Review: Tis the Season
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 09 28, 2011
I admit it. I have a thing for Christmas stories. Sweet heart-warming romances with blustery outdoors scenes just make me want to snuggle up with a book and some hot tea. Bah, Humbug! by Heather Horrocks is exactly that kind of novella. With a mutilated snowman, holiday cheer and a troubled past, this book had holiday spirit written all over it.Lexi is a mother of two doing it all on her own. Although she may have had hard times in the past, she's now the successful Martha Stewartesque-host of a TV show in her new home of Salt Lake City. Kyle is a successful children's author who not only happens to be Lexi's children's favorite author, but also the somewhat Grinchy next-door neighbor. From start to finish, I was filled with the warmth of the characters and the over-all Christmas spirit.This story had a sweet charm that reeled me in at page one. The author hooks the reader with some funny situations and then softens them up with a very sad backstory. This depth of character made the setting come alive. The story provided exactly what we expect from a holiday story like this. The evolution in the character Kyle is what really sets the tone and makes this whole thing work.The only part of this story I didn't like was the ending. Though I feel there were some major self-revelations, the end just didn't seem plausible. I think it might have been better to just hint at the future and leave the rest to the imagination. Sometimes what isn't said is just as important as what is said.Overall though, the writing was great. The description was just enough without over doing it and the story arc very nice. I also liked that this was a "sweet" story. No steam, just a lovely romance that anyone could enjoy.Rating: 4.5I expect this is going to be on every romance lover's reading list this Christmas.Happy reading!My indie, my tea and me