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Bunny Finds a Friend
It’s close to Christmas in Amsterdam, and Cara Jong isn’t having the best of days. Her girlfriend has left her, and her new job isn’t nearly as glamorous as she hoped it would be. A run-in with Jude Donovan, who’s playing Santa Claus in a department store, does little to lift her spirits, even though there’s clearly an appealing woman hidden beneath Santa’s beard. When Cara finds out that Jude is actually a well-known author of children’s books, she’s intrigued and decides to attend Jude’s reading. A bizarre misunderstanding breaks the ice between them, and they share a heated kiss that same night. As the weeks go by, they begin to fall in love and hope to leave past experiences behind. But Cara doesn’t trust her luck in love and soon breaks things off, leaving Jude baffled and broken-hearted. Can Cara’s meddling sisters and a hilarious road trip convince Cara to go after her happily-ever-after with the writer?
220 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 20, 2016
4 people are currently reading
122 people want to read
About the author
Hazel Yeats
3 books7 followersHazel Yeats resides in the Netherlands, the country of flat polders, green pastures, and lots of water. She knew from an early age that she wanted to write, but it wasn’t until decades later that she finally wrote a novel. Once she had, there was no going back—she was hooked.
When she’s not slaving away at her day job, she’s cycling, sipping cappuccinos, or getting her hands dirty by growing her own veggies. And she sings, in a very unambitious choir. You wouldn’t peg her for a soprano, but she is.
When she’s not slaving away at her day job, she’s cycling, sipping cappuccinos, or getting her hands dirty by growing her own veggies. And she sings, in a very unambitious choir. You wouldn’t peg her for a soprano, but she is.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
January 23, 2016
Loved it! Perfect, witty and candid. The book has a Euro feel without being an Amsterdam travelogue. That said, I bookmarked several locations to google later to add to the enjoyment of my reread.
Cara gets centre stage in this love story. We do meet Jude, and she does share the spotlight but the focus and real character growth is demonstrated by Cara. Her meddling sisters are a big part of her life. They are much more than secondary characters. They are Cara's past and present. They are her unconditional love, her home base and her moral compass. Their hetero views and equal share of caring, concern and clueless nature regarding their little sister are a constant source of humour and insight.
Unlike many pure romance novels, in this book there are no bad guys (girls) and no conversations which if faced would resolve our lovers problems. How things work out for this couple as we know they will is special to watch.
That said and not giving away spoilers, the last book Jude writes in the novel is a perfect reflection of Cara and Jude.
A full glorious 5 stars for a book I loved from cover to cover.
ARC received with thanks from publisher via Net Galley
Cara gets centre stage in this love story. We do meet Jude, and she does share the spotlight but the focus and real character growth is demonstrated by Cara. Her meddling sisters are a big part of her life. They are much more than secondary characters. They are Cara's past and present. They are her unconditional love, her home base and her moral compass. Their hetero views and equal share of caring, concern and clueless nature regarding their little sister are a constant source of humour and insight.
Unlike many pure romance novels, in this book there are no bad guys (girls) and no conversations which if faced would resolve our lovers problems. How things work out for this couple as we know they will is special to watch.
That said and not giving away spoilers, the last book Jude writes in the novel is a perfect reflection of Cara and Jude.
A full glorious 5 stars for a book I loved from cover to cover.
ARC received with thanks from publisher via Net Galley
February 25, 2016
'Bunny Finds a Friend' is primarily a coming-of-age story of a gentle, funny and somewhat quirky thirty-something(!) woman. Flitting from job to job and girlfriend to girlfriend, Cara thinks of herself as an adventurous, restless, free-spirit. Her sisters think she just can't commit to anything long-term. But a chance encounter with a complete stranger in a department store at Christmastime sets Cara's heart in a tizzy. When she finally tracks down her mystery crush, she turns out to be a popular author of children's books, Jude Donovan. Sparks fly fast and the rest is history. But history may be short-lived as Cara deems herself unworthy of the more accomplished Jude. Can she handle the usual and inevitable relationship challenges, like their unequal station in life, and Jude's excess baggage?
There is so much to love about this book. The beautiful Amsterdam settings, the charming rom-com atmosphere, a lively gaggle of nosy, judgmental but ultimately loving and supportive 'sisters', a sweet and adorable pairing, and enough drama to liven up pages. From start to end, this is Cara's story. The romance is not the central theme of the book (Cara's long-delayed journey to adulthood is) but it did get real quality time, and features some of the most romantic moments I've read in quite a while. People who come into the book expecting it to be all about Cara and Jude (as romances go) will be a bit disappointed as they also spend quite a bit of time apart. In between, we have Cara and the meddlesome sisters. They're occasionally overbearing, but the smart dialogue, witty quips and cheeky back and forths that characterize their exchanges save them from being just caricatures. Plus, they serve as an excellent narrative device to fully explore Cara's dealing with love, life and growing up.
4.75 stars
ARC from Netgalley and Ylva.
P.S. Throughout the book I kept picturing Cate Blanchett as Jude and Roonie Mara as Cara. I wonder why? :)
There is so much to love about this book. The beautiful Amsterdam settings, the charming rom-com atmosphere, a lively gaggle of nosy, judgmental but ultimately loving and supportive 'sisters', a sweet and adorable pairing, and enough drama to liven up pages. From start to end, this is Cara's story. The romance is not the central theme of the book (Cara's long-delayed journey to adulthood is) but it did get real quality time, and features some of the most romantic moments I've read in quite a while. People who come into the book expecting it to be all about Cara and Jude (as romances go) will be a bit disappointed as they also spend quite a bit of time apart. In between, we have Cara and the meddlesome sisters. They're occasionally overbearing, but the smart dialogue, witty quips and cheeky back and forths that characterize their exchanges save them from being just caricatures. Plus, they serve as an excellent narrative device to fully explore Cara's dealing with love, life and growing up.
4.75 stars
ARC from Netgalley and Ylva.
P.S. Throughout the book I kept picturing Cate Blanchett as Jude and Roonie Mara as Cara. I wonder why? :)
July 3, 2017
I can't help thinking this is what a Robin Alexander book should be...a little zany, family-centric, has humor without being over the top. It's very difficult to write comedy and I thought this book did that well. I didn't laugh out loud but, yes, I found it funny and entertaining.
Cara is a likable, if aimless, character and this is almost more of a story about her and her sisters than Cara and her love interest, Jude. In a way, that was fine because the sisters are all well-defined characters, as is Cara, and their interactions are compelling. It leaves a little to be desired, though, in the romance department.
There is a romance, that is fairly drama free, but as some other reviewers mentioned I wish Jude got more of a spotlight. She's an intriguing character and, in the story, she has a lot of interesting conflicts in the air that we don't get much resolution on.
All in all, it's a good and light-hearted read, though.
FYI, for those who prefer non-explicit intimacy in their romance books, everything here is fade to black.
Cara is a likable, if aimless, character and this is almost more of a story about her and her sisters than Cara and her love interest, Jude. In a way, that was fine because the sisters are all well-defined characters, as is Cara, and their interactions are compelling. It leaves a little to be desired, though, in the romance department.
There is a romance, that is fairly drama free, but as some other reviewers mentioned I wish Jude got more of a spotlight. She's an intriguing character and, in the story, she has a lot of interesting conflicts in the air that we don't get much resolution on.
All in all, it's a good and light-hearted read, though.
FYI, for those who prefer non-explicit intimacy in their romance books, everything here is fade to black.
March 5, 2016
Pros:
- interesting and rare setting for this literary niche -- Amsterdam, Netherlands
- bunch of appealing characters
- fine dose of humor
- interesting plot
- witty dialogue
- very well written sisterly relationship
Cons:
- not enough attention to the romantic relationship
- some things are not clear enough for my liking, particularly about the protagonist Jude ()
- some important things we haven't experienced as readers, but only heard about from the protagonist Cara
Verdict: Despite some vagueness I liked the story a lot, although I would have preferred more pages with and about Jude. She somehow remained in the shadows, and that's too bad because she is a very interesting and quite nice character.
I recommend this book, and am looking forward to more nice stories from the author.
3.5 stars, rounded up considering it's the author's first published novel (a short novel, to be precise)
*ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley*
- interesting and rare setting for this literary niche -- Amsterdam, Netherlands
- bunch of appealing characters
- fine dose of humor
- interesting plot
- witty dialogue
- very well written sisterly relationship
Cons:
- not enough attention to the romantic relationship
- some things are not clear enough for my liking, particularly about the protagonist Jude ()
- some important things we haven't experienced as readers, but only heard about from the protagonist Cara
Verdict: Despite some vagueness I liked the story a lot, although I would have preferred more pages with and about Jude. She somehow remained in the shadows, and that's too bad because she is a very interesting and quite nice character.
I recommend this book, and am looking forward to more nice stories from the author.
3.5 stars, rounded up considering it's the author's first published novel (a short novel, to be precise)
*ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley*
January 28, 2016
Bunny Finds a Friend by Hazel Yeats is a wonderful novel whose main character is an absolute delight. This book reached out and grabbed me right from the start. From beginning to end this book is enjoyable and totally amusing. I loved it!
Cara Jong is a free spirit who cannot for the life of her commit to anything since she graduated from college. She is smart, funny, has an amazing heart and is strikingly beautiful. Cara’s main issue is that she doesn’t want to be tied down to the rigors of Grownupville (this is 100% a made up word, but is by far where I live right now). Grownupville makes you pick a career, buy a house, settle down with one person, and hey Cara is just not feeling it. So, she wanders, and she job hops, and has a string of short-term girlfriends, much to the dismays of her overly critical but hilarious sisters. All of this changes, well kind of, when she meets Jude Donovan.
Jude is not like Cara. She has a career. She is a well know children’s author of a series about a bunny who encounters real life problems and solves them in the glorious way that children’s book do. Jude is an American expat divorcee and a single mom. Cara is happily residing in Grownupville and is thriving. All she is missing is a little creativity (writer’s block) and someone to share her life with.
I loved how the author introduced the beauty of the Netherlands, without letting the scenery overtake the story. Hazel Yeats is a wonderfully talented author, and her book Bunny Finds a Friend is a treasure. Put this book on your “To Read” list!
My rating would be a 3.75.
Cara Jong is a free spirit who cannot for the life of her commit to anything since she graduated from college. She is smart, funny, has an amazing heart and is strikingly beautiful. Cara’s main issue is that she doesn’t want to be tied down to the rigors of Grownupville (this is 100% a made up word, but is by far where I live right now). Grownupville makes you pick a career, buy a house, settle down with one person, and hey Cara is just not feeling it. So, she wanders, and she job hops, and has a string of short-term girlfriends, much to the dismays of her overly critical but hilarious sisters. All of this changes, well kind of, when she meets Jude Donovan.
Jude is not like Cara. She has a career. She is a well know children’s author of a series about a bunny who encounters real life problems and solves them in the glorious way that children’s book do. Jude is an American expat divorcee and a single mom. Cara is happily residing in Grownupville and is thriving. All she is missing is a little creativity (writer’s block) and someone to share her life with.
I loved how the author introduced the beauty of the Netherlands, without letting the scenery overtake the story. Hazel Yeats is a wonderfully talented author, and her book Bunny Finds a Friend is a treasure. Put this book on your “To Read” list!
My rating would be a 3.75.
March 13, 2016
3.5 stars
This story is told in third person and completely from Cara’s point of view. So first and foremost I’d like to state, the story is really about her journey and any romance is secondary to that, at least that was my experience while reading. At 32 years of age Cara is a free spirit, seeming to drift through life, with no fixed job or commitments. Then she has the onus task of serving papers on Jude. From that day forth she can’t get the woman out of her mind.
With the help of her sisters, Cara discovers Jude is a famous writer of children’s books and she conspires to cross paths again. The event that unfolded was a lot of fun! Things get heated but there’s no on-page sex, frankly it wasn’t needed. And that’s rich coming from me – a self-confessed smut lover.
Moving on, things quickly went downhill and their ‘union’ was short lived. Cara didn’t gel with Jude’s five-year-old daughter for one. I was a little disappointed that this was glossed over later in the story. Much like the plagiarism charge which essentially bought the two ladies into each other’s lives. But then this wasn’t Jude’s story so I guess that’s to be expected?
Cara is very close to her sisters, and sister-in-law, their weekly catch-ups will appeal to many readers. They’re a mixed bunch. To quote Cara – “I’m too flaky, Inge eats too much, Alice spends too much, and Myra has too much unprotected sex.”
This was a fun story. I really enjoyed the setting, Amsterdam. With the various places so well described, I felt like I’d been transported to a place I’d love to visit.
Copy received in exchange for an honest review
This story is told in third person and completely from Cara’s point of view. So first and foremost I’d like to state, the story is really about her journey and any romance is secondary to that, at least that was my experience while reading. At 32 years of age Cara is a free spirit, seeming to drift through life, with no fixed job or commitments. Then she has the onus task of serving papers on Jude. From that day forth she can’t get the woman out of her mind.
With the help of her sisters, Cara discovers Jude is a famous writer of children’s books and she conspires to cross paths again. The event that unfolded was a lot of fun! Things get heated but there’s no on-page sex, frankly it wasn’t needed. And that’s rich coming from me – a self-confessed smut lover.
Moving on, things quickly went downhill and their ‘union’ was short lived. Cara didn’t gel with Jude’s five-year-old daughter for one. I was a little disappointed that this was glossed over later in the story. Much like the plagiarism charge which essentially bought the two ladies into each other’s lives. But then this wasn’t Jude’s story so I guess that’s to be expected?
Cara is very close to her sisters, and sister-in-law, their weekly catch-ups will appeal to many readers. They’re a mixed bunch. To quote Cara – “I’m too flaky, Inge eats too much, Alice spends too much, and Myra has too much unprotected sex.”
This was a fun story. I really enjoyed the setting, Amsterdam. With the various places so well described, I felt like I’d been transported to a place I’d love to visit.
Copy received in exchange for an honest review
January 23, 2016
Detailed score: 2.5
This is one of those books where I'm seeing lots of 4 star reviews from reviewers I respect and with whom I often share similar views...and wonder what on earth it is that I have missed.
A common criticism that I see drawn in lesrom reviews is that the secondary characters are cliched or underdeveloped compared to the central romance. The opposite is true in this book - the relationship between our lens, Cara, and her sisters (and sister in law) is given just as much air time (if not more air time) than the relationship between Cara and her love interest, Jude.
This would have been fine if I felt drawn to / was able to engage with the sisters. But I didn't. To be honest, I found most of their interactions irritating, cold, preachy and/or a combination of the three.
The relationship between Cara and Jude felt under-done. Lots of tell not show. I really didn't feel / believe the chemistry between the two of them. I was also distracted by the multiple massive time leaps that take place - it really interrupted the flow of the book for me.
I try not to write totally down reviews (although I seem to be writing a few of these of late... sorry about that :-/) but... I really am struggling to find a positive note to end on... it was well-proofed? :-/ Clearly, though, I'm in the minority so erm... yeah.
Note: Even though I often am lucky enough to receive ARCs and I note others have done so for this book, I paid for this book - ie this in not an ARC review
This is one of those books where I'm seeing lots of 4 star reviews from reviewers I respect and with whom I often share similar views...and wonder what on earth it is that I have missed.
A common criticism that I see drawn in lesrom reviews is that the secondary characters are cliched or underdeveloped compared to the central romance. The opposite is true in this book - the relationship between our lens, Cara, and her sisters (and sister in law) is given just as much air time (if not more air time) than the relationship between Cara and her love interest, Jude.
This would have been fine if I felt drawn to / was able to engage with the sisters. But I didn't. To be honest, I found most of their interactions irritating, cold, preachy and/or a combination of the three.
The relationship between Cara and Jude felt under-done. Lots of tell not show. I really didn't feel / believe the chemistry between the two of them. I was also distracted by the multiple massive time leaps that take place - it really interrupted the flow of the book for me.
I try not to write totally down reviews (although I seem to be writing a few of these of late... sorry about that :-/) but... I really am struggling to find a positive note to end on... it was well-proofed? :-/ Clearly, though, I'm in the minority so erm... yeah.
Note: Even though I often am lucky enough to receive ARCs and I note others have done so for this book, I paid for this book - ie this in not an ARC review
March 26, 2016
I really, really wanted to like the second half of the book as much as I did the first, but I just felt there was a lot of time spent on the main character's sisters when some of that time could have focused more on Jude, who is, after all, the catalyst for everything kicking off in the beginning and the main character's growth as a person. This did not keep from me very much liking the book as a whole and it is definitely a good read, but I just felt it lost a little of its staying power.
February 4, 2016
I loved this book. I loved the dialogue, the relationships, all of it. I mean, clearly if I gave it 5 stars.
That said, I have no idea why this book is being marketed as a romance. I mean, there is a romantic relationship involved, and I loved how that resolved in the end, but I would call it more general fiction. Maybe an unconventional romance?
Anyway, that's really just a quibble. It's a delightful little read and I highly recommend it.
Full review here: http://www.thelesbianreview.com/bunny...
That said, I have no idea why this book is being marketed as a romance. I mean, there is a romantic relationship involved, and I loved how that resolved in the end, but I would call it more general fiction. Maybe an unconventional romance?
Anyway, that's really just a quibble. It's a delightful little read and I highly recommend it.
Full review here: http://www.thelesbianreview.com/bunny...
March 28, 2017
*Free copy provided by the Publisher for an honest review*
First I need to say that this is not a book about romance but instead it is a more about finding one's self. I wouldn't have thought that I would enjoy a book that is more based on the growth of one person than the relationship but I really enjoyed this story. Clara Jong is a character who has gotten so used to trying to live a life free of commitment and seriousness that she hasn't realised that she has become stagnant. Jude Donovan is a children's writer who has success and her daughter, Zoe, but her love life is not exactly ideal.
This is a very well written book and the author has done a good job in creating a story of humour, love and quirky goodness. I loved Clara's sister's and their meddling ways, I don't think more perfectly imperfect characters could have been created to fit into Clara and Judes lives.
I do wish there has been a bit more to Jude and Clara's relationship and more insight into Jude's life but even without that I still enjoyed this book
3.7 stars
First I need to say that this is not a book about romance but instead it is a more about finding one's self. I wouldn't have thought that I would enjoy a book that is more based on the growth of one person than the relationship but I really enjoyed this story. Clara Jong is a character who has gotten so used to trying to live a life free of commitment and seriousness that she hasn't realised that she has become stagnant. Jude Donovan is a children's writer who has success and her daughter, Zoe, but her love life is not exactly ideal.
This is a very well written book and the author has done a good job in creating a story of humour, love and quirky goodness. I loved Clara's sister's and their meddling ways, I don't think more perfectly imperfect characters could have been created to fit into Clara and Judes lives.
I do wish there has been a bit more to Jude and Clara's relationship and more insight into Jude's life but even without that I still enjoyed this book
3.7 stars
February 6, 2016
This was a delight the whole way through. 4.5 stars
Cara drifts from job to job, never really knowing what she wants to do and never committing to anyone or anything. Kind hearted and clever, what she lacks in commitment she makes up for in love for her sisters and sister-in-law, and their children.
Jude is a best-selling children’s book author, and every child under 10 and their parents know her main character Bunny. Freshly split up from her wife, and with a daughter at a tricky stage, Jude isn’t looking for love either.
Set in the Netherlands, this is a romance between two women, but it feels like it has more depth than that with the addition of Cara’s family. The sisters, and the sister-in-law are wonderful characters, and they add a lot of depth and humour to the book. Cara is fun, but the addition of the sisters is a hoot.
I don’t want to give too much away, but this was a delight, from the romance to the relationship between Cara and her sisters. Enjoy.
Cara drifts from job to job, never really knowing what she wants to do and never committing to anyone or anything. Kind hearted and clever, what she lacks in commitment she makes up for in love for her sisters and sister-in-law, and their children.
Jude is a best-selling children’s book author, and every child under 10 and their parents know her main character Bunny. Freshly split up from her wife, and with a daughter at a tricky stage, Jude isn’t looking for love either.
Set in the Netherlands, this is a romance between two women, but it feels like it has more depth than that with the addition of Cara’s family. The sisters, and the sister-in-law are wonderful characters, and they add a lot of depth and humour to the book. Cara is fun, but the addition of the sisters is a hoot.
I don’t want to give too much away, but this was a delight, from the romance to the relationship between Cara and her sisters. Enjoy.
January 14, 2024
Cara hasn’t found herself after finishing college. Working odd jobs, serial dating, and spending a lot of time with her entertaining, no boundary is off limits sisters. She meets children’s author Jude when she serves papers on her in a funny setup. With the help of her sisters she meets Jude again and begins a relationship. But timing isn’t on their side at the moment.
The story is told from Cara’s POV and it really is more about her finding path and interests for the future. She needs to be confident in herself before really connecting for a relationship. This borders on women’s fiction with an ultimate romance. I found the story funny with witty dialog, but ultimately uneven. I few things are brought up and dropped. plagiarism lawsuit, Jude’s ex-wife. Jude is very warm and open. I wanted a conversation not just about the pair's combustible chemistry but on how Jude felt getting dropped and why she’s willing to risk things again. Ultimately this is Cara’s book and I didn’t get to know Jude as much as wished.
This is entertaining and a quick read. And I did like that it takes place in the beautiful city of Amsterdam. This is entertaining and a quick read. And I did like that it takes place in the beautiful city of Amsterdam. Originally released Jan 2016, I received a copy to read from Ylva Publishing via NetGalley and I am leaving an honest review.
The story is told from Cara’s POV and it really is more about her finding path and interests for the future. She needs to be confident in herself before really connecting for a relationship. This borders on women’s fiction with an ultimate romance. I found the story funny with witty dialog, but ultimately uneven. I few things are brought up and dropped. plagiarism lawsuit, Jude’s ex-wife. Jude is very warm and open. I wanted a conversation not just about the pair's combustible chemistry but on how Jude felt getting dropped and why she’s willing to risk things again. Ultimately this is Cara’s book and I didn’t get to know Jude as much as wished.
This is entertaining and a quick read. And I did like that it takes place in the beautiful city of Amsterdam. This is entertaining and a quick read. And I did like that it takes place in the beautiful city of Amsterdam. Originally released Jan 2016, I received a copy to read from Ylva Publishing via NetGalley and I am leaving an honest review.
May 30, 2019
I wanted to really like this book but only kinda liked it. I think it was the style the story was written. I found more monologue or telling than actual interaction. The dialogue was great especially between the sisters. But what killed it for me was that a conversation would begin and after a question was asked instead of the next line being the answer, the author went to describe the location or what the person was wearing and then two paragraphs later answered the question. It drove me nuts. It was on Scribd so technically a free read.
February 11, 2024
Entertaining. Two very different MCs trying to work each other and life out helped, with good intentions, by some quirky side characters. ‘Serious’ is interwoven with ‘hilarious’.
December 14, 2019
Very light-hearted, sweet, tender romance, just the right amount of humor and witty banter. Sometimes a book ends up in my favorite shelf not because it's the best but because of the sentimental value it brings and I'm biased towards this one because it is based in the Netherlands, the place I have called home for the past 2.5 years. I read this imagining all the conversations carried in Dutch (wouldn't it be romantic lol :)). Perfect time to read this book again now that it's Christmas.
January 27, 2016
This book didn't grab me the way I hoped it would. There were aspects of this book that I enjoyed which made the book worth reading however there were a number of things that just didn't hit the mark for me.
I enjoyed the characters and felt they had potential. I liked the honesty of the characters and how they both had issues to work through. It made the characters more realistic. The sisters were good fun and I liked what they brought to the story.
When you have the couple hook up early in the book you tend to miss the emotion and build up that you would normally get if they ended up together later in the book. When this happens I find the author has to ensure that we get the right emotional pull into the relationship so that we can feel and see the chemistry between the two characters. I didn't feel that this was achieved in this book. Before I know it they are in a relationship and I just can't feel the chemistry and love that is spoken about.
I also was waiting for this hilarious road trip. Instead I found it to have moments that made me smile but not hilarious. Maybe it just wasn't my humor.
Even though I had issues with the book I would still recommend the read.
I was given this book by NetGalley for an honest review.
I enjoyed the characters and felt they had potential. I liked the honesty of the characters and how they both had issues to work through. It made the characters more realistic. The sisters were good fun and I liked what they brought to the story.
When you have the couple hook up early in the book you tend to miss the emotion and build up that you would normally get if they ended up together later in the book. When this happens I find the author has to ensure that we get the right emotional pull into the relationship so that we can feel and see the chemistry between the two characters. I didn't feel that this was achieved in this book. Before I know it they are in a relationship and I just can't feel the chemistry and love that is spoken about.
I also was waiting for this hilarious road trip. Instead I found it to have moments that made me smile but not hilarious. Maybe it just wasn't my humor.
Even though I had issues with the book I would still recommend the read.
I was given this book by NetGalley for an honest review.
February 3, 2024
would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this fun book
when cara jong serves santa she feels awful, she had thought her job would be more interesting and fun, but she found out the hard way that it wasnt and she was feeling very guilty about santa
so she went back to find santa to see if they still had their job and was even more guilty when she realised that the person who had been santa was no more....
she had already known santas name but not what they looked liked behind the santa suit
as it turns out jude donovan aka santa was a well known author and though she had been served she knew exactly who cara jong was when they met up again with hilariously results
a fun quick read that makes me interested in going to amsterdam sounds lovely... wonder if i will meet an author ...
when cara jong serves santa she feels awful, she had thought her job would be more interesting and fun, but she found out the hard way that it wasnt and she was feeling very guilty about santa
so she went back to find santa to see if they still had their job and was even more guilty when she realised that the person who had been santa was no more....
she had already known santas name but not what they looked liked behind the santa suit
as it turns out jude donovan aka santa was a well known author and though she had been served she knew exactly who cara jong was when they met up again with hilariously results
a fun quick read that makes me interested in going to amsterdam sounds lovely... wonder if i will meet an author ...
July 21, 2019
3.5 ⭐️
September 6, 2017
I received an ARC from Ylva in exchange for an honest review.
The whole book is from the point of view of Cara and because of that I had the feeling that there is a lot missing from Jude. She lived in the USA moved to the Netherlands, has a child, is divorced etc.. there are just many open questions. I liked the interactions between Jude and Cara and the main characters, however I didn't like Cara's sisters and sister in law. There interactions just didn't flow well and kind of felt a little strange. There was also too much with her sisters and not enough with Jude. It is a romance novel so I wished for more time between them. The big time-lapses throughout the book were a bit distracting and flow interrupting.
I still would recommend that book but it wasn't one of my favorites.
The whole book is from the point of view of Cara and because of that I had the feeling that there is a lot missing from Jude. She lived in the USA moved to the Netherlands, has a child, is divorced etc.. there are just many open questions. I liked the interactions between Jude and Cara and the main characters, however I didn't like Cara's sisters and sister in law. There interactions just didn't flow well and kind of felt a little strange. There was also too much with her sisters and not enough with Jude. It is a romance novel so I wished for more time between them. The big time-lapses throughout the book were a bit distracting and flow interrupting.
I still would recommend that book but it wasn't one of my favorites.
February 26, 2016
Cara Jong is working as a process server when she delivers a summons to a Santa. Except this Santa is a gorgeous woman, who immediately strikes a chord with Cara. The two share a "moment," which stays with Cara for some time. She eventually tracks down said Santa, who turns out to be Jude Donovan, a well-known children's book author. The two "meet cute," so to speak, at a reading of Jude's and sparks fly. They begin dating, but it seems like things just aren't meant to be. Will Cara's flighty nature and lack of commitment (all well-documented by her older sisters) doom the relationship? What about Jude's ex and her young daughter Zoe, who doesn't seem happy to have her Mom dating again? Can Cara and Jude overcome these obstacles and find happiness?
This was a cute book, with fairly realistic characters leading a fairly realistic life--something that's harder to find than one would think in lesbian literature. Cara's a regular gal, with a typical lack of commitment found in a myriad characters in literature, gay and straight. Perhaps the biggest issue with this book is that it sort of seems like a sketch of what could have been an even more fully-developed and even more enjoyable novel. We don't get to see a lot of Cara and Jude's actual relationship development, for instance. Their courtship and issues are quickly glossed over. I would have liked to have seen more of what led them to fall for each other--and fall apart. After all, those sorts of things (falling in love, struggling to maintain a relationship while juggling exes and children and jobs) are what we all have in common.
Cara's sisters are also supposed to add a bit of comic relief, perhaps, to the novel, but they sometimes come across as harpy and annoying. While several of them are dealing with complex issues, they don't get the full attention they truly deserve.
Still, this was a fun, quick read. It's always refreshing to read lesbian fiction with normal characters navigating life. I liked Cara, sympathized with her on a multitude of levels, and did enjoy reading about her journey. Overall, 3.5 stars.
I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley - thank you!
This was a cute book, with fairly realistic characters leading a fairly realistic life--something that's harder to find than one would think in lesbian literature. Cara's a regular gal, with a typical lack of commitment found in a myriad characters in literature, gay and straight. Perhaps the biggest issue with this book is that it sort of seems like a sketch of what could have been an even more fully-developed and even more enjoyable novel. We don't get to see a lot of Cara and Jude's actual relationship development, for instance. Their courtship and issues are quickly glossed over. I would have liked to have seen more of what led them to fall for each other--and fall apart. After all, those sorts of things (falling in love, struggling to maintain a relationship while juggling exes and children and jobs) are what we all have in common.
Cara's sisters are also supposed to add a bit of comic relief, perhaps, to the novel, but they sometimes come across as harpy and annoying. While several of them are dealing with complex issues, they don't get the full attention they truly deserve.
Still, this was a fun, quick read. It's always refreshing to read lesbian fiction with normal characters navigating life. I liked Cara, sympathized with her on a multitude of levels, and did enjoy reading about her journey. Overall, 3.5 stars.
I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley - thank you!
January 25, 2016
I love the story at the heart of this novel: the bonds of sisterhood, both literal and metaphorical; the push-pull of any sort of relationship, romantic or otherwise; the wariness of Being A Grown-Up and all that entails. And at the heart, the relationship between Jude and Cara.
I love that the story is set in Europe -- mostly Amsterdam, with occasional forays elsewhere. I did find myself wondering how much of the time they were speaking English -- Dutch very rarely cropped up -- but really that's irrelevant to the story.
Unfortunately, the writing is a B at best. There were far too many commas, and though some of that could be explained away as stylistic choices, some definitely strayed into the territory of comma splices. There were a few occasions where apostrophes were used to pluralize, which is a cringe-worthy sin. And some of the word choices felt off in a way I can't describe, like they were just a hair off from the intended word -- similar to what happens when you grab a word out of a thesaurus that mostly has the same meaning but a slightly inappropriate connotation. Problems like these kept yanking me out of the story -- not enough to keep me from finishing the book, but enough to bother me.
There was also an odd balance between telling (especially telling after the fact) and showing. I can't pinpoint examples, but ... well, one of my issues with Lord of the Rings is that there will be fifty pages describing Elven architecture and then Gandalf will show up and say "oh by the way I was almost killed but the Eagles saved me so everything's good now", when I would have preferred less Elven architecture and more showing the climactic battle. Now this book wasn't nearly as problematic in that regard, but it did feel odd, like it skipped over parts that I wanted to see, that got mentioned in dialogue after the fact.
Still and all, it was a fun and mostly light-hearted read, with engaging characters that felt like real people. and the bunny suit incident made me actually laugh with delight; if nothing else, it was worth it for that.
I love that the story is set in Europe -- mostly Amsterdam, with occasional forays elsewhere. I did find myself wondering how much of the time they were speaking English -- Dutch very rarely cropped up -- but really that's irrelevant to the story.
Unfortunately, the writing is a B at best. There were far too many commas, and though some of that could be explained away as stylistic choices, some definitely strayed into the territory of comma splices. There were a few occasions where apostrophes were used to pluralize, which is a cringe-worthy sin. And some of the word choices felt off in a way I can't describe, like they were just a hair off from the intended word -- similar to what happens when you grab a word out of a thesaurus that mostly has the same meaning but a slightly inappropriate connotation. Problems like these kept yanking me out of the story -- not enough to keep me from finishing the book, but enough to bother me.
There was also an odd balance between telling (especially telling after the fact) and showing. I can't pinpoint examples, but ... well, one of my issues with Lord of the Rings is that there will be fifty pages describing Elven architecture and then Gandalf will show up and say "oh by the way I was almost killed but the Eagles saved me so everything's good now", when I would have preferred less Elven architecture and more showing the climactic battle. Now this book wasn't nearly as problematic in that regard, but it did feel odd, like it skipped over parts that I wanted to see, that got mentioned in dialogue after the fact.
Still and all, it was a fun and mostly light-hearted read, with engaging characters that felt like real people. and the bunny suit incident made me actually laugh with delight; if nothing else, it was worth it for that.
August 11, 2016
This is a fun and enjoyable read. A trad romance where the angst is nothing more than pushing the wrong buttons, but the impact still has a dramatic and suspenseful outcome.
Our MC, Cara, is aided, abetted and driven nuts by her overbearing sisters and sister-in-law. All very 30 something and reminiscent of a European , slightly more mumsy, Sex in the City; here 4 very different women sit in cafes and take road trips. There is a lot of humor in the telling and a lot of love in the foursome. To some degree their complex lives needed filling out, but in this story they are definitely supporting cast.
The romance is amusing, their foibles and fears recognizable, as are the histories that have created them. This isn’t a “young love” story, these are women with established lives, however immature Cara’s life choices might be. In fact in some ways the arc of Cara’s development from a flibbertigibbet to a grown-up is stronger than the romance, while Jude’s personal issues are somewhat glossed over. There is a developing relationship, and a sizzling “fade to black” attraction, a significant amount of the novel is not, directly, about the courtship.
The story is written in the third person with a lot of retrospective description. Sections were passed over which was a shame, especially Cara’s relationship with Jude’s five year old, Zoe. I would assume English is not Ms Yeats first language, and there were times when the use of commas and choice of words did drop me out of the story to a degree.
Having said all that I enjoyed it, I think Ms Yeats has done a good job with this first novel and if anything I would urge her to be more ambitious, give more reign to the lovely humor, the well drawn familial relationships and her charming descriptions - fill in that supporting cast. I will certainly be looking for her future novels and look forward to watching her develop.
Our MC, Cara, is aided, abetted and driven nuts by her overbearing sisters and sister-in-law. All very 30 something and reminiscent of a European , slightly more mumsy, Sex in the City; here 4 very different women sit in cafes and take road trips. There is a lot of humor in the telling and a lot of love in the foursome. To some degree their complex lives needed filling out, but in this story they are definitely supporting cast.
The romance is amusing, their foibles and fears recognizable, as are the histories that have created them. This isn’t a “young love” story, these are women with established lives, however immature Cara’s life choices might be. In fact in some ways the arc of Cara’s development from a flibbertigibbet to a grown-up is stronger than the romance, while Jude’s personal issues are somewhat glossed over. There is a developing relationship, and a sizzling “fade to black” attraction, a significant amount of the novel is not, directly, about the courtship.
The story is written in the third person with a lot of retrospective description. Sections were passed over which was a shame, especially Cara’s relationship with Jude’s five year old, Zoe. I would assume English is not Ms Yeats first language, and there were times when the use of commas and choice of words did drop me out of the story to a degree.
Having said all that I enjoyed it, I think Ms Yeats has done a good job with this first novel and if anything I would urge her to be more ambitious, give more reign to the lovely humor, the well drawn familial relationships and her charming descriptions - fill in that supporting cast. I will certainly be looking for her future novels and look forward to watching her develop.
February 22, 2024
In Hazel Yeats' delightful novel, "Bunny Finds a Friend," readers are transported to the charming city of Amsterdam during the Christmas season. The story centers around Cara Jong, a woman facing a series of unfortunate events, including a recent breakup and a disappointing new job. Amidst the holiday cheer, Cara's path crosses with Jude Donovan, a renowned children's book author disguised as Santa Claus in a department store. Despite their initial awkward encounter, Cara finds herself drawn to Jude's genuine spirit and decides to attend one of his readings. A hilarious misunderstanding leads to a passionate kiss, marking the beginning of a blossoming romance. As Cara and Jude spend time together, they find solace in each other's company and begin to heal from their past experiences. However, Cara's insecurities and fear of commitment resurface, causing her to abruptly end the relationship, leaving Jude heartbroken and confused. Determined to win Cara back, Jude embarks on a hilarious road trip with Cara's meddling sisters, who are convinced that Jude is the perfect match for their sister. Along the way, Cara must confront her own fears and decide whether she is willing to risk her heart for a chance at true love. Yeats' writing is witty, engaging, and effortlessly captures the magic of the holiday season in Amsterdam. The characters are well-developed and relatable, with Cara's emotional struggles and Jude's unwavering optimism resonating with readers. The supporting cast, including Cara's eccentric sisters and Jude's quirky friends, adds depth and humor to the narrative. The pacing of the novel is steady, with a balance between lighthearted moments and emotionally charged scenes. Overall, "Bunny Finds a Friend" is a heartwarming and festive read that celebrates the power of love, friendship, and second chances. Hazel Yeats weaves a charming tale that will leave readers feeling uplifted and believing in the magic of the holiday season.
January 13, 2024
Hidden gem of a love story
This book is truly laugh out loud funny and also moving. The publisher’s synopsis above gives you a fair idea of the ridiculous shenanigans that take place in parts of the book. When Cara hangs out with her sisters in various eateries around Amsterdam, her sisters weigh in on every aspect of her life regardless of whether or not she asks for input and they don’t hold back. They meddle and judge but they also have her back; their bond is as much a love story as the relationship that blossoms between Jude and Cara after a series of crazy circumstances. This book was tremendous fun to read and even when the tone shifts from hilarity to more sombre, it’s still a rich and wonderful read. Although the story begins around Christmas, it is not holiday themed so can be read any time of the year.
If you like stories that make you laugh and where characters don’t always have it all together in their lives, where there are several great relationships between female characters (platonic and otherwise), then this one is worth considering. The book cover gives no indication of the hidden gem inside its pages.
I hope Hazel Yeats writes more books in the future; I’ll be keen to read them if and when she does.
(review from September 8, 2017)
This book is truly laugh out loud funny and also moving. The publisher’s synopsis above gives you a fair idea of the ridiculous shenanigans that take place in parts of the book. When Cara hangs out with her sisters in various eateries around Amsterdam, her sisters weigh in on every aspect of her life regardless of whether or not she asks for input and they don’t hold back. They meddle and judge but they also have her back; their bond is as much a love story as the relationship that blossoms between Jude and Cara after a series of crazy circumstances. This book was tremendous fun to read and even when the tone shifts from hilarity to more sombre, it’s still a rich and wonderful read. Although the story begins around Christmas, it is not holiday themed so can be read any time of the year.
If you like stories that make you laugh and where characters don’t always have it all together in their lives, where there are several great relationships between female characters (platonic and otherwise), then this one is worth considering. The book cover gives no indication of the hidden gem inside its pages.
I hope Hazel Yeats writes more books in the future; I’ll be keen to read them if and when she does.
(review from September 8, 2017)
April 22, 2024
Don’t be put off by the title!
I almost didn’t read this because the title did not appeal to me at all. But I’m glad I did decide to try it as I was very quickly pulled into the story of Cara, her 3 judgmental sisters and the elusive and intriguing Jude. The setting is Amsterdam which was an enjoyable diversion from the usual settings of the US or UK. Cara is somewhat aimless and listless whilst Jude is a successful children’s author.
The idea of the two MC’s meeting via a process serving incident was well handled and the evolution of their relationship delightful. Both behave badly at an early stage, Cara failing to give space and Jude putting up her walls, but the interfering sisters come good in the end! And I actually LOL’d at some of their alternative titles for future Bunny books! I felt it could have been a bit longer to explore the detante between Zoe and Cara, the resolution of Jude’s court case and the difficulties with her ex, but overall it was an enjoyable quick read…
I almost didn’t read this because the title did not appeal to me at all. But I’m glad I did decide to try it as I was very quickly pulled into the story of Cara, her 3 judgmental sisters and the elusive and intriguing Jude. The setting is Amsterdam which was an enjoyable diversion from the usual settings of the US or UK. Cara is somewhat aimless and listless whilst Jude is a successful children’s author.
The idea of the two MC’s meeting via a process serving incident was well handled and the evolution of their relationship delightful. Both behave badly at an early stage, Cara failing to give space and Jude putting up her walls, but the interfering sisters come good in the end! And I actually LOL’d at some of their alternative titles for future Bunny books! I felt it could have been a bit longer to explore the detante between Zoe and Cara, the resolution of Jude’s court case and the difficulties with her ex, but overall it was an enjoyable quick read…
January 12, 2024
Cara ends up serving papers on Jude Donovan, mall Santa AND professional writer. She's attracted to the woman, a bit, but when loses track of her.
Cara's sisters kind of serve as a Greek chorus, and are a gas too. I would note that Cara's extended family are a BIG part of this book, so if that's not your thing you may be less than thrilled.
Cara and Jude DO finally reconnect, but Jude wants to take things slow.... then the pressure of being a 'committed couple' makes Cara bolt. Can and SHOULD they get back together?
This was a fun, and generally funny romp. Not deep, but fun.
Cara's sisters kind of serve as a Greek chorus, and are a gas too. I would note that Cara's extended family are a BIG part of this book, so if that's not your thing you may be less than thrilled.
Cara and Jude DO finally reconnect, but Jude wants to take things slow.... then the pressure of being a 'committed couple' makes Cara bolt. Can and SHOULD they get back together?
This was a fun, and generally funny romp. Not deep, but fun.
February 6, 2024
This book had its ups and downs. I liked the premise, but it fell short for me. Cara was a likable character, but this didn't seem like a romance as it was more about Cara and her sisters then Cara and Jude. I didn't like the sisters so it was hard for me to like the book.
I couldn't connect with Jude and Cara as a couple as you barely got to know Jude and I'm also not a fan of fade to black scenes so didn't have that to help the romance along either.
Overall, not a bad book, but just wasn't for me. I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I couldn't connect with Jude and Cara as a couple as you barely got to know Jude and I'm also not a fan of fade to black scenes so didn't have that to help the romance along either.
Overall, not a bad book, but just wasn't for me. I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 30, 2021
With a title like this has, I wasn't sure what it would be about. It was a pretty cute romance with some ups and downs and plenty of humor. There are also serious moments, too. The story is from Cara's POV; we don't get Jude's perspective, except for her conversation with Cara.
March 24, 2022
read sometime before march 2022,, mall santa vibes are real
January 21, 2024
loved it. it's witty and fun! would recommend quite a bit. cara is utterly charming, and jude is really put together and interesting. thanks for the arc
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