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Christmas Kismet
Kate Murray has always loved Christmas.
Until this year.
This year, Christmas represents an aching reminder of all that Kate is supposed to have and all that she has lost. Her fiance ran off with her twin sister and Kate would rather hide and wallow in her misery than spend Christmas with her family.
This will be the first Christmas that she has ever spent alone.
Kate rents a secluded cabin for the holidays and hopes to find herself again as she picks up the pieces of her shattered heart.
Instead, Kate finds Henri Archer, a sexy architect who owns the vacation cabin that she rented. Henri is undeniably handsome and although Kate knows that it is entirely too soon for her heart to embark on a new relationship, her attraction to Henri is impossible to ignore.
Since the death of his wife three years ago, Henri has struggled to get through Christmas. Spending an unexpectedly romantic holiday secluded in a winter wonderland with Kate has Henri wondering if Christmas wishes really do come true.
Together, Henri and Kate rekindle the joys of the Christmas season - each contemplating bearing the scars of their pasts for a second chance at love.
Kate fears that by opening her heart to Henri she risks re-opening herself to the heart ache that threatened to destroy her.
Henri hopes that two broken hearts can come together and mend each other - a true Christmas miracle.
**Christmas Kistmet is a sweet and steamy holiday romantic tale about love, fate and the redemption of second chances**
Until this year.
This year, Christmas represents an aching reminder of all that Kate is supposed to have and all that she has lost. Her fiance ran off with her twin sister and Kate would rather hide and wallow in her misery than spend Christmas with her family.
This will be the first Christmas that she has ever spent alone.
Kate rents a secluded cabin for the holidays and hopes to find herself again as she picks up the pieces of her shattered heart.
Instead, Kate finds Henri Archer, a sexy architect who owns the vacation cabin that she rented. Henri is undeniably handsome and although Kate knows that it is entirely too soon for her heart to embark on a new relationship, her attraction to Henri is impossible to ignore.
Since the death of his wife three years ago, Henri has struggled to get through Christmas. Spending an unexpectedly romantic holiday secluded in a winter wonderland with Kate has Henri wondering if Christmas wishes really do come true.
Together, Henri and Kate rekindle the joys of the Christmas season - each contemplating bearing the scars of their pasts for a second chance at love.
Kate fears that by opening her heart to Henri she risks re-opening herself to the heart ache that threatened to destroy her.
Henri hopes that two broken hearts can come together and mend each other - a true Christmas miracle.
**Christmas Kistmet is a sweet and steamy holiday romantic tale about love, fate and the redemption of second chances**
74 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 5, 2013
7 people are currently reading
172 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
January 30, 2017
So cute
Really good Christmas read! Heart warming story loved it so much. Would totally recommend it to anyone who loves Christmas and romance
Really good Christmas read! Heart warming story loved it so much. Would totally recommend it to anyone who loves Christmas and romance
dnf
December 4, 2023DULL ~ DISAPPOINTING ~ DNF
Not finishing a book annoys me. There are times when I at least skim to the end...I couldn't even bring myself to see what happens at the end, there wasn't enough intrigue for me to do that. I also think it's only fair to note why I don't like or finish a book.
To be fair, any type of 3rd person is not my preference for POV but I can generally handle it when it's done well. This book was what can be called "Head-Hopping", going from one character's head to the other without transitions.
But that was okay because all they were saying was the same thing over and over again. I couldn't take it.
Word choices made me cringe. To every author or aspiring author, do not use the word DEVINE unless it is being spoken by an 85 year old British woman. We also had "befuddling", which isn't as bad as the "D" word. At one point the MMC said he "liked Kate at once"; again a throw back to old times. However, this is a contemporary book with American characters.
Their internal and spoken dialogue was juvenile and boring.
Stopped reading at 46%. Fortunately was a short book. Having a string of bad book choices recently.
Not finishing a book annoys me. There are times when I at least skim to the end...I couldn't even bring myself to see what happens at the end, there wasn't enough intrigue for me to do that. I also think it's only fair to note why I don't like or finish a book.
To be fair, any type of 3rd person is not my preference for POV but I can generally handle it when it's done well. This book was what can be called "Head-Hopping", going from one character's head to the other without transitions.
But that was okay because all they were saying was the same thing over and over again. I couldn't take it.
Word choices made me cringe. To every author or aspiring author, do not use the word DEVINE unless it is being spoken by an 85 year old British woman. We also had "befuddling", which isn't as bad as the "D" word. At one point the MMC said he "liked Kate at once"; again a throw back to old times. However, this is a contemporary book with American characters.
Their internal and spoken dialogue was juvenile and boring.
Stopped reading at 46%. Fortunately was a short book. Having a string of bad book choices recently.
June 25, 2023
Kate had been betrayed by her twin sister and her financé when she found the kissing in the kitchen of the bakery that she owned with her sister.
Instead of going home to the family Christmas, Kate decided to rent a mountain cabin about an hour outside of Seattle where she lived. When she got to the cabin the owner was there; a blizzard became worse so they both stayed for a lovely Christmas. Henri Archer, the owner is alone for the first Christmas in his life. He had lost his wife to cancer two years ago and his in-laws had his two girls for Christmas.
Kate and Henri found they had many things in common. They fell for each other and when you know something is right, you just know. Christmas Kismet is a Christmas miracle for both of them and a lovely love story.
Instead of going home to the family Christmas, Kate decided to rent a mountain cabin about an hour outside of Seattle where she lived. When she got to the cabin the owner was there; a blizzard became worse so they both stayed for a lovely Christmas. Henri Archer, the owner is alone for the first Christmas in his life. He had lost his wife to cancer two years ago and his in-laws had his two girls for Christmas.
Kate and Henri found they had many things in common. They fell for each other and when you know something is right, you just know. Christmas Kismet is a Christmas miracle for both of them and a lovely love story.
March 2, 2015
I really love romance novels that center around Christmas. Just reading about people enjoying family and friends around the tree with snow falling and the man/woman you love being near always brings a smile to my face.
The two main characters Kate and Herni both have reasons for wanting to get away from their homes for the Christmas holidays. Kate still reeling from an emotional betrayal decides to hide away from her family during the Christmas season. She rents a cabin for the holidays. Henri, still dealing with the death of his wife and not being able to spend time with his children during the holidays goes away to spend time at his cabin and due to a mix-up with reservations ends up sharing the cabin with Kate.
I only gave this novel 2 stars because in the end I really did not like it. The plot worked but the I had problems with the two leads separately and then the "heat" between them was not really there.
First, Kate's betrayal was so big I was shocked in the end when everything seemed to be fine with her and the persons behind it since she found love again. Added to that is the fact that when I read about the "why" behind Kate was betrayed (not that it was a good reason) seeing how fast she moves in her relationship with Henri just strained my credibility meter.
Second, Henri just seemed quite dull to me. You find out about his wife, his children, and the issues with his in-laws but it was brought up as this type of side-plot that really did not go anywhere.
Third, once Kate and Henri get together I just did not buy it. I didn't see the "love" between the two characters which is always a problem when you have the two characters get together literally a couple of days after meeting one another. It can work in some situations but I have to feel the lust/pull for the two people right away. All I saw was a lot of "like" and as I said since we find out about Kate's unique situation I had problems buying that she all of a sudden felt lust for a total stranger like she did. The ending was too pat and unbelievable to me. I think if the storyline had been more than a few days with the lead-up to meeting each other and falling in love more realistic I would have liked the novel more.
The two main characters Kate and Herni both have reasons for wanting to get away from their homes for the Christmas holidays. Kate still reeling from an emotional betrayal decides to hide away from her family during the Christmas season. She rents a cabin for the holidays. Henri, still dealing with the death of his wife and not being able to spend time with his children during the holidays goes away to spend time at his cabin and due to a mix-up with reservations ends up sharing the cabin with Kate.
I only gave this novel 2 stars because in the end I really did not like it. The plot worked but the I had problems with the two leads separately and then the "heat" between them was not really there.
First, Kate's betrayal was so big I was shocked in the end when everything seemed to be fine with her and the persons behind it since she found love again. Added to that is the fact that when I read about the "why" behind Kate was betrayed (not that it was a good reason) seeing how fast she moves in her relationship with Henri just strained my credibility meter.
Second, Henri just seemed quite dull to me. You find out about his wife, his children, and the issues with his in-laws but it was brought up as this type of side-plot that really did not go anywhere.
Third, once Kate and Henri get together I just did not buy it. I didn't see the "love" between the two characters which is always a problem when you have the two characters get together literally a couple of days after meeting one another. It can work in some situations but I have to feel the lust/pull for the two people right away. All I saw was a lot of "like" and as I said since we find out about Kate's unique situation I had problems buying that she all of a sudden felt lust for a total stranger like she did. The ending was too pat and unbelievable to me. I think if the storyline had been more than a few days with the lead-up to meeting each other and falling in love more realistic I would have liked the novel more.
December 4, 2013
Also posted to Jen in Bookland
Even though I love love love cheesy Christmas romances, I did not love this short story. I didn't mind the insta love thing. I didn't mind how quickly everything happened. I didn't mind the crazy coincidence that brought the two of them together. I didn't really mind any of that. What I did mind was that there was way too much thought about how special everything is and how magical it is here and how they can fix each other suddenly and it was just a bit much. It felt like it was trying too hard to be super loving and emotion and it just didn't work for me.
The book starts off with Kate walking into her bakery to find her fiance and twin sister making out. She is sad, but that is not really touched upon. Cut to Christmas and she doesn't feel like being around them at her families (so the family just accepts them? Again not much was said about the twin sister/fiance thing) so she books a cabin up in the mountains last minute.
Henri also does not want to be home along on Christmas (he lost his wife a few years ago and the kids are at the grandparents) so he goes up to his cabin which he thinks has not been booked. Surprise! Kate booked it and the two end up staying in the cabin together and falling in love. It was cheesy yes, but too much introspection for me to really enjoy it. Oh well, it was still entertaining, just not the best story ever. There is some added drama close to the end for no real reason other than the author didn't want just a nice story. I felt like it was a bit much, but that is the way it is.
Even though I love love love cheesy Christmas romances, I did not love this short story. I didn't mind the insta love thing. I didn't mind how quickly everything happened. I didn't mind the crazy coincidence that brought the two of them together. I didn't really mind any of that. What I did mind was that there was way too much thought about how special everything is and how magical it is here and how they can fix each other suddenly and it was just a bit much. It felt like it was trying too hard to be super loving and emotion and it just didn't work for me.
The book starts off with Kate walking into her bakery to find her fiance and twin sister making out. She is sad, but that is not really touched upon. Cut to Christmas and she doesn't feel like being around them at her families (so the family just accepts them? Again not much was said about the twin sister/fiance thing) so she books a cabin up in the mountains last minute.
Henri also does not want to be home along on Christmas (he lost his wife a few years ago and the kids are at the grandparents) so he goes up to his cabin which he thinks has not been booked. Surprise! Kate booked it and the two end up staying in the cabin together and falling in love. It was cheesy yes, but too much introspection for me to really enjoy it. Oh well, it was still entertaining, just not the best story ever. There is some added drama close to the end for no real reason other than the author didn't want just a nice story. I felt like it was a bit much, but that is the way it is.
December 7, 2013
Kate’s walked in on her twin sister kissing her fiancé they make it worse by claiming you can’t help who you fall in love with. Kate’s emotions are running high and with the prospect of coming home and seeing the happy couple at her family home doesn’t appeal to her. At the last minute she rents a cabin a few hours away packs up and heads off to enjoy a quiet Christmas by herself. When she arrives at the cabin she’s shocked to find an attractive man cooking dinner.
Kate learns that Henri owns the cabin and had decided to spend the holiday alone after all his own heartache. He quickly starts to leave since she booked the cabin but she encourages him to stay at least for dinner. As Henri decides to head home the door opens into a blizzard which Kate can’t let him drive off in, nor can she deny her attraction for him. While they both are falling for each other can they accept the other secrets?
I tend to avoid novellas only because they are so short and the story feels rushed. This one was a kindle freebie, and worked perfect for my monopoly roll. The concept is cute two broken hearted people finding love in an unexpected way. The story was too short to connect with either character but they do love one of my cookbooks so that was a plus. However I don’t really like books with the characters who fall in instant love with each other. The whole instant love thing is why I avoid shorter stories I’m the kind of girl who always wants more. That being I enjoyed the quick read it’s cute and who doesn’t love a Christmas story?
Kate learns that Henri owns the cabin and had decided to spend the holiday alone after all his own heartache. He quickly starts to leave since she booked the cabin but she encourages him to stay at least for dinner. As Henri decides to head home the door opens into a blizzard which Kate can’t let him drive off in, nor can she deny her attraction for him. While they both are falling for each other can they accept the other secrets?
I tend to avoid novellas only because they are so short and the story feels rushed. This one was a kindle freebie, and worked perfect for my monopoly roll. The concept is cute two broken hearted people finding love in an unexpected way. The story was too short to connect with either character but they do love one of my cookbooks so that was a plus. However I don’t really like books with the characters who fall in instant love with each other. The whole instant love thing is why I avoid shorter stories I’m the kind of girl who always wants more. That being I enjoyed the quick read it’s cute and who doesn’t love a Christmas story?
November 18, 2013
Meh. There's a romance heroine who runs a bakery who ends up accidentally double-booked at a remote cabin with a handsome stranger who just happens to turn out to be hot and rich. Cue the snow storm and the love at first sight. This e-book novella was free on Amazon, and I'd be annoyed if I'd paid money for it. I think I would have been less put out about the formulaic love story if the back story hadn't involved the heroine Kate's twin sister and business partner Emma cheating with Kate's fiance Shane. Kate was supposed to marry Shane at New Year's, but walked in on him with Emma making out in their business kitchen, and Emma's excuse was "You can't help who you love." Kate goes up to the remote cabin because she can't face Christmas with her family, which for some unbelievable reason was hosting Shane and Emma as a new couple as if that's a totally normal way for a family to react.
December 25, 2013
This was a sweet novella, but it would have worked much better as a novel. There were a few things that needed some resolution.
Kate finds her fiancé kissing her twin sister, Emma, at the bakery which the sisters co-own. She decides to avoid family all together for Christmas and rents a cabin. Henri, the cabin's owner, also shows up at the cabin and they spend a few days together. Henri is a widow with two small girls who are spending the holiday with his former in-laws.
Insta-love ensues. Talks of fate and kismet. A case of hypothermia. It's not really believable, but it didn't bother me much in this case.
The fact that Kate was a virgin, came out of nowhere and was quite eye roll worthy. She and her fiancé broke up only weeks before the wedding and she hadn't had sex with him, but gives it up to a guy she's known for a couple of days? Come on!
Of course, there is a HEA here (as there should be in sweet Christmas stories). I wish there had been some resolution (or at least a small explanation) with Kate and Emma. Did she forgive her sister? Slap her upside the head (I hope it was this)? The epilogue takes place one year later, at Kate's parent's house, but still no mention of Emma and the fiancé. Maybe he died in an avalanche?
Kate finds her fiancé kissing her twin sister, Emma, at the bakery which the sisters co-own. She decides to avoid family all together for Christmas and rents a cabin. Henri, the cabin's owner, also shows up at the cabin and they spend a few days together. Henri is a widow with two small girls who are spending the holiday with his former in-laws.
Insta-love ensues. Talks of fate and kismet. A case of hypothermia. It's not really believable, but it didn't bother me much in this case.
The fact that Kate was a virgin, came out of nowhere and was quite eye roll worthy. She and her fiancé broke up only weeks before the wedding and she hadn't had sex with him, but gives it up to a guy she's known for a couple of days? Come on!
Of course, there is a HEA here (as there should be in sweet Christmas stories). I wish there had been some resolution (or at least a small explanation) with Kate and Emma. Did she forgive her sister? Slap her upside the head (I hope it was this)? The epilogue takes place one year later, at Kate's parent's house, but still no mention of Emma and the fiancé. Maybe he died in an avalanche?
December 18, 2016
"I'm on my own for the holidays too."
"I've never spent Christmas alone."
"Neither have I."
"There's a first time for everything."
"To two lost souls on Christmas."
Kate Murray's holiday isn't what she expected. After finding her fiancé with her twin sister, she just couldn't take seeing them all happy around the dinner table. So she decides to spend Christmas alone in a cabin.
Too bad it was already occupied ...
Henri Archer hasn't had a good Christmas in the two years since his wife passed away. He's feeling incredibly lonely until a beautiful woman shows up at his cabin unexpectedly.
Maybe things will start looking up...
"Perhaps two broken hearts could mend each other."
This was such a sweet story about learning to live and love again after heartbreaking circumstances.
My heart pulled for each of them. Henri and Kate fell into the right place at the right time. They each had what the other needed to heal.
Such a wonderful Christmas read!!
"Kismet. Henri thought. Everything about Kate screamed kismet."
"I've never spent Christmas alone."
"Neither have I."
"There's a first time for everything."
"To two lost souls on Christmas."
Kate Murray's holiday isn't what she expected. After finding her fiancé with her twin sister, she just couldn't take seeing them all happy around the dinner table. So she decides to spend Christmas alone in a cabin.
Too bad it was already occupied ...
Henri Archer hasn't had a good Christmas in the two years since his wife passed away. He's feeling incredibly lonely until a beautiful woman shows up at his cabin unexpectedly.
Maybe things will start looking up...
"Perhaps two broken hearts could mend each other."
This was such a sweet story about learning to live and love again after heartbreaking circumstances.
My heart pulled for each of them. Henri and Kate fell into the right place at the right time. They each had what the other needed to heal.
Such a wonderful Christmas read!!
"Kismet. Henri thought. Everything about Kate screamed kismet."
January 22, 2014
Before Christmas, I was searching low and high for anything holiday related. I came across this and thought, "it's free, give it a try!" Big mistake.
I think Grey had good intentions with this story. But everything about it was too scripted. The series of events that brings them together, the start of their relationship, the "drama", the ending; it was all too perfect. The abuse of punctuation marks also left it puzzling at times. At times, it seemed like every other sentence had to be reiterated with that pesky !.
Overall, it's a quick read that I think a lot would enjoy. But it definitely wasn't for me.
I think Grey had good intentions with this story. But everything about it was too scripted. The series of events that brings them together, the start of their relationship, the "drama", the ending; it was all too perfect. The abuse of punctuation marks also left it puzzling at times. At times, it seemed like every other sentence had to be reiterated with that pesky !.
Overall, it's a quick read that I think a lot would enjoy. But it definitely wasn't for me.
April 9, 2014
Cute in a predictable way, nothing really seemed...important. Twin sister making out with her fiancee? Well okay...but if she didn't want to go home to see them canoodling over the holiday, how did she work EVERY DAY with the woman? Why did no one in their family say--that was horrendous of you, no the guy is not invited over. Also I swear I wanted to smack a fish with how surprised they both were by their insta-love just lust and money.
December 18, 2013
A perfect Christmas story, filled with lots of gooey, lovey moments, to get you in the spirit. Kate and Henri are adorable, and I finished this story with a smile on my face. I do have to say, though, I wanted to beat Kate's sister and fiance, even though they ended up doing her a huge favor. Otherwise, very satisfying!
November 16, 2013
What a sweet holiday love story. Two people who didn't think they would ever love again..find each other. It's romantic, sweet & beautiful.
I noticed that a lot of the sentences ended with exclamation points! It was a little distracting...but the story was good enough I ignored it after awhile.
I noticed that a lot of the sentences ended with exclamation points! It was a little distracting...but the story was good enough I ignored it after awhile.
December 20, 2013
It was cute, but there was some repetition that got really annoying. It was pretty short, but pretty steamy. It is insta-love & reads like a romance novel, which I don't usually read, so there are some interesting "descriptions," lol!
January 19, 2014
Short and sweet romance novel. If you are in need of a quick read on your holiday travels this is one! A twin sister done wrong, her man ran off with her sister but things may happen for a reason there are better things on the horizon for her just when she least expects it.
November 16, 2013
Easy to read but predictable ending. Nothing really special about the two characters. Just two broken people, getting together.
November 16, 2013
Cute story set on Christmas Eve. Nothing special but had a full plot and was a quick read. Fluffy.
November 16, 2013
Story was cute but it head hopped all over the place. And how many exclamation points can there be in a novella?
December 7, 2013
I loved the book............It's a very good short Christmas story, of course with an expected happy ending.....A real feel good story.
July 28, 2014
Short & sweet. Review coming soon! :)
December 14, 2014
A feel good Christmas Romance filled with broken hearts and love at first sight. Well written and easy flowing with a glorious winter backdrop. A book to read to bring a sparkle to you heart.
December 28, 2014
A nice adult Christmas story.
November 17, 2013
Nice read for a short romantic story for holidays.
May 23, 2016
3.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews