A Very Merry Manhattan Christmas

I cannot rate this book enough! I literally could not put this down and when i had to, I could not stop thinking about Dale and Lucie. The story seems so obvious at the start but the storyline keeps you gript to the very end. I was sad to finish this as it truly is a fantastic easy read. You instantly fall in love with Dale and feel for Lucie as you learn her story. This is one of if not the best romantic Christmas book i have ever read !!

A perfect read. There is no better way to play hookey from what you should be doing. I loved it.

4.5 star review of A Very Merry Manhattan Christmas by Darcie Boleyn
What's not to love? It's the most magical time of the year and also happens to be my most favourite holiday. I love any story that is centred on Christmas; it’s a time for family and friends to get together and celebrate life.
This was a fun, quirky, fast read and one I thoroughly enjoyed. Darcie Boleyn is a new author to me and I was impressed with her writing style; I felt at times I was transported to Manhattan.
Lucie Quigley hates Christmas, for her Christmas is a reminder of what she has lost and she does her best to avoid it each year.
Dale Treharne is Lucie’s best friends, he supports her and often saves Lucie from disasters which seem to occur around her; without Dale, Lucie would flounder. Dale is determined to make this Christmas special and give Lucie good memories.
Dale and Lucie have a long and complicated history; friends since childhood they indulged in a quick and passionate romance before Lucie went off to college and on her return have remained best friends. Now she’s been coerced into being a bridesmaid for an old college friend, only problem is the wedding is in New York. What’s a girl to do but convince her best friend to go with her?
After they arrive in New York it soon becomes clear to both of them that their feelings towards each other have deepened. What happens when they both want to take their relationship to the next level, but neither is prepared to be the one to put the suggestion out there?
It is obvious to all their family and friends that the chemistry these two have towards each other should be pursued. Will they let their past ruin the chance at a wonderful future, or will the magic of Manhattan at Christmas weave its spell?
The only downside to me is that they this was not a particularly long book and I was so sad when it ended.
I received a copy of this book through the publisher via Netgalley.

4.5 Stars

Another enchanting book from the talented Darcie Boleyn, and probably the third or fourth book I have read set in New York at Christmas this year alone. However this is definitely a good contender for Christmas in New York book of the season, as it follows the story of Lucie and Dale, childhood best friends.

Lucie though is not a fan of Christmas with good reason, which is hinted at throughout the book, and finally revealed. Dale loves Christmas and when Lucie asks if he will accompany her to New York over Christmas, so she can be a bridesmaid, he doesn't hesitate to say yes.

The only slight flaw in the plan is when Dale lets his parents know he won't be coming over for Christmas, because of Lucie, they make a massive assumption about the pair, that leads to a spiralling set of lies.

What starts and looks like your general light hearted Christmas book, evolves around mid way into something that is very compelling to read, and has a bit more depth to it and plenty of strands of storylines.

The overwhelming thought I will take from the book is just what a thoughtful and romantic sort of guy Dale is. He is the ultimate boy next door sort, and seems to always be there just as Lucie needs him. Lucie is the sort of girl who although she hates Christmas, she is willing to try a bit harder this year just to make her friend happy, and slowly her heart starts to melt towards the season.

There are some classic New York moments in this, and I especially loved the description of the Christmas tree at the Rockefeller Centre, as well as the carriage ride around Central Park .These are things I only ever see in books, but hope one day I will get to experience for myself, but until then I am happy to lose myself in festive fiction such as this very enjoyable book.

Thank you so much to Canelo and Netgalley for my copy of this book. This was my honest opinion.

A very Merry Manhattan Christmas follows Lucie as she travels to Manhattan with her best friend, Dale, for a Christmas wedding. During her trip, she faces her demons from past Christmases and finds redemption for the holidays. This light, indulgent novel is very predictable, but its predictability doesn't take away from the enjoyment you get while reading. Overall, a wonderful, romantic Christmas tale!

I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.

I received this e-book for free from Netgalley to read and review A Very Merry Manhattan Christmas by Darcie Boleyn. I have never written anything from the author Darcie Boleyn. I liked the book I think it was well written and flowed. I was caught off sometimes because of the wording they used but consider where the characters Lucie and Dale lived that is not surprising. I loved how the author gave some background about these two main characters but it didn't interrupt the flow of the book. Lucie and Dale had great chemistry that you could feel from the book and you could tell that they are the best of friends. That bring out the best in each other. I thought it was great that this was based around Christmas time. And the ending was perfect on how it turned out and everything was wrapped up by Christmas. I appreciate that the author included a epilogue. You could be frustrated with these characters at times but could understand why they did what they did. And I loved how the author Darcie Boleyn went in depth a little to explain Lucie was of thinking and how she handles things. I would definitely recommend this book, If this doesn't get you in the Christmas spirit then you will never be in a spirit,

This was a very enjoyable, easy reading story set around Lucie and Dale, who have been best friends forever. Lucie is invited to her rich friend's wedding in Manhattan at Christmas, all expenses paid, and she persuades Dale to come along as her plus one.

Christmas is always a hard time of year for Lucie because her Mum died on Christmas Eve so she has hated Christmas since she was 13. Dale has a big boisterous family and he always tries to drag her into the festivities so she's not alone and sometimes she's persuaded to join in with the celebrations and sometimes she stays on her own. Lucie's Dad has remarried and while Lucie puts up with her stepmother she's not that keen on her as she's quite hard work!

Lucie and Dale had such a lovely relationship and, apart from a little blip when they got-together romantically years ago, have always been best friends. Of course the Manhattan Christmas and wedding magic gets to them and their relationship starts to change. Lucie manages to confront a few demons from her past that she hasn't told Dale about, and in the end happiness reigns - even after the debacle of a wedding that they're in Manhattan for!

A very enjoyable heart-warming Christmas story.

Book Review: A Very Merry Manhattan Christmas.

Best friends falling in love with each other is one of my favourite plot lines so I knew I had to read Darcie Boleyn's latest book, A Very Merry Manhattan Christmas, which is about just that.

For Lucie Quigley Christmas is not a time of "good tidings" or "good cheer", with good reason as it turns out, but she knows there is only one person who can make a festive wedding in New York bearable, her best friend Dale Treharne.

Lucie is good at getting into trouble without any effort and Dale is very good at rescuing her.

Here’s what it’s about:

Lucie Quigley hates Christmas. It’s the time of year when everything goes wrong in her life. So this year, when she’s asked to be a bridesmaid at her friend Petra’s Manhattan wedding, she jumps at the invitation to escape the festivities.

Dale Treharne has been best friends with Lucie for as long as he can remember. He’s used to looking out for his oldest friend and when she asks him to be her plus one, he can’t seem to find a reason to refuse. Instead, he sees it as a way to help Lucie get through what is, for her, the most miserable time of the year.

In New York, as the snow starts to fall, Lucie and Dale start to realise that their feelings run deeper than just friendship. But can they overcome their pasts, and make it a very merry Manhattan Christmas?

I didn't immediately warm to Lucie's personality but there was something about her that kept me reading - and I'm glad I did because it becomes clear that there is a lot more to her than meets the eye. I'm sure there is a life lesson there.

Dale on the other hand was a hit from the start. Darcie Boleyn, a new author to me, has clearly mastered the fine art of creating a believable, loveable hero, not to mention a good supporting cast, including the beautifully named Arianwen.

And then there is New York. According to one bio "Darcie fell in love in New York" and "got married in the snow" That special connection she clearly has shines through in her writing.

Add in a massive mix-up that keeps snowballing and you have a fun, enjoyable festive read.

Format: Kindle.
Price: £1.99.
My Rating: Four stars.

Thank you to Canelo for the ARC (via NetGalley) in return for my honest opinion.

Oh I do love this author's writing! I thoroughly enjoyed escaping in this festive friends to lovers romance and have no hesitation in highly recommending it to anyone seeking a novel with great, well developed, complex characters whose past greatly influences their attitudes and behaviour. They're easy to relate to, too, believable and a delight to get to know. The storyline is full of twists and turns so whilst everyone knows what they hope will happen there are plenty of surprises in store for readers.

There are some standout scenes for me in this novel.... As a teacher I found the activities and Christmas concert Lucie participated in brought back fond memories, and the discussions with one pupil were evocative,too. What happened when walking down the aisle, I'm very pleased to say didn't evoke any memories but were, like the rest of the novel, superbly written and I could just imagine it happening! The descriptions of Manhattan during the festive season make me dream of actually visiting there - though I must confess to preferring warmer climes when possible.

So, in case you haven't noticed, I thoroughly recommend this festive friends to lovers romance. The development of the romance was well paced, their reticence in risking their friendship, the historic events which impinge on their relationship, the expectations of others, all make this an enthralling and highly entertaining read.

Many thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for gifting me an ARC of this novel. This is my honest review after thoroughly enjoying reading it!

I'm a huge fan of Darcie's, especially last years festive book, Wish Upon A Christmas Cake, so couldn't wait to get stuck into this one as for me, Darcie's writing is at it's absolute best when she writes seasonally.

A Very Merry Manhattan Christmas tells the story of Lucie and Dale - life long best friends whom are hiding their true feelings from each other.
Dale has always been there for Lucie, she comes across as a bit of a scatter brain but has had quite a few troubled times in her past and Dale is her rock.
So when she is invited to Manhattan for an old university friends wedding, she ask's Dale to be her plus one, and knowing that Lucie would probably miss her flight if he didn't go, he accepts.

Can I just say right here... Dale.. oh Dale. Everyone needs a Dale this Christmas, I think he could be the book boyfriend of the year...

Anyway, back to it...

In the build up to the pair leaving for Petra's wedding, they have to confront Dale's parents - a force to be reckoned with by all accounts, however the blow is softened when Mrs Trehearne assumes that Dale is accompanying Lucie as they have finally got together.

Deciding to go along with the lie until after Christmas, both Lucie and Dale struggle to suppress their true feelings, but one lie turns to another and the pair not only end up having to share a very swanky Manhattan hotel room together, it is also presumed that they have gotten engaged too.

A Very Merry Manhattan Christmas has all the makings of a lovely dovey story, however the further you read, the deeper Lucie's history goes - I won't obviously tell you all the book's secrets as you really should read for yourself, but I really felt for Lucie with everything she had gone through and kept quite about.
On the other hand, I really wanted to bash her head together with Dale's as it was clear they were besotted with each other, and despite having a teenage fling and remaining friends, they didn't want to risk their friendship again.

Manhattan seems to be the hot spot location for many books this winter, and Darcie's is no exception. With her warm and witty writing style, teamed with some sensitive sub plots, made A Very Merry Manhattan Christmas a delight to read. It was a real page turner in the sense that one minute Lucie and Dale seem to give in to their feelings, the next they seem to back off.
The sub plots I mentioned, worked alongside nicely and I love the symbolic heart balloon on the cover which will all become clear as you read on.

Snow, horse and carriage rides, champagne adding to the Christmas cheer from Dale, makes this Christmas one for Lucie to enjoy and remember.

Lucie hates christmas! So when her friend asks her to be her bridesmaid at christmas time she jumps at the chance. What makes it even better is that the wedding is in New York.

She asks her friend Dale to accompany her on the trip so she won't be alone.

This story is so fun I don't want to give anything away so all i'll say is if you like Christmas and New York you'll enjoy this story.
Pretty sure this is one of my favourite Christmas books of the year!

Thanks to Netgalley and Canello for an advanced copy for an honest review.

As I adored Wish upon a Christmas Cake by Darcie Boleyn, I was really excited to discover that she had another Christmas themed book out for 2016. But would it live up to the 5 stars that I gave to one of my most favourite Christmas romances EVER? Amazingly it did and not only that-I loved this book EVEN MORE!

Lucie and Dale have been friends since they were children and have been there for each other through good times and bad. Dale will do anything to keep Lucie happy so when she asks him to be her plus one for a wedding in Manhattan on Christmas Eve, he agrees even though it means Christmas away from his family. The first half of the book gives the reader an insight into Lucie and Dales relationship, both of whom I felt an instant connection to, and also as to why Lucie has such a dislike of Christmas. We meet Dales family too, all of whom I just loved immediately, mainly due to the chaos and banter that reminded me so much of my own family get togethers! Dale was just the sweetest, most thoughtful friend to Lucie and I was amazed she hadn’t snapped him up as he seemed perfect boyfriend material to me!

Once they arrived in New York, I fell in love with Lucie and Dale even more (I was definitely suffering from another case of “fictional character crush” with Dale). The setting then magically built up to began to play a huge part in their story. Manhattan is one of those places full of iconic festive images that we are all aware of from films and television. Central Park in the snow, carriage rides snuggled under a blanket, ice skating, they all add up to that perfect romantic Christmas. So what better place to for Lucie to face her fears and start to look to the future than in the snowy glamour of the city that never sleeps. And the excitement of being in New York and wanting to explore all those well known landmarks was perfectly conveyed by the author, as I also experienced those same feelings during my first visit there-you feel like you’ve been dropped into the middle of a real-life film set! I think I walked around Manhattan with my mouth permanently open in awe!

I just loved this book, every single page of it! It made me laugh, it made me cry, it made me feel safe and I just wanted to hug both Lucie and Dale (apart from the times when I wanted to shake them for not taking risks with their feelings!) and make everything perfect for them. But this wasn’t a just a superficial sweet and fluffy love story, it was full of depth with unexpected moments of poignancy. Darcie Boleyn writes such a beautifully involving plot that her characters became quite real to me and I was very sad to say goodbye to them at the end. So make sure you cuddle up this Christmas and enjoy a few hours of perfect, festive escapism with Lucie and Glen and their sumptuous love story. Just make sure you have your hot chocolate and mince pies at your side because once you’ve started you aren’t stopping!

Many thanks to Canelo for my review copy of A Very Merry Manhattan Christmas.

I love the authors books so I knew I would love this one as well. I love books that have the characters not loving Christmas only to have them fully get into the season and become huge fans. In this read we have Lucie who hates Christmas because nothing every goes her way so when her friends asked her to be in her wedding she jumps at the chance.
She has a good friend Dale who is always there for her but when the feelings start to change they wonder if its a good idea to act on them not wanting to mess up the friendship. Who maybe with a little luck and romance maybe them Christmas will be the one that everything works out for Lucie.

This was a lovely Christmas read that I couldn't put down. The story flowed well with likeable and believable characters but although it kind of went the way I thought it would it didn't detract from the enjoyment of getting there!
Lucie has been best friends with Dale for years, since primary school, Lucie hates Christmas for reasons that you find out about as you go through the story and Dale is and has always been there for her. Dale loves Lucie but has decided to just be Lucies friend as he's not sure how she would feel about taking it further.
Lucies friend is getting married in Manhattan and Lucie is a bridesmaid and takes Dale with her as her plus one. They have to break it to Dales mum that he won't be there for Christmas and from that moment a web of lies starts in this funny story.
This book is full of hilarity and also some somber moments but the style of writing makes you not want to put this down.
This was an ARC that I received from netgalley and Canelo in exchange for an honest review.

This is a gorgeous love story to read in the run up to Christmas that really makes you feel warm and fuzzy! It is my first Darcie Boleyn and I really liked her easy writing style and sweet story.
For as long as Lucie can remember, Dale has been there for her. From sharing his lunch with her at school, to mending her broken tap, to washing her hair for her when she broke her arm, he never lets her down and she can’t imagine life without him. Now she is asking him to go to New York with her, where she is going to be a bridesmaid at her friend’s Christmas Eve wedding.
Lucie and Dale make a perfect couple, and as New York works its magic on Lucie she realizes her feelings towards Dale are starting to change. My favourite thing about the story is the relationship between these two. Dale is such a lovely man it would be impossible not to fall for him! This is a “will they, won’t they” romance (Ross and Rachel style) and I really wanted them to get together. There is a lot more to this story than the romance, as Lucie has some painful memories from the past that she needs to let go and this time in New York is just what she needs.
A little gem of a romance with a sprinkle of Christmas magic, this is a gorgeous story and a perfect comfort read to curl up with! 4.5*

What's not to love? Christmas, snow and NYC! And the fact that I love Darcie's books could only ever add up to a successful formula!

Lucie hate Christmas, with good reason and she escapes to New York to attend the wedding of her friend. She takes her best friend Dale and as the magic of New York works its way into them, they realise their feelings are running deeper. But who will make the first move? And will changing their relationship spoil it?

On the surface, it seems like a typical Christmas romance set in Manhattan. But Lucie is a much deeper character than you would normally find in a book like this and Dale, well he is just about perfect - but in a nice way!

The fact that everyone around them gets the wrong end of the stick and thinks they are a couple adds to the story and makes for some very funny moments!

Lovely festive read - thank you to Canelo & NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A Very Merry Christmas in Manhattan, is a romantic tale of two people having that kind of friendship that most people wish for, set in a backdrop of the most wonderful city on the planet (I love Manhattan).

Lucie is a woman carrying a lot of hidden baggage from her past, that even her best friend doesn’t know about. She hates Christmas, but will Christmas in another country be the turning point for her finding peace with her past.

Dale is the most fantastic best friend. He’s pragmatic, helpful, caring and would drop anything and everything to be there for Lucie. You get the feeling that Dale has been in love with Lucie forever, but has always been too scared to tell her, in case it ruins their relationship.

The book is a truly spectacular read and I loved every minute of it. Although it is a chick lit, it has a deeper core than most, and you get swept away in the lives of Lucie and Dale.

There is a lot of humour in the story, alongside some real emotional scenes, plus many scenes that I didn’t see coming. A wonderful Christmas story that will have your heart melting, and your pulse racing.

Can opposite genders ever REALLY be 'just friends'? Lucie Quigley seems to think so, after all, her best friend, Dale, has been by her side through thick and thin. So when Lucie gets asked to be involved in her friends Manhattan wedding, the only person she wants to accompany her is Dale. Unfortunately for Lucie , the wedding is just before Christmas and given the fact she dislikes the festive season, she is will be heading to a city that takes Christmas quite seriously. Not that ideal really is it!
Will Lucie and Dale's relationship stay in the friend-zone, or will their feelings for each other begin to sparkle, just like Lucie's new-found lust for Christmas?

I have no idea whether my review will do the book justice, but I'm certainly going to have a go! I fell in love with Dale's character as soon as he appeared in the book. His generosity and kindness was such a breath of fresh air; it would have been hard NOT to adore him as he is such a loveable character. As for Lucie, I didn't dislike her as a person, I merely disliked some of the decisions that she made as she seemed to run before she could walk. Nevertheless, she was a very sweet girl and I did feel sorry for her because of her past, such a shame.

For me it was quite clear from the beginning that Dale and Lucie felt way more for each other than they were letting on, especially seeing as Dale's family came to the conclusion that they WERE actually together! Eep! At least they managed to get a test-run relationship just in case, eh?

'A Very Manhattan Christmas' is a Christmas book that we didn't know we needed, until it arrived, as the amount of beauty that shone from Darcie's writing has given the Christmas star a run for its money. Darcie has given the book world such a gift this Christmas with her festive hug in a book, a book that kept on giving right until the very end. A book that kept filling my heart with its obvious beauty as well as its hidden beauty. A book which taught me that no matter what life throws at you, good or bad, as long as you have the right person or people by your side, you can achieve absolutely anything.

I'll be honest, there were times I laughed and there were times I cried whilst reading A Very Manhattan Christmas, but believe it or not, they weren't tears of sadness. Instead, they were tears of happiness for certain situations throughout the storyline. They were tears for feelings I never thought I could experience whilst reading a book, feelings I cannot explain. I absolutely adore this book. It is such a beautifully written, warm and inviting read that once read, it felt as though a part of me was missing. Daft maybe, but it is true.

'A Very Manhattan Christmas' is in my Top 3 of  favourite Christmas books, EVER. A perfect and must read this Christmas, and any time of the year, Darcie Boleyn has totally outdone herself with this gem. Just....beautiful, truly beautiful.

Thank you Canelo!

I had previously read Something Old, Something New by Darcie Boleyn and it was a such a great story. So as soon as I saw A Very Merry Manhattan Christmas I couldn't wait to read it.

So what did I think...

This story constantly held my attention I loved Dale and Lucie and the friendship they shared. I just hoped that things would work out for them in the end. Darcie Boleyn has done a brilliant job of bringing the characters to life it was almost as if I knew them. I have to admit I often cry at sad moments whether it be watching a film or reading a book. This story is no exception there were tears in my eyes multiple times. I can honestly say that I felt a connection to the story and to the characters which made this book extra special.

I am lucky that I have been to New York but to see the city at Christmas would be something really special. So when New York is described in this book it felt like I actually got to experience a little bit of it.

Even though this book is fairly short there really is so much packed in to it. The plot moves at a great pace with no slow parts. The story is beautifully written and has a bit of everything friendship, romance with a lot of emotion too! I didn't want to put this book down but I also didn't want it to end as I was enjoying it that much.

Overall:

After finishing this book I was completely in the Christmas spirit and it is definitely one of my favourite Christmas stories this year!

Uplifting, romantic with a truly magical story!

Five stars from me!

Thank you to Faye Rogers, Canelo & Netgalley for my copy. This is my honest and unbiased opinion.

Earlier on this year I really enjoyed reading Something Old, Something New by Darcie Boleyn so when I was asked to take part in the blog tour for A Very Merry Manhattan Christmas I really couldn’t say no. It was a truly delightful book, a festive treat that was every bit as fabulous as I hoped it would be and that was by far my favourite of Darcie’s books to date.

For many people Christmas is a wonderful time of year, but not for Lucie Quigley who hates it for all the unpleasant and difficult memories it triggers. Someone who has always been there for her from a very young age through the best and worst times is Dale, Lucie’s best friend in life. When Lucie is invited to a Christmas wedding in Manhattan by an old friend from university she asks Dale to accompany her as her plus one who accepts the invitation and is keen to support Lucie, hopeful that he can help her to enjoy the festive season. As the pair spend more time together in Manhattan it doesn’t take long for them to realise that they both have feelings for eachother, but will either of them be brave enough to act on them?

What made this book stand out so much was the real depth it had to it and the way it managed to make me feel many different emotions, from happiness to sadness as I both laughed and cried my way through it. The book was full of characters who felt very real, who I felt entirely connected to and really did care about a great deal. As the story progressed and more of Lucie’s heartbreaking past was revealed my admiration for her grew and I was entirely glad that she had someone as wonderful as Dale by her side. I desperately hoped that things would work out well for them both.

Another aspect of this book that I really loved was Darcie’s beautiful writing style that never faltered once and was just as incredible as it was during Something Old, Something New. She wrote in such a way that there were many times when I felt as though I had been transported to Manhattan to be with the characters in the midst of the action with some wonderful and vivid descriptions. It’s made me want to pursue my dream of going to Manhattan even more than I already did previously and most certainly made for an unforgettable reading experience.

A Very Merry Manhattan Christmas was a book that I couldn’t get enough of, one that I could not put down as I desperately turned the pages, eager to find out how things would turn out between both Lucie and Dale. Written by an author whose books seem to get better and better and who has most definitely earned her place in my top ten favouritte authors list, this is a beautiful and magical tale that is complete with snow, carriage rides and much more. I’m really looking forward to reading whatever Darcie writes next!

I really, really enjoyed this book! Great story & amazing characters & now I really want to go to New York for Christmas!

Sweet, slightly old-fashioned and very English, the story is a gentle, cosy one of true love and friendship. It's also a story about how one little misunderstanding can escalate and the lies one has to keep telling.

There's also a mystery at the book's heart and it was this as much as the setting and the will-they, won't-they love between Dale and Lucie which kept me turning the page.

There’s lots of people that hate Christmas, my mother for one so I could equate very easily with Lucie. Dale loves her from afar. More brother-like than anything he’s always been there for her and now, in her deepest hour he risks upsetting his parents by spending Christmas in New York.

I have to say as a 100 % certified romancaholic I loved this. You can keep your wine and your chocolate. Just pop me in the corner like some Victorian wallflower with a cuppa and characters like these. Posted on my blog JennyOBrien writes @ Wordpress

I really enjoyed reading this sweet romantic book. Lucid & Dale live in England & are best friends (no benefits except that one summer). Lucid has been invited to be in a lavish wedding (her friend from university) in New York City & can bring a plus one, all expenses paid. She asks Dale to do it (because she doesn't want to go alone & she's a bit of a clutch mess on her own in the world) & in order to make it ok with his mum, he lets her think they're a couple. Lucid lets Petra (the bride) think they're a couple as well, so they'll only have one room in New York. This is also the 20th anniversary of the death of Lucile's mum on Christmas Eve, so Dale is hoping being away at that time in such a beautiful place will help her. Watching this story unfold was fabulous & I would highly recommend you see what happens with Lucie & Dale.