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The Nine Lives of Christmas
Two people are about to discover that when it comes to finding love, sometimes Christmas magic isn't enough…sometimes it takes a pesky orange cat named Ambrose.
When a guy is in trouble, he starts making deals with his Creator…and Ambrose the cat is no exception. In danger of losing his ninth and final life, Ambrose makes a desperate plea to the universe. He'll do anything—anything!—if he can just survive and enjoy a nice long, final life. His prayer is answered when a stranger comes along and saves him—and now it looks like he has to hold up his end of the bargain.
The stranger turns out to be a firefighter named Zach, who's in need of some serious romantic help. If Ambrose can just bring Zach together with Merilee, the nice lady who works at Pet Palace, it's bound to earn him a healthy ninth life. Unfortunately for Ambrose, his mission is a lot harder than he ever thought. Merriliee is way too shy to make the first move on a ladies man like Zach, and Zach thinks he's all wrong for a nice girl like Merrilee. Now it's going to take all of Ambrose's feline wiles—and maybe even a good old fashioned Christmas miracle—to make them both realize that what they're looking for is right in front of their eyes.
When a guy is in trouble, he starts making deals with his Creator…and Ambrose the cat is no exception. In danger of losing his ninth and final life, Ambrose makes a desperate plea to the universe. He'll do anything—anything!—if he can just survive and enjoy a nice long, final life. His prayer is answered when a stranger comes along and saves him—and now it looks like he has to hold up his end of the bargain.
The stranger turns out to be a firefighter named Zach, who's in need of some serious romantic help. If Ambrose can just bring Zach together with Merilee, the nice lady who works at Pet Palace, it's bound to earn him a healthy ninth life. Unfortunately for Ambrose, his mission is a lot harder than he ever thought. Merriliee is way too shy to make the first move on a ladies man like Zach, and Zach thinks he's all wrong for a nice girl like Merrilee. Now it's going to take all of Ambrose's feline wiles—and maybe even a good old fashioned Christmas miracle—to make them both realize that what they're looking for is right in front of their eyes.
214 pages, Hardcover
First published October 25, 2011
90 people are currently reading
2136 people want to read
About the author
Sheila Roberts
108 books1,976 followersWith fifty books to her credit, both fiction and non-fiction, Sheila Roberts is a frequent USA Today and Publishers Weekly bestseller - and a fan favorite. Her books have sold over three million copies and have been turned into movies for the Hallmark, Lifetime and Great American Family channels. Before settling into her writing career, Sheila owned a singing telegram company and played in band. When she's not traveling, Sheila can be found hanging out with friends, playing tennis, and, of course, writing and reading. Sometimes she even remembers to post books she's read!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 532 reviews
November 29, 2022
In diesem Buch geht es um zwei Menschen, die durch die Hilfe eines Katers zueinanderfinden. Das Ganze spielt zur Weihnachtszeit, wobei mir die weihnachtliche Stimmung ein bisschen gefehlt hat.
Es ist eine nette Geschichte, die mir durchaus gefallen hat, aber für einen Weihnachtsroman hatte sie mir zu wenig Gefühl und zu wenig Atmosphäre.
Dafür fand ich aber einige Ansichten des Katers recht humorvoll.
Insgesamt eine leichte Lektüre, bei dem ein Kater die Hauptrolle spielt.
Es ist eine nette Geschichte, die mir durchaus gefallen hat, aber für einen Weihnachtsroman hatte sie mir zu wenig Gefühl und zu wenig Atmosphäre.
Dafür fand ich aber einige Ansichten des Katers recht humorvoll.
Insgesamt eine leichte Lektüre, bei dem ein Kater die Hauptrolle spielt.
December 15, 2014
Cats and Christmas....basically two of my favorite things in the world all contained in one book! This was a fun and sweet holiday romance that was perfect for the season! :)
December 7, 2016
Coming up to Christmas time, I felt in the mood for a Christmas tale and came across sitting on my bookshelf at home The Nine Lives of Christmas. As we all know Cats have nine lives and the main character of this book Ambrose is on his last one, and he doesn't want to go just yet, and he doesn't want his last life to be ruined by a vicious dog that won't stop chasing him. So Ambrose does what anyone in a dangerous situation would do, he stops and prays for a second chance and to make his last life worthwhile. Ambrose finds his way to Zach's - a fireman who is in need of some loving and Christmas spirit. Zach is the type of guy who can't commit, and it stems all the way to his childhood issues. This Christmas Ambrose is going to set Zach up and help him find true love and the love will be in the form of the Pet Palace worker Merilee. The only thing stopping this plan from working is that Zach already has an on/off the relationship and her family happens to own the Pet Palace. Can Ambrose redeem himself this Christmas and one of the other things I loved is when we meet Queenie - Merilee's cat and discover that she and Ambrose go way back to previous lives. If you are in the mood for a feel-good animal and romance story, something to warm your heart up to this Christmas then check out Sheila Robert's sweet romance The Nine Lives of Christmas. This is also readers, one book that I could envision as a possible Christmas Hallmark Movie.
December 23, 2018
This was such a sweet book. I really adored the parts where we read the cat's POV. Super cute!
January 15, 2015
Another read for my reading challenge of 2015- this one a book set during Christmas. I chose this book after watching the Hallmark original movie of the same name (and LOOSELY based on the book). I loved the Hallmark movie, but partially because I love Brandon Routh. I thought it was a cute and lovely story so I decided to try the book. Usually when I do this I love the book even more than I loved the movie. I am sad to say that it did not happen. I wish I could say what I would have thought of this book if I hadn't seen the movie first but I can't. And since I adored the movie the book was a let down.
The Merilee in the book drove me nuts. She had no backbone and just let people trod all over her. I get that someones we all do that, but it got to the point where I didn't want to hear from her anymore because I just couldn't take it.
The parts of the book for Ambrose the cat's perspective were different and not what I expected. I didn't particularly enjoy them either.
Zach did not impress me as a "hero" type. I tolerated him.
Overall I really just tolerated the book and that's sad for me because I wanted to like it so very badly. I hate that.
The Merilee in the book drove me nuts. She had no backbone and just let people trod all over her. I get that someones we all do that, but it got to the point where I didn't want to hear from her anymore because I just couldn't take it.
The parts of the book for Ambrose the cat's perspective were different and not what I expected. I didn't particularly enjoy them either.
Zach did not impress me as a "hero" type. I tolerated him.
Overall I really just tolerated the book and that's sad for me because I wanted to like it so very badly. I hate that.
November 11, 2011
A cute story and a pleasant, entertaining read for the holidays, but I had a big problem with the hero. One expects heroes in a romance novel to be a little cliche, but Zach was more a caricature of "manliness" than a real character -- talking about "chicks" (far too often), contemplating women's "racks" (ugh!), using the word "dude" every other sentence as if he were a college student, subsisting on a diet of beer and pizza, being easily manipulated by an attractive woman, and being utterly terrified of commitment. And the way he ran in terror from his mother, unable to deal with her because she divorced his father when he was young, was simply childish. I kept hoping Merilee or Ambrose would hit him upside the head with something and tell him to grow up. Overall, I still enjoyed the novel, and Zach did have some redeeming qualities, but I really prefer romances about adults.
November 17, 2017
The premise for this story sounded adorable, and this really could have been a fun, light read. I can absolutely see this being made as a Hallmark movie. As both a Romance and as a Christmas story, it failed for me, though, and I don’t see any other reason for reading this book. As a Romance, it was full of those tired old tropes that are the worst representation of the genre, and the internal logic just didn’t hold up. Shy, sweet heroine who thinks she’s plain, even though she only needs new clothes and makeup to become a total hottie? Check! Handsome, hypermasculine hero who has been so hurt by women in the past that he’s a commitment-phobe who only dates unmarriageable women, but is secretly a sweet teddy-bear who only needs the Right Girl to teach him the value of True Love? Check! Slutty mean beautiful rich girlfriend to serve as the villainess to keep our lovebirds apart? Check!
I just couldn’t like either of our protagonists. The heroine is far too passive and so lacking in common sense logic that I just can’t buy that she’s smart enough to have been admitted to vet school. The hero literally only thinks of adult women as either “good-timing bimbos” or “nice girls you take to the altar”. Throughout the entire book, he only thinks of them with regards to what they can do for him, either sexually or as support systems.
As a Christmas story, I suppose the message is about family togetherness? Because he’s forced by circumstances and basic common decency Really, this is just set at Christmas time, so has the trappings of the season.
Audiobook, borrowed from my public library, with a very good performance by Kathleen McInerney. I read this for The 16 Tasks of the Festive Season square 2: Guy Fawkes Night: Any book about the English monarchy (any genre), political treason, political thrillers, or where fire is a major theme, or fire is on the cover. There is a fire in the fireplace on the cover art.
December 8, 2024
I love the Hallmark movie adaptation - it's my favorite Christmas movie and I watch it year round - so it was about time I read the book. The book was quite different and a letdown. Zack and his friends were highly unlikable, womanizing, and rude. The characters didn't feel real, and the ending was rushed. If I had read this book first, I may have not tried watching the movie.
December 7, 2018
NOPE NOPE NOPE! This is a load of sexist garbage. Why a woman would ever write characters like this I have no idea. If I read one more word about “hot chicks” OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF GROWN MEN I’m going to burn this book.
November 14, 2018
4.5
I'm not a fan of pets, and I still thought this book was adorable.
I'm not a fan of pets, and I still thought this book was adorable.
November 11, 2020
This is a sweet book with everything a romance needs: Christmas, more than one cat, a firefighter, a loss of a job, and an animal shelter!
December 20, 2021
What a HEARTWARMING holiday book! To Sheila Roberts, Happy 10th Anniversary to this book for it was released back in 2011! In my opinion, the Hallmark movie was better (sorry!). In danger of losing his ninth and final life, Ambrose the cat makes a plea to the universe. He’ll do anything if he can survive and enjoy a nice long, final life. His prayer is answered when Zach comes along and save him. Zach is a firefighter, who’s in need of some serious romantic help. If Ambrose can just bring Zach together with Merilee, the nice lady who works at Pet Palace, it’s bound to earn him a healthy ninth life. It’s going to take all of Ambrose’s feline wiles to make Zach and Merilee together and for them to both realize that what they’re looking for is right in front of their eyes. A wonderful book to read during a cold day by the fire!
December 23, 2015
Cute story but not much about Christmas in it. Seemed rushed at the end. Also did not like promoting giving animals as a gift. That's how many animals end up in shelters not how they get out.
December 22, 2021
Sometimes you just need a cat to lead you to the place you need to be.
Of course in my experience the cat will probably trip you while leading you and then walk all over you while you lie there dying until finally eating your eyes out of your dead body.
I might have a more realistic view of cats since becoming a cat mother!
Of course in my experience the cat will probably trip you while leading you and then walk all over you while you lie there dying until finally eating your eyes out of your dead body.
I might have a more realistic view of cats since becoming a cat mother!
November 9, 2020
This was all in all a really enjoyable and cute Christmas story.
I do have some qualms with it though, so only the stars from me.
A) Pets are no Christmas present. One should NEVER gift a pet without knowing for sure the other person actually wants one, and is prepared to take care of it for the rest of it's life. And definitely not to be gifted on a whim.
B) The main character is very self conscious, even though she lost 50 pounds or something and looks great now. She thinks men should look inside a person, and not just on the outside. But when she thinks of men, she of course thinks of the very muscles and gorgeous firefighter and is turned down immediately by an overweight man (before he proves to be stupid).
C) Both main characters mostly think about the bodies of each other, and imagine them naked. How was that with personality over looks?
D) The "I'm such a plain girl" gets a makeover, and oh look, with expensive clothes and makeup she is really beautiful! Who knew? *rolls eyes* First off that is such an overused trope and secondly - woman can look good and find a man even without a centimeter of makeup plastered on...
E) The back story of the male main character was pretty predictable, though it should have been a big shock.
The story is told from the POV of a cat - the cats are very humanized in this story. Of course a cat doesn't think like that, but it was a really nice idea and made for an entertaining read!
It did get across that Christmassy feeling and I quite enjoyed it, even though I had to to my eyes at quite some places in the story, I enjoyed the book, so if the flaws don't turn you away, you might still have a really good time reading it.
I do have some qualms with it though, so only the stars from me.
A) Pets are no Christmas present. One should NEVER gift a pet without knowing for sure the other person actually wants one, and is prepared to take care of it for the rest of it's life. And definitely not to be gifted on a whim.
B) The main character is very self conscious, even though she lost 50 pounds or something and looks great now. She thinks men should look inside a person, and not just on the outside. But when she thinks of men, she of course thinks of the very muscles and gorgeous firefighter and is turned down immediately by an overweight man (before he proves to be stupid).
C) Both main characters mostly think about the bodies of each other, and imagine them naked. How was that with personality over looks?
D) The "I'm such a plain girl" gets a makeover, and oh look, with expensive clothes and makeup she is really beautiful! Who knew? *rolls eyes* First off that is such an overused trope and secondly - woman can look good and find a man even without a centimeter of makeup plastered on...
E) The back story of the male main character was pretty predictable, though it should have been a big shock.
The story is told from the POV of a cat - the cats are very humanized in this story. Of course a cat doesn't think like that, but it was a really nice idea and made for an entertaining read!
It did get across that Christmassy feeling and I quite enjoyed it, even though I had to to my eyes at quite some places in the story, I enjoyed the book, so if the flaws don't turn you away, you might still have a really good time reading it.
December 7, 2019
This was nice! A few of the chapters are told from the point of view of Ambrose the cat, but much of the story follows the human perspectives. There’s a good balance between them, and they complement each other well. Ambrose is on his ninth life, and he’s trying to ensure that it will be a long and happy life by doing a good deed—helping his human find true love. It’s cute and funny in places, and the romance itself isn’t overly sappy. I also thought it was nice touch that the main human characters are all people that Ambrose interacted with in previous lives. If you think that you can understand someone by watching the way he or she treats animals, then this might be the perfect romance for you.
October 19, 2011
I rarely, if ever, read a book that is so good and so applicable to everyone I know that when I do I have to tell everyone they need to read it. This is one of those books. If you don't read another book this year this is the one to top your list.
December 17, 2024
It was cute. Could have been a lovely, heartfelt story if the themes of body positivity, self-esteem, and family trauma were not dealt with only surface level. The third star is for Ambrose, the match-making cat, because his POV was funny and he was cute and life seemed very simple from his perspective and his frustration with humans was endearing.
November 13, 2011
The Nine Lives of Christmas is the absolute perfect way to begin the holiday season! I have been in love with Sheila Roberts' work since reading Angel Lane. Each of her stories are unique, heartwarming and incredible. For me, the holiday season doesn't begin until I have gifted myself with one of Ms. Roberts' holiday reads and The Nine Lives of Christmas is the most excellent kick off for this year!
With this story, Sheila Roberts takes the view of Ambrose, the mangy kitty on his ninth and final life, throughout, as well as with the main characters of Zach and Merilee (how much more of a holiday name can you get than that?! I absolutely love these different perspectives and feel that they truly allow the reader to become even more engrossed within the story and feel a deeper connection to the characters.
In the beginning, Ambrose makes a deal with his maker that if he is spared his final life, he will do whatever it takes to perform a good deed. The good deed comes in the form of a hottie firefighter, Zach, who has closed his heart to love. Making his way into Zach's house and heart, he is determined to open Zach up to happiness and love, bringing joy to both Zach and Merilee. A matchmaking cat? Oh yes, and a rather good one at that.
Merilee has had a very low self-esteem since childhood. Viewing herself as pretty or attractive has never been a speck within her mind. When Zach lays eyes on Merilee, however, he finds himself drawn deeply into her beauty that is not only on the outside, but on the inside as well. After many negative episodes with exposing his heart, however, Zach cannot see himself giving Merilee the committed life that she deserves. It's a good thing that he has a determined cat by the name of Ambrose in his corner looking out for him!
The Nine Lives of Christmas is such a sweet, fun and engaging story that is sure to lighten any reader's heart. I fell in love with Ambrose immediately and found Zach and Merilee to be enduring. This is the perfect story to begin the holiday season and would make the perfect gift for anyone - including treating yourself! I adored The Nine Lives of Christmas and eagerly await the next work by the wonderfully talented and always delightful Sheila Roberts!
With this story, Sheila Roberts takes the view of Ambrose, the mangy kitty on his ninth and final life, throughout, as well as with the main characters of Zach and Merilee (how much more of a holiday name can you get than that?! I absolutely love these different perspectives and feel that they truly allow the reader to become even more engrossed within the story and feel a deeper connection to the characters.
In the beginning, Ambrose makes a deal with his maker that if he is spared his final life, he will do whatever it takes to perform a good deed. The good deed comes in the form of a hottie firefighter, Zach, who has closed his heart to love. Making his way into Zach's house and heart, he is determined to open Zach up to happiness and love, bringing joy to both Zach and Merilee. A matchmaking cat? Oh yes, and a rather good one at that.
Merilee has had a very low self-esteem since childhood. Viewing herself as pretty or attractive has never been a speck within her mind. When Zach lays eyes on Merilee, however, he finds himself drawn deeply into her beauty that is not only on the outside, but on the inside as well. After many negative episodes with exposing his heart, however, Zach cannot see himself giving Merilee the committed life that she deserves. It's a good thing that he has a determined cat by the name of Ambrose in his corner looking out for him!
The Nine Lives of Christmas is such a sweet, fun and engaging story that is sure to lighten any reader's heart. I fell in love with Ambrose immediately and found Zach and Merilee to be enduring. This is the perfect story to begin the holiday season and would make the perfect gift for anyone - including treating yourself! I adored The Nine Lives of Christmas and eagerly await the next work by the wonderfully talented and always delightful Sheila Roberts!
December 26, 2015
In ‘Nine Lives of Christmas’ we meet Ambrose. Ambrose is a cat who is already in his ninth life. The previous lives were good but something has to change to make this one the best. When Ambrose is saved from a dog by a nice guy called Zach, Ambrose decides to go home with him. Although Zach wasn’t happy about this in the beginning, slowly on Ambrose and Zach get used to each other. When Ambrose meets Merilee he is convinced that’s his duty now is to get Zach and Merilee together. Surely, getting them together will make him have a good last life, especially since it’s Christmas.
‘Nine Lives of Christmas’ is the perfect feel-good Christmas book. It has everything you would want from a Christmas book. A Cat, two great main characters, a bonding with family part and above all a new and very enjoyable romance. This book is written through the point of view of both Merilee and Zach, and also from Ambrose’s. And boy did I love reading about what this cat was thinking. It was cute and really funny.
The romance between Merilee and Zach was really cute to read about. Merilee is trying to put herself more out there, although this really scares her and Zach is convinced commitment is for people who want a messed up life. They meet in a Pet store where Merilee works, and were Zach goes to buy stuff for his new found roomy. It was just so much fun to read about. There was a lot of chemistry going on there and I really didn’t want this book to end, but unfortunately it did way too fast.
‘Nine Lives of Christmas’ is the perfect book to read at Christmas time. And it isn’t very long, so your family will understand perfectly if you just read a little! ;)
‘Nine Lives of Christmas’ is the perfect feel-good Christmas book. It has everything you would want from a Christmas book. A Cat, two great main characters, a bonding with family part and above all a new and very enjoyable romance. This book is written through the point of view of both Merilee and Zach, and also from Ambrose’s. And boy did I love reading about what this cat was thinking. It was cute and really funny.
The romance between Merilee and Zach was really cute to read about. Merilee is trying to put herself more out there, although this really scares her and Zach is convinced commitment is for people who want a messed up life. They meet in a Pet store where Merilee works, and were Zach goes to buy stuff for his new found roomy. It was just so much fun to read about. There was a lot of chemistry going on there and I really didn’t want this book to end, but unfortunately it did way too fast.
‘Nine Lives of Christmas’ is the perfect book to read at Christmas time. And it isn’t very long, so your family will understand perfectly if you just read a little! ;)
January 16, 2016
This story features Ambrose, the matchmaking cat, who finds himself facing his ninth life, you know the final one. He will do anything – ANYTHING – to be able to live it out happily.
When it looks like his fate has been sealed by an enormous dog, he pleads for help. His savior arrives in the form of a big, strong, firefighter named Zach. A firefighter who is very surprised that his good deed not only included scaring away the dog but giving Ambrose a new home.
Ambrose soon sees Zach needs help in the romance department. He also knows it is not going to be an easy endeavor to bring the perfect match together. With a bit of holiday magic he may be able to do it and even find a little feline romance for himself.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
This is such a cute little story. The perfect pick me up to get your holiday planning and shopping off on the right foot. You may even want to pick up some extra copies to give as gifts.
A light holiday romance with the predictable happy ending told from the cat’s point of view. It makes for a Very Meowy Christmas.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from St. Martin's Press. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
When it looks like his fate has been sealed by an enormous dog, he pleads for help. His savior arrives in the form of a big, strong, firefighter named Zach. A firefighter who is very surprised that his good deed not only included scaring away the dog but giving Ambrose a new home.
Ambrose soon sees Zach needs help in the romance department. He also knows it is not going to be an easy endeavor to bring the perfect match together. With a bit of holiday magic he may be able to do it and even find a little feline romance for himself.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
This is such a cute little story. The perfect pick me up to get your holiday planning and shopping off on the right foot. You may even want to pick up some extra copies to give as gifts.
A light holiday romance with the predictable happy ending told from the cat’s point of view. It makes for a Very Meowy Christmas.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from St. Martin's Press. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
November 23, 2011
Give me a book with a cat and Christmas in it and it's a surefire bet that I'm going to like it. The Nine Lives of Christmas is a lovely Christmas tale told partially from a cat's point of view. The cat is named Ambrose and he is a yellow tabby who is on his last life. Ambrose is so engaging. Sheila really captured what most of us cat lovers know about cats...little lovers with attitude. I enjoyed the parts featuring Ambrose best, with his inner monologue all focused on how he is going to achieve a long and comfortable ninth life. Of course, some matchmaking is in order. It wouldn't be a Christmas story unless there was a little romance thrown in.
I was afraid at first that this book might end up very sad. It seems that a lot of the stories featuring animals often do. Luckily, this book filled the bill of a fun and heartwarming Christmas tail (tale...sorry, had to use Sheila's witticism) that just adds to the fun and magic of the season. Thank goodness Nicholas Sparks doesn't write Christmas books.
If you love Christmas themed books, you will really enjoy this book. I know it has become part of my permanent Christmas book collection and, I'm sure, will get a reread in Christmases to come!
I was afraid at first that this book might end up very sad. It seems that a lot of the stories featuring animals often do. Luckily, this book filled the bill of a fun and heartwarming Christmas tail (tale...sorry, had to use Sheila's witticism) that just adds to the fun and magic of the season. Thank goodness Nicholas Sparks doesn't write Christmas books.
If you love Christmas themed books, you will really enjoy this book. I know it has become part of my permanent Christmas book collection and, I'm sure, will get a reread in Christmases to come!
December 23, 2012
This book is to literature what a Snickers bar is to food... not necessarily the best thing for you, but it's sweet and gooey and sometimes that's just what you want at the end of a long day.
I love cats, and that's what first drew me to this book. Ambrose -- our feline protagonist -- is given a second chance at his ninth and last life, if only he can do something kind for two humans that were kind to him in his previous lives. He then must rescue an emotionally damaged fireman (Zach) and a cat shelter volunteer (Merilee) from their own self-destructive wiles.
The story was pretty predictable and carried a fair amount of clichés. Merilee spent her whole life in the shadow of her two gorgeous and glamorous sisters, running to the refrigerator for comfort. Now that she has lost 52 pounds, she still has no self-confidence, but every other character in the book thinks she's beautiful. I wonder if Zach would have given her a second glance if she hadn't lost the weight.
Anyway, aside from the clichés and predictability of the plot, this story was very sweet and an easy read. I recommend it to those who love cats and a bit of romance in their books.
I love cats, and that's what first drew me to this book. Ambrose -- our feline protagonist -- is given a second chance at his ninth and last life, if only he can do something kind for two humans that were kind to him in his previous lives. He then must rescue an emotionally damaged fireman (Zach) and a cat shelter volunteer (Merilee) from their own self-destructive wiles.
The story was pretty predictable and carried a fair amount of clichés. Merilee spent her whole life in the shadow of her two gorgeous and glamorous sisters, running to the refrigerator for comfort. Now that she has lost 52 pounds, she still has no self-confidence, but every other character in the book thinks she's beautiful. I wonder if Zach would have given her a second glance if she hadn't lost the weight.
Anyway, aside from the clichés and predictability of the plot, this story was very sweet and an easy read. I recommend it to those who love cats and a bit of romance in their books.
December 2, 2011
It's that time of year again...cheesy Christmas romance book time! When I read the synopsis and saw this one also featured a cat, well...what can I say. I like cheese in my Christmas season.
Nine Lives was a cute, predictable, more-sweet-than-sexy story about a kitty down on his luck and on his ninth life, who vows to help earn his last life's comfort by helping his rescuer - a firefighter human named Zach. Of course, this means that Zach is in need of a good woman.
This was an extremely quick read (small book) and contained no great surprises, but I found myself enjoying it the entire time I read it. Four stars feels a little high for such fluff, but in my mind I'm grading it on a Christmas romance grading scale, which is much different than 'regular' books.
If you're looking for a bit of Christmas cheer, go check this out of the library.
Nine Lives was a cute, predictable, more-sweet-than-sexy story about a kitty down on his luck and on his ninth life, who vows to help earn his last life's comfort by helping his rescuer - a firefighter human named Zach. Of course, this means that Zach is in need of a good woman.
This was an extremely quick read (small book) and contained no great surprises, but I found myself enjoying it the entire time I read it. Four stars feels a little high for such fluff, but in my mind I'm grading it on a Christmas romance grading scale, which is much different than 'regular' books.
If you're looking for a bit of Christmas cheer, go check this out of the library.
November 10, 2019
Very creative book. I liked the cat’s POV, even though sometimes animal POV’s are gimmicky Ambrose was executed very well. Zach isn’t really the kind of character I like to read about in a book. I find him rather annoying. (I had this same problem with American in the selection series) I don’t relate to him and he’s just a little cynical/scroogey to me..... I really like the movie better, but appreciate her clever storyline.
November 22, 2014
The Nine Lives of Christmas was the first book I have read written by Sheila Roberts. The story was a perfect book to bring me into the holiday spirit. Likable characters. Looking forward to watching the movie. 3.5 stars
December 15, 2018
A sweet little romance told by a cat. I thought it was a mystery, when I ordered it, but I am glad it was this story. The ending felt really rushed, but it was a fun, quick read.
December 14, 2021
This one is hard. I wanted to enjoy the book - and I did at times - but I kept comparing it to that damn Hallmark movie. I know, I know, totally not fair. The problem is that I may have watched the movie a few times (each holiday season) and completely adore Zach and Merilee. I also love the obvious attraction that Ambrose and Queenie have for each other in the movie. Sigh.
OK, so some of the good things. I'm a sucker for a tale told from the animal's POV, and this did not disappoint on that front. I was a bit surprised to find out that Ambrose is a senior(?) kitty and on the last of his nine lives, as well as learning that he and our human MCs have been part of his lives before now. And yes, the reason he's attracted to Queenie becomes obvious - she's been part of his past lives, too. I enjoyed Ambrose trying to figure out how NOT to waste this last chance, what he was supposed to do for this human, how he was going to keep purring this time around, etc. I would have loved to read much more of that.
The human POVs are where it started to lose me some. Zach and Merilee both seemed flatter than the film versions, and honestly, there wasn't much time with them together. A lot of the story involves them thinking about each other but not being around each other. No first date, no cute stories, just some slightly steamy private thoughts that embarrass both of them enough that they get a bit tongue-tied around each other. Sigh. It's hard to feel like people are falling in love when you don't feel their connection!
I felt like I learned a LOT more about each of the MCs family members, and both of them come from big families. Merilee is not an orphan - both parents are still alive and well. She has 2 sisters, not 1, AND she's got brothers, too! Zach also has a large family but his is full of Steps: 2 step-sisters and a step-father. He also has a brother in Australia and an alcoholic father he barely speaks to. While I can appreciate the juxtaposition of Merilee's happy family with Zach's strained relationships, it didn't really add anything to the story. I found myself wondering if the author added that many characters so she would have plenty of material for other books should she make this a series.
Overall, disappointing. I wish I had either left this one alone or never watched the movie. Doing both just wasn't a good idea.
OK, so some of the good things. I'm a sucker for a tale told from the animal's POV, and this did not disappoint on that front. I was a bit surprised to find out that Ambrose is a senior(?) kitty and on the last of his nine lives, as well as learning that he and our human MCs have been part of his lives before now. And yes, the reason he's attracted to Queenie becomes obvious - she's been part of his past lives, too. I enjoyed Ambrose trying to figure out how NOT to waste this last chance, what he was supposed to do for this human, how he was going to keep purring this time around, etc. I would have loved to read much more of that.
The human POVs are where it started to lose me some. Zach and Merilee both seemed flatter than the film versions, and honestly, there wasn't much time with them together. A lot of the story involves them thinking about each other but not being around each other. No first date, no cute stories, just some slightly steamy private thoughts that embarrass both of them enough that they get a bit tongue-tied around each other. Sigh. It's hard to feel like people are falling in love when you don't feel their connection!
I felt like I learned a LOT more about each of the MCs family members, and both of them come from big families. Merilee is not an orphan - both parents are still alive and well. She has 2 sisters, not 1, AND she's got brothers, too! Zach also has a large family but his is full of Steps: 2 step-sisters and a step-father. He also has a brother in Australia and an alcoholic father he barely speaks to. While I can appreciate the juxtaposition of Merilee's happy family with Zach's strained relationships, it didn't really add anything to the story. I found myself wondering if the author added that many characters so she would have plenty of material for other books should she make this a series.
Overall, disappointing. I wish I had either left this one alone or never watched the movie. Doing both just wasn't a good idea.
November 25, 2020
3.25 stars
December 8, 2022
A cute and unique Christmas story, told from the perspective of a meddling cat
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