Cover Image: Christmas Ever After

Christmas Ever After

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

Author Riley Reynolds is not a fan of Christmas as she lost her father at Christmastime when she was a young girl. Her last novel, a summer read, didn't do well and now she is promoting her latest offering - a Christmas love story. Her new publicist, Mike, has organised the promotional book event being held at Christmas Lake Lodge in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, hosted by Riley. Caught off-guard during a tv interview, Riley accidentally reveals details about having experienced great love in her past, but when three of her former loves see the interview, each of them believes she had been referring to them. Then Colin, Brendan, and Tyler put in unexpected appearances...

This is a light and heartwarming wintertime read that is just perfect with a mug of hot chocolate and a gingerbread cookie. Karen Schaler has created some delightfully endearing characters in this gloriously festive tale. Christmas Ever After is highly recommended for those who love sweet romances, Yuletide traditions, lots of snow, festive recipes, and Crimbo sweaters.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel from HawkTale Publishing via NetGalley at my request and this review is my own unbiased opinion.

Was this review helpful?

A really great Christmas Story
Karen Schaler, Emmy Award-winning storyteller, screenwriter, author, journalist, and national TV host, presents the Christmas romance "Christmas Ever After", published by HawkTale Publishing. Author Riley Reynolds does not do Christmas due to the fact that she lost her father at Christmas time when she was young. Her last novel tanked and now she is supposed to write a Christmas novel. Margo, her agent, finds Mark, a "powerhouse publicist" who comes up with the idea is that Riley hosts an author event at a Christmas Camp in a winter lodge in the Rocky Mountains. Luke, the lodge manager has to jump in and take her place at a TV interview when Riley walks out of the interview, angry because of having been asked about her big love. But her statement has consequences. Her three former boyfriends, Colin, Brendan, and Tyler, show up unexpectedly for the camp. But there is another one who is in the run to be her true love. How will Riley survive the camp? And who will win her love?
This was the first book by Karen Schaler and by HawkTale Publishing which I read. I really love the book with its twist and turns and its realistic and believable characters. I highly recommend it to all readers who love Christmas romance novels. I also appreciated the Christmas Ever After Recipes, Activities, and Green-Friendly Christmas Tips that were included in the book and I am looking forward to read more from this author.
The complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley free of charge. I was under no obligation to offer a positive review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
#ChristmasEverAfter #NetGalley

Was this review helpful?

Christmas Ever After
By Karen Schaler

Author Riley Reynolds hasn’t celebrated Christmas since the year her father and sister died, even though she was only a child when it happened. This year she is dubbed Miss Christmas by her publicist in a last-ditch effort to save her romance writing career. Once a best-selling author, her last novel bombed. She has to get back on track with her Christmas romance novel or she will no longer have a contract to do what she loves best.

In desperation she agrees to host a Christmas Camp at Christmas Lake Lodge. Since the owner died and his wife retired to Florida, their son Luke has tried to keep it afloat. Competition from a new resort that is close by has taken its toll on the quaint lodge. Christmas Camp will be the last event held in it before Luke is forced to sell the family business.

The Scrooge Riley has become will soon be surprised when some of her ghosts of Christmas past turn up when she is least expecting them. Three ex-boyfriends have arrived at Christmas Camp, each of them convinced she still loves and has been pining for them. Now she has to decide if indeed one them is the man that will write the happily ever after ending to her story. But then there is Luke…could one of these four men ignite the spark she is looking for in her life and in her writing? It will take a Christmas miracle to find out.

This charming Christmas romance has everything readers love. Handsome men, a delightful setting and a dog that steels the show make Christmas Ever After the perfect holiday book. The characters are interesting and all have different thoughts and memories surrounding the holidays. They share the common goal of spreading the Christmas spirit with charity, kindness, family and friends – helping Riley rekindle her love for Christmas.

It is heartwarming to read a book that has a happily ever after ending. It is the first book I’ve read by this award-winning author, but won’t be the last. I have watched and loved her Christmas movies that can be seen on Netflix, Hallmark and Lifetime. Be sure to check out the recipes and Christmas activities that are included at the end of the book. I can’t wait to add Christmas Lake Blueberry Cinnamon Rolls to our Christmas celebration.

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: I have a material connection because I received a review copy for free from Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. Copyright © 2020 Laura Hartman

Was this review helpful?

Although not a book I would purchase in my professional role, it is one that I will be recommending in my personal life! Thank you so much for allowing me to have access to the digital arc!

Was this review helpful?

This was the first book I have read by Schaler, but I loved Netflix’s A Christmas Prince, so I was more than happy to dive in!

I am a lover of Christmas and this book did not disappoint! I love books where someone believes in the magic of Christmas again and this book was that and more.

The main storyline did not seem to really pick up until over halfway through the book, which made all the romance seem to happen rather quickly, but I still enjoyed the characters and what each of them brought to the story.

Altogether, this was a lovely, festive, clean Christmas read! If you love Hallmark-esque Christmas stories, this is a perfect book for you!


Thank you to HawkTale Publishing and NetGalley for the review copy in exchange for an honest review!

Was this review helpful?

An author who has to do a christmas camp and a novel about christmas, a season she doesn't like. Enter the manager of the christmas camp and sparks begin to fly. An enjoyable romance. Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for letting me review this book.

Was this review helpful?

Karen Schaler is the writer behind Netflix's A Christmas Prince, so I was excited to have the opportunity to read and review this book. Christmas Ever After follows romance author, Riley, who hasn't celebrated Christmas in decades. However, when she's required to write a Christmas love story to save her career, she fakes being Miss Christmas at a fan-focused Christmas camp in Colorado, which is held at a lakeside lodge owned by the handsome (and single) Luke.

But this is just one part of the story, as when Riley is caught off-guard during an interview and mentions she's already met "the one," her three ex-boyfriends turn up at Christmas camp thinking she's talking about them. Revisiting each relationship through a series of dates, Riley does eventually get her own happily ever after...

So, Christmas Ever After was made to be a Hallmark Christmas movie. It's fun, it features a slew of likeable characters, but it also has heart and depth. You will be transported to Colorado at Christmas time through Schaler's writing and you will undoubtedly fall in love with Comet, the resident Bernese Mountain dog. Christmas Ever After also features original Christmas recipes and fun holiday crafts and activities. So if you want a fuzzy heartwarming book to read this festive season, I highly recommend Christmas Ever After.

Thank you to NetGalley and HawkTale Publishing for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Was this review helpful?

A modern-day Scrooge romance, set in a bustling New York City. The Christmas scene is set with a small cosy café, mulled wine, cinnamon and an arrival of snow. One unhappy Riley Reynolds is struggling as an author. A clash with an interviewer on television causes her to walk out mid interview.
A non-debatable travel to save her career results, all the way to Christmas Lake Lodge. This is a wonderland covered in snow and the scene is completed with hot chocolate, cosy fires and Christmas lights. The problem is that Riley really doesn’t do Christmas.
Riley meets the handsome owner of the Lodge, but the bigger surprise will be the three boyfriends of her past. Each believes that when she was doing the television interview, she was talking about them. We discover exactly why Riley doesn’t celebrate Christmas. Riley remembers the love of each romance and makes discoveries of herself. During all this she discovers her true love and Christmas.
I found that this was an easy-going book that gave the reader the feel-good factor of Christmas. It was a good escape, making me want to read her other books and watch the films again.
I would like to see the novel as a film as I felt that I could envisage the typical Netflix Christmas romance through her style of writing.
Many thanks to Karen Schaler, her publishers and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

Was this review helpful?

Author Riley Reynolds is in for a Christmas season she will never forget. While being interviewed on television she lets slip that she has had one great love of her life. Imagine her surprise when three of her exes turn up thinking’s she is talking about them.

If you’re looking for a Hallmark film in book form, this is perfect for you!

Was this review helpful?

Book Review:

I received “Christmas Ever After” by Karen Schaler from Netgalley for my honest review.

Christmas for most is a magical time of year and so we meet Riley Reynolds an author who has been successful journalist, travel writer and writer of romantic novels but never a book about Christmas. Riley hasn’t celebrated Christmas since her dad passed away when she was 8 years old. Now Riley is thrown into an interview that her publisher Mike has set up to announce a Christmas Camp Event at a Lodge in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado where she will be running a weekend of fun to promote her future book relating to Christmas. Riley is in over her head since she has doesn’t celebrate Christmas. Luckily she has Luke Larchmont whose family owns the Lodge but Initially he’s not to thrilled with her behavior. You see Riley runs into a bit of trouble during the interview when she is asked about her love life which is nonexistent and ends up saying she has had a true love. Now Riley has had 3 great loves in her life but none presently. This angers Riley so much that she runs out on the second half of the interview and Luke is left to talk.

Well needless to say Luke and Riley work it out and Christmas Camp is magical. Events get planned and romance is in the air. Except who is this romance with? Riley’s 3 ex-boyfriends all show up to Christmas Camp believing they are the one true love. What will Riley do and does she still feel that “spark” with one of them. Well get on board and find out for yourselves lovers of Christmas Romance.

Verdict:

I love Christmas and romance so this book had me from the start. I love how descriptive of both the surroundings and the people Ms Schaler was in this beautiful novel. For those like me you will love this book. It’s a heartwarming of rediscovering Christmas and love. I give this book a 5/5 ❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️

Was this review helpful?

If you love Hallmark movies or classic romance stories set during the holidays, this book is such a cozy and perfect read for the holiday season. It incapsulates the magic and beauty of Christmas and I truly enjoyed reading it; it put me into the holiday spirit and mood instantly! The writing of this book is gorgeous and I love the lush descriptions and cozy feeling this book offers.

Was this review helpful?

As a Christmas Hallmark and Bachelorette fan, there was so much to love in this story.

Riley is a romance writer, who’s last book struggled so her publisher asked her to write a Christmas book and host a Christmas camp to drum up interest. During a promotional interview, her words were taken out of context and interpreted that she had one great love instead of 3 great loves that were in her past. As a result, her old boyfriends all show up at the Christmas camp to surprise her.

The writing was easy and enjoyable. I enjoyed the development of the main character. The only negative was I almost felt like there were added storylines that weren’t necessary. I think it could have been a really sweet story without the addition of the last boyfriends. Although I understand their importance, I don’t think quite enough time was spent on them because they took away from the main romance. I loved all the Christmas talk. Despite how much I love Hallmark Christmas movies, this was actually my first Christmas book! It was a good first one to check out. I could definitely see this as a movie!

I want to thank Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for my opinions.

Was this review helpful?

A cross between The Grinch and Mamma Mia!, Christmas Ever After is a wonderfully festive read, full of heart and Christmas spirit. This read is perfect for getting in the festive mood with snowball fights, Christmas baking, ugly jumpers and of course, some romance. I absolutely loved the setting of this book- it was cosy and so comforting to read. It was also great to see Riley Reynolds truly come around to Christmas, embracing the memories of her past, with some emotional moments.
This was my first book by Karen Schaler but now need to pick up all her other books as I am hooked!

Was this review helpful?

When I was given the chance to review this book by Netgalley I was delighted.

Riley is an romance author who seems to have hit a bit of a blip, as a last chance to save her career she has to deliver a Christmas Camp at Christmas Lake as she is Miss Christmas - only problem Riley hasn't celebrated Christmas since her father died.

Just before Riley leaves for Christmas Camp she is invited to attend an interview with a local tv station, unfortunately the host she was expecting was called away unexpectedly and the host filling in does a hatchet job on Riley.

Riley heads for Christmas Camp trying desperately to retain her job but how can she share her Christmas traditions when she doesn't have any, but when her ex boyfriends turn up too how on earth is she going to get through this.

Luke is looking after Christmas Lake Lodge for his mother while she recovers from injury, this is going to be their last Christmas here and he really doesn't want to have the complication of Christmas Camp how is this all going to end.

I loved this book the characters are engaging and even her ex boyfriends were really nice people. My favorite character was Comet.

I loved this Christmas story and can't recommend it highly enough.

Was this review helpful?

RATING: 4/5 STARS

"Over the festive weekend, Riley’s old boyfriends compete to win her heart, pulling out all the stops while planning the most romantic Christmas dates on the planet. Despite herself, Riley starts falling for each guy— again—but for different reasons. As Riley revisits each relationship and discovers more about herself, she embraces the magic of Christmas and finally finds true love and her own Christmas ever after."

Christmas Ever After by Karen Schaler, the beloved Emmy Award-winning writer of the Christmas Prince Netflix masterpiece, is the perfect book to read on a snowy day with a glass of mulled wine after setting up your Christmas tree!

First of all, this book is absolutely adorable. Christmas books will always have a soft spot in my heart and I genuinely believe that there is no such thing as too many Christmas books in the world, so I was really excited to read this. Karen Schaler did not disappoint in terms of putting me in a festive mood and getting me excited for Christmas! I love the fact that she included recipes and crafts at the end of this book based on traditions or snacks in the actual storyline - I thought that was an incredibly unique and personalized touch.

The characters and overall plot of this novel is something I could easily picture as a future Christmas Hallmark movie! I thought it was a really unique idea to bring in all of Riley's exes to win her heart at her Christmas Camp event and I was eager to see how that would play out. Although I assume that having the three exes talk at the same time and try to win Riley back in the same way was intentional, I personally loved the scenes where you could see some differences in character to make them stand out so that it didn't feel like we were reading about the same person over and over again! I'm thinking of a particular scene with one of her exes and their sweater choice at the ugly Christmas sweater competition.

I will say that the characters don't exactly have super standout personalities and the overall plot is a bit predictable, but what made it enjoyable was how the author got to the ending - sprinkling different Christmas traditions here and there while making us feel like we were at Christmas Camp with the characters. When I read a Christmas novel, I read it for the purpose of hearing these types of traditions to get me in a jolly mood, and not to get some sort of unexpected plot twist. I also did feel like there were some parts of the plot that didn't truly get resolved, so I would've liked to get some sort of closure with those parts such as if Paul and Caylee resolved things after she talked with Riley, and whether or not anyone actually reprimanded Mike for going too far in terms of getting publicity.

All in all, this novel is easy to binge and makes for a fluffy and delightful read. I'm excited to read other books from this author and I'm ready to celebrate Christmas early!

Many thanks to NetGalley and HawkTale Publishing for providing me with an e-copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review!

Was this review helpful?

I enjoyed this book. A great story line and very likeable characters led to a pleasant reading experience.

Was this review helpful?

This is the second book I've read by this author and I've really enjoyed both books. They would really appeal to anyone who likes Hallmark Christmas movies. They have that same cozy, pleasant, heartwarming feeling to them. And the plot is very similar to that kind of movie.

Was this review helpful?

I love Christmas and Christmas stories. I really like how the main character changed from the beginning to the end. It was wonderful to see how close a community can work together and how traditions are important to continue for future generations. I also love a happy ending. This was a great book to read. We need more uplifting stories like this that give people hope for the future.

Was this review helpful?

I loved this book! It was just what I needed to escape into a different time where COVID isn't happening, my kids aren't distance learning, and I can see my friends. What better place to escape to than a Christmas camp? I loved the snappy pace, the cute details (I want that dog!), and the Hallmark-ish plot. This is my first Schaler book, but I imagine I'll have read through all her books before COVID is over!

Thanks to NetGalley for the free book in exchance for an honest review.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3597898844

Was this review helpful?

I want to go to Christmas Camp!!!! Riley never celebrates Christmas and Luke's family makes Christmas wishes come true. Then as luck would have it, they have to work together to save Christmas Camp and get what they both need. If you are a fan of Hallmark Movies, The Bachelorette, and Christmas then this is the book for you. I can't wait to read more books by this author. I hope there is a Hallmark movie made from this book.

Was this review helpful?