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Twice Told Tales #3
The Bureau of Holiday Affairs
Executive Robin Preston has dedicated her life to climbing the corporate ladder, using whatever means necessary. In the shark-infested culture at Frost Enterprises, anything goes, and Robin is a master at the game.
On the verge of a major promotion, Robin receives a strange visit from Agent Elizabeth Tolson of the Bureau of Holiday Affairs, who informs Robin that, though Robin may be a lost cause, the Bureau has scheduled her for intervention. Robin will receive three visitors in the two weeks before Christmas, who will escort her on visits to her past, present, and future.
Robin will be forced to face not only who she's become, but the parts of herself she left behind, when she was an art major in college and in love with fellow art student Jill Chen, in whom Robin found a kindred spirit—until Jill broke if off with her. In order for Robin to change her ways, she’ll need to reclaim who she was and open her heart again, to a past she thought she left behind.
The Bureau clearly has its work cut out for it, but Agent Tolson relishes a challenge, and she's put together just the team for Robin's case. They may have to cut a few corners and go outside a few lines, but Agent Tolson has a perfect salvage record and she's not about to let that change. The question is, will Robin?
On the verge of a major promotion, Robin receives a strange visit from Agent Elizabeth Tolson of the Bureau of Holiday Affairs, who informs Robin that, though Robin may be a lost cause, the Bureau has scheduled her for intervention. Robin will receive three visitors in the two weeks before Christmas, who will escort her on visits to her past, present, and future.
Robin will be forced to face not only who she's become, but the parts of herself she left behind, when she was an art major in college and in love with fellow art student Jill Chen, in whom Robin found a kindred spirit—until Jill broke if off with her. In order for Robin to change her ways, she’ll need to reclaim who she was and open her heart again, to a past she thought she left behind.
The Bureau clearly has its work cut out for it, but Agent Tolson relishes a challenge, and she's put together just the team for Robin's case. They may have to cut a few corners and go outside a few lines, but Agent Tolson has a perfect salvage record and she's not about to let that change. The question is, will Robin?
277 pages, ebook
First published November 11, 2015
7 people are currently reading
466 people want to read
About the author
Andi Marquette
39 books165 followersAndi Marquette was born in New Mexico and grew up in Colorado. She completed a couple of academic degrees in anthropology and returned to New Mexico, where she decided a doctorate in history was somehow a good idea. She completed it before realizing that maybe she should have joined the circus, or at least a traveling Gypsy troupe. Oh, well. She fell into editing and publishing sometime around 1993 and has been obsessed with words ever since, which may or may not be a good thing. She is a co-owner and co-founder of LGBTQ publishing house Dirt Road Books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
December 23, 2021
3.75 Stars. A good holiday read. I’m continuing on my quest to read a bunch of holiday books, this week, and I decided to go with a book that I have had sitting on my Kindle for years. I’m a huge fan of retellings so when I heard that this was the sapphic version of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, I had a feeling I would enjoy this. It took me a while to actually read this but I’m glad I finally got the chance this year.
I have to admit that I was not crazy about the beginning of the book. The “Spirits of Christmas Past, Present, and Future", come into the story pretty early and I just wasn’t clicking with the book. I had trouble always realizing who was speaking and just something felt off. Luckily, that changed pretty quickly and then the story flowed much better. I almost put the book down, but I know Marquette is a good writer so I’m glad I stuck with it since it got better and better.
While this is a retelling, after the main A Christmas Carol bit is done, then the book turns into more of a second-chance holiday romance. I thought the characters reconnecting were nicely done and I also liked the pace of their relationship. The main character Robin, is trying to change and frankly not be an asshole anymore so I’m glad the relationship was not rushed and fit the story well instead. There is also a twist to the story that while pretty easy to guess, was still fun to read about.
My one major complaint is that I don’t think the book goes deep enough into why Robin ever became a nasty person. The reasons were mentioned, but I felt like the book was more telling us why she was a scrooge now instead of showing us how it happened. I think everyone knows this about me, but I’ll mention it anyway, I hate flashbacks! Put me in a stuck elevator, filled with spiders, while forcing me to read a book jam-packed with flashbacks and you have my worst nightmare. Which is why it is shocking to say this but I think this book could have used a few more flashbacks. Maybe more scenes could have been added when we are with the ‘ghost of the past’, I don’t know but I think we somehow needed to see these scenes that really changed Robin for the worst, so we then could really appreciate her growth.
TLDR: This was a fun sapphic retelling of A Christmas Carol, which then turns into a second-chance holiday romance. The beginning was a little shaky for me, but the book got better and better and I’m glad I stuck with it. This was a fun idea, that was well executed, and I think this is a good choice for people who enjoy sapphic retellings and holiday books.
I have to admit that I was not crazy about the beginning of the book. The “Spirits of Christmas Past, Present, and Future", come into the story pretty early and I just wasn’t clicking with the book. I had trouble always realizing who was speaking and just something felt off. Luckily, that changed pretty quickly and then the story flowed much better. I almost put the book down, but I know Marquette is a good writer so I’m glad I stuck with it since it got better and better.
While this is a retelling, after the main A Christmas Carol bit is done, then the book turns into more of a second-chance holiday romance. I thought the characters reconnecting were nicely done and I also liked the pace of their relationship. The main character Robin, is trying to change and frankly not be an asshole anymore so I’m glad the relationship was not rushed and fit the story well instead. There is also a twist to the story that while pretty easy to guess, was still fun to read about.
My one major complaint is that I don’t think the book goes deep enough into why Robin ever became a nasty person. The reasons were mentioned, but I felt like the book was more telling us why she was a scrooge now instead of showing us how it happened. I think everyone knows this about me, but I’ll mention it anyway, I hate flashbacks! Put me in a stuck elevator, filled with spiders, while forcing me to read a book jam-packed with flashbacks and you have my worst nightmare. Which is why it is shocking to say this but I think this book could have used a few more flashbacks. Maybe more scenes could have been added when we are with the ‘ghost of the past’, I don’t know but I think we somehow needed to see these scenes that really changed Robin for the worst, so we then could really appreciate her growth.
TLDR: This was a fun sapphic retelling of A Christmas Carol, which then turns into a second-chance holiday romance. The beginning was a little shaky for me, but the book got better and better and I’m glad I stuck with it. This was a fun idea, that was well executed, and I think this is a good choice for people who enjoy sapphic retellings and holiday books.
December 30, 2017
4 STARS
Huh. I read this last year, but didn't review it. I think I may have liked it more this year. This is a retelling of Dickens's A Christmas Carol. Instead of an old, mean selfish, skinflint businessman, we get Robin - a young woman executive on the rise at Frost Enterprises. Robin has learned to play the game to succeed at Frost - which is to be an asshole, where the bottom line comes before people and holding back information to sabotage a co-worker is the norm. Robin is also having an affair with the wife of a Frost executive, hoping to use it to her advantage.
Enter the Bureau of Holiday Affairs. The Bureau sends three spirits to Robin over a course days rather than one night. I loved the three Spirits of past, present and future. Robin sees the downward, loveless path she is on and begins to change her ways and correct her mistakes. At halfway through the book is about where Dickens's story ended. This story continues on past Christmas and into New Years as the ghosts continue to visit Robin as they attempt to steer her in the right direction and towards Jill Chen, Robin's college ex-lover.
This book is as much a romance (a lovely one at that) as it is a story of redemption and triumph. A holiday re-read for sure.
Huh. I read this last year, but didn't review it. I think I may have liked it more this year. This is a retelling of Dickens's A Christmas Carol. Instead of an old, mean selfish, skinflint businessman, we get Robin - a young woman executive on the rise at Frost Enterprises. Robin has learned to play the game to succeed at Frost - which is to be an asshole, where the bottom line comes before people and holding back information to sabotage a co-worker is the norm. Robin is also having an affair with the wife of a Frost executive, hoping to use it to her advantage.
Enter the Bureau of Holiday Affairs. The Bureau sends three spirits to Robin over a course days rather than one night. I loved the three Spirits of past, present and future. Robin sees the downward, loveless path she is on and begins to change her ways and correct her mistakes. At halfway through the book is about where Dickens's story ended. This story continues on past Christmas and into New Years as the ghosts continue to visit Robin as they attempt to steer her in the right direction and towards Jill Chen, Robin's college ex-lover.
This book is as much a romance (a lovely one at that) as it is a story of redemption and triumph. A holiday re-read for sure.
July 17, 2016
Very smart, charming and spirited adaptation of the well-known classic. One of those stories that should be read every year at this pre-Christmas time, because by following the transformation of the main character we can also re-evaluate ourselves and our actions toward others.
We can be angry, afraid, ashamed and happy along with the protagonist Robin. We can laugh with her, we can even cry a little. All of that we can experience in this convincing and instructive story thanks to the great imagination and great writing skill of the author.
Highly recommended for everyone.
5 stars
*ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley for review*
We can be angry, afraid, ashamed and happy along with the protagonist Robin. We can laugh with her, we can even cry a little. All of that we can experience in this convincing and instructive story thanks to the great imagination and great writing skill of the author.
Highly recommended for everyone.
5 stars
*ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley for review*
February 25, 2016
This is a perfect holiday read--a lovely adaptation of a Christmas classic and a feel-good read guaranteed to whip up some warm and fuzzy holiday vibes.
But beyond that, it also has lasting appeal as a character study and an interesting look at what causes a perfectly decent person to change so drastically for the worse. What fork in our lives (a single tragic event? a heartbreak? a combination of factors?) triggers that downward spiral? And what will it take to change someone? someone who's spent so much time on the dark side it their new normal. Will it even be possible to change them?
The lead character, Robin, is caught up in the ruthless corporate rat-race to the top. Along the way, she's picked up quite a few dirty tricks and some unsavory traits that have earned her a well-deserved 'asshole' reputation. Robin earns an 'intervention' from a shadowy paranormal agency that visits their targets before Christmastime and shows them the error of their ways and how their actions affect other people. (Of course, nothing smacks them harder than a visit to the future to show them dying completely alone ;)
It's interesting how commonplace this is in real life. We are all occasional scrooges at one time or another, and how many people aren't caught up in the rat race? Unfortunately, we won't be having sexy, stylish interventionists showing us the error of our ways, or giving us a golden parachute to help cushion us for the drop. And that is why I'm not giving the book 5 stars. At some points, things felt repetitive and the pacing was a little slow. I also thought the Bureau (ergo the author) was a little heavy handed in its handling of the entire affair. Such hopelessly romantic cupids, the 'bureaucrats' are, LOL. Robin didn't have to make any hard choices. Her path was paved with gold I thought Jill's own journey was way more compelling. Her choices would have been fraught with uncertainty (jumping from stable job to struggling artist...with a kid in tow) and animosity (no familial support)...and she was completely alone (no gf waiting in the wings). Now that was bravery. But the story is all about Robin. I did immensely enjoy their second go-around romance--a much more mature Jill who knows exactly what she wants, plus a newly-maturing Robin trying her darnedest not to mess things up--its beautiful.
4.4 stars
ARC provided by Netgalley
But beyond that, it also has lasting appeal as a character study and an interesting look at what causes a perfectly decent person to change so drastically for the worse. What fork in our lives (a single tragic event? a heartbreak? a combination of factors?) triggers that downward spiral? And what will it take to change someone? someone who's spent so much time on the dark side it their new normal. Will it even be possible to change them?
The lead character, Robin, is caught up in the ruthless corporate rat-race to the top. Along the way, she's picked up quite a few dirty tricks and some unsavory traits that have earned her a well-deserved 'asshole' reputation. Robin earns an 'intervention' from a shadowy paranormal agency that visits their targets before Christmastime and shows them the error of their ways and how their actions affect other people. (Of course, nothing smacks them harder than a visit to the future to show them dying completely alone ;)
It's interesting how commonplace this is in real life. We are all occasional scrooges at one time or another, and how many people aren't caught up in the rat race? Unfortunately, we won't be having sexy, stylish interventionists showing us the error of our ways, or giving us a golden parachute to help cushion us for the drop. And that is why I'm not giving the book 5 stars. At some points, things felt repetitive and the pacing was a little slow. I also thought the Bureau (ergo the author) was a little heavy handed in its handling of the entire affair. Such hopelessly romantic cupids, the 'bureaucrats' are, LOL. Robin didn't have to make any hard choices. Her path was paved with gold I thought Jill's own journey was way more compelling. Her choices would have been fraught with uncertainty (jumping from stable job to struggling artist...with a kid in tow) and animosity (no familial support)...and she was completely alone (no gf waiting in the wings). Now that was bravery. But the story is all about Robin. I did immensely enjoy their second go-around romance--a much more mature Jill who knows exactly what she wants, plus a newly-maturing Robin trying her darnedest not to mess things up--its beautiful.
4.4 stars
ARC provided by Netgalley
February 6, 2017
UPDATE January 2017: I have finally had a chance to read the entire book thanks to a gift from the author. Full disclosure, the author is a friend of mine, but in all honesty this is one of my favorite books no matter who wrote it.
The first half is a retelling of A Christmas Carol, with our lesbian protagonist Robin starring as the jerk who lost her soul when she turned from art to business. She's visited by the three messengers from The Bureau and given her warnings. Will she straighten up? Will she set things right? Will she live happily ever after?
The second half takes you through Robin's decision making as she decides how she wants to reformulate her life. The three "ghosts" of past, present and future continue to keep an eye on her, and the reader follows along trying to predict if Robin will do the right thing or screw up everything in her own life and everyone else's.
I simply ADORE this book, and all the characters. Andi Marquette's characters always seem to be good people at heart and there is never any nonsense that could have been straightened up in five minutes. There is no fake or unnecessary wrench thrown into the mix, there are just real life complicated situations, and real cause and effect that the characters have to deal with. Robin is a believable character with a good backstory that explains how she became the horrible person she is on page one. It wasn't one single event, it was a couple things, because Life sometimes throws us a bit more than we can handle and we adjust, good or bad. But that doesn't mean that our hearts have turned completely black - and that's how The Bureau helps, by getting through to the parts of Robin's heart that are still there, and showing how to heal the rest.
The Bureau's messengers are great fun, but I don't want to talk about them here because it's a great surprise as you meet each one. But I can promise you you'll love them.
This book gets 5 stars from me, and Andi Marquette remains in my list of favorite lesfic authors. I think any woman would like this book, gay or straight (there is one short sex scene), because it's not the story of a lesbian, it's the story of being a woman and the choices we make. And if any men want to read it I wouldn't discourage them either.
Again, the author is my friend, but that in no way affected this review. The book warms my heart, made me laugh and giggle, made me tear up a time or two as well. FIVE STARS, I LOVE IT.
******
November 2015: This book is so sweet and charming, I loved it. It's a lesbian themed update of A Christmas Carol, and this revision is about as simple as can be, but that is good. A Christmas Carol is a classic because it has a message for everyone, and even though we know exactly what is going to happen in this story, I was still drawn in and emotionally tied to Robin's journey.
I also loved everyone involved with The Bureau much more than I loved the original Ghosts. Full of personality and sass, we get to read their reports on Robin's progress after each visit.
There's nothing complicated about this story, it's just a retelling of the original, and it works. I loved it and I was charmed by it, so it gets 5 stars for being exactly what it is supposed to be.
The first half is a retelling of A Christmas Carol, with our lesbian protagonist Robin starring as the jerk who lost her soul when she turned from art to business. She's visited by the three messengers from The Bureau and given her warnings. Will she straighten up? Will she set things right? Will she live happily ever after?
The second half takes you through Robin's decision making as she decides how she wants to reformulate her life. The three "ghosts" of past, present and future continue to keep an eye on her, and the reader follows along trying to predict if Robin will do the right thing or screw up everything in her own life and everyone else's.
I simply ADORE this book, and all the characters. Andi Marquette's characters always seem to be good people at heart and there is never any nonsense that could have been straightened up in five minutes. There is no fake or unnecessary wrench thrown into the mix, there are just real life complicated situations, and real cause and effect that the characters have to deal with. Robin is a believable character with a good backstory that explains how she became the horrible person she is on page one. It wasn't one single event, it was a couple things, because Life sometimes throws us a bit more than we can handle and we adjust, good or bad. But that doesn't mean that our hearts have turned completely black - and that's how The Bureau helps, by getting through to the parts of Robin's heart that are still there, and showing how to heal the rest.
The Bureau's messengers are great fun, but I don't want to talk about them here because it's a great surprise as you meet each one. But I can promise you you'll love them.
This book gets 5 stars from me, and Andi Marquette remains in my list of favorite lesfic authors. I think any woman would like this book, gay or straight (there is one short sex scene), because it's not the story of a lesbian, it's the story of being a woman and the choices we make. And if any men want to read it I wouldn't discourage them either.
Again, the author is my friend, but that in no way affected this review. The book warms my heart, made me laugh and giggle, made me tear up a time or two as well. FIVE STARS, I LOVE IT.
******
November 2015: This book is so sweet and charming, I loved it. It's a lesbian themed update of A Christmas Carol, and this revision is about as simple as can be, but that is good. A Christmas Carol is a classic because it has a message for everyone, and even though we know exactly what is going to happen in this story, I was still drawn in and emotionally tied to Robin's journey.
I also loved everyone involved with The Bureau much more than I loved the original Ghosts. Full of personality and sass, we get to read their reports on Robin's progress after each visit.
There's nothing complicated about this story, it's just a retelling of the original, and it works. I loved it and I was charmed by it, so it gets 5 stars for being exactly what it is supposed to be.
December 17, 2019
The beginning of Bureau is basically a retread of A Christmas Carol and it hits the right notes. Robin is a high charged business executive who loses herself in her work, hardening into a person who thinks nothing of laying off workers just before Christmas. Her sole ambition is to become CEO of one of the subsidiaries. Gone are any concerns about her younger brother, his family, or anybody besides herself, life is a carefully contained icebox and nobody else even merits an acknowledgment. Enter the 3 famous ghosts who lead her to an awakening.
The beginning is good and the ghosts break out charming personalities that are fun to watch. But it’s the second half where the story shines as Robin reconnects with the love of her life, Jill, who is now a successful artist.
It’s a beautiful second chance romance with steamy chemistry and deeply drawn main characters. Great layers beneath the story as well. To paraphrase the author, what does it matter if you change, if the intent and motivations are not honorable? That’s Robin’s quandary and struggle, to not only alter her behavior but to do it for the right reasons. Perfect holiday read. 4.5 stars.
The beginning is good and the ghosts break out charming personalities that are fun to watch. But it’s the second half where the story shines as Robin reconnects with the love of her life, Jill, who is now a successful artist.
It’s a beautiful second chance romance with steamy chemistry and deeply drawn main characters. Great layers beneath the story as well. To paraphrase the author, what does it matter if you change, if the intent and motivations are not honorable? That’s Robin’s quandary and struggle, to not only alter her behavior but to do it for the right reasons. Perfect holiday read. 4.5 stars.
December 21, 2020
A Lesbian Christmas Carol!
Robin is a business executive who is a few steps away from CEO, unfortunately she comes off as a jerk. She's unfeeling and focused only on bottom lines. She doesn't see people, just opportunities. She's having an affair with a married woman who is as shallow as they come, and the relationship with her younger brother isn't great either.
The Bureau of Holiday Affairs decided she was in need of an intervention, thus we meet the queer ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future.
Robin realizes just how unscrupulous she has become in business, and in her personal life with keeping to herself. She also is able to connect to an old College love and see things from their side, for once.
I was impressed with how involved and detailed the story became, it wasn't just surface level. It also continued on longer after the 'intervention' occurred, too. Meaning we really got to see Robin enact change in her life and adjust her personality. I had indeed worried we would just see it wrapped up quickly with a lesson learned epilogue - but there was so much more which was great!
Robin is a business executive who is a few steps away from CEO, unfortunately she comes off as a jerk. She's unfeeling and focused only on bottom lines. She doesn't see people, just opportunities. She's having an affair with a married woman who is as shallow as they come, and the relationship with her younger brother isn't great either.
The Bureau of Holiday Affairs decided she was in need of an intervention, thus we meet the queer ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future.
Robin realizes just how unscrupulous she has become in business, and in her personal life with keeping to herself. She also is able to connect to an old College love and see things from their side, for once.
I was impressed with how involved and detailed the story became, it wasn't just surface level. It also continued on longer after the 'intervention' occurred, too. Meaning we really got to see Robin enact change in her life and adjust her personality. I had indeed worried we would just see it wrapped up quickly with a lesson learned epilogue - but there was so much more which was great!
November 15, 2015
Merry Christmas lesrom fans! Andi Marquette has delivered a Christmas cracker chocas with well written and developed characters, romance and just awesomeness.
This adaption and modernisation of A Christmas Carol contains a number of clever nods to the original story but also has a number of unique, imaginative original elements (I particularly liked the characterisations of the 'ghosts'). It also hits a few tried and true lesrom tropes (icy corporate exec learns to take down her walls etc etc) but, again, this is done with a creative, skillfull and thus feels familiar yet fresh rather than stale and seen-it-all-before.
The romance is slow build but not boring build .
The only 'bad' thing I can say about this book is that I think it had enough legs for a few more chapters and I wanted more dammit! But that is not to say the reader is left hanging - far from the case.
Bravo Andi Marquette - I only hope that other Christmas releases are similarly top notch! :)
This adaption and modernisation of A Christmas Carol contains a number of clever nods to the original story but also has a number of unique, imaginative original elements (I particularly liked the characterisations of the 'ghosts'). It also hits a few tried and true lesrom tropes (icy corporate exec learns to take down her walls etc etc) but, again, this is done with a creative, skillfull and thus feels familiar yet fresh rather than stale and seen-it-all-before.
The romance is slow build but not boring build .
The only 'bad' thing I can say about this book is that I think it had enough legs for a few more chapters and I wanted more dammit! But that is not to say the reader is left hanging - far from the case.
Bravo Andi Marquette - I only hope that other Christmas releases are similarly top notch! :)
April 14, 2017
This book is adorable and a perfect read for the run up to the holidays. I loved the premise and how to retelling worked. I especially loved everyone that worked at the Bureau (I want to be friends with Decker and have a night on the town with Lady Magnolia).
Robin's arc is so well done, and Jill was surprisingly well drawn, given that we never read from her perspective. I also think this book might have one of the sweetest first love scenes I've ever read.
I definitely recommend this one and could see myself coming back to it next year.
Full review: http://www.thelesbianreview.com/the-b...
Podcast: https://thelesbiantalkshow.podbean.co...
Robin's arc is so well done, and Jill was surprisingly well drawn, given that we never read from her perspective. I also think this book might have one of the sweetest first love scenes I've ever read.
I definitely recommend this one and could see myself coming back to it next year.
Full review: http://www.thelesbianreview.com/the-b...
Podcast: https://thelesbiantalkshow.podbean.co...
November 28, 2015
Turkey day has come and gone. We trotted, we over indulged, we are all in need of stretchy pants and someone to come an untangle last year's Christmas lights. Why are they aways so tangly? Well forget the lights, and the shopping, you need to read this book. Andi Marquette's, The Bureau of Holiday Affairs is the perfect way to get into the Christmas spirit.
Robin Preston is a first rate ass, and this is putting it nicely. She a a cog in the corporate machine, where the bottom line is the most important thing. She gives no thoughts to other's needs or feelings. She will do whatever it takes to rise in the ranks of Frost Enterprises. That is until she runs into the crew of the Bureau of Holiday Affairs.
This book a lose adaptation of the Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Robin is by all accounts a female version of Ebenezer Scrooge. Yes, she is visited by three spirits that show her the errors of her wicked ways and how she needs to right her ship to live a fruitful and fulfilling life.
This book is absolutly heartwarming. Robin Preston is a great character who evolves over the course of the book from a total dick to a lovable, honest woman. You may even see a little bit of yourself in her. The cast secondary characters, including Jill Chen are great as well. Andi Marquette is a fantastic writer, who always gives you a first rate book, The Bureau of Holiday Affairs is no exception. The book delivers exactly what you are craving, a great story that makes you feel good on a cold winter's day.
Robin Preston is a first rate ass, and this is putting it nicely. She a a cog in the corporate machine, where the bottom line is the most important thing. She gives no thoughts to other's needs or feelings. She will do whatever it takes to rise in the ranks of Frost Enterprises. That is until she runs into the crew of the Bureau of Holiday Affairs.
This book a lose adaptation of the Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Robin is by all accounts a female version of Ebenezer Scrooge. Yes, she is visited by three spirits that show her the errors of her wicked ways and how she needs to right her ship to live a fruitful and fulfilling life.
This book is absolutly heartwarming. Robin Preston is a great character who evolves over the course of the book from a total dick to a lovable, honest woman. You may even see a little bit of yourself in her. The cast secondary characters, including Jill Chen are great as well. Andi Marquette is a fantastic writer, who always gives you a first rate book, The Bureau of Holiday Affairs is no exception. The book delivers exactly what you are craving, a great story that makes you feel good on a cold winter's day.
November 24, 2015
Andi Marquette has outdone herself with this wonderful adaptation of an old classic. She has taken A Christmas Carol and turned it on its ear. She's even added in a romance to sweeten the deal.
Robin Preston has been working her way up the corporate ladder for years at the expense of her personal life, her family and her soul. When an unexpected visitor arrives in her office announcing that she is a senior agent of the Bureau of Holiday Affairs, Robin assumes her brother Frank is pranking her once again.
I loved the pace of this story and the well rounded characters. Marquette's dry humour shines in the writing. She also handles the more serious underlying themes with ease. She gives the reader an opportunity to reflect on the lives we lead and where we can try to be better friends, lovers, better humans.
The expected cast of Christmas's Past, Present and Future turn up and are refreshing in their originality. I laughed, got scared, won't give away who they represent as they must be enjoyed by each new reader.
The happiness and joy comes with a rekindling of a love thought lost.
The Bureau of Holiday Affairs is a perfect holiday read. Any book that leaves me with a softened heart and a big stupid grin on my face is one I will reread over and over.
Loved it.
5 stars
ARC received via publisher from NetGalley for review.
Robin Preston has been working her way up the corporate ladder for years at the expense of her personal life, her family and her soul. When an unexpected visitor arrives in her office announcing that she is a senior agent of the Bureau of Holiday Affairs, Robin assumes her brother Frank is pranking her once again.
I loved the pace of this story and the well rounded characters. Marquette's dry humour shines in the writing. She also handles the more serious underlying themes with ease. She gives the reader an opportunity to reflect on the lives we lead and where we can try to be better friends, lovers, better humans.
The expected cast of Christmas's Past, Present and Future turn up and are refreshing in their originality. I laughed, got scared, won't give away who they represent as they must be enjoyed by each new reader.
The happiness and joy comes with a rekindling of a love thought lost.
The Bureau of Holiday Affairs is a perfect holiday read. Any book that leaves me with a softened heart and a big stupid grin on my face is one I will reread over and over.
Loved it.
5 stars
ARC received via publisher from NetGalley for review.
May 31, 2022
The Bureau of Holiday Affairs
(Twice Told Tales #3)
by Andi Marquette
MC Robin Preston & Jill Chen
This is a sweet story about life decisions. Think a lesbian Christmas Carol. The Bureau of Holiday Affairs decided to pay a visit to Robin, the lesbian scourge, only worried about business and herself. She gets visited by the past, present and future. I love how they took her back to her past as a child.
Robin comes to a point where she knows it time to make a change. Get to a place on her life where she felt good again. Enjoy things in her life, like her drawing which made her feel not so empty. And find that special someone who can make her life complete.
Jill made Robin remember how good it feel to be nice to other, to want someone and love them without fear. Robin’s love for Jill made her a better person. She lost that when Jill left her.
Robin loved Jill from the bottom of her heart that’s why it hurt so much when Jill left her.
When the universe put them back together, Robin could feel again, something she wanted back in her life true love and Family
Robin and Jill found love again and they were able to live the life they both always wanted.
This is my first book by the author and it was amazing! I highly recommend this book 4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
(Twice Told Tales #3)
by Andi Marquette
MC Robin Preston & Jill Chen
This is a sweet story about life decisions. Think a lesbian Christmas Carol. The Bureau of Holiday Affairs decided to pay a visit to Robin, the lesbian scourge, only worried about business and herself. She gets visited by the past, present and future. I love how they took her back to her past as a child.
Robin comes to a point where she knows it time to make a change. Get to a place on her life where she felt good again. Enjoy things in her life, like her drawing which made her feel not so empty. And find that special someone who can make her life complete.
Jill made Robin remember how good it feel to be nice to other, to want someone and love them without fear. Robin’s love for Jill made her a better person. She lost that when Jill left her.
Robin loved Jill from the bottom of her heart that’s why it hurt so much when Jill left her.
When the universe put them back together, Robin could feel again, something she wanted back in her life true love and Family
Robin and Jill found love again and they were able to live the life they both always wanted.
This is my first book by the author and it was amazing! I highly recommend this book 4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
July 12, 2018
Maybe it is a strange thing to say, but reading the Bureau, I realized an entirely new meaning of Dickens’ novella.
I used to think it was an old Christmas fable about an old avaricious man, regaining his integrity at Christmas time. A nice, fantastic, moral story for children.
But I was missing the point. I was missing the archetypes, the essence.
The change of perspective of this book, makes the new Scrooge to have the features of Robin Preston, a relatively young and pretty woman, rich, but not at the top of her business company and yes, with her baggage of errors, but looking closely, indeed a very nice lady.
Following Robin’s process to find herself again, I understood that Scrooge is not only a caricature, but a symbol of each one of us, whose wounds from the past and prolonged errors of the present prevent our happiness now and in the future. And that (message of hope!) this state of things is reversible by deep self-analysis and determined will to correct ourselves.
Other than that, this is a very nice, sweet and happy romance, very much in tune with the holiday season. A charming feel good story.
I asked myself why I love the “defrosting ice queens” subgenre so much. It is because the person we discover under the external strata of errors and all the self created armors, is really sweet or even candid sometimes. And that’s a lovely contrast to read.
I used to think it was an old Christmas fable about an old avaricious man, regaining his integrity at Christmas time. A nice, fantastic, moral story for children.
But I was missing the point. I was missing the archetypes, the essence.
The change of perspective of this book, makes the new Scrooge to have the features of Robin Preston, a relatively young and pretty woman, rich, but not at the top of her business company and yes, with her baggage of errors, but looking closely, indeed a very nice lady.
Following Robin’s process to find herself again, I understood that Scrooge is not only a caricature, but a symbol of each one of us, whose wounds from the past and prolonged errors of the present prevent our happiness now and in the future. And that (message of hope!) this state of things is reversible by deep self-analysis and determined will to correct ourselves.
Other than that, this is a very nice, sweet and happy romance, very much in tune with the holiday season. A charming feel good story.
I asked myself why I love the “defrosting ice queens” subgenre so much. It is because the person we discover under the external strata of errors and all the self created armors, is really sweet or even candid sometimes. And that’s a lovely contrast to read.
December 17, 2015
What a refreshing take on the classic story of Christmas past, present and future.
Robin Preston is a corporate executive whose life revolves around her job and striving for the next promotion, no matter who or what gets in her way. Robin’s ruthless tactics at the office, and life in general, have her listed on the Bureau’s ‘naughty list’ and in need of redemption. Robin soon receives a visit from Agent Elizabeth Tolson advising her of upcoming visits - enter the agents of past (Decker), present (Lady Magnolia) and future (Krampus). This is where the fun begins…
This book is a lovely read in the lead up to Christmas. If you’re looking for a fun, entertaining read with a twist of Christmas cheer then this is the book for you!
*ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley*
Robin Preston is a corporate executive whose life revolves around her job and striving for the next promotion, no matter who or what gets in her way. Robin’s ruthless tactics at the office, and life in general, have her listed on the Bureau’s ‘naughty list’ and in need of redemption. Robin soon receives a visit from Agent Elizabeth Tolson advising her of upcoming visits - enter the agents of past (Decker), present (Lady Magnolia) and future (Krampus). This is where the fun begins…
This book is a lovely read in the lead up to Christmas. If you’re looking for a fun, entertaining read with a twist of Christmas cheer then this is the book for you!
*ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley*
January 31, 2016
An enormously entertaining retake of the Charles Dickens classic. However where Charles Dickens is dull, Andi Marquette is witty, where Dickens drags on for an eternity, Marquette kept me reading into the night.
I thoroughly enjoyed this. Don't be put off thinking it's a Christmas book -- it's good any time of the year reading. Certainly don't be put off because you were held down and forced to read Dickens at school.
A happy five stars from me.
I thoroughly enjoyed this. Don't be put off thinking it's a Christmas book -- it's good any time of the year reading. Certainly don't be put off because you were held down and forced to read Dickens at school.
A happy five stars from me.
December 15, 2015
A treasure!
It is marvelous written and I was pleasantly surprised with the storyline. A bit based on the traditional story but so extremely unique. The approach was so different compared to the original classic and that makes reading this version so exciting. I enjoyed this piece of work immensely, it was fantastic in every way. A definite must-read for the holidays.
It is marvelous written and I was pleasantly surprised with the storyline. A bit based on the traditional story but so extremely unique. The approach was so different compared to the original classic and that makes reading this version so exciting. I enjoyed this piece of work immensely, it was fantastic in every way. A definite must-read for the holidays.
December 6, 2015
A perfect book for the holidays.
December 18, 2019
A Christmas Carol retold. But with lesbians. I loved most of it but thought it slowed down a bit much after all the epiphanies. Still, one of the most fun things I’ve read in a while.
December 8, 2020
I think that I read this book with a bad premise. I should’ve thought about it as a romance instead of a Christmas Carol retelling, because the romance was the thing that let me down. I wasn’t interested in it nor in the love interest. I loved the Bureau of Holidays Affairs and its workers and I wish that the book would’ve been about them instead of the romance.
For me, A Christmas Carol is a story about three spirits that torment a person in power so that this person changes their behaviour for the good of the people without power. In this retelling it’s a story about this “ghosts” teaching a woman how to love herself and letting others love her. It’s not a bad perspective, but if I read a retelling about ghosts scaring billionaires, I want to see that. Robin, the protagonist, had no power inside the company where she worked so I don’t see why the Christmas ghosts would waste their time scaring her. At the end, she did nothing relevant for the employees (just for three of them).
Another critique is that the dialogues at the last third were super boring. In them Robin explained what I had already read in the first two thirds. It was unnecessary.
In conclusion, if you want to read about a sad and angry woman who learns how to love herself and to open up to others, you may like it.
For me, A Christmas Carol is a story about three spirits that torment a person in power so that this person changes their behaviour for the good of the people without power. In this retelling it’s a story about this “ghosts” teaching a woman how to love herself and letting others love her. It’s not a bad perspective, but if I read a retelling about ghosts scaring billionaires, I want to see that. Robin, the protagonist, had no power inside the company where she worked so I don’t see why the Christmas ghosts would waste their time scaring her. At the end, she did nothing relevant for the employees (just for three of them).
Another critique is that the dialogues at the last third were super boring. In them Robin explained what I had already read in the first two thirds. It was unnecessary.
In conclusion, if you want to read about a sad and angry woman who learns how to love herself and to open up to others, you may like it.
December 30, 2018
I very much enjoyed this. A perfect book to read on/near Xmas.
May 20, 2024
I thought this could have been so much more interesting. I loved how the "Past", "Present" and "Future" (ghosts??) just kept popping up at unexpected times, however. There was no real explanation of what happened to the "Mr. Frost" character at the end, either.
June 2, 2016
The Bureau of Holiday Affairs is Andi Marquette’s next offering in what appears to be a line of vintage re-tellings. In her adaptation of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, by Irving Washington, I saw great promise in her ability to create a fresh version of the spooky classic. I had hoped for a similar intriguing concept when Marquette announced she would be writing a new twist on the beloved A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens.
Re-imagining such an iconic work must contain a fine balance between old and new ideas. I applaud Marquette for finding that harmony as she produced completely new characters and gave the work a modern-day feel set in the world of emails versus the land of cobblestones. The overall premise is the same, but there is no curmudgeon pondering over assets. Instead we have a woman concerned more with selfies than coinage.
Robin Preston, the troubled main character, is visited by three wildly different spirits who highlight her life during various times. And in lieu of a deceased former business partner, we have Senior Agent Elizabeth Tolson working for The Holiday Bureau to set things on course.
While I can completely appreciate the creativity poured into constructing a new spin, this version left me disheartened at the missed opportunity for a new holiday favorite. When reading a book, you want to empathize with one or more of the characters. You want to cry with them, cheer for them, and even fall in love with them. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find a single character to even care about.
The spirits’ personalities were all ridiculously overdone to the point of overkill. Since they’re already dead maybe overkill is the wrong word? But their characterizations were outrageous and often distracted from the story. I can understand wanting the ghosts to have colorful personas, but for almost every character in the book to embody standard stereotypes is repetitive. In addition to the outlandish ghosts, there is an all-boys club of colleagues that hates dykes, a salacious executive’s wife who seduces women, and a mousey assistant who is actually intelligent.
But my main dislike was for Robin. This is the character to make us believe in absolution, but I was so tired of her constant ignorance that I wanted to help the Ghost of Christmas Future dig the grave.
I could never fully understand what her job entailed, but she held some vague top position at an ambiguous company. She is supposedly a high-ranking corporate shark, but I have met janitors with a more professional decorum than the one she presents. The strong female character promoted in the summary of this book is absent from the story.
If we are to believe Robin is up for a CEO promotion, then I would assume her to be somewhat well mannered, highly educated, affluent in her dialogue, and have a polish above reproach. Honestly though, a bar of soap should replace Robin’s toothpaste.
In chapters 1-3 alone, there were several variations on the "F" word and almost 50 curse words total. She refers to near everyone as a “dick” or implies their intentions towards her as “dick moves.” Robin’s inner dialogue is just as disappointing as I found her horribly crass.
Not only was Robin’s vocabulary unprofessional, but so were her actions. She allows co-workers to speak to her on a first-name basis and her wardrobe (band tees, snake rings, skull-and-cross bone earrings) was better suited for a groupie at a KISS concert than a businesswoman. Also her office sounded terribly untidy with empty food containers, used coffee cups, and shoes tossed about.
It’s these details that instantly make the character and setting unrealistic. We have been told that the company’s culture stands against anything progressive, thus her informalities, wardrobe choices, and disorderly office would never be allowed.
In order for the character to have a redemption arc, then she must have something other than poor communication skills to be redeemed from. Robin’s only faults are that she doesn’t make time for her brother and she sleeps with a married woman. In my opinion, these actions do not constitute someone in dire need of three ghostly visits.
To make her look somewhat callous, the author has Robin fire an employee only to find out later, via the Ghost of Christmas Present, that the guy lives in hovel and has an asthmatic child. I couldn’t find Robin terrible for this because people get fired every day and her actions were even backed up by meeting the bottom line of the company. It was business, not personal. Besides, the guy obviously needs a better job if working for her only pays enough to live in deplorable conditions.
I expected Robin to be someone who had caused significant anguish or had shunned every emotion other than greed from her heart, but that was not the case. I kept reading, hoping that I would find a portrayal of a truly soulless creature in need of holy water to validate the Bureau’s presence in her life but it never came.
I also continuously became aggravated with her lack of common sense.
When Agent Tolson arrives at Robin’s office, she asks her: “Who the hell are you?” even after Agent Tolson has identified herself. What professional businesswoman would greet another professional businesswoman with such a salutation?
Tolson begins to tick off a few facts such as Robin’s birthday and college degree. Instantly, Robin retorts: “How do you have all of that information on me? That has to be illegal. You’ll be hearing from my attorney...”
Um, ok, you can find out more than that from a person’s Linkedin account.
The amount of uncertainty Robin has must make picking out socks a Herculean morning effort. Throughout the book we learn: She isn’t sure why she still has her old clothes or jewelry. She isn’t sure why she easily slips back into art vernacular at a showing. She isn’t sure why her stomach keeps clenching. She isn’t sure if this was all a dream. She isn’t sure why she picks up a note pad and pen. She isn’t sure if she means it when she says “take care.” Honestly, this woman isn’t sure about anything.
Four times the Ghost of Christmas Future had to tell her there are different and infinite possibilities for the future. Four times. And we’re only talking within a chapter or two. If she’s up for the CEO promotion, then I’m selling my stock.
Another grievance I held with this book was the constant scenario of being told not shown by the author.
Example 1- …always climbing the corporate ladder.
This phrase is repeated several times, yet we don’t learn how she has been furthering her career.There is practically nothing about late nights at the office, the extreme wooing of clients, the various business trips, the times she volunteered for projects or any examples of her spearheading leadership teams on corporate campaigns.
Example 2- Both were going at it hard.
Once again, show us. Describe the slick bodies sliding in tandem, the swell of breasts rubbing rhythmically, and the rumpled sheets lying on the floor. Now would even be a good time to implement all of those curse words wandering about the pages so freely.
The editing in this book also felt bewildering. In most cases it was the amount of repetitive words and phrases which had me gift-wrapping thesauruses. The word “mist” appears over 20 times in just the first 22% of the story, the word “sugar” is repeated 14 times in a single chapter, and the word “sparks” is used constantly to travel down thighs, fingers, and spines.
But I also found that the sentence structure was all over the map. Sentences were either a combination of fragments, extremely short and choppy, or they became run-ons exceeding in 30-50+ words. At one point I was reaching for an inhaler.
Excerpts:
Robin brushed Jill’s lips with her own, a brief, gentle touch, and then Jill’s hands were in Robin’s hair, and Jill kissed her slowly and deeply, and Robin’s hands were on Jill’s face, holding her in place until she pulled away, her grip dropping to Robin’s shoulders and then to the remaining buttons on Robin’s shirt.
A patrol boat cruised past. Robin watched it. That would be an interesting job, probably. Hard, but sort of cool.
She was about to go get something to eat when her desk phone rang. Mary from HR. Robin answered. It made her feel more human, more like she’d felt years ago. Pause.
And when Robin would travel, there would be others in the scene who, while not crucial characters, were still relevant enough to the story that they deserved names.
-“What do you think?” dress woman asked. “I love it,” black pants responded, and Robin started.
-“Have you combined them?” Trust fund leaned in, interested. “Not really, no,” funky hipster said.
Additionally, there were an absurd amount of references to The Matrix. It was unfortunate because not everyone has seen the movie, therefore the numerous “red pill” mentions were lost on me. It’s one thing to reference a film, but to use it as a trope fails if your reader cannot make the connection.
And the ending of the novel was somewhat mysterious. Anyone could have missed the meaning of it if they hadn’t paid extra attention to a handful of character Jill Chen’s quotes earlier in the book. I’m sure it was meant to be clever, but it may end up as a missed revelation to some.
I do not fault the author entirely for the above points. A beta or an editor should have caught some of these critiques but I am convinced everyone was out drinking eggnog with the Ghost of Christmas Past.
Granted, there are places in the novel where Marquette’s ability to weave a tale shines beautifully. It is just unfortunate that those places are amidst vast amounts of poorly constructed paragraphs.
With all my being, I wanted to like this story. I have read one other book by Marquette and several enjoyable blog posts by her, yet the skill-set of this work is not comparable.
Marquette is one of publisher Ylva’s most esteemed authors so I can only surmise it was the rush of a Christmas deadline that affected the content of this novel. While I am not sold on this particular book, there is no doubt Marquette’s imagination is a delightful place to be and I look forward to the future works she will produce.
NOTE: This book was provided by the publisher for the purpose of a review.
Re-imagining such an iconic work must contain a fine balance between old and new ideas. I applaud Marquette for finding that harmony as she produced completely new characters and gave the work a modern-day feel set in the world of emails versus the land of cobblestones. The overall premise is the same, but there is no curmudgeon pondering over assets. Instead we have a woman concerned more with selfies than coinage.
Robin Preston, the troubled main character, is visited by three wildly different spirits who highlight her life during various times. And in lieu of a deceased former business partner, we have Senior Agent Elizabeth Tolson working for The Holiday Bureau to set things on course.
While I can completely appreciate the creativity poured into constructing a new spin, this version left me disheartened at the missed opportunity for a new holiday favorite. When reading a book, you want to empathize with one or more of the characters. You want to cry with them, cheer for them, and even fall in love with them. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find a single character to even care about.
The spirits’ personalities were all ridiculously overdone to the point of overkill. Since they’re already dead maybe overkill is the wrong word? But their characterizations were outrageous and often distracted from the story. I can understand wanting the ghosts to have colorful personas, but for almost every character in the book to embody standard stereotypes is repetitive. In addition to the outlandish ghosts, there is an all-boys club of colleagues that hates dykes, a salacious executive’s wife who seduces women, and a mousey assistant who is actually intelligent.
But my main dislike was for Robin. This is the character to make us believe in absolution, but I was so tired of her constant ignorance that I wanted to help the Ghost of Christmas Future dig the grave.
I could never fully understand what her job entailed, but she held some vague top position at an ambiguous company. She is supposedly a high-ranking corporate shark, but I have met janitors with a more professional decorum than the one she presents. The strong female character promoted in the summary of this book is absent from the story.
If we are to believe Robin is up for a CEO promotion, then I would assume her to be somewhat well mannered, highly educated, affluent in her dialogue, and have a polish above reproach. Honestly though, a bar of soap should replace Robin’s toothpaste.
In chapters 1-3 alone, there were several variations on the "F" word and almost 50 curse words total. She refers to near everyone as a “dick” or implies their intentions towards her as “dick moves.” Robin’s inner dialogue is just as disappointing as I found her horribly crass.
Not only was Robin’s vocabulary unprofessional, but so were her actions. She allows co-workers to speak to her on a first-name basis and her wardrobe (band tees, snake rings, skull-and-cross bone earrings) was better suited for a groupie at a KISS concert than a businesswoman. Also her office sounded terribly untidy with empty food containers, used coffee cups, and shoes tossed about.
It’s these details that instantly make the character and setting unrealistic. We have been told that the company’s culture stands against anything progressive, thus her informalities, wardrobe choices, and disorderly office would never be allowed.
In order for the character to have a redemption arc, then she must have something other than poor communication skills to be redeemed from. Robin’s only faults are that she doesn’t make time for her brother and she sleeps with a married woman. In my opinion, these actions do not constitute someone in dire need of three ghostly visits.
To make her look somewhat callous, the author has Robin fire an employee only to find out later, via the Ghost of Christmas Present, that the guy lives in hovel and has an asthmatic child. I couldn’t find Robin terrible for this because people get fired every day and her actions were even backed up by meeting the bottom line of the company. It was business, not personal. Besides, the guy obviously needs a better job if working for her only pays enough to live in deplorable conditions.
I expected Robin to be someone who had caused significant anguish or had shunned every emotion other than greed from her heart, but that was not the case. I kept reading, hoping that I would find a portrayal of a truly soulless creature in need of holy water to validate the Bureau’s presence in her life but it never came.
I also continuously became aggravated with her lack of common sense.
When Agent Tolson arrives at Robin’s office, she asks her: “Who the hell are you?” even after Agent Tolson has identified herself. What professional businesswoman would greet another professional businesswoman with such a salutation?
Tolson begins to tick off a few facts such as Robin’s birthday and college degree. Instantly, Robin retorts: “How do you have all of that information on me? That has to be illegal. You’ll be hearing from my attorney...”
Um, ok, you can find out more than that from a person’s Linkedin account.
The amount of uncertainty Robin has must make picking out socks a Herculean morning effort. Throughout the book we learn: She isn’t sure why she still has her old clothes or jewelry. She isn’t sure why she easily slips back into art vernacular at a showing. She isn’t sure why her stomach keeps clenching. She isn’t sure if this was all a dream. She isn’t sure why she picks up a note pad and pen. She isn’t sure if she means it when she says “take care.” Honestly, this woman isn’t sure about anything.
Four times the Ghost of Christmas Future had to tell her there are different and infinite possibilities for the future. Four times. And we’re only talking within a chapter or two. If she’s up for the CEO promotion, then I’m selling my stock.
Another grievance I held with this book was the constant scenario of being told not shown by the author.
Example 1- …always climbing the corporate ladder.
This phrase is repeated several times, yet we don’t learn how she has been furthering her career.There is practically nothing about late nights at the office, the extreme wooing of clients, the various business trips, the times she volunteered for projects or any examples of her spearheading leadership teams on corporate campaigns.
Example 2- Both were going at it hard.
Once again, show us. Describe the slick bodies sliding in tandem, the swell of breasts rubbing rhythmically, and the rumpled sheets lying on the floor. Now would even be a good time to implement all of those curse words wandering about the pages so freely.
The editing in this book also felt bewildering. In most cases it was the amount of repetitive words and phrases which had me gift-wrapping thesauruses. The word “mist” appears over 20 times in just the first 22% of the story, the word “sugar” is repeated 14 times in a single chapter, and the word “sparks” is used constantly to travel down thighs, fingers, and spines.
But I also found that the sentence structure was all over the map. Sentences were either a combination of fragments, extremely short and choppy, or they became run-ons exceeding in 30-50+ words. At one point I was reaching for an inhaler.
Excerpts:
Robin brushed Jill’s lips with her own, a brief, gentle touch, and then Jill’s hands were in Robin’s hair, and Jill kissed her slowly and deeply, and Robin’s hands were on Jill’s face, holding her in place until she pulled away, her grip dropping to Robin’s shoulders and then to the remaining buttons on Robin’s shirt.
A patrol boat cruised past. Robin watched it. That would be an interesting job, probably. Hard, but sort of cool.
She was about to go get something to eat when her desk phone rang. Mary from HR. Robin answered. It made her feel more human, more like she’d felt years ago. Pause.
And when Robin would travel, there would be others in the scene who, while not crucial characters, were still relevant enough to the story that they deserved names.
-“What do you think?” dress woman asked. “I love it,” black pants responded, and Robin started.
-“Have you combined them?” Trust fund leaned in, interested. “Not really, no,” funky hipster said.
Additionally, there were an absurd amount of references to The Matrix. It was unfortunate because not everyone has seen the movie, therefore the numerous “red pill” mentions were lost on me. It’s one thing to reference a film, but to use it as a trope fails if your reader cannot make the connection.
And the ending of the novel was somewhat mysterious. Anyone could have missed the meaning of it if they hadn’t paid extra attention to a handful of character Jill Chen’s quotes earlier in the book. I’m sure it was meant to be clever, but it may end up as a missed revelation to some.
I do not fault the author entirely for the above points. A beta or an editor should have caught some of these critiques but I am convinced everyone was out drinking eggnog with the Ghost of Christmas Past.
Granted, there are places in the novel where Marquette’s ability to weave a tale shines beautifully. It is just unfortunate that those places are amidst vast amounts of poorly constructed paragraphs.
With all my being, I wanted to like this story. I have read one other book by Marquette and several enjoyable blog posts by her, yet the skill-set of this work is not comparable.
Marquette is one of publisher Ylva’s most esteemed authors so I can only surmise it was the rush of a Christmas deadline that affected the content of this novel. While I am not sold on this particular book, there is no doubt Marquette’s imagination is a delightful place to be and I look forward to the future works she will produce.
NOTE: This book was provided by the publisher for the purpose of a review.
December 8, 2017
Sassy modern version of a holiday classic
Andi Marquette’s take on ‘A Christmas Carol’ is modern, insightful and breathes comedic life into the classic story. It’s so very entertaining to read before the holiday season but also could be read any time of the year; self-reflection and change are not solely seasonal pursuits.
The characters are vivid - Magnolia in particular leaps off the page with her over the top fabulousness and sass-encased wisdom – and relatable, the story familiar but not a strict retelling of Dickens’ tale, so there are surprises in the plot leading up to a very satisfying ending. This could be part of a new holiday tradition, reading this story year after year without losing any of the pleasure of the first time reading.
Andi Marquette’s other book in the Twice Told Tales series (The Secret of Sleepy Hollow) is also worth reading for its fresh take on the Washington Irving classic. I hope there will be other works by Marquette in this series; there are plenty of classic stories in need of an update like this.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Andi Marquette’s take on ‘A Christmas Carol’ is modern, insightful and breathes comedic life into the classic story. It’s so very entertaining to read before the holiday season but also could be read any time of the year; self-reflection and change are not solely seasonal pursuits.
The characters are vivid - Magnolia in particular leaps off the page with her over the top fabulousness and sass-encased wisdom – and relatable, the story familiar but not a strict retelling of Dickens’ tale, so there are surprises in the plot leading up to a very satisfying ending. This could be part of a new holiday tradition, reading this story year after year without losing any of the pleasure of the first time reading.
Andi Marquette’s other book in the Twice Told Tales series (The Secret of Sleepy Hollow) is also worth reading for its fresh take on the Washington Irving classic. I hope there will be other works by Marquette in this series; there are plenty of classic stories in need of an update like this.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
January 22, 2020
Updated A Christmas Carol, where executive Robin is being visited by three spirits and Agent Elizabeth Tolson of the Bureau of Holiday Affairs, who all stay a little bit past Christmas to encourage her back to her college love, Jill. I like the idea of this, and I liked the way the story got expanded--after the first two visits, I did wonder why we were only a quarter into the book! The characters were interesting, the story was interesting, it just never fully grabbed me. But I would like to learn more about Elizabeth Tolson!
August 30, 2018
Ylva provided me with a copy for review.
This romance has at its core the Dickens' "Christmas Carol" with main character Robin Preston and believable supporting characters. A storyline that ultimately warms the heart and makes you smile looking forward to a better tomorrow. Kudos Ms. Marquette!!
5 stars.
This romance has at its core the Dickens' "Christmas Carol" with main character Robin Preston and believable supporting characters. A storyline that ultimately warms the heart and makes you smile looking forward to a better tomorrow. Kudos Ms. Marquette!!
5 stars.
March 20, 2018
This is a fun adaptation of Charles Dickens Christmas Carol - made more modern. It is a light read, perfect for the holiday season. I read it in the off time but I still enjoyed it and probably will reread it in December.
The characters were well written and the story was lovely.
The characters were well written and the story was lovely.
December 23, 2022
That time of year when I load my kindle up with Christmas reads, so glad I grabbed this and it exceeded my expectations. I thought it was wonderfully told and had me glued till the end, great interpretation of an old story. Will be uploading more from Andi.
August 3, 2024
Fun holiday read
Fun ,up lifting holiday story. The characters are interesting and likable. A holiday story that has a happy ending and makes you smile, and has a love story this book has it all. Thanks for a very enjoyable read.
Fun ,up lifting holiday story. The characters are interesting and likable. A holiday story that has a happy ending and makes you smile, and has a love story this book has it all. Thanks for a very enjoyable read.
November 6, 2018
Fun holiday story with a casual nod to Charles Dickens and The Christmas Carol. For a woman having an epiphany Robin seems unusually obtuse, but it all works out in the end.
November 27, 2018
3.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews