Member Review
Review by
MoMo C, Reviewer
The Christmas Clause is an unusual Christmas read, blending festive fantasy with romantic comedy and some surprisingly serious emotional themes. Sharon Ibbotson has taken a wonderfully imaginative idea and created a story filled with legal battles, unexpected revelations and plenty of humour.
This book took me a little while to settle into, with quite a lot of information to absorb as the unusual world of Santa and Mrs Claus began to unfold. However, once the groundwork was established and I became more familiar with the fantastical elements, I found myself increasingly drawn into the story.
For me, one of the highlights was the dynamic between Somer and Reuben. Oh, the chemistry! Two intelligent, determined lawyers who are more than capable of holding their own across a negotiating table, their verbal sparring and growing attraction brought some wonderfully entertaining moments to the story. I particularly enjoyed getting to know them beyond their professional roles, discovering more about their lives, their experiences and the passion they both brought to their work. Their lively debates were another highlight, sometimes even making me stop and consider how I might respond myself. The spicier moments were great fun too, but what made them particularly special was the emotional connection developing between Somer and Reuben. Their growing feelings sometimes complicated their attraction, yet that only made the moments of intimacy feel more genuine and meaningful.
Meanwhile, the difficulties facing Mr and Mrs Claus bring an entirely different dimension to the book. Beneath the extraordinary circumstances and festive extravagance, there are some surprisingly thoughtful themes surrounding love, marriage, loss and the choices we make for the people who matter most. There were moments when the dialogue didn't quite ring true for me, but these became less significant as I grew increasingly invested in the characters and their stories. I found plenty to enjoy, from the humour and unexpected developments to a little playful name-dropping that added to the fun.
Interestingly, the more I've reflected on this story since finishing it, the more I've come to appreciate the characters and the emotional depth behind their relationships. The Christmas Clause wasn't quite what I'd expected, but I'm so glad I continued reading. What began as a challenging read became something rather special, and it's a story that has stayed with me long after the final page.
With this being the first book in the North Pole Series, I'm already wondering what Sharon has planned next. Personally, I'd love another opportunity to spend time with Somer and Reuben! It's a book I've already found myself recommending to others, and one I'm delighted to have discovered.
This book took me a little while to settle into, with quite a lot of information to absorb as the unusual world of Santa and Mrs Claus began to unfold. However, once the groundwork was established and I became more familiar with the fantastical elements, I found myself increasingly drawn into the story.
For me, one of the highlights was the dynamic between Somer and Reuben. Oh, the chemistry! Two intelligent, determined lawyers who are more than capable of holding their own across a negotiating table, their verbal sparring and growing attraction brought some wonderfully entertaining moments to the story. I particularly enjoyed getting to know them beyond their professional roles, discovering more about their lives, their experiences and the passion they both brought to their work. Their lively debates were another highlight, sometimes even making me stop and consider how I might respond myself. The spicier moments were great fun too, but what made them particularly special was the emotional connection developing between Somer and Reuben. Their growing feelings sometimes complicated their attraction, yet that only made the moments of intimacy feel more genuine and meaningful.
Meanwhile, the difficulties facing Mr and Mrs Claus bring an entirely different dimension to the book. Beneath the extraordinary circumstances and festive extravagance, there are some surprisingly thoughtful themes surrounding love, marriage, loss and the choices we make for the people who matter most. There were moments when the dialogue didn't quite ring true for me, but these became less significant as I grew increasingly invested in the characters and their stories. I found plenty to enjoy, from the humour and unexpected developments to a little playful name-dropping that added to the fun.
Interestingly, the more I've reflected on this story since finishing it, the more I've come to appreciate the characters and the emotional depth behind their relationships. The Christmas Clause wasn't quite what I'd expected, but I'm so glad I continued reading. What began as a challenging read became something rather special, and it's a story that has stayed with me long after the final page.
With this being the first book in the North Pole Series, I'm already wondering what Sharon has planned next. Personally, I'd love another opportunity to spend time with Somer and Reuben! It's a book I've already found myself recommending to others, and one I'm delighted to have discovered.
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