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Christmas Carol
One winter wedding, two happy couples, three ex-boyfriends... And a very uncomfortable weekend
Carol hates Christmas. Being recently dumped, she’s not crazy about weddings either. So her sister Marley’s nuptials, over the Christmas weekend, are making her positively Scrooge-like.
When she arrives for the weekend at the stately home in rural Scotland to find her three ex-boyfriends in attendance, Carol comes face-to-face with her past. As the snow falls outside and the fire crackles in the hearth, will Carol get her most wished-for gift?
Carol hates Christmas. Being recently dumped, she’s not crazy about weddings either. So her sister Marley’s nuptials, over the Christmas weekend, are making her positively Scrooge-like.
When she arrives for the weekend at the stately home in rural Scotland to find her three ex-boyfriends in attendance, Carol comes face-to-face with her past. As the snow falls outside and the fire crackles in the hearth, will Carol get her most wished-for gift?
101 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 15, 2013
43 people are currently reading
563 people want to read
About the author
Michele Gorman
33 books368 followersMichele writes books packed with heart and humor, best friends and girl power. She also writes cozy comedies under the pen-name Lilly Bartlett. Lilly’s books are full of warmth, romance, quirky characters and guaranteed happily-ever-afters.
Three-emails-a-year NEWSLETTER here: http://eepurl.com/dr5RGX #prizes #freecontent #giveaways
FACEBOOK here: https://www.facebook.com/MicheleGorma...
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/MicheleGormanUK
INSTAGRAM:
https://www.instagram.com/michelegorm...
She is both a USA Today and Sunday Times bestselling author, raised in the US and living in London with her husband.
Three-emails-a-year NEWSLETTER here: http://eepurl.com/dr5RGX #prizes #freecontent #giveaways
FACEBOOK here: https://www.facebook.com/MicheleGorma...
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/MicheleGormanUK
INSTAGRAM:
https://www.instagram.com/michelegorm...
She is both a USA Today and Sunday Times bestselling author, raised in the US and living in London with her husband.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
December 28, 2017
I enjoyed every word that was written on the pages of this book. Highly recommended.
October 1, 2013
Also posted on This Chick Reads
*ARC provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review*
Michele Gorman is a well known chick lit author and yet this is the first book by her I've read. What's worse is that few months ago I bought two of her previous works, Single in the City and Bella Summer Takes a Chance and haven't read them YET!
No, I'm not lazy or a slow reader. It's just that lately I never seem to have the time for books I buy to read just for pleasure. I try very hard to keep up with the books I am sent for review, not to mention having a job and being a mommy to two.
But when I saw this beauty on Notting Hill Press' site I knew I HAD to request an ARC.
'The difficult thing about Christmas is that it doesn't come all at once. It builds up like a festive toxin until the immune system is overwhelmed.'
For many readers, reading a Christmas story in September can be crazy, but not for me. I can read them every day of the year and enjoy them the same. Now that I think of it, I may even say these holiday stories are my favorite, they always seem to get me in a good mood, make me smile and warm my heart. Because Christmas is all about smiles and love, right?
Well, not for Carol, the biggest Scrooge in modern history. She hates everything about Christmas and this year she's supposed to spend it with her family and 3 ex-boyfriends - UNDER THE SAME ROOF!
You know what, I would never ever want to be in Carol's shoes, because there would be so many unpleasant situations to avoid. And to be frank, I could never imagine myself to be in her position either.
But anyway, back to Carol. She's soon to find out why all of her relationships so far have been nothing but a disaster, and what she will discover is not gonna be pretty. But life gives us lessons everyday so we better start paying attention, right?
I absolutely loved the beginning of the story. I simply couldn't wait to find out how will Carol meet all of these guys from her past. But as I was approaching the end I realized I really couldn't understand her. She's indecisive and seems to like all of these guys. I just wanted her to make up her mind once and for all. Is it Robert she wants, Karl or Skate? She seems to feel the butterflies for each of them, and that my friends I couldn't understand. I loved her sarcasm and sense of humor but it was really really hard for me to connect to her.
However, I loved the writing, all of the descriptions and the setting. I always wanted to visit Scotland and now I just feel like I want to even more.
Despite not connecting with the MC, I love the message this short read reveals by its end. Even the biggest Scrooges do have their miracles on Christmas.
If you're a fan of chick lit or a sucker for Christmas stories I advise you to check it out. Strongly advised to consume it with hot choc and some Christmas music on. :)
*ARC provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review*
Michele Gorman is a well known chick lit author and yet this is the first book by her I've read. What's worse is that few months ago I bought two of her previous works, Single in the City and Bella Summer Takes a Chance and haven't read them YET!
No, I'm not lazy or a slow reader. It's just that lately I never seem to have the time for books I buy to read just for pleasure. I try very hard to keep up with the books I am sent for review, not to mention having a job and being a mommy to two.
But when I saw this beauty on Notting Hill Press' site I knew I HAD to request an ARC.
'The difficult thing about Christmas is that it doesn't come all at once. It builds up like a festive toxin until the immune system is overwhelmed.'
For many readers, reading a Christmas story in September can be crazy, but not for me. I can read them every day of the year and enjoy them the same. Now that I think of it, I may even say these holiday stories are my favorite, they always seem to get me in a good mood, make me smile and warm my heart. Because Christmas is all about smiles and love, right?
Well, not for Carol, the biggest Scrooge in modern history. She hates everything about Christmas and this year she's supposed to spend it with her family and 3 ex-boyfriends - UNDER THE SAME ROOF!
You know what, I would never ever want to be in Carol's shoes, because there would be so many unpleasant situations to avoid. And to be frank, I could never imagine myself to be in her position either.
But anyway, back to Carol. She's soon to find out why all of her relationships so far have been nothing but a disaster, and what she will discover is not gonna be pretty. But life gives us lessons everyday so we better start paying attention, right?
I absolutely loved the beginning of the story. I simply couldn't wait to find out how will Carol meet all of these guys from her past. But as I was approaching the end I realized I really couldn't understand her. She's indecisive and seems to like all of these guys. I just wanted her to make up her mind once and for all. Is it Robert she wants, Karl or Skate? She seems to feel the butterflies for each of them, and that my friends I couldn't understand. I loved her sarcasm and sense of humor but it was really really hard for me to connect to her.
However, I loved the writing, all of the descriptions and the setting. I always wanted to visit Scotland and now I just feel like I want to even more.
Despite not connecting with the MC, I love the message this short read reveals by its end. Even the biggest Scrooges do have their miracles on Christmas.
If you're a fan of chick lit or a sucker for Christmas stories I advise you to check it out. Strongly advised to consume it with hot choc and some Christmas music on. :)
October 23, 2013
Told in the convincingly colloquial English voice of recently-dumped Carol, Michel’s Gorman’s Christmas novella is a tale of romance, real life, honest miscommunication, perfectionism, weather and hope. Loving sister Marley celebrates her wedding weekend in the snows of Scotland, among the joys of Christmas, while scrooge-like Carol faces down the ghosts of boyfriends past. Except those boyfriends turn out to be very much present, and Carol’s rejected love for them still hurts.
As Carol sees past breakups through new eyes, her cynicism cracks like ice on the pond, and she ploughs a new path toward the future. Perhaps she didn’t need to seem perfect to be lovable. And perhaps she didn’t need to seek perfection in others. Perhaps it’s okay to crack a smile, or shed a tear, or even just ask “Why?” And love is bigger and wider than she’d dreamed.
The lesson’s enjoyable and wise. The voice is pleasingly authentic and pulls the reader in. And the fable is nicely new, while anchored in the old. A fun romantic novella, perfect for the Christmas season.
Disclosure: I was given a free ecopy during the author’s blog tour and I offer my honest review.
As Carol sees past breakups through new eyes, her cynicism cracks like ice on the pond, and she ploughs a new path toward the future. Perhaps she didn’t need to seem perfect to be lovable. And perhaps she didn’t need to seek perfection in others. Perhaps it’s okay to crack a smile, or shed a tear, or even just ask “Why?” And love is bigger and wider than she’d dreamed.
The lesson’s enjoyable and wise. The voice is pleasingly authentic and pulls the reader in. And the fable is nicely new, while anchored in the old. A fun romantic novella, perfect for the Christmas season.
Disclosure: I was given a free ecopy during the author’s blog tour and I offer my honest review.
October 24, 2013
Gonzo: Hello! Welcome to the Muppet Christmas Carol! I am here to tell the story.
Rizzo the Rat: And I am here for the food.
Michele Gorman delivers a modern version of Dickens’ classic with the heroine, Carol, playing the part of Scrooge. She is dreading her sister’s upcoming holiday wedding in Scottish country house where she will face off with the groom’s best man and her former boyfriend – Robert the Rat. As the weekend progresses, and snows piles up, Carol realizes that she will also encounter two other former boyfriends … and no bars on her Blackberry. Yet a series of dreams help her realize that happiness isn't born from perfection.
I appreciated the heroine’s dry humor as she navigates her unconventional family, the unexpected exes, and the abrupt arrival of emotions that she locked away as she climbed the corporate ladder. The creme de la creme is Gorman's reference to British pop culture. Must read for Anglophiles!
I received an ecopy from the publisher for an honest review.
Rizzo the Rat: And I am here for the food.
Michele Gorman delivers a modern version of Dickens’ classic with the heroine, Carol, playing the part of Scrooge. She is dreading her sister’s upcoming holiday wedding in Scottish country house where she will face off with the groom’s best man and her former boyfriend – Robert the Rat. As the weekend progresses, and snows piles up, Carol realizes that she will also encounter two other former boyfriends … and no bars on her Blackberry. Yet a series of dreams help her realize that happiness isn't born from perfection.
I appreciated the heroine’s dry humor as she navigates her unconventional family, the unexpected exes, and the abrupt arrival of emotions that she locked away as she climbed the corporate ladder. The creme de la creme is Gorman's reference to British pop culture. Must read for Anglophiles!
I received an ecopy from the publisher for an honest review.
November 15, 2013
If you're like me you will get that into a book it basically becomes real life, well in a sense haha. I fell into Christmas Carol with a thud and basically got covered in family warmth, love and snow.
I adored this book, it is extremely funny and has been written extremely well. It's fast, full and well lovely. The plot is really good and it has the brilliant addition of little sub plots that have you cringing with ex-boyfriend embarrassment and also heartache. I adored every single character in the book. Honestly I did, there is a way about then that strikes you as good people, even the dicks! My favourite being Carol. She has one amazing sense of humour and I adored seeing her flourish throughout the book to become the person you know she actually is.
I will be keeping an eye out for more of Michele Gorman's work after this.
Full of Christmas love, joy, weddings, family, snow and ex's. Wonderful.
I adored this book, it is extremely funny and has been written extremely well. It's fast, full and well lovely. The plot is really good and it has the brilliant addition of little sub plots that have you cringing with ex-boyfriend embarrassment and also heartache. I adored every single character in the book. Honestly I did, there is a way about then that strikes you as good people, even the dicks! My favourite being Carol. She has one amazing sense of humour and I adored seeing her flourish throughout the book to become the person you know she actually is.
I will be keeping an eye out for more of Michele Gorman's work after this.
Full of Christmas love, joy, weddings, family, snow and ex's. Wonderful.
October 27, 2013
My review:
I love a good Christmas story and I don't mind if these stories are based on the classic Christmas stories. It's fun to read and these stories always make me missing Christmas. Luckily, the holiday season is not so far away, only few weeks. Christmas Carol by Michele Gorman was a quirky, witty and lovable short story!
The main character Carol hates Christmas and weddings and she needs to be locked in a mansion with 3 ex-boyfriends to set some perspective on her love-life, on her understanding of Christmas. I loved that the Scrooge was a female. The characters were enjoyable and I did not want this story to be ending. It could have been a full length Christmas novel and that is the only criticism - it ended too quickly!
Loved it! A very good holiday reading!
I love a good Christmas story and I don't mind if these stories are based on the classic Christmas stories. It's fun to read and these stories always make me missing Christmas. Luckily, the holiday season is not so far away, only few weeks. Christmas Carol by Michele Gorman was a quirky, witty and lovable short story!
The main character Carol hates Christmas and weddings and she needs to be locked in a mansion with 3 ex-boyfriends to set some perspective on her love-life, on her understanding of Christmas. I loved that the Scrooge was a female. The characters were enjoyable and I did not want this story to be ending. It could have been a full length Christmas novel and that is the only criticism - it ended too quickly!
Loved it! A very good holiday reading!
September 16, 2013
This was the first book I have read by Michele Gorman. I really enjoyed it. What a predicament for someone to be in ... Carol is Chief Bridesmaid at her sister's wedding, which is set in a gorgeous house in Scotland at Christmas, but her sister forgets to tell her that she has not only invited one of Carol's ex boyfriends to the wedding but three! Time for some awkward moments and revisiting of long forgotten emotions for Carol. The characters were written with such warmth and humour, there were some great funny moments. A great read I would definitely recommend and I will certainly look out for more books by Michele Gorman.
"This book was provided by the publisher for a review"
"This book was provided by the publisher for a review"
January 1, 2014
A light, easy read perfect for the Christmas season.
Carol, career-driven, striving for perfection, and believing that emotions are best hidden, could really do without having to go to her sister's fairytale Christmas wedding. But her Scrooge-like view is tested when she is haunted by the appearance of three ex-boyfriends, all of whom have something to say that gives Carol food for thought.
Despite being Little Miss Perfection, Carol, the protagonist, is a likeable character, the story is believable, and just right as an escape from the hive of activity that is the lead-up to Christmas
Carol, career-driven, striving for perfection, and believing that emotions are best hidden, could really do without having to go to her sister's fairytale Christmas wedding. But her Scrooge-like view is tested when she is haunted by the appearance of three ex-boyfriends, all of whom have something to say that gives Carol food for thought.
Despite being Little Miss Perfection, Carol, the protagonist, is a likeable character, the story is believable, and just right as an escape from the hive of activity that is the lead-up to Christmas
November 19, 2025
A fun, humorous, Christmas novella with good lessons/reminders within…
“when feelings get in the way that everything goes wrong.”
“The doctors say Granny hasn’t got dementia, so there’s no medical reason for her outbursts. They’ve been honed from decades of practice. Mum finds her terribly embarrassing but I think she’s fantastic. You always know where you stand with Granny.”
“‘I like my job.’ ‘I just wish you liked your life as much,’”
“my family seemed like an impediment. I’m embarrassed I thought that about people I love.”
“You don’t have to be perfect to be loved. That’s not what love’s about. You just have to be perfect for each other.’”
“Isn’t it more important to be here than to be perfect?’”
“I’m not a weaker person because I feel. Perhaps, just maybe, I’m a stronger one.”
“when feelings get in the way that everything goes wrong.”
“The doctors say Granny hasn’t got dementia, so there’s no medical reason for her outbursts. They’ve been honed from decades of practice. Mum finds her terribly embarrassing but I think she’s fantastic. You always know where you stand with Granny.”
“‘I like my job.’ ‘I just wish you liked your life as much,’”
“my family seemed like an impediment. I’m embarrassed I thought that about people I love.”
“You don’t have to be perfect to be loved. That’s not what love’s about. You just have to be perfect for each other.’”
“Isn’t it more important to be here than to be perfect?’”
“I’m not a weaker person because I feel. Perhaps, just maybe, I’m a stronger one.”
November 1, 2017
I enjoyed the story and the characters. Entertaining and funny and sad all mixed together, I think it ended too soon.
October 27, 2018
It was ok but not the best story this author has written.
December 31, 2018
Really enjoyed it. A modern version of A Christmas Carol. Lovely, festive read. Can't wait to read more.
January 4, 2019
Brilliant heartfelt further adventures of Carol on her journey to happiness
January 15, 2019
Review coming
February 5, 2021
A fairly predictable Christmas read. Nice ending that does help it along but otherwise fairly mundane.
October 20, 2013
It may only be October but this Christmas novella has really got me in the festive mood. I have never read a book by Michele Gorman before but I will definitely be adding her backlog to my TBR pile. I was engrossed in this story from the very beginning and I did not want to put it down!
Carol is not overly pleased when her sister Marley insists on having a Christmas wedding. She has never been a big fan of Christmas and having also being dumped recently, this wedding is bound to bring up bad feelings. Proceedings are not made any better when Carol finds out 3 of her ex-boyfriends have been invited to the wedding. This gives Carol a choice: should she embrace the Christmas celebrations and face up to her past or hide away and suppress all her feelings?
I loved the storyline in this book. It was pacey and interesting and I was always wanting to know what would happen next. The link with A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens added an extra level to the story. I enjoyed the juxtaposition between Carol's story and Scrooge's story, they had a lot in common! Both hated Christmas time, both had pushed everyone away that they should have held close, they both needed to learn a lesson! The setting of snowy Scotland was magical! I felt like I was transported to a completely different world. I could imagine the snow falling and the coldness of the snowflakes melting on my skin.
I loved Carol. I know she was having trouble facing up to her past but she made me laugh so much! She had such a sarcastic sense of humour which I could completely understand, being rather sarcastic myself. I was really rooting for her to face up to her past mistakes, she was so set on thinking her ex-boyfriends had made all the mistakes, she'd never taken the time to sit and look at herself and the problems she had created. I also loved all the secondary characters in this story. The ex-boyfriends were actually nice people who enjoyed reading about and Carol's sister Marley was so happy it was just infectious.
Michele Gorman created a story that looked at relationships in a new and refreshing way. I was able to objectively look at Carol's life and look at all the different reasons relationships can go wrong and learn some important lessons along the way. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I am looking forward to reading more books by Michele Gorman!
*I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
Carol is not overly pleased when her sister Marley insists on having a Christmas wedding. She has never been a big fan of Christmas and having also being dumped recently, this wedding is bound to bring up bad feelings. Proceedings are not made any better when Carol finds out 3 of her ex-boyfriends have been invited to the wedding. This gives Carol a choice: should she embrace the Christmas celebrations and face up to her past or hide away and suppress all her feelings?
I loved the storyline in this book. It was pacey and interesting and I was always wanting to know what would happen next. The link with A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens added an extra level to the story. I enjoyed the juxtaposition between Carol's story and Scrooge's story, they had a lot in common! Both hated Christmas time, both had pushed everyone away that they should have held close, they both needed to learn a lesson! The setting of snowy Scotland was magical! I felt like I was transported to a completely different world. I could imagine the snow falling and the coldness of the snowflakes melting on my skin.
I loved Carol. I know she was having trouble facing up to her past but she made me laugh so much! She had such a sarcastic sense of humour which I could completely understand, being rather sarcastic myself. I was really rooting for her to face up to her past mistakes, she was so set on thinking her ex-boyfriends had made all the mistakes, she'd never taken the time to sit and look at herself and the problems she had created. I also loved all the secondary characters in this story. The ex-boyfriends were actually nice people who enjoyed reading about and Carol's sister Marley was so happy it was just infectious.
Michele Gorman created a story that looked at relationships in a new and refreshing way. I was able to objectively look at Carol's life and look at all the different reasons relationships can go wrong and learn some important lessons along the way. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I am looking forward to reading more books by Michele Gorman!
*I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
July 20, 2016
In the past couple of years, I’ve become quite a fan of Michele Gorman, after a bit of a rocky start with her debut novel. I really loved her last release Bella Summer Takes A Chance and so when she announced she was writing a Christmas novella I was chuffed and I was really looking forward to reading it. So when my copy pinged into my email inbox, I couldn’t wait to give it a read. Novellas have become massive over the past couple of years – a way for authors to keep themselves in our memory without having to write a 100,000 word novel!
Christmas Carol is a cute Christmas read that took me an hour or so to read. That’s about 100 pages or so to you and me, and tells the tale of Carol, who after being dumped by Robert the Rat is quite sure that the last thing she wants to do is go to a wedding, but her sister Marley’s getting married just a week or so after Xmas so Carol and her family and assorted guests head up to Scotland for Marley’s nuptials. The last thing Carol expects when they reach Scotland is that not one, not two, but three of her ex-boyfriends are in attendance, and all of a sudden Carol wishes she was anywhere but there.
I really enjoyed Christmas Carol, it was short, it was sweet and it was a really good read. I love weddings in big castles/buildings and in places you don’t normally frequent so I quite enjoyed reading about the Scotland house where Marley was getting married. If I ever marry (who knows if that’s likely) I’d like to do it in a big house that has a fascinating history. I’m strange like that I suppose. I was also fascinated by Carol’s history with all of her boyfriends; were there going to be recriminations? Shenanigans? Would Carol get back together with any of them? I wasn’t a massive fan of Skate or Karl, Skate was too environmental hippy-dippy and Karl was slimy, but I did like Robert. He seemed sweet. I wasn’t sure where the novella was going to go, mind. For a moment I wondered if Carol would abscond with all three and just rotate them! ;) Nevertheless this is a good, quick read, perfect for reading by the fire not that I HAVE a fire. But that is what this book would be perfect to read by. Gets you proper in the Christmas spirit, even if it is only September!
Christmas Carol is a cute Christmas read that took me an hour or so to read. That’s about 100 pages or so to you and me, and tells the tale of Carol, who after being dumped by Robert the Rat is quite sure that the last thing she wants to do is go to a wedding, but her sister Marley’s getting married just a week or so after Xmas so Carol and her family and assorted guests head up to Scotland for Marley’s nuptials. The last thing Carol expects when they reach Scotland is that not one, not two, but three of her ex-boyfriends are in attendance, and all of a sudden Carol wishes she was anywhere but there.
I really enjoyed Christmas Carol, it was short, it was sweet and it was a really good read. I love weddings in big castles/buildings and in places you don’t normally frequent so I quite enjoyed reading about the Scotland house where Marley was getting married. If I ever marry (who knows if that’s likely) I’d like to do it in a big house that has a fascinating history. I’m strange like that I suppose. I was also fascinated by Carol’s history with all of her boyfriends; were there going to be recriminations? Shenanigans? Would Carol get back together with any of them? I wasn’t a massive fan of Skate or Karl, Skate was too environmental hippy-dippy and Karl was slimy, but I did like Robert. He seemed sweet. I wasn’t sure where the novella was going to go, mind. For a moment I wondered if Carol would abscond with all three and just rotate them! ;) Nevertheless this is a good, quick read, perfect for reading by the fire not that I HAVE a fire. But that is what this book would be perfect to read by. Gets you proper in the Christmas spirit, even if it is only September!
December 17, 2015
This book was provided by the publisher in return for an honest review. I am not a fan of Christmas myself, so my inner Scrooge really could relate to this story. I loved this story. To begin with, the wedding is in Scotland, my favorite place in the whole world. Send me to Scotland at Christmas time and my Scroogeness will melt away. However, our heroine does not share that feeling with me. Carol has to attend her sister’s wedding after a recent breakup where she will have to spend a weekend stuck in a house with no 3G and her exes in attendance. Bah Humbug…
In addition to the ex-boyfriends, Carol also has to spend time with many extended family members that she seems to have no affection or tolerance for. Throughout the weekend, Carol finds herself trying to find out why her relationships with these men didn’t work. Somehow, in her mind, Carol has equated happiness with perfection. She has strived to make her life perfect believing that she will be happy, but it never works out. Carol has closed off her feelings, believing if she has feelings, she can be hurt. It’s absolutely true, but she is missing out on so much of the joy life can offer.
I really admired Carol for making the effort to find out what went wrong even though it meant she would have some difficult lessons to learn about herself. Most of us couldn’t be that brave. Carol realizes that shutting off her feelings kept the pain of being hurt away, but she stopped feeling everything and was unable to find true happiness. I loved the moment when Carol realizes that feeling emotions, even painful ones, doesn’t kill her or make her a weak person. She also realizes that the world is still the same and that it’s okay to be flawed. I truly feel this is a message all of us can relate to.
Overall, this book is a fantastic chick-lit version of Dickens’ classic tale that offers a wonderful blend of humor and romance to thaw out even the most Scrooge like of hearts.
In addition to the ex-boyfriends, Carol also has to spend time with many extended family members that she seems to have no affection or tolerance for. Throughout the weekend, Carol finds herself trying to find out why her relationships with these men didn’t work. Somehow, in her mind, Carol has equated happiness with perfection. She has strived to make her life perfect believing that she will be happy, but it never works out. Carol has closed off her feelings, believing if she has feelings, she can be hurt. It’s absolutely true, but she is missing out on so much of the joy life can offer.
I really admired Carol for making the effort to find out what went wrong even though it meant she would have some difficult lessons to learn about herself. Most of us couldn’t be that brave. Carol realizes that shutting off her feelings kept the pain of being hurt away, but she stopped feeling everything and was unable to find true happiness. I loved the moment when Carol realizes that feeling emotions, even painful ones, doesn’t kill her or make her a weak person. She also realizes that the world is still the same and that it’s okay to be flawed. I truly feel this is a message all of us can relate to.
Overall, this book is a fantastic chick-lit version of Dickens’ classic tale that offers a wonderful blend of humor and romance to thaw out even the most Scrooge like of hearts.
February 22, 2017
I loved this as the follow-up on Carole and families celebrations! Brilliant book. Very easy to read and a page turner. Chick Lit at its best.
November 3, 2013
It seems like every time I bring up my (personal) Facebook page there is some smarty pants with a giggle and snort who posts how many days until Christmas it is. This usually starts about, say, July. I get it. It's cute and funny. For about a week. I'm one of those people who like to enjoy their holidays one at a time, and am okay with that. I start thinking about holiday gifts in the Spring, but almost always forget by the following week. I'm okay with that too. I'm breaking with tradition and letting you all know now that Christmas is coming, and this novella is the perfect way to ease into the holiday season.
Last year I had the opportunity to review one of Michele Gorman's books. I didn't realize until about 5 minutes ago how popular she is in the UK. I'm totally flattered and humbled that her publisher reached out to me (me!!!) to read and review her newest novella Christmas Carol.
I read the book over two evenings, but could have easily gotten through it if I had a couple of hours to lounge by the pool without any disturbances. Reading time is in short supply these days, and a novella was exactly what I needed to get back into that groove.
I love Gorman's humor and wit. As a reader, I appreciate how she can pack so much detail into a mere novella. There was never a dull moment, there were many unique characters, there was a bit of snark, there was the up and the down and the up, and there was a a waterfowl that served up vodka. Add in a healthy dose of Dickensesque and you have a very smart chick lit novella! And yes, I said waterfowl and vodka in the same sentence.
All decked out in a beautifully wrapped package with a bow!
If you are short on time, need something to read, and love a heartwarming holiday read any time of year, then I think you will love Christmas Carol as much as I did.
Last year I had the opportunity to review one of Michele Gorman's books. I didn't realize until about 5 minutes ago how popular she is in the UK. I'm totally flattered and humbled that her publisher reached out to me (me!!!) to read and review her newest novella Christmas Carol.
I read the book over two evenings, but could have easily gotten through it if I had a couple of hours to lounge by the pool without any disturbances. Reading time is in short supply these days, and a novella was exactly what I needed to get back into that groove.
I love Gorman's humor and wit. As a reader, I appreciate how she can pack so much detail into a mere novella. There was never a dull moment, there were many unique characters, there was a bit of snark, there was the up and the down and the up, and there was a a waterfowl that served up vodka. Add in a healthy dose of Dickensesque and you have a very smart chick lit novella! And yes, I said waterfowl and vodka in the same sentence.
All decked out in a beautifully wrapped package with a bow!
If you are short on time, need something to read, and love a heartwarming holiday read any time of year, then I think you will love Christmas Carol as much as I did.
December 26, 2013
This is the story of Carol, Carol who is super-efficient, and super clever, and super good at her job, and super good at avoiding her emotions and any confrontation likely to result in an emotional ending. Carol also doesn’t like Christmas, in fact she is anti-Christmas, and her recently dumped status, means that attending her sister’s wedding, just after Christmas, is her idea of hell.
I immediately got the feeling from Carol that she was all sharp angles, business focused and a no nonsense ball buster. Her job is top priority in her life, except when it comes to pleasing her sister Marley. Carol has a normal family life, but her crappy love life has made her the heartless worker bee she is and that’s another thing that was evident from the get go, she wasn’t lucky in love and she had been burned in the past. I think it kind of detracted from her character making her less likable and more likely to be pitied.
The story is set mainly in Scotland (yay) and what could be more romantic than a wedding in the snow north of the border? The thought of 3 ex-boyfriends being present? Maybe not. The story takes on a whole Ghosts of Boyfriends Past as Carol is forced to face each one of them and not only make sense of why their relationship ended but it also leads her on a mini journey of self discovery. Her attitude to change her own way of life is quite resilient until she realises that she’s becomes someone who everyone sees as cold and unapproachable. Her demeanour changes though and flourishes with the freshly fallen snow, leaving the story on a warm Christmassy note.
This is a novella, so in between short story and full length book, it’s perfect to while away a snowy afternoon in front of the fire (or radiator). Definitely one of my favourite reads so far with it’s warm and touching storyline.
I immediately got the feeling from Carol that she was all sharp angles, business focused and a no nonsense ball buster. Her job is top priority in her life, except when it comes to pleasing her sister Marley. Carol has a normal family life, but her crappy love life has made her the heartless worker bee she is and that’s another thing that was evident from the get go, she wasn’t lucky in love and she had been burned in the past. I think it kind of detracted from her character making her less likable and more likely to be pitied.
The story is set mainly in Scotland (yay) and what could be more romantic than a wedding in the snow north of the border? The thought of 3 ex-boyfriends being present? Maybe not. The story takes on a whole Ghosts of Boyfriends Past as Carol is forced to face each one of them and not only make sense of why their relationship ended but it also leads her on a mini journey of self discovery. Her attitude to change her own way of life is quite resilient until she realises that she’s becomes someone who everyone sees as cold and unapproachable. Her demeanour changes though and flourishes with the freshly fallen snow, leaving the story on a warm Christmassy note.
This is a novella, so in between short story and full length book, it’s perfect to while away a snowy afternoon in front of the fire (or radiator). Definitely one of my favourite reads so far with it’s warm and touching storyline.
October 27, 2013
Other than my birthday, Christmas is my very favorite holiday and I absolutely love reading Christmas stories. Christmas Carol got my holiday reading started and I really enjoyed it! Set in Scotland, this charming holiday treat is perfect for a fast weekend read!
Carol's sister is getting married in a rural Scottish estate. Carol is the maid of honor and her ex is the best man. She's a bit nervous about how things are going to go, because she and her ex didn't end on the best terms. Plus, she never really had a clear understanding as to why they broke up in the first place. Then, there's also the added stress that a few of her other ex's are going to be there. I knew right away that she was in for an interesting weekend.
A bit about Carol; she's a workaholic and is in general very driven. I wouldn't say she's exactly warm either. Any of this sounding familiar? Her relationships have suffered because Carol has a bit of trouble letting people in. So, now that she's put in a situation where she must face her past, she plans to find out what went wrong in all these relationships. I loved getting to see small bits about her past relationships with each ex. It painted a clear picture of what those relationships were like. And, despite Carol's armour, I liked her. She just needed a bit of an eye opener. As for the guys, I was a fan of Robert's. He was really sweet and not at all what I was prepared for heading into the story.
Overall, I really enjoyed this modern spin on a classic holiday tale. Carol dealt with her relationship issues from her past, so that she could move forward and allow herself to be happy. I think it also helped her to realize what was really important. If you're looking for a short holiday read, check this one out!
Carol's sister is getting married in a rural Scottish estate. Carol is the maid of honor and her ex is the best man. She's a bit nervous about how things are going to go, because she and her ex didn't end on the best terms. Plus, she never really had a clear understanding as to why they broke up in the first place. Then, there's also the added stress that a few of her other ex's are going to be there. I knew right away that she was in for an interesting weekend.
A bit about Carol; she's a workaholic and is in general very driven. I wouldn't say she's exactly warm either. Any of this sounding familiar? Her relationships have suffered because Carol has a bit of trouble letting people in. So, now that she's put in a situation where she must face her past, she plans to find out what went wrong in all these relationships. I loved getting to see small bits about her past relationships with each ex. It painted a clear picture of what those relationships were like. And, despite Carol's armour, I liked her. She just needed a bit of an eye opener. As for the guys, I was a fan of Robert's. He was really sweet and not at all what I was prepared for heading into the story.
Overall, I really enjoyed this modern spin on a classic holiday tale. Carol dealt with her relationship issues from her past, so that she could move forward and allow herself to be happy. I think it also helped her to realize what was really important. If you're looking for a short holiday read, check this one out!
January 9, 2016
My first book by this author. And ninth Chick-Lit book read.
I read the book specifically because of Christmas being in the name. Wanted to read a Christmas themed book. Now I knew from the description two things 1) the book is actually about the wedding of the main character's sister; 2) the main character got dumped on Christmas eve or day, I forget which; oh and 3) the wedding itself will occur during the Christmas season; dang it and 4) the main character would end up trapped within the same dwelling as several ex-boyfriends. Because her sister is bitchy like that an seems to enjoy inviting her sister's ex-boyfriends to her wedding (three of them).
So - there's a good flash back somewhere in the book that involves that dumping. Has the feel of both Christmas and Christmas ruined. On the other hand, I didn't really get the feel of Christmas in Scotland. At least, I kind of expected more Christmas vibe with the book titled the way it was, and with the wedding taking place during Christmas. But, instead, the book had more of a after Christmas vibe. Since the wedding took place between Christmas day and New Years day. So, I'm like this kid who woke up, came downstairs and . . . oops, missed Christmas - it was a few days ago. mmphs.
On the other hand, I did like the book well enough. And, despite my comments re: Christmas, the book did involve family near Christmas, all gathered together. There's even snow on the ground. It's just that that occurred after Christmas.
Not sure I particularly liked the sister, or the main character, or the ex-boyfriends. But it wasn't a dislike more than I'm not sure I liked them.
I read the book specifically because of Christmas being in the name. Wanted to read a Christmas themed book. Now I knew from the description two things 1) the book is actually about the wedding of the main character's sister; 2) the main character got dumped on Christmas eve or day, I forget which; oh and 3) the wedding itself will occur during the Christmas season; dang it and 4) the main character would end up trapped within the same dwelling as several ex-boyfriends. Because her sister is bitchy like that an seems to enjoy inviting her sister's ex-boyfriends to her wedding (three of them).
So - there's a good flash back somewhere in the book that involves that dumping. Has the feel of both Christmas and Christmas ruined. On the other hand, I didn't really get the feel of Christmas in Scotland. At least, I kind of expected more Christmas vibe with the book titled the way it was, and with the wedding taking place during Christmas. But, instead, the book had more of a after Christmas vibe. Since the wedding took place between Christmas day and New Years day. So, I'm like this kid who woke up, came downstairs and . . . oops, missed Christmas - it was a few days ago. mmphs.
On the other hand, I did like the book well enough. And, despite my comments re: Christmas, the book did involve family near Christmas, all gathered together. There's even snow on the ground. It's just that that occurred after Christmas.
Not sure I particularly liked the sister, or the main character, or the ex-boyfriends. But it wasn't a dislike more than I'm not sure I liked them.
November 7, 2013
This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I have to say that it was a great pleasure from start to finish, even though I didn’t want it to end quite as soon as it did for I’d wanted to carry on reading about the wonderful cast of colourful characters wittily written into this jolly tale. The pace of the story flowed really nicely as I whizzed through the pages whilst enjoying the life changing journey that Carol undertakes when she realises that she has built a brick wall to keep all emotions out of her day to day living so as not to get hurt by love. But little did she know when she’d arrived up in Scotland that the wall was about to come tumbling down and only one man could fill the void in her heart. I loved hearing the back story about the failings in the past to the point of the renewed relationship and friendships between Carol and not one, but all three of the exes that get invited to join them during the snowy Christmas wedding of her sister Marley. But poor Carol doesn’t really do Christmas, or weddings, or romance and has concentrated on her career over everything else to the extent of isolating herself from having a proper and perfectly normal life. So how will Carol cope with not only everything that this wedding throws at her but with everyone who attends it, when cut off from civilization? I suggest you read this fun, festive novella to find out and I bet it makes you wish you were there with your very own invite to the wedding and celebrating the Christmas holidays with them, for it sure did me.
August 1, 2014
In Christmas Carol by Michele Gorman, Carol is not a fan of Christmas. So, when she has to attend her sister Marley’s wedding over the Christmas weekend, she tries her best to be happy. This becomes pretty difficult when she finds out that her three ex-boyfriends are also going to the wedding and spending the weekend with her family. Not really having the option of avoiding all three of them, Carol soon discovers what went wrong in each of her relationships. In the process, she surprisingly learns a lot about herself. Because of these realizations, she just might allow herself to find happiness.
I absolutely loved Christmas Carol. As a huge fan of chick lit books, I was pleasantly surprised in the uniqueness of this one. Carol, the protagonist, discovers who she is and learns about how she needs to change in order to be happy, making her a very dynamic character; you don’t always see this in chick lit books, so it was refreshing. I also enjoy the concept of learning about yourself as you learn more about your past relationships. I think this is something that almost anyone can relate to. Seeing Carol interact with each of her exes is both amusing and heartwarming. You’ll wonder who she will end up with, and it will keep you guessing right until the last chapter. With a very entertaining and unpredictable plot, a dynamic main character, relatable experiences, and laugh-out-loud humor, this is a must-read. I am now a big fan of Michele Gorman, and I cannot wait to read the rest of her books.
Reviewed by ME for Readers' Favorite
I absolutely loved Christmas Carol. As a huge fan of chick lit books, I was pleasantly surprised in the uniqueness of this one. Carol, the protagonist, discovers who she is and learns about how she needs to change in order to be happy, making her a very dynamic character; you don’t always see this in chick lit books, so it was refreshing. I also enjoy the concept of learning about yourself as you learn more about your past relationships. I think this is something that almost anyone can relate to. Seeing Carol interact with each of her exes is both amusing and heartwarming. You’ll wonder who she will end up with, and it will keep you guessing right until the last chapter. With a very entertaining and unpredictable plot, a dynamic main character, relatable experiences, and laugh-out-loud humor, this is a must-read. I am now a big fan of Michele Gorman, and I cannot wait to read the rest of her books.
Reviewed by ME for Readers' Favorite
October 8, 2013
After my false start with Michele Gorman and her "Single in the City" I seem to be making my peace with her. I really liked "The Misfortune Cookie" and the rest of her books are on my kindle, just waiting to be finally read. And so I just must have read "The Christmas Carol".
The title itself is already funny in a way, as a main hero here is, attention, attention, Carol. She is going to be a Chief Bridesmaid on her sister's wedding. It wouldn't be a problem at all, but her sister forgot to tell her that there are going to be some exes of Carol. And namely, three of them.
I can't stand my exes. And three at once? Bad dream.
I liked Carol even with her faults. She is clever and witty and this is what I like in chick lit heroines. She is a career - driven girl who thinks that happiness equals success and perfection. It was good to see how she develops and how she rearranges her feelings and views. There are some decisions to be made, some memories to be brought to the light, some explanations to be told - and all not too predictable, with some surprises, twists and turns.
This book is written in a funny, warm way, with a gentle humour and is easy to follow. It is a quick read, literally, as it's rather a short story, and I would really prefer it much longer. In my opinion, there were some plot opportunities left. But even with a bridezilla sister it was a great read.
I have received a copy of this book from publisher in exchange for a review.
The title itself is already funny in a way, as a main hero here is, attention, attention, Carol. She is going to be a Chief Bridesmaid on her sister's wedding. It wouldn't be a problem at all, but her sister forgot to tell her that there are going to be some exes of Carol. And namely, three of them.
I can't stand my exes. And three at once? Bad dream.
I liked Carol even with her faults. She is clever and witty and this is what I like in chick lit heroines. She is a career - driven girl who thinks that happiness equals success and perfection. It was good to see how she develops and how she rearranges her feelings and views. There are some decisions to be made, some memories to be brought to the light, some explanations to be told - and all not too predictable, with some surprises, twists and turns.
This book is written in a funny, warm way, with a gentle humour and is easy to follow. It is a quick read, literally, as it's rather a short story, and I would really prefer it much longer. In my opinion, there were some plot opportunities left. But even with a bridezilla sister it was a great read.
I have received a copy of this book from publisher in exchange for a review.
October 12, 2013
I loved CHRISTMAS CAROL, a novella, by Michele Gorman. The protagonist in this modern version of the classic story is Carol. Carol has gone through three disastrous relationships and blames the guys for the breakups. While at her sister Marley's wedding at a beautiful manor in Scotland, Carol is brought face-to-face with her three ex's. After confronting each, she learns that it actually wasn't because of their flaws that each relationship ended, but rather her perfectionist ways. Though Carol had always believed this personality trait would bring her happiness, but instead it drove those closest to her away. She even found she had a low tolerance for less than perfect family members causing her to be withdrawn from them. As Carol learns from her ex-boyfriends that she was the cause of their failed romances, she discovers that she can be happy, even if it sometimes hurts, by being more open and less exacting. She discovers that she is able to have a loving relationship with her guy and with her family members if she just lets go of being Miss Perfection.
This novella was a quick, fun read. There are ample funny moments throughout the story, and at times I found myself laughing out loud. I certainly would recommend this book not only for the story content, but also because it is a perfect length to read on a trip home during the holidays or to sneak into a busy schedule.
I was provided this novella by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This novella was a quick, fun read. There are ample funny moments throughout the story, and at times I found myself laughing out loud. I certainly would recommend this book not only for the story content, but also because it is a perfect length to read on a trip home during the holidays or to sneak into a busy schedule.
I was provided this novella by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
October 28, 2013
I liked the look of this for Christmas and from the first page I really was not disappointed.
We meet up with Carol dreading her Christmas break, as she thinks she will be trapped with family in some draughty old house in rural Scotland - that probably has quaint plumbing and bats - playing happy families with her very recent ex-boyfriend Robert. It is her sister Marley's wedding so she has to be present.
Marley is a romantic and is marrying Jez, who she knew she would marry as soon as they met, and told him so on their second date. She has never been afraid to lay her cards on the table when it comes to romance.
At her office Christmas party, Carol discovers her sister's boss Karl is also coming to the wedding. What are the reasons why Carol doesn't want Karl to be at the wedding?
Craighorn Hall is where everyone gathers for the wedding. Will the snow hamper the proceedings and, more importantly, will all guests be stranded here in the snow and without wifi?
So guests for the wedding are: Uncle Frank, Aunty Lou, Granny and five cousins, Jemima, Karl, Robert and the Rendalls (will their son `Skate `be there as well?).
Will this weekend change Carol's opinion on Christmas, families, romance and her desire for perfection? Curl up on the sofa, lamp on, soft music, and enjoy this Christmas novella, well worth a read. It will be in a few of my friends 'presents for Christmas.
"This book was provided by the publisher for review" .
We meet up with Carol dreading her Christmas break, as she thinks she will be trapped with family in some draughty old house in rural Scotland - that probably has quaint plumbing and bats - playing happy families with her very recent ex-boyfriend Robert. It is her sister Marley's wedding so she has to be present.
Marley is a romantic and is marrying Jez, who she knew she would marry as soon as they met, and told him so on their second date. She has never been afraid to lay her cards on the table when it comes to romance.
At her office Christmas party, Carol discovers her sister's boss Karl is also coming to the wedding. What are the reasons why Carol doesn't want Karl to be at the wedding?
Craighorn Hall is where everyone gathers for the wedding. Will the snow hamper the proceedings and, more importantly, will all guests be stranded here in the snow and without wifi?
So guests for the wedding are: Uncle Frank, Aunty Lou, Granny and five cousins, Jemima, Karl, Robert and the Rendalls (will their son `Skate `be there as well?).
Will this weekend change Carol's opinion on Christmas, families, romance and her desire for perfection? Curl up on the sofa, lamp on, soft music, and enjoy this Christmas novella, well worth a read. It will be in a few of my friends 'presents for Christmas.
"This book was provided by the publisher for review" .
November 18, 2013
Three ex-boyfriends at her sister’s Christmas Wedding is Carol’s nightmare and it is about to come true. When her sister, Marley, plans her wedding, with Carol as maid of honor, for the weekend after Christmas and then makes Carol’s ex the best man carol is dreading it. With no choice she attends the wedding with the intent to learn what went wrong in those relationships. Little did she know that she would learn so much about herself and come out a much different person.
I love Christmas and everything about Christmas. This is a great and fun story. I am a fan of Michele Gorman also. This story is perfect. It is a Christmas story, but so much more. The story is of family coming together and supporting each other and of Carol finding out the truth about herself and making herself a better person.
I do not envy Carol being in the same location as three of her ex’s. When she questions each as to why they broke up it was heart breaking. The truth was told, but it was hard to hear. Carol showed her true strength when she took what she was told and made herself a better person. The message shared in this story is one that everyone should know and live by.
Michele wrote another great story that I will happily recommend to all my chic-lit friends.
I love Christmas and everything about Christmas. This is a great and fun story. I am a fan of Michele Gorman also. This story is perfect. It is a Christmas story, but so much more. The story is of family coming together and supporting each other and of Carol finding out the truth about herself and making herself a better person.
I do not envy Carol being in the same location as three of her ex’s. When she questions each as to why they broke up it was heart breaking. The truth was told, but it was hard to hear. Carol showed her true strength when she took what she was told and made herself a better person. The message shared in this story is one that everyone should know and live by.
Michele wrote another great story that I will happily recommend to all my chic-lit friends.
October 23, 2013
Felt a little strange reading a Christmas story in October...but hey ho! This is the first of Michele's novels that I've read and this short novel is based on the classic A Christmas Carol. There's a Scrooge based character (Carol) and Marley her sister and instead of the 3 ghosts we have the 3 exes - therein the similarities end.
Carol is confronted by 3 of her exes in one weekend which I actually thought was incredibly selfish and unthoughtful of her sister. Incidentally, she smacks of a spoilt rotten 5 year old! I know, I know..brides are supposed to be able to have it all their own way, but seriously would you do that to your sister?? Without giving too much away, fortunately it all works out the way Carol wants it but not without hiccups along the way.
I liked Michele's writing style, the story moves along at a good pace with characters that you can totally relate too, coupled with the idyllic Scottish snowy scenes this is a perfect romantic Winter warmer!
This is a fun, Christmas story that I read in under a couple of hours and has that Bridget Jones feel about it. If you like movies like 'The Ghosts of Girlfriends Past' and '27 Dresses' I think you'll like this little treat too.
Carol is confronted by 3 of her exes in one weekend which I actually thought was incredibly selfish and unthoughtful of her sister. Incidentally, she smacks of a spoilt rotten 5 year old! I know, I know..brides are supposed to be able to have it all their own way, but seriously would you do that to your sister?? Without giving too much away, fortunately it all works out the way Carol wants it but not without hiccups along the way.
I liked Michele's writing style, the story moves along at a good pace with characters that you can totally relate too, coupled with the idyllic Scottish snowy scenes this is a perfect romantic Winter warmer!
This is a fun, Christmas story that I read in under a couple of hours and has that Bridget Jones feel about it. If you like movies like 'The Ghosts of Girlfriends Past' and '27 Dresses' I think you'll like this little treat too.
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