Cover Image: On the First Day of Christmas

On the First Day of Christmas

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Member Reviews

This is only the second book I have read by this author and am looking forward to going through their back Catalogue. This book was written in a totally different style to the previous one I had read as it had a sliding doors vibe with the story told from two parallel perspectives of what might happen in each scenario.

The title makes this sound like a cosy Xmas read but that couldn’t be further from what this story is about it is so much more than that and is a journey of self discovery taking chances what and what might have been and dealing with grief and difficult relationships and trying to find yourself again.

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I'm a big fan of Faith Hogan and this book didn't disappoint.

I loved the characters and the plot - it was beautifully written

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I started reading this one and I really struggled to get into the flow of the story and the characters.

I am going to buy a physical copy of this one and see if I can get on with it better that way.

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A perfect Christmas read and thanks for letting me enjoy this novel written with parallel story lines. A nurse, Liv is going home when she is saved from an accident by a stranger and she feels compelled to in one case to cancel plans and in the other to travel home plus she has a boyfriend (a jeweller) who has made a mysterious ring that she believes could be for her. There is the perfect setting of a snowy December Irish town where everyone knows each other; a loving family coping with the loss of a sister/daughter and the family farm. The writing creates this wonderful feeling of Liv's difficulties with her boyfriend's indifference, her loving family trying to help her plus the other characters who are part of her life both in Dublin and at her home town. A great read.

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I have tradition for reading Christmas books in December. This book is perfect and I can’t wait to read any of the other books from Faith Hogan. Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

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One of my favourite Christmas traditions is to read Christmas stories. It is one of my simple pleasures during the festive season. On the First Day of Christmas is a feel-good Christmas story that also incorporates some serious subjects. A “sliding doors” type of story but also heartwarming with a lovely ending.

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I love a Christmas book, and this was absolutely cosy and unputdownable. Loved the characters and story.
Thank you to the author, publisher and netgalley for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

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Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. I have chosen to write this honest review voluntarily and it reflects my personal opinion.
Set around Christmas this book contains plenty of festive and family time. Along a 'Sliding Doors' -type scenario Liv is just leaving work when an event occurs and her choices lead her down 2 different paths. The timelines are written concurrently so a bit of concentration is required but different fonts are used to mark which path the reader is following. The scenes with Eddie demonstrate how easy it is to lose individuality in a relationship and mistake submission for compromise. The emotions of characters are credible and well-described. I enjoyed all of this book, and the ending twist was surprising. Date or seating - do we really have a choice, or get there in the end anyway?

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Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book. It's some time since I read it, and I have to admit to reading the reviews of others to jog my memory...a sign that the book wasn't great, or I simply read a lot!
It's the latter...I do read a lot, and I recall being moved by this story which was cleverly revealed to the reader in two plots, at the same time... if this had happened then...., but this happened so....
Definitely worth a read, but I did need a slight memory boost.

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I really, really enjoyed this book. I loved Faith Hogan’s previous book and this one did not disappoint. Highly recommended by me.

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A “sliding doors “ scenario book. This book started out quite confusing as the various threads interwove , but as the characters and plots developed it became clear the two different stories. The reader was dragged in to a thought provoking and emotional read . Loved it !
A very enjoyable read which I would highly recommend
Thank you to Netgalley, Head of Zeus, Aria and Faith Hogan for letting me read this book in exchange for an honest review

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Heartwarming and emotional follows the story of Liv and the life changing decisions that she is forced to face. You can not go wrong with a book by this author.

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I love a cheesy christmas book, and this was it exactly. Of course it's not the best book in the world, but it was cosy and comfy and cheery and ezactly what I wanted

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A good story
Storyline is a bit confusing
But continued reading it and finished it
It was ok
Thanks NetGalley

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This is the first book I have read by Faith Hogan and I really enjoyed it. I loved the sliding doors aspect to the story. A wonderful festive romantic read.
Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for the e-arc.

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Almost a sliding doors type of thing. Do you make this choice or the other? The 2 lives of Liv. What happens when live throes a curveball. Do you continue as planned or choose a different route? A really enjoyable read with plenty of twists and turns as Liv navigates her life.

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On The First Day Of Christmas wasn't what I expected at all, I liked the writing, the Sliding Doors kind of storyline but I felt the ending a little confusing and rushed...as soon as I closed the book I gave it my own interpretation and I was contented with that.

I was so emotional reading Liv story, but I got pissed with her passive attitude at living her life. Nobody have to settle for something only because it feels like the only way to get your dreams come true, unfortunately I did it in the past too but never again.

This book isn't my favourite but I still will read Faith Hogan next work.

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What ever is meant for you never passes you by and that is the case for Liv Latimer in The First Day of Christmas. Do you believe in fate if not after reading this book I think you might just change your mind. I’m a firm believer that everything happens for a reason and even if events don’t quite go as we envisage we get to where we need to be in the end.

Liv is an A & E nurse finishing her last shift before going home to her family for the holidays. Just as she is about to cross the road fate intervenes and a freak accident occurs. The story then splits as does the timeline. follow Liv as she goes home to her family and when she stays behind.

This was my first Faith Hogan book but it won’t be my last. As many other people have said this story has a Sliding Doors feel and as it’s one of my favourite films I loved that aspect to it and I loved this book. It would make a great film in my opinion. Although a Christmas story I think you can easily read this book at any time of the year as it’s not really a festive read, not in the traditional sense.

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Liv is stuck in a boring uncompromising relationship with Eddie, but she is happy. At least she thinks she is happy and that this is as good as it gets, that is until she meets Finn. This story is set in Dublin and the south of Ireland in a cosy little village by the sea. Read this for a good old Irish hug and also for the feel good feeling.

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In the beginning I got a little confused on the two scenarios running parallel, it reminded me of the film Sliding Doors. However, I stuck with it and really enjoyed the book especially how it ended so beautifully.

When Liv loses her twin sister, she gets stuck in a bad relationship and loses herself in work. I liked her character and wanted something good to happen to her. This is a book well worth reading, and flowed well.

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