Review: Full of Christmas Cheer
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 12 18, 2013
Santa’s not the only one who’s made a list this year! I have too and on my list pretty much near the top were two things, one- read more Christmas novellas and two- read a book by Tiffany King who has been on my TBR forever so CROSS COUNTRY CHRISTMAS? Tick, Tick!I confess that for the longest time I wasn't into Christmas stories, Bah Humbug and all that (not really but...I like to moan) but CROSS COUNTRY CHRISTMAS was definitely the Timmy to melt my inner Scrooge and make me fall in love with this heart-warming oh so sweet story of christmas cheer and love!Jamie is on her way back to her home town of Woodfalls when, as she gratefully sinks into her seat on the plane hears a voice that fills her stomach with equal measures of fluttering butterflies and dragons of doom...Grant, her playground tormentor turned high school crush who never gave her a second glance. When a near miss on the runway results in the plane being evacuated Jamie and Grant find themselves stuck in what amounts to a toy car on an uncomfortable road trip home. Will Jamie manage to survive the trip without walloping Grant in the face or will she fall into his arms in a Christmas miracle?I adored this book and Jamie and Grant were squee-worthy from the second he calls her "Jams" and Jamie smacks her head on the overhead locker in her haste to avoid him. Who knew "seeing stars" could be so darn romantic? Jamie was a fab character, I loved her inner monologues and her crazy thoughts and schemes running through her head to try and survive her trip with Grant. I really connected with her being perpetually single myself and really felt her longing to find that someone special which always grips you extra hard around the holidays. Grant was equally lovely and I adored the concerned yet playful attitude he had towards Jamie. While he loves to tease her, it quickly becomes clear how sweet and caring a guy he actually is and how deeply he has felt for Jamie since they were kids. As the trip progresses you really see how each of them felt about the way High School changed their frenemieship (It's TOTALLY a word! I declare it!) and how Jamie slowly thaws towards him as she  lets go of being caught between the little girl she was then and the woman she is now.The trip itself was utterly hilarious and I did not stop laughing, any time I did it was to coo and aww over one of my new favourite 'ships. With mishaps around every corner and some awesome secondary characters, I couldn't help but get caught up in this story. Grant and Jamie's chemistry while slow to spark really sizzled and I ached for more!My only gripe was how short it was, it's a testament to Tiffany King's writing talent that she is able to develop such fabulous characters in such a short story. I loved her warm witty style that was akin to curling up with a hot chocolate in front of the fire. I also loved the hints about Woodfalls, Tiffany's series that I cannot wait to check out. I've put No Attachments on my wishlist and I think I've been nice sooo Santa Claus?...hint hint!Filled with humour, love and plenty of cheer, CROSS COUNTRY CHRISTMAS is the perfect novella to get you in the holiday mood!