Member Reviews
I got caught up in this book - it was a page-turner and right in time for the festive season which, let's face it, is fast-approaching.
The book was split into viewpoints from 3 main characters - Nina, Holly and Angie - but it still flowed very well as a whole.
Nina's story had such a sad undertone to it which despite not having suffered the loss she has, I still resonated with. Her story was sympathetically written and I thought her idea towards the very end of the book (no spoilers!) was truly fantastic and so well imagined from Erin Green.
Holly's character may well have been my favourite, it was nice to see someone put a younger (16) character into a lead role and show just how sensible they can be. Her relationship was sweet and did not feel fake or rushed and much like for so many teenagers in real life she has to contend with issues such as sex and bullying (unrelated).
When there is a favourite character, there has to be a least favourite and sorry Angie but it's you! I hasten to add I did not dislike her! Perhaps as a child of divorce and with no children of my own it is easy to judge her as a bit selfish - not necessarily in her decision that took place prior to the book but in her relationship at times with her son and partner afterwards.
It was enjoyable and a bit different to have 3 main characters of varying age ranges; their stories link together loosely but that in no way takes anything away from the enjoyment factor and to top it all I may just need to buy a real Christmas tree this year - who knows who I'll meet at my very own Christmas Tree Farm!
On the whole, it was an enjoyable book. The book contains the stories of three women going through different things at Christmas time—Angie who divorced her husband earlier that year and is having second thoughts, Nina who experienced the loss of her father the previous Christmas, and Holly who is dealing with high school love and drama. They all interweave and of course involve the Christmas Tree Farm.
I liked Angie's story the best as she and her husband navigated their relationship over the past 18 years, the toll that the split took on all members of their family (they have a 16 year old son), what went wrong in their marriage, and if getting back together could even really work.
Holly's story was cute, even if a little small on substance. She dealt with stereotypical mean girls at school and had her first relationship.
Nina's story was the one that really missed the mark for me. I don't want to give anything away because I write spoiler-free reviews, but her love story was just not interesting and felt really weird to me. I was interested in her story from the beginning because here is a woman who has experienced a terrible loss in her life and is trying to figure out how to keep living. She ends up getting her Christmas spirit back (that also felt a little funky), but the love story came about in a strange way.
Content-wise, there are a couple non-explicit sex scenes and some (as far as I can remember) very mild language.
All in all, if this gets adapted into a Hallmark movie, I'll watch it. But there are plenty of other Christmas books I would recommend to read over this one.
A nice Christmas novel in a lovely setting this novel follows Holly,Nina and Angie and telling their stories with warmth and love Erin brings the characters to life as you share the journeys with them as they try to find happiness and love a good read and should appeal to most ages
Very enjoyable story about a group of people and centred around a Christmas tree farm. I liked the way the story was split into each person's part and clearly labelled so you knew where you were. It did take me a little while to get the characters straight, and who linked to who, but I once I'd got that sorted out in my head it was very clear.
The main characters are Nina, Holly and Angie.
Nina is 25 and works on the Christmas tree farm, and has done for the last 9 years. She very sadly lost her Father just before Christmas last year and now lives on her own in their house, as it was just her and her Dad. In her mind she is never going to celebrate Christmas again and is quite a sad character, although she is very good friends with Bram and Zach, the twin sons of the owner of the Christmas tree farm, and they are always trying to keep an eye out for her.
Holly is a 16 year old trying to avoid the 'mean girls' at school who always taunt her. She has a best friend, Demi, and then gets involved with one of the most popular boys in school, Alfie, when he unexpectedly asks her out. I really liked Holly, she was a typical teenager but with a good head on her shoulders.
Angie, as it turned out, is Alfie's Mum and left the family home (Angie, husband Nick and Alfie) at the beginning of the year as she wasn't happy in her relationship and looking for something 'more'. Angie and Nick have since got divorced, but now Angie has finally 'found herself' and wants to get back to her husband and family. Alfie definitely has feelings of resentment towards her, and very understandably so. I didn't like her at all, she ran off then expected everything to go back to normal when she decided she wanted to come back, taking control of her son's life and telling him what he should be doing, when she had hardly contacted him at all in months. A very selfish person that I really couldn't warm to at all.
There were some interesting side characters too as the book progresses and we learn that one of Angie's friends is actually Nina's estranged Mother, so the characters and story starts to merge as the book goes on, and it all culminates in a Christmas Eve wedding at the Christmas tree farm which all the characters attend, either as guests or workers. Very clever ending bringing all the strands of the story together. And the additional epilogue was a nice touch. There were a couple of loose ends that I would have liked to know more about, what happened to the nasty teenagers causing major hassle at the Christmas tree farm, and more about Nina and her Mum, but I suppose it does always leave things open for a sequel.
Very enjoyable book. I look forward to reading more by Erin Green.
Christmas time through the eyes of Nina, a woman mourning her father's death, Angie,a divorcee, and Holly, a teen being bullied at school. Follow their lives to see how the Christmas Tree Farm impact their lives. Great holiday read.
This is my first book by this author and I absolutely loved it... I will be searching out other books to add to my TBR pile.
The story is based around 3 women who are each going through their own struggles but are connected via The Christmas Tree Farm.
Nina... works on the farm with the owners Twin sons, both vying for her attention, doesn’t feel anything romantic (just friendship), never has... until Mr Stomach-Flip who doesn’t buy a tree, is about to marry, catches her eye!
Angie... left her husband and son at the beginning of the year to find herself. Full of her own emotions, right to a life of her own... realises she’s thrown away the best years of her life. Can she get her family back and what will she do to make it happen?
Holly... a teenager full of self doubt, picked on at school, asked out by the handsome popular boy at school... wondering if he’s for real?
The characters and their romantic stories are all brought together in a lovely way.
A truly magical Christmas story of hope and courage at a Christmas Tree Farm.
This is the third release from this author and only goes to prove one thing – this is one lady that we shall be enjoying releases from for years to come.
A story of multiple interlocking characters told in short chapters so the whole story moves along at a cracking pace, made easy to follow by having the name of each character at the start of each chapter. Nina is the main protagonist and she’s not in the mood to celebrate Christmas this year, though she has a very understandable reason, not an easy task considering she works on the farm in the title.
Holly (apt) is having trouble at school, though things take an unexpected turn for the best when the very desirable Jethro asks her out, much to the annoyance of some. His divorced mother Angie now believes she’s made a hasty mistake and wants to get back together with her husband, but Jethro is not happy about this.
Various other characters trot in and out of the story all adding their woes and tales that form important parts of the whole.
If you want to know more about the story, then you’ll just have to read the book – you won’t be disappointed, I assure you.
This is a very enjoyable, solid Christmas tale that you’ll come back to year after year.
If you’ve not come across Ms Green before, then welcome to someone whom I’m certain will become one of your favourite authors; as she is mine.
Enjoy.
I love Erin’s books! Beautiful lighthearted and cosy on a winters night a must this winter as well as her others
I've just recently finish Erin Green's other Christmas novel which was amazing and this one is no different. Erin Green is definitely a writer who can write brilliant Christmas novels! It was intriguing, entertaining, heartwarming and overall just a generally really easy and lighthearted read.
This novel is based around three different women, who are all in some way connected via the Christmas Tree Farm. Nina works at the farm but is suffering after her father's death the following year, Holly is a school girl who is bullied by her fellow classmates, and Angie is a divorced mum but is living separately from her ex-husband and son. As you can see, all three characters are suffering from some kind of heartache, but the magic of the Christmas Tree Farm manages to pull everything together for them just in time for Christmas - and that sure is magical!
Overall, an enjoyable read. I'm loving this authors novels.
This book centers on 3 different characters who are all connected somehow to the Christmas tree farm. I didn't find all the characters particularly appealing, but the book brings all the characters and their various romantic stories together in a satisfying conclusion.
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A Truely magic Christmas tale of hope and courage at Christmas tree farm your immediately drawn in from the first chapter trying to cope with a loss of a parent a marriage that wasn't what you thought it was, being young and your first boyfriend it's all here in this totally fabulous Christmas story all you have to add is a big mug of hot chocolate and a cosy fire.
This is the story of three separate women who are all at different stages of their lives and it is all set around a lovely Christmas tree farm! This story is not just your typical Christmas story but it will take you through every emotion possible!
It's such a fab story that will have you ready for the Christmas season!
I have to admit that I struggled with the first couple of chapters in this book. I found them a bit boring and I had to force myself to continue reading. However I made it to the end and really did enjoy the storyline and the inevitable happy ending. With Father Christmas, the elves, a Christmas wedding, a robin and a couple,of laugh out loud moments I got into the Christmas spirit of this book
Nina, who is struggling with the anniversary of her fathers death loves helping families find their perfect Christmas tree. When The Christmas Holiday arrives she wants to be alone with her memories but fate has a different course for her. Angie walked out on her husband and son but soon realised that her happy ever after had to include them. She bravely tries to get her family back but her son finds it difficult to,forgive her. Holly is still at school and is tormented by a group of girls who make her life difficult. Reading how her confidence grows when a boy invites her to accompany him to,the local youth club is beautifully written.
The Christmas Tree Farm pulls everyone together with a bit of drama, friendship, romance and beautifully described scenery.
A charming and at times bittersweet tale of three woman at different stages in their life’s all experiencing love and its effect on life. Engaging and sweet yet at times heart rending. I really annoyed this book. I love Christmas and this truly puts you in the Christmas spirit.
This put me right in the holiday spirit a few months early.
Three different women. Three different stages in their relationships. Annie is hoping to rekindle her former marriage, Nina wants to avoid the holidays and men after the recent death of her father, and Holly, still in school, is just starting with her first boyfriend. Love is certainly in the air as these women’s lives buck and weave against the backdrop of a winter wedding at the magical Christmas Tree Farm.
What I love about this book is how deeply complicated each of these characters are. Angie and her son have a rocky relationship after her divorce, and their scenes together are some of the most effective. Similarly, Nina’s response to the one year anniversary to her father’s death is effective because of how realistically it’s treated. And that’s a common theme in this book. Author Erin Green had me totally immersed in each of these three worlds.
This isn’t to suggest this book is all sad situations. It’s endearing and a little heartbreaking, but it’s also a lot of fun. I found myself chuckling a lot, particularly at a scene involving Angie and a misplaced blouse.
Overall, this is a really strong romance with a lot of great characters and an enchanting setting.
This was a charming, sometimes bittersweet holiday tale set in a small town in England. It follows 3 women in different stages of their lives, and the challenging situations and decisions they face over the course of this Christmas season.
I appreciated that all the main characters were so real, with depth, even though I didn't really like one of them too much. Though they are all connected in some way, they don't know each other at the start of the book. And they aren't all actively looking for romance, but it ends up finding each one, in one way or another. It's wonderful how each story runs parallel with the others, and they sometimes intertwine.
The story came to a satisfying conclusion, wrapping up all loose ends, without being rushed or over-explained.
I received an advance copy of this book. This review is my honest thoughts and opinions.
I've heard of this author but not read any of her books but now want to read her others as so well written with great characters and you really get into the Christmas spirit. It's based around three main characters and can they all create the perfect Christmas or is it harder than they thought. They all select there wonderful Christmas trees from the perfect Christmas tree farm and want the perfect tree but can they have the perfect lives. Funny and heartwarming as well. Has romance in it to well worth reading.
You have three main characters which are;
Nina who works at the Christmas tree farm and loves choosing the perfect tree for each person that wants a tree. She has great fun and sadly her past isn't as easy and she has an admirer but is he the rest hot guy for her and can she move forward from loosing her father a year ago.
Angie left her husband and son but now wants them back and can she won them over or not and all she wants is her family t Berger does her wish come true.
Holly is only a teenager but hits at school aren't nice to her she has a handsome boy takes interest in her will her family be happy and can she be happy or not.
Love how the Christmas tree farm starts having weddings there to but can this go well or does distaste strike and out the farm in danger.
Great read and so warm and wondering if they get want they want it not.
I just could not connect to the characters or their stories. I did not like Angie. Sorry. I wasn’t a fan of the others either. I tried and I continued to the end out of respect for the writer.