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Xmas Break
When Isla reluctantly accepts her estranged sister Clara's invitation to spend Christmas at a luxury mountain retreat, she expects awkward family tension – not a fight for survival. After years of silence following their mother's death, this holiday reunion seems too good to be true. And it is.
As a brutal snowstorm cuts them off from civilization, dark secrets begin to surface. With time running out and nowhere to run, two sisters must put aside years of mistrust to survive the night. But in a house full of lies, how do you know who to trust?
A pulse-pounding Christmas thriller that will make you think twice about accepting that family holiday invitation.
Perfect for fans of domestic suspense who like their Christmas cookies with a side of terror.
TWENTY FIVE CHAPTERS - ONE FOR EACH DAY OF ADVENT. WILL YOU BE ABLE TO WAIT TO TURN THE PAGES OR WILL THIS BE YOUR CHRISTMAS BINGE READ?
As a brutal snowstorm cuts them off from civilization, dark secrets begin to surface. With time running out and nowhere to run, two sisters must put aside years of mistrust to survive the night. But in a house full of lies, how do you know who to trust?
A pulse-pounding Christmas thriller that will make you think twice about accepting that family holiday invitation.
Perfect for fans of domestic suspense who like their Christmas cookies with a side of terror.
TWENTY FIVE CHAPTERS - ONE FOR EACH DAY OF ADVENT. WILL YOU BE ABLE TO WAIT TO TURN THE PAGES OR WILL THIS BE YOUR CHRISTMAS BINGE READ?
184 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 22, 2024
1113 people are currently reading
9294 people want to read
About the author
J.E. Rowney
40 books825 followersWriter.
Visit my website for previews, further information.
http://www.jerowney.com/
"I always dreamed of being a writer, until I realised that I was. Then I started to write."
Visit my website for previews, further information.
http://www.jerowney.com/
"I always dreamed of being a writer, until I realised that I was. Then I started to write."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 761 reviews
December 10, 2025
Xmas Break is a fast-paced Horror Thriller novella set on Christmas Eve. The first thing that attracted me to this was the cover.
I couldn't resist it and after reading the synopsis, I was even more stoked. Who doesn't love a little holiday-themed Horror/Thriller?
This story revolves around sisters, Isla and Clara, who have been estranged since their mother's death and subsequent inheritance fallout.
It's been years since the two have spoken, when Isla suddenly receives an invitation from Clara to join her and her partner, Greg, for the Christmas holiday at their luxury mountain retreat. After discussing it with her husband, James, Isla reluctantly accepts the invitation.
They travel to the house on a snowy winter night, and it is indeed just as luxurious as promised. Unbelievable really. And there's her perfect sister, with her perfect husband and her perfect decorations...
But something seems off. Her sister is acting strangely, but Greg even more so. Isla and James are growing increasingly uncomfortable. They try to have a nice dinner, but things feel forced.
Nevertheless, Isla is giving it her best effort. She is, and temps do start to thaw, a little. At least on the inside. Outside the storm rages on, and wouldn't you know it, the power goes out.
The stakes continue to escalate as the night goes on, and soon it becomes clear that these sisters are going to have to put the past behind them if they want to survive to see another Christmas Day.
While stylistically, Xmas Break may not be the strongest book ever written, it's still wildly-entertaining. This puts the Popcorn Thriller seamlessly into the Christmas holiday, and I'm here for it. Also, I did end up appreciating the more thematic messaging towards the end.
I would say this is completely OTT, so if you aren't down for that type of Thriller, I would steer clear of this one. For those looking for a fast, fun ride, with ridiculous action and mostly unlikable characters, it's a must read for you next holiday-themed TBR.
Thank you to the publisher, BooksGoSocial, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I read this in a few hours, and had a lot of fun with it.
I couldn't resist it and after reading the synopsis, I was even more stoked. Who doesn't love a little holiday-themed Horror/Thriller?
This story revolves around sisters, Isla and Clara, who have been estranged since their mother's death and subsequent inheritance fallout.
It's been years since the two have spoken, when Isla suddenly receives an invitation from Clara to join her and her partner, Greg, for the Christmas holiday at their luxury mountain retreat. After discussing it with her husband, James, Isla reluctantly accepts the invitation.
They travel to the house on a snowy winter night, and it is indeed just as luxurious as promised. Unbelievable really. And there's her perfect sister, with her perfect husband and her perfect decorations...
But something seems off. Her sister is acting strangely, but Greg even more so. Isla and James are growing increasingly uncomfortable. They try to have a nice dinner, but things feel forced.
Nevertheless, Isla is giving it her best effort. She is, and temps do start to thaw, a little. At least on the inside. Outside the storm rages on, and wouldn't you know it, the power goes out.
The stakes continue to escalate as the night goes on, and soon it becomes clear that these sisters are going to have to put the past behind them if they want to survive to see another Christmas Day.
While stylistically, Xmas Break may not be the strongest book ever written, it's still wildly-entertaining. This puts the Popcorn Thriller seamlessly into the Christmas holiday, and I'm here for it. Also, I did end up appreciating the more thematic messaging towards the end.
I would say this is completely OTT, so if you aren't down for that type of Thriller, I would steer clear of this one. For those looking for a fast, fun ride, with ridiculous action and mostly unlikable characters, it's a must read for you next holiday-themed TBR.
Thank you to the publisher, BooksGoSocial, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I read this in a few hours, and had a lot of fun with it.
December 12, 2024
Girl..quit making hot chocolate and call 911. That just pmo
December 24, 2024
Xmas Break is an, under 200 page, novella - set over 25 chapters. You could choose to read a chapter a day, like an advent calender of festive-themed thrills, but I chose to read it in one day.
The first page having the line; "December the twenty-third, and she felt anything but festive" was rather apt.
Not a perfectly written thriller by any means, but fine as a quick, Christmas-themed read, that will keep you gripped. The killer here is a tad predictable, there was a point where I picked up on it even though I always do my best to try and not guess twists in thriller stories and go along with the ride.
There are some references to Stephen King’s The Shining here, especially with the wintery setting combined with somebody wielding an axe. Mixed with shades of my all time favourite Christmas story, A Christmas Carol, with the theme of greed. There is also some humour scattered through the darkness.
Two estranged sisters, Isla and Clara, are reuniting for Christmas at a luxury mountain retreat. Isla is apprehensive at first, but with her husband James by her side she is ready to face any awkwardness. After years of radio silence from Clara, could this Christmas meeting be too good to be true?
Upon arriving, Isla noticed that things seem to be a little… Off at this home in the mountains. But, rather naïvely, she ignores any or all warning signs (Yes, Isla is a frustrating protagonist lol).
A ferocious blizzard rages outside, trapping the two sisters, and their husbands, together… as dark secrets start to emerge.
3 Stars
The first page having the line; "December the twenty-third, and she felt anything but festive" was rather apt.
Not a perfectly written thriller by any means, but fine as a quick, Christmas-themed read, that will keep you gripped. The killer here is a tad predictable, there was a point where I picked up on it even though I always do my best to try and not guess twists in thriller stories and go along with the ride.
There are some references to Stephen King’s The Shining here, especially with the wintery setting combined with somebody wielding an axe. Mixed with shades of my all time favourite Christmas story, A Christmas Carol, with the theme of greed. There is also some humour scattered through the darkness.
Two estranged sisters, Isla and Clara, are reuniting for Christmas at a luxury mountain retreat. Isla is apprehensive at first, but with her husband James by her side she is ready to face any awkwardness. After years of radio silence from Clara, could this Christmas meeting be too good to be true?
Upon arriving, Isla noticed that things seem to be a little… Off at this home in the mountains. But, rather naïvely, she ignores any or all warning signs (Yes, Isla is a frustrating protagonist lol).
A ferocious blizzard rages outside, trapping the two sisters, and their husbands, together… as dark secrets start to emerge.
3 Stars
November 13, 2024
X doesn't always mark the spot.
A family thick with tension, a holiday celebration in a luxurious cabin, but who are these people in the photos scattered around the house. When Isla agrees to celebrate the holidays with her estranged sister Clara events take an unsettling turn.
For a thriller novella to work the writing needs to be tight. Instead, there is heavy handed foreshadowing and metaphors that feel like they're trying too hard. The multiple times events were recapped seemed excessive for a 181-page story. The blatant moments reminiscent of The Shining were just too much. I can appreciate a nod to a classic, but this was over the top. The reveal felt soft, predictable, and out of place. I just didn't buy into the turn of events, characters' behavior or reactions. (No one with a brain waits that long to call for help.)
As someone who calls a secluded cabin home, I chose this hoping for an eerie read able to bring an edgier vibe to the usual festivities. Instead of wanting to spend X-mas Break with this watered-down thriller; I was ready to break up with it.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Reading Copy
A family thick with tension, a holiday celebration in a luxurious cabin, but who are these people in the photos scattered around the house. When Isla agrees to celebrate the holidays with her estranged sister Clara events take an unsettling turn.
For a thriller novella to work the writing needs to be tight. Instead, there is heavy handed foreshadowing and metaphors that feel like they're trying too hard. The multiple times events were recapped seemed excessive for a 181-page story. The blatant moments reminiscent of The Shining were just too much. I can appreciate a nod to a classic, but this was over the top. The reveal felt soft, predictable, and out of place. I just didn't buy into the turn of events, characters' behavior or reactions. (No one with a brain waits that long to call for help.)
As someone who calls a secluded cabin home, I chose this hoping for an eerie read able to bring an edgier vibe to the usual festivities. Instead of wanting to spend X-mas Break with this watered-down thriller; I was ready to break up with it.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Reading Copy
December 12, 2024
How did this book get published? The writing is atrocious, the dialog and character interaction are a snoozefest, and the storyline is so full of holes it’s a wonder a cohesive sentence comes to fruition. Who told the author this was a good book, “cuz gural they are not yo friend”. The course of the story is so ridiculous at times it is laughable.
Most special example: So there’s no power in the house, the brother-law is unconscious with a bleeding head wound from an unknown event, the husband and sister have not returned from searching for said head injury specimen in a whiteout blizzard, and home girl with head case thinks the best course of action is to make hot chocolate? For him and herself… just like mama used to make… because it fixes everything? I’m sorry no.
There clearly was no editor here. She quit before she started. Honestly, it would be easier to start writing a book from scratch than to even begin to tackle revision for this “thriller” monstrosity. I thought the worst book I read this year was “If he Had Been With Me”… but clearly, we have a new winner here. 1 Star… and that’s pretty generous.
Most special example: So there’s no power in the house, the brother-law is unconscious with a bleeding head wound from an unknown event, the husband and sister have not returned from searching for said head injury specimen in a whiteout blizzard, and home girl with head case thinks the best course of action is to make hot chocolate? For him and herself… just like mama used to make… because it fixes everything? I’m sorry no.
There clearly was no editor here. She quit before she started. Honestly, it would be easier to start writing a book from scratch than to even begin to tackle revision for this “thriller” monstrosity. I thought the worst book I read this year was “If he Had Been With Me”… but clearly, we have a new winner here. 1 Star… and that’s pretty generous.
December 11, 2024
Two estranged sisters agree to share the holiday period together, after their mother's death. The two are as opposite as can be, and that goes for their views on the past and their way of coping with the tumultuous present they now find themselves in.
This was a short festive thriller but it lacked any plot depth for me to feel truly invested in it. I will say that it gave me a good indication for the personalities of each of the characters but I found the same couldn't be said for the storyline. I felt little emotion when events descended into chaos at the conclusion. Overall, this left me a little confused as elements seemed a little thrown together without any cohesive narrative structure.
This was a short festive thriller but it lacked any plot depth for me to feel truly invested in it. I will say that it gave me a good indication for the personalities of each of the characters but I found the same couldn't be said for the storyline. I felt little emotion when events descended into chaos at the conclusion. Overall, this left me a little confused as elements seemed a little thrown together without any cohesive narrative structure.
December 11, 2024
2.5⭐️The twist is a little bit forced and the ending feels a bit dull. I didn't really connect with any characters.
July 20, 2025
There’s nothing earth shattering about this book, but it’s too short to have a detailed plot. I loved the scenes and descriptions of Christmas. It was a fun, quick read.
November 25, 2024
I found this to be a very fun and suspenseful domestic holiday thriller! This is definitely not how you want your family Christmas to play out! Well worth the read.
November 22, 2024
Isla and Clara are estranged sisters who haven’t seen each other in three years, but Clara and her husband Greg have invited Isla and her husband James to have a Christmas holiday at their “little mountain house”. Isla only goes because James tells her they don’t have to stay any longer than she wants to, but a snowstorm makes a liar of him…
They walk into the home, which is decorated like a Christmas wonderland gone berserk, and soon Isla notices the pictures in the house are of another couple, and Greg is acting very strangely. He and Clara are obviously fighting; she seems almost manic, and he seems terrified. Then the power goes out, leaving their smart home…well, not as smart. When the men go to check on the generator, only one of them comes back, and then the story finally starts to pick up…
This novella is written over 25 chapters, so that the reader can use it as an advent calendar (or you can just read it all in one sitting, as I did!). I thought that concept was fun, and helps make up for the lackluster writing and story that began stiffly. It did pick up though, and overall this novella was cheesy but still entertaining (and I loved all The Shining references!) 3.5 stars.
(Thank you to Little Fox Publishing, J.E. Downey and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review.)
They walk into the home, which is decorated like a Christmas wonderland gone berserk, and soon Isla notices the pictures in the house are of another couple, and Greg is acting very strangely. He and Clara are obviously fighting; she seems almost manic, and he seems terrified. Then the power goes out, leaving their smart home…well, not as smart. When the men go to check on the generator, only one of them comes back, and then the story finally starts to pick up…
This novella is written over 25 chapters, so that the reader can use it as an advent calendar (or you can just read it all in one sitting, as I did!). I thought that concept was fun, and helps make up for the lackluster writing and story that began stiffly. It did pick up though, and overall this novella was cheesy but still entertaining (and I loved all The Shining references!) 3.5 stars.
(Thank you to Little Fox Publishing, J.E. Downey and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review.)
December 29, 2024
I actually really enjoyed this. Even though my suspicions were right at the 25% point, I still will rate it high as the pacing was great.
November 21, 2024
When it came to some of the descriptions I think Rowney did a little too much. I also think that it's resemblance to The Shining was so obvious it took me away from the story. I think if you're writing/publishing a short story you really have to laser focus on having everything and make it super clean, and this didn't feel that way.
Giving this a 1.5.
Giving this a 1.5.
December 7, 2024
This book is a perfect blend of thriller and family Christmas moments! I highly recommend this book.
December 10, 2024
(1.5/5) Unfortunately, this was awful. Most of that had to do with the incredibly lackluster and repetitive writing. I was about to go insane if I had to read “forced smile” one more time as it was quite literally repeated probably 50 times in this short book. The plot was meaningless and anticlimactic. The characters were undeveloped and I did not care what happened to a single one of them. This was a waste of time and I recommend avoiding it.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 30, 2024
[NetGalley Read #21]
3.25 ⭐
Well, I'm glad for the final two chapters. Lifting the mood from absolute melancholia to a bit of hope and merriment.
Starts a bit slow. A bit repetitive. Then really picks up the pace in the middle and ends on a relatively high note.
It's not perfect (which is one of the themes of the book). But it's not really bad either. There are flashes of brilliance. Then there are also some odd choices of words/sentences and repititions that are a bit jarring.
Despite all its faults, there is a certain allure (atleast to me) to the writing and the characters that I can't quite define/explain. Similar to another book from this author called The Other Passenger.
It is quite short since it is a novella. 25 chapters. Christmas themed. Easy to read.
If you're short on your reading challenge for the year, give it a read.
3.25 ⭐
Well, I'm glad for the final two chapters. Lifting the mood from absolute melancholia to a bit of hope and merriment.
Starts a bit slow. A bit repetitive. Then really picks up the pace in the middle and ends on a relatively high note.
It's not perfect (which is one of the themes of the book). But it's not really bad either. There are flashes of brilliance. Then there are also some odd choices of words/sentences and repititions that are a bit jarring.
Despite all its faults, there is a certain allure (atleast to me) to the writing and the characters that I can't quite define/explain. Similar to another book from this author called The Other Passenger.
It is quite short since it is a novella. 25 chapters. Christmas themed. Easy to read.
If you're short on your reading challenge for the year, give it a read.
December 6, 2024
*2.5 rounded down* too much foreshadowing for a novella and the writing was missing something. But being 25 chapters to read one/day leading up to Christmas is a unique idea and the plot was interesting enough. I didn’t entirely buy how all the characters reacted and changed at the halfway point, seemed like a stretch.
December 26, 2024
I found this book very predictable. It seemed that there was gonna be a much bigger twist with the way it was setting up so kind of a let down. And the inheritance and aunt dying thing was also anticlimactic.
December 22, 2024
I read this as an advent style book… Started Dec 1, and read 1 chapter a day ( well until 12/22 then I read the last 3 chapters because I wanted to finish at that point)
Good story line, however there could’ve been more plot twists and cliffhangers for each chapter, More suspense. I did enjoy the book. And love the advent style experience!!
Good story line, however there could’ve been more plot twists and cliffhangers for each chapter, More suspense. I did enjoy the book. And love the advent style experience!!
December 10, 2025
1.5⭐️…. Is it bad that I was literally laughing the whole way through this??? 😂 SO MANY THINGS that made me giggle when I know it shouldn’t have been a funny moment!
Yeah… tbh I just needed a book that started with an “X” for my A-Z reading challenge! 🤷♀️
Yeah… tbh I just needed a book that started with an “X” for my A-Z reading challenge! 🤷♀️
November 22, 2024
This is a short read with only 184 pages, and 25 chapters making it readable as an advent calendar. I thought that was cleaver, however I read this in a day. This story flows well and has you suspicious of everything with all the family drama involved. This holiday thriller takes place in a remote cabin home during a snowstorm with an estranged pair of sisters and their husbands. Which one holds a dark secret? You will find out soon enough. This is a perfect read for someone wanting a little holiday mixed in with their thrillers, without investing a lot of time.
December 7, 2024
Xmas Break is a fast-paced Christmas thriller novella. I loved the concept of 25 chapters, reading 1 chapter a day for the advent. I, however, read this in one day because I couldn't wait 25 days, lol.
If you are into quick Christmas thrillers that are a little predictable and somewhat over the top, then this is the book for you!
*Many thanks to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for my ARC.
If you are into quick Christmas thrillers that are a little predictable and somewhat over the top, then this is the book for you!
*Many thanks to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for my ARC.
December 6, 2024
This was an Advent book, written with the idea that readers would read one chapter a day. And I tried, I really did. But by day six, I was getting bored with the story. There was nothing keeping me interested enough to keep coming back each day. So I decided to just finish it in one go and honestly I'm glad I did. Because I would have been incredibly disappointed if I'd stuck to one chapter a day.
It was an okay story, about two estranged sisters and their husbands staying at an isolated mountain retreat, trying to patch things up. A snowstorm starts, and the power goes out so both men head out to take a look at the generator. But only one comes back.
I felt that the writing wasn't great. Each person kept alluding to past events, and things going on in their lives, without actually telling us what was going on, trying to keep it mysterious. But when the reveals came, it was nothing exciting. The change in the characters during the snowstorm, just seemed to come out of nowhere, and honestly a lot of it didn't really make any sense. On top of that, the actual "thrilling" part felt like it was over and done so quickly. Then it was just sisters being all mushy and trying to reconnect, with the last couple chapters taking place in the future. I read thrillers for the excitement, not for mushy family talk.
It was an okay story, about two estranged sisters and their husbands staying at an isolated mountain retreat, trying to patch things up. A snowstorm starts, and the power goes out so both men head out to take a look at the generator. But only one comes back.
I felt that the writing wasn't great. Each person kept alluding to past events, and things going on in their lives, without actually telling us what was going on, trying to keep it mysterious. But when the reveals came, it was nothing exciting. The change in the characters during the snowstorm, just seemed to come out of nowhere, and honestly a lot of it didn't really make any sense. On top of that, the actual "thrilling" part felt like it was over and done so quickly. Then it was just sisters being all mushy and trying to reconnect, with the last couple chapters taking place in the future. I read thrillers for the excitement, not for mushy family talk.
December 28, 2024
This is short and fast paced, which can be read in one sitting. I wish the characters were a bit more connected in the plot. I found the mid-middle was a bit bland for that reason.
I like unpredictable, sit on the edge of my chair thrillers and this one was more on the predicable side.
Its a thriller with a happy ending that’s believable. I do like how the sisters were able to re-connect and the ending for Greg.
I like unpredictable, sit on the edge of my chair thrillers and this one was more on the predicable side.
Its a thriller with a happy ending that’s believable. I do like how the sisters were able to re-connect and the ending for Greg.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 22, 2024
Are 0 stars possible?
January 6, 2025
Xmas Break by JE Rowney (2024)
183-page Kindle Ebook story pages 5-181
Genre: Thriller, Holiday > Christmas
Featuring: Author's Bibliography, Author's Note, 25 Days, Advent Format, Estranged Family Trope, Sisters, Isolation Trope, Vacation Trope, Cabin in the Mountains, Somewhere in the UK, Christmas Eve, Smart House, Stupidity, Easter Egg Hunt, Author's Note II
Rating as a movie: R
Songs for the soundtrack: "Silent Night" by Mariah Carey, "O Holy Night" by Mariah Carey, "Baby It's Cold Outside" by CeeLo Green featuring Christina Aguilera, "Winter Wonderland" by Darlene Love, "White Christmas" by The Drifters featuring Clyde McPhatter, "Carol of the Bells" by Mannheim Steamroller, "The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire)" by Nat King Cole "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer" by Johnny Marks, "Jingle Bells" by Amy Barbera,
Books and Authors mentioned: The Greatest Gift by Philip Van Doren Stern (It's A Wonderful Life), It by Stephen King, The Shining by Stephen King, A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
Memorable Quotes: Just as George Bailey was about to meet his guardian angel, Isla’s phone pierced the dim room with its harsh, blue glare. Her heart stuttered when she saw the name in her notifications. Clara. Isla’s thumb hovered over the delete button, trembling slightly. Clara’s name made her stomach lurch, a physical reaction to years of hurt and resentment. “Isla?” James’s voice drifted from the kitchen, followed by the soft pad of his footsteps. “You okay in there?” [ I'm wondering why he is worried about her being okay when she's supposed to be watching a movie. Who cares if her phone lit up it didn't even make a noise and I'm sure he could not hear her internal stress, nor see it from the kitchen. Why would he be concerned?]
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️❄️🤳🏼☃️🔥🪓🎅🎄
My thoughts: 🔖Page 58 of 183 Chapter Eight - I've been reading this off and on most of the night and it's interesting but a bit slow. I definitely wouldn't have been able to do a chapter a day for 25 days. I could see this as a single session read but I have an early morning. It's not creepy yet although the MC has been on edge since Chapter 2.
The page count is 183 according to the pages but the book ends on 181. This is the third Christmas Thriller I've read that says you can read a chapter a day for Advent and the reason here makes little sense. While the other books featured chapters set December 1-25, or an actual Advent Calendar, this one just had 25 chapters and 95% of them were set on the same day. So there was not much to encourage the reader to delay what happens next, especially since not much happened for several chapters. Overall this story was kinda weak in plot and execution but it wasn't boring just disappointing so I'm giving it the okay seal of approval. A good quarter of the story was spent referencing other books turned movies.
Recommend to others: If you're looking for a quick Christmas Thriller that can double as a Beach Read this might be for you.
183-page Kindle Ebook story pages 5-181
Genre: Thriller, Holiday > Christmas
Featuring: Author's Bibliography, Author's Note, 25 Days, Advent Format, Estranged Family Trope, Sisters, Isolation Trope, Vacation Trope, Cabin in the Mountains, Somewhere in the UK, Christmas Eve, Smart House, Stupidity, Easter Egg Hunt, Author's Note II
Rating as a movie: R
Songs for the soundtrack: "Silent Night" by Mariah Carey, "O Holy Night" by Mariah Carey, "Baby It's Cold Outside" by CeeLo Green featuring Christina Aguilera, "Winter Wonderland" by Darlene Love, "White Christmas" by The Drifters featuring Clyde McPhatter, "Carol of the Bells" by Mannheim Steamroller, "The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire)" by Nat King Cole "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer" by Johnny Marks, "Jingle Bells" by Amy Barbera,
Books and Authors mentioned: The Greatest Gift by Philip Van Doren Stern (It's A Wonderful Life), It by Stephen King, The Shining by Stephen King, A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
Memorable Quotes: Just as George Bailey was about to meet his guardian angel, Isla’s phone pierced the dim room with its harsh, blue glare. Her heart stuttered when she saw the name in her notifications. Clara. Isla’s thumb hovered over the delete button, trembling slightly. Clara’s name made her stomach lurch, a physical reaction to years of hurt and resentment. “Isla?” James’s voice drifted from the kitchen, followed by the soft pad of his footsteps. “You okay in there?” [ I'm wondering why he is worried about her being okay when she's supposed to be watching a movie. Who cares if her phone lit up it didn't even make a noise and I'm sure he could not hear her internal stress, nor see it from the kitchen. Why would he be concerned?]
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️❄️🤳🏼☃️🔥🪓🎅🎄
My thoughts: 🔖Page 58 of 183 Chapter Eight - I've been reading this off and on most of the night and it's interesting but a bit slow. I definitely wouldn't have been able to do a chapter a day for 25 days. I could see this as a single session read but I have an early morning. It's not creepy yet although the MC has been on edge since Chapter 2.
The page count is 183 according to the pages but the book ends on 181. This is the third Christmas Thriller I've read that says you can read a chapter a day for Advent and the reason here makes little sense. While the other books featured chapters set December 1-25, or an actual Advent Calendar, this one just had 25 chapters and 95% of them were set on the same day. So there was not much to encourage the reader to delay what happens next, especially since not much happened for several chapters. Overall this story was kinda weak in plot and execution but it wasn't boring just disappointing so I'm giving it the okay seal of approval. A good quarter of the story was spent referencing other books turned movies.
Recommend to others: If you're looking for a quick Christmas Thriller that can double as a Beach Read this might be for you.
December 27, 2024
I’m sorry but there genuinely wasn’t a thing that kept me interested in this book.
The Characters
The characters were the first red flag to me. They were so flat. It felt like they had absolutely no personality and none of their actions seemed to make sense. Especially when they just wouldn’t call the police. I feel like normal thrillers and mysteries have a reason for this, as to why they can’t contact anyone, but the characters in this book just didn’t want to? The whole story felt like it hinged on the stupidity of the characters even after It felt like the events of the whole book hinged on the characters being stupid and not doing what a sane person would do.
The plot
The plot for this book was what I hoped could save it but it fell completely flat. It felt so random like the scene for the story was created first and everything else was just tacked on to interest people in the story. At the twenty per cent mark, I just stopped caring about the plot, because the whole story annoyed me so much to the point where I began to wish the characters would die.
The setting
The setting of this book was the only thing that was done okay, I could picture it. It just felt really weird, how the decorations were described, especially
The writing
The writing in this book could barely keep me engaged, the best part was the descriptions of the setting, everything else felt like I was wading through a swamp. While it could work well for some readers, it could not keep my attention at all.
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
The Characters
The characters were the first red flag to me. They were so flat. It felt like they had absolutely no personality and none of their actions seemed to make sense. Especially when they just wouldn’t call the police. I feel like normal thrillers and mysteries have a reason for this, as to why they can’t contact anyone, but the characters in this book just didn’t want to? The whole story felt like it hinged on the stupidity of the characters even after It felt like the events of the whole book hinged on the characters being stupid and not doing what a sane person would do.
The plot
The plot for this book was what I hoped could save it but it fell completely flat. It felt so random like the scene for the story was created first and everything else was just tacked on to interest people in the story. At the twenty per cent mark, I just stopped caring about the plot, because the whole story annoyed me so much to the point where I began to wish the characters would die.
The setting
The setting of this book was the only thing that was done okay, I could picture it. It just felt really weird, how the decorations were described, especially
The writing
The writing in this book could barely keep me engaged, the best part was the descriptions of the setting, everything else felt like I was wading through a swamp. While it could work well for some readers, it could not keep my attention at all.
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
November 14, 2024
"Some things, once broken, could never be fixed."
Two estranged sisters, a remote cabin and a snowstorm that cuts them off from civilization. Will the holidays be awkward or just plain deadly?
I did enjoy this Christmas thriller. The story was atmospheric and you could feel the emotions in the characters. Both sisters were hard to like, which I thought worked for this book and you didn't know who to root for. The only thing that I didn't really like was that it was fairly predictable and I wish there were some twists. Overall, I thought it was a good holiday thriller novella that hooked you quickly from the start and kept you engaged throughout. I would recommend this quick holiday read.
This book will be available for purchase November 22nd 2024.
Thank you to Little Fox Publishing and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Two estranged sisters, a remote cabin and a snowstorm that cuts them off from civilization. Will the holidays be awkward or just plain deadly?
I did enjoy this Christmas thriller. The story was atmospheric and you could feel the emotions in the characters. Both sisters were hard to like, which I thought worked for this book and you didn't know who to root for. The only thing that I didn't really like was that it was fairly predictable and I wish there were some twists. Overall, I thought it was a good holiday thriller novella that hooked you quickly from the start and kept you engaged throughout. I would recommend this quick holiday read.
This book will be available for purchase November 22nd 2024.
Thank you to Little Fox Publishing and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
December 3, 2024
Wow what a fun Christmas thiller novella! Honestly I wish it was a little longer and went in a bit more depth of each character.I guessed the killer about half way through but even though I still enjoyed it. It was fast paced and an easy read. I feel like if you like Frieda McFadden you would enjoy this fast paced popcorn thiller. Also the Christmas vibes were SO good! Thanks to net galley for a e-arc!!!
December 25, 2024
I’m not going to lie… this was not great. I’m actually not impressed with how it was set up as an advent read when 3/4 of the book had nothing going on. This should have been a regular thriller but… revised 🫤 the end really wasn’t worth it to me. The writing was alright and the story was meh.
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