny, Arianna, and Molly decide to do after each experiencing a less than ideal Christmas. How will it impact their lives, their families, and their friendship? Will it succeed in returning the joy that's been missing?  These are the questions Sheila Roberts explores in her newest holiday novel, The Twelve Months of Christmas.

Roberts brings a whole boatload of emotions to this book. First, she has assembled a diverse cast of characters, each facing a different type of challenge in their lives, each of whom responds differently to those challenges. Just like in real life, these characters have flaws that drive their actions, creating obstacles among friends and within families. There's betrayal and heartache, but there's also strength, love, inspiration, and unwavering support. Roberts doesn't pull any punches with these women, throwing heartbreaking obstacles in their paths that result in some pretty high emotional mountains to climb. But those obstacles also afford the opportunity for growth, for eye-opening realizations, for the chance to open hearts to the people who are always there for them. Friends who become family. 

There are snippets of humor throughout the book - it wouldn't be a Sheila Roberts book without humor - but, for me, this one leans more heavily to the emotional side. Tears were flowing more than once. As in life, these characters have to deal with significant storm clouds and some of them are heart-wrenching, especially if you are dealing with or have dealt with similar situations in your own life. I'll list trigger warnings below.

If you're looking for a heart-tugging story with multi-layered characters, relatable life experiences, humor, love, and complex relationships, all with the joy and hope of Christmas at its core, give this one a try. But keep the tissues handy. 

Trigger Warning: death, divorce, cancer, stroke