Member Reviews

Really enjoyed this novel. Light easy read. Perfect for the holidays! Lovely setting and characters that were believable but often frustrating!!! A magical setting for a winter tale, to be read snuggled up by the fire!

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Christmas at the Chalet is the latest book by Anita Hughes and if you love wonderful locations, beautiful love-stories, richness and the sensation of being cuddled while you read this book sipping a warm cup of tea experiencing another dimension, this dreaming book is for you for sure.
This time the heroine of the story is Felicity Grant.
Felicity is spending some days in the exclusive location of St.Moritz because she is preparing and organizing her biggest fashion show. Felicity is a a star in the bridal business field and she is electrified by the high expectations of her fashion show.
She will promote, she thinks, her best fashion show.
If her career is magnificent, her private life can't say that. Or better: this Christmas Time, she was thinking that maybe her beloved boyfriend would have presented her a ring, but no, he chooses another gift, yes healthy, yes relaxing, but not the one Felicity wanted.
It's an irony this one: she is so talented, she makes happy a lot of brides, but maybe she won't never be a bride.
While Felicity elaborates with a certain sadness her personal moment, at the same time Nell, one of her model is planning her dream wedding although she has some problems with her divorced parents, because they don't tend anymore to speak a lot, and when they are together is a constant discussion.
There are other problems and at first it seems that Felicity and her model can't see any escapism from this dark scenario.

But as always happen in Anita Hughes's books the happy end is ready for all of us.
Written with her beautiful and sunny writing-style, succulent, creative and in love for everything beauty, you will love this love-story so badly!

Highly recommended.

I thank NetGalley and St.Martin's Press for this eBook.

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This story had a lot going on. It had Felicity getting ready for her big bridal fashion show, fighting with her long time boyfriend and meeting a new gentleman. It had a story line of Nell and her parents, 2 more romance couples. I've read other books by Anita Hughes and I liked them a little more than this one. It switched from steamy to sweet and there was just too much going on. The setting was beautifully described and the characters were good. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

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I think I fell in love with the setting in this book. Taking place at a ski chalet in the Swiss Alps the descriptions are just breathtaking. Felicity is a bridal designer hosting the most important show of her career. A fairy tale,light romance in a beautiful location. Nell,one of the gown models is getting married and she invites both of her divorced parents. Can she keep them apart or do they still have feelings for each other? The author pulls you right into her story.
Pub Date 16 Oct 2018
I was given a complimentary copy of this book from St. Martin's Press through NetGalley. Thank you. All opinions expressed are my own.

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There were several stories all woven together in this novel, and some were more interesting than others. I was particularly invested in the model's parents' past timeline love story and current shenanigans for keeping them apart. Felicity's story was somewhat less interesting, as she kept seeking out the doctor and then wondering why there was pictures of them online like a dummy. It seemed obvious to me.

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I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for my review. I have read a lot of Anita Hughes' novels and they tend to be a bit predictable. What is always fun is the exotic settings of her stories. This story takes place in St. Moritz. Felicity Grant is a wedding dress designer and she is in St. Moritz for her style show. In addition to keeping the super models in line, she is also trying to figure out her love life. She had hoped she would be getting engaged for Christmas, but when her boyfriend still didn't propose, she is wondering if they really are meant to be. There are a few other story lines to keep the plot going, but I really found the setting to be the most exciting part of this story.

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I feel like I need to kick off this review by saying how much I enjoy Anita Hughes's books. Emerald Coast remains a favorite of mine, and I adored Monarch Beach.

But this one. Uh .....

For one thing, every time Felicity finds herself unable to make a decision - which happens a LOT - she asks a doctor she meets in St. Moritz to tell her a story. He tells these sorts of fairy tales and fables, and Felicity loves them. But most of the time, those stories have very little to do with what she's struggling with, and after a while they start to feel intrusive and nonsensical.

Then there is the series of mistakes Felicity makes when it comes to her boyfriend and the doctor. With each misstep, she wonders why people react as they do. You will wonder why in the world she keeps making the same mistakes OVER AND OVER AGAIN. At one point, I found myself remembering that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing again and again, expecting a different result. Paging Felicity.

Meanwhile, there are the subplots, one involving a model and the other involving the model's estranged parents. I was all about the former, but the latter? It is impossible for me to have cared less. I started skipping those passages because, much like the good doctor's stories, they threw off the pacing and made me forget that I actually enjoyed reading the book.

Because, dear reader, I did. I couldn't help but get into the setting, and I couldn't help but want to know how things were going to turn out for Felicity. So that's good, right? That means that I can still love Anita Hughes even if this book, comparatively speaking, is a huge disappointment. Right?

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A light story that anyone who like romance will certainly enjoy. San Moritz is shown in all its loveliness with beautiful and exciting entities; the gorgeous surroundings, the exquisite clothing, the famous restaurants and delicious foods.
Anyone who enjoys reading about the life of the rich and famous will devour this love story and all its glamour.

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This is an enchanting, fairy tale like romance set in glamorous Saint Moritz. Engaging characters and
an interesting story make this book a perfect holiday read. I also liked reading the evocative descriptions and history of the beautiful town.

Felicity, the heroine, a successful wedding dress designer is in town to organize a fashion show. Troubled by her boyfriend's reluctance to marry, she also has to work hard to make designs for a new contract.When a handsome, single Doctor keeps saving her from accidents, Felicity has a new but exciting dilemma!

Nell, one of Felicity's models, is getting married and wants her divorced parents to attend. When they both turn up in town, she has to struggle to keep them apart... But do they still love each other after all?

I enjoy Anita Hughes's romances and hope to read all of them!

I received this free ebook from Net Galley in return for an honest review.

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As always, this author puts me right in the story. Her descriptions of setting always make me feel like I’ve lived in them. And this one was just extra delicious and put me right in the holiday spirit. Perfection!

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DNF too light and frothy for my taste. Readers who enjoy light beach reads, or in this case, snow, I’m sure will enjoy.

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When Felicity doesn't get a ring for Christmas, she goes to Moritz with a new mindset to reevaluate her life. An opportunity to design gowns for a famous store is the chance of a lifetime as she has her own runway show. An unexpected injury brings a doctor into her life, and she sees things differently. Her future has so much possibility if she can get past the broken heart.

Nell, a model in the runway show, is engaged to be married. One problem--her divorced parents won't both be at her wedding. As she learns of their past in Moritz and while growing up, truths come to life.

Both are in need of holiday miracles. Will everything fall into place for Felicity and Nell before the holidays are over? The glamorous life in Moritz and the twinkling snow has a way of finding hope and love when all is thought lost.

**received an ARC from Netgalley**

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A delightful exotic Christmas love story with strong, compelling characters that pull readers into their story. The holidays are a time that readers can expect miracles in their romance and this story certainly lives up to that expectation as Felicity Grant and Nell both wish for a Christmas miracle. Felicity is a successful bridal designer who’s beginning to think that she will never where one of her own designs since her longtime boyfriend still hasn’t popped the question and seems to be resisting getting married at all. Nell is one of Felicity’s models and she trying to plan her dream wedding, only problem is her parents refuse to be in the same room as the other. As hijinks ensure in a wonderfully exotic setting, this fast paced plot keeps readers on their toes with lots of intriguing events and emotional turbulence that ensures that readers are rooting for those Christmas miracles for Felicity and Nell. Added suspense comes from Felicity’s career as a prestigious bridal salon is interested in her designs and she meets a Doctor that is a knight in shining armor, at least he is for Felicity. Meanwhile, Nell’s parents have both joined Nell in St. Moritz for the fashion show and Nell has to keep them apart. The story is a delightfully charming read that causes some chuckling and some feel good emotions in readers and the Felicity’s romance is a bit different and doesn’t turn out the way most readers would expect.

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Christmas at the Chalet is the perfect book to escape with...a romantic story set in a beautiful locale, filled with the sights, sounds and tastes of the season! Cozy up to this book and get swept away to St. Moritz!

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Anita Hughes is the author of over a dozen novels that take readers to exotic locales such as Paris, Rome, St. Barts, Monarch Beach, the Hamptons and this Christmas season we jet off of to St. Moritz, Switzerland. In CHRISTMAS AT THE CHALET (St.Martin'sPress), New York bridal designer Felicity Grant is showing her eighth and most glamorous bridal collection at the five-star, Badrutt's Palace Hotel.

CHRISTMAS AT THE CHALET takes place over the seven days before the event. It's a blur of mouth-watering cuisine, high couture, the absolute A-list and of course, romance! It's everything readers have come to expect from an Anita Hughes novel. Felicity is most excited to unveil her organza bridal gown with diamond snowflake buttons, but first, she's going to need a Christmas miracle.

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I must admit that the story couldn*t really convince me. There was simply too much going on at the same time.

If it had just been Nell's story, I might have been more satisfied but Felicity and her story, well. I couldn't understand the way she behaved when it came to Gabriel, it felt as if she was taking advantage of him and a bit more caution would have been nice as well, at least once she had realized that she was watched.

Jumping back and forth and jumping from Nell and the story of her parents and Felicity and Adam now and then and everything else going on, it never really felt intense and I wasn't pulled into the story or felt with the characters. I felt like I was watching from the outside, polite interest and all but never really involved. Apart from some minor details, the story seemed rather predictable. Even in the end, it couldn't convince me because I had been waiting for this development and the only thing I was curious about was how Felicity would justify her decisions.

It all seemed a bit forced, actually and a bit too much of everything. Too many coincidences, too many problems (okay, scratch that, that's probably the most believable part), too many minor storylines that never went deep enough and left me wanting more. More feelings, more depth, more....well, more of a story.

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Rating: 3.5/5

Gosh what a mix this proved to be! There’s Felicity Grant, a bridal designer who is showing her latest collection in St Moritz but also having her own relationship difficulties after falling out with her boyfriend just before she left for this show. There’s also Nell, who is happily engaged and planning her marriage but having her plans thwarted by her parents who don’t want to breathe the same air as each other - but both are staying in St Moritz to see her not knowing the other is also there. Then there’s a handsome doctor who keeps coming to the rescue for Felicity and she keeps turning to him for relationship advice . . . and photos of the two of them show up with inaccurate captions making her boyfriend jealous. As I said, what a mix!

There are some laugh out loud moments in the story and the setting is vividly brought to life in the imagination of the reader. The convoluted escapades, especially of Felicity, had me questioning her moving on so swiftly from her six year long relationship - though it definitely seemed about time she did so! The ending, however, is delightful and brings the whole mix happily to a fun, festive end.

I requested and was given a copy of this book, via NetGalley. This is my honest review of the book after choosing to read it.

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We are off to visit St. Moritz, Switzerland for
the winter collection Bridal Show!!
This is the where Felicity Grant has planned
to introduce the Felicity Grant Bridal winter
collection. She is accompanied by her top
models and business partner.
The show will take place during the week
between Christmas and the New Year.
Adam, Felicity’s boyfriend did not accompany
them to Switzerland. They have been dating
for six years but no engagement ring. So
does he really want to settle down with her??
Amongst the glamorous gowns, the fabrics,
the models, the cuisine, wealth, folklore and
glitz of St Moritz, you will find sadness when
another Christmas passes without an
engagement ring. But this changes when
Felicity meets Dr. Gabriel Innes who assists
her after an twisted ankle after slipping on ice.
Then takes her to dinner,
And drama is taking place with one of her
models and her estranged parents.
The scenery is astoundingly described. You
will feel as if you in the Chalet in front of the
fireplace. You will see the snow covered village,
the trees that twinkle but beware of slippery
ice patches. Make sure you are bundled up warm
for the cold seeps into the reader.
Christmas magic abounds in this well written,
double drama, interesting and ritzy romantic story.
I volunteered to read Christmas at the Chalet.
Thanks to Net Gallery and St Martin’s Press for
the opportunity. My opinion is my own.

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A perfect wintery read! This would be great to curl up in front of a fire with some cocoa and read! It had me longing for a vacation to the mountains! The descriptive amazing writing made me feel Iike I was there in the gorgeous alps along with all the characters. I loved the insight into someone working in fashion and design and the characters felt like real people I would want to be friends with. Such a cute lush story with romance, humor and everything else that makes a great story!

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The author employed an interesting (at least to me) storytelling technique in this story. There are basically 3 characters "lives" being told throughout this book. There is Felicity (the true main character); wedding dress designer, Nell, Felicity's top model for her designs; and Nell's parents, Patty and Todd. The current story setting is St Moritz during the week between Christmas and the New Year. Raj, Felicity's business partner, decided to have the fashion show in St Moritz on New Year's Eve, instead of N.Y.; and created hype around the upcoming event.

There is a lot of dialogue in the story. I felt that the characters were likable and believable; for the most part. It was an enjoyable story. Christmas wasn't really a character in this story; it's sort of a back-drop along with the skiing. All-in-all it's a cute, quick read and we get to see St Moritz thru the author's eyes in the week after Christmas.

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