Cover Image: Christmas Ever After

Christmas Ever After

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Member Reviews

After reading three Christmas novels by Karen Schaler, I’m officially saying that I will read every Christmas novel she ever releases.

Her books are like a hug infused with Christmas magic.

Christmas Ever After might be my favourite book now. I loved being at a new location and having a new furry companion. Our male hero is definitely something special.

But most of all, we have Riley. Stories dealing with grief always hold a special place with me. Seeing her journey and building friendships at Christmas Camp was some of Schaler’s best work yet.

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Rediscover the true meaning of Christmas with Riley, a successful romance author who has avoided celebrating the "Season of goodwill" to all.

Think of all the best bits from your Christmases past, add a few characters - in this case, Comet the faithful dog and the "Three Wise Men", mix with a sprinkle of Christmas traditions and fairy dust! And you get a heart-warming and sometimes funny - yeti boots and novelty Christmas jumpers - romance!

I had lots of fun going on Riley's personal journey of rediscovery.

Thank you to Hawktale Publishing and Netgalley for providing an Advance Reader's Copy.

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Christmas Ever After
By: Karen Schaler
Hawktale Publishing

Author Riley Reynolds writes romance novels. Her last novel didn’t do so well, so her publisher decides she should write a Christmas romance story to rebound. Everyone loves Christmas. Well, everyone, but Riley. How is she going to write about a holiday that’s not her favorite? How is she going to write about love when her love life isn’t going so well?

Not only does her publisher want her to write a Christmas novel, but also insists she goes on live tv to promote it and the upcoming “Christmas Camp” book event for her fans. While on tv the interviewer has the audacity to ask Riley how she could possibly write about romance when she hasn’t found “the one” herself. Flustered and angry, Riley answers that she has had great love in the past and it inspires her novels.

Unfortunately, for Riley her three ex-boyfriends saw the interview and assume she is talking about each of them. They decide to surprise her Christmas Camp book even to see about getting back together.

But, of course, Christmas Camp takes place at the picturesque Christmas Lake Lodge, and owners son Luke is sweet and charming.

Rating: This book is loaded with Christmas spirit, love and cheer. It made me smile and I think it will you too.

Thank you to @netgalley and hawk tale publishing for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

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A new author and wonderful way to start my holiday reading! A fun and entertaining story that will make you laugh and cry. The author captured the essence of Christmas and how to recapture it when you've lost it.

Riley's father died at Christmas when she was 8 years old. Since then she hasn't celebrated the holiday due to the pain of the memories. Her job as a writer is on the line and her publisher schedules a holiday writer's camp to help make her next novel a success.

Luke, the owner of the Inn where the event is scheduled helps her find her Christmas mojo. Add in her three ex-boyfriend's surprising her and shenanigans ensue. Will surely get you in the Christmas seasonal mood!

I received a free ARC eBook from Net Galley and the publisher in exchange for my honest opinions.

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CHRISTMAS EVER AFTER is full of all things winter and Christmas. I had heartwarming feelings while reading it even if there were a Scrooge or two involved. I was drawn in from the beginning and loved everything about the Christmas Lake Lodge and Christmas Camp events. Such a fun, holiday romance!

Riley is a romance author trying to salvage her career. She’s to be the featured author at Christmas Camp so that her fans can connect with her and hopefully give her some ideas of what they’d like to read in a Christmas story. She’s hoping their traditions will help give her some guidance of what to write since her last romance novel bombed. (This is the brainchild of her publicist–who’s friends with Luke and knows how much Riley dislikes the holidays.)

Luke is hosting the Christmas Camp and author event as a last hurrah for his family before they sell the place. He and Riley spark but have trouble communicating from the beginning. Yet as time passes, their relationship grows. Friendship and family are woven throughout the story. The town and their traditions are delightful and add to the character of CHRISTMAS EVER AFTER.

The story is filled with holiday magic. The plot flows, the descriptions and characters are spot-on, and the love story is moving. The cover nailed the Christmas vibe–I could feel the cold of the winter wonderland! I also loved the inclusion of the recipes in the back of the book, as well as some Christmas craft ideas.

Ms. Schaler is an author I associate with Christmas. I’ve read her Christmas Camp books, and they all read like Hallmark movies. When I found out some of them are actually movies, it made total sense. I look forward to reading her next Christmas story.

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Christmas Ever After was a enjoyable read, Riley doesn't do Christmas so this book was fun to read. How can a author write a Christmas book, when she doesn't celebrate the holiday. The setting of the book was lovely, and the characters were fun to get to know. I would recommend this book to others.

I received a ARC from NetGalley and HawkTale Publisher and was under no obligation to leave a favorable review, all opinions expressed here are my own.

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Is this a real problem that real authors have? Probably, at times. This is a great Christmas story where you have someone without a lot of Christmas spirit. She gets thrown into situations that without her even realizing it, she once again finds herself getting her previous grove back. Loved the story and the characters. I would love to go stay at Christmas Lake Lodge and participate in a Christmas Camp. That would be so fun! I received this book from NetGalley, but my opinion is my own.

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What a brilliant read, you are taken to NYC and are travelled over to Colorado. The discriptive writting in this book is phenomonal and simply beautiful, i want to visit here.
Riley is a romance author who is on the brink of never making it big if she doesnt complete the next book but can she write a christmas book? She has never done any christmas traditions, isnt in a great loving relationship but yet she can write about it, she is struggling. her publicit Mike, sends her to Colorado to fix what she broke and to get her to enjoy this 'christmas camp' set up in the mountain village in Colorado, Riley isnt impressed by any of it and turns up in the clothing for a city life not that of an outdoor freezing temperatures. The man running the camp is Luke and the other workers are all good friends to Riley, as they get on so well. Luke took an extra three booking from three men who all want to surprise Riley- they are all of her EX boyfriends and shes not exactly enthused when she sees them.
She starts to be treated well and taken on romantic nights with these men, but can she fall in love with them again, afterall they are exes for a reason! but theres Luke and Luke is my favourite i must say. She has changed whilst being in Colorado and starts to enjoy christmas which she never thought she could but the question is, can she start this book? can she find love in the Rockies,,,... read on and open this book you will not be dissapointed.

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Riley is an author whose last book was not a hit with her followers. To try and boost her readership and get her back on track her publishing company decide to brand her as Miss Christmas and have her write a Christmas novel. There is only one major flaw to this Riley hates Christmas. She keeps this from everyone and goes ahead with the plan of hosting a Christmas Camp at Christmas Lake Lodge for some of her lucky fans. When she is doing a TV interview about the camp, the interviewer – not the one she was led to believe would be doing the interview – goes off piste regarding the questions. This not only makes Riley angry but also has consequences for the Christmas Camp.
Riley has to go up to Christmas Lake Lodge to make amends to Luke, the resort manager but to also salvage things with her publicist Mike and Margo her agent. As Riley helps Luke make plans for the camp, she begins to like him. When the camp starts, there are three surprises for Riley, are they wanted or not?
This is a delightful novel about Christmas camp, what if means to so many and how many small things can mean so much to others.
I loved this novel and I hope you do to. I got so caught up in it and can see myself re reading this with the Christmas tree decorated, the lights twinkling, the fire on, cosied up on the sofa and just steeping myself in a great read. I really loved the idea of Christmas Camp and I do know that Karen Schaler actually runs one. Would highly recommend this novel. I will definitely read more books by Karen Schaler.

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Christmas Ever After by Karen Schaler is a most delightful contemporary Christmas novel that will warm your heart and leave you smiling.
Log cabins, snow, Christmas trees and Santas are everything you need for the festive atmosphere – but what happens if you really want to avoid Christmas every year? This novel will awaken the spirit of Christmas in your heart.
Christmas is a time for making memories but for one character, a childhood trauma has meant Christmas was never celebrated again. Misunderstandings need correcting and a heart needs awakening.
Karen Schaler has created a charming novel that is warm, friendly, feel-good and humorous – there is definitely a touch of Mama Mia within the tale resulting in some situations that will make you smile.
Christmas Ever After would make a wonderful Hallmark movie. It is the perfect read to brighten an autumn day. It will inject a little Christmas spirit into your life.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

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Riley has been told to write a Christmas romance novel for the first time by her publisher. Doing an interview she's asked how she can write about romance when she doesn't have soemone. She says she had her one true love but let him go and that sets off a chain of reactions.

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Christmas Ever After by Karen Schaler reads like watching a Hallmark TV movie in your head. Romance author Riley Reynolds is the pleasant most of the time Scrooge being visited by her the former boyfriends because of an interview answer she gave. As Riley says herself, she feels like she is part of the reality show, The Bachelorette. It is a fun read with great writing and some over the top Christmas festivities. Take the dueling Christmas Carolers and the totally Santa guest room. While I would like to see that, like Riley did at first I would want to send the full size cardboard cut-out Santa packing too.

A sweet Christmas story with a female lead that grows on you as the story continues even as she is somewhat nerve-racking too. Then Luke is nearly perfect so of course you fall a little in love with him too. The other characters round out the story with no real villains but plenty of drama and angst. It does end exactly the way you think it would but I would have been unhappy if this traditional romance story ended any other way. Here’s to family, friends, love, and traditions new and old.

An ARC of the book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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This is the reason I read every one of Karen’s Christmas books! Absolute, pure Christmas, romantic delight. I loved returning to Christmas Camp and Riley has definitely earned her place as a recipient of the charms this special place offers. All of the characters are fun, but the chemistry between Riley and Luke is palpable and nothing short of pure romantic bliss. The premise is funny, and the story delivers. I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are my own and freely given.

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This is a Hallmark Christmas movie in a book and I loved it. It was so descriptive that I could picture it playing out in my head. I loved seeing Riley's transformation from somebody who has lost their Christmas spirit to somebody who has found it and so much more. I was determined to not like her ex's but I couldn't, however Luke was the clear winner. I'd actually like to see a follow up book focusing on Caylee. I thought she was a great character that would be a great leading lady in her own story. All in all, this is a great, heart warming story full of festive cheer that will leave you looking forward to the festive season.

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Christmas Ever After is another enjoyable Christmas romance from Karen Schaler! I recommend it for any readers that enjoy made for TV holiday movies.

Romance author Riley Reynolds is thrown for a loop when a national television interview arranged to help her promote the Christmas novel she's working on leads to questions about how she can write romance when she hasn't found "the one" yet. To get the interview back on track, Riley answers that she's had great love in her past that has inspired her romance novels. Unfortunately for Riley, that quick remark causes her three ex-boyfriends to each think that they're "the one" for Riley. After hearing that Riley's hosting a special Christmas Camp to gain inspiration for her Christmas novel, all three men make plans to attend and sweep Riley off her feet.

As if having three ex-boyfriends all vying for attention isn't enough trouble, Riley's also faced with Christmas 24/7 after having skipped Christmas celebrations since her dad died when she was a kid. The only bright spot in Riley's life seems to be Luke, the owner of the inn where the Christmas Camp is taking place. When the sparks start flying with Luke and all three of her ex-boyfriends, Riley will have to decide which man is the right one for her future.

Karen Schaler does a wonderful job transporting readers to the picturesque setting of Christmas Lake. I felt as if I was right there with Riley, Luke and all of their Christmas Campers. Each of the characters is well-crafted with a thoughtful backstory that makes their respective happily-ever-afters all the sweeter.

Thank you NetGalley, HawkTale Publishing and Karen Schaler for the chance to read this digital ARC.

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What a lovely , festive light read. A Fun and flirty (but only flirty no steam here, just romance) , quick read , I knew I’d love it, but I didn’t realise how much ! It’s a lovely read, but I am it’s target I love a sweet Christmas Romance. I could see this as a Hallmark movie , it would be so good

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

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Christmas Ever After is my first Christmas read of the year, just perfect to read wrapped up in a blanket with a hot chocolate. After seeing A Christmas Prince and Hallmark’s Christmas Camp, i was thrilled to discover this written by the same author.

One of my Christmas traditions is watching Christmas films, so this reading like a hallmark film was perfect.

I wanted to go and visit this winter Wonderland and enjoy all those Christmas traditions, like making snow angels and watching Christmas films. Like looking at a snow globe, transported to the childlike magic of Christmas. Heartwarming memories, the importance of family and friends.

We meet a host of loveable characters at Christmas Lake Lodge but Comet, the dog steals the show.

The recipes featured were an extra special Christmas touch. I really hope it will be made into a hallmark film. Highly recommend if you love Christmas and Hallmark films. Perfect escapism. After reading this I'll definitely be reading more by this author.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

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I really enjoyed this book! It had such a unique premise, which is why I requested it. I usually don't like love triangles (or squares) but this was a heartwarming story. I was rooting for Riley from the beginning! If you like holiday romances, add this to your TBR!

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This book was so cute! It felt like reading a Hallmark movie, which is definitely the cozy vibe we all need right now. I did notice, though, that the copy I received was pretty full of glaring typos, but I'm not sure if that's a result of getting an early copy. It was a great concept that was enjoyable to read!

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This particular Christmas Camp isn't like the others in previous books. This Camp centers around Riley. The attendees are fans who paid to be there- with the focus on Riley's Christmas traditions. No one- not even Luke- knows she doesn't do Christmas anymore. Things get a little hairy when, amongst the guest list, are blasts from her past with intentions on becoming her future. Misunderstandings run rampant in this book- mostly at the hands of her near-do-well publicist, Mike.

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