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Arrangements #8
A Gerrard Family Christmas
Hark! the Gerrard angels sing...
It's Christmas Eve, and the Gerrard brothers mean to make the most of it. They've taken their wives, their children, and their three delightful sisters, and removed to the most wintery estate they have to set the scene. Determined to give their families the most perfect Christmas they've ever known, they go to unmatched extremes in their efforts, planning out every detail.
But there are surprises in store for all of them this Christmas season, some of which Colin and Kit just can't believe. It's a house filled with Gerrards of all ages, brimming with holly and ivy, all the festiveness of the holiday season, and much more. What could possibly go wrong?
It's Christmas Eve, and the Gerrard brothers mean to make the most of it. They've taken their wives, their children, and their three delightful sisters, and removed to the most wintery estate they have to set the scene. Determined to give their families the most perfect Christmas they've ever known, they go to unmatched extremes in their efforts, planning out every detail.
But there are surprises in store for all of them this Christmas season, some of which Colin and Kit just can't believe. It's a house filled with Gerrards of all ages, brimming with holly and ivy, all the festiveness of the holiday season, and much more. What could possibly go wrong?
257 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 21, 2024
232 people are currently reading
303 people want to read
About the author
Rebecca Connolly
90 books1,243 followersI was born once upon a time, and I started making up stories right away. Eventually, I started writing them down, and never stopped! I have a day job, which gets in the way of my writing, but it pays the bills so I CAN write, so I guess that's okay! I am a bookworm, which I think is key to being a writer, and I am always looking for inspiration! I live in Indiana, am obsessed with hot chocolate, and I am on track to be the best aunt in the world.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
December 18, 2017
This was a silly story about a family in the series of books by Connolly. It was fun to go back and see the whole family together but there was a major gap in the book, it just didn't have much of a story line. They all wanted to have a wonderful Christmas was pretty much it. I wish there had been a little romance thrown in somewhere to upset and give this cute story more life.
January 3, 2018
I usually love Rebecca Connelly’s books as a quick, fun, reading escape.
This story revisited characters from previous books. It just didn’t keep my interest and I had to force myself to finish it.
Colin and Kit try to make a special Christmas for their families. Things get crazy with so many people in the house, plans go awry, and who delivered the mysterious presents?
The end.
The one saving grace of this book is the reminder to not try to do too much during the holidays, but to focus on spending time as a family instead.
This story revisited characters from previous books. It just didn’t keep my interest and I had to force myself to finish it.
Colin and Kit try to make a special Christmas for their families. Things get crazy with so many people in the house, plans go awry, and who delivered the mysterious presents?
The end.
The one saving grace of this book is the reminder to not try to do too much during the holidays, but to focus on spending time as a family instead.
January 5, 2020
I loved this book. Both brothers, Kit, and Colin Gerrard, and their sisters, wives, and children gather for Christmas. They felt they had much to celebrate, so between the two brothers, they arranged for every tradition, even some from other countries was stuffed in. It became chaos, and as the snow turned into a blizzard, the countryside was no better, than the continued calamities inside. I love that the family really really loves each other, and may argue, and fuss, but only want to see this large family truly happy. It was a fun romp with lots of children, a wondering goat, a wagon of present no one bought, a feast fit for kings, and craziness, after all, it is the Gerrards. five stars. clean, and heartwarming...
December 15, 2019
Gerrard Family!
I will say that this isn't a typical Arrangements book. It was a fun Christmas celebration! Kit and Colin were desperate to give their families ALL the Christmas traditions. It was fun to see what worked and what didn't exactly go as planned. There were several times I laughed out loud! For a little while though, this could have been called A Gerrard Family Christmas disaster but things do work out in the end. ❤
I will say that this isn't a typical Arrangements book. It was a fun Christmas celebration! Kit and Colin were desperate to give their families ALL the Christmas traditions. It was fun to see what worked and what didn't exactly go as planned. There were several times I laughed out loud! For a little while though, this could have been called A Gerrard Family Christmas disaster but things do work out in the end. ❤
December 13, 2018
Disappointed
I have loved her books and read them up to this point. I love the Gerrard brothers and their families but this book just seemed to drag. I struggled to finish and only did because I was at 70-80% when I finally accepted that it wasn't going to pick up but by then I had to just finish so I did. I would still recommend anything written by her but just not this one
I have loved her books and read them up to this point. I love the Gerrard brothers and their families but this book just seemed to drag. I struggled to finish and only did because I was at 70-80% when I finally accepted that it wasn't going to pick up but by then I had to just finish so I did. I would still recommend anything written by her but just not this one
December 18, 2017
There was nothing I really disliked about this book. It was just boring in places. I did quite a bit of skimming.
February 14, 2019
I love Rebecca Connolly, but I was so bored with this book that I had to skim through the last half.
June 4, 2020
Oh the Joys & Craziness of Christmas
The Gerard brothers never really celebrated Christmas growing up; however, now that they both have ever expanding families, this Christmas they decided they should make up for that. So, they've decided they should embrace as many traditions that is humanly possible . . . just it's not enough to embrace them, they decide to go overboard with them. Which results in some fun, adventure, silliness, accidents, chaos & some moments of: "Seriously, just calm the mess down & stop stressing so much!"
Thankfully, after some family outbursts, they realize the error of their ways and that what really matters is the love of family and being together top enjoy it. And while there were moments where I wanted to slap the brothers upside their heads (as I imagined their wives did too a few times in this book), there were some literal laugh out loud moments & overall was an enjoyable read.
The Gerard brothers never really celebrated Christmas growing up; however, now that they both have ever expanding families, this Christmas they decided they should make up for that. So, they've decided they should embrace as many traditions that is humanly possible . . . just it's not enough to embrace them, they decide to go overboard with them. Which results in some fun, adventure, silliness, accidents, chaos & some moments of: "Seriously, just calm the mess down & stop stressing so much!"
Thankfully, after some family outbursts, they realize the error of their ways and that what really matters is the love of family and being together top enjoy it. And while there were moments where I wanted to slap the brothers upside their heads (as I imagined their wives did too a few times in this book), there were some literal laugh out loud moments & overall was an enjoyable read.
January 22, 2020
I appreciated the Gerrard wit and that I could fly through this book in a short time. It didn't really have much going for it in terms of storyline. Kit and Colin go extremely overboard for Christmas and there are emotions all over the place. I just didn't really get behind the way Freddie and Rosie's concern over being a part of the family was presented. It seemed sudden and not strongly felt but rather contrived to make the story be something other than decorating for Christmas. I was also 137 pages in before I realized that a random chapter heading was added and after scanning back realized there are three sections to the story told from different perspectives. At least I believe that was the intention though I don't think it worked as it felt more or less all by one person. It was ok but could easily be skipped in this series.
April 1, 2018
2.5 Stars
Sweet story that really didn’t need to be a whole novel. I think a novella or short story would’ve suited it better. The plot and “mystery” are too thin for the amount of pages here. As a result, a lot of the book seems to drag and be superfluous. The moral of the story is sweet but predictable, and by the end it feels like the point has been hammered home a bit much. It may have worked better if it had included a romance or a bigger mystery than “who sent the Christmas presents?”
I have greatly enjoyed the rest of the series and love the characters Connolly created. While I understand the impulse to share more stories featuring them, this particular book is one I could have skipped.
Sweet story that really didn’t need to be a whole novel. I think a novella or short story would’ve suited it better. The plot and “mystery” are too thin for the amount of pages here. As a result, a lot of the book seems to drag and be superfluous. The moral of the story is sweet but predictable, and by the end it feels like the point has been hammered home a bit much. It may have worked better if it had included a romance or a bigger mystery than “who sent the Christmas presents?”
I have greatly enjoyed the rest of the series and love the characters Connolly created. While I understand the impulse to share more stories featuring them, this particular book is one I could have skipped.
July 2, 2025
God bless us....everyone!!
I've loved this whole series!! Has been wonderful as the Gerrard twins discovered they had three little sisters and loved them immediately!! As they were married to the love of their lives -- and the wives had stories, too, -- you cheered for them all, all along the way! Now they're adding to the family with children of their own, and they are so much fun!! This story is so typical of how we can carried away at Christmas and miss the joy of just being together, loving each other, and thanking the Lord for the gift of His Son. I guessed who sent the mysterious gifts!! Really wanted to hear the carolers, and see, thru the Gerrard eyes, the sword dancers!! Maybe next year.. Fabulous series!! Clean storyline.
I've loved this whole series!! Has been wonderful as the Gerrard twins discovered they had three little sisters and loved them immediately!! As they were married to the love of their lives -- and the wives had stories, too, -- you cheered for them all, all along the way! Now they're adding to the family with children of their own, and they are so much fun!! This story is so typical of how we can carried away at Christmas and miss the joy of just being together, loving each other, and thanking the Lord for the gift of His Son. I guessed who sent the mysterious gifts!! Really wanted to hear the carolers, and see, thru the Gerrard eyes, the sword dancers!! Maybe next year.. Fabulous series!! Clean storyline.
February 22, 2018
I love this book exactly for what it is... a family moment for the Gerrards. There isn't much plot, but the book really delves in a few things I wanted to read about: Kit & Marianne being happily married, Colin and Susannah being happy as well. While I was very sad that the friends couldn't make it (I do miss Derek and Duncan a lot) it was so wonderful to see Kit & Colin being brothers and the focal point centered on them. The addition of Rosie's PoV was good as well and my heart ached for her & Freddie and their fears about being cast out after a new generation.
Wonderful book for what it is... a snapshot of a Christmas moment
Wonderful book for what it is... a snapshot of a Christmas moment
July 19, 2018
Families:
Colin and Susannah: Freddie [adopted], Mathew, Livvy, Amelia
Kit [Christopher] and Marianne: Rafe, Catherine [Cat], Daphne
*Colin and Kit are twins and half brothers to: Rosie, Ginny, Bitty; Loughton was the step father and Louise was their mother; the twins were older when Louise cast the girls out so Colin and Kit took them in
*Derek [Marianne's brother] and Annalise - Derek is Colin and Kit's best friend; their children are: Lizzie, Helena, Robbie, Harry
They all decide to spend Christmas together, which they have never done before and just about everything goes wrong. In the end, all is well.
Colin and Susannah: Freddie [adopted], Mathew, Livvy, Amelia
Kit [Christopher] and Marianne: Rafe, Catherine [Cat], Daphne
*Colin and Kit are twins and half brothers to: Rosie, Ginny, Bitty; Loughton was the step father and Louise was their mother; the twins were older when Louise cast the girls out so Colin and Kit took them in
*Derek [Marianne's brother] and Annalise - Derek is Colin and Kit's best friend; their children are: Lizzie, Helena, Robbie, Harry
They all decide to spend Christmas together, which they have never done before and just about everything goes wrong. In the end, all is well.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 15, 2017
This is kind of a fun little Christmas story. A comedy of errors of sorts because the Gerrard brothers want to share a traditional Christmas with their families. But they are Gerrards so there is no way that will come off without problems. They really try hard to give their families the perfect Christmas but in their attempts it really is over the top. In the end they learn that none of it is important if you aren't enjoying the process with your loved ones. My favorite part of the story is the banter between Kit and Colin. Other banter too but especially those two.
And it is clean.
And it is clean.
November 8, 2017
When it comes to the Gerrard brothers you never know what's going to happen. Mischievous as always, but their hearts are in the right place. I love that all they want is a "traditional family Christmas ", but this family is anything but traditional. This was truly a fun, heart-warming story.
CONTENT : Squeaky clean
***This is part of a series and should be read in order for maximum enjoyment and understanding of the characters and their story. Not a stand-alone book******
CONTENT : Squeaky clean
***This is part of a series and should be read in order for maximum enjoyment and understanding of the characters and their story. Not a stand-alone book******
January 7, 2021
I loved all of the books. This one not as much. I did in the end as it spoke to me as a Mama in 2020 trying to make up
so much lost. It felt like there was a lot of whining from Colin snd it got annoying. It did finally wrap nicely but it was quite a road to get there and it felt like a chore to get through it at times. I was also trying to wrap if for the Christmas season and I had a new release I wanted to get to.
so much lost. It felt like there was a lot of whining from Colin snd it got annoying. It did finally wrap nicely but it was quite a road to get there and it felt like a chore to get through it at times. I was also trying to wrap if for the Christmas season and I had a new release I wanted to get to.
November 12, 2017
Onward! Upward! Gerrards to me!
What a delightful holiday surprise from Rebecca Connolly! The Gerrards are a rollicking group of souls and their adventures never fail to be a roller coaster of mishaps, quips, tears and smiles. A beautiful glimpse into the Arrangements world that allows the characters to keep adventuring on in one's mind.
What a delightful holiday surprise from Rebecca Connolly! The Gerrards are a rollicking group of souls and their adventures never fail to be a roller coaster of mishaps, quips, tears and smiles. A beautiful glimpse into the Arrangements world that allows the characters to keep adventuring on in one's mind.
November 22, 2017
Hilarious telling of the hijinks and shenanigans of the Gerard brothers and their families. It’s the classic story of trying to have the best Christmas ever and failing spectacularly but finding a better Christmas than they could have hoped for. Witty dialogue and loads of unexpected situations make for a charming Christmas tale.
stopped-reading
August 25, 2022I stopped reading this. If you want an over-the-top Christmas celebration with a huge family with tons of kids causing mischief and glee, then read away. I started skimming with how ridiculous it all was. There were so many children and names, I felt I was going to have to write them down and refer to it to keep track of everyone.
March 26, 2023
Sometimes we can try TOO hard
There was so much going on in this story...the different previous ones by the author coming together....cousins and sisters and brothers, step, adopted, and by birth. So wonderful to see the Gerrard twins grow a family and have a hilarious but touching holiday as adults.
There was so much going on in this story...the different previous ones by the author coming together....cousins and sisters and brothers, step, adopted, and by birth. So wonderful to see the Gerrard twins grow a family and have a hilarious but touching holiday as adults.
December 8, 2017
All Kit and Colin wanted was a Family Christmas!!!
However, in trying to make up for so many missed Christmas', they went overboard, in true Gerrard fashion!
Never a dull moment when this family gets together....I sure hope they pay their staff well, Lord knows they deserve it!
However, in trying to make up for so many missed Christmas', they went overboard, in true Gerrard fashion!
Never a dull moment when this family gets together....I sure hope they pay their staff well, Lord knows they deserve it!
November 24, 2017
This one was a lot hilarity and hijinks, no lacking the depth of the previous romances. Still, what a treat to get a Christmas tale set in one of my favorite fictional worlds? And The Gent’s story is next?! Huzzah!
August 18, 2020
Very disappointing finish to a great series. No real plot and characters that were stereotypes of no one I would care to meet, especially since the series entires about the two couples showed rich and complex characters I enjoyed reading about.
December 19, 2017
Christmas story
This was very clean, and sweet. However, it was a bit too drawn out for me. It was fun to see the silly things they all did.
This was very clean, and sweet. However, it was a bit too drawn out for me. It was fun to see the silly things they all did.
January 8, 2018
Wasn’t as crazy for this book.
January 27, 2018
Really not awesome. The story was just bleh for me and I struggled to even finish it.
June 7, 2018
I couldn't finish it. I got really bored. I'M SO SORRY REBECCA.
August 18, 2019
tHIS IS BOOK 8 IN A SERIES. i HAVE THOROUGHLY ENJOY4ED ALL 8 BOOKS AND LOOK
FORWARD TO FOLLOWING THIS FAMILY AND THEIR FRIENDS!!!
December 9, 2019
A quick read ..... not much substance ..... but has plenty of laughter ..... a family gathering with oh so much chaos, confusion, hilarity and comical mishaps!!!
December 26, 2019
as I feared, the children pushed too much of the plot which was already bogged down by too much frenzied activity. I'm glad this is the last book in this series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews