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Last Christmas
For Lucy, the best Christmas present is forgetting the past.
Eager to banish the ghost of Christmas past – when her boyfriend dumped her on the streets of Paris – Lucy is determined to make this the best Christmas ever. She rallies friends and family for an epic celebration that just happens to fall on the same day as her ex’s festive wedding. Furious at how she’s been treated, Lucy can’t help relishing the party v wedding smackdown.
But when the wedding is threatened and only Lucy can help, can she find the spirit inside to save the day, or will this Christmas be even more disastrous than the last?
Eager to banish the ghost of Christmas past – when her boyfriend dumped her on the streets of Paris – Lucy is determined to make this the best Christmas ever. She rallies friends and family for an epic celebration that just happens to fall on the same day as her ex’s festive wedding. Furious at how she’s been treated, Lucy can’t help relishing the party v wedding smackdown.
But when the wedding is threatened and only Lucy can help, can she find the spirit inside to save the day, or will this Christmas be even more disastrous than the last?
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First published October 28, 2013
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About the author
Talli Roland
19 books302 followersTalli Roland writes fun, romantic fiction. Born and raised in Canada, Talli now lives in London, where she savours the great cultural life (coffee and wine).
Despite training as a journalist, Talli soon found she preferred making up her own stories--complete with happy endings. Talli's debut novel The Hating Game was short-listed for Best Romantic Read at the UK's Festival of Romance, while her second, Watching Willow Watts, was selected as an Amazon Customer Favourite. Her novels have also been chosen as top books of the year by industry review websites and have been bestsellers in Britain and the United States.
To learn more about Talli, go to www.talliroland.com or follow Talli on Twitter: @talliroland. Talli blogs at talliroland.blogspot.com.
Despite training as a journalist, Talli soon found she preferred making up her own stories--complete with happy endings. Talli's debut novel The Hating Game was short-listed for Best Romantic Read at the UK's Festival of Romance, while her second, Watching Willow Watts, was selected as an Amazon Customer Favourite. Her novels have also been chosen as top books of the year by industry review websites and have been bestsellers in Britain and the United States.
To learn more about Talli, go to www.talliroland.com or follow Talli on Twitter: @talliroland. Talli blogs at talliroland.blogspot.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
September 10, 2016
Also posted on This Chick Reads
*Copy provided by author in exchange for an honest review*
It happens rarely that I give a novella 5*. Actually I think this might be the second time in my life, first one being when I read 'Swim' by Jennifer Weiner. Well, it's not I'm a stingy reader, but I've read quite a lot of books and personally think someones needs to be very very good at writing to impress me with 50-100 pages.
But Talli Roland did it! As I read the last page and put down the kindle I thought OMG, THIS IS SO SOOOOOO MUCH BETTER THAN I EXPECTED!
The story is centered around Lucy who's been dumped last Christmas and naturally is not looking forward to this one. Instead of thinking of Christmas as a fun and festive time, she's reminded of her past and the man who dumped her on very Christmas day. Robert has been his first lover, her best friend, someone she relied on for 15 years. Losing him leaves her more than heart broken. She actually thinks she will never be merry for Christmas. And after just one year of their break up she finds out he's getting married on Christmas! Trying to get away from an awkward and humiliating situation when meeting Robert and his future wife, she comes up with an epic lie. She tells them she's gonna host a mega party for Christmas and won't be able to make it to their wedding. She feels like everything but partying, but 'when a door closes, a window opens'.
This is a brilliant novella! I totally loved everything about it, from the unique story, the twists I totally didn't expect to the characters who are brilliantly developed. Lucy is a fantastic girl, she's not whiny and doesn't act all depressed (though she's heart broken) and she surprised me with how kind she is, despite everything Robert did to her.
This novella was a pretty strange experience (but a good one) for me, I was literally blown away by this read. I do wish it was longer, but still it's a fantastic story I'm sure everyone will enjoy. It got me immediately hooked and held me till the last page. It's a fantastic festive and feel good read, one you'll devour in just an hour (or less). So, do not hesitate and get it now, you'll enjoy it - I promise! Well done Talli, I AM YOUR FAN!
December 7, 2016
I don't even know where to start. This review may contain spoilers.
I hate, and I mean I absolutely fecking hate heroines who can't think anything without adding a huge dose of body-hatred. Of themselves (or others for that matter). After, say, age 11 or 12. Lucy was constantly chattering on in her mind about how awful she looked, how fat she was, how unkempt or lacking, yada yada yada. She sounded like a very young teen with a dose of too much coffee and too many fashion magazines. And an IQ well below air temperature outside during December in London.
This keeps on being the tune, you'd think a woman with her own company, living and working in London, would be slightly more self-assured, and above everything a tiny bit more intelligent than her. I was loathing Lucy with a vengeance a few pages in. Her constant depression, the lack of maturity in a woman who was supposed to be past thirty quickly exasperated me no end. For an alleged business woman her thoughts and thought processes were surprisingly lacking in depth, right down to being shallow and completely uninteresting. I expect more of the narration of a teenager!
Lastly, she kept behaving like a moron as well. I mean, jump into the sack with a practical stranger, without trying to find out the least bit about him? And then ditching him in the presence of his parents? Wow. What a lovely person. Which meant that at that point I couldn't care less how she would react to Robert's plight.
And the end? Well, let me say this much: this is allegedly a Christmas romance, but it doesn't end with a resolution. It just... ends. Somehow, with the mere hint of a HFN being potentially possible.
As before: someone please explain those ratings to me. Because this was the most juvenile, half-arsed story I've read this month, with some of the most immature characters. Alleged adults behaving like pubescents.
I hate, and I mean I absolutely fecking hate heroines who can't think anything without adding a huge dose of body-hatred. Of themselves (or others for that matter). After, say, age 11 or 12. Lucy was constantly chattering on in her mind about how awful she looked, how fat she was, how unkempt or lacking, yada yada yada. She sounded like a very young teen with a dose of too much coffee and too many fashion magazines. And an IQ well below air temperature outside during December in London.
This keeps on being the tune, you'd think a woman with her own company, living and working in London, would be slightly more self-assured, and above everything a tiny bit more intelligent than her. I was loathing Lucy with a vengeance a few pages in. Her constant depression, the lack of maturity in a woman who was supposed to be past thirty quickly exasperated me no end. For an alleged business woman her thoughts and thought processes were surprisingly lacking in depth, right down to being shallow and completely uninteresting. I expect more of the narration of a teenager!
Lastly, she kept behaving like a moron as well. I mean, jump into the sack with a practical stranger, without trying to find out the least bit about him? And then ditching him in the presence of his parents? Wow. What a lovely person. Which meant that at that point I couldn't care less how she would react to Robert's plight.
And the end? Well, let me say this much: this is allegedly a Christmas romance, but it doesn't end with a resolution. It just... ends. Somehow, with the mere hint of a HFN being potentially possible.
As before: someone please explain those ratings to me. Because this was the most juvenile, half-arsed story I've read this month, with some of the most immature characters. Alleged adults behaving like pubescents.
October 30, 2013
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5 out of 5 bucking stars!
Genre: Chick lit/Contemporary Romance
Heat Level: Minor
Intensity Level: 4 out of 10
Series: None
_______________________________________
Oddly, the first half of this book was dedicated to hating Christmas and all it was about but it only made me look forward to the holiday even more! Too bad Lucy cannot say the same.
From the get go in Last Christmas, Lucy is stuck in a bubble of self pity and sorrow, and rightly so because it is approaching the one year anniversary of when her long time boyfriend Robert - now her ex - broke her heart and refused her marriage proposal on the streets of Paris. I felt awful for Lucy, getting rejected is always hard but for someone who was literally your other half to cut things off, especially in the city of romance, was just stomach twisting.
Then as if reliving the holiday every year wouldn't be enough for her, fate decided Lucy didn't have enough punishment and picked the year after getting dumped to drop the bombshell that Robert - idiot - would be getting married to a stunning women named Greta on...wait for it... Christmas day!
Christmas bloody day!
Does that man have no heart? I don't care if Lucy never found out he was getting married on that day or getting married at all, he should have had some respect and picked a different date far away from the 25th of December. It's not like Lucy was a short fling or his bit on the side, she was in a steady relationship with him for fifteen years. Fifteen years! Gah! I could have just smacked Robert after the first 16% of the book! Then he made me want to commit murder at the 20% mark, the reason why is the following scene...
Can I just fucking punch him in the face? What. An. Arsehole!
Focusing on Lucy again made me smile, I was delighted when she decided to throw her epic Christmas party bash. I loved Mimi's - her best friend - loyalty and eagerness for Lucy to have the best Christmas because she more than anyone knew how much she deserved it. Want to know who else I loved? Lucy's ma, good on her for getting people to ditch Roberts wedding and attended Lucy's party bash! Lucy doesn't deliberately want to ruin the wedding's guest list but her mother does over what Robert done to her daughter and that gets a round of applause from me. What is a good mother!
This is that part of the review where I start to fan-girl. Hello James Wilson, do you have a twin brother by any chance? The lad is just perfection and is a perfect fit for Lucy just as she is for him. They both had so much in common! Their relationship started quick but flowed nicely, it was lovely to read!
Lucy's change of heart and character towards the end of the book was awesome, she is should a good natured person. I don't know If I would have done what she did - because I still think Robert is a dick - but then again, I'm a stubborn cow lol.
This is a short read but a must read. Make sure you pick up a copy because you won't regret it!
Get it on Amazon!
5 out of 5 bucking stars!
Genre: Chick lit/Contemporary Romance
Heat Level: Minor
Intensity Level: 4 out of 10
Series: None
_______________________________________
Oddly, the first half of this book was dedicated to hating Christmas and all it was about but it only made me look forward to the holiday even more! Too bad Lucy cannot say the same.
From the get go in Last Christmas, Lucy is stuck in a bubble of self pity and sorrow, and rightly so because it is approaching the one year anniversary of when her long time boyfriend Robert - now her ex - broke her heart and refused her marriage proposal on the streets of Paris. I felt awful for Lucy, getting rejected is always hard but for someone who was literally your other half to cut things off, especially in the city of romance, was just stomach twisting.
Then as if reliving the holiday every year wouldn't be enough for her, fate decided Lucy didn't have enough punishment and picked the year after getting dumped to drop the bombshell that Robert - idiot - would be getting married to a stunning women named Greta on...wait for it... Christmas day!
Christmas bloody day!
Does that man have no heart? I don't care if Lucy never found out he was getting married on that day or getting married at all, he should have had some respect and picked a different date far away from the 25th of December. It's not like Lucy was a short fling or his bit on the side, she was in a steady relationship with him for fifteen years. Fifteen years! Gah! I could have just smacked Robert after the first 16% of the book! Then he made me want to commit murder at the 20% mark, the reason why is the following scene...
"I can't marry you.'
'Can't marry me? I croaked. 'Why?'
'I love you,' he said, his eyes holding mine. 'You know I do. But..'
"But what?' Panic filled me now, my breath coming in short, fast gasps.
'I'm not in love with you. Not the way I need to be with someone I want to marry.' The words pushed me back like a physical force. Not in love with me? 'We're more like flatmates, or brother and sister these days than anything else. You must have felt it.'
Can I just fucking punch him in the face? What. An. Arsehole!
Focusing on Lucy again made me smile, I was delighted when she decided to throw her epic Christmas party bash. I loved Mimi's - her best friend - loyalty and eagerness for Lucy to have the best Christmas because she more than anyone knew how much she deserved it. Want to know who else I loved? Lucy's ma, good on her for getting people to ditch Roberts wedding and attended Lucy's party bash! Lucy doesn't deliberately want to ruin the wedding's guest list but her mother does over what Robert done to her daughter and that gets a round of applause from me. What is a good mother!
This is that part of the review where I start to fan-girl. Hello James Wilson, do you have a twin brother by any chance? The lad is just perfection and is a perfect fit for Lucy just as she is for him. They both had so much in common! Their relationship started quick but flowed nicely, it was lovely to read!
Lucy's change of heart and character towards the end of the book was awesome, she is should a good natured person. I don't know If I would have done what she did - because I still think Robert is a dick - but then again, I'm a stubborn cow lol.
This is a short read but a must read. Make sure you pick up a copy because you won't regret it!
Get it on Amazon!
_______________________________
** I received a ARC copy of this book off the author in exchange for an honest review **
________________________________
Check out this review and more over at
Just My Bucking Book Blog
December 9, 2013
Lucy owns a small recruitment business and with employee Mimi full of festive spirit we get a flashback to the lead up to Christmas the previous year. This Christmas she’s not planning on celebrating at all … but Mimi has other ideas. Brilliant scene when Mimi has left but returns for something she’s forgotten :)
There’s something Lucy needs to let go of that will symbolise her letting go of the past and this leads Lucy into a new adventure and getting rid of the old wardrobe and hairstyle.
I loved the twist Roland puts on the romance! I really didn’t see this coming.
The Christmas party caused a conflict of emotions for Lucy (and me!) and I was getting anxious …
I always get into the story right from the word go with Roland’s writing and with Last Christmas I identified with the characters straight away, becoming invested in Lucy’s life and the outcome.
Last Christmas is about letting go of the past and handling negative emotions so that you can engage with life and open yourself up to trust. It’s about goodwill and rebirth … of course perfect for the time of year!
I would like to thank the author for providing an ecopy in exchange for an honest review.
There’s something Lucy needs to let go of that will symbolise her letting go of the past and this leads Lucy into a new adventure and getting rid of the old wardrobe and hairstyle.
I loved the twist Roland puts on the romance! I really didn’t see this coming.
The Christmas party caused a conflict of emotions for Lucy (and me!) and I was getting anxious …
I always get into the story right from the word go with Roland’s writing and with Last Christmas I identified with the characters straight away, becoming invested in Lucy’s life and the outcome.
Last Christmas is about letting go of the past and handling negative emotions so that you can engage with life and open yourself up to trust. It’s about goodwill and rebirth … of course perfect for the time of year!
I would like to thank the author for providing an ecopy in exchange for an honest review.
November 13, 2013
A bit short even for a short story but an ok read.
I would have liked more
These extra details would have made the book feel less rushed - my opinion, although I am generally not a fan of very short stories anyway so maybe I am alone in my feelings?
I would have liked more
These extra details would have made the book feel less rushed - my opinion, although I am generally not a fan of very short stories anyway so maybe I am alone in my feelings?
December 20, 2015
Find this and other reviews at Ramblings of a Daydreamer.
Last year I read and loved Talli Roland’s Christmas novella, Mistletoe in Manhattan, so when I heard she’d released another holiday novella this year, I immediately grabbed my Kindle and bought the book.
Lucy is a woman scorned. Last Christmas she expected to get engaged in the most romantic city in the world, but instead she got dumped. A year later, hating everything to do with the holiday that now holds the worst memory of her life, she wants to just coast through Christmas without any fuss…until she finds out her ex is engaged and getting married on Christmas. With the help of her friend Mimi, Lucy plans an epic Christmas party for Christmas day that she hopes will trump the wedding of the man who broke her heart.
Along the way she meets a yummy guy with a troubled romantic past of his own. Between him, planning the party, and knowing she gets to stick it to her ex and his gorgeous fiancée, Christmas doesn’t seem so bad after all.
I really liked Lucy. She was easy to relate to - what woman hasn’t had her heart broken, after all? She had a great voice - I found myself laughing out loud at a lot of the things she said and did, while also sympathizing with her when she was angry or feeling sorry for herself. I loved that in a very short amount of time, I felt like I really got to know her and I appreciated her character growth, which you don’t always get in a novella.
Last Christmas is a quick read that’s sure to make you laugh out loud, cheer for the heroine, swoon over the romance, and fill you with the Christmas spirit.
Last year I read and loved Talli Roland’s Christmas novella, Mistletoe in Manhattan, so when I heard she’d released another holiday novella this year, I immediately grabbed my Kindle and bought the book.
Lucy is a woman scorned. Last Christmas she expected to get engaged in the most romantic city in the world, but instead she got dumped. A year later, hating everything to do with the holiday that now holds the worst memory of her life, she wants to just coast through Christmas without any fuss…until she finds out her ex is engaged and getting married on Christmas. With the help of her friend Mimi, Lucy plans an epic Christmas party for Christmas day that she hopes will trump the wedding of the man who broke her heart.
Along the way she meets a yummy guy with a troubled romantic past of his own. Between him, planning the party, and knowing she gets to stick it to her ex and his gorgeous fiancée, Christmas doesn’t seem so bad after all.
I really liked Lucy. She was easy to relate to - what woman hasn’t had her heart broken, after all? She had a great voice - I found myself laughing out loud at a lot of the things she said and did, while also sympathizing with her when she was angry or feeling sorry for herself. I loved that in a very short amount of time, I felt like I really got to know her and I appreciated her character growth, which you don’t always get in a novella.
Last Christmas is a quick read that’s sure to make you laugh out loud, cheer for the heroine, swoon over the romance, and fill you with the Christmas spirit.
January 26, 2014
Talli Roland is easily one of my favourite authors! I love her books so much and every year I look forward to a new book from Talli! I also love how she releases a Christmas novella every year and when she emailed to let me know about Last Christmas I was chuffed! I was even more pleased to receive a copy of the novel to review and it’s yet another lovely novella from Talli Roland.
Last Christmas tells the story of Lucy, whose memories of Christmas aren’t fantastic because last year she decided to surprise her boyfriend Robert with a proposal which he turned down. Not only did he turn it down but he dumped her. So as yet another Christmas comes around, she’s not looking forward to it until her co worker Mimi convinces her to throw a party, and when she meets the handsome James, things are looking brighter.
Last Christmas was such a sweet, quick read. I finished it within 45 minutes and it’s the perfect size for a lazy Saturday afternoon. Lucy was a lovely character and I did actually wish the novella was longer. Talli Roland has this fantastic writing style that you always want to just keep reading! It’s what makes her one of my favourite authors and it’s why I always look forward to her books. I thoroughly enjoyed Last Christmas, way to go Talli! I can’t wait for her next full length novel!
Last Christmas tells the story of Lucy, whose memories of Christmas aren’t fantastic because last year she decided to surprise her boyfriend Robert with a proposal which he turned down. Not only did he turn it down but he dumped her. So as yet another Christmas comes around, she’s not looking forward to it until her co worker Mimi convinces her to throw a party, and when she meets the handsome James, things are looking brighter.
Last Christmas was such a sweet, quick read. I finished it within 45 minutes and it’s the perfect size for a lazy Saturday afternoon. Lucy was a lovely character and I did actually wish the novella was longer. Talli Roland has this fantastic writing style that you always want to just keep reading! It’s what makes her one of my favourite authors and it’s why I always look forward to her books. I thoroughly enjoyed Last Christmas, way to go Talli! I can’t wait for her next full length novel!
December 26, 2013
The story is about Lucy. Lucy has been unlucky in love, meaning the one and only love of her life chucked her last Christmas before you could say stocking! Since then she’s been in a kind of slump; that is until a chance meeting with her ex and his new fiancé (!!) makes her dead set to enjoy Christmas this year, making it the best ever with a massive party to rival her ex’s wedding.
I really liked Lucy right away, much like how I liked the MC in Mistletoe in Manhattan. She’s down to earth and normal by MC standards so it makes her really believable and it’s easy to identify with her. I liked how she got swept up in the idea of having a Christmas party to get one over on her ex (girl power) but also to try and get some closure from the whole situation.
The party planning also brings a new man into Lucy’s life and their relationship develops quite fast, although it’s not all mistletoe and mince pies as it brings her back down from her Christmas high with an all too close to home bump.
Lucy is cast as a bit of a hero by the end of the book. I think this kind of makes her character speak out for everyone who has ever been dumped and has struggled to move on.
Another story from Talli that I didn’t want to put down. Good enough plot to have the potential of a full story!
I really liked Lucy right away, much like how I liked the MC in Mistletoe in Manhattan. She’s down to earth and normal by MC standards so it makes her really believable and it’s easy to identify with her. I liked how she got swept up in the idea of having a Christmas party to get one over on her ex (girl power) but also to try and get some closure from the whole situation.
The party planning also brings a new man into Lucy’s life and their relationship develops quite fast, although it’s not all mistletoe and mince pies as it brings her back down from her Christmas high with an all too close to home bump.
Lucy is cast as a bit of a hero by the end of the book. I think this kind of makes her character speak out for everyone who has ever been dumped and has struggled to move on.
Another story from Talli that I didn’t want to put down. Good enough plot to have the potential of a full story!
December 19, 2013
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Talli Roland is one of my favorite chick lit authors, so even though I’m not crazy for novellas, I really wanted to read another offering from her! Last Christmas is quick, cute, and packs a lot of personality for such a short read. I thought Roland did a great job making sure the main characters were developed, which can lack in novellas from time to time. The storyline had great qualities, from love lost to moving on to even showing forgiveness in a big way, and of course – plenty of romance. If you need a sweet treat for the holiday season, pick up your copy of Last Christmas!
Talli Roland is one of my favorite chick lit authors, so even though I’m not crazy for novellas, I really wanted to read another offering from her! Last Christmas is quick, cute, and packs a lot of personality for such a short read. I thought Roland did a great job making sure the main characters were developed, which can lack in novellas from time to time. The storyline had great qualities, from love lost to moving on to even showing forgiveness in a big way, and of course – plenty of romance. If you need a sweet treat for the holiday season, pick up your copy of Last Christmas!
January 8, 2014
When Lucy's marriage proposal is rejected on Christmas, she is devastated. When she finds out her ex is getting married on Christmas Day, it sends her over the top. So she decides to throw a Christmas party to take away from the wedding. Many laughs, lessons and happy ending. Loved the book. I recommend it to anyone who wants a fun, light romantic read.
December 30, 2016
I'd say 3.5 stars. Cute short read! Needed something more but nonetheless super cute!
November 16, 2016
Loving and being in love aren’t only in different ball parks, they are completely other games.
It is a week before Christmas and Lucy Greene isn’t looking forward to the upcoming Yule Tide holiday. Since the previous year this particular holiday has taken on a whole new meaning for her and it is no longer one of happiness and good will. It now marks the time of emotional stress, embarrassment, loss, and shame.
The previous year she had planned to ask her first love, life-long friend, and house-mate, Robert, to marry her. They had lived together for a long time and, in her mind, this was the logical next step. She had tirelessly worked her plan out and she would propose to him on Christmas day in the City of Love, Paris.
Her proposal came on queue but the answer wasn’t one she ever dreamed of getting. “I’ve always loved you too,,,,,, just not in that way…… I love you like a sister……” As you can imagine the dream vacation soon turns to a nightmare. Now, a year on, it is time to put the ghost of Christmas past to rest. Following advice gleaned from Oprah or Ann Landers (if they didn’t advise it, they should have), to forget the past and herald in the future, throw a party and invite the world.
I had a hard time reading this book. Lucy’s depression kept dragging me down into the depths of her emotional hell. Robert’s refusal left a bad taste in my mouth as no normal person would have coitus with their sister, even if the relationship was only emotionally.
It is a jejune and puerile tale of a love lost and only starting sparks of a new and (hopefully) more successful future. The Christmas feeling and spirit that the title suggests, completely eluded me. Instead I was plunged into an emotional quagmire that had nothing to do with this winter holiday except the date. I expected the feel-good glow of Christmas and was served mutton instead.
It is a week before Christmas and Lucy Greene isn’t looking forward to the upcoming Yule Tide holiday. Since the previous year this particular holiday has taken on a whole new meaning for her and it is no longer one of happiness and good will. It now marks the time of emotional stress, embarrassment, loss, and shame.
The previous year she had planned to ask her first love, life-long friend, and house-mate, Robert, to marry her. They had lived together for a long time and, in her mind, this was the logical next step. She had tirelessly worked her plan out and she would propose to him on Christmas day in the City of Love, Paris.
Her proposal came on queue but the answer wasn’t one she ever dreamed of getting. “I’ve always loved you too,,,,,, just not in that way…… I love you like a sister……” As you can imagine the dream vacation soon turns to a nightmare. Now, a year on, it is time to put the ghost of Christmas past to rest. Following advice gleaned from Oprah or Ann Landers (if they didn’t advise it, they should have), to forget the past and herald in the future, throw a party and invite the world.
I had a hard time reading this book. Lucy’s depression kept dragging me down into the depths of her emotional hell. Robert’s refusal left a bad taste in my mouth as no normal person would have coitus with their sister, even if the relationship was only emotionally.
It is a jejune and puerile tale of a love lost and only starting sparks of a new and (hopefully) more successful future. The Christmas feeling and spirit that the title suggests, completely eluded me. Instead I was plunged into an emotional quagmire that had nothing to do with this winter holiday except the date. I expected the feel-good glow of Christmas and was served mutton instead.
November 3, 2018
A cute and sweet story about a rejected marriage proposal and an occasion to forgive.
Lucy proposes to her longtime boyfriend Robert, while in Paris on vacation and was rejected. One year later, she is still struggling to put together the pieces of her broken heart.
On a walk in the park one evening, Lucy runs into Robert and his new girlfriend Greta. She learns of their plan to be married at Christmas in a matter of weeks. Well, in spite of herself she decides if she is going to put the past behind her she needs to throw the best and brightest holiday party ever. In order to pay for a venue, she decides to pawn a watch she bought when she proposed to Robert and visits a local pawn shop. There she meets James. Now that he is in Lucy's contacts, Mimi sends out invitations to the party, inviting him to her party along with everyone else on her phone.
Allow me to just say I'm all about taking risks and Lucy takes a chance on James and risks getting hurt again but it all works out. Sometimes in order to heal, we must learn to forgive. Even though Lucy was indirectly pushed into the position of forgiving her ex, she benefitted from forgiving him when the peace and weight are lifted off her shoulders, by allowing her ex's marriage reception to be conducted at her party.
Lucy proposes to her longtime boyfriend Robert, while in Paris on vacation and was rejected. One year later, she is still struggling to put together the pieces of her broken heart.
On a walk in the park one evening, Lucy runs into Robert and his new girlfriend Greta. She learns of their plan to be married at Christmas in a matter of weeks. Well, in spite of herself she decides if she is going to put the past behind her she needs to throw the best and brightest holiday party ever. In order to pay for a venue, she decides to pawn a watch she bought when she proposed to Robert and visits a local pawn shop. There she meets James. Now that he is in Lucy's contacts, Mimi sends out invitations to the party, inviting him to her party along with everyone else on her phone.
Allow me to just say I'm all about taking risks and Lucy takes a chance on James and risks getting hurt again but it all works out. Sometimes in order to heal, we must learn to forgive. Even though Lucy was indirectly pushed into the position of forgiving her ex, she benefitted from forgiving him when the peace and weight are lifted off her shoulders, by allowing her ex's marriage reception to be conducted at her party.
November 14, 2020
An enjoyable short story set around the run up to Christmas.
Lucy broke up with her long-term boyfriend last year so isn't really into celebrating Christmas this year, until a chance meeting with her ex changes her mind and she's persuaded by her work colleague to have a big party on Christmas Day(!) the same day her ex is getting married.
It was all a bit mad really, but through it she meets someone new and finally manages to start moving on with her life, even helping her ex and his new wife out.
I did find the ending a bit too abrupt for my liking, but an enjoyable short story nonetheless.
Lucy broke up with her long-term boyfriend last year so isn't really into celebrating Christmas this year, until a chance meeting with her ex changes her mind and she's persuaded by her work colleague to have a big party on Christmas Day(!) the same day her ex is getting married.
It was all a bit mad really, but through it she meets someone new and finally manages to start moving on with her life, even helping her ex and his new wife out.
I did find the ending a bit too abrupt for my liking, but an enjoyable short story nonetheless.
December 2, 2018
The book actually caught my attention from the book description itself. The gripping and authentic portrayal of the phases in every aspect are the base strengths of the book. Hooking elements are there at times which kept the reading flow in a simple and uninterrupted way. Undoubtedly a captivating read for me. Would love to recommend this surely. Thank you.
August 17, 2017
A quick and delightful festive read.
December 14, 2020
This was on old Christmas novella lurking on my kindle. It was an ok Christmas read
December 16, 2020
Great holiday read
This was a cute and fun Christmas read! Definitely recommended and can be finished in just a couple hours or less!
This was a cute and fun Christmas read! Definitely recommended and can be finished in just a couple hours or less!
December 15, 2013
Review: aww what a lovely Christmas Novella! I totally didn't know what to expect from this one as I haven't read anything by this author before. I know she writes some lovely Christmas stories but this one got me hooked in right from the start! I was drawn into the action of Lucy arranging the best Christmas party ever to try and combat the fact that her ex was marrying someone else after rejecting her proposal just a year earlier. Her friend is amazing in this book, she encourages Lucy every step of the way and I fell just as much in love with her as with Lucy herself!
The setting of this one is fabulous as well, I thought all the scenes were well described and just as they would be at Christmas time! The venue that Lucy hires sounds typical for that kind of party too. The relationships in this novel just build and grow. Lucy's relationship with her mum, her relationship with her ex and his family, and also a romantic relationship along the way! I thought it was wonderful that so much could be included in such a short number of pages!
The whole novella felt like A Christmas Carol for me, but with all the festive spirit of the kind of novels Trisha Ashley and Scarlett Bailey write! Even though it was a novella, nothing felt rush or squashed in, just jam packed and full of action! This is the perfect length for reading in the bath or on the commute home (if you're lucky enough to have a commute where you can read) so I high,y recommend you grab a couple of mince pies, a mug of mulled wine and get yourself this novella now!
The setting of this one is fabulous as well, I thought all the scenes were well described and just as they would be at Christmas time! The venue that Lucy hires sounds typical for that kind of party too. The relationships in this novel just build and grow. Lucy's relationship with her mum, her relationship with her ex and his family, and also a romantic relationship along the way! I thought it was wonderful that so much could be included in such a short number of pages!
The whole novella felt like A Christmas Carol for me, but with all the festive spirit of the kind of novels Trisha Ashley and Scarlett Bailey write! Even though it was a novella, nothing felt rush or squashed in, just jam packed and full of action! This is the perfect length for reading in the bath or on the commute home (if you're lucky enough to have a commute where you can read) so I high,y recommend you grab a couple of mince pies, a mug of mulled wine and get yourself this novella now!
November 21, 2013
Lucy isn't looking forward to Christmas this year. Who'd want to remember when her dreams were shattered? When Lucy runs into Robert, her ex and his new fiance, only to find out their wedding is in a week, she REALLY isn't looking forward to Christmas anymore. Throwing out that she's got a grand party on the same day seems like a good idea to take her mind off things, but will it work?
A year after her heartbreak Lucy still feels the pain from her breakup. Having been with Robert for a very long time she thought she'd found the one only to find out he thought otherwise. I understood and felt her pain; she didn't have a clue he wasn't on the same page and so their breakup was sudden to her at least. I loved how as things changed for Lucy her view towards her past changed as well. Plus Lucy was hurt but never vindictive. Her heart was in the right place. I do wish she hadn't been so hasty to dash when some she discovered something unexpected.
I do wish the story had been longer only because the ending felt abrupt to me and I definitely would've loved to read more. One second things were unsettled and the in next instant finished. Beyond that, the story is flawless and perhaps we may get to see more of Lucy, James, and Mimi in the future. I'd like to thank Talli for sending me a copy to review.
A year after her heartbreak Lucy still feels the pain from her breakup. Having been with Robert for a very long time she thought she'd found the one only to find out he thought otherwise. I understood and felt her pain; she didn't have a clue he wasn't on the same page and so their breakup was sudden to her at least. I loved how as things changed for Lucy her view towards her past changed as well. Plus Lucy was hurt but never vindictive. Her heart was in the right place. I do wish she hadn't been so hasty to dash when some she discovered something unexpected.
I do wish the story had been longer only because the ending felt abrupt to me and I definitely would've loved to read more. One second things were unsettled and the in next instant finished. Beyond that, the story is flawless and perhaps we may get to see more of Lucy, James, and Mimi in the future. I'd like to thank Talli for sending me a copy to review.
December 11, 2013
Last Christmas, Lucy was dumped by her long-term boyfriend, Robert. This year, she plans to abandon all the festivities and hole herself up in her studio flat with a bottle of cheap wine. But when she runs into Robert - and his fiancée - and he announces he is getting married on Christmas Day, Lucy finds herself telling a little white lie. She can't let Robert know she is spending the day alone, so tells him she is hosting a huge party.
Once Lucy's work colleague, Mimi finds out, she runs with the idea and Lucy finds herself planning a spectacular party. The party planning helps to take Lucy's mind off the disastrous last Christmas and she begins to wonder if she is finally ready to move on.
As a novella, Last Christmas is perfect for curling up with when you have a free evening. It's a quick read but it's jam-packed with fun and we quickly get to know the characters. I thought Lucy was a great character. Her confidence was obviously knocked when her relationship with Robert broke down and it has taken her a long time to pick herself up, but she finally begins to feel like her old self again once she throws herself into the planning of the party. I also loved Mimi. She doesn't mince her words but she is loyal and clearly cares about Lucy.
If you're looking for a quick but highly entertaining festive read, then Last Christmas is the book for you.
Once Lucy's work colleague, Mimi finds out, she runs with the idea and Lucy finds herself planning a spectacular party. The party planning helps to take Lucy's mind off the disastrous last Christmas and she begins to wonder if she is finally ready to move on.
As a novella, Last Christmas is perfect for curling up with when you have a free evening. It's a quick read but it's jam-packed with fun and we quickly get to know the characters. I thought Lucy was a great character. Her confidence was obviously knocked when her relationship with Robert broke down and it has taken her a long time to pick herself up, but she finally begins to feel like her old self again once she throws herself into the planning of the party. I also loved Mimi. She doesn't mince her words but she is loyal and clearly cares about Lucy.
If you're looking for a quick but highly entertaining festive read, then Last Christmas is the book for you.
November 23, 2013
All Lucy wants to do is avoid Christmas this year after last year’s disaster when she had taken long-term boyfriend Robert to Paris, and her plans had not worked out to be what she had expected, and she had been left broken-hearted.
Lucy soon realises that Christmas is everywhere and she cannot get out of it, so she decides to throw a huge Christmas party, even though it will clash with another significant event. To pay for it she pawns a watch, a gift that was supposed to be for Robert. This leads to a chance meeting with James who works at the shop, and when Lucy’s friend sends party invites to absolutely everyone in Lucy’s email contacts, James is accidently invited to the party, even though they have only just briefly met, the pair decide to go out for a drink and Lucy finds they have a lot in common.
Can James help Lucy forget her Christmas past and to embrace her Christmas present?
I am in the mood for Christmas now! This book is another wonderful, well written, winter, Christmas novella, from author Talli Roland. I really enjoyed it. I thought the story was beautifully put together and as always with Talli Roland books you can expect good humour and an entertaining read, and this book is perfect for this time of year.
Lucy soon realises that Christmas is everywhere and she cannot get out of it, so she decides to throw a huge Christmas party, even though it will clash with another significant event. To pay for it she pawns a watch, a gift that was supposed to be for Robert. This leads to a chance meeting with James who works at the shop, and when Lucy’s friend sends party invites to absolutely everyone in Lucy’s email contacts, James is accidently invited to the party, even though they have only just briefly met, the pair decide to go out for a drink and Lucy finds they have a lot in common.
Can James help Lucy forget her Christmas past and to embrace her Christmas present?
I am in the mood for Christmas now! This book is another wonderful, well written, winter, Christmas novella, from author Talli Roland. I really enjoyed it. I thought the story was beautifully put together and as always with Talli Roland books you can expect good humour and an entertaining read, and this book is perfect for this time of year.
November 7, 2013
Christmas love, Christmas heartache, Christmas kisses are what sums up
How beautiful is that cover please? It's like a gorgeous vintage Christmas card.
Talli Roland's lovely little Christmas novella, Last Christmas. (Reckon I could have fit any more Christmas' in that sentence?)
We follow heartbroken recruitment advisor Lucy on the build up to a dreaded Christmas Day with nothing but misery and bad memories from the previous years goings on. Rejected by her childhood sweetheart after 15 years together on Christmas Day has left her bitter and anti-Christmas. Finding out he's marrying someone new exactly a year later Lucy and her friend/colleague Mimi plan a huge kick ass Christmas bash to take her mind of it all.
Last Christmas is a quick and easy read. It has you hooked straight away and feeling ever so sorry for Lucy, it does also have you wanting to slap her and shout what on earth are you doing during the end of the book too like, but she really is a sweetheart.
You just can't go wrong with a bit of Christmas magic can you? Talli has given us this gorgeous novella for the build up to the festive season.
How beautiful is that cover please? It's like a gorgeous vintage Christmas card.
Talli Roland's lovely little Christmas novella, Last Christmas. (Reckon I could have fit any more Christmas' in that sentence?)
We follow heartbroken recruitment advisor Lucy on the build up to a dreaded Christmas Day with nothing but misery and bad memories from the previous years goings on. Rejected by her childhood sweetheart after 15 years together on Christmas Day has left her bitter and anti-Christmas. Finding out he's marrying someone new exactly a year later Lucy and her friend/colleague Mimi plan a huge kick ass Christmas bash to take her mind of it all.
Last Christmas is a quick and easy read. It has you hooked straight away and feeling ever so sorry for Lucy, it does also have you wanting to slap her and shout what on earth are you doing during the end of the book too like, but she really is a sweetheart.
You just can't go wrong with a bit of Christmas magic can you? Talli has given us this gorgeous novella for the build up to the festive season.
November 18, 2013
For an author I've never read before, Talli Roland already has a major presence on my Kindle - friends constantly tell me how good her writing is, and Last Christmas was a lovely introduction to her writing that has made me want to read more. Last Christmas, Lucy proposed to her long-time partner on a romantic trip to Paris, where he unceremoniously dumped her. So this Christmas, she plans to buy several bottles of wine and a hot curry, and catch up on her accounts. That's until she bumps into her ex-boyfriend and finds out he's getting married to someone else on Christmas Day. Urged on by the wonderful Mimi who she works with, she decides instead to throw a party to end all parties - until the wedding is threatened and she's called on to save the day. It was a lovely read, sad and joyful in turn, with some wonderful touches about love and forgiveness and friendship, 20,000 words wonderfully used to make a perfect Christmas read.
November 24, 2013
Last Christmas is a short sweet novella written by the talented Talli Roland. It is an easy read and only has a very small group of characters. Lucy is our main character and after splitting with her ex Rob she doesn't have fond memories of Christmas but with the help of her assistant Mimi and the delightful James hopefully Christmas will finally be something to look forward to once again.
I felt like this was the perfect length novella, it didn't feel rushed even though it was a quick read that you will finish in under an hour. For a novella there was quite a lot of content including rejection and heartbreak and more positively new love and forgiveness. Once again the authors fantastic writing style has created the scene perfectly and has got the reader into a lovely positive Christmas spirit. This is a delightful read for your commute home this Christmas and for only 99p!! ( price at the time of review)
I felt like this was the perfect length novella, it didn't feel rushed even though it was a quick read that you will finish in under an hour. For a novella there was quite a lot of content including rejection and heartbreak and more positively new love and forgiveness. Once again the authors fantastic writing style has created the scene perfectly and has got the reader into a lovely positive Christmas spirit. This is a delightful read for your commute home this Christmas and for only 99p!! ( price at the time of review)
November 3, 2013
As with any Talli Roland story, you know what you will get and with this I wasn’t disappointed. Lucy’s previous Christmas was her worst ever when she proposed to her boyfriend in Paris only for him to dump her. She’s had a miserable year and is persuaded to have the best Christmas party ever this year.
I did find this a bit short for my liking, but that’s because I love reading Talli Roland’s work. The story itself was very well written and extremely enjoyable. Definitely a “sit down, start it, oh, I’ve finished it, where did the time go” book.
In saying that the story is a bit short for me, it didn’t lack any detail or story. The characters were great.
I did find this a bit short for my liking, but that’s because I love reading Talli Roland’s work. The story itself was very well written and extremely enjoyable. Definitely a “sit down, start it, oh, I’ve finished it, where did the time go” book.
In saying that the story is a bit short for me, it didn’t lack any detail or story. The characters were great.
November 5, 2013
I read Last Christmas a week ago, and couldn't put it down once I'd started. I feel like I know Lucy so well, having followed just a few weeks of her life over her shoulder -- I know romance stories don't work that way, but I really hope there'll be a sequel featuring her and a certain other character. Or maybe they could make a cameo in another book?
The story weaves through Lucy's emotional changes so well that you feel like you're growing along with her, and there are lots of laugh-out-loud moments too. At one point I thought I'd correctly guessed at a reversal that was coming, but boy was I excited by what actually happened!
(full review and guest post on my blog!
The story weaves through Lucy's emotional changes so well that you feel like you're growing along with her, and there are lots of laugh-out-loud moments too. At one point I thought I'd correctly guessed at a reversal that was coming, but boy was I excited by what actually happened!
(full review and guest post on my blog!
November 10, 2013
Another brilliant Christmas novella from the powerhouse of romantic fiction, Talli Roland. This book is realistic, about love lost and moving on, and the characters are very realistic and loveable. An enchanting tale that did leave me with a fuzzy feeling, looking forward to the Christmas season. Who can want more than that? The cover is awesome and as usual the editing and formatting is spot on. I really love Roland's work and this tale of hurt, love, revenge and forgiveness is a highlight for the Christmas novella market.
April 16, 2015
I decided to start a little bit christmas reading already. I started with the story of Lucy and her " letting go the past" experience. This was a very small little christmas story, which I kinda liked. Lucys heart was broken on Christmas Eve the last year and she had to learn to let go the past to open up some new pleasure and experiances. That you only can see and tread some new paths when you are able to make peace with your past, let resentment behind you and raising the faith inside you,that nothing happens without a reason.
Not an overwhelming read,but quite nice to squeeze in :)
Not an overwhelming read,but quite nice to squeeze in :)
January 13, 2014
This new Talli Roland was just what I needed as I prepared for Christmas. Pressed for time, but nevertheless looking for an escape from shopping, cooking and wrapping presents, I wanted some "me" time. This light romance fitted the bill and put me in the festive mood. Last Chrismas was a quick read full of romance and festive spirit and I was able to pick it up and put it down as my mood (and time) allowed. Very enjoyable. If Santa doesn't add it to your kindle, then download it yourself!
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