The Night Before Christmas - Scarlett Bailey
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Boyfriends of Past, Present and Future - which one will she choose?
The Night Before Christmas - Scarlett Bailey
Member Name: elysia2003
Product:
The Night Before Christmas - Scarlett Bailey
Date: 03/01/12, updated on 04/01/12 (56 review reads)
Rating:
Advantages: An addictive read, I couldn't put it down
Disadvantages: One part was a bit far fatched, but hey ho, it's just a story.
*** The Night Before Christmas - Scarlett Bailey ***
*** Synopsis ***
Lydia Grant doesn't have fond memories of Christmas. Her father left the family at this special time, and every year since, she has been let down, and left miserable. One of her friends invites her and Stephen, her partner, to spend Christmas with them in the Cumbrian Mountains, along with their other friends and families.
It seems to Lydia to be a dream come true, a wonderful Christmas, with log fires, Christmas card scenery, and people who actually like each other. It could almost be a scene from the film 'White Christmas , until she gets snowed in with boyfriends of past, present, and possibly future; so It doesn't actually work out to be the special time she was dreaming of.
*** My Thoughts ***
I downloaded my copy of this book onto Kindle after seeing this in the shops. The cover was dramatic and with its Christmassy theme, I knew I was on to a winner. I like reading, although I don't get an awful lot of time to do it. I do however grab a Christmas themed book or two every year, it helps me get in the mood, and also ensures that I get some 'me' time, amongst the hustle and bustle of doing the Christmas chores.
Scarlett Bailey isn't an author I'd ever heard of before, but such things never bother me. I'm a huge chick-lit fan, and as long as it has a good plot and a happy ending I'm happy too. This book didn't disappoint in any way.
The thing that I loved most about this book is that it is actually set at Christmas. I've read quite a few books recently whose titles and covers are Christmassy, but the story starts in September; that really get's on my nerves. This story is written from two or three days before Christmas, although it does let us know about matters that happened eighteen months earlier, this isn't for padding, it is detrimental to the storyline, so it's fine by me.
The main character is Lydia, who seemed to be happy in relationship with her boyfriend, despite the troubles in her past. Things take a turn for the worse when she finds a Tiffany engagement ring in his sock drawer. We follow her as she's confused whether she actually loves him or not, despite feeling secure enough with him, to move into his flat. I liked the way her character was portrayed. She is supposedly tough, and fiercely independent, but she has a warm heart, and all she really wants is to be loved and cherished for who she is.
During the story, I did get a feeling that she was overwhelmed, and made some mistakes that she really shouldn't have done. I was sitting there reading, thinking what on earth are you doing? I doubt anyone would rush into the situation that Lydia did, so quickly, and without reservation, but it's just a story; and an enjoyable one even so.
*** Characters ***
There are quite a few other characters, due the fact it's about a group of friends coming together at Christmas time. The four friends each had their own partners, and storylines, but they came together wonderfully. Never once did I feel like I was reading several stories at once, they were all wonderfully interwoven, and a pleasure to read.
My favourite character, apart from Lydia, had to be Alex. I absolutely loved how she spoke her mind and no-one was getting away without hearing it. She was just so blunt, but I get the feeling she does have a softer side, and that hormones were to blame. Katie thought she was the next Martha Stewart and it was lovely to see her trying to make Christmas extra special for Lydia's sake. The final friend, Joanne, arrived for the holidays last of all. There is a real twist, as Joanne's boyfriend isn't all he makes out to be. I thought all the characters were lovely and despite their flaws, there wasn't one that I felt I couldn't be friendly with myself.
*** In summary ***
I feel this book was a wonderful read. Its references about such films as 'An Affair to Remember', 'When Harry Met Sally' and 'White Christmas' only added to the book. It was great. There were parts of the book that were alluding to scenes in the films, and it added to the whole magic of it. Usually I read a couple of chapters before bed, but this book had me hooked. When you got past the first chapter, and warmed to the characters, it was fast paced, there was always something happening, so I couldn't bear to put it down. There are twists and turns, and will she or won't she moments. I could say this was a really page turner, but as I read mine on Kindle, it was a button clicker. hehe
Five out of five from me - What a read!
*** Other information ***
Published by Ebury Press in October 2011.
400 pages.
Paperback RRP: £6.99.
Available new today on Amazon: £3.85
Also available for Kindle: £3.19
Thanks for reading my review, which may also be posted on other sites, under the same username. x
*** Synopsis ***
Lydia Grant doesn't have fond memories of Christmas. Her father left the family at this special time, and every year since, she has been let down, and left miserable. One of her friends invites her and Stephen, her partner, to spend Christmas with them in the Cumbrian Mountains, along with their other friends and families.
It seems to Lydia to be a dream come true, a wonderful Christmas, with log fires, Christmas card scenery, and people who actually like each other. It could almost be a scene from the film 'White Christmas , until she gets snowed in with boyfriends of past, present, and possibly future; so It doesn't actually work out to be the special time she was dreaming of.
*** My Thoughts ***
I downloaded my copy of this book onto Kindle after seeing this in the shops. The cover was dramatic and with its Christmassy theme, I knew I was on to a winner. I like reading, although I don't get an awful lot of time to do it. I do however grab a Christmas themed book or two every year, it helps me get in the mood, and also ensures that I get some 'me' time, amongst the hustle and bustle of doing the Christmas chores.
Scarlett Bailey isn't an author I'd ever heard of before, but such things never bother me. I'm a huge chick-lit fan, and as long as it has a good plot and a happy ending I'm happy too. This book didn't disappoint in any way.
The thing that I loved most about this book is that it is actually set at Christmas. I've read quite a few books recently whose titles and covers are Christmassy, but the story starts in September; that really get's on my nerves. This story is written from two or three days before Christmas, although it does let us know about matters that happened eighteen months earlier, this isn't for padding, it is detrimental to the storyline, so it's fine by me.
The main character is Lydia, who seemed to be happy in relationship with her boyfriend, despite the troubles in her past. Things take a turn for the worse when she finds a Tiffany engagement ring in his sock drawer. We follow her as she's confused whether she actually loves him or not, despite feeling secure enough with him, to move into his flat. I liked the way her character was portrayed. She is supposedly tough, and fiercely independent, but she has a warm heart, and all she really wants is to be loved and cherished for who she is.
During the story, I did get a feeling that she was overwhelmed, and made some mistakes that she really shouldn't have done. I was sitting there reading, thinking what on earth are you doing? I doubt anyone would rush into the situation that Lydia did, so quickly, and without reservation, but it's just a story; and an enjoyable one even so.
*** Characters ***
There are quite a few other characters, due the fact it's about a group of friends coming together at Christmas time. The four friends each had their own partners, and storylines, but they came together wonderfully. Never once did I feel like I was reading several stories at once, they were all wonderfully interwoven, and a pleasure to read.
My favourite character, apart from Lydia, had to be Alex. I absolutely loved how she spoke her mind and no-one was getting away without hearing it. She was just so blunt, but I get the feeling she does have a softer side, and that hormones were to blame. Katie thought she was the next Martha Stewart and it was lovely to see her trying to make Christmas extra special for Lydia's sake. The final friend, Joanne, arrived for the holidays last of all. There is a real twist, as Joanne's boyfriend isn't all he makes out to be. I thought all the characters were lovely and despite their flaws, there wasn't one that I felt I couldn't be friendly with myself.
*** In summary ***
I feel this book was a wonderful read. Its references about such films as 'An Affair to Remember', 'When Harry Met Sally' and 'White Christmas' only added to the book. It was great. There were parts of the book that were alluding to scenes in the films, and it added to the whole magic of it. Usually I read a couple of chapters before bed, but this book had me hooked. When you got past the first chapter, and warmed to the characters, it was fast paced, there was always something happening, so I couldn't bear to put it down. There are twists and turns, and will she or won't she moments. I could say this was a really page turner, but as I read mine on Kindle, it was a button clicker. hehe
Five out of five from me - What a read!
*** Other information ***
Published by Ebury Press in October 2011.
400 pages.
Paperback RRP: £6.99.
Available new today on Amazon: £3.85
Also available for Kindle: £3.19
Thanks for reading my review, which may also be posted on other sites, under the same username. x
Summary: Past, Present and Future Boyfriends - which one will she choose?
