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A Miracle at Macy's
One lost dog. Two lonely hearts. A Manhattan Christmas full of magic.
Shy homebody Charlotte is planning her usual quiet Christmas celebration: Turkey for two for her and her beloved pet dog Hudson. Only, this year, little Hudson decides to take matters into his own paws and give his favourite human a holiday adventure she’ll never forget.
When Hudson runs away the week before Christmas, Charlotte is devastated. She’d rescued him from the trash years before and gave him a place in her home – and her heart. But with the help of uptight Englishman Henry, Charlotte ends up on a magical treasure hunt around Manhattan to find her furry, four-legged bestie.
Spotted in Central Park as one of Santa's Little Helpers, or last seen in the arms of a supermodel in Times Square, Hudson leads Charlotte and Henry on a very merry dance around the Big Apple, where love, (or should that be Christmas?!) actually is all around.
'Marley & Me' meets 'When Harry Met Sally'!
‘Easily one of my most enjoyed Christmas books of the season' – Rachel's Random Reads
Shy homebody Charlotte is planning her usual quiet Christmas celebration: Turkey for two for her and her beloved pet dog Hudson. Only, this year, little Hudson decides to take matters into his own paws and give his favourite human a holiday adventure she’ll never forget.
When Hudson runs away the week before Christmas, Charlotte is devastated. She’d rescued him from the trash years before and gave him a place in her home – and her heart. But with the help of uptight Englishman Henry, Charlotte ends up on a magical treasure hunt around Manhattan to find her furry, four-legged bestie.
Spotted in Central Park as one of Santa's Little Helpers, or last seen in the arms of a supermodel in Times Square, Hudson leads Charlotte and Henry on a very merry dance around the Big Apple, where love, (or should that be Christmas?!) actually is all around.
'Marley & Me' meets 'When Harry Met Sally'!
‘Easily one of my most enjoyed Christmas books of the season' – Rachel's Random Reads
376 pages, Paperback
First published October 8, 2015
41 people are currently reading
467 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
October 24, 2015
A Miracle at Macy's is the ultimate Christmas story, that will have you believing in the magic of the season. This book just proves that the kindness of strangers exists and that everyone in Manhattan at Christmas will get behind a good cause.
I did at times find myself thinking would this really happen to this extent, especially the social media campaigns to find poor lost Hudson going viral, just for one dog, and then decided that in keeping with the spirit of the season, and realised I would enjoy it even more just by suspending my disbelief and going with the flow.
A Miracle at Macy's is uplifting and had me smiling a lot. Charlotte and Henry both show a lot of character development as the story progresses, as Charlotte turns from shy food blogger to a gorgeous young woman who starts to have more confidence in herself and she learns how to trust again. And Henry goes from workaholic into someone who has a heart.
Thrown together, Charlotte and Henry have a brilliant time in Manhattan at Christmas time, after Hudson runs off, having been persuaded into having an Elfie! As people claim to have spotted Hudson, they travel all over the city, taking in all sorts of New York Christmas institutions, including a horse and carriage ride in Central Park, amongst others that I don't want to ruin the magic of.
A Miracle at Macy's has clearly been influenced by a number of films, as you get hints of Miracle on 34th Street, Marley and Me and I'd even say one scene in Elf, could have had an influence on events during the book. All these influences have been blended with Lynn Marie Hulsman's obvious enthusiasm for the season, and love of dogs, New York and Christmas to create a truly special book.
This is easily one of my most enjoyed Christmas books of the season so far, and its one I could easily imagine being a film, as the writing as so vivid. I am so impressed with the story and the highs and lows it generates, and I can't get over the really great feeling it has left me with.
Although I don't generally re-read books, I can see this being the sort of book I would re-read each year, and love more and more each time.
I did at times find myself thinking would this really happen to this extent, especially the social media campaigns to find poor lost Hudson going viral, just for one dog, and then decided that in keeping with the spirit of the season, and realised I would enjoy it even more just by suspending my disbelief and going with the flow.
A Miracle at Macy's is uplifting and had me smiling a lot. Charlotte and Henry both show a lot of character development as the story progresses, as Charlotte turns from shy food blogger to a gorgeous young woman who starts to have more confidence in herself and she learns how to trust again. And Henry goes from workaholic into someone who has a heart.
Thrown together, Charlotte and Henry have a brilliant time in Manhattan at Christmas time, after Hudson runs off, having been persuaded into having an Elfie! As people claim to have spotted Hudson, they travel all over the city, taking in all sorts of New York Christmas institutions, including a horse and carriage ride in Central Park, amongst others that I don't want to ruin the magic of.
A Miracle at Macy's has clearly been influenced by a number of films, as you get hints of Miracle on 34th Street, Marley and Me and I'd even say one scene in Elf, could have had an influence on events during the book. All these influences have been blended with Lynn Marie Hulsman's obvious enthusiasm for the season, and love of dogs, New York and Christmas to create a truly special book.
This is easily one of my most enjoyed Christmas books of the season so far, and its one I could easily imagine being a film, as the writing as so vivid. I am so impressed with the story and the highs and lows it generates, and I can't get over the really great feeling it has left me with.
Although I don't generally re-read books, I can see this being the sort of book I would re-read each year, and love more and more each time.
November 1, 2015
Romantic and charming, a lovely Christmas read.
A few things struck me as I read this book. Hulsman loves dogs, is a foodie and knows New York, as only a true New Yorker can. The story is charming and one that will make you smile from the first page, right through to the last. There's a couple of love stories going on in this book. That of Charlotte and Henry - I love the build up of chemistry between these two. Both feisty, spiky but with an underlying vulnerability, that is subtle, yet evident and made me root for them both from the very first interaction. Do they find love and learn more about themselves along the way? Well, you'll have to read to find out! The second love story is that between Charlotte and Hudson, her dog. I adored their scenes together. He's a clever dog, think Lassie for those of you old enough to remember! And the third love story is that between the author and New York. This is a woman who knows her city and I found myself yearning to revisit the Big Apple, but this time, use this book as my guide. Full of hidden gems, that only a New Yorker would know! The pace is spot on, the descriptions of food, (as with all of Hulsman's books) will make you hungry and the romance sweet and uplifting. Highly recommend.
A few things struck me as I read this book. Hulsman loves dogs, is a foodie and knows New York, as only a true New Yorker can. The story is charming and one that will make you smile from the first page, right through to the last. There's a couple of love stories going on in this book. That of Charlotte and Henry - I love the build up of chemistry between these two. Both feisty, spiky but with an underlying vulnerability, that is subtle, yet evident and made me root for them both from the very first interaction. Do they find love and learn more about themselves along the way? Well, you'll have to read to find out! The second love story is that between Charlotte and Hudson, her dog. I adored their scenes together. He's a clever dog, think Lassie for those of you old enough to remember! And the third love story is that between the author and New York. This is a woman who knows her city and I found myself yearning to revisit the Big Apple, but this time, use this book as my guide. Full of hidden gems, that only a New Yorker would know! The pace is spot on, the descriptions of food, (as with all of Hulsman's books) will make you hungry and the romance sweet and uplifting. Highly recommend.
December 7, 2015
Originally posted on This Chick Reads
WIN a paperback of A MIRACLE AT MACY'S on This Chick Reads. Open INTERNATIONALLY, closes 16th December
* Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review *
The cover of 'A Miracle at Macy's' has to be on of the most gorgeous chick lit covers I've ever seen. Not only because of the cute dog, but because of all those gorgeous colours and the curvy, rich font. And it's even more gorgeous in flesh, so if I saw it in a bookshop I'd definitely be attracted to it and it would most probably end up in my shopping basket. All praise goes to Harper Impulse team and the designer of the cover art.
'A Miracle at Macy's' is one adorable story in a wonderful package! It's the book perfect for this time of year. If this book doesn't get you in the Christmas mood, I don't know what will. The story is centered around Charlotte who's planning a quiet Christmas with her much loved and adored dog, Hudson. The only family she's got is her aunt Miranda who's raised her after she's lost her parents. Actually, Miranda's such a busy businesswoman, the boarding school raised Charlotte, but still she's the only one she has of relatives.
But what Charlotte planned to be a quiet Christmas, turned to be everything except quiet. While strolling the beautiful New York during the whole Christmas frenzy, she loses Hudson and is desperate to get it back. Hudson is such a brill character (despite being a dog, he's got such a strong personality), and has helped Charlotte through some very rough times. He's her best friend, soul mate and family. She can't imagine her life without him! Miranda's the only person she can turn to, however due to her busy agenda and many Christmas events she's working on, Miranda sends her employee, Henry to help Charlotte find Hudson.
What starts as a mission to find Hudson suddenly turns into something deeper for both Charlotte and Henry. Charlotte always though that Hudson was trying to make her get out there, get outside of her shell and get those walls she has built around herself finally down. His disappearance is finally making her realize that, and also is the start of her transformation.
I had so much fun reading this book, it's cute and fast paced and for a chick lit, it had so many twists and turns. There were some very adorable and funny characters and I absolutely adored the setting. I've never been to New York, but Lynn Marie's been the perfect tourist guide leading me through busy New York at Christmas.
I wasn't that impressed with Charlotte at the beginning, but she go through such a change during the search of Hudson, that she did grow on me. There were some hilarious scenes and others that were slightly over the top, but they were good fun and made this book really enjoyable.
If you're a fan of Christmas books and dogs, this is a must for you. It's fun, light hearted and has a strong feel good factor. It basically has everything a good festive novel should have. As Christmas is fast approaching, I strongly advise you to add it to your TBR pile. It will instantly put you into the cheery, festive mood.
May 7, 2016
Good concept - Charlotte and her aunt's cute British assistant traipse NYC looking for her dog. As they trek through Manhattan the author gives lots of descriptions of places like Bryant Park, Central Park, Times Square, Macy's and more. Unique ending and a great book for the season.
November 4, 2015
Magical! A heart warming story that's captivating, touching and uplifting in turn. I love dogs - which is what drew me to the book in the first place - and I loved this charming story. The characters are instantly likeable, the dog endearing and it is written in such a wonderful way it was as though the author was in the room with me - I could almost hear her voice.
The search for Hudson the dog takes you on a wonderful magical, mystery tour of New York and the author has done a fabulous job of capturing the city. I felt like I was there, with evocative descriptions of the sights and sounds which makes the story so much more than just a simple romcom. I've never visited New York - but I feel like I have now, and at the best time of year!
I'm now off to download another Christmas book by Lynn Marie Hulsman - Christmas at Thornton Hall.
The search for Hudson the dog takes you on a wonderful magical, mystery tour of New York and the author has done a fabulous job of capturing the city. I felt like I was there, with evocative descriptions of the sights and sounds which makes the story so much more than just a simple romcom. I've never visited New York - but I feel like I have now, and at the best time of year!
I'm now off to download another Christmas book by Lynn Marie Hulsman - Christmas at Thornton Hall.
December 30, 2017
This was a fun romp through New York City and I enjoyed it quite a bit. It certainly wasn't great literature and sometimes I found it a little unbelievable but all in all it was a very satisfying holiday read.
January 6, 2018
This was magical. A perfect heart warming story to end the holiday season.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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November 23, 2015sitename] http://www.karmaforlifechick.com http://www.karmaforlifechick.com/revi... loses her dog, Hudson, during a walk one day in Manhattan at Christmastime and she is devastated! No one fully understands the relationship Charlotte has with Hudson, and since Charlotte keeps to herself for the most part, she has no friends that she can really count on, except the aunt who raised her, who is much too busy to help Charlotte look for Hudson, but instead sends her "right hand man", Henry. Together, Charlotte and Henry embark on an adventure to find Hudson, that makes them see Manhattan at Christmas like never before. This story was funny, heartwarming, festive and introspective and all about relationships, past and present with characters that were both complex and familiar.
About Lynn Marie Hulsman
Lynn Marie Hulsman is the bestselling author of three romantic comedies, who also writes cookbooks. She enjoys Nora Ephron movies, pop psychology, terriers, and napping. She is not a fan of people walking three abreast on New York City sidewalks or spiders of any ilk. She does not believe in white chocolate.
Once a stand-up comic, and now a PTA mom and corporate ideation agent, she spends a lot of energy keeping her wise-cracks to herself.
Find out more about Lynn Marie by following her on Twitter and Facebook, and by visiting her website. She's on Pinterest, but accepts defeat in the face of true crafty types.
Don't be shy about reaching out to say hi -- as a Black Belt Procrastinator, she welcomes the distraction.
Connect with Lynn Marie Hulsman
Twitter: @LynnMarieSays
FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/Lynn-Marie-H...
Website: www.lynnmariehulsman.com
This review was originally posted on Karma for Life!
About Lynn Marie Hulsman
Lynn Marie Hulsman is the bestselling author of three romantic comedies, who also writes cookbooks. She enjoys Nora Ephron movies, pop psychology, terriers, and napping. She is not a fan of people walking three abreast on New York City sidewalks or spiders of any ilk. She does not believe in white chocolate.
Once a stand-up comic, and now a PTA mom and corporate ideation agent, she spends a lot of energy keeping her wise-cracks to herself.
Find out more about Lynn Marie by following her on Twitter and Facebook, and by visiting her website. She's on Pinterest, but accepts defeat in the face of true crafty types.
Don't be shy about reaching out to say hi -- as a Black Belt Procrastinator, she welcomes the distraction.
Connect with Lynn Marie Hulsman
Twitter: @LynnMarieSays
FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/Lynn-Marie-H...
Website: www.lynnmariehulsman.com
This review was originally posted on Karma for Life!
November 13, 2015
My belief in the true Christmas spirit has been renewed with this lovely holiday read.
The story begins when Charlotte is deciding how to spend another quiet Christmas with her beloved Hudson, a cute little pup that rescued her. He truly came into her life at the right time when they both truly needed each other. He a lonely puppy with no place to call home and she a lonely young woman with few friends and no real family to rely on.
(I fell in love with Huddie from the beginning, he has me wondering where I can find a little guy just like him for me and my crazy kids!)
Hudson loves to get out on the town whenever he can "convince" Charlotte to take him. Charlotte would rather stay in and test recipes and cook some of her own. Huddie has a mischievous plan up his cute little sweater sleeve. A wild and crazy trip around New York from the Empire State Building to Macy's at Harold Square!
On a side note: I absolutely love the descriptions of New York City, I have been many times but nit at Christmas, after reading this book, it's a MUST DO on my bucket list. NYC at Christmas!
Then it happens...Hudson runs away while taking Selfies with Elves! Charlotte has never let him go in their life together and this one time turns into her worst nightmare! Hudson is gone...She's panicking...What is she going to do?
Her Aunt, who has been her guardian for many years, sends over her best assistant, Henry, to save the day. (Or what she thinks will take a day, no so much). Charlotte has met Henry before and did not take a liking to him whatsoever! Now she must spend day and night with him? At least he's not bad on eyes!
They have crazy adventures along the way, set up social media accounts for the search, and befriend the NYPD and so much more!
You will be sitting on the edge of your comfy chair what they will get into next!
Grab a bottle of wine and sit back and enjoy the ride that is NYC at Christmas!
The story begins when Charlotte is deciding how to spend another quiet Christmas with her beloved Hudson, a cute little pup that rescued her. He truly came into her life at the right time when they both truly needed each other. He a lonely puppy with no place to call home and she a lonely young woman with few friends and no real family to rely on.
(I fell in love with Huddie from the beginning, he has me wondering where I can find a little guy just like him for me and my crazy kids!)
Hudson loves to get out on the town whenever he can "convince" Charlotte to take him. Charlotte would rather stay in and test recipes and cook some of her own. Huddie has a mischievous plan up his cute little sweater sleeve. A wild and crazy trip around New York from the Empire State Building to Macy's at Harold Square!
On a side note: I absolutely love the descriptions of New York City, I have been many times but nit at Christmas, after reading this book, it's a MUST DO on my bucket list. NYC at Christmas!
Then it happens...Hudson runs away while taking Selfies with Elves! Charlotte has never let him go in their life together and this one time turns into her worst nightmare! Hudson is gone...She's panicking...What is she going to do?
Her Aunt, who has been her guardian for many years, sends over her best assistant, Henry, to save the day. (Or what she thinks will take a day, no so much). Charlotte has met Henry before and did not take a liking to him whatsoever! Now she must spend day and night with him? At least he's not bad on eyes!
They have crazy adventures along the way, set up social media accounts for the search, and befriend the NYPD and so much more!
You will be sitting on the edge of your comfy chair what they will get into next!
Grab a bottle of wine and sit back and enjoy the ride that is NYC at Christmas!
December 15, 2015
Charlotte is a person who isn't really outgoing. She is a bit shy and prefers her own company. When she desperately needed a friend she found Hudson. This little dog became her family. After losing her mother, Charlotte was raised by her aunt Miranda. Miranda is everything that Charlotte is not. Miranda 'rules' the world while Charlotte keeps to herself.
When Hudson gets lost Charlotte is in sheer panic. Miranda knows of only one person who can help her niece get her dog back. This person is Henry. He is Miranda's right hand and is very resourceful. Henry comes from a simple background. He grew up on a farm, but took the first opportunity he got to be educated well. Ever since his girlfriend thought he wasn't good enough for her he is determined to prove otherwise. He has worked very hard to get where he is today and he isn't very happy to be searching for a lost dog.
When he and Charlotte meet there are sparks, real firework even. They are so right for each other. Hudson couldn't have done a better job than to get them together. While they are chasing after Hudson all over Manhattan their hearts bond. Charlotte learns to come out of her shell and Henry learns the true meaning of Christmas and family again. I absolutely loved this magic story. Picturing Hudson having the time of his life really made me smile.
Lynn Marie Hulsman really did an amazing job on creating magic and making you feel like you are right there with Charlotte and Henry searching for Hudson. For everyone who loves Christmas this really is the book to read. It is a funny, feel-good, heartwarming story. It proves to you that there really are more good people out there than you would have ever imagined.
When Hudson gets lost Charlotte is in sheer panic. Miranda knows of only one person who can help her niece get her dog back. This person is Henry. He is Miranda's right hand and is very resourceful. Henry comes from a simple background. He grew up on a farm, but took the first opportunity he got to be educated well. Ever since his girlfriend thought he wasn't good enough for her he is determined to prove otherwise. He has worked very hard to get where he is today and he isn't very happy to be searching for a lost dog.
When he and Charlotte meet there are sparks, real firework even. They are so right for each other. Hudson couldn't have done a better job than to get them together. While they are chasing after Hudson all over Manhattan their hearts bond. Charlotte learns to come out of her shell and Henry learns the true meaning of Christmas and family again. I absolutely loved this magic story. Picturing Hudson having the time of his life really made me smile.
Lynn Marie Hulsman really did an amazing job on creating magic and making you feel like you are right there with Charlotte and Henry searching for Hudson. For everyone who loves Christmas this really is the book to read. It is a funny, feel-good, heartwarming story. It proves to you that there really are more good people out there than you would have ever imagined.
October 29, 2015
I received a copy of this via NetGalley in return for a fair and honest review.
If you are a fan of Christmas, New York, love stories and cute dogs then this is the book for you!
Charlotte hasn't had an easy life so is perfectly happy with her life as a food blogger and food writer with the company of her very cute pooch, Hudson in her New York apartment. She does all she can to avoid most human contact, even struggling to speak to other dog owners at the dog park when she gets the time to take Hudson out as he's far more outgoing than she is!
Her Aunt Miranda is a high flying business worman and doesn't understand Charlotte's shyness although she is the first one to help when Charlottes' beloved pooch Hudson goes missing when out one day. Miranda puts forward her best employee, Henry to assist the search and he comes up with novel ways of spreading the word to help reunite them.
Such a sweet story of how initial impressions can be so wrong when you break beneath the surface, how desperate a pet owner can be when her 'furry family' goes missing and how a social media campaign can snowball out of control in a missing pet search. Some fun and amazing adventures for all the characters involved and even some lovely extra christmas recipes at the end for the reader to enjoy!
Highly recommended for a real feelgood christmas read
If you are a fan of Christmas, New York, love stories and cute dogs then this is the book for you!
Charlotte hasn't had an easy life so is perfectly happy with her life as a food blogger and food writer with the company of her very cute pooch, Hudson in her New York apartment. She does all she can to avoid most human contact, even struggling to speak to other dog owners at the dog park when she gets the time to take Hudson out as he's far more outgoing than she is!
Her Aunt Miranda is a high flying business worman and doesn't understand Charlotte's shyness although she is the first one to help when Charlottes' beloved pooch Hudson goes missing when out one day. Miranda puts forward her best employee, Henry to assist the search and he comes up with novel ways of spreading the word to help reunite them.
Such a sweet story of how initial impressions can be so wrong when you break beneath the surface, how desperate a pet owner can be when her 'furry family' goes missing and how a social media campaign can snowball out of control in a missing pet search. Some fun and amazing adventures for all the characters involved and even some lovely extra christmas recipes at the end for the reader to enjoy!
Highly recommended for a real feelgood christmas read
November 7, 2015
Oh, this was so perfect. I'm already planning a re-read before December 25th!
A gorgeous festive tale packed full of New York porn (want to go so badly!), mouth-watering (literally) food and drink, adorable dogs, and "real-life" Christmas magic.
Lynn Marie's Christmas at Thornton Hall was THE Christmas read of 2013 for me, and I worried she wouldn't be able to top it. I was wrong - this is an absolute gem of a book, uplifting, magic and unashamedly romantic.
Pick up a copy NOW (it's only 99p at the time of reviewing) and start feeling festive. I GUARANTEE enjoyment!! Loved it.
A gorgeous festive tale packed full of New York porn (want to go so badly!), mouth-watering (literally) food and drink, adorable dogs, and "real-life" Christmas magic.
Lynn Marie's Christmas at Thornton Hall was THE Christmas read of 2013 for me, and I worried she wouldn't be able to top it. I was wrong - this is an absolute gem of a book, uplifting, magic and unashamedly romantic.
Pick up a copy NOW (it's only 99p at the time of reviewing) and start feeling festive. I GUARANTEE enjoyment!! Loved it.
December 23, 2015
Wow!! What a wonderful book! It's got everything - a cute dog, New York at Christmas, a handsome, withdrawn englishman and an introverted heroine.
I adored the description of Manhattan and I have to say that the city was really one of the major characters. I visited NYC in early December 2013 so it was all very familiar and I really felt as if I was there again!
Hudson was an amazing little dog and I loved the way Lynn Marie featured him in all the tourist places.
Watching Charlotte move out of her comfort zone in an attempt to find her lost dog and the way her relationship developed with Henry was lovely to see. Her aunt drove me mad, but I think she was supposed to!
There is only one word that sums up this fabulous book: Believe!!!
I adored the description of Manhattan and I have to say that the city was really one of the major characters. I visited NYC in early December 2013 so it was all very familiar and I really felt as if I was there again!
Hudson was an amazing little dog and I loved the way Lynn Marie featured him in all the tourist places.
Watching Charlotte move out of her comfort zone in an attempt to find her lost dog and the way her relationship developed with Henry was lovely to see. Her aunt drove me mad, but I think she was supposed to!
There is only one word that sums up this fabulous book: Believe!!!
January 2, 2017
I loved A Miracle at Macy's by Lynn Marie Hulsman. The main character is Charlotte and is set in New York at Christmas time, it involves a lost dog, a search to find him and an Englishman called Henry. I loved this book, not only for the story, and characters but for the setting of New York at Christmas.
December 11, 2015
I had never read anything by Lynn Marie Hulsman previous to this. But the cover, title and tag line for A Miracle at Macy's immediately had me sold. 'One lost dog. Two lonely hearts. A Manhattan Christmas full of magic'. Dogs, New York, snow and magic. What's not to like, this book sounded right up my street. Then when I saw it mentioned this story was like 'Marley and Me' meets 'When Harry Met Sally' my anticipation grew even more. Then you find yourself nodding along in agreement at the very first paragraph because to me it couldn't be more true and I agree with the statement wholeheartedly you just know that the book is going to be special and oh so memorable. And it truly was in fact for me I would go as far as to say it was the best chick-lit book I have read this year and that's saying something considering how many I have read in that genre this year. 'They say dogs are man's best friend and that a woman's not a woman until she's a wife. Wrong! I'm here to tell you that the most natural match in the world is a girl and her dog end of'. Here I couldn't agree more Lynn Marie had me sold hook, line and sinker from this point on, in fact I read as slowly as possible to savour every moment of this quite simply brilliant, engaging story.
Charlotte is 26 and one of the most organised people you could meet. She loves a good solid plan and her daily routine is set in stone and rarely varies. Charlotte is a food tester and blogger and loves nothing better than creating wonderful recipes in her kitchen and sharing her discoveries online. Clearly there is a history with Charlotte, both with her family and romantic life. Raised by her Aunt Miranda she now finds herself more of a loner preferring to stay at home with brief ventures into the world with her dog Hudson – a rescue dog she found and saved from certain death. Charlotte relies heavily on online friendships and her dog. Personally I don't see anything wrong with that as my online friendships have brought such happiness to my life. The problem here is Charlotte has forgotten about reality and is no longer striking the correct balance between the two.
Lynn Marie has written so well of the relationship between a woman and her dog. How a dog can always be there for you in good times and bad and will never shout at you or answer back instead only offering unconditional love. Dogs are certainly a girl's best friend and this is superbly highlighted throughout the book. Hudson stole the show in every scene he is featured in and he was almost human like in his behaviours and antics. When he goes missing after an incident with elves, chaos ensues and Charlotte's heart and life are ripped apart. She cannot go on without Hudson, he has become her best friend, her buddy and constant companion. Life will never be the same if she cannot find him. Surely she can discover where he is before Christmas Day arrives?
There is a lot more to this story than the search for Hudson as the human element and exploring of relationships begins to come into play. Yes tearing around the city to all the sights searching and launching social media campaigns were all brilliantly written and thoroughly enjoyable. The characters they encounter brought such depth to the story as well as emotion and humour. But with the introduction of Englishman Henry Wentworth life takes an unexpected turn. He is sent by Miranda to help Charlotte and although they have ill feeling towards each other after their initial encounter spending so much time in close proximity to each other the city begins to work it's magic.
Like Charlotte I didn’t like Henry straight away. He was a slow burner for me but as we start to uncover his back story I felt for him and could see why he was the way he appeared and acted. As we journey through New York with Charlotte and Henry it's almost as if the couple grow closer with each stop off in their search. Hudson almost seems to be doing Charlotte a favour. She is exposed to the wonders of the city that she has forgotten about and locked away for reasons that slowly become clear to the reader. I adored the build up of the relationship between the pair and how two lonely hearts can connect through the actions of one clever dog.
Whereas Miranda came across as so work driven and orientated. She had no time for Charlotte instead forever name dropping celebs or important political figures and organising functions and parties. To her Hudson was just a disposable canine that could be easily replaced but to Charlotte he was her everything. Miranda's answer to any problem or conundrum was to just throw money at it and hope the situation would resolve itself. Really she reminded me of Miranda Priestley in The Devil Wears Prada - sharp, self centred and out to achieve the most she can in life through any means possible. Hopefully by the end of the book she may have had a change of heart and not be so work orientated and focus on more on Charlotte who in her own way was crying out for attention.
I can't fail to mention the descriptive powers of the author, you would think an author would run out of ways to describe a city at Christmas but here Lynn Marie Hulsman doesn’t. In fact she excels and brings all aspects of the setting to life in such rich, vivid and detailed descriptions. The sights, sounds, smells, textures were just fantastically described. The food descriptions alone were absolutely mouthwatering. We really were taken on a whistle stop tour of New York.
Truthfully, I thought this would be the usual clichéd chick-lit read, a nice enough book that you would fly through yet not really remember a week or two later. Instead I was hooked and invested right from the very opening line and I found myself almost feeling as if I was Charlotte living in New York set in her ways, happy as a food writer and tester with her best mate Hudson for company. I think I could see traits of myself in her and could make comparisons with her which made me love this story all the more.
The writing was brilliant, sharp, observant and more than on point throughout. I wasn't sat on the couch in the dark windswept Ireland on a winter's night instead I was transported to a place I had never visited before - to the beauty and magic of New York in the lead up to the most wonderful time of year - Christmas. The whole scene just radiated from the pages and the laughter and humour mixed with such sensitivity was beautifully handled throughout until the very last romantic scene.
This book reminded me why I love reading so much. The pleasures of discovering a new author, becoming lost in a story and the sheer joy of not expecting much from a story and then in fact it turns out to be one of your most enjoyable reads of the year. A Miracle at Macy's is fresh, original, glittering story that sees a romantic relationship unfold with a united cause of searching for a dog that holds a special place in our main character's heart. Maybe losing Hudson will turn out to be the best thing that ever happened to Charlotte. It's not often I give a book five stars particularly a chick-lit story but this book was exceptional with no faults whatsoever and deserves every one of those five stars.
Charlotte is 26 and one of the most organised people you could meet. She loves a good solid plan and her daily routine is set in stone and rarely varies. Charlotte is a food tester and blogger and loves nothing better than creating wonderful recipes in her kitchen and sharing her discoveries online. Clearly there is a history with Charlotte, both with her family and romantic life. Raised by her Aunt Miranda she now finds herself more of a loner preferring to stay at home with brief ventures into the world with her dog Hudson – a rescue dog she found and saved from certain death. Charlotte relies heavily on online friendships and her dog. Personally I don't see anything wrong with that as my online friendships have brought such happiness to my life. The problem here is Charlotte has forgotten about reality and is no longer striking the correct balance between the two.
Lynn Marie has written so well of the relationship between a woman and her dog. How a dog can always be there for you in good times and bad and will never shout at you or answer back instead only offering unconditional love. Dogs are certainly a girl's best friend and this is superbly highlighted throughout the book. Hudson stole the show in every scene he is featured in and he was almost human like in his behaviours and antics. When he goes missing after an incident with elves, chaos ensues and Charlotte's heart and life are ripped apart. She cannot go on without Hudson, he has become her best friend, her buddy and constant companion. Life will never be the same if she cannot find him. Surely she can discover where he is before Christmas Day arrives?
There is a lot more to this story than the search for Hudson as the human element and exploring of relationships begins to come into play. Yes tearing around the city to all the sights searching and launching social media campaigns were all brilliantly written and thoroughly enjoyable. The characters they encounter brought such depth to the story as well as emotion and humour. But with the introduction of Englishman Henry Wentworth life takes an unexpected turn. He is sent by Miranda to help Charlotte and although they have ill feeling towards each other after their initial encounter spending so much time in close proximity to each other the city begins to work it's magic.
Like Charlotte I didn’t like Henry straight away. He was a slow burner for me but as we start to uncover his back story I felt for him and could see why he was the way he appeared and acted. As we journey through New York with Charlotte and Henry it's almost as if the couple grow closer with each stop off in their search. Hudson almost seems to be doing Charlotte a favour. She is exposed to the wonders of the city that she has forgotten about and locked away for reasons that slowly become clear to the reader. I adored the build up of the relationship between the pair and how two lonely hearts can connect through the actions of one clever dog.
Whereas Miranda came across as so work driven and orientated. She had no time for Charlotte instead forever name dropping celebs or important political figures and organising functions and parties. To her Hudson was just a disposable canine that could be easily replaced but to Charlotte he was her everything. Miranda's answer to any problem or conundrum was to just throw money at it and hope the situation would resolve itself. Really she reminded me of Miranda Priestley in The Devil Wears Prada - sharp, self centred and out to achieve the most she can in life through any means possible. Hopefully by the end of the book she may have had a change of heart and not be so work orientated and focus on more on Charlotte who in her own way was crying out for attention.
I can't fail to mention the descriptive powers of the author, you would think an author would run out of ways to describe a city at Christmas but here Lynn Marie Hulsman doesn’t. In fact she excels and brings all aspects of the setting to life in such rich, vivid and detailed descriptions. The sights, sounds, smells, textures were just fantastically described. The food descriptions alone were absolutely mouthwatering. We really were taken on a whistle stop tour of New York.
Truthfully, I thought this would be the usual clichéd chick-lit read, a nice enough book that you would fly through yet not really remember a week or two later. Instead I was hooked and invested right from the very opening line and I found myself almost feeling as if I was Charlotte living in New York set in her ways, happy as a food writer and tester with her best mate Hudson for company. I think I could see traits of myself in her and could make comparisons with her which made me love this story all the more.
The writing was brilliant, sharp, observant and more than on point throughout. I wasn't sat on the couch in the dark windswept Ireland on a winter's night instead I was transported to a place I had never visited before - to the beauty and magic of New York in the lead up to the most wonderful time of year - Christmas. The whole scene just radiated from the pages and the laughter and humour mixed with such sensitivity was beautifully handled throughout until the very last romantic scene.
This book reminded me why I love reading so much. The pleasures of discovering a new author, becoming lost in a story and the sheer joy of not expecting much from a story and then in fact it turns out to be one of your most enjoyable reads of the year. A Miracle at Macy's is fresh, original, glittering story that sees a romantic relationship unfold with a united cause of searching for a dog that holds a special place in our main character's heart. Maybe losing Hudson will turn out to be the best thing that ever happened to Charlotte. It's not often I give a book five stars particularly a chick-lit story but this book was exceptional with no faults whatsoever and deserves every one of those five stars.
October 31, 2015
A Christmas book in October? YES!!! It's making me actually look forward to the snow and the time the radio stations start to change over to 24/7 jingle-alongs! I loved this book and I'm going to tell you why, because frankly it's the best way to get more of them. Maybe the author has time to write another one before December, heheheh. (Maybe a novella? I'll settle for a short story? Pleeez?) Also, please note: unlike some holiday Kindle "books" I've purchased, only to find out they are very, very short and as rushed as a holiday shopping trip, this one is a full-length, complete, satisfying novel.
So first things first. The story begins with Charlotte, a food writer and chef so shy of relationships that she spends all her time with her dog and her blog, in that order. It's Christmas, it's the time of miracles, and you know from the other books Lynn Marie Hulsman has written that we can "Believe" she will deliver a miracle for Charlotte! And our heroine's lovable and mysteriously intelligent dog, named Hudson, is going to help!
Oh wait, I want to interject here: You can tell from the beginning that this story is written by someone who really knows and loves dogs. I'm sorry, I can't stand it when you read books that are so obviously just trying to tug on your heartstrings with a "dog angle" (or "cat angle" for that matter) because they know most of us can't resist. But no one can write lines like this unless she's legitimately loved a real live dog: "I lean over and give Hudson a little scratch on the belly. He twitches, and bicycles his stubby legs." I can just see this little dog and his goofy legs pumping the air! And the part where the author describes how Charlotte gets stared down by Hudson as he holds his leash in his mouth, waiting for her to submit to his will and take him out for a walk until she finally gives in...I laughed out loud!
So, back to the story. Little Hudson seems to have been touched either by Christmas mischief or Christmas magic, (or both) because he scampers off and leads Charlotte on a merry dance through a starry, snowy, glowy, exciting New York City. Honestly, the author's detailed, full-five-senses descriptions of all these amazing attractions in New York are so vivid, I feel like I've visited places like the Rainbow Room and Fairway Market. and a restaurant called "Per Se"...where I have never been before. I've been there by way of this book, and I want to plan a trip around it to make the memories real! Same goes for the descriptions of the most to-die-for holiday treats...you can really tell this author is a bona fide chef herself, and in fact there are recipes included with the book!
So where was I? Back to the story again. Our heroine Charlotte meets our dishy English hero, the stern and sometimes high-handed Henry. He sets out to help her locate her dog. And the wild chase begins...along the way, Charlotte and Henry will find out a lot about themselves and each other...and will they find little Hudson, as well? Will they learn to open up to life? Ho, ho, ho, Santa is NOT going to tell you because...no spoilers!
Have fun finding our for yourselves... and happy pre-holidays, all!
So first things first. The story begins with Charlotte, a food writer and chef so shy of relationships that she spends all her time with her dog and her blog, in that order. It's Christmas, it's the time of miracles, and you know from the other books Lynn Marie Hulsman has written that we can "Believe" she will deliver a miracle for Charlotte! And our heroine's lovable and mysteriously intelligent dog, named Hudson, is going to help!
Oh wait, I want to interject here: You can tell from the beginning that this story is written by someone who really knows and loves dogs. I'm sorry, I can't stand it when you read books that are so obviously just trying to tug on your heartstrings with a "dog angle" (or "cat angle" for that matter) because they know most of us can't resist. But no one can write lines like this unless she's legitimately loved a real live dog: "I lean over and give Hudson a little scratch on the belly. He twitches, and bicycles his stubby legs." I can just see this little dog and his goofy legs pumping the air! And the part where the author describes how Charlotte gets stared down by Hudson as he holds his leash in his mouth, waiting for her to submit to his will and take him out for a walk until she finally gives in...I laughed out loud!
So, back to the story. Little Hudson seems to have been touched either by Christmas mischief or Christmas magic, (or both) because he scampers off and leads Charlotte on a merry dance through a starry, snowy, glowy, exciting New York City. Honestly, the author's detailed, full-five-senses descriptions of all these amazing attractions in New York are so vivid, I feel like I've visited places like the Rainbow Room and Fairway Market. and a restaurant called "Per Se"...where I have never been before. I've been there by way of this book, and I want to plan a trip around it to make the memories real! Same goes for the descriptions of the most to-die-for holiday treats...you can really tell this author is a bona fide chef herself, and in fact there are recipes included with the book!
So where was I? Back to the story again. Our heroine Charlotte meets our dishy English hero, the stern and sometimes high-handed Henry. He sets out to help her locate her dog. And the wild chase begins...along the way, Charlotte and Henry will find out a lot about themselves and each other...and will they find little Hudson, as well? Will they learn to open up to life? Ho, ho, ho, Santa is NOT going to tell you because...no spoilers!
Have fun finding our for yourselves... and happy pre-holidays, all!
November 16, 2015
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Full of Christmas magic and spirit, this story of Charlotte, Hudson and Henry is heart warming and a must read for all lovers of Christmas. Vivid characters pepper every scene and they give it vibrancy and realism. The perfect foil for the liberal sprinkling of Christmas magic that interweaves every chapter.
Despite only making sporadic appearances after the initial chapters, Hudson shines as bright as the Christmas star and is a joy, with traits instantly recognisable to anyone who shares their lives with dogs.
Charlotte is almost reclusive but spends her life doing what she loves, blogging and trying out new recipes. As a writer I empathised with her life style.
Henry portrayed as, slightly snobby and unreachable hides a tender heart. Although I found his character slightly stereotypical for an Englishman, in the spirit of this story, he worked just fine.
The plot is full of twists and turns and quite exhausting. The reader experiences a whistle stop tour of festive New York, as Charlotte and Henry track down the elusive Hudson.
The budding romance between Charlotte and Henry is gentle and sweet and compliments the story’s sentiments perfectly.
The setting leaves a lasting impression and is an important vivacious character in its own right. Even though I have never visited New York, reading this story was a sensory delight.
I received a copy of this book from Harper Impulse via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Lynn Marie Hulsman
December 26, 2015
Although I’m an animal lover, I am not normally that enthralled with books featuring animals as one of the main characters but my mind was definitely changed when it came to this book. A miracle at Macy’s was such a brilliant wild goose chase or should that be wild dog chase that I completely fell for it’s dog star Hudson.
As someone who’s never been to New York I absolutely adored seeing it through the characters eyes in this novel. It was so fun reading about all the festive treats in the city from horse drawn carriages in Central Park to the sparkle of Macy’s at Christmas, it was so much fun to read. I now want to see the department store windows at Christmas as Lynn Marie made them sound truly amazing.
Hudson was written so well in the story that I can actually imagine not only how he looks, but his funny little doggy quirks and it makes me want to reach into the book, pick him up and ruffle his ears. The relationship between Hudson and Charlotte is brilliant, I can only assume that the author is a dog owner as she writes so well on the subject. I’ve sadly never had the chance to own a dog but I always imagine it to be just like Charlotte and Hudson, I know that I too would be talking to my dog and treating it just like a little person no matter how mad people thought I was.
The way Charlotte and Henry bounce off each other in this book is probably it’s best quality, I just found them hilarious. The fact that at one point in the story Charlotte refers to Henry as an Asshat just seemed like classic Charlotte and really did make me laugh out loud, thankfully I was at home so no crazy looks from strangers occurred (but you might want to watch out if reading in public).
I also adored all the people Charlotte meets on her search for Hudson, so many people genuinely wanted to help and they all had a little extra sparkle to add to the story.
A big hearted Christmas tale of a little dog who’s New York adventure brought people together in a true show of Christmas Spirit.
As someone who’s never been to New York I absolutely adored seeing it through the characters eyes in this novel. It was so fun reading about all the festive treats in the city from horse drawn carriages in Central Park to the sparkle of Macy’s at Christmas, it was so much fun to read. I now want to see the department store windows at Christmas as Lynn Marie made them sound truly amazing.
Hudson was written so well in the story that I can actually imagine not only how he looks, but his funny little doggy quirks and it makes me want to reach into the book, pick him up and ruffle his ears. The relationship between Hudson and Charlotte is brilliant, I can only assume that the author is a dog owner as she writes so well on the subject. I’ve sadly never had the chance to own a dog but I always imagine it to be just like Charlotte and Hudson, I know that I too would be talking to my dog and treating it just like a little person no matter how mad people thought I was.
The way Charlotte and Henry bounce off each other in this book is probably it’s best quality, I just found them hilarious. The fact that at one point in the story Charlotte refers to Henry as an Asshat just seemed like classic Charlotte and really did make me laugh out loud, thankfully I was at home so no crazy looks from strangers occurred (but you might want to watch out if reading in public).
I also adored all the people Charlotte meets on her search for Hudson, so many people genuinely wanted to help and they all had a little extra sparkle to add to the story.
A big hearted Christmas tale of a little dog who’s New York adventure brought people together in a true show of Christmas Spirit.
November 19, 2015
Charlotte doesn't like leaving her home and she prefers being on her own, together with her dog Hudson. She has a food blog and tests recipes. She mainly works from home and she doesn't go out much. Christmas is going to be a quiet affair. Hudson doesn't agree with that though. When he's at a photo shoot by chance and someone has taken off his collar he runs away. Charlotte is heartbroken as Hudson is her best friend.
Charlotte's aunt Miranda is a famous event planner and she can spare one of her staff to help Charlotte look for Hudson. Together with Henry she starts a search. She finds a lot more than she's counted on, but Hudson keeps being one step ahead of them. Will she and her dog be reunited before Christmas?
A Miracle at Macy's is a fantastic book. I couldn't put it down and had so much fun reading it. Hudson is such a cute dog and I loved reading about his adventures. The story is fast-paced and it's a spectacle. I had such a big smile on my face when I was reading this book. Lynn Marie Hulsman has written a brilliant Christmas story. I loved everything about it, both the romance and the fact that some of the fabulously chaotic scenes made me laugh out loud several times. I liked the story so much that I didn't want it to end.
Charlotte's transformation is another really good part about this book. It was wonderful to see her grow. She's capable of so many great things and I enjoyed seeing her realize it more and more. This book definitely has the right Christmas spirit. New York's Christmas atmosphere is perfect for a book like this. I loved reading about all the festive locations. The food talk is delicious, I could picture the meals really well. I wanted to try all the fantastic dishes Lynn Marie Hulsman describes. If you're looking for an entertaining Christmas book with a sweet ending that will get you in the right Christmas mood, get his one. It's a winner!
Charlotte's aunt Miranda is a famous event planner and she can spare one of her staff to help Charlotte look for Hudson. Together with Henry she starts a search. She finds a lot more than she's counted on, but Hudson keeps being one step ahead of them. Will she and her dog be reunited before Christmas?
A Miracle at Macy's is a fantastic book. I couldn't put it down and had so much fun reading it. Hudson is such a cute dog and I loved reading about his adventures. The story is fast-paced and it's a spectacle. I had such a big smile on my face when I was reading this book. Lynn Marie Hulsman has written a brilliant Christmas story. I loved everything about it, both the romance and the fact that some of the fabulously chaotic scenes made me laugh out loud several times. I liked the story so much that I didn't want it to end.
Charlotte's transformation is another really good part about this book. It was wonderful to see her grow. She's capable of so many great things and I enjoyed seeing her realize it more and more. This book definitely has the right Christmas spirit. New York's Christmas atmosphere is perfect for a book like this. I loved reading about all the festive locations. The food talk is delicious, I could picture the meals really well. I wanted to try all the fantastic dishes Lynn Marie Hulsman describes. If you're looking for an entertaining Christmas book with a sweet ending that will get you in the right Christmas mood, get his one. It's a winner!
November 13, 2015
A Miracle at Macy's by Lynn Marie Hulsman is an enchanting romance that lures readers deep into a story of finding love, hope, and a renewed Christmas spirit. Two lonely characters who have suffered a bad relationship and come together in this funny and sweet novel. Then there's the super cute male dog that will capture the hearts of readers and maybe play in the way of bringing his owner and the man helping her together. Maybe or maybe not. Lynn Marie Hulsman has a way of crafting a world so realistic its hard not to fall for the Christmas magic written on the pages. I loved this romance and look forward to reading more by this talented writer.
Miracle at Macy's is a novel that starts off with a woman chef blogger and her irresistible charming little dog. She wants nothing more than to spend time with her aunt who raised her as a child but her aunt's work load keeps them separated. Readers will get an inside glimpse that the aunt truly does love her niece more than she shows. The holidays don't go as planned and before she knows it her dog is lost in the city of New York. Her aunt forces a man to help her niece find her dog. Each time they get close to finding her dog, he disappears once again. Both of them take in the scenes of New York and the Christmas magic happening around them. Taking a carriage ride, eating together, and searching for the dog, brings the two lonely hearts together. Both start falling for the other and readers will be kept in suspense as the dog search continues and two hearts are put on the line. Lynn Marie Hulsman novel isn't just words on a page but a masterpiece waiting to be read and discovered by many. Hearts will melt and readers will be waiting for the next great installment by this writer. Overall, I highly recommend this novel to readers worldwide and rate it a five out of five stars.
Miracle at Macy's is a novel that starts off with a woman chef blogger and her irresistible charming little dog. She wants nothing more than to spend time with her aunt who raised her as a child but her aunt's work load keeps them separated. Readers will get an inside glimpse that the aunt truly does love her niece more than she shows. The holidays don't go as planned and before she knows it her dog is lost in the city of New York. Her aunt forces a man to help her niece find her dog. Each time they get close to finding her dog, he disappears once again. Both of them take in the scenes of New York and the Christmas magic happening around them. Taking a carriage ride, eating together, and searching for the dog, brings the two lonely hearts together. Both start falling for the other and readers will be kept in suspense as the dog search continues and two hearts are put on the line. Lynn Marie Hulsman novel isn't just words on a page but a masterpiece waiting to be read and discovered by many. Hearts will melt and readers will be waiting for the next great installment by this writer. Overall, I highly recommend this novel to readers worldwide and rate it a five out of five stars.
February 2, 2016
I was fortunate to receive this book as a winner of a Good Reads giveaway.
I really enjoyed this book. The characters were so believable and the story was fun but with poignancy to it.
Charlotte has a wonderful dog called Hudson who she rescues from the street. They have a wonderful bond and through the writing you can experience this. Charlotte runs a blog and is in the process of writing a cookery book.
One day during a walk through Central Park where there a lots of pre Christmas activities. An elf asks Charlotte if he can take a photo of Hudson on Santa's sleigh. She reluctantly agrees but after the photo is taken Hudson runs off. The story takes off from here as Charlotte tries to find Hudson. She is helped by people she meets. Her Aunt who is an event organiser and who brought her up from a young age, sends her left hand man Henry to help. To begin with there is tension between Charlotte and Henry but as the story unfolds you learn more about both of them and their stories.
It was fun to see all the things Hudson gets up to on his journey around New York and what Charlotte and Henry do to try and find him.
It is also about finding yourself, your path in life and coming to terms with others and the others coming to terms with the way the treated you in the past and how they can change the way they treat you now.
Macy's plays a part in this story, the description of the windows was wonderful and made me look up the photos of the 2015 windows on my computer - they were so good.
A definite read that everyone will enjoy reading and really brings the festive season and what it means to life. It's not about the presents but about the people you spend the time with.
Will definitely read more books by Lynn Marie Hulsman. Thank you for Harper Impulse for choosing me for this giveaway.
I really enjoyed this book. The characters were so believable and the story was fun but with poignancy to it.
Charlotte has a wonderful dog called Hudson who she rescues from the street. They have a wonderful bond and through the writing you can experience this. Charlotte runs a blog and is in the process of writing a cookery book.
One day during a walk through Central Park where there a lots of pre Christmas activities. An elf asks Charlotte if he can take a photo of Hudson on Santa's sleigh. She reluctantly agrees but after the photo is taken Hudson runs off. The story takes off from here as Charlotte tries to find Hudson. She is helped by people she meets. Her Aunt who is an event organiser and who brought her up from a young age, sends her left hand man Henry to help. To begin with there is tension between Charlotte and Henry but as the story unfolds you learn more about both of them and their stories.
It was fun to see all the things Hudson gets up to on his journey around New York and what Charlotte and Henry do to try and find him.
It is also about finding yourself, your path in life and coming to terms with others and the others coming to terms with the way the treated you in the past and how they can change the way they treat you now.
Macy's plays a part in this story, the description of the windows was wonderful and made me look up the photos of the 2015 windows on my computer - they were so good.
A definite read that everyone will enjoy reading and really brings the festive season and what it means to life. It's not about the presents but about the people you spend the time with.
Will definitely read more books by Lynn Marie Hulsman. Thank you for Harper Impulse for choosing me for this giveaway.
December 30, 2015
This review was originally posted on Star Crossed Reviews
Thank you to Harper Impulse for accepting my request to review this book via Netgalley. I am a big dog lover and Christmas is my favourite time of year so I knew I had to read this book.
The book begins with Charlotte and Hudson taking a walk around the local area. A few days later Hudson goes missing in Central Park and Charlotte is devastated. Hudson is everything to her and without him she feels like she has no one.
Charlotte runs herself ragged trying to find Hudson. Along the way she makes a lot of new friends and has experiences she would have never had.
This festive filled story will warm even the coldest of hearts. I really enjoyed this book and I look forward to reading more of Lynn's books in the future.
'Home Alone 2: Lost in New York' meets 'Marley & Me' with the romance of 'When Harry Met Sally'! This is the story of shy homebody Charlotte who loses her beloved pet dog Hudson the week before Christmas. With the help of uptight Englishman Henry, Charlotte goes on a magical treasure hunt around Manhattan to find her furry, four-legged bestie, who she rescued from the trash years before and gave him a place in her home – and her heart.
Spotted in Central Park as one of Santa's Little Helpers, or last seen in the arms of a supermodel in Times Square, Hudson leads Charlotte and Henry on a very merry dance around the Big Apple, where love, (or should that be Christmas?!) actually is all around.
Thank you to Harper Impulse for accepting my request to review this book via Netgalley. I am a big dog lover and Christmas is my favourite time of year so I knew I had to read this book.
The book begins with Charlotte and Hudson taking a walk around the local area. A few days later Hudson goes missing in Central Park and Charlotte is devastated. Hudson is everything to her and without him she feels like she has no one.
Charlotte runs herself ragged trying to find Hudson. Along the way she makes a lot of new friends and has experiences she would have never had.
This festive filled story will warm even the coldest of hearts. I really enjoyed this book and I look forward to reading more of Lynn's books in the future.
December 15, 2015
As always, Lynn Marie Hulsman knocks it out of the park with this romcom.
Charlotte seems to have a life that many women would covet. She lives in a beautiful brownstone in New York, has an adorable dog, Hudson, and writes cookbooks and blogs for a living. But we quickly discover that there is a major void in Charlotte’s life.
Since the death of her mother, Charlotte hasn’t had any significant and deep personal relationships. She is able to avoid the pain of that by staying home and focusing on her family AKA Hudson. As her only true companion, Charlotte has an unhealthy reliance on Hudson. He is her world.
And then he goes missing.
In the whirlwind that becomes a campaign to find Hudson, Charlotte realizes the value of opening up and not being alone all the time. Throw in an old flame, a potential new love interest (who is fabulous), a model, Santa, a comedian moonlighting as a cab driver, a self-obsessed relative, New York’s Finest, Macy’s, and an unexpected community of support and you’ve got the magic that is “A Miracle at Macy’s.” I'm really hoping there is a sequel!
A charming Christmas read! Once I was able to dive in, I didn’t want to put the book down. If you’re looking for a lighthearted, Christmas story filled with love, loss, and everything in between, you’ll definitely want to put this on your “to-read” list!
I received a copy of this via the author in return for a fair and honest review.
Charlotte seems to have a life that many women would covet. She lives in a beautiful brownstone in New York, has an adorable dog, Hudson, and writes cookbooks and blogs for a living. But we quickly discover that there is a major void in Charlotte’s life.
Since the death of her mother, Charlotte hasn’t had any significant and deep personal relationships. She is able to avoid the pain of that by staying home and focusing on her family AKA Hudson. As her only true companion, Charlotte has an unhealthy reliance on Hudson. He is her world.
And then he goes missing.
In the whirlwind that becomes a campaign to find Hudson, Charlotte realizes the value of opening up and not being alone all the time. Throw in an old flame, a potential new love interest (who is fabulous), a model, Santa, a comedian moonlighting as a cab driver, a self-obsessed relative, New York’s Finest, Macy’s, and an unexpected community of support and you’ve got the magic that is “A Miracle at Macy’s.” I'm really hoping there is a sequel!
A charming Christmas read! Once I was able to dive in, I didn’t want to put the book down. If you’re looking for a lighthearted, Christmas story filled with love, loss, and everything in between, you’ll definitely want to put this on your “to-read” list!
I received a copy of this via the author in return for a fair and honest review.
December 1, 2015
As soon as I saw the cover for A Miracle at Macy's I knew I had to read it. Christmas, New York, a cute as a button puppy - it looked like the perfect Christmas read.
Once I started reading, I knew I'd enjoy the story. I immediately warmed to Charlotte, the quiet protagonist, and fell head over heels in love with her mischievous pup Hudson. His personality shone through as much as that of any of the human characters and made me care about the major plotline - finding Hudson when he goes missing just before Christmas.
What followed was a madcap campaign to reunite Charlotte and Hudson, made all the more high profile by Charlotte's event organiser aunt Miranda gaining celebrity supporters and designating the gorgeous Henry to keep the search in the limelight. The New York backdrop was a perfect winter setting and Hulsman showcases what the city has to offer throughout the novel. Her first hand experience of the city over the holidays is evident and had me longing to be there!
There was so much tension between Charlotte and Henry, I loved how their relationship sizzled! It was an old fashioned romance with a new twist. There need to be more nice guys like Henry in romantic fiction!
Humorous, touching and oh-so festive, A Miracle at Macy's is a feel-good read to banish the winter blues.
Once I started reading, I knew I'd enjoy the story. I immediately warmed to Charlotte, the quiet protagonist, and fell head over heels in love with her mischievous pup Hudson. His personality shone through as much as that of any of the human characters and made me care about the major plotline - finding Hudson when he goes missing just before Christmas.
What followed was a madcap campaign to reunite Charlotte and Hudson, made all the more high profile by Charlotte's event organiser aunt Miranda gaining celebrity supporters and designating the gorgeous Henry to keep the search in the limelight. The New York backdrop was a perfect winter setting and Hulsman showcases what the city has to offer throughout the novel. Her first hand experience of the city over the holidays is evident and had me longing to be there!
There was so much tension between Charlotte and Henry, I loved how their relationship sizzled! It was an old fashioned romance with a new twist. There need to be more nice guys like Henry in romantic fiction!
Humorous, touching and oh-so festive, A Miracle at Macy's is a feel-good read to banish the winter blues.
November 23, 2015
Firstly I’d like to thank the publishers for approving my NetGalley request for this eBook. I was initially attracted by the cover but when I read the blurb I knew I just had to read it – dogs and Christmas are two of my favourite things!
I thought Charlotte’s relationship with her dog Hudson was wonderful, probably because it reminded me so much of my own relationship with our dog Flint. There was a definite mother and child thing going on between them.
Charlotte seemed very awkward around people to begin with, she was a homely person with a passion for cooking so she spent a lot of time indoors with Hudson. This was why, when Hudson went missing, Charlotte was so far out of her comfort zone. I really enjoyed watching her character grow as the storyline progressed and the hunt for Hudson intensified.
The sights, scents and sounds of Christmas in New York were beautifully described and paraded vividly through my mind as I read.
There were plenty of funny moments – Vijay in particular was a hilarious character and a real favourite of mine. This was combined with some magically romantic scenes which kept me flipping the pages.
Although it was pretty obvious where the storyline would end up, even just from reading the blurb, I still thoroughly enjoyed the journey to get to that point.
A Miracle at Macy’s was a feel-good, Christmassy read that put a smile
I thought Charlotte’s relationship with her dog Hudson was wonderful, probably because it reminded me so much of my own relationship with our dog Flint. There was a definite mother and child thing going on between them.
Charlotte seemed very awkward around people to begin with, she was a homely person with a passion for cooking so she spent a lot of time indoors with Hudson. This was why, when Hudson went missing, Charlotte was so far out of her comfort zone. I really enjoyed watching her character grow as the storyline progressed and the hunt for Hudson intensified.
The sights, scents and sounds of Christmas in New York were beautifully described and paraded vividly through my mind as I read.
There were plenty of funny moments – Vijay in particular was a hilarious character and a real favourite of mine. This was combined with some magically romantic scenes which kept me flipping the pages.
Although it was pretty obvious where the storyline would end up, even just from reading the blurb, I still thoroughly enjoyed the journey to get to that point.
A Miracle at Macy’s was a feel-good, Christmassy read that put a smile
January 5, 2016
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for my copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
After a couple of really hard reads, A Miracle at Macy's was just what I needed. The author has a light and amusing way of writing. The Indian Taxi driver cum Comedian Vijay was one of my favourite characters really funny!
The story is a romance with a twist. What I liked was how you sort of thought it was going to be somebody else that Charlotte fell in love with to begin with but then found yourself surprised when it was the polar opposite!
I loved the character development of Charlotte and how she grew as a person not only finding love but finding herself as well. Hudson's escapades shed light on a dire situation that any dog owner or lover can identify with. There wasn't a character in the book who I didn't like in their own way. I fully agree with Charlotte that Hudson had a master plan to bring her out of herself.
I would definitely read other books by this author. A light, fluffy, funny read with enough humour to stop the premise being sad. A true Rom Com with a few great twists well done!
After a couple of really hard reads, A Miracle at Macy's was just what I needed. The author has a light and amusing way of writing. The Indian Taxi driver cum Comedian Vijay was one of my favourite characters really funny!
The story is a romance with a twist. What I liked was how you sort of thought it was going to be somebody else that Charlotte fell in love with to begin with but then found yourself surprised when it was the polar opposite!
I loved the character development of Charlotte and how she grew as a person not only finding love but finding herself as well. Hudson's escapades shed light on a dire situation that any dog owner or lover can identify with. There wasn't a character in the book who I didn't like in their own way. I fully agree with Charlotte that Hudson had a master plan to bring her out of herself.
I would definitely read other books by this author. A light, fluffy, funny read with enough humour to stop the premise being sad. A true Rom Com with a few great twists well done!
January 7, 2016
What could be cuter than a Christmas story about a dog and a potential romance? Well maybe one with a chubby faced cute kid, but hey this dog has enough character for a bunch of kids.
Charlotte is attached to Hudson in a way some would be to their child. For her the little four legged rascal is family. The way she found him, and the circumstances surrounding the state of her emotions when she did, has a lot to do with how fierce her attachment is towards him.
Her aunt sends one of her annoying and pompous assistants to help find the dog. Talk about unwanted company and awkward situations.
Charlotte and Henry get closer to each other while they are scouring the streets of New York for the furry runaway. Hudson seems to be having a heck of a great time by the way, despite being lost. He keeps on popping up here, there and everywhere.
A Miracle at Macy's is a feel good Christmas story filled with plenty of humour and moments that will warm your cockles. Hulsman has created a story with the perfect combo, a girl and her dog.
Thank you to Harper Collins UK for my copy of A Miracle at Macy's.
Charlotte is attached to Hudson in a way some would be to their child. For her the little four legged rascal is family. The way she found him, and the circumstances surrounding the state of her emotions when she did, has a lot to do with how fierce her attachment is towards him.
Her aunt sends one of her annoying and pompous assistants to help find the dog. Talk about unwanted company and awkward situations.
Charlotte and Henry get closer to each other while they are scouring the streets of New York for the furry runaway. Hudson seems to be having a heck of a great time by the way, despite being lost. He keeps on popping up here, there and everywhere.
A Miracle at Macy's is a feel good Christmas story filled with plenty of humour and moments that will warm your cockles. Hulsman has created a story with the perfect combo, a girl and her dog.
Thank you to Harper Collins UK for my copy of A Miracle at Macy's.
November 12, 2015
If the film rights to A Miracle at Macy’s by Lynn Marie Hulsman hasn’t been snatched up by a film company yet, it definitely should happened ASAP. This is the most wonderful Christmas story with all of the heartwarming aspects needed. Against the Manhattan skyline, romance blooms as Charlotte and Henry work together to find cherished lost dog, Hudson.
I welcomed how the qualities of goodness that is sometimes showcased in small town romances is brought to the big city, but on a much bigger scale. No matter where you live there are always people ready to help is clearly shown by the help that Charlotte and Henry received as they searched for Hudson.
Mostly I appreciated the change in the two main characters, Charlotte and Henry. Both grew and changed for the better. Henry learned the importance of balance in his life. Work is not everything in well-rounded life. Charlotte grew into a confident woman, who could get out and enjoy life. In a way Hudson is a fairy god-dog since everything turns out just perfectly for all involved.
The publisher through Net Galley provided a copy.
I welcomed how the qualities of goodness that is sometimes showcased in small town romances is brought to the big city, but on a much bigger scale. No matter where you live there are always people ready to help is clearly shown by the help that Charlotte and Henry received as they searched for Hudson.
Mostly I appreciated the change in the two main characters, Charlotte and Henry. Both grew and changed for the better. Henry learned the importance of balance in his life. Work is not everything in well-rounded life. Charlotte grew into a confident woman, who could get out and enjoy life. In a way Hudson is a fairy god-dog since everything turns out just perfectly for all involved.
The publisher through Net Galley provided a copy.
November 10, 2015
My Thoughts On The Book: Loved it! I laughed, I cried, I got angry, I enjoyed. I could not put it down from the moment I picked it up. It was wonderful. Every minute of reading the book I felt as if I was in New York on the Great American Dog Hunt. The book if rich with two love stories and written by someone who obviously is a dog lover. New York comes to life with each word printed on the page and Hulsman's characters are vivid and life-like. This is the feel good book of the year! This was my first book by Lynn Marie Hulsman and I have to say I cannot wait to read more. If you are a dog lover this is the book for you.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this e-book free from Harper Collins UK and Net Galley Publicity Group as part of their Book Review Blogger Programs. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this e-book free from Harper Collins UK and Net Galley Publicity Group as part of their Book Review Blogger Programs. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
July 25, 2016
This was different to Lynn Marie's previous books, (Christmas at Thornton Hall, and Summer at Castle Stone) as it wasn't set in Ireland. Instead, the countryside was swapped for Lynn's own domain, NYC.
I see a different side to this author in this book, being as it was her home, a place she knew and obviously loved very well. She took us through 'town' step-by-step in her tale (or tail?!) and made me see the city in a very intimate way.
The food, well I smelled all the delicious smells of the sidewalks. I smelled the horses, those taking people on trips in buggies, and the police horses ridden by those guys who became such good friends of Charlotte.
There was the love interest who kept us guessing, loved it/hated it Lynn Marie, such terrible frustration! An unusual topic, the aunt and event organising etc, enlightened me.
All in all a good story that educated and entertained!
I see a different side to this author in this book, being as it was her home, a place she knew and obviously loved very well. She took us through 'town' step-by-step in her tale (or tail?!) and made me see the city in a very intimate way.
The food, well I smelled all the delicious smells of the sidewalks. I smelled the horses, those taking people on trips in buggies, and the police horses ridden by those guys who became such good friends of Charlotte.
There was the love interest who kept us guessing, loved it/hated it Lynn Marie, such terrible frustration! An unusual topic, the aunt and event organising etc, enlightened me.
All in all a good story that educated and entertained!
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