Review By Veronica
Kiss Me at Christmas is bursting with Christmas charm.
Favourite Quote:
“Hello, Ms. Smith, I’m…”
Oh you have got to be kidding me!
James—of last night’s excellent drunken sex—rocked back on his heels. Well, damn, he was even more devastating in the daylight. She’d consoled herself that her attraction to him was more than likely due to mulled-wine-tinted glasses, but now she was sober and the light of day was cold as hell, and he still looked like temptation personified. Her heart pounded in her chest.
Goodreads Synopsis:
Christmas can officially get stuffed because Harriet Smith is not feeling bright and merry this year. She hasn’t for a while. So when her college-aged daughter opts for Manhattan’s winter wonderland instead of Christmas at home, Harriet finds herself seeking solace in a wine-soaked one-night stand.
But how Harriet will spend the holidays is swiftly decided for her after she takes the fall for some students who break into the town’s old Winter Theater. To get the students off the hook, the theater’s elderly owner requests that Harriet direct the washed-out stage’s final Christmas performance. And Harriet will do anything to help the kids . . . even work with the owner’s lawyer who, as it turns out, is her less than impressed one-night stand.
Directing the play with him won’t exactly change her life. But it might just reignite the Christmas spirit and remind her what makes life merry and bright again.
Gosh, I really do love Jenny’s books; they always get me into the holiday spirit. Kiss Me at Christmas was an absolute delight. This story is a beautiful blend of festive cheer and warmth. It is bursting with heart and this sense of community. There are lots of moments that will have you smiling and laughing. But don’t be fooled. There is more to this book than meets the eye. There is so much depth, and Jenny does a great job of tackling some tougher issues. Harriet is a pastoral teacher who works with teens who are dealing with challenging family situations. The Fab Five, as Harriet likes to call them, are such a diverse group of teens. It was heartbreaking and heartwarming watching as these teens became a part of this found family that is being created at this old theatre. As Harriet, James, the Fab Five, and other local community members work together to breathe new life into this theatre and put on a production of A Christmas Carol, there are plenty of bumps in the road. Through kindness, understanding, and a lot of hard work, this group creates something magical.
If you are looking for a Christmas romance with older MCs, this book is for you. Harriet and James are both in their forties and have lived life. At the beginning of this book, we find Harriet struggling with her daughter being away and realizing that without her daughter at home, there is really no point in celebrating Christmas. Harriet is not looking forward to this next stage in her life, aka the empty nest stage. It’s always been her and her daughter doing things together, and Harriet doesn’t think there is much point in doing things just for herself. James is an interesting character. He kind of comes across as an uptight asshole… but he isn’t. Underneath that polished exterior is a man who is trying to change his life and be a better person. James has realized that even though he has lived a great life, it’s empty in a way. I really enjoyed Harriet and James. They are both strong characters who are entering new stages in their lives. I loved how they both helped encourage each other to take those next steps, even if they were little steps.
The romance was perfect for a holiday book. Jenny weaved in that Christmas magic into their love story beautifully. It was sweet watching these two fall in love while helping to bring together the community to help put on this production. There are bumps in their journey, which is to be expected because these two have lived independently for so long it can be hard to switch into relationship mode. They have also lived through things, which means they are carrying some emotional baggage. What I’m trying to say is that their relationship feels real. Their struggles are relatable, and how they handle these hurdles is realistic. It was a really good love story.
Kiss Me at Christmas is sure to fill your heart with holiday spirit.
Gabrielle interjecting with a note: I listened the audiobook book version and can confirm it is equally delightful with truly exceptional narration by Caroline Fantozzi. I laughed out loud more times than I can count. A real heart-warmer this one is.
