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Making Christmas
After bidding her high-power job good-bye, Ivy is settling into a new city with a new job where she’s the boss. Her first order of Make this the best Christmas she’s had in years. Not wanting to miss a moment of merry-making, Ivy creates a grownup advent calendar. This December, she’s going to enjoy all of the activities she missed climbing the corporate ladder.What begins as a bit of fun quickly turns into a mission to spread cheer when she meets Everett. He’s practically a modern day Scrooge who thinks the whole Christmas season is one giant waste of energy. Yet he’s intrigued by Ivy, and before he can say “God bless us, every one” he becomes her partner in crime as they countdown to Christmas. Slowly, but surely, Everett begins to find the joy in the holiday season. But as he and Ivy become closer—and fears from his past resurface—his inner curmudgeon threatens to resurface. Can the power of Ivy’s love—and the Christmas season—save him? Or is he doomed to a bleak future?
160 pages, Paperback
Published October 28, 2016
5 people are currently reading
32 people want to read
About the author
Laura Chapman
26 books134 followersLaura Chapman is the author of sweet and sexy romantic comedies, including Playing House, The Marrying Type, the Queen of the League series, and other stories. A native Nebraskan, she loves football, Netflix marathons, and her cats, Jane and Bingley.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
December 12, 2017
3.5 stars for this Christmas novella.
Ivy is fairly new to Lincoln, Nebraska and to help get her in the holiday spirit she makes up a "grown up advent calendar". She sees Everett every morning at the coffee shop but doesn't know his name so she refers to him as "Buddy Holly glasses". She engages him in a conversation about the holiday coffee flavors and when she finds out he doesn't have very much Christmas spirit she has him join her on the "grown up advent calendar" activities.
Everything is going great until they share and unexpected kiss and Everett's Christmas spirit takes a nose dive and his inner Scrooge appears. After a few days he comes to his senses and decides to tell Ivy about the event that ruined Christmases for him.
I really liked Ivy's Christmas spirit, how she gets Everett to join her, and his responses to her list of activities. There were lots of cute moments like when they got mani-pedi's and it tickled his feet, the caroling at the nursing home, and of course when he realized he had been a jerk and needed to apologize to Ivy. It's a quick read but I still felt the characters were developed and the author included great details about the places they went, things that happened, etc. The story didn't feel rushed at all. The romance part of the book is clean.
I didn't like some of the language that was used--it's not explicit but I find some of the words used are kind of crass (s**t, a**, d**k, etc), and feel other words could've been used while still getting the point across to the reader. For that reason I took off one star.
Ivy is fairly new to Lincoln, Nebraska and to help get her in the holiday spirit she makes up a "grown up advent calendar". She sees Everett every morning at the coffee shop but doesn't know his name so she refers to him as "Buddy Holly glasses". She engages him in a conversation about the holiday coffee flavors and when she finds out he doesn't have very much Christmas spirit she has him join her on the "grown up advent calendar" activities.
Everything is going great until they share and unexpected kiss and Everett's Christmas spirit takes a nose dive and his inner Scrooge appears. After a few days he comes to his senses and decides to tell Ivy about the event that ruined Christmases for him.
I really liked Ivy's Christmas spirit, how she gets Everett to join her, and his responses to her list of activities. There were lots of cute moments like when they got mani-pedi's and it tickled his feet, the caroling at the nursing home, and of course when he realized he had been a jerk and needed to apologize to Ivy. It's a quick read but I still felt the characters were developed and the author included great details about the places they went, things that happened, etc. The story didn't feel rushed at all. The romance part of the book is clean.
I didn't like some of the language that was used--it's not explicit but I find some of the words used are kind of crass (s**t, a**, d**k, etc), and feel other words could've been used while still getting the point across to the reader. For that reason I took off one star.
December 4, 2016
I was totally entranced by this holiday novella from the very first page. Everything about this story was clever, festive, and heartwarming. Heroine Ivy, who loves nothing better than a project, has decided to jump feet first into the holiday season by doing a different Christmas-y activity every day leading up to the 25th as dictated to her by a customized Advent calendar. While performing one of these tasks, she has a meet-cute with Everett, a bespectacled, book-reading cutie, at her neighborhood coffee shop. Although he's as anti-Christmas as she is pro, Ivy manages to coerce Everett into teaming up with her for some holiday adventures. Soon, they're bonding, having loads of fun, and maybe even falling in love. But will Everett's Ghost of Christmas Past come back to haunt him and ruin his chance at happiness with Ivy?
I really liked that this book was told from alternating POVs, so there was never any doubt as to what was going on in both of the lead characters' heads. It was understandable why Ivy was so eager to connect (she was in a new city and she was feeling lonely) and also why Everett was hesitant to risk his heart. Their relationship (and feelings) escalated quickly, but in a totally believable way since they were spending every single day together. These characters were incredibly well-rounded and fleshed out too, which really enhanced the story. Ivy had the new business she was starting (I wish that Whiskers on Kittens existed so that I could subscribe!) while Everett had his band and his family. The story was paced perfectly, and I loved the way the author handled the various climactic moments throughout the book. (I'm still swooning over the first kiss and the very romantic ending.) I think this novella would make a great Hallmark movie. It's certainly more original than 90% of the stuff that airs on that channel this time of year!
Kudos to the author for creating the perfect holiday treat for readers. This is a story I can see myself rereading every December, and now I want to make up my own holiday Advent calendar!
I really liked that this book was told from alternating POVs, so there was never any doubt as to what was going on in both of the lead characters' heads. It was understandable why Ivy was so eager to connect (she was in a new city and she was feeling lonely) and also why Everett was hesitant to risk his heart. Their relationship (and feelings) escalated quickly, but in a totally believable way since they were spending every single day together. These characters were incredibly well-rounded and fleshed out too, which really enhanced the story. Ivy had the new business she was starting (I wish that Whiskers on Kittens existed so that I could subscribe!) while Everett had his band and his family. The story was paced perfectly, and I loved the way the author handled the various climactic moments throughout the book. (I'm still swooning over the first kiss and the very romantic ending.) I think this novella would make a great Hallmark movie. It's certainly more original than 90% of the stuff that airs on that channel this time of year!
Kudos to the author for creating the perfect holiday treat for readers. This is a story I can see myself rereading every December, and now I want to make up my own holiday Advent calendar!
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December 14, 2017Possibly my favorite Christmas book this year. Just perfect.
November 4, 2016
Ivy is in the Christmas spirit and wasn't to at least pass someone the spirit of the holidays as well will a advent calendar that challenges her to do holiday themes activities. Now shes on a mission to get Everet, a stranger she has seen in a coffee shop over time and will try to get him into the christmas spirit with her.
I only have one problem with this book, a book this fun and enjoyable should be longer then just a novella. Granted I didn't konw that this was a novella before diving into this. I can honestly say I loved this book! Being that I was a novella it didn't dive deep into the character, but what I can get out of the characters at the present moment was enough for me to like them. Ivy seems pretty outgoing to be I mean the way the two first met I was pretty surprised how it turned out. Meanwhile Everette awkward as can be was willing to take on this strange challenge with Ivy and end up showing what he can really do when he's needed.
I think that with the holidays coming up and people really stressing out or trying to get into the mood should check out this book. Plus if you think about it with how short this book was if your a person strapped for time and looking for a holiday pick me up then this will do it for you. After reading this book I actually would love to do something similiar with her advent calendar and do a few holiday themes things and brag some of my Grinch-like friends to come along.
I only have one problem with this book, a book this fun and enjoyable should be longer then just a novella. Granted I didn't konw that this was a novella before diving into this. I can honestly say I loved this book! Being that I was a novella it didn't dive deep into the character, but what I can get out of the characters at the present moment was enough for me to like them. Ivy seems pretty outgoing to be I mean the way the two first met I was pretty surprised how it turned out. Meanwhile Everette awkward as can be was willing to take on this strange challenge with Ivy and end up showing what he can really do when he's needed.
I think that with the holidays coming up and people really stressing out or trying to get into the mood should check out this book. Plus if you think about it with how short this book was if your a person strapped for time and looking for a holiday pick me up then this will do it for you. After reading this book I actually would love to do something similiar with her advent calendar and do a few holiday themes things and brag some of my Grinch-like friends to come along.
December 25, 2016
I loved this holiday read from Laura Chapman. Living in Nebraska, near Lincoln, I enjoyed knowing the various places mentioned in the book. Ivy is determined to reignite her holiday spirit after leaving a burnout job on the West Coast and opening a new venture in Lincoln. Attracted to a man she sees daily at the coffee shop, they become unlikely allies in her completing her adult Advent calendar. This is a sweet read, with a bit of sexual tension that takes friends to lovers,with a bump or two along the way. Ms. Chapman writes a tight, well-plotted story that makes a great addition to the holiday season.
December 9, 2016
A cute, quick, holiday read. I was in the mood for a comfort book and this was perfect. It's was like reading a Hallmark Christmas Movie and just what I wanted and needed. The writing was engaging and fast paced. Sucked me in completely. If you are in the mood for a quick Christmas read, I highly recommend this one.
December 31, 2018
What a sweet, fun read that gives you romance and totally embraces all the fun of Christmas. I loved Ivy & Everett. I love the way she drew him into her holiday fun. He went a bit unwillingly, and in the end I think he was enjoying it more than she was!
I am a sucker for a good Hallmark holiday movie, and that's what this reminded me of. Enjoyed it from cover to cover!
I am a sucker for a good Hallmark holiday movie, and that's what this reminded me of. Enjoyed it from cover to cover!
December 31, 2017
This is my first book by Laura Chapman and I absolutely adored Making Christmas! It was a fun and totally unexpected holiday read, it made my Christmas! I look forward to reading more by this author!
November 16, 2018
Laura Chapman did another wonderful job with this charming story about Ivy, a woman who wants to spread Christmas cheer through her grown-up advent calender. What a lovely idea This was the perfect read to get me in the holiday spirit.
January 10, 2020
Charming, cute, and chock-full of Christmas spirit!
This was such a fun and heart-warming read, and I thoroughly enjoyed following Ivy and Everett along their advent calendar (ad)ventures. One of my favorite scenes (among others) was the day they went caroling. *happy sigh*
This was such a fun and heart-warming read, and I thoroughly enjoyed following Ivy and Everett along their advent calendar (ad)ventures. One of my favorite scenes (among others) was the day they went caroling. *happy sigh*
January 14, 2019
I enjoyed the story! It was cute and sweet. I liked the alternating of views so that I could get an idea of what each of the main characters was thinking.
November 8, 2016
*Sigh*..... Laura Chapman did it again.. She wrapped me up in a warm blanket of words and feelings taking me on a journey I didn't want to end. Making Christmas was able to embody the Christmas spirit with laughter, adventure and love.
Ivy is such a fun character to read. She really puts you in the Christmas spirit with her brave and bold plan to enjoy her holiday season. When Ivy decided to invite good looking yet slightly bah humbug acting Everett to join her in her Christmas plan the story really took an adventurous turn that had me smiling page to page. Everett never really stood a chance against charismatic Ivy, but his past definitely effects his present. Will Everett let it effect his future with Ivy? Though this novella may be short it is definitely sweet and without a doubt one of my favorite Christmas books that I've read to date. With a 5 star rating I highly recommend diving into this book and meeting Ivy and Everett and filling your soul with a little Christmas spirit in time for the holiday season.
Ivy is such a fun character to read. She really puts you in the Christmas spirit with her brave and bold plan to enjoy her holiday season. When Ivy decided to invite good looking yet slightly bah humbug acting Everett to join her in her Christmas plan the story really took an adventurous turn that had me smiling page to page. Everett never really stood a chance against charismatic Ivy, but his past definitely effects his present. Will Everett let it effect his future with Ivy? Though this novella may be short it is definitely sweet and without a doubt one of my favorite Christmas books that I've read to date. With a 5 star rating I highly recommend diving into this book and meeting Ivy and Everett and filling your soul with a little Christmas spirit in time for the holiday season.
November 9, 2016
Making Christmas by Laura Chapman is a sweet contemporary Christmas romance. I thought it was going to be sappy but it wasn’t. The character Ivy (love the name) and her business partner relocated to a new state to start their start up business.
With Christmas coming she decided that she was going to do a grownup advent calendar, which is such a fantastic idea. I think would be a great tradition for people to do even if they have kids, adults can do an advent calendar to make the Christmas season special.
Well any ways she always stops at this one place in the morning for her coffee and she has been noticing a guy. Well the guy has notice her as well. You need to read this book to find out what happens but it is worth it.
Well my thoughts on this book is what a great idea. I haven’t read a fun Christmas season story in a while and I really did love reading this story. Just perfect for the start of the Christmas season and to get you in the mood.
I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s.
With Christmas coming she decided that she was going to do a grownup advent calendar, which is such a fantastic idea. I think would be a great tradition for people to do even if they have kids, adults can do an advent calendar to make the Christmas season special.
Well any ways she always stops at this one place in the morning for her coffee and she has been noticing a guy. Well the guy has notice her as well. You need to read this book to find out what happens but it is worth it.
Well my thoughts on this book is what a great idea. I haven’t read a fun Christmas season story in a while and I really did love reading this story. Just perfect for the start of the Christmas season and to get you in the mood.
I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s.
November 29, 2016
Ivy & Everett are my new favorite couple! This novella was the perfect read to get my out of my slump, and it made me smile throughout. I loved the concept this holiday story was built around. Pick this one up!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews