Skip to main content

Member Reviews

Jenny sees the rundown cottage, she’s inherited from a Grandmother, she hardly knew, as a lifeline from her imploding life. Romance, family and career disintegrate just before Christmas and she needs somewhere to heal and start again.

The cottage has issues and on first acquaintance seems to reflect her shattered life, but with help from the village community, she starts to repair both. There are lots of great characters in this story, the villagers and the members of the unusual Christmas book club are believable and in most cases lovely.

Romance realistically isn’t the focus of this story, but where it occurs, it is gentle and born out of friendship. The festive atmosphere is evident and given a quirky twist by the Christmas book club.

Humorous, poignant, with a romantic sparkle, this is a good festive read, that leaves you with a warm Christmassy feeling.

I received a copy of this book from Boldwood Books via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Jenny inherits her estranged grandmother’s house in Sherwood Forest, ready to start a new life after losing her job, her boyfriend and her self-respect. She joins a book club where the members set themselves a challenge to complete before Christmas. Jenny makes discoveries about herself and her family’s past as she sorts through her new home. She makes some great new friends, including her handsome neighbour, Mack.

I enjoyed this book. Jenny is a likeable character and really grows throughout the book. There’s a memorable cast of quirky friends and some lovely moments between Jenny and Mack. I liked how Jenny came to terms with the strained relationships within her family. I really liked the setting, with the forest and the warm community of the village.

The one part I didn’t like was how/when a subplot ended; it just didn’t sit right with me and overshadowed the happy ending. This could very well be because of things that have happened personally in my life, but it did spoil the book a bit for me.

Overall, this is a nice story with interesting characters and a lovely romance.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read and review this title.

Was this review helpful?

Christmas and starting over in a small town after betrayal....
I like this book enough. Although, it didn't blow me away, there were some absolutely lovely (and beautiful) moments, although I could have done with a slightly less complex plot. This story attempted to do a lot and as much as most of them worked out well, there were a few side storylines which I think were slightly unnecessary. But, nonetheless I liked this book, as well as Mack and Jenny together.
Characterisation:
Jenny is a hard worker. And I appreciated seeing that in her as a character. She tries throughout the novel to find herself (aren't we all I suppose...) and battles against a dodgy real estate agent and a horrifying attempted renovation (as well as a scary experience in the woods...). Luckily, her gruff (but incredibly handsome), mysterious neighbour Mack is on hand to lend some help, even when Jenny insists otherwise. Even though we didn't really get to see much of them together, I did enjoy those moments...but would have loved to have seen more!
Storyline and Plotting:
Again, as I mentioned, I think this plot was trying to fit in too many sub-plots. I ended up getting a little bit distracted and honestly, a little confused, from time to time. From the book club, to the shady salesmen, to the house renovation, to the babysitting, to the cafe, to Mack and (ya know), to finding a famous author, there was so much going on! That's not to say I didn't enjoy some of those plotlines - in fact most of them were lovely, but I could have done without all of them. That said, there were definitely a few moments where I felt those emotions that Jenny did.
Overall:
I liked this novel. I did. Christmas time is magical and I would have LOVED to see a more simplified storyline.

Note: I was very generously provided an ARC of this novel from the author and the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

Was this review helpful?

This one was just so so the story was cute but it wasn't something that just held you or made you want to keep reading it had some cute moment's and some nice hoilday vibes but was just sort of mediocre in terms of characters and plotlines it just read like so many other books that I found it very hard to stay invested in

Was this review helpful?

This was an ok book. The first half of the book was enjoyable but then it started to get a bit boring.
It felt as though the second half lacked depth and it was a case of just using words to fill the pages.

Was this review helpful?

Learning How to Love Through Adversity
This is a heart-warming romantic comedy that is so insightful and haunting. It features dysfunctional families and loving families doing their best. There are best friends who don't want to lose their friendship buy falling in love. There are kids struggling to be different without being bullied. And there are bullies who will never see themselves as anything but perfect and blessed. And this all comes together in a romantic comedy that will leave you smiling and you will think about it for days to come. I plan on reading more of this author's work! I received this ARC book for free from Net Galley and this is my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

I was expecting this to be a very fluffy feel-good Christmas book, similar to the Hallmark/Lifetime movies. Sometimes I love the fluff so I was eager to dig in after a darker story. To my surprise this novel had a lot more grit than I was expecting but I enjoyed it immensely!

This book follows Jenny to Sherwood Forest after she flees her job and apartment to her grandmother's home she has recently inherited. From there on she uses her pluck and newfound value of herself to rebuild her life to one that feels more like HER.

I LOVED Jenny. I cannot rave enough about her and if there were more novels about her I'd buy them in a heartbeat. She's equal parts lovely and charming and so humanly flawed. She was a delight to get to know.

There is a wee bit of romance and Christmas but not Hallmark level of either, and it's perfect.

If you're looking for a delightful read I highly recommend this. It was a joy!

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an eARC copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Loved this book. Great characters, easy read, uplifting, funny, romantic and charming. A really nice story that is the perfect escapist read.

Was this review helpful?

A good read, an entertaining and engrossing novel that makes you wish it was Christmas.
I loved the plot, the well written and quirky characters and the setting.
It's the first book I read by this author and won't surely be the last.
Recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

Was this review helpful?

This book was so cunning... I could have never ever dreamt that something with the sweetest cover would play such a game with me. And I was the one who read wicked thrillers. Do you know what it did? IT PULLED ME IN WITH THE FIRST LINE!! AND I FELL FOR IT HOOK LINE AND SINKER.

Jenny had moved to the countryside after major issues at work (read one lying bastard of a boss and a betraying sister). A ramshackle cottage was what waited for her. Trying to get some DIY done on the house, she found herself to a nanny of 5 boisterous kids. Neighbor to a cankerous man Mack, she soon learned to traverse the dips of her life to find the high of living it once again with renewed spirit.

This beautiful story by author Beth Moran was what I would call a home. It took me into its loving arms and made me feel as if I belonged in its pages. The characters were warm and whacky. The situations made me laugh.. The loving book club was out of control. The house was broken down with rats in the shed. But the neighbor was so dreamy. A good compensation I would say!!

I loved Jenny; she brought life to this story. She bared her emotions to me when things overwhelmed and bewildered her. Her humor was like like a spark, caught me unawares. The friends she made were real, same issues as you and me My eyes followed her as she swept through the pages.

Romance was a bit dimmed but I didn't mind that. (read I am off romance and I hate love). The rest of the book sure uplifted my world weary soul. I enjoyed it completely. Humor and friendships with a dash of love, perfect for a cozy afternoon.

Was this review helpful?

Jenny is having a terrible time of it. Her secret boyfriend has publicly humiliated her, her work life is non existent, and as for her family? Well, the less said about that the better. So when she inherits a ramshackle old cottage in the middle of nowhere, she’s ready for a fresh start. And with a bit of help from handsome neighbour Mack and the members of her new book club, she’ll be ok in the end... won’t she?

Now, to me, the romance element of the novel is completely irrelevant. Firstly, I didn’t find it very believable, I struggled to see any chemistry and I just didn’t feel anything towards them as a couple. Yeah he seemed like a nice guy, but it just felt very flat to me.

On the other hand, I absolutely adored Jenny, and I think reading about the female friendships that develop between those in the book club (and Jamie of course!) was for me the best bit of the book. Everyone’s story was so unique, and I loved how the full spectrum of society was covered in this books pages.

This was just so heartfelt and moving, emotional yet uplifting all at the same time. Yeah, it wasn’t the best romance I’ve ever read, but it’s a lovely Christmas read to demolish in a day or two with a few mince pies!

Was this review helpful?

For some one who hates Christmas and then has three in a year and learns to love it and would happily have one everyday, what a change in a life. What a beautiful story so well written and very enjoyable. I will recommend you buy this book and enjoy it as much as I have done. I give this 5 stars.

Was this review helpful?

A sweet book. A bit of a mystery and a will they, won’t they romance. A range of eccentric characters. This book had me laughing out loud in places. A good read.

Was this review helpful?

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me read this book.
The story as a whole was more serious than the cover and title implied. Poor Jenny has had a terrible time (and past) and really wants to make it work in the village. There are so many hurdles and some help along the way, as well as confusing situations.
There is a lot more content than I expected and the side characters were quite likeable. Unsure how I felt about the romance side of things, but the story was well written. I do wonder what happened in the end with the house though.
3.5 stars

Was this review helpful?

5 stars!!!
Christmas Every Day was an enjoyable read from start to finish! It was sweet, but had some bittersweet moments added to the mix. Jennifer finds herself in a quaint little cottage that once belonged to her grandmother who she never met. Just like her life, the cottage is in need of order and it needs to be put back together. Jennifer decides to do just that by herself. She embarks in a journey where she is determined to discover the person she used to be and find out more about her past. Who was her grandmother and the reason for how she was treated by her mother all her life.
She befriends, or at least she attempts to, her mysterious neighbor who pretends to be this grumpy, no nonsense man, but in reality has a heart of gold. He lives as a hermit and rarely opens up to Jennifer, until she literally pushes herself into his house. Mack is a sweetheart. He does many things for her, she's a little hesitant to accept his help at first. What he did for her birthday was just so sweet. Though when some truths about who he really is come to light it, Jennifer suffers for it. Luckily for her her friends are there for her to see that she's okay.
I liked that this story was more about Jennifer's self-growth and worth. That family does not mean you have to be blood related. Friends can become the family who you have always craved for. The added bonus is that she finds love along the way, even when there were some bumps along the way. In the end her feelings about the past and cottage improve just like she does.

Great story!!
Thanks to the publisher for the ARC given through NetGalley for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

I've said this before and I'll say it again: I love a good cyclical story. Especially when the beginning and the end of that cyclus are Christmas. I mean, that's 2 Christmas' worth in one book. What's not to love?
And this book really does have it all. There's women supporting women, there's kids learning to love themselves, there's an ingenious case of mistaken identity. There's a quest for an author and a classicaly evil bad guy, there's personal growth...
And best of all? There's a slow growing love story that managed to catch me by surprise on various occasions!
Christmas Every Day manages to not only do it all, but to do all of it right - and at Christmas, at that!

Was this review helpful?

This was one of those books that while enjoyable (mostly) just didn't blow me away. 🙈 The first 30% was good, but then I started to lose interest. 😫 The story felt unnecessary drug out. 🆘 That said, I loved Jenny, and I loved how the small town embraced her so thoroughly. 💕 Mack on the other hand fell flat. 👎 He came across very cardboard cutout to me, and the romance between him and Jenny was lackluster at best. 📦 So yea, a mixed bag for sure...

Was this review helpful?

Thanks to netgalley for an early copy in return for an honest review
First time reading this Author
Didn't get off to a good start but after it got going found to be an ok read.

Was this review helpful?

I love this book, I couldn’t put it down. The characters in the book are interesting, the writing style fully engages the reader and it’s extremely hard to put down.

Was this review helpful?

Excellent book, my first by Beth Moran i could not put it down, really likeable characters Jenny and Mack,however i would not say it was a Christmas book and how the title relates to the story.

Was this review helpful?