50 mil till jul

by Joanna Bolouri, Pia Printz (Translator)

Bilresan hem inför jul brukar vara starten på julledigheten för Kate och Ed, som den har varit varje jul i deras tioåriga förhållande. I vanliga fall skränar julmusiken på högsta volym, deras traditionellt fula jultröjor är på - och stämningen brukar vara på topp. Men årets bilresa kommer att bli väldigt annorlunda. Istället för julmys kommer en frostig tystnad att fylla bilen …

Efter ett massivt gräl har deras förhållande helt havererat. Men de har tagit det gemensamma beslutet att innan separationen är ett faktum, så ska de fira jul med sina familjer en sista gång.

Men med tre olika jultraditioner att fira, en gammal flamma som väntar under misteln och familjernas rosenskimrande förväntningar på deras framtid tillsammans, blir den här vanligen underbara tiden på året mer lik en mardröm. Det bli en kaotisk blandning av kalkon, julgodis och känslostormar. Men det kommer också att bli en jul de aldrig ska glömma.

En rolig och innerlig julroman från Joanna Bolouri, författaren till Jag kommer hem till jul och Allt jag önskar mig till jul.

Genres: Christmas, Romance, Contemporary, Chick Lit, Fiction, Holiday, Audiobook

268 pages, Hardcover

Published October 18, 2023

Reviews

[Shelley's Book Nook · Rating 5 out of 5]

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4.5 Stars

I just love books by Joanna Bolouri. I recently read All I Want for Christmas and this one just proves she is now my go-to for all things Christmas. I really liked these characters and their story. It felt true to life. The hurt they felt was realistic and their journey, both physical and emotional was one I could relate to. It was a stark reminder that not everyone loves Christmas as it can be stressful and even sad for some.

As much as I liked all the characters in this story...I did not like Ed's mother at all. Yvonne pushed Kate about having children and said things like tick-tock. I have two childless children and I am happy if they are happy. It is not up to our children to give us grandbabies because we want them...WTF? I know this happens in real life as well.

The way the book is written was a plus, with flashback chapters we readers are able to get to the bottom of what exactly is going on with Kate and Ed. I loved reading about their early relationship and getting to know them as their younger selves, I was really cheering them on and hoping they'd work things out. This was a unique take on the will they or won't they trope, with a touch of festive magic. I have this author's book The Most Wonderful Time of the Year as well and will be reading it as well this holiday season!

This title is currently available for purchase.

[Sylvie {Semi-Hiatus} · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 out of 5 stars.

Driving Home for Christmas is one of my most favourite Christmas songs of all time and because of that I'll read this book during Christmas.

[Галина Ганова · Rating 3 out of 5]

В "Да се завърнеш за Коледа " проследяваме Кейт и Ед, които след дългогодишна връзка стигат до етап в който осъзнават, че е възможно да искат различна неща и обмислят дали да продължат връзката си.Разбира се това става по време на коледните празници, докато гостуват на семействата си.
Джоана Болури освен, че проследява сегашните събития ни връща във времето на началото и средата на връзката им.
Приятна книга за любовта, втория шанс и как с промяната на хората неизбежно и връзките трябва да претърпят такава.
Честно казано не бих казала, че е точно коледна книга, тъй времето от годината тук не би повлияло пряко на сюжета.

[Антоанета · Rating 3 out of 5]

Прочетох последната си книга за 2023 г.
За съжаление изобщо не беше това, което очаквах!
Предишната книга на авторката издадена на български беше много по-приятна за четене и затова очаквах същото и от тази. Очаквах коледно настроение (нищо, че Коледа отмина), някаква празничност и повдигане на духа. Намерих депресираща история на двама души, които са заедно от четиринадесет годишни, но които са изгубили тръпката и пътя си един към друг.
Ед и Кейт трябва да изкарат коледните празници при родителите и на единия и на другия, но точно преди това са решили да се разделят. Тъй като не искат да развалят празничното настроение на никого, те решават да се преструват.
Така или иначе книгата е с щастлив край, защото те отново откриват причините защо обичат другия и че искат да останат заедно въпреки всичко, но книгата е натоварваща и неприятна, когато човек е с други очаквания. Определено не беше най-добрия избор за последна книга, но поне я отметнах, защото отдавна ме примамваше с тази красива корица.

[Zanna R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Men snälla 😍😍😍 åh vad jag gillade den här boken! Den är liksom mums & hejarop & lite irritation (men mest mums!) & en mormor som fått mig att sakna min egna mormor något alldeles otroligt!

Det är liksom en vuxen historia om vuxen kärlek och vuxna problem, men den är fylld med humor, familj & kärlek. Megabra!

Boken får fem mumsiga mumsbitar av fem! 📖🤌🏻

[Karin Larven · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was really cute story 🫶 Loved the big font and short chapters... especially for a quick and easy read over the holidays ❄️✨️

Im not sure I'll think of this book for many years (like In A Holidaze; Lovelight Farms; One Day In December) but it was still a good Christmassy read 👌

[Alayne Emmett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I did enjoy this one, the characters irritated me a little. You either love someone or you don’t. The characters just couldn’t seem to make up their minds whether they wanted to be together or not, so frustrating. This could have been a lovely story without all the arguments and grumpiness. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

[Julia Sarene · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn't sure about this at the start, but it soon turned into a really nice surprise!

I loved this book having a couple as it's centre. Two very normal people, absolutely in love with each other, after all those years.

They do have drifted apart in a way, and their marriage is in peril, but they still act like very reliable people, who are there for each other when it matters.

I adored how relatable the story was, not about the one big problem and going from love to hate, but instead about the little things adding up. The realisation that maybe love alone isn't enough, if you don't grow in the same direction. That you can love a person and respect them, even when times get rough, or you wonder if you're still right for each other.

I've rarely come across a Christmas romance that was so little about drama, but just about how life can be. It just felt more "grown up" than all the miscommunication drama you so often get in this story of books.

There's enough friction to still be an engaging read, which I devoured in a single day! I cared for all the characters and enjoyed there not being a clearly right or wrong side. Just people, all with their own flaws and problems.

Such a wonderful story full of loyalties, friendships and love. About knowing yourself and finding your way.

Highly recommended!

And thanks to the publisher for giving me a netgalley ARC!

[Julian Lyubomirov · Rating 3 out of 5]

Прекалено много ерекции получи главният герой, чак му съчувствам за неподходящите моменти. Иначе книжлето си го бива... не е точно коледна история, защото проследява една разпадаща се връзка точно по празниците, но ми допадна. Догодина ще пробвам и с другата книга на авторката. :) Окончателно слагам край на коледното четене.

[Габриела Иванова · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ммм, за жалост, не се разбрах с тази книга. Другата от авторката, "Всичко, което искам за Коледа", ми хареса страшно много. Обаче тази, сякаш не беше писана от същата авторка. Не успя да ми донесе коледно настроение. Сюжетът беше фокусиран върху разпадащата се връзка между Ед и Кейт и как се опитват да я спасят. Не обичам такива (мело)драми. И не се задълбочи в проблемите им и причините да стигнат до там, докъдето бяха стигнали. Беше ми много бегло и повръхностно засегнато. Героите ми бяха безразлични, а историята скучна. Кейт на моменти супер много ме дразнеше. Не знаеше какво иска – хем боли, хем сърди, драго ми е беше положението при нея. Всеки се чувства изгубен в живота си поне веднъж и без посока, ама това нейното непрестанно оплакване и самосъжаление ми дойде в повече. Ед беше свестен мъж. Искащ семейство, уют, дом и нормалните ежедневни и простички неща. Ама тя все намираше за какво да го захапе...Ммм, да, май ви стана ясно, че не я харесвам.😂
Плюс си беше, че се четеше бързо и беше кратка. Имаше и един-два забавни момента, където се посмях. Пък Губа беше голям образ. Затова и две звезди, а не една.
Препоръчвам да видите първо другата книга от писателката.
За тази конкретно, може би проблемът беше в мен. Тъй като темата за любовните взаимоотношения ми е далечна и не мога напълно да вляза в обувките на персонажите. Затова и се изгубих по пътя, очевидно.😆

[Linathebookaddict · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it. Funny and entertaining! Perfect for Christmas.

[Daniella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Книгата ми хареса с това, че не е типичната коледната история. Беше обърнато повече внимание на отношенията на главните герои. Как двама млади души са загубили себе си и връзката си, някъде из забързаното ежедневие на живота. Стремежът да постигат успехи в кариерата си са забравили за себе си и любовта си. С идването на коледните празници и пътуването до семействата си, осъзнават, че нещата са се променили коренно и просто живеят един посредствен живот. Изключително добре разбирах главната героиня и желанието й да постигне нещо в живота- да не е само домакиня и майка, но работата също не е най-важното нещо. Тя обаче се беше загубила по пътя и се беше отделила от мъжа, когото обича от детските си години. А той сякаш е заседнал някъде в миналото и иска само простичките неща от живота, без да се стреми към пълно съвършенството. И ето така двамата се разминават и оставят гнева да ги заспепи, като решават да се откажат от всичко, което са градили и да прекратят отношенията си. Но любовта им се оказва по-силна, както и желанието да направят компромиси с някои неща, да променят възгледите си и отново да започнат да се борят заедно за отношенията си, а не да са един срещу друг. Наистина много ми хареса историята, радвам се, че я прочетох и определено намерих частица от себе си в женския персонаж. Съветвам ви да я прочетете, много истинска история, която мина през много обрати, но накрая любовта победи и всичко се нареди по най-добрият начин.

[Book2chance · Rating 3 out of 5]

Αν ψάχνετε ένα βιβλίο γεμάτο μυρωδιές από φρεσκοψημένα μπισκότα,τσάι, κουλουράκια κανέλας ,μελομακάρονα και γιορτινές εικόνες γεμάτες με λαμπάκια που αναβοσβήνουν ,τότε το συγκεκριμένο βιβλίο είναι το ιδανικό γι'αυτές τις μέρες.

Ένα βιβλίο ανάλαφρο ,ρομαντικό που κατά βάθος ξέρεις από την αρχή τι πρόκειται να γίνει ,σαν τις ρομαντικές κομεντι που βλέπεις αχόρταγα στο netflix αυτές τις μέρες ,σαν guilty pleasure για να χαθείς σε αυτήν την μαγική εποχή και να μπορέσεις να κλέψεις λίγο από την αστερόσκονη.

Η Κειτ και ο Εντ ξεκινάνε το καθιερωμένο ταξίδι τους την παραμονή των χριστουγέννων ,όπως κάνουν τα τελευταία 10 χρόνια, για να περάσουν αυτές τις γιορτινές μέρες με τις οικογένειες τους. Και ενώ στο ράδιο παίζει το merry christmas everybody που κάποτε συμβόλιζε πολλά γι' αυτούς ένας ομηρικός καυγάς εξελίσσεται συνειδητοποιώντας ότι με το πέρασμα των χρόνων έχουν φτάσει σε ένα σημείο να θέλουν διαφορετικά πράγματα...
Μήπως ήρθε η στιγμή να πάρουν χωριστούς δρόμους? Αυτό θα το αποφασίσουν μετά τις τρεις μέρες που θα περάσουν με τις οικογένειές τους προσποιούμενοι ότι τίποτα δεν έχει αλλάξει...

Το βιβλίο μας δείχνει πώς μπορεί να εξελιχθεί ένας χαρακτήρας μέσα σε μία σχέση ,είναι ίδιος ο άνθρωπος που γνώρισες πριν 10 χρόνια?
Μήπως με το πέρασμα των χρόνων φτάνουν οι δύο σύντροφοι να αναζητούν διαφορετικά πράγματα?
Μήπως η στασιμότητα του ενός φαντάζει στα μάτια του άλλου έλλειψη ονείρων κ προσδοκιών?
Μήπως η εργασιομανία του άλλου στερεί τη σχέση από σημαντικές και ζωτικές στιγμές για την εξέλιξή της?

Με ανάλαφρο τρόπο κ χιουμοριστικές σκηνές δείχνει διάφορους τυπους οικογενειών ,χαρακτήρων και γονέων.Αυτοί που προσπαθούν ,αυτοί που ήλπιζαν ότι κάποια στιγμή θα προσπαθήσουν και αυτοί που δεν χρειάστηκε να προσπαθήσουνε ποτέ...

"Καποιες φορές ο μόνος τρόπος για να αφήσεις το χάος πίσω σου είναι ναρπάξεις τη γαλήνη και να μην ξανακοιτάξει το παρελθόν"

[Ulrica Kulturladyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Jag har läst Joannas bok ”Allt jag önskar mig till jul” och ”Jag kommer hem till jul” som jag tyckt varit charmiga julromaner och hade förväntat mig mer av denna. Visst den är julig, men den passade inte alls mig. Kanske hade den fungerat bättre att se som julfilm?

[Bridget · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ed and Kate have known each other for 15 years and live together in London. They come from Derbyshire and every year they drive home to see their respective families but this year things get off to a bad start when Kate, a lawyer specialising in family law leaves work late, keeping a frustrated Ed who is a music teacher, waiting in his freezing cold car. They have a massive argument and instead of buying motorway sandwiches to munch on later in the car, they agree to take a break in their relationship, as suggested by Kate. Neither wants to tell their parents they are no longer a couple, so they continue to Castleton and Hope anyway.

Funny and festive, I really enjoyed this novel. Told using flashbacks and alternating chapters offering Ed and Kate's perspective, the short chapters made this an easy read. The secondary characters provide some hilarity and lightheartedness, especially Gubba, Kate's Grandma. Very good.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Quercus via NetGalley and this review is my unbiased opinion.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this author. It’s the fourth or fifth book of hers that I’ve read and it didn’t disappoint.

The book follows a couple who have been together since school. Now approaching their thirties that ding themself in a bit of a rut and yes tik img the future of their relationship. During a long drive home to their parents houses for Christmas they decide that in the new year they should part ways. The book follows how this goes for each of them and if somethings meant to be then it will be.

This was a fun, witty, relatable, easy Christmas read. I loved the couple that it featured around and i liked that their situation was realistic and believable. It showed that love isn’t always perfect and for something to work you have to work at it. It was laugh out loud funny in parts and a joy to read. The writing is fresh, witty and realistic and I can’t wait to read more books by this author.

[Juliette Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ⭐️

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for giving me an ARC of this book in exchange for a review. Driving Home for Christmas is out now! 💌

Aw, this was very cute. I really liked to read about Kate and Ed and I was just rooting for them throughout the story. The Christmas feels made it even better and cuter to get into this story. It also really had some depth to them, especially about the pressure being put on women to have children. I thought that was so wonderfully portrayed in this book.

Definitely a recommendation for everyone who enjoys cute romance books with a very Christmassy feel (although definitely not overdone), but very limited spice. Overall, just really sweet and cute, perfect to cozy up with ♥️☃️

[Sonja · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joulu ei oo joulu ilman Joanna Bolourin kirjaa ja nää ei kyllä koskaan petä😍

[Kimberly Carrington-Fox · Rating 2 out of 5]

[Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for the ebook. This review is my honest opinion but just another opinion, you should read this book and judge it by yourself]

Un especie de Dos en la carretera escrito de modo muy natural, como todo lo que escribe Joanna Bolouri, pero que no me ha terminado de convencer, más que nada porque no es lo que quiero leer cuando leo romántica. La pareja pasa mucho tiempo separada y, aunque conocemos más de su relación a través de flashbacks, apenas los disfrutamos como pareja sin problemas. Aún así no es un libro lleno de problemas ni te deja mal sabor de boca, pero no es lo que yo busco al leer este género. Al menos resulta fácil y rápido de leer

[Jessica Börjesson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Underbara skratt
Fin story där man känner ugen sig massa

[Lauren coffeebooksandescape · Rating 3 out of 5]

“𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘓𝘢𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘯 𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘐 𝘢𝘮, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘧𝘪𝘴𝘩 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘰𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳.”

✮ ✮ ✮

This gets a three star rating because while I really enjoyed this book because it was hilarious, I also hated it. It was boring and repetitive - stop reading now if you don’t want spoilers.

So Kate is a major workaholic. And her and Ed have this major argument on the way to Christmas at their parents’ houses and decide to call things off for a while. Then this whole book is a dual POV of them both saying how much they miss each other and pining after each other, with a few funny scenes thrown in. You just want to bang both their heads together because honestly it was a load of Christmas dribble and I am disappointed. I almost gave up with it several times but the funny scenes kept me going.

I hate leaving bad reviews because I know how hard the authors work, and I know how devastating one bad review can be, but I can’t in good faith not give my followers an honest review.

[Claire · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think I maybe expected more from this book than I should have.

I think I expected this to be centred around Christmas, but in reality it’s just a really small part of the story. In fact, this is a story about how miserable two people are when they make the decision to separate following an argument.

I really didn’t like Kate and Ed, they didn’t have many redeemable qualities. I appreciated the message of finding yourself again following a relationship breakdown, but they both spent the book pining after each other: Ed because he didn’t want to split up, and Kate because moving out was inconvenient for her.

This didn’t give me the festive vibes I hoped for, and honestly, I think the book should have been titled something else.

[Gabriella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Историята е доста лека и приятна, изобщо не е натоварваща. Идеално да те вкара в малко коледно настроение. Обаче давам -1 ⭐️ защото преводът на Сиела отново е повече от зле. Очевидно е супер претупана и даже имената се променят по някое време в книгата. Гари стана магически Грег, Лорейн стана Лорън. Изобщо е толкова скандално нескопосан преводът, че средата на книгата се отказах да �� чета на български и си я взех на английски, и ми тръгна много добре. Извинявам се ама даже родовете бяха объркани на места. Определено преведени книги от Сиела повече няма да повторя.

[Marialena {bookfoxy} · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐

Τι όμορφο και γιορτινό βιβλίο ήταν αυτό;!! Μου άρεσε πολύ και μου κράτησε την καλύτερη και πιο ζεστή συντροφιά.

Οι πρωταγωνιστές μας Κέιτ και Εντ, είναι ζευγάρι από τα δεκαπέντε τους και τώρα κοντεύουν τα τριάντα. Το να ταξιδεύουν πίσω στις οικογένειες τους για τα Χριστούγεννα είναι μια από τις αγαπημένες τους παραδόσεις, όμως αυτή την φορά το ταξίδι τους δεν θα ξεκινήσει καλά, αφού ένας καυγάς θα τους οδηγήσει σε χωρισμό. Αποφασίζουν να μην αναφέρουν τίποτα στους δικούς τους και έτσι προσποιούνται το χαρούμενο ζευγάρι. Όμως οι γιορτές θα τελειώσουν και οι δυο τους θα πρέπει να μείνουν χώρια για να αναθεωρήσουν πολλά πράγματα για τους ίδιους αλλά και τη σχέση τους..

🦊

Ένα υπέροχο και αρκετά χαλαρό βιβλίο που κυλάει γρήγορα αλλά μεταφέρει κάθε συναίσθημα των πρωταγωνιστών στον αναγνώστη. Μου άρεσε πολύ η γραφή και οι πρωταγωνιστές. Μου άρεσαν και μαζί σαν ζευγάρι αλλά και ξεχωριστά. Η συγγραφέας μέσω flashbacks μας δείχνει από δύο οπτικές, διάφορες περιόδους της σχέσης τους, πχ. την γνωριμία τους, το πρώτο τους φιλί κ.α. Ο χρόνος που θα περάσουν χώρια θα τους διδάξει πολλά και θα καταλάβουν πόσο σημαντικό είναι να είναι πρώτα οι ίδιοι καλά με τον εαυτό τους για να λειτουργήσει αυτή η σχέση.

Σε αρκετά σημεία με συγκίνησε και με άγγιξε και λάτρεψα το πως νοιαζόταν ο ένας για τον άλλον. Η αγάπη τους είναι αγνή και αν και βρίσκει εμπόδια παραμένει δυνατή. Αυτού του είδους η αγάπη νικάει τα πάντα! Λάτρεψα και τη σχέση τους με τις οικογένειες τους και οι σκηνές τους ήταν απολαυστικές, με έκαναν να χαμογελάω κάθε φορά.

Η συγγραφέας επικεντρώνεται και στο κοινωνικό κομμάτι και τις διαπροσωπικές σχέσεις γενικότερα και με αρκετά ρεαλιστικό τρόπο μας δείχνει διαφορετικές πτυχές και ψεγάδια, όχι μόνο των ερωτικών σχέσεων αλλά και των οικογενειακών.

Ένα υπέροχο αισθηματικό βιβλίο με Xριστουγεννιάτικα vibes που θα αγαπήσετε. Το προτείνω ανεπιφύλακτα!

[Vendija · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Christmas story is for grown-ups, if I can say so myself. It's not like other Christmas books aren't meant for adults, this one's just different.
The story begins with a couple, who comes to conclusion that they need to break up after 10 years of great relationship. They just have to stay together for Christmas, so it wouldn't ruin everything and pretend to still be in love (which they still are).
It perfectly shows how not always there's drama and a big fall out. Sometimes it's the little things that pull you away from the other person and makes you realize, that you don't have the same end goal. And it's not like you don't love your partner anymore - you do with all of your heart, but what if love is not enough?

I usually don't like reading past and present in books, but this time it didn't evsn bug me. Emotional, funny and festive.😊🎄

[Kathryn Curran · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pretty standard book. Not deep, no amazing characters but an OK easy Christmas read.

[Valentina · Rating 4 out of 5]

such a sweet christmassy book 🥹

[Nelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual rating 4,5.

[Aris K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our book

[Гери]

Прочетох я в книжарницата, толкова е картичка, всички копия бяха с дефект и за да видя дали липсват страници, докато си говоря с книжарите и видях и завръзката и края и диалозите...оф. Но поне изиграх ролята на качествен контрол.