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Cold Feet at Christmas
Running out on your wedding shouldn’t be this much fun!
A remote Scottish castle on a snowy Christmas Eve. A handsome husband-to-be. A dress to die for. It should have been the happiest day of Leah Harvey’s life – but the fairytale wedding turns sour when she finds her fiancé halfway up the bridesmaid’s skirt just hours before the ceremony!
Fleeing the scene in a blizzard, Leah ends up stranded at the nearest cottage, where she collapses into the arms of its inhabitant – a man so handsome she thinks she must have died and gone to heaven!
And when Rob Cavelli suddenly finds himself with an armful of soaking wet, freezing cold, and absolutely gorgeous bride on the run, he’s more than happy to welcome her into his snowbound cottage this Christmas…
A remote Scottish castle on a snowy Christmas Eve. A handsome husband-to-be. A dress to die for. It should have been the happiest day of Leah Harvey’s life – but the fairytale wedding turns sour when she finds her fiancé halfway up the bridesmaid’s skirt just hours before the ceremony!
Fleeing the scene in a blizzard, Leah ends up stranded at the nearest cottage, where she collapses into the arms of its inhabitant – a man so handsome she thinks she must have died and gone to heaven!
And when Rob Cavelli suddenly finds himself with an armful of soaking wet, freezing cold, and absolutely gorgeous bride on the run, he’s more than happy to welcome her into his snowbound cottage this Christmas…
192 pages, Paperback
First published November 6, 2014
385 people are currently reading
1181 people want to read
About the author
Debbie Johnson
31 books908 followersDebbie Johnson is an award-winning author who lives and works in Liverpool, where she divides her time between writing, caring for a small tribe of children and animals, and not doing the housework.
She writes feel-good emotional women’s fiction, and has sold more than 1,000,000 books worldwide. She is published globally in many different languages, and has had two books optioned for film and TV.
Her books include the best-selling Comfort Food Cafe series, The A-Z of Everything, Maybe One Day, The Moment I Met You, Falling for You and the Starshine Cove books.
She is also the author of supernatural crime thriller, Fear No Evil, and urban fantasies Dark Vision and Dark Touch.
source: Amazon
She writes feel-good emotional women’s fiction, and has sold more than 1,000,000 books worldwide. She is published globally in many different languages, and has had two books optioned for film and TV.
Her books include the best-selling Comfort Food Cafe series, The A-Z of Everything, Maybe One Day, The Moment I Met You, Falling for You and the Starshine Cove books.
She is also the author of supernatural crime thriller, Fear No Evil, and urban fantasies Dark Vision and Dark Touch.
source: Amazon
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 214 reviews
November 9, 2015
Also posted on This Chick Reads
*Copy provided by author in exchange for an honest review*
Those that know me or read my reviews probably know I rarely review books I didn't enjoy much these days. It's not because I'm scared of the author's reaction or if their fans would find my negative review harsh, it's because sometimes I dislike a book so much it would take me ages to point out all the places that felt flat for me. But the other day I had an interesting conversation with a reader, and it's only then that it dawn to me that maybe I should try more and review even the books I didn't enjoy that much because a bookblogger owes their readers that much.
When I was contacted by Debbie Johnson to review her chick lit debut I was thrilled. I love Christmas reads and can read them through out the year without a problem, but reading Christmas books at this time of the year feels even more right. And the cover is gorgeous and promised a nice festive story. So, I started reading and despite the rating I read it quite fast, maybe because it's not that long of a novel. But anyway, before telling you the main reasons for my rating, here's a bit about the story. Leah, the MC in this book, runs away from her own wedding and ends ups on the doorstep of Rob, a handsome, rich but very reserved businessman. He's at his cottage for his own reasons, escaping the Christmas madness which reminds him of some unfortunate events in his own life. So here they are, two people disappointed with some things in their past, in a same house and as many would guess, a romance develops, hot erotic scenes following. Rob even calls Leah to join him back home, to Chicago and she accepts. Loads of drama follows, some even childish arguments because Rob can't accept the fact he's starting to develop feelings for Leah.
Now, despite the festive cover I must say I didn't really find this book festive. Sure, some things happen over Christmas, but that's about it. The book didn't get me into the Christmas mood, but at the same time that certainly is not a bad thing or the reason behind my rating. I had problems with the story and how things developed between Leah and Rob. I don't mind insta chemistry and have read quite a few books with characters falling in love immediately after laying eyes on each other. I certainly don't find this very real, but everything is allowed in fiction, right? But put yourself in Leah's shoes, you just ran away from your wedding and left your fiance for a reason, you end up on a stranger's doorstep. You're too cold, you come in, you see he's gorgeous. It would be totally normal to like his appearances, but to get physical without even thinking about what you're doing, that just couple of hours ago you were supposed to marry someone else, who supposedly you loved and was supposed to be the one. Now even if this man who you were to marry disappointed you big time and even if you wanted to get even with him for ruining your dreams, wouldn't you at least feel guilty about jumping into bed with a stranger? I don't mean to judge anyone, but it somehow doesn't feel right too me. But it's not just about right or wrong, it's that it doesn't feel...human. I mean really, she forgets about her fiance in such a short time, not feeling any grief, anger, guilt, love, hate...nothing. I couldn't help but feel that this fact, that she ran away from her own wedding, was just added to the story as an intro, like it doesn't have anything to do with the story at all. Moving on, in a very short time, after (of course) sleeping with Rob, he invites her to Chicago and she agrees. Her explanation, she doesn't have anywhere to go, so why not Chicago. I mean, really? Having a fling is one thing, but going to another state with someone you barely know is sure something else, right? Ok, next...their arguments felt so childish. First, I don't see why would any woman expect that someone will fall in love with her in an instance, not to mention a grown man who has some burden. If you truly love someone (supposedly you CAN fall in love with him in just a couple of days) you let things happen the natural way. If you know he's got a nasty history in relationships (or even had some tragedies happen) you either back off or you give him some space and time. Leah does neither of this but expects him to reciprocate, as if that's so normal after such a short time they know each other.
As you see, I had major issues with this novel, thus the rating. But I wouldn't go that far in saying it's a bad book. Sure, the book deserves some better character development and I could feel the book more if the romance was gradually built. BUT since I rated it 2* there must be something OK-ish about it, and that would be the scenes when I learn more about Leah's and Rob's past, especially about the reasons why Rob is so reserved. I honestly wish the author could write more about their past, instead of including so many sex scenes. If you present me characters which are damaged (in a way) I want to know the reasons why they are like that, and I want to know more about their history, as an individuals not just as a couple. Sure, there was some history, but not as much that would help me connect to the characters or even make me like them.
As I read at the back of the book (last page on the kindle file, actually), the author also writes fantasy and crime. If I get the opportunity, of course I would like to check them out, and maybe see if the author manages these different genres better than chick lit (or romance). I will let you know, anyway.
November 23, 2016
For a Christmas read, this book wasn't as light-hearted as I expected it to be. Christmas was prominent only in the first part of the book actually. The rest was low-grade erotica and a lot of angst.
In Cold Feet at Christmas, a bride named Leah Harvey finds her wedding going sour when she finds her soon-to-be husband up a bridesmaid's skirt just hours before the ceremony. She flees in distress and is stranded in the snowy wilderness, but fortunately manages to stagger to the nearest cottage where she promptly collapses into the arms of its inhabitant - a man so handsome she thinks she must have died and gone to heaven. Meanwhile, Rob Cavelli can't believe the beauty of the woman on his front porch. He decides to take her in for Christmas...
Let me summarise the book for you in a few phases.
1. The instalust phase.
Sadly this book had a very bad case of instalust. And by a very bad case I mean a really bad case. The MCs were already going on and on about how smoking the other was in the very first chapter. There's even the telltale spark of electricity written in and everything. This continues for a few chapters, with many cliche descriptions like "the tension in the room ratcheted up a notch" and so on. I would advise skimming through it.
2. The sex-like-rabbits phase.
Where the MCs finally hook up, and of course once they do, they never get out of bed. The sex scenes weren't poorly written, but not particularly heat-inducing either. I generally enjoy a well-written explicit scene but this one didn't make the cut.
3. The we-can-only-be-friends phase.
Where Rob tells Leah that he's not looking for a long-term relationship, and we get a sense of his traumatic past. Where Leah still lusts after him, of course, but does her best to quell it.
4. The fighting-hard-against-mutual-attraction phase.
Both characters are in Chicago at this point. Rob asked Leah to come with him to his home city thinking he could help her start over. They have trouble denying the attraction between them. Rob tries his best to push Leah away by being cold and rude towards her - typical douche behavior. Where the elephant in the room - Rob's obvious past trauma - is growing, and Leah tries to reach out as a friend to him, get him to open up, but is brutally ignored. And after a while she gives up and starts sorting out her life, and goes on a date. Then we see Rob being a creepy stalker and spying on them kissing, and at this point the book's angst level is agonisingly high. When Leah hears that Rob has a date the next night, she pretends to be a serving girl but finds out she can't tolerate looking at him like that. Rob, furious and aroused, comes after her and they have a night of explosive and brutal sex.
5. The oh-fuck-I'm-pregnant phase
During that night they both reveal their pasts to each other and find out they are both carrying around huge guilt. They finally establish that they can only be just friends and Leah leaves the next morning for her new apartment in the city instead of staying in Cavelli Tower. Some time passes. Leah finds out she is pregnant, at the same time that she gets a deportation notice informing her that she has to leave the US in twenty-eight days.
6. The where-has-she-gone phase
Where Leah disappears without a trace and Rob goes frantic trying to find her. Of course he only realises his feelings for her now in her absence, after months of her presence. He sinks into depression and drinking and wastes away his life, until he's snapped out of it by his family and told that she's in London. He tracks her there.
7. The HEA + epilogue phase
Where they are reunited and confess their love for each other, Rob is overjoyed to find out he will be a father, and there is a cheesy epilogue.
Nothing much to do with Christmas at all, like I mentioned earlier. The book was nothing special either, but fortunately the characters were interesting enough for me not to give up reading. Leah had a sort of innate attractiveness to her - I liked her blunt humor and her peculiar determination and her always-buoyant spirit. Rob was like a watered-down version of a typical alpha billionaire male - he didn't measure up to my standards at all. I can't pinpoint what exactly it is about him that threw me off, but he definitely can't compare to other males in similar tropes I've read. He has no seductive lines, no I-own-the-world air, no air of coolness and mystery. So he seems like an ordinary man playing the billionaire role; some readers might prefer that but I don't.
This book completely fell short of my expectations in some aspects. I expected a light winter read but got light erotica and tons of angst. However, I will admit that it's quite well-written and I appreciated the dose of humor/chick lit thrown in with Leah's character. Honestly, I just lived for her dialogue and her scenes.
In Cold Feet at Christmas, a bride named Leah Harvey finds her wedding going sour when she finds her soon-to-be husband up a bridesmaid's skirt just hours before the ceremony. She flees in distress and is stranded in the snowy wilderness, but fortunately manages to stagger to the nearest cottage where she promptly collapses into the arms of its inhabitant - a man so handsome she thinks she must have died and gone to heaven. Meanwhile, Rob Cavelli can't believe the beauty of the woman on his front porch. He decides to take her in for Christmas...
Let me summarise the book for you in a few phases.
1. The instalust phase.
Sadly this book had a very bad case of instalust. And by a very bad case I mean a really bad case. The MCs were already going on and on about how smoking the other was in the very first chapter. There's even the telltale spark of electricity written in and everything. This continues for a few chapters, with many cliche descriptions like "the tension in the room ratcheted up a notch" and so on. I would advise skimming through it.
2. The sex-like-rabbits phase.
Where the MCs finally hook up, and of course once they do, they never get out of bed. The sex scenes weren't poorly written, but not particularly heat-inducing either. I generally enjoy a well-written explicit scene but this one didn't make the cut.
3. The we-can-only-be-friends phase.
Where Rob tells Leah that he's not looking for a long-term relationship, and we get a sense of his traumatic past. Where Leah still lusts after him, of course, but does her best to quell it.
4. The fighting-hard-against-mutual-attraction phase.
Both characters are in Chicago at this point. Rob asked Leah to come with him to his home city thinking he could help her start over. They have trouble denying the attraction between them. Rob tries his best to push Leah away by being cold and rude towards her - typical douche behavior. Where the elephant in the room - Rob's obvious past trauma - is growing, and Leah tries to reach out as a friend to him, get him to open up, but is brutally ignored. And after a while she gives up and starts sorting out her life, and goes on a date. Then we see Rob being a creepy stalker and spying on them kissing, and at this point the book's angst level is agonisingly high. When Leah hears that Rob has a date the next night, she pretends to be a serving girl but finds out she can't tolerate looking at him like that. Rob, furious and aroused, comes after her and they have a night of explosive and brutal sex.
5. The oh-fuck-I'm-pregnant phase
During that night they both reveal their pasts to each other and find out they are both carrying around huge guilt. They finally establish that they can only be just friends and Leah leaves the next morning for her new apartment in the city instead of staying in Cavelli Tower. Some time passes. Leah finds out she is pregnant, at the same time that she gets a deportation notice informing her that she has to leave the US in twenty-eight days.
6. The where-has-she-gone phase
Where Leah disappears without a trace and Rob goes frantic trying to find her. Of course he only realises his feelings for her now in her absence, after months of her presence. He sinks into depression and drinking and wastes away his life, until he's snapped out of it by his family and told that she's in London. He tracks her there.
7. The HEA + epilogue phase
Where they are reunited and confess their love for each other, Rob is overjoyed to find out he will be a father, and there is a cheesy epilogue.
Nothing much to do with Christmas at all, like I mentioned earlier. The book was nothing special either, but fortunately the characters were interesting enough for me not to give up reading. Leah had a sort of innate attractiveness to her - I liked her blunt humor and her peculiar determination and her always-buoyant spirit. Rob was like a watered-down version of a typical alpha billionaire male - he didn't measure up to my standards at all. I can't pinpoint what exactly it is about him that threw me off, but he definitely can't compare to other males in similar tropes I've read. He has no seductive lines, no I-own-the-world air, no air of coolness and mystery. So he seems like an ordinary man playing the billionaire role; some readers might prefer that but I don't.
This book completely fell short of my expectations in some aspects. I expected a light winter read but got light erotica and tons of angst. However, I will admit that it's quite well-written and I appreciated the dose of humor/chick lit thrown in with Leah's character. Honestly, I just lived for her dialogue and her scenes.
November 2, 2014
3.5 stars
****Full Review****
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review
Leah is having quite the day, first she walked in on the groom banging a bridesmaid, by the way Leah is the bride, and now her car has stalled during a snowstorm in the middle of nowhere. A few minutes from hypothermia she spots a cozy cabin with lights on. Deciding that even a Hansel and Gretel situation would be better than freezing to death she knocks. The door opens to a god of a man, well really just some American named Rob but he looks like a god to Leah at the moment, and Leah promptly faints dead away into his arms. What follows is two sided longing, an escape to America, pushing away, and comedic fast read.
Leah is a spunky scrappy character that livens up the story. She deals with the bitter disappoint and hurt of discovering the man she was going to marry cheating on her wedding day with anger, sobbing, and acceptance as she can't ignore the feeling of relief when she finally admits to herself that he wasn't what she really wanted anyway. Her guilt and pain over her parent’s death add some depth to her but as it felt tagged on at times to provide some angst; we never entirely reach the deep end of the pool. Rob comes close to being a cookie cutter dark broody billionaire but his interactions with Leah and their resulting banter, teasing, and arguments help him raise the bar. His guilt over the death of his wife adds a darker underlining tone to the story that at first felt a bit uncomfortable as the book started off extremely jocular. Leah and Rob work best when they are teasingly poking and prodding each other, which fortunately is for most of the book.
Like I said before, Leah is an energetic character which in turn creates an active pace and turns this book into a quick read. I was a big fan of how funny it was; although I do think the word giggle was used too much in reference to Leah. While, weirdly, the reader doesn't get to "see" the first time our couple have sex, the subsequent times (especially an angry sex time) are relayed with enough detail to cause a few to blush. This is for the most part completely Leah and Rob's story as secondary characters stay regulated to the background with just a few bit moments from Rob's mother and brother; this is completely fine with me as I like my stars of the show to shine.
While Rob veered toward coldhearted jerk a few too many times, the ending was quick with too neat of bow placed on Leah and Rob's problems, and the funny and darker tones didn't completely gel all the time, this was still a good brief read. If looking for a snappy crisp holiday read, the humor and hot little sex scene make Cold Feet at Christmas worth the price of admission.
****Full Review****
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review
Leah is having quite the day, first she walked in on the groom banging a bridesmaid, by the way Leah is the bride, and now her car has stalled during a snowstorm in the middle of nowhere. A few minutes from hypothermia she spots a cozy cabin with lights on. Deciding that even a Hansel and Gretel situation would be better than freezing to death she knocks. The door opens to a god of a man, well really just some American named Rob but he looks like a god to Leah at the moment, and Leah promptly faints dead away into his arms. What follows is two sided longing, an escape to America, pushing away, and comedic fast read.
Leah is a spunky scrappy character that livens up the story. She deals with the bitter disappoint and hurt of discovering the man she was going to marry cheating on her wedding day with anger, sobbing, and acceptance as she can't ignore the feeling of relief when she finally admits to herself that he wasn't what she really wanted anyway. Her guilt and pain over her parent’s death add some depth to her but as it felt tagged on at times to provide some angst; we never entirely reach the deep end of the pool. Rob comes close to being a cookie cutter dark broody billionaire but his interactions with Leah and their resulting banter, teasing, and arguments help him raise the bar. His guilt over the death of his wife adds a darker underlining tone to the story that at first felt a bit uncomfortable as the book started off extremely jocular. Leah and Rob work best when they are teasingly poking and prodding each other, which fortunately is for most of the book.
Like I said before, Leah is an energetic character which in turn creates an active pace and turns this book into a quick read. I was a big fan of how funny it was; although I do think the word giggle was used too much in reference to Leah. While, weirdly, the reader doesn't get to "see" the first time our couple have sex, the subsequent times (especially an angry sex time) are relayed with enough detail to cause a few to blush. This is for the most part completely Leah and Rob's story as secondary characters stay regulated to the background with just a few bit moments from Rob's mother and brother; this is completely fine with me as I like my stars of the show to shine.
While Rob veered toward coldhearted jerk a few too many times, the ending was quick with too neat of bow placed on Leah and Rob's problems, and the funny and darker tones didn't completely gel all the time, this was still a good brief read. If looking for a snappy crisp holiday read, the humor and hot little sex scene make Cold Feet at Christmas worth the price of admission.
December 13, 2021
DNF pretty early on. Reason??
Glenfiddich is WHISKY not whiskey. There is HUGE difference between the two things. DO THE RESEARCH!!
And he has a bottle of the 50 year old?? Do you KNOW how much one bottle of 50 yr old Glenfiddich is worth??
£25,000 - Twenty five THOUSAND pounds. I doubt very much if ANY billionaire would actually drink the stuff - its an investment, not a tipple to be knocked back like any other whisky. And unless you are a true connoisseur, its probably not going to taste a lot different to any really good single malt.
He's going to turn out to be some filthy rich business man with more money than sense, especially if he's sharing a 50 year old single malt with a strange woman who probably won't appreciate it. A man who likes to show off his wealth. Meh.
DNF, citing cruelty to single malt whisky. (no 'e')
Glenfiddich is WHISKY not whiskey. There is HUGE difference between the two things. DO THE RESEARCH!!
And he has a bottle of the 50 year old?? Do you KNOW how much one bottle of 50 yr old Glenfiddich is worth??
£25,000 - Twenty five THOUSAND pounds. I doubt very much if ANY billionaire would actually drink the stuff - its an investment, not a tipple to be knocked back like any other whisky. And unless you are a true connoisseur, its probably not going to taste a lot different to any really good single malt.
He's going to turn out to be some filthy rich business man with more money than sense, especially if he's sharing a 50 year old single malt with a strange woman who probably won't appreciate it. A man who likes to show off his wealth. Meh.
DNF, citing cruelty to single malt whisky. (no 'e')
December 18, 2015
Meh... I just couldn't get into this one. It's way too unrealistic and the dialogue between the two main characters is lacking. I really did want to love this one though. I have been looking for some new chick lit novels to get into and when I saw this pretty cover I thought it would be a win. Sadly it wasn't. Here are my reasons:
1. The main character, Leah, dashes off on the night of her wedding because she finds her husband-to-be getting dirty with a bridesmaid. She goes off, stumbles on a cottage alone, and meets a man who lets her take shelter from the storm. Not long after (maybe 24 hours) the two get dirty together... Yea, I am no prude but c'mon- you sleep with a man who you just met not even a day after your supposed to get married?
2. Said character leaves with this man, Rob to go live with him in the states even though she knows he wants no relationship with her. AFTER 2 DAYS?? And leaving to a whole new country?? Too weird for me.
3. She lives with him, he's arrested (unnecessary drama), but we get no other word of her ex fiancé.
All of it combined is just to weird for my taste PLUS there was barely any Christmas themed anything in the book.
I hate to write bad reviews, and honestly its very rare that I do. But this one was just too strange not to talk about.
1. The main character, Leah, dashes off on the night of her wedding because she finds her husband-to-be getting dirty with a bridesmaid. She goes off, stumbles on a cottage alone, and meets a man who lets her take shelter from the storm. Not long after (maybe 24 hours) the two get dirty together... Yea, I am no prude but c'mon- you sleep with a man who you just met not even a day after your supposed to get married?
2. Said character leaves with this man, Rob to go live with him in the states even though she knows he wants no relationship with her. AFTER 2 DAYS?? And leaving to a whole new country?? Too weird for me.
3. She lives with him, he's arrested (unnecessary drama), but we get no other word of her ex fiancé.
All of it combined is just to weird for my taste PLUS there was barely any Christmas themed anything in the book.
I hate to write bad reviews, and honestly its very rare that I do. But this one was just too strange not to talk about.
November 11, 2014
Not what I expected at all. The blurb made it seem like a nice lighthearted Christmas read, but instead, it turned out to be an immature attempt at erotic fiction. When the main character looks at a man she has recently slept with, and his twin brother, and says she sees them as an Italian sandwich, I actually threw my kindle down. Then, after being put up in one of the best apartments in Chicago, and given a job, new wardrobe and obviously flights (first class) paid for too (no visa required??), she still continues to be one of the most annoying women I have ever read about. She now calls her handsome pimp (for the lack of better title) a Very Important Penis. All this from a woman who stumbled across this handsome stranger in a remote area of Scotland, while fleeing her own wedding. Bizarre. I am surprised this book was published by Harper. Very surprised...
November 4, 2014
I really wanted to like this book. I thought it was going to be a festive Christmassy love feast but it didn’t quite work out.
Rob has spent the past few Christmases alone, holed up in a remote Scottish cottage where he can forget about the past that has left him scarred and scared to love again. That is until this year, when he answers a knock on the door on a snowy Christmas Eve to find Leah, a stranded, runaway, very bedraggled bride who has escaped from her own wedding after finding her husband to be in a compromising position with the bridesmaid.
Snowed in and stuck with each other over Christmas they have to make the best of it, by jumping into bed with each other the very next day. That was my main issue with the book. Leah has just been humiliated in the worst possible way. Her life has been turned upside down. She has lost her future husband, home and job. She should be angry, hurt and most definitely “off” men. Yet, she jumps into bed with the first man she meets. Gorgeous as he is, it just doesn’t make sense the way she casts off her ex with the casualness of shedding an old cardigan. Later on in the book, for instance, when Leah learns about Rob’s past and why he is so distant from people, she spends sleepless nights anguishing over him and wondering what she can do to help him. Yet she never seems to spare a thought for her own situation or the mess she has left behind, never giving herself time to mourn her lost life.
After Christmas she accepts an invitation from Rob to join him in Chicago and work for him, but purely as friends, the mind blowing sex has to stop. Can this couple who are so attracted to each other turn off the passion, just like that? More to the point, why would they?
As Leah learns more about Rob, she determines to try and break down the barriers he has built around himself, although I did wonder why, in view of the awful way he treats her in the book, she even bothered. She had just dumped her fiancé for sleeping with a bridesmaid on the wedding day, so why would she put up with being treated like dirt by the very next man she meets?
This is a quick read, one which turns the formula on its head a little. Instead of watching a couple fight their mutual attraction before melting into each other’s arms and bed, we watch them jump into bed and then start to fight that attraction. The characters and plot just didn’t gel for me.
Rob has spent the past few Christmases alone, holed up in a remote Scottish cottage where he can forget about the past that has left him scarred and scared to love again. That is until this year, when he answers a knock on the door on a snowy Christmas Eve to find Leah, a stranded, runaway, very bedraggled bride who has escaped from her own wedding after finding her husband to be in a compromising position with the bridesmaid.
Snowed in and stuck with each other over Christmas they have to make the best of it, by jumping into bed with each other the very next day. That was my main issue with the book. Leah has just been humiliated in the worst possible way. Her life has been turned upside down. She has lost her future husband, home and job. She should be angry, hurt and most definitely “off” men. Yet, she jumps into bed with the first man she meets. Gorgeous as he is, it just doesn’t make sense the way she casts off her ex with the casualness of shedding an old cardigan. Later on in the book, for instance, when Leah learns about Rob’s past and why he is so distant from people, she spends sleepless nights anguishing over him and wondering what she can do to help him. Yet she never seems to spare a thought for her own situation or the mess she has left behind, never giving herself time to mourn her lost life.
After Christmas she accepts an invitation from Rob to join him in Chicago and work for him, but purely as friends, the mind blowing sex has to stop. Can this couple who are so attracted to each other turn off the passion, just like that? More to the point, why would they?
As Leah learns more about Rob, she determines to try and break down the barriers he has built around himself, although I did wonder why, in view of the awful way he treats her in the book, she even bothered. She had just dumped her fiancé for sleeping with a bridesmaid on the wedding day, so why would she put up with being treated like dirt by the very next man she meets?
This is a quick read, one which turns the formula on its head a little. Instead of watching a couple fight their mutual attraction before melting into each other’s arms and bed, we watch them jump into bed and then start to fight that attraction. The characters and plot just didn’t gel for me.
November 21, 2016
2 stars
This relationship had too much anger, too much violence, too much of the ugly stuff:
...her lids puffy and red, make-up striping her skin. Mouth bruised and swollen from kisses that came from anger...the dark imprints of his fingers in the flesh of her thighs.
...vivid reminders of what he'd just done, and he was ashamed enough already.....
How is this a feel good Christmas story?!?
No more Debbie Johnson Christmas stories for me. I wouldn't even want to go to her house for Christmas dinner, who knows what is lurking behind every corner?!
This relationship had too much anger, too much violence, too much of the ugly stuff:
...her lids puffy and red, make-up striping her skin. Mouth bruised and swollen from kisses that came from anger...the dark imprints of his fingers in the flesh of her thighs.
...vivid reminders of what he'd just done, and he was ashamed enough already.....
How is this a feel good Christmas story?!?
No more Debbie Johnson Christmas stories for me. I wouldn't even want to go to her house for Christmas dinner, who knows what is lurking behind every corner?!
December 24, 2014
4.5 fab stars.
An fabulous story.
Couldn't put it down.
Fell in love with the characters.
Leah is beautiful and hilarious and Rob is moody and gorgeous.
Lots of laugh out loud hide the sausage moments.
Sad at times as they torture each other while denying feelings, really wanted to slap Rob at times and give him a shake
❤️❤️❤️❤️
An fabulous story.
Couldn't put it down.
Fell in love with the characters.
Leah is beautiful and hilarious and Rob is moody and gorgeous.
Lots of laugh out loud hide the sausage moments.
Sad at times as they torture each other while denying feelings, really wanted to slap Rob at times and give him a shake
❤️❤️❤️❤️
December 22, 2014
This was only the second Christmas book that I've ever read, and though it wasn't exactly as Christmassy as I was expecting, I really enjoyed it!
I'm sure you can imagine the basic premise of the book from the title alone - Cold Feet at Christmas is exactly as you'd imagine, and much more. After running out on her wedding day due to catching her husband-to-be getting lucky with her bridesmaid - YIKES - Leah gets caught up in a snow storm which lands her passing out in the arms of a sexy stranger.
As soon as I saw the description for this book, I knew I had to read it, and it didn't disappoint. Though as I said in the opening line of my review, it wasn't as Christmassy as I was expecting - the story starts off Christmas Eve, and there is plenty of snow, but that's only the beginning of the story that takes the characters on an unexpected journey of life-changing decisions, and will-they-won't-they scenarios.
I think I just about loved all of the characters. Leah and Rob, the two main characters were obviously great, and I thought Rob's twin brother was equally as fab. But it was secondary character Rick, who really stole my heart. I LOVE this guy and I really hope he gets a book of his own, as I'd love to see more from him.
If you're after a fairly light read, then Cold Feet at Christmas is definitely the book for you. It had a little drama, and lots of laughs, and was the perfect choice for me to snuggle up with on this cold holiday season. I'll be keeping an eye out for more books by this author in the future.
*ARC received in exchange for an honest review*
I'm sure you can imagine the basic premise of the book from the title alone - Cold Feet at Christmas is exactly as you'd imagine, and much more. After running out on her wedding day due to catching her husband-to-be getting lucky with her bridesmaid - YIKES - Leah gets caught up in a snow storm which lands her passing out in the arms of a sexy stranger.
As soon as I saw the description for this book, I knew I had to read it, and it didn't disappoint. Though as I said in the opening line of my review, it wasn't as Christmassy as I was expecting - the story starts off Christmas Eve, and there is plenty of snow, but that's only the beginning of the story that takes the characters on an unexpected journey of life-changing decisions, and will-they-won't-they scenarios.
I think I just about loved all of the characters. Leah and Rob, the two main characters were obviously great, and I thought Rob's twin brother was equally as fab. But it was secondary character Rick, who really stole my heart. I LOVE this guy and I really hope he gets a book of his own, as I'd love to see more from him.
If you're after a fairly light read, then Cold Feet at Christmas is definitely the book for you. It had a little drama, and lots of laughs, and was the perfect choice for me to snuggle up with on this cold holiday season. I'll be keeping an eye out for more books by this author in the future.
*ARC received in exchange for an honest review*
December 5, 2015
This story was kinda cute, but also had several flaws that lessened my enjoyment somewhat.
I couldn't believe how fast Leah was rebounding from Doug, regardless of the fact that she figured out that she never really loved him. She also came across in a very clueless funny ditz kinda way and not an actual adult.
Rob was a complete jerk, repeatedly, and began to wonder what Leah saw in him. I honestly wouldn't have kept wasting my time!
The story was funny in spots, but very short. It also wasn't that Christmas-y for being set during the holidays. All things considered, not a bad read, but one I may not repeat, or read subsequent books of.
I couldn't believe how fast Leah was rebounding from Doug, regardless of the fact that she figured out that she never really loved him. She also came across in a very clueless funny ditz kinda way and not an actual adult.
Rob was a complete jerk, repeatedly, and began to wonder what Leah saw in him. I honestly wouldn't have kept wasting my time!
The story was funny in spots, but very short. It also wasn't that Christmas-y for being set during the holidays. All things considered, not a bad read, but one I may not repeat, or read subsequent books of.
December 8, 2020
This was a WILD ride.
This book shouldn't even have the privilege of having the word Christmas in the title, the festivities last for about all of forty pages. I enjoyed my time reading this it was commercial fiction in its element with the author throwing everything but the kitchen sink at the narrative when it came to twists and tropes galore. There was a pretty dark element of this book with regards to the theme of grief and guilt which felt really out of place because BOY was this a steamy read. Honestly, the relationship in this was really toxic and I didn't root for the couple to end up together but I was entertained by this nonetheless.
This book shouldn't even have the privilege of having the word Christmas in the title, the festivities last for about all of forty pages. I enjoyed my time reading this it was commercial fiction in its element with the author throwing everything but the kitchen sink at the narrative when it came to twists and tropes galore. There was a pretty dark element of this book with regards to the theme of grief and guilt which felt really out of place because BOY was this a steamy read. Honestly, the relationship in this was really toxic and I didn't root for the couple to end up together but I was entertained by this nonetheless.
December 10, 2023
A very quick read. Wasn’t exactly what I expected based on the description. A bit more steamy than a typical rom-com and it wasn’t really Christmas focused but it was ok. I felt the storyline was almost too far fetched.
November 10, 2020
Turns out it read this before
Ok but very predictable
Ok but very predictable
January 4, 2019
DNF at 75%.
Leah Harvey finds her fiance boffing one of the bridesmaids at their wedding and runs off (in the groom's vintage car) only to find herself stranded in the Scottish countryside. Dressed only in a flimsy silk wedding dress and Jimmy Choo stilettos (does he even do flats?), she starts walking cross-country in the snow towards distant lights. The lights belong to a lonely cottage, rented for the season by Rob(erto) Cavelli, an American billionaire who hates Christmas and likes to spend the season alone, drinking whisky, in a scottish cottage he rents every year. One thing leads to another and Rob and Leah decide to have a no-strings attached holiday fling. But when Christmas is over Rob invites Leah to come to Chicago to start afresh, the deal being that they must go back to being just friends. Of course both Leah and Rob have deep dark secrets that colour their beliefs and behaviours, in Rob's case this makes him a hypocritical, judgemental, neurotic, unhinged, self-obsessed jerk. In Leah's case this makes her a bit of a doormat, although apparently irresistible to the opposite sex.
I was under the mistaken impression that this was a novella, I started reading it months ago, lost interest and picked it up again this week hoping that the Christmas season would make the book more engaging. Sadly it didn't, when Leah and Rob got to Chicago all I wanted to do was wring Rob's neck and give Leah a good shaking. Having read 75% of the novel I couldn't bear to read another page which is a pity because Debbie Johnson is a must-read author for me.
Leah Harvey finds her fiance boffing one of the bridesmaids at their wedding and runs off (in the groom's vintage car) only to find herself stranded in the Scottish countryside. Dressed only in a flimsy silk wedding dress and Jimmy Choo stilettos (does he even do flats?), she starts walking cross-country in the snow towards distant lights. The lights belong to a lonely cottage, rented for the season by Rob(erto) Cavelli, an American billionaire who hates Christmas and likes to spend the season alone, drinking whisky, in a scottish cottage he rents every year. One thing leads to another and Rob and Leah decide to have a no-strings attached holiday fling. But when Christmas is over Rob invites Leah to come to Chicago to start afresh, the deal being that they must go back to being just friends. Of course both Leah and Rob have deep dark secrets that colour their beliefs and behaviours, in Rob's case this makes him a hypocritical, judgemental, neurotic, unhinged, self-obsessed jerk. In Leah's case this makes her a bit of a doormat, although apparently irresistible to the opposite sex.
I was under the mistaken impression that this was a novella, I started reading it months ago, lost interest and picked it up again this week hoping that the Christmas season would make the book more engaging. Sadly it didn't, when Leah and Rob got to Chicago all I wanted to do was wring Rob's neck and give Leah a good shaking. Having read 75% of the novel I couldn't bear to read another page which is a pity because Debbie Johnson is a must-read author for me.
February 19, 2021
This one was an odd bird. Blurb completely misrepresents the nature of the story, making it seem like a happy, fluffy Christmas romance. Instead it's the trainwreck of two damaged people with tragedy in their past and trying to survive in different ways.
Kept reading almost out of morbid fascination. We never see Rob or Leah's pain until the middle of the book, and Leah is almost pathologically able to find a cheerful demeanor - dismissing all things that hurt her, until the end of the book where she breaks. Rob is broken and cruel from the point they arrive in Chicago, and why the hell does she stick around? And btw, sexual encounters driven by anger is NEVER what I'm looking for. Rob's eventual change of mind is not well explained or supported, and the resolution is a drunken binge version of the ending of Sabrina, which I didn't find very believable.
Kept reading almost out of morbid fascination. We never see Rob or Leah's pain until the middle of the book, and Leah is almost pathologically able to find a cheerful demeanor - dismissing all things that hurt her, until the end of the book where she breaks. Rob is broken and cruel from the point they arrive in Chicago, and why the hell does she stick around? And btw, sexual encounters driven by anger is NEVER what I'm looking for. Rob's eventual change of mind is not well explained or supported, and the resolution is a drunken binge version of the ending of Sabrina, which I didn't find very believable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 13, 2014
This one was not quite one of the warm and cosy Christmas reads I’ve read recently.
Leah leaves her own wedding after catching her fiancé with one of her bridesmaids. She escapes to a remote Scottish village. She dressed in her wedding dress and freezing when she spots a cottage lit up. She heads there and finds Rob- who has escaped Christmas previously to hide away from the past.
Their relationship escalates quickly- but their past clouds the attraction. Can they get over the problems they’ve both been through.
She joins him later in Chicago.
Many thanks to Net Galley for the chance to read this one.
Leah leaves her own wedding after catching her fiancé with one of her bridesmaids. She escapes to a remote Scottish village. She dressed in her wedding dress and freezing when she spots a cottage lit up. She heads there and finds Rob- who has escaped Christmas previously to hide away from the past.
Their relationship escalates quickly- but their past clouds the attraction. Can they get over the problems they’ve both been through.
She joins him later in Chicago.
Many thanks to Net Galley for the chance to read this one.
January 18, 2019
Ew! TMI sex, awful main characters, and boring story. Help! Someone’s kidnapped Debbie Johnson and replaced her with Jackie Collins!!!!
Thank goodness I just discovered an Elizabeth Cadell I haven’t yet read so I can clear my palate.
Thank goodness I just discovered an Elizabeth Cadell I haven’t yet read so I can clear my palate.
December 22, 2017
DNF-couldn't finish this. Cheesy, not in a fun way. SPOILERS** The whole "we-don't-communicate-to-drag-this-out-and-in-the-end-save-each-other" schtick. Her heart aches for his loss while he's an asshole. And their whole story starts off creepy by her showing up at his house and they have sex for 4 days (she's a STRANGER) then she follows him to America "to heal and start over" because he suggests it. Just, no. Thank you. And that sucks because I've read another of her books before and really liked it. But things like the heroine crying and telling the "hero" it's "because she's a girl" or how his twin brother makes a sexist remark and she laughs it off because, you know, Chicago men or how every single dude is constantly checking out her rack and she knows but whatever! it's cool because she wears low cut shirts and stilettos. Just avoid it and read one of her Cozy Comfort Café books instead.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 23, 2018
Cold Feet...
A wonderful little story about two people both who have endured enough tragedy in their life than anyone should have to endure who meet on Christmas Eve by chance. I love a good novel based around the holidays and this spicy romantic one was right up my alley!
A wonderful little story about two people both who have endured enough tragedy in their life than anyone should have to endure who meet on Christmas Eve by chance. I love a good novel based around the holidays and this spicy romantic one was right up my alley!
December 15, 2021
I did not like this one at all. It doesnt really have anything to do with Christmas or the holidays even though my copy had a christmas sticker on it. Sorry but I wouldn't recommend this one...
January 2, 2023
Didn’t have much to do with Christmas, but nonetheless it was still an enjoyable read with spicy parts and some drama to keep you engaged. I enjoyed it and will be reading more by this author!
December 10, 2025
The perfect light fluffy quick easy read curled up with a cup of tea by the Christmas tree!
November 19, 2014
Debbie Johnson is a very busy writer, this being her chick lit book and she also has a crime novel, Fear No Evil, out now and the sequel to her fantasy novel is out soon. Usually then you might expect a bit of a dip in quality, or for the author to perhaps write one genre less well than the other. Having now read all three of her books, I'm torn over which I prefer! That said fair play to Debbie for being an author that can write in different genres, it's always exciting when an author mixes it up rather than writing in just the one genre. Opening on Christmas Eve we meet Leah, who runs away from her wedding after she catches her fiance cheating with the bridesmaid. She ends up at a cottage in the middle of nowhere, falling into the arms of Rob Cavelli, a man spending Christmas by himself to come to terms with past tragedies. With Leah herself having secrets both characters are intriguing from the off, and you want to know more about them.
What on the outside appears to be an easy chick lit read actually touches on some serious subjects throughout yet it's hard to say too much without ruining the story. Rob's story in particular is one that asks a very interesting question. Whilst his thought processes aren't perhaps easy to relate to unless you've been in the same situation, his reactions and emotions are at times believable because they are both human and realistic. At times you want to shout at him and shake some sense into him, yet it is very much about allowing the story to flow and having the comfort that eventually the book will reach the conclusion you know is coming. Books like this often are a little predictable, but sometimes that's what you want from a book and it's always a nice, easy read knowing the ending you want is on its way. What I liked about Rob was that for the most part he was a believable male character, and not the predictably bland character you often get in chick lit who are great to look at, amazing in bed (aren't they always) but are otherwise completely boring and whilst Rob was still those first two things, he at least had something about him with a believable backstory.
The chemistry between the two of them is evident from the moment they meet. The book isn't the longest in the world and therefore some elements are rushed. The fact that not long after leaving her fiance she's in bed with someone else for example, however for me that came across as believable as there are some women that don't curl up into a ball and cry when they discover a partner's infidelity, but rather go out there and get even and, in the case of Leah realise that they've actually found somebody better than what they had before. In fiction I'd rather a story moved a bit quicker than it would in real life, making it less boring and allowing for the action to start right at the very beginning. I wonder whether the people against the instachemistry would rather have chapters full of Leah feeling sorry for herself, sitting at home crying her eyes out before we finally got into the story? I loved Leah and am seeing some similarities in the female characters that Debbie creates which I really like, her humour really comes across in her writing.
This book would work well as a film as it contains all the elements of a film that keep you on the edge of your seat. The will they/won't they? The cross country chase and the bittersweet, romantic ending that you want from a book like this, and that you especially want around Christmastime. The majority of the book is actually set in the year after and before Christmas, so those looking for a completely festive read (which you would expect from the cover and blurb) should bear that in mind. It didn't bother me but it can be annoying picking up a book expecting one thing and then getting another. This time of year however is full of books that have festive covers and blurbs only for the book to be one that you could read at any time of year, as this book could. It's definitely a book I'd recommend and I'm excited to read more from Debbie in the future.
Thanks to Debbie for arranging a review copy.
What on the outside appears to be an easy chick lit read actually touches on some serious subjects throughout yet it's hard to say too much without ruining the story. Rob's story in particular is one that asks a very interesting question. Whilst his thought processes aren't perhaps easy to relate to unless you've been in the same situation, his reactions and emotions are at times believable because they are both human and realistic. At times you want to shout at him and shake some sense into him, yet it is very much about allowing the story to flow and having the comfort that eventually the book will reach the conclusion you know is coming. Books like this often are a little predictable, but sometimes that's what you want from a book and it's always a nice, easy read knowing the ending you want is on its way. What I liked about Rob was that for the most part he was a believable male character, and not the predictably bland character you often get in chick lit who are great to look at, amazing in bed (aren't they always) but are otherwise completely boring and whilst Rob was still those first two things, he at least had something about him with a believable backstory.
The chemistry between the two of them is evident from the moment they meet. The book isn't the longest in the world and therefore some elements are rushed. The fact that not long after leaving her fiance she's in bed with someone else for example, however for me that came across as believable as there are some women that don't curl up into a ball and cry when they discover a partner's infidelity, but rather go out there and get even and, in the case of Leah realise that they've actually found somebody better than what they had before. In fiction I'd rather a story moved a bit quicker than it would in real life, making it less boring and allowing for the action to start right at the very beginning. I wonder whether the people against the instachemistry would rather have chapters full of Leah feeling sorry for herself, sitting at home crying her eyes out before we finally got into the story? I loved Leah and am seeing some similarities in the female characters that Debbie creates which I really like, her humour really comes across in her writing.
This book would work well as a film as it contains all the elements of a film that keep you on the edge of your seat. The will they/won't they? The cross country chase and the bittersweet, romantic ending that you want from a book like this, and that you especially want around Christmastime. The majority of the book is actually set in the year after and before Christmas, so those looking for a completely festive read (which you would expect from the cover and blurb) should bear that in mind. It didn't bother me but it can be annoying picking up a book expecting one thing and then getting another. This time of year however is full of books that have festive covers and blurbs only for the book to be one that you could read at any time of year, as this book could. It's definitely a book I'd recommend and I'm excited to read more from Debbie in the future.
Thanks to Debbie for arranging a review copy.
November 14, 2014
Originally posted on Paris Baker's Book Nook.
Thank you to Harper Impulse for approving me for a review copy via NetGalley.
I can’t deny that what drew me to this book was the cover. Look at it. It’s stunning. Having never read any of Debbie Johnson’s books before, I was intrigued to start, so I was really excited to have my request approved. However, this is a slightly difficult review to write, as I had a few mixed feelings. Overall I enjoyed the story. Leah is a funny heroine, and generally speaking Rob is a pretty dreamy guy. The book made me laugh out loud at times, and swoon a bit at others.
However, I did have a few things that didn’t settle too well with me.
1. It really isn’t that Christmassy. This was probably my biggest disappointment. Yes, they meet on Christmas Eve and have a few days at Christmas shacked up in a cottage, but that’s just the very start of the story, and after that it was just a normal story. With such a beautiful cover and catchy name, I was hoping for a really festive read, and that is not what this is.
2. At times it’s pretty damn raunchy. I’m not necessarily against that in a book, but I suppose I wasn’t expecting it from this. I guess the general feel I had got from the book was romantic and christmassy, but it’s more erotic and all-year-round. Yes, there were some sweet and tender moments, and they obviously care a lot for each other, but most of their relationship was very physical, not emotional, with some pretty childish arguments due to Rob’s stubbornness to admit his feelings – this was understandable for a while, but got quite exasperating. There was one scene in particular I really didn’t enjoy, which in my opinion could have been a lovely, tender moment, but actually made me incredibly uncomfortable, and I felt completely took away from the story.
I’ve seen a lot of talk about the kind of insta-love effect when she’s literally just left her wedding – she’s still in the dress when she meets Rob! – and I’m not entirely sure where I stand on this one. I agree to some degree, and it was very sudden – yes, we all accept the general insta-love possibility within fiction, but the moment you’ve walked out your wedding? Not so sure. However, this was explained slightly better than I was expecting from what I’ve read, so it wasn’t too unsettling. So her previous relationship wasn’t all that perfect, and her attraction to Rob helps her realise that, I can pretty much get that. But still, getting down and dirty with some guy you have just met, less than 24 hours after your wedding-that-wasn’t? That didn’t sit too well with me, and even if they weren’t totally living in bliss, she’d been with Doug for 5 years, that relationship would still require some mourning.
So, overall, I’m pretty torn. Yes, it’s enjoyable. Yes, it bugged me at times. No, it’s not what I was expecting. It’s by no means a bad book, and I would recommend it I suppose, but go into it with an open mind and don’t necessarily expect a Christmas book, as that’s what let me down the most. But overall, I guess you’ll have to find out for yourself!
Thank you to Harper Impulse for approving me for a review copy via NetGalley.
I can’t deny that what drew me to this book was the cover. Look at it. It’s stunning. Having never read any of Debbie Johnson’s books before, I was intrigued to start, so I was really excited to have my request approved. However, this is a slightly difficult review to write, as I had a few mixed feelings. Overall I enjoyed the story. Leah is a funny heroine, and generally speaking Rob is a pretty dreamy guy. The book made me laugh out loud at times, and swoon a bit at others.
However, I did have a few things that didn’t settle too well with me.
1. It really isn’t that Christmassy. This was probably my biggest disappointment. Yes, they meet on Christmas Eve and have a few days at Christmas shacked up in a cottage, but that’s just the very start of the story, and after that it was just a normal story. With such a beautiful cover and catchy name, I was hoping for a really festive read, and that is not what this is.
2. At times it’s pretty damn raunchy. I’m not necessarily against that in a book, but I suppose I wasn’t expecting it from this. I guess the general feel I had got from the book was romantic and christmassy, but it’s more erotic and all-year-round. Yes, there were some sweet and tender moments, and they obviously care a lot for each other, but most of their relationship was very physical, not emotional, with some pretty childish arguments due to Rob’s stubbornness to admit his feelings – this was understandable for a while, but got quite exasperating. There was one scene in particular I really didn’t enjoy, which in my opinion could have been a lovely, tender moment, but actually made me incredibly uncomfortable, and I felt completely took away from the story.
I’ve seen a lot of talk about the kind of insta-love effect when she’s literally just left her wedding – she’s still in the dress when she meets Rob! – and I’m not entirely sure where I stand on this one. I agree to some degree, and it was very sudden – yes, we all accept the general insta-love possibility within fiction, but the moment you’ve walked out your wedding? Not so sure. However, this was explained slightly better than I was expecting from what I’ve read, so it wasn’t too unsettling. So her previous relationship wasn’t all that perfect, and her attraction to Rob helps her realise that, I can pretty much get that. But still, getting down and dirty with some guy you have just met, less than 24 hours after your wedding-that-wasn’t? That didn’t sit too well with me, and even if they weren’t totally living in bliss, she’d been with Doug for 5 years, that relationship would still require some mourning.
So, overall, I’m pretty torn. Yes, it’s enjoyable. Yes, it bugged me at times. No, it’s not what I was expecting. It’s by no means a bad book, and I would recommend it I suppose, but go into it with an open mind and don’t necessarily expect a Christmas book, as that’s what let me down the most. But overall, I guess you’ll have to find out for yourself!
November 24, 2014
Received from publisher in exchange for an honest review
Originally at The Secret Life of a Bookworm
Cold Feet at Christmas was my first Christmas read of 2014, and it was exactly what I needed. I've been really getting into the Christmas spirit lately with all the Christmas adverts, the decorations in town, the German Market and also because I've started buying Christmas presents! So I was desperately in the mood for a Christmas read, and this one sounded perfect for my mood.
Cold Feet at Christmas follows Leah and Rob who meet on Christmas Eve after Leah runs out on her wedding (after catching her husband to be cheating) and stumbles across the remote cabin that Rob stays in every Christmas. The instant they meet there's chemistry. Leah is trying ti ignore it because she literally just ran away from her wedding, and Rob is flat out refusing to admit there's anything there. They both give into the chemistry, but when Rob offers Leah a new start, he puts a halt to their shenanigans and insists they just be friends. They're both struggling with their feelings for each other, but first they both need to work out their issues.
Debbie Johnson had me laughing from the word go. Although Cold Feet at Christmas has got a few deeper and slightly more serious storylines, most of it is light-hearted and hilarious - which makes it the perfect Christmas read. Leah was just hilarious! Her inner-thoughts had me chuckling and she was just such a likeable character. She found her husband-to-be and her bridesmaid having sex and she just seemed fine with it! She was definitely a trooper. Rob was a complete mystery for most of the book. He kept his past closed off and could be a real ass sometimes, but I still really liked his character.
The one thing I wasn't actually expecting about this book was the steaminess. And oh my god were there a lot of steamy moments. Like I said, Leah and Rob's chemistry was apparent straight away and they obviously gave into it. Stuck in a cabin with a sexy guy on Christmas, I would have done the same thing. Rob and Leah were so passionate and so perfect together, but they kept sabotaging their relationship due to issues in their pasts that they hadn't accepted.
The ending was perfect and made me smile. Cold Feet at Christmas is definitely a book I'd recommend for anyone looking for a slightly steamier romance and a perfect Christmas book - because this one ticks both boxes! Overall, I really enjoyed it.
Originally at The Secret Life of a Bookworm
Cold Feet at Christmas was my first Christmas read of 2014, and it was exactly what I needed. I've been really getting into the Christmas spirit lately with all the Christmas adverts, the decorations in town, the German Market and also because I've started buying Christmas presents! So I was desperately in the mood for a Christmas read, and this one sounded perfect for my mood.
Cold Feet at Christmas follows Leah and Rob who meet on Christmas Eve after Leah runs out on her wedding (after catching her husband to be cheating) and stumbles across the remote cabin that Rob stays in every Christmas. The instant they meet there's chemistry. Leah is trying ti ignore it because she literally just ran away from her wedding, and Rob is flat out refusing to admit there's anything there. They both give into the chemistry, but when Rob offers Leah a new start, he puts a halt to their shenanigans and insists they just be friends. They're both struggling with their feelings for each other, but first they both need to work out their issues.
Debbie Johnson had me laughing from the word go. Although Cold Feet at Christmas has got a few deeper and slightly more serious storylines, most of it is light-hearted and hilarious - which makes it the perfect Christmas read. Leah was just hilarious! Her inner-thoughts had me chuckling and she was just such a likeable character. She found her husband-to-be and her bridesmaid having sex and she just seemed fine with it! She was definitely a trooper. Rob was a complete mystery for most of the book. He kept his past closed off and could be a real ass sometimes, but I still really liked his character.
The one thing I wasn't actually expecting about this book was the steaminess. And oh my god were there a lot of steamy moments. Like I said, Leah and Rob's chemistry was apparent straight away and they obviously gave into it. Stuck in a cabin with a sexy guy on Christmas, I would have done the same thing. Rob and Leah were so passionate and so perfect together, but they kept sabotaging their relationship due to issues in their pasts that they hadn't accepted.
The ending was perfect and made me smile. Cold Feet at Christmas is definitely a book I'd recommend for anyone looking for a slightly steamier romance and a perfect Christmas book - because this one ticks both boxes! Overall, I really enjoyed it.
December 7, 2016
This was not the sweet, lifetime-esque chick lit I thought I was getting myself into. Though it started on Christmas Eve, this book takes place in a time span of a year. Its events are all centered around what happened on Christmas though. Leah flees her wedding with nothing but her purse and a car that’s not even hers and gets stuck. She walks 20 minutes or so to the nearest house and lands in the arms of Rob, literally, and he gives her a place to stay on Christmas. These two strangers spend Christmas together with the intention of moving on with their lives after a few days. But things change when Rob invites Leah to go back to home with him and start a new life there, which he believes she desperately needs. She agrees to go on this new adventure with the help of this apparent “God like” stranger and see what kind of life she can create for herself in a different country.
This book is basically a typical, strangers meet, find one another insanely attractive, act on said attraction but don’t allow one another to let things move further than that. Each dealing with a past of their one, the guy less willing to admit his feelings and than in turn breaking the heart of the girl and blah blah blah. You catch my drift. There was nothing really original or special about this book. I didn’t really care for the characters alone and I definitely was not rooting for their relationship. I don’t know if it was necessarily all that toxic in comparison to other books, but it came off as pure attraction, I couldn’t really pull myself into seeing why these too should be together. The big event that happen were not a surprise, more expected and I found myself waiting for it to happen. I enjoyed the side character more, Rob’s twin bother, than I did Leah and Rob. Their backstory were sad ones, and their struggles with them were understandable and I’m sure relate able to those who have gone through similar things but I didn’t feel as effected by them as I wish I did.
I think the only reason I finished it was because it was a fast short read and I was just curious how the story would end. It was anticlimactic and not something I would really recommend others to read.
This book is basically a typical, strangers meet, find one another insanely attractive, act on said attraction but don’t allow one another to let things move further than that. Each dealing with a past of their one, the guy less willing to admit his feelings and than in turn breaking the heart of the girl and blah blah blah. You catch my drift. There was nothing really original or special about this book. I didn’t really care for the characters alone and I definitely was not rooting for their relationship. I don’t know if it was necessarily all that toxic in comparison to other books, but it came off as pure attraction, I couldn’t really pull myself into seeing why these too should be together. The big event that happen were not a surprise, more expected and I found myself waiting for it to happen. I enjoyed the side character more, Rob’s twin bother, than I did Leah and Rob. Their backstory were sad ones, and their struggles with them were understandable and I’m sure relate able to those who have gone through similar things but I didn’t feel as effected by them as I wish I did.
I think the only reason I finished it was because it was a fast short read and I was just curious how the story would end. It was anticlimactic and not something I would really recommend others to read.
November 25, 2014
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Christmas wouldn't be complete without a delightful romantic comedy. 'Cold Feet at Christmas' has all the ingredients for the perfect romantic trifle. Leah and Rob are vivid characters, so easy to visualise. The remote, snowbound cottage is the quintessentially festive setting. This is sprinkled with laugh-out-loud humour and sizzling romantic chemistry that makes you long to be stranded in a snow drift.
What comes next when Christmas gives way to New Year is alternatively frustrating and amusing. Leah realises Rob is far more emotionally damaged than he seems on first acquaintance. Rob denies his feelings for Leah. He hides a deep sadness and lack of self worth that threatens any future they may have. Gentle humour mitigates the poignancy. Leah is a 'glass half full' girl and even though she has more than her fair share of emotional baggage, she retains her optimism. This is refreshing and gives the reader hope she can make annoyingly, confusing yet sexy Rob see that she is the key to his future.
There are no major surprises in the story but this is part of the charm of romantic comedy and the ending is nicely done.
Be sure to put this festive cracker on your Christmas list.
I received a copy of this book from Harper Impulse via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Debbie Johnson
November 3, 2014
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Cold Feet at Christmas. I thought the story line was amazing and fits so beautifully with this time of year.
I took an immediate liking to both main characters, Leah and Rob. I could straight away feel the burning and blazing chemistry that existed between these two, before the plot even started to fully develop. It becomes apparent quite quickly that Leah and Rob are both guilt ridden, but at this early stage the reader does not yet know the reasons why. I really liked how the author matured the relationship between these two characters. As soon as they start revealing their deepest secrets to another, the atmosphere of the novel is so incredibly intense, raw and full of emotion.
I thought the writing style to be really clever. Leah’s bubbly personality shines through straight away, but Rob is rather reserved. However, the reader gets to experience Rob’s true feelings as snippets of the story are told from his point of view. I loved the choice of this dual perspective as it shows off both of their personalities brilliantly.
Cold Feet at Christmas is a fantastic read about two characters who are learning to live life to the full again. I can highly recommend this title.
I took an immediate liking to both main characters, Leah and Rob. I could straight away feel the burning and blazing chemistry that existed between these two, before the plot even started to fully develop. It becomes apparent quite quickly that Leah and Rob are both guilt ridden, but at this early stage the reader does not yet know the reasons why. I really liked how the author matured the relationship between these two characters. As soon as they start revealing their deepest secrets to another, the atmosphere of the novel is so incredibly intense, raw and full of emotion.
I thought the writing style to be really clever. Leah’s bubbly personality shines through straight away, but Rob is rather reserved. However, the reader gets to experience Rob’s true feelings as snippets of the story are told from his point of view. I loved the choice of this dual perspective as it shows off both of their personalities brilliantly.
Cold Feet at Christmas is a fantastic read about two characters who are learning to live life to the full again. I can highly recommend this title.
December 8, 2014
With a cover and blurb like that, this was a Christmas book I knew I needed to read. It looked and sounded like Christmas in chick lit form. And, to be fair it actually is Christmas in chick lit form.
It is without a doubt one of the best Christmas reads I've ever read. It is full to bursting with emotion, scandal, drama, twists and turns. It is fabulous!
Do you know what has shocked me more about this book? It isn't the fact that it has a great plot. It isn't the fact that it has amazing characters that you fall in love with and form deep connections too. It isn't the fact that it's really funny. And, it isn't the fact that it has been one of the only books in a very long time that has been able to make me feel heartache so raw that it hurts. It is the fact that I did not just get the usual Christmas chick lit I expected. I got a fantastic chick lit/new adult mix that was as hot as hell. It was brilliance! It is certainly a read I won't be forgetting in a while, and one I know for me as blown other Christmas books out the door.
It is a brilliant mix of love and hate, good and bad, love and lust. It is a Christmas cracker that when opened bangs louder than little drummer boys drum, and gives you an actual diamond tiara over a paper crown!
5/5
It is without a doubt one of the best Christmas reads I've ever read. It is full to bursting with emotion, scandal, drama, twists and turns. It is fabulous!
Do you know what has shocked me more about this book? It isn't the fact that it has a great plot. It isn't the fact that it has amazing characters that you fall in love with and form deep connections too. It isn't the fact that it's really funny. And, it isn't the fact that it has been one of the only books in a very long time that has been able to make me feel heartache so raw that it hurts. It is the fact that I did not just get the usual Christmas chick lit I expected. I got a fantastic chick lit/new adult mix that was as hot as hell. It was brilliance! It is certainly a read I won't be forgetting in a while, and one I know for me as blown other Christmas books out the door.
It is a brilliant mix of love and hate, good and bad, love and lust. It is a Christmas cracker that when opened bangs louder than little drummer boys drum, and gives you an actual diamond tiara over a paper crown!
5/5
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