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lucysmithyy's review against another edition
hopeful
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? It's complicated
3.0
kitvaria_sarene's review against another edition
3.0
It's been a while since I read this, and it appears it's one of the reviews Goodreads swallowed up...
My memory is a bit hazy by now, but which fits with my overall experience with the book.
There was nothing I actively disliked. However there also wasn't one major hook that had me glued to the pages.
I didn't know this was a series when I started it, and I might have enjoyed it more if I had read the other two first.
What I do remember is being a bit disappointed that Christmas really isn't much of a topic in the book. Yes, Christmas happens, but it's not a theme for the book. I always hat books that have christmassy titles and covers, but then don't deliver on that.
Aside from this it was a cute, cozy and rathe predictable romance.
A big plus for me was the women all being a bit older. I do enjoy adults who behave like adults over those who seem like hormonal teenagers.
So all in all a good story that kept me entertained, but not a favourite.
My memory is a bit hazy by now, but which fits with my overall experience with the book.
There was nothing I actively disliked. However there also wasn't one major hook that had me glued to the pages.
I didn't know this was a series when I started it, and I might have enjoyed it more if I had read the other two first.
What I do remember is being a bit disappointed that Christmas really isn't much of a topic in the book. Yes, Christmas happens, but it's not a theme for the book. I always hat books that have christmassy titles and covers, but then don't deliver on that.
Aside from this it was a cute, cozy and rathe predictable romance.
A big plus for me was the women all being a bit older. I do enjoy adults who behave like adults over those who seem like hormonal teenagers.
So all in all a good story that kept me entertained, but not a favourite.
birminghambooks's review against another edition
4.0
I have never read this author yet Avon allowed me to do so. Much to my surprise it wasn't a full book about christmas, which in fact i was really happy about, as I don't really read christmas books.
When I first started I did cringe a bit with names such as Noel, Tinsall and the town being called Hope Christmas. Having a title about christmas made me think it would be purely about christmas, however i surprised to see that 20/30 pages in it went to January. It ran through the year with a plot which ran to the end. I enjoyed the sense of community. The characters developed well and i was glad that the others in the community were referred to by full name rather than just first names.
I enjoyed it and would read this author again
4 stars
When I first started I did cringe a bit with names such as Noel, Tinsall and the town being called Hope Christmas. Having a title about christmas made me think it would be purely about christmas, however i surprised to see that 20/30 pages in it went to January. It ran through the year with a plot which ran to the end. I enjoyed the sense of community. The characters developed well and i was glad that the others in the community were referred to by full name rather than just first names.
I enjoyed it and would read this author again
4 stars
lillyalaine36's review against another edition
3.0
So as Christmas continues to approach I decided to delve into Julia Williams third book based in the fictional village of Hope Christmas. Called "Coming Home For Christmas" we are reunited with the three heroines Cat, Pippa and Marianne.
I must admit to only having read one of the other two books in the series, "A Merry Little Christmas" which fortunately was the one based directly before this one. I loved how it continues the story approximately 12 months after completion of the last book.
I enjoyed returning to the lives of the three ladies finding Cat trying to deal with a flailing TV career and becoming a grandmother unexpectedly. Pippa is trying to move on from her separation from husband Dan, whom she just cannot seem to leave behind. Meanwhile Marianne's husband Gabe has asked his ex-wife to move in with them following health problems putting huge strain on their relationship.
Whilst the ladies stories were nice to revisit I did struggle a bit with this book. The relationship between Pippa and her new boyfriend Richard frustrated me as she seemed incapable of standing up for herself and she otherwise came across as a strong and very competent woman.
Also each of the books seem to feature a struggle by the residents of Hope Christmas to stop some sort of development in their small village and whilst this is a nice story it's a little staid and twee on a book by book basis.
Maybe it's just a year where I'm struggling to truly find my Christmas vibe book wise. I perhaps have too many other non seasonal books calling to me from my bookshelf that I'm keen to move on.
I must admit to only having read one of the other two books in the series, "A Merry Little Christmas" which fortunately was the one based directly before this one. I loved how it continues the story approximately 12 months after completion of the last book.
I enjoyed returning to the lives of the three ladies finding Cat trying to deal with a flailing TV career and becoming a grandmother unexpectedly. Pippa is trying to move on from her separation from husband Dan, whom she just cannot seem to leave behind. Meanwhile Marianne's husband Gabe has asked his ex-wife to move in with them following health problems putting huge strain on their relationship.
Whilst the ladies stories were nice to revisit I did struggle a bit with this book. The relationship between Pippa and her new boyfriend Richard frustrated me as she seemed incapable of standing up for herself and she otherwise came across as a strong and very competent woman.
Also each of the books seem to feature a struggle by the residents of Hope Christmas to stop some sort of development in their small village and whilst this is a nice story it's a little staid and twee on a book by book basis.
Maybe it's just a year where I'm struggling to truly find my Christmas vibe book wise. I perhaps have too many other non seasonal books calling to me from my bookshelf that I'm keen to move on.
fionaaaaaa's review against another edition
3.0
A bit cheesy but a perfect Christmas read. A few bumps on the road but a happy ending.
jennbairos's review
2.0
Meh. There’s nothing exactly wrong with this book, it’s just not for me. There are a ton of characters to keep straight, and I also think the “let’s fight big business” storyline is tired. My TBR pile is too big to keep going with this one.
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