Member Reviews
Wow, I have literally fallen in love with this book, was a truly wonderful heartfelt read from start to finish. It was so much more than a romance story, had lots going on and I was pretty much glued to the pages throughout and couldn't turn the pages quick enough.
I loved the Christmas cosy feel to it and the bakery and family history behind it was wonderful to read and discover. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know all of the characters, and seeing how things would turn out for them all. All of the ups and downs, and how everything came together at the end, with a few surprises thrown in along the way. It really was the perfect read, and I didn't want it to end.
Having read a couple of Jenny's books previously, I am happy to report that she is a wonderful author, has such a amazing way with words that just keeps you wanting more and the way she writes her characters and how they develop throughout a book, really makes them come alive.
This for me was a truly feel good festive read!
I had fallen in love with the story after just a few pages and I sat and read it in one evening, the words flowed, the characters were spot on and the plot kept me entertained throughout. Genuinely loved it and I could easily sit and read it again over the festive period.
Jenny Hale is and remains one of my go to authors for when I need a genuine pick me up - so glad she has just signed a new contract for more books - I cannot wait!!
Really enjoyed this book. The first I have read by this author.
The story centres in Noelle, so a suitably festive name too, her son Lucas and William and Alex who she works for.
She is also trying to help her family cafe survive and give Lucas a happy childhood.
Some twists in the plot which add to the romance of the story.
I was thrilled to be a part of Jenny Hale's blog tour as I am a huge fan! This latest Christmas themed book was an absolute corker and I loved it. Noelle Parker is in danger of losing the family bakery and as such she is pulling out all the stops to try and raise as much money as possible to be able to save it from closing. In her quest for money she finds a new job working for William Harrington and caring for him in his ridiculously large mansion house. The benefit for Noelle is that it's a live-in position which enables her to live there with her son Lucas.
As time goes on Noelle and William form a bond and the story adds another layer, and then Noelle meets William's Grandson Alexander and another element is added to the story. I don't really want to re-has any elements of the storyline as it's so much more enjoyable when you discover it yourself. What I will say is that this book just felt perfect for the Christmas season, love and romance, a fabulously engaging storyline and a splash of snow, you can't really ask for too much more. I loved the characters in this book and I always think Jenny Hale does an amazing job with her descriptions as I literally feel transported reading her books.
Another cracking book by Jenny Hale and even though I think Summer at Oyster Bay remains my favourite of hers this definitely takles a close second. A wonderful book that I devoured in a day and would highly recommend.
I love cute Christmas stories and this one is as sweet as a candy cane off the tree. It is filled with the hope of the season and love from a place where family means everything. To save her bakery, a young woman must venture into the stone cold home of the rich family up the street where name means everything and fun has been thrown out with the cobwebs. There she will bring life to the beautiful mansion and maybe find love, though she must prove to them that name isn't everything.
Beautiful cover on the book. The book for me started off a bit slow. i enjoyed it but felt it just lacked something. But it was a lovely story with a good mix of characters in there. In particular the speed picked up towards the end and was a lovely feel good read. I had originally decided on 3 stars but because of the lopevly ending it gained one back
Lovely, jolly and sweet Christmas story. Perfect for reading during chilly evenings, wrapped in a warm blanket, with a hot cup of cocoa.
Even though the ending was very predictable, I loved the way Jenny Hale has gotten to it. This is a heartwarming story that shows that good things do happen during Christmas time. Charming and sweet Noelle was able to save the family business, reunite Harrington family while juggling motherhood and her love life.
I recommend this book to any Christmas lover.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers, Bookouture for this review copy given in exchange for an honest review. Also thanks to Kim from Bookouture for organising the Blog Tour and allowing me to be part of it.
Noelle Parker is a single mother to little Lucas. She has always wanted to run the family bakery and provide a good and plentiful life for her little boy. After losing her job, she thinks this is her chance to do this but when she returns home she finds the bakery is facing tough times and it will certainly need a miracle to keep it open. Noelle begins to fight to save the bakery and whilst doing this she also lands herself a new job caring for aged old millionaire, William Harrington. It means she gets to live in his huge mansion, but she also has to contend with his grumpy moods! Trying to add a bit of Christmas cheer into the household, Noelle finds herself becoming closer to Harrington’s grandson, Alex.
This is the first Jenny Hale book I’ve read. I have to admit, Jenny has a definite knack for writing all things Christmassy!! I’ve read a few Christmas books over the last few weeks, but none as festive as this one! I didn’t realise before I started reading it that it was based in America. I usually only read books where the story is based in the UK, but saying that, once I got into the story and got wrapped up in the visions of all things Christmas, I forgot we had travelled across the Atlantic.
It is a story of family and love….and Christmas! (I know I keep going on about Christmas, but it’s not as if you can ignore it!) All the characters are very likeable and they all have their own different story which interact with each other. It is a very heart-warming read, especially William Harrington’s story which was very emotional. You can’t help but warm to all of the characters, but particularly Noelle and Lucas. It certainly makes you value family and friends much more by the end of it.
A magical Christmassy book!! But remember, it’s not just for Christmas, but for anytime! Five Stars!
Faced with a pretty bleak Christmas after being made redundant, single mum Noelle if offered the opportunity to work as a carer for a wealthy local gentleman, a man whose house she and her friends used to pass by every day on the way to school. It is something that will suit her until her Grandfather is ready to retire and she can take over her beloved Grandmother's bakery. Only... things haven't been going so well, and with rent set to rise, her family announce that they need to close the bakery after Christmas. Not only that but the man responsible is none other than her new boss, Alexander Harrington. Determined to do right by Harrington's grandfather, and also to find a way to save the bakery, nothing can prepare Noelle for what she will discover when she moves into the imposing mansion with her young son, Lucas.
If you are looking for a heart-warming Christmas tale that will have you going aww in all the right places then look no further. Jenny Hale has a real knack for creating the most irresistible of 'couples who shouldn't work' and We'll Always Have Christmas is no different. The chemistry which exists between Noelle and Alex Harrington is palpable, the infatuation on both sides clear from the very first meeting. Of course it doesn't hurt that Alex is rich and attractive either, no neither of these matters can make up for what he is doing to her family business, the one thing in her life, other than her son, that Noelle was really looking forward to. But it is Alex's easy way with Lucas, a boy who is very shy and introverted, which really makes Noelle's, and the reader's, heart sing. It is a beautiful thing to watch unfold on the page.
There is a secondary story within too, one of Alex's grandfather and his first love, a mystery woman who once stole his heart and is by and large the reason why Alex and his Grandfather no longer get along. This is also a story which will move even the hardest heart, one of societal differences and class boundaries, flavours of which can be found in Alex and Noelle's story. For just as Mr Harrington and his first love were from completely different backgrounds, so too are Alex and Noelle, adding a layer of doubt and conflict in Noelle's mind to an otherwise sweet romance. It makes her second guess all of Alex's actions and when she learns something about his plans for the future, all of her fears seem to be coming true.
I really did love the character of Noelle. She is so devoted to her family and friends, in particular her young son Lucas, but while she has a heart as large as the state, she is also a tough young woman and not afraid to challenge Alex, something she does quite regularly. Alex occasionally comes across as an enigma - sometimes aloof but so often kind and patient with Lucas that is is no wonder everyone falls in love with him, readers included. And yet he can easily slip into the role of the affected, a wealthy young man. Someone who outs himself first in a bid to escape his problems. He hadn't planned on meeting Noelle, on her and Lucas uprooting his plans, and Jenny Hale has done a fabulous job of painting a picture of a young man in turmoil, of one who wants to love and be loved but who is scared and uncertain of how to begin.
I love the family dynamic which runs throughout out both halves of the story. On one hand you have Noelle's family, as close as you like - her Grandfather and her father co-running the backery which was started by her Gram, and her mother often found looking after young Lucas. Even her relationship with her sister Heidi is almost that of best friends rather than just siblings. And Noelle still has her best friends form childhood, Jo and Phoebe, who are there for every high and every low in her life. It's such a wonderful scene when they are all together, one that will really make you smile, even in times of adversity, that it makes the stark contrast to Alex's life all the more prominent. Alex and his grandfather are at loggerheads, disagreeing over everything, and it will take a miracle to bring them together.
Who knew that miracles taste like gingerbread?
The book has everything you would expect in a true Christmas romance - the heart throb, the conflict, the will they won't they and the wonderful winter setting which might chill the toes but only serves to warm the heart. Truly romantic, full of both entertaining and heart-breaking moments, those moments of real poignancy and revelation, this book will tick the boxes of both romantics and Christmas lovers alike. And I'd sure like a list of some of those biscuit and cake recipes as they sound thoroughly lush.
A wonderful Christmas feast of a book, full of hope, love and sugar sprinkles. I loved it
Review featured at www.books-n-kisses.com
4.25 Hearts Ooooooh this story just gets to the heart. I just loved William. Yes he is a cranky old man but he is also sweet and I would love to sit with him listening to his stories. I can just see sitting in front of a Christmas tree and having his eyes glaze over with memories of the past.
Alexander is an interesting character who has his own issues but somehow worms his way into your heart and Noelle is just wonderful. I enjoyed all the parts of this story. It is perfect as a holiday tale. I can actually see it as a made for tv movie.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
I loved this book so much I am already reading it again! I fell in love with every single character almost as soon as each one was introduced. I haven't been much in the Christmas spirit the last couple years and with a recent loss in our family was pretty sure I'd expect the same this year. But I tell you what, this book made me wish for December and snow and lights and small shops and family and love and hope and all the other things that make Christmas time so magical. Thank you Jenny Hale for reminding me what it is supposed to feel like!!!
The author really knows how to set up the atmosphere in this heartwarming Christmas book. The whole book through I felt like I was wrapped in a warm soft blanket of Christmas complete with the scent of evergreen,Christmas music playing an soft snow falling. This book really makes you realize how much you value family and spending time with them. So enjoyable! I am now on a hunt for more books to read by this author.
Pub Date 29 Sep 2017
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for a review copy in exchange for my honest review.
Light read the characters are unbeliveable,Alex, character should have been developed more,comes over as someone weak,a story that us difficult to believe should have been more down to earth this is why it losses its appeal to readers,in real lufe it would never have happened,more character background was needed to make the story more relistic.
This book has brought me so much joy that I can hardly contain myself! This is my first EVER Jenny Hale novel and it will NOT be my last! I loved every minute of it. The writing style and flow of words are terrific. The characters and romance are flawless. And the story as a whole is pure perfection. I felt everything that was happening here and I couldn't put it down for a moment. I truly loved it and highly recommend it. Make sure to grab you copy for the upcoming holiday season because it will be the perfect companion to snuggle up with by the fireplace with some hot chocolate or wine.
Lovely, festive story about family ties, romance and finding out what's most important to you in life. Think I probably put on a pound in weight just reading about all the delights of Noelle's family bakery, the gingerbread house making and the festive cookies she creates but it was worth it! I finished the book with a smile on my face and with a hankering to make some hot chocolate and play some Christmas music.
*Book provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
Jenny Hale and Christmas, the perfect combination! So obviously I downloaded this beauty right away and yes, I fell in love with it.
The story follows Noelle Parker, mum to six-year-old Lucas, passionate about her grandmother’s bakery and she cares a lot abut her friends and family.
The bakery is facing closure though and that brakes her heart. She is determined to raise funds and revamp the bakery. At the same time, she works as a carer for an elderly man, William Harrington, who lives in this huge mansion.
She also gets to meet his grandson Alexander Harrington. The two men are not on good terms at all and there is a mystery surrounding Alex.
There is a connection between Alex and Noelle from the start. I loved how Jenny Hale captured this and built on it. I love the way their story develops and Alex is so wonderful with Lucas. He works a lot though and thinks his grandfather was never in love with his grandmother. That has a great impact in his life and his decisions.
William of course has his way of the story to tell and Noelle finds out more and more. The truth is maybe a bit shocking, but also wonderful in a way.
Little Lucas is adorable and adds so many sparks to the story. It’s all set around Christmas and the storyline is so magical and cute. Both Noelle and Alex struggle at times. Noelle has to fight for what she wants and Alex needs to learn things about life and how to deal with his feelings. It’s a big journey for them and it’s great to see them go through it together. Of course there is some drama included, but that just makes the story more intense.
I absolutely adore the Christmas vibes in this story, the setting is beautiful and the scenes add a lot personality to everything. All the characters are unique and have their story to tell. Together they form an incredible bunch of people interacting with each other and combined with the Christmas atmosphere it just becomes MAGICAL!
Jenny Hale has a real talent to put romance, family history, Christmas and many other things into one BRILLIANT story. It’s heartwarming, warm, cozy and just MAGICAL!!!
Single mother Noelle is facing a crisis as the family bakery, struggling to turn a profit, seems to be on the verge of closing. She gets a job offer to be a live in caretaker for the rather cantankerous William Harrington. The job has a plus side, she and son Lucas will be able to live in Harrington’s mansion, but she will also have to find a way to drag the old man out of his grumpy moods. For Noelle, that means loads of baking and making the old home look festive for Christmas. There is also a little romance on the side with Harrington’s son, Alex to sweeten the pot. I really enjoyed this upbeat cozy, that focused just as much (or maybe more) on character development as it did on romance, making me like the characters all the more
Pure perfection of a cracking Christmas story that had me entranced from cover to cover. This book is easily the best Christmas book I have read so far this year, and has me really feeling the spirit of Christmas throughout.
For its a story of many elements that meld together so well, in some ways that may surprise you, while I can see aspects of Christmas favourites in there too. For example the workaholic who needs to be reminded about the importance of family, the old man who is slightly grumpy, but has such good reasons for the way he is, to the attempt to keep a family bakery open. There are characters who need to follow their dreams, there is a little boy who sees the world a bit differently, and connects to the least likely of people.
And there is Noelle, who has the most festive name going, with a book that starts of feeling very Christmassy, and just turns into such a fabulous story. Noelle loves Christmas but this year things are tough, as the family bakery may be closing, her beloved Gram isn't with them anymore, and she needs a new job urgently.
The only job in sight is looking after William Harrington, in the family's mansion, where she and son Lucas are allowed to live. Only the Harringtons aren't Noelle's family's favourite people at the moment.
I've always thought that Jenny Hale excelled herself writing Christmas books, and she has completely outdone herself this year. You can't help but warm to the romantic hero in this book, and there are some simply magnificent romantic gestures that had me almost in tears (of joy I think).
There is a story of lost love, storylines of trying to find your place in the world, a 6 year old boy coming out of his shell, loads of snow, and the true magic of the festive season runs through the heart of this book.
I would love to say more but to be honest I'm in danger of either giving spoilers if I enthuse too much, or I'll be running out of superlatives!
Start your festive reading for the season off on the right foot, and take a look at We'll Always Have Christmas, I clearly highly recommend it!
Thank you so much to Bookouture and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
Having recently read The summer house I was excited to see Jenny's book pop up. This was a fantastic feel good warm Christmas book. Full of magic and romance.