Cover Image: Christmas Ever After

Christmas Ever After

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Member Reviews

This Christmas story had a lot of layers.

Riley is a successful romance author but he’s most recent is poorly reviewed. She’s based her previous books somewhat on the men she has loved but people have said her newest book lacked heart. Riley has to admit that she hasn’t had love in her life for awhile.

When she gets asked an unexpected question on a tv show she accidentally makes it sound like she had one great love in her past and that her books are based on him. Her three ex boyfriends watch the interview and each one thinks she’s talking about him.

Another layer to the story, Riley has to write her next book about Christmas and she hasn’t celebrated since she was 8. After her dad passed away, she’s never celebrated the holiday again.

But her horrible publicist Mike tells everyone that Riley is Miss Christmas. He makes up a lot of lies about her saying they’ll save her career. Riley has to go alone with it.

She gets roped into something called Christmas Camp. She will meet a bunch of her fans at a Christmas themed weekend and they will get to submit ideas for her novel. So, that idea is genius right? She doesn’t do Christmas and she has a bunch of fans thrilled at the idea of inspiring ideas for her novel.
But her awful publicist also lied and told the guy who owns the lodge that Riley will have a bunch of ideas to help with the Christmas Camp activities.
Man did I dislike Mike the publicist.

But ultimately it is a really good thing that Riley goes to Christmas Camp. Her three exes all show up and she has a chance to figure out who she’s really supposed to be with. I’ll be honest and say that I felt really really badly for her exes. Each of these guys was still in love with her and thought she was still in love with him, she can only end up with one guy at the end of this story which means there will be a lot of broken hearts.

But Riley gets a chance at love, a chance to live Christmas again and to move beyond her past, she also has the opportunity for new inspiration for her novel.

I got to read an early ebook edition from NetGalley, thank you.

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A sweet Christmas read that do have to say was a little on the cheesy side but was still an enjoyable and quick read.

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Riley is an author who doesn't believe in celebrating Christmas, but now she must write a book around the holiday! To get her in the spirit, she is tasked with running a Christmas camp, where all manner of mishaps and misunderstandings surround our main character!

It is a sweet, fun book, reminding you of the magic of Christmas and that anything is possible. Overall I enjoyed the book, though I found some passages a little wordy. Characters were enjoyable and you could feel their excitement as you turned the pages.

Great book for the holiday season!

Thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

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Riley is an author in need of a Christmas miracle, after a dire book release and a disastrous TV interview Riley packs up to a remote lodge which is to play host to her Christmas Camp. The only problem is Riley doesn't do Christmas. Her publicist has dubbed her Miss Christmas and she is expected to write a Christmas romance. Can she fake it till she makes it? Or will the boyfriends of Christmas past prove to be her downfall?
The storyline was something straight out of a hallmark movie, it had the beautiful remote, snowy landscapes, the lovely Luke, a town full of Christmas tales, someone who has Christmas ghosts haunting them, exes turning up, a will they/won't they love angle and a cute dog! Its exactly what I want out of a Christmas movie. A bit of escapism. You can clearly see the author is accomplished in the Christmas TV movie world.
There were a lot of editing mistakes, missing words (a lot), spelling errors (where instead of were for instance), very basic things that should have been easily picked up on in editing. These types of errors really annoying me as it does detract from my enjoyment. If it weren't for these I would have given it a 4 star.
The characters were likeable and relatable, the descriptions were spot on, the author really put a lot of thought into her descriptive language. I would like a sequel to see what Lake does with the lodge and how Riley's books progress.

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This book was super cute! I really loved this story and I'm left wanting to know what's going to happen next! I'm not going to give any spoilers but this story is a quick and fun read! Loved it!

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Looking for a super cute holiday read!? Look no further than Karen Schaler's latest read! After reading and loving her first two books, I knew I had to add this one to my holiday list. Special thanks to netgalley for hooking me up!

This had all of the classic Christmas vibes that we know and love. Full of traditional activities like decorating the Christmas tree, baking cookies, ugly Christmas sweaters, making snow angels and having snow ball fights - this story had it all!

We are taken back to a Christmas camp scenario where a romance author goes to promote her very first Christmas book. She has been branded as Miss Christmas and is writing the book to keep her publishing deal, after her latest romance novel kind of bombed. However, she is anything but Miss Christmas. In fact, she hasn't celebrated the holidays since she was about eight years old. But with the help of the handsome owner of the inn she is visiting and his loyal and adorable dog, maybe she will be able to find her Christmas spirit! Throw in a couple of ex boyfriends for some drama and you have yourself a wonderful story!

While a bit predictable in how the story would turn out, this book had everything I want in a holiday story! Definately one to add to your list if you enjoy books that read like a cute Hallmark movie!

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Christmas Ever After is a super cute storyline that is almost ruined by the lack of editing in this book. I thought this might be the author’s first novel, but I discovered that she’s written other novels and scripts for movies. The lack of editing in this book should not be okay with this level of author. It’s comical that the editing is so bad as the storyline is about a novelist whose last novel didn’t do well due to poor writing. (on the story side) I kept thinking that this one isn’t doing well due to a lack of editing. This is the debut novel of the author’s self-publishing company, and while she thanks an editor in her acknowledgements, I hope she received those services for free. Beyond a few incorrect details showing a lack of knowledge about something that can be overlooked such as a military academy graduate is an officer and would never call themselves a soldier, there were lots of typos (eve instead of elves, angle instead of angel, grammar issues, missing words, and times where what was written didn’t seem correct. The main character said she was spending several days with the Christmas Campers, but it was a weekend event and less than 2.5 days? She slipped the photo into a cocktail purse, but she hadn’t gone to her room to get ready for the dance yet, so it didn’t seem natural for it to be in the scene after the community center and author chat. There were also a few spots where it seemed like the author was re-explaining something that was explained previously. If you don’t mind poor editing, you will love the story of Christmas Ever After! I could picture it as a Hallmark movie when my mind wasn’t processing all the errors.

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This title is Christmas overkill.... you'd have to be Scrooge to not appreciate all the elements that come together for a book that is everything you come to expect in the quintessential Christmas movie romance. Is it cringe worthy in places? Emphatically yes. Is it absolutely wonderful at the same time? Even more so. Festive and humourous, your heart will grow three sizes by the final page. 3.5* - enjoyable for sure.

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I don’t think I’ve ever read a more Christmassy book in my life! It’s chock full of everything festive and then some. It’s also got a romance-y version of the three ghosts of Christmas, except there are previous boyfriends and they are all lovely – not mean in the slightest. It was a magical tale and I defy anyone not be in the Christmas spirit by the time they get to the end of it.

However, there is an underlying message and that is how not communicating one’s feelings can lead to misunderstandings and heartbreak further down the line.

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Riley Reynolds isn't exactly Scrooge, but she hasn't celebrated Christmas since she was a young girl. Her most recent novel didn't do as well as she had hoped though and her publisher thinks it's time their top romance author gives reader their wish, a Christmas novel. Christmas Camp, a well-known hosted event at gorgeous bed and breakfasts, is the key to getting her holiday juices going. Only, her fans are going to be there and her publicist may have marketed her to everyone as Miss Christmas. With fans to impress, a hunky inn owner to appease, a television mishap turned ex-boyfriend nightmare, and a book to write, Riley has her work cut out for her. Too bad she doesn't know a thing about Christmas.

That's right, I went from applauding one book for not having a Scrooge-y character, to applauding Karen Schaler for writing one. It all depends on the story. Christmas Camp is just a thing I love, I've read similar stories before, but the idea doesn't get old. I would visit one and my non-Grinch hard would also grow three sizes. They're just fun and silly, heartwarming, and in this case, filled with a whole lot of loving. The drama is light, the romance is expected, and the joyous feeling of the season can be found on every page. Okay, it's formula, but my little Christmas book loving heart enjoyed it just as much as I enjoy the cheesy Hallmark movies.

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This is a book that will definitely put you in the holiday spirit, it will also make you laugh. A wonderful and magical Christmas story!! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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Author Riley Reynolds stopped enjoying Christmas as a girl after her father died around the holiday. Since then she travels with her mother to Hawaii to celebrate Christmas in the sun. After her last book bombed, Riley’s publicist has announced she is “Miss Christmas” and will be holding a Christmas Camp with selected fans to talk about what Christmas traditions and plots should be in her next book, which will be a Christmas romance. The problem is that Riley doesn’t have any Christmas traditions to share. What will she do to get out of this mess?

To make matters even more complicated, Riley has a disastrous television interview where she mentions a great love in her life. Her three ex boyfriends are sure they are the one and decide to join the Christmas Camp. Will Riley find love this Christmas?

I love Karen Schaler’s Christmas books and Christmas Ever After was a delightful addition to her repertoire. Schaler also wrote the Netflix movie, A Christmas Prince, which is a holiday favorite in my house. I liked how this book had a nod to her previous book, Christmas Camp, which I also enjoyed.

I loved Riley’s story as she discovers what she wants in life while also rediscovering her Christmas spirit. The romance in the novel was also perfect. It was a delightful escape novel. If you are a fan of Hallmark Christmas movies, this would be the perfect book for you. I would love to see this as a movie.

Favorite Quote:
“This weekend I’ve been reminded of how special Christmas really is and that what matters most are family, friends, faith, your community, spending time with the people you love, honoring old traditions, and creating new ones.”

Overall, Christmas Ever After by Karen Schaler is a delightful Christmas novel that rediscovers the spirit of Christmas.

Book Source: E-copy for review from NetGalley. Thank-you!

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Riley, an author touted as Miss Christmas, is assigned the difficult task of writing her first Christmas novel. Her problem is she lost her Christmas spirit since suffering a loss in childhood. I really enjoyed the path Karen Schaler created for Riley to find her way back to enjoying Christmas. Schaler's emphasis on Christmas traditions brought out the true meaning of Christmas for all the characters, helping Riley to realize their importance to the individual. Christmas Ever After is such a delightful Christmas story!

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I love Christmas books. I love Christmas movies, especially Hallmark ones. They always leave me feeling so good. This book did not disappoint!
Riley is an author in trouble. Her last book missed it mark and now her publisher wants a Christmas romance. Should be easy except Riley doesn’t have a special person in her life and hasn’t celebrated Christmas since she was eight years old. What in the world was her team thinking when they set her up for a Christmas Camp with her fans and started marketing her as Miss Christmas?
Luke had grown up at Christmas Lake Lodge, but now his mom is retiring and has put the lodge up for sale. Hoping to get some publicity that leads to a better price, he agrees to cohost a final Christmas Camp. He wasn’t really into it but what son could say no when his mom was so happy about it?
Colin, Brendan, and Tyler are all ex-boyfriends of Riley’s. When she mentions on live tv that her romance novels are based on a past true love, each of them believes he is the one. They all show up for Christmas Camp and the chance to claim Riley’s heart. And you thought Christmas lights were the hardest thing to untangle at Christmastime!
This book was such a delight to read. It had all the feels. I love Christmas Camp. I want to attend one. If you are looking for some Christmas spirit, it can be found between the covers of this book. I loved the dilemma that Riley had. I enjoy the Christmas fun. The characters were mostly enjoyable, (Mike might be on the naughty list). The ending was a win for me.
Pick up a copy of Christmas Ever After, make some cookies and cocoa, turn the tree lights on and enjoy a feel good Christmas romance!
*I received an ecopy of this title from NetGalley for review consideration. I voluntarily reviewed this book. My review is based on my enjoyment and opinions of the book.*

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What a cute book!!! Definitely should be a movie!!! I loved how this was set in Colorado! Made me miss home! I would definitely go visit Christmas Lake if it was real and stay at the lodge.

Could you imagine all your ex's showing up to an event you are putting together!!! 😳😳 No thank you 🤣.

I loved all the traditions that were shared and the recipes!!! Omg I'm totally going to bake both!!!!

Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read this book!

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A fun "Hallmark"story that I particularly enjoy this time of year. While the ending is predictable, I enjoyed all ty,he turns in the story to get there. I appreciated that it is not ONLY a love story, but has several plot lines to moved the story. I enjoyed all the characters and how they interacted with each other. I would read this author again.

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I adore reading stories like this. A bit of Hallmark. A smidge of The Bachelorette. A touch of a Lifetime movie. This story became a showcase for Christmas-themed stories, and I absolutely loved it. There was quirkiness thrown in with serious problems to solve.

Both the story about the Christmas Lake Angels and the tree lighting in Christmas Lake will stick with me long after I've finished reading this story.

And I truly enjoyed how the author explored the ways in which we touch each other's lives. Everyone we give a piece of ourselves to has an impact on us. Some for the better. Some for the worse. For Riley to have the opportunity to realize how each of her earlier loves contributed to who she is today was sweet, especially as she finally meets the love of her life.

Definitely a book that's right up my alley!

That said, while I know I received a review copy, I'm hoping the issues with it were corrected in the final version. There were dozens of missing words, typos and the like. For what it's worth, I wasn't a fan of the design of it either. It's very unusual to see a san serif font used in eBooks, so I found it highly distracting to read.

5-stars for the story. 3-stars for the production aspects. So, I'm giving this a 4-star rating. I do appreciate receiving a review copy via NetGalley, though, and hope to read more of this author's work in the future.

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Complementary copy given for honest review and opinion.

This book is a typical Hallmark movie romance. I happen to love Hallmark movies so it was great for me. Very predictable.

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Nothing says holiday spirit like the descriptions in this book.
I love Christmas time,the feeling of goodness this time of year brings.
So cozy up by the fire with your warm drink,hot drink and blanket and let the book take you away into a winter wonderland!

Published September 29th 2020
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.

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I have to admit i loved the plot for this book so was looking forward to reading it. It really captures the essence of Christmas and family and was definitely a festive read. The only problem for me was the first half of the book dragged on with irrelevant information and maybe the last 25% was actually related to the plot which was disappointed as it felt quite rushed

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