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tigerxwasp's review against another edition
4.0
I have loved the previous two Rosie Hopkin's stories so I saw no reason why I shouldn't love this one too.
Yet at about a third of the way through I did find myself convinced this would be the first, thankfully by halfway my feelings had been turned back round again and this is the only reason that I can not give it a full 5 stars.
The ending gave e a lovely warm feeling, that is perfect for this time of year.
Yet at about a third of the way through I did find myself convinced this would be the first, thankfully by halfway my feelings had been turned back round again and this is the only reason that I can not give it a full 5 stars.
The ending gave e a lovely warm feeling, that is perfect for this time of year.
lisawreading's review against another edition
3.0
As an end to a sweet trilogy, it's nice to see everyone get a happily-ever-after, but some elements of this books felt forced and predictable to me. I love these characters and I'm glad I read through to the conclusion of their stories, but this 3rd book just didn't appeal to me the way the first two did. (Full review at Bookshelf Fantasies)
rosietomyn's review against another edition
2.0
1.5 ☆
The Christmas Surprise by Jenny Colgan confirmed something for me: Colgan has grown both better at character development and better at unpacking what appears to be internalized fat phobia in her writing over the years.
The Christmas Surprise is the 3rd and final installment of stories about Rosie Hopkins. This was published in 2014, and Colgan has written many more accessible, engaging books since then. So far, for me, I have had much better experiences with her more recent Christmas story offerings.
This story, and Rosie's entire arc, reads with a tone that is very Bridget Jones-esque. Enter "plump" girl who falls all over herself to be a problem solver (and in many cases feeling hider/stuffer) so that she can prevent everyone around her from giving up on their relationship because she dares to be "larger than a size 8" (that specific qualifier mentioned in this installation). She must be a people pleaser or they might notice!
This style also conveniently elevates the males in the story as somehow saints for not caring about poor Rosie's giant character flaw: not being tiny. How dare this girl exist in an average body. Also convenient? The men in these types of stories, and Rosie's fiance fits this bill, then direct judgement and exasperation at the protagonist because she can't just let go and be honest. You can totally be honest with me, big girl, because I'm a saint! Barf.
The second book in this series was enjoyable, and the internalized fat phobic nonsense somehow wasn't as prevalent as it is in this final piece. It was there, mind you, but not as glaring.
The Christmas Surprise still features Colgan's skill at time, place, and feel, but the characters are so plastic and negatively impacted by such vapid vanity that it's distracting. They're all awful. Even the same characters that didn't seem as awful in the previous book. And I cannot fail to mention that Colgan's handling of "Africa" is...questionable. Maybe she forgot Africa is a continent? And that "poor" and "too hot" are not primary, exclusive defining qualities of countries within the continent. Also white saviorism? There's a bit that's problematic here. I would recommend picking up one of Colgan's more recent publications. They are leaps and bounds better than this one.
The Christmas Surprise by Jenny Colgan confirmed something for me: Colgan has grown both better at character development and better at unpacking what appears to be internalized fat phobia in her writing over the years.
The Christmas Surprise is the 3rd and final installment of stories about Rosie Hopkins. This was published in 2014, and Colgan has written many more accessible, engaging books since then. So far, for me, I have had much better experiences with her more recent Christmas story offerings.
This story, and Rosie's entire arc, reads with a tone that is very Bridget Jones-esque. Enter "plump" girl who falls all over herself to be a problem solver (and in many cases feeling hider/stuffer) so that she can prevent everyone around her from giving up on their relationship because she dares to be "larger than a size 8" (that specific qualifier mentioned in this installation). She must be a people pleaser or they might notice!
This style also conveniently elevates the males in the story as somehow saints for not caring about poor Rosie's giant character flaw: not being tiny. How dare this girl exist in an average body. Also convenient? The men in these types of stories, and Rosie's fiance fits this bill, then direct judgement and exasperation at the protagonist because she can't just let go and be honest. You can totally be honest with me, big girl, because I'm a saint! Barf.
The second book in this series was enjoyable, and the internalized fat phobic nonsense somehow wasn't as prevalent as it is in this final piece. It was there, mind you, but not as glaring.
The Christmas Surprise still features Colgan's skill at time, place, and feel, but the characters are so plastic and negatively impacted by such vapid vanity that it's distracting. They're all awful. Even the same characters that didn't seem as awful in the previous book. And I cannot fail to mention that Colgan's handling of "Africa" is...questionable. Maybe she forgot Africa is a continent? And that "poor" and "too hot" are not primary, exclusive defining qualities of countries within the continent. Also white saviorism? There's a bit that's problematic here. I would recommend picking up one of Colgan's more recent publications. They are leaps and bounds better than this one.
specialk3782's review against another edition
3.0
I just finished this book and I feel eh about the whole thing. I really do enjoy Jenny Colgan's work in general and this follows suit with her style but it just wasn't that exciting or surprising in any parts. I never felt like I needed to keep reading to find out what would happen next, I just gently strolled through the book and it was over. Not bad, but definitely not my favorite of her works.
omarrah's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
slow-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
3.0
fieryfred's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Miscarriage
annalieegk's review against another edition
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
mindfullibrarian's review against another edition
3.0
A welcome return to this series, but not my favorite Colgan story. Still a sweet one, though!