Book Review - I'll Be Home For Christmas by Abbey Clancy

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Title: I'll Be Home For Christmas

Author: Abbey Clancy

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Mills & Boon

Publication Date: 19th September 2019

Rating: 3 Stars

All she wants for Christmas…

Popstar Jessika Malone can’t believe her luck! Not only has she signed a major record deal and is topping the charts with her latest single, she’s just been offered the chance of a lifetime: a tour with gorgeous megastar Cooper Black…

It’s everything she’s ever dreamed of – except that it means travelling thousands of miles from her boyfriend, Daniel, just when he’s finally got down on one knee and popped the question!

Far from home and followed by the paparazzi, her relationship is tested more than Jessika ever imagined – will she make it home for Christmas before it’s too late?

I recall reading Abbey Clancy's first book around 3 years ago and really enjoying it, so when I spotted this one on Netgalley, and with Christmas in the title too, I knew I had to read it.   What I didn't realise, in part because I can't retain book details for 3 years when I read as many as I do in a year,  was that this is actually a sequel to Remember My Name, and in fact seems to be set not too long after the previous one finished. 

It was after the first 20% where odd bits sounded like something I'd read before where I finally re-checked the first books blurb and twigged, at which point I stopped feeling like I was going mad and was able to settle into the swing of the story.   That being said, still wondering why on earth Christmas is in the title, as it barely features at all.  This is not what I'd call a festive story at all which is ultimately disappointing given my love of them at this time of year. 

Once I got back into the swing of things I did enjoy the story,  although maybe its just because I'm a bit older now but at times Jessy really did get on my nerves.   

I enjoyed the writing style, there were moments that made me smile, the small amounts of sex were fabulous, but it was the storyline between JB and Neale that really made the book for me.  I loved both of these characters so so much, and seeing how great a friend Neale was to Jessy, and  omg that scene in the hot tub... that definitely was a standout! 

At times I was a bit unsure whether Jessy and Daniel would ever see a HEA or not, which at least kept me on my toes.  

Light hearted, entertaining novel and I suspect even though this didn't quite hit all the right spots for me I'd still be happy to read more from the author, just hope its not such a gap between releases! 

Thank you to Mills and Boon and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily, 

Book Review - I'll Be Home For Christmas by Karen Clarke

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Amazon UK

Title: I'll Be Home For Christmas 

Author: Karen Clarke

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Bookouture

Publication Date: 14th October 2019

Rating: 4 Stars

Nina Bailey loves Christmas. Except this year she doesn’t. Because it turns out that her husband-to-be has been cheating on her – and her beautiful wedding ceremony in the snow is cancelled.

She’s not really in the mood to be jolly, sing carols, or go anywhere near gingerbread men – in fact, what Nina wants is to avoid the whole thing. So she’s come to stay at her Aunt Dolly’s cosy café to nurse her broken heart.

Nina is determined to get through Christmas with no tinsel, no fuss – and definitely no flirting. So when she arrives and meets infuriatingly handsome Ryan Sadler, with his gorgeous forest-green eyes, she is not best pleased. And when Nina overhears him making fun of her, she is furious. (There might have been an incident with a koala onesie and a spilled bottle of milk, but that really wasn’t her fault!) So despite the spark between them, and the fact that he can whip up a fabulous dinner faster than she can say Michelin star, romance and Christmas are off the menu this year.

Unfortunately, Aunt Dolly hasn’t quite got the message, going to great lengths to provide a proper British Christmas for her beloved niece: a true home away from home. With sparkling lights adorning every wall and a tree to equal the Rockefeller Center’s and, yes, mistletoe above every doorway, can Nina resist the magic of Christmas – and stick to her no-romance rule?

This heartwarming romantic comedy will have you reaching for eggnog, roasted chestnuts and gingerbread cookies! The perfect festive book to read curled up in front of the fire, for fans of Sue Moorcroft, Holly Martin and Debbie Johnson.

What a lovely gentle festive romance, and another great addition to the Little French Cafe series. 

This is a new standalone story, focusing on Nina, who is Charles (from the previous books) cousin, and Ryan, Charles' best friend, who both happen to be in France this Christmas. 

Despite both of them having broken engagements, and a whole lot of baggage, it doesn't stop Aunt Dolly to engage a series of not particularly subtle matchmaking efforts between the pair. 

Nina really isn't sure what she wants from her life, and seeing her thoughts on how she might be a travel blogger were amusing, especially given she isn't that keen on flying, and by the sounds of it she was struggling to take in focus photos!!  However it soon becomes apparent to everyone apart from her what she should be doing as a job! 

Whereas Ryan is struggling for inspiration for his new novel, and his first encounter with Nina was amusing and continually referenced throughout.   

 I enjoyed seeing whether Ryan and Nina would ever stop fighting the inevitable, and there are some really amusing part to the story too.  This was a really enjoyable addition to the series, I loved being back with familiar faces, and generally was good fun to see France in the snow.   

Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Book Review - I'll Be Home For Christmas by Roisin Meaney

Amazon UK

Title: I'll Be Home For Christmas

Author: Roisin Meaney

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Hatchette Ireland

Publication Date: 15th October 2015

Rating: 5 Stars

It's three days before Christmas ...
Tilly boards a plane on the other side of the world. She's determined to reach Roone, a small island off the west coast of Ireland, in time for Christmas Day. Tilly carries a troubling secret and Laura, a woman she's never met, might be the only one who can help her.
Except that Laura has no idea that Tilly exists. And with five children, a mother-in-law stranded on the island and a husband with whom she's barely on speaking terms, an unexpected guest is the Christmas present she's not expecting ...
A storm is heading for the island, but will peace be restored before the snow melts?

I'll be home for Christmas is a feel-good tale of magic, sparkle and new beginnings from bestselling author Roisin Meaney.

Over the past few years I have been attracted to Roisin Meaney books when I have spotted them in various Kindle sales, and then unfortunately I have forgotten to start reading them, and so my collection for the author has grown until this book. 

I'll Be Home For Christmas is the first Roisin Meaney I have read, and all I can say is I'm so glad I have a stock pile of others to read already, as I need to read more from this fabulous author.  This was obviously also my first trip to Roone Island, and I can see why I've seen people raving about the location.  There is just something special about this tiny island off the west coast of Ireland, that draws visitors and readers into it. 

I'll Be Home For Christmas can definitely be read as a standalone book, I am guessing at what was background info from the previous books, and felt like I knew more than enough to get a good idea of what may have happened. However the main focus of this book is on Laura's family. 

Laura has five children, one husband, a menagerie of farm animals, and is recovering from Cancer. She also has her mother in law visiting just before Christmas. Between some awful weather conditions, she last thing she wants or needs is her mother in law stuck on the island for Christmas, and then on Christmas day she gets a surprise visitor. 

Tilly had boarded a plane, from Australia, via Singapore and London, to Ireland,three days before Christmas to meet a woman she has never met, and doesn't know that Tilly exists. 

The book alternates viewpoints between Laura's and Tilly, and from Tilly's early story we see a lot of kindness of strangers, and some fabulous examples of that famous Irish hospitality. 

This is a story of warmth towards everyone, and also of families, of all kinds. Adoptive families, birth parents, extended family and also features some lovely children. Laura's twin girls and Poppy, are all utterly adorable, and Laura although clearly stressed, and scared, is someone who we get to know in great detail. And see her thoughts on the new arrival, and then on other occurrences to the family, and on Roone Island. 

I got a great feeling for the island of Roone, and its fabulous community spirit. I think if I was to read the other books set their I would get a stronger feeling of its beauty, which is harder to tell in winter. 

I'll Be Home For Christmas is a truly remarkable book, set over the Christmas period. It isn't the sort of book that will make you run out and want to put the tree up early, but it is, a heart warming tale, that you won't want to put down. 

Thanks to Netgalley and Hatchette Ireland for this review copy. This was my honest opinion.