First sentence: Reynolds heard them moments before she saw them. People were singing Christmas songs, different Christmas songs, all at the same time, in exuberant, joyful voices. There was “Joy to the World,” “We Wish You a Merry Christmas,” and “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.” “What in the world . . .” Riley said as she stepped out of the hotel elevator into the lavish lobby of the Royal Grand Central Park, one of New York City’s finest hotels, and found more than a hundred high-spirited Christmas carolers. They were all wearing elaborate, vintage Victorian costumes and passionately singing as if their entry onto Santa’s Nice List depended on it.
Premise/plot: Riley Reynolds is a romance author who hates Christmas and is currently not living her 'happily ever after.' After her summer romance flops--at least from a publishing standpoint--her publishers strongly encourage her to write a Christmas romance instead. The problem, as I briefly mentioned, is that she does not celebrate Christmas--not since her dad died when she was eight. But she'll do her part to keep her job: play co-host at a weekend author event at a small lodge--Christmas Lake Lodge. Her co-host is the Christmas-loving, Luke, who is selling the lodge after Christmas. He wants the lodge to have one last hurrah before it closes forever.
Sound like a typical Christmas movie? Perhaps. But this isn't a bland Christmas movie, throw in a dash or two of MAMMA MIA and The Bachelorette. Before Christmas Camp begins, she does a television interview leading viewers to believe that there was one true love that got away that has inspired her novels...
My thoughts: I definitely loved this one. For the record, I don't have a problem with incredibly predictable, ultimately sweet Christmas-themed romantic comedies. In fact, I find them often more lovely than not. I AM the target audience of this one.
For those that are curious, this one is what I would consider clean or clean-ish. There is some kissing, not much else. Anything that might have happened in the past with her former boyfriends--stays in the past and off screen.
© 2020 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews
Thank you for taking the time to review my newest novel Christmas Ever After! I am so glad you enjoyed this story and wish you much happiness and joy this holiday season.
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