Member Reviews

Rating: 3.75 stars

Emily Diemer works in a Victorian B&B named Weber Haus owned by Matilda Weber also known as Aunt Tilly or Ms. Tilly who is nearly 80 years old. Emily cooks for the guests and has a dream to own her own bakery someday. She is excited about the holidays but not excited about someone who is visiting Ms. Tilly, her nephew Lukas Weber.

Emily thinks Lukas is an ignorant nephew who is doesn't want to take care of his aging aunt, who is his only family and is solely focused on his photography career and jetting from one place to another across the world.

Snowball is a pet kitten with white fur who doesn't agree with Emily and thinks she and Lukas are perfect for each other and starts playing a matchmaker.

As soon as Lukas arrives he starts getting involved with jobs like taking care and fixing the property, helping Emily in the kitchen, and getting mixed up in Snowball’s antics. With him so involved, Emily starts to soften up a little and finds that there is more to him.

Lukas is going to sell Weber Haus so that Miss Tilly can retire but the little kitten believes that this B&B, and these people, are her forever home.

What I loved about this book:
1. The setting of this book is so cozy and perfect. There is snow, lit fires, Christmas round the corner.
2. Lovely and perfect characters. They will always do the right thing. I loved Aunt Tilly.
3. Snowball a little fluffball is so cute and has blue eyes. It was interesting to watch a kitten play a matchmaker and all the mischief that followed along.

What could have been better:
1. Emily and Lukas had an instant attraction, they understood each other and were always there to help each other. I think their chemistry could have been stronger. I would have loved some more scenes where Lukas and Emily could spend alone time talking and knowing each other more.

Was this review helpful?

This was a cute little story about a white fluffball of a kitten and the humans she hopes to keep as her own. It was a quick, easy read; a mostly happy little distraction from many of the heavier cares of the world. Definitely something that would be a delightfully cozy read on a cold winter's day.

The main characters are all interesting, and pretty well developed for the short length of the novel. Some of the minor characters were, of course, less fleshed out, but that's to be expected. Emily and Lukas were cute together in the few scenes where they interacted. However, their shared time seemed very insufficient to has allowed either of them to develop any real feelings for the other. Besides which, both were extremely wishy-washy about just about everything, from their thoughts on a relationship between them to plans for the inn and otherwise. And they definitely were not good at communicating their thoughts or feelings. Snowball seemed alternately to be just a mischevious little kitten, a brilliant mastermind, or a wielder of magic; I was never quite sure which. Miss Tilly was definitely my favorite character of the bunch.

The book alternated between Emily's point of view and that of Lukas, with Snowball's thoughts sometimes randomly thrown in. It was often hard to tell where one perspective ended and another began, especially in regards to the cat. Occasionally, the viewpoint seemed to shift mid-stream even.

Other than that, it was a cute, endearing, clean romance, with just enough Christmas flare to make it an especially fun read over the upcoming holiday season.

Was this review helpful?

I really liked the cover on this book. It enticed me to read the synopsis and give it a chance.
I found it to be an easy delightful read to put me in the holiday spirit.
This romance was just the thing I needed to lift my spirits.

I was given an advanced reader’s copy. I am not required to leave a positive review.

Was this review helpful?

This is a must-read for the holiday season! In this enchanting Christmas romance we see a small snippet of each chapter told from the point of view of an adorable kitten. I mean, just look at the fluffy wuffy cuteness that is the cover art, and tell me you're not intrigued! As if that wasn't enough, we have a snowy landscape at a picturesque Inn, two people who fall in love, and German Christmas traditions and food on top of everything. While reading this book, believe me when I say it will leave you with a smile on your face pretty much from start to finish, and for a few days afterwards. You'll probably chuckle aloud a time or two, and your toes will curl with glee. If it doesn't? Well you just might be the Grinch of the holiday season.

This was exactly the kind of romance book I didn't know I needed right now. Initially I thought it was way too early in the season for a snowy Christmas read, but it was simply the perfect amount of light-hearted fun and romance necessary to escape all the stresses of the world.

This novel presents us with the perfect recipe of a romance: the book has soul, and these characters have heart. Even during moments which cause friction, we can see that the decisions of Emily and Lukas come from a good place. For example, the synopsis introduces us to the fact that Lukas wants to sell his aunt's Inn, and while I went into this read expecting to see him as a somewhat selfish character, I was surprised to find that his goal of selling the Inn was bred solely from the desire to ensure his aunt was being taken care of. Emily was also intent on hating Lukas for a good portion of the read, as she couldn't help but see him as a neglectful nephew to the woman she's come to love as family. Her oftentimes childish fixation to dislike Lukas became a bit easier to understand when we see it was due to her love of Aunt Tilly.

Even Snowball the kitten had the best of intentions during her moments of craziness! Sure, she could be such a little troublemaker at times, but she just wanted these silly humans to fall in love and kiss already! For those of you who aren't cat people (firstly, how dare you?), don't let that deter you from this read! Snowball was unbelievably adorable in all her fluffy cuteness, and at times even took on the characteristics of a dog. She would fetch things (even if not asked for), she was snuggly and affectionate, and could even follow direction...kind of.

Was this review helpful?

The story is about a man returning to his aunt after a few years and meeting and falling in love with a lady she has hired to help out at the guest house. There is also the story of a white kitten who tells some of the story but is not a main focus. I felt the story was slow-moving and would have had more focus on the kitten. I didn’t like the female lead character at all as she was so mean that I couldn’t see how the lead guy would remain infatuated. Also I expected more of a story and relationship in the story with the aunt and the man returning, but it was not there.

Was this review helpful?

This was such a cute Christmas romance. I loved Snowball the kitten and his antics to get the hero and heroine together.

Was this review helpful?

I really enjoyed reading this wonderful novel, Snowball is a very bright clever kitten and knows what should be happening and manages to make the magic work. The three main characters are Tilly, is the Aunt of Lukas and Emily is the cook for the B&B but dreams of owning her own bakery. Snow ball has plenty of ways to get things moving in the right way. That is all I am going to tell you as I don't want to spoil the story. This book has a wonderful Christmas feel to it but it was just as lovely reading it in August. I wish I could give it more than 5 stars as it is well worth it. You will enjoy this as I have done. Well done to Kristen for a beautiful novel, I hope to see a lot more of your writing.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in return for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Congratulations! Your review for Snowball's Christmas, captioned
below, has been published. Visit
<https://freshfiction.com/review.php?id=71722> to view your
published review.

Was this review helpful?

This was a very pleasant story. I really enjoyed the kittens point of view throughout the story. This story kicked of this years first Christmas read for me.

Emily is a baker and dreams of having her own bakery one day. Lukas is a photographer that travels the world. Tilly is the owner of the inn. Lukas comes home to visit his aunt Tilly. He runs into Emily in town on his way in. This is a story of struggles, enlightenment, humor, and love. Most of all it's about Christmas, Family, and love. I'm really glad I was able to read and review this story. I give it 4.5 stars.

Was this review helpful?

A fun Christmas romance.

Snowball is a cute, but mischievous, kitten who knows what she wants and won't settle for less. So, when she decides Emily Diemer and Lukas Weber belong together, she does everything she can to make it happen.

Lukas has returned to Weber Haus, the B&B where his Aunt Tilly raised him, for the first Christmas in years. As a professional photographer, he was usually traveling all year long. This year he wanted to be home with his aunt. Little did he realize meeting Emily, who makes the fabulous meals at the B&B, would change his life.

Emily has one goal and it's to own her own bakery. She works hard at the B&B while planning her future. Lukas is a distraction she doesn't need. But as they work together, and the romance grows between them, it leaves Emily more confused. She doesn't want to fall for Lukas knowing he will soon be leaving. With the help of Snowball and a Christmas miracle, they just might get their happily ever after.

If Snowball has her way, she will have Lukas and Emily paired up b Christmas. All Snowball wants is a happy family with Lukas, Emily and Tilly.

This was such a cute story. I couldn't get enough of it. I especially liked how Snowball would fend off the advances one man made on Emily so she would end up with Lukas. I hope we will be seeing more of Snowball and her silly antics in the future.

Was this review helpful?

This is just cute, Snowball the kitten knows, just knows, that Emily and Lukas belong together. They aren't sure about that, especially Emily, who feels that Lukas is treading where he shouldn't. See, Emily works with his Aunt Tilly at her B&B. Yes, Tilly is aging but Emily doesn't agree with Lukas, her nephew, that it's time for her to retire, Any love story where a kitten plays a role is in danger of going a bit wonky but this one works. The characters are nice (especially Snowball) and the story will make you smile. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A happy read.

Was this review helpful?

I received an advanced reader copy on NetGalley to review.

The book is a light, fluffy romance that would be perfect for the holidays. Lukas comes home to see his aunt over the holidays and finds the inn that she runs in need of repairs. The cook, Emily, is run down from her work at the house and her side business, baking. Snowball is convinced that they should be together and has made it her mission to bring them together.

The story switches between the POVs of Lukas and Emily, but also includes short pieces from Snowball which are cute and make the story unique. I liked both Lukas and Emily and enjoyed seeing them together, but the story and the problems they faced could get a bit repetitive. Overall, it was an enjoyable romance with a message about the importance of family and following your dreams.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3533672416

Was this review helpful?

Review featured at www.books-n-kisses.com

3.75 Hearts This was a quick read that had me read to start the holidays. I will admit it was the cover that dragged me in and then I read the synopsis and thought “Why not?” and I am glad I did. This is a sweet holiday romance set about by a kitten who’s animal instinct tells her Emily and Lukas are supposed to be together.

Having had kittens throughout my life I could imagine every scene of this little furball… I mean Snowball… as it happens.

The story is perfect to start off the season of holiday romances.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Thanks for the early look at this heart-warming charmer. I bought copies for our collection. Saw a lot of buzz and librarian love for it in the galley chat, which caught my eye. Cats, holidays, and love. What’s not to like?

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to NetGalley, Kristen McKanagh and Kensington Books for the ARC of Snowballs Christmas. This is my personal review for the ARC.

Snowball's Christmas was a fun holiday story to read. Having a kitten be a match maker was such a fun way to bring Lukas and Emily together.
Snowball wants a forever home and getting Lukas and Emily to see they belong together is the perfect way to have that forever home!

Was this review helpful?

A sweet Christmas story from kitten's point of view. Snowball is convinced that she's found her forever home and is determined to get her two favorite people together. The antics of Snowball are realistic and amusing. The story is predictable but fun to read. Recommended!

Was this review helpful?

This is a well written clean sweet Christmas story that I absolutely loved! I loved how the story was told from Snowball's (the cutest kitten ever) point of view and from Lukas and Emily's point of view. I hope to read more of Snowball's adventures. I highly recommend this book,. Thank you Kensington Books via NetGalley for the ARC copy of the delightful book. All opinions expressed are my own.

Was this review helpful?

charming book taking place around Christmas at a country inn I loved the protagonists and the way that each chapter was told from three points of view: the hero's, the heroine's, and Snowball's, (a white kitten). I hope we'll see more of Snowball's adventures soon.

Was this review helpful?

Loved the book. It is a whimsical story about a little kitten named Snowball. When she sees that Miss Tilly's nephew Lukas is attracted to Miss Tilly's colleague Emily, little Snowball decides to try to get them together. Lukas was orphaned at a young age so he came to live with his aunt Miss Tilly who runs a bed and breakfast inn,

Now Lukas is a grown up and his career as a photographer takes him away. He travels around the world and has not visited his aunt for a while. Meanwhile Miss Tilly hired Emily who works as a Cook and she helps Miss Tilly. Emily has a dream of owning a bakery someday.

Lukas comes home for Christmas to surprise his aunt and meets Emily. This story is reminiscent of a Hallmark Channel movie with romantic overtones. I could see this as a Hallmark movie.

Was this review helpful?

As a rule, I'm not a huge fan of sweet romances, I like something with a little bit more spice. The premise of this one appealed to me, even if it's not Christmas right now, the idea of a kitten trying to sort everyone out and get the couple together appealed to me.
Lukas has returned to his Aunt's bed and breakfast for the first time in years. While he's been gone, things have become quite run down and it's clear that she has been struggling. Amazing baker and cook Emily has been helping her out, but it's obvious to Lukas that it's about time that his Aunt retired. What he doesn't count on is the attraction he feels for Emily and with a little help from Snowball the kitten, he soon begins to wonder if selling up is really the best option.
This was quite a sweet romance. I enjoyed the growing romance between Emily and Lukas. She distrusts him from the beginning and although she does her best to keep him at arm's length, it's clear that she can't resist him, any more than he can resist her.
Snowball does try to get things moving along, but the meddling from the kitten is quite funny and almost has the opposite effect from time to time.
I enjoyed this dip into a different kind of read for me and I'd be happy to read more from Kristen McKanagh.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Was this review helpful?