Member Reviews
My first time reading this author and for the majority of the book found it to be just OK, bordering on the less than bright and shiny aspects of Christmas I look for in my reading this time of year. I didn’t feel much of a connection to Lily for most of the book. I couldn’t understand what she saw in Jamie. Her constant pining over this tool for most of the book started to get old but then she pours salt into the wound by jumping to all sorts of conclusions about Luc without even talking to him about it. It takes her to just about the very end of the book for them to resolve their concerns. Add to that her paralyzing fear of heights and emotional trauma about her father contributing to her reluctance to ski but then deciding to take a job at a ski resort where everybody’s favorite pastime is you guessed it…skiing left me with my eyes rolled up into my head so far that I thought I was going to have to make a trip to the hospital to have them fixed.
Enough of this negativity, let’s discuss what I did enjoy. I thought Luc was a wonderful character and the fact that he was even available to the wishy-washy Lily was nothing short of a Christmas miracle. He hates Christmas and with good reason as he is carrying his own trauma that really got me right in the feels. I enjoyed how Lily wants to help him learn to love Christmas again and when he surprises her in return, I got a little teary eyed.
The descriptive setting of Chamonix was simply breathtaking. Sasha Wagstaff did an excellent job of bringing this community to life and though you will never catch me on a pair of skis, I would love to be there sitting in a cushy chair in front of a roaring fireplace with a mug of hot chocolate or whiskey laced eggnog and a keeper shelf book in my hands.
The supporting characters also brought a lot of interesting moments to the story as well. Some of these characters, like Elodie, turned out to be quite different than I was expecting. Lily’s best friend, Imogen, was a delight and I thought Lily was very fortunate to have her. I also was quite surprised that I liked Lily’s sister, Ivy, as much as I did. Having your sister start dating the man you have been harboring feelings for could create a lot of animosity in their relationship, but I was glad to see that Lily wanted her sister to be happy and Ivy wasn’t the type to rub it in Lily’s nose when she finds out about Lily’s feelings.
My Final Verdict: Though I found Lily’s indecisiveness annoying, this story was quite heartwarming and a good addition to add to your Christmas reading this year. Readers who enjoy skiing will enjoy the snow-covered slopes and the mindfulness the author gives to this sport. If you’re like me and prefer to enjoy the snow from the comfort of the ski lodge, this story will also appeal.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of Christmas in Chamonix from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Lily Jackson loves Christmas. She also loves her childhood friend Jamie, but when her plan to kick-start their romance goes drastically wrong and her job gets her down, Lily decides it’s time to make changes. A job opens up in snowy Chamonix and egged on by her best friend Imogen, Lily decides to go for it.
As Lily settles in with the eccentric Devereux family at their gorgeous boutique ski hotel, she starts to confront her past. But when she meets handsome ski instructor Luc, who hates Christmas, Lily might have taken on more than she can handle.
Can Lily make a new life – with or without skis? And can she get Luc to see how truly romantic Christmas can be?
I struggled with this from the start and really didn’t take to the story so never managed to finish it.
Unfortunately, I have not been able to read and review this book.
After losing and replacing my broken Kindle and getting a new phone I was unable to download the title again for review as it was no longer available on Netgalley.
I’m really sorry about this and hope that it won’t affect you allowing me to read and review your titles in the future.
Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity.
Natalie.
When Lily realises that she is in love with her best friend, Jamie, she finds out that he is already dating someone else....... her sister! Desperate to escape she takes a job with her best friend Imogen working in a hotel in Chamonix, she starts to learn to ski being taught by the gorgeous Luc..... can he help her forget Jamie or has someone else already got claims on him!
A great warm lighthearted story, I love the fun style of this writer and there are great comedy moments as well as lots of great characters. Perfect book for curling up in front of a fire
A frothy, fun romcom read. Quite predictable in places but still enjoyable. The scenery and food description is fabulous! There are enough threads within this book to keep you interested until the end.
My first Sasha Wagstaff book and definitely won’t be my last. A beautiful read to get you in the mood for Christmas.
Lily realises that she loves her best friend Jamie and finally tells him, but is she too late? Lily ends up taking a job in Chamonix at a beautiful hotel working with her best friend Imogen. She’s never even skied before so takes lessons from Luc, who is very patient with her. Who will steal her heart, will it be Jamie, Luc or someone else. You’ll enjoy the magical journey from the beautiful town to the snow covered mountains. I’m ready to go now...
A sweet and slow burn romance story set in a beautiful ski town.
Lily and Jamie have been best friends forever, but Lily has been feeling more for him. When her feelings are not reciprocated, she escapes to Chamonix and takes a job as a sport masseuse. There she learns to ski, conquer her fears, and maybe even love again.
It is a very slow burn, all the way to the last possible page. But it is a sweet story with lots of layers.
I have never been skiing and yet I was all up for jumping on the next plane to Chamonix after reading this book! It was a fabulous escapist story that I thoroughly enjoyed being part of each evening as the story unfolded.
A very cosy Christmasy read and gets you right into the Christmas mood. Loved most of the characters apart from Jamie and the storyline was very good
Definitely not my cup of tea.
I found some of the inner monologue of the MC extremely disturbing and at times even homophobic and racist. Just really narrow thinking, to be honest. The plot dragged a lot and it wasn't as magical and wintery as I wanted it to be.
Lily moves to Chamonix to escape complicated feelings for her friend Jamie who is now dating her sister. She meets Luc who helps her overcome her fear of heights and she helps him to get over losing his sister. A festive feel-good romantic read. Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for letting me review this book.
I wasn't to sure about this book to begin with but once I got into it I couldn't put it down.
Wish it was longer to be honest as I didn't want it to end
A lovely story with twists and turns to keep you hooked from the beginning to the end. Definitely recommended to those readers who enjoy skiing and to those who have never tried.
Another wonderful story from Sasha, I loved everything about this book from the descriptions of Chamonix to the dishy male lead, Luc!
Everyone you meet throughout Lily's story are just absolute gems, making her move to Chamonix that much easier. I want to spontaneously move there now! I loved the scenes where Luc and Lily were having their private ski lessons, as he was so patient with her and never pushed her to go further than she wanted. He was very respectful towards her fear of heights and did everything he could to help her conquer it.
It was the perfect Christmas read with all the snow, the delicious warm foods, the romance floating in the air and of course, the ski resort made it that much more perfect. Lily's development was a complete joy to read about; after admitting to her best friend that she had feelings for him and having her heart-broken, she discovered new-found confidence in herself and met the man that was truly right for her instead.
I thoroughly enjoyed 'Christmas in Chamonix' and will be keeping an eye out for Sasha's next book!
Christmas in Chamonix is a charming and laugh out loud novel. I loved the descriptions which made me feel like I was there alongside Lilly and I wouldn't mind eating Sylvan's food.
The cover tag line delivered! This was a cute and cozy Christmas read. There’s so many titles to choose from this holiday. Add this to your to be read list!
A lovely feel good read set in beautiful Chamonix. Lily has been best friends with Jamie for a long time but when she tells him her feelings for him are more than just friends things don't work out as she had hoped. So, when her friend Imogen rings and tells her of a vacancy at the hotel she works at in Chimonix Lilly decides a change of job and place to live is just what she needs.
Lily's fear of heights makes learning to ski very challenging and there are some laugh out loud moments as she struggles to get to grips with the ski equipment. Luc is the ski instructor who helps her overcome her fear, but can they help each other lay the pas to rest and enjoy the future?
It is a bit predictable with someone who is intent on making Lily's new life stressful, the appearance of an old friend and a will they won't they become more than friends scenario. However it's a great read and I would recommend it
Lily has loved Her childhood friend Jamie for as long as she can remember, she fantasises about their life together endlessly, but, she is in for the shock of her life agter telling him how she feels.
To recover from the embarrassment Lily takes a job in the glorious ski fields of Chamonix, where she meets Luc. A gorgeous ski instructor who hates Christmas.
Can Lily make Luc see how magical Christmas can be and can Luc make Lily fall in love again?
What a beautiful story, it really was more than your typical love story and touched on some deeper subjects. I will definitely be reading more from Sasha Wagstaff
A festive romance with a stunning setting. The snow sparkles, the candles are lit and the fondue is heating up. Lily is a relatable and likeable central character but she is backed up with a cast of characters who all add to the story. With the emphasis on family, friendship,love, growing up and starting over, there are some poignant secrets in the background. Just the heartwarming read you need as Christmas approaches.
Thanks to netgalley for a copy of the book.