A Christmas Kind of Perfect

This is my first book by Christine Schimpf.

What I liked:
The writing style
The characters
Standalone
HEA

I look forward to reading more from this author.

If ever a story embodied the miracle of God's grace, Conrad and Lila's certainly does. Throughout the story, I was driven to keep reading just to see how the blessings of relying on God's plan with absolute faith and certainty can bring about wonders. I was left with a lightness in my heart for the couple's HEA after all the obstacles they overcame...including forgiveness toward each other and in themselves.

The story will definitely leave you with warmth in your heart and the belief of God's plan...as quoted in the story, just a different version:

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Jeremiah 29:11

This is my favorite verse, and one I depend on daily. It came into play very heavily in the story, bringing with it a lesson we all can learn from.

This ARC book was complimentary, provided by the Publisher and NetGalley. I am voluntarily providing my honest review.

A Christmas Kind of Perfect by Christine Schimpf is a contemporary romance read that should have warmed my heart and had me rooting for a happily ever after from the very beginning of the story however that didn’t become the case with this one. There’s a detail left out of the description that just rubbed me the wrong way during the entire book that kept me from enjoying the entire thing.

Starting this one we meet Lila and Conrad five years after their relationship ended by just drifting apart as they began their careers. Lila has been in New York making herself a success as an author and Conrad stayed in their hometown. Now bringing this pair back together sounds lovely to me, that is until Lila arrives and everyone tells her that Conrad is on the verge of proposing to someone else.

Now during this book there are slight little digs at this poor unsuspecting lady who probably thought Conrad was her one and only to just keep reminding me that she exists. She’s not a big player in the book but how can I not get it out of the back of my mind that this great guy for Lila is going to break another’s heart? So what if she’s not a great cook and more career minded? I’m sure Conrad knows how to feed himself if he’s been dating her long enough to consider marriage.

Anyway, this is a clean read so one’s version of cheating may not apply but seeing and falling in love again with an ex without breaking up with the current girlfriend was enough emotional cheating to me that I couldn’t be all cheery inside of Conrad and Lila’s growing relationship. In the end this one had a ton of potential if only both characters were completely single upon their reconnecting but as is it’s just not for me.

I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

A Christmas Kind Of Perfect is a whole heart in story (Lila doing a book signing for her best friend Melanie - even though she is so book signing out. - she is so exhausted, but she wanted to do this for her - plus she wanted to go home_, facing some ghosts (Lila has an old boyfriend at home - one that she wanted to avoid for the rest of her life - and was even hesitating to do the book signing for a second - did she run into him? well you have to read the book. if they did - did it work out? or did she meet someone else?) friendship (she was also close - but not as close as Melanie - to her Agent Andrea - she...... you have to read the book to find out what she did and it is good.) deadlines, (she is suppose to get 5 chapters done before the end of her time at home... does she? ) Faith - is her Faith strengthened while she is home? Does she find her true self when she goes to where she once came from? Will she go back to where she came from to go home again or had she truly found herself again or is there a compromise or can there be?

A light, albeit predictable Christmas romance. Lily comes home, as a celebrated author, to give a book signing at her friend's shop, and ends up staying and helping her when she goes into labor. Her old boyfriend, Conrad, is doing some construction projects around the shop, and they are thrown together more and more. He has a steady girlfriend, but obviously they are not right for each other, and of course there is a HEA. A light quick read if that is what you are looking for. Would recommend.

Awwwwe what a fun Christmas romance. I can’t help but enjoy romances that are brought together by snow, trees, and food.

This story follows two characters that had dated for eons, but they broke up because she wanted to go to go to New York and be a writer, but he wanted a quiet life in their hometown with babies and a white picket fence. Years go by and she comes back to town to help her old friend. Drama happens, Christmas spirit is tested, and of course it ends with a HEA. No spoiler there ;D.

Ooooo they were idiots the both of them. I wanted to smack them. Lila…you can be a writer at home…there is no real need to have to move to New York. Conrad….if you really loved Lila you could’ve gone with her. FOOLS! Stubborn, stubborn fools. All this drama and regret and loneliness could’ve been avoided if they just sat down and talked about all the options. BUT then there wouldn’t be a story of course.

I am glad that Lila and Conrad took FOREVER to realize that they need to be together. They are convinced they can just be friends. Conrad is convinced that he is destined to marry some work-aholic who I am unsure how they lasted SO long…they are complete opposites and want different things. I feel like he was just settling and hoping that things would get better. Super sad indeed.

Honestly, I want Suzanne to get her own HEA. Sure she was a cold-hearted B the majority of the book, but it turns out she did have a nice side and she does care for Conrad…in her own way. She deserves to be happy. Strange that the author changed the direction of this character! Normally the current lover of one of the main people are demonized and made for you to hate so you don’t feel bad when the main person gives them the boot. This wasn’t the case near the end. At the beginning you feel like you dislike Suzanne, but then she surprises you and you really warm-up to her especially after something she says to Conrad.

There were some parts I felt were just fillers that were not needed so it slowed the story down. Sure this is not abnormal, but it just felt like fillers and added in last minute. Some parts did not flow as well. Also, there were sometimes the dialogue seemed forced and not natural. No one talks like that. No one.

Besides for the fillers and occasional unnatural dialogue, I really enjoyed this book. I enjoyed the lovebirds finally getting over their bullheadedness and just working together for their love. A CHRISTMAS MIRACLE indeed. If you like a light, fluffy romance filled with Christmas joy I recommend this one. I’ll give this…3 stars.

I loved A Christmas Kind of Perfect. Christine Schimpf has woven an endearing and romantic Christmas story that is sure to warm your insides whether you have a hot mug of cocoa next to you or not. For not being an author I'd heard of, I was impressed with Schimpf's writing and her ability to fully describe the scene so you felt you were truly there. I loved the characters and got to know each of them personally, plus the setting of Door County, WI was enchanting. Loved this novel and will be watching for others from her! If you're looking for an engaging Christmas Christian romance novel that's clean enough for teens, but enjoyable for mature readers, then this is an excellent choice!

Throughly enjoyed A Christmas Kind of Perfect. Great characters and writing style. I recommend to readers who enjoy a good romance.

This is a wonderful Christmas romance with a real feel good factor.

I enjoyed the setting of this second chance romance with some nice Christmas details. The premise was good, if not highly original, but it lost something in the execution. It could use another pass by an editor to correct errors and to help certain elements flow more smoothly.

Lila seems to change her assessment of Conrad's intentions with every scene, and the reader is left with a lot of waffling back and forth on both Lila and Conrad's parts. I struggled to root for their reunion because of that and their growing physical affection (just kissing) while Conrad was still dating another woman. It was never clear why Lila seemingly had to live in New York since little about being an author requires being in a specific location.