Comment ne pas faire pitié à Noël quand on est célibataire

by Joanna Bolouri, Pauline Buscail (Translator)

« La réponse de l’Écosse au Journal de Bridget Jones ». - Daily Record

Noël, le cauchemar de tout célibataire !

À trente-huit ans, Emily a un travail satisfaisant, des amis fabuleux, et surtout, un appart merveilleux, situé à 661 kilomètres de sa famille un peu trop intrusive. Sa seule source de stress est Evan, son jeune voisin, qui a tendance à écouter la musique à fond, et fait encore plus de bruit la nuit... Mais qu’importe ! Heureuse en couple avec Robert, Emily espère bien l’inviter chez elle pour Noël et lui présenter ses parents. Finies les questions indiscrètes ! Mais quand Robert rompt avec elle, Emily en est malade. Comment va-t-elle pouvoir affronter sa famille ? Bien déterminée à reconquérir Robert, Emily fait appel au fêtard d’à côté...

« Si vous entendez glousser au bord de la piscine cet été, ce sera à cause de ce livre. » - Grazia
« Une approche effrontée du sexe et de la romance. » - List Magazine
« Très mignon et à mourir de rire ! » - The Sun
« Une lecture très coquine mais amusante qui va vous couper le souffle et vous faire éclater de rire l’instant d’après. » - Abby Clements
« Obscène et hilarant... Vous allez vous tordre de rire sur la plage ! » - The Scottish Sun
« Incroyablement drôle et très sexy (à en rougir !), lire ce roman fait un bien fou. » - No. 1 Magazine
« Une héroïne farfelue et des scènes hilarantes à chaque page... C’est sans le moindre doute le meilleur livre que j’ai lu cette année. Il me tarde de voir ce que nous réserve Joanna Bolouri ! » - Novelicious
« Sexy, malin et scandaleux, je le recommanderais à tous ceux qui ont le goût de l’aventure. » - Victoria Fox

Genres: Christmas, Romance, Chick Lit, Contemporary, Holiday, Fiction, Ebooks

367 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 26, 2016

Reviews

[Shelley's Book Nook · Rating 4 out of 5]

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I know we all show a fake face to the outside world, especially with social media. But can't we be honest and true with our family? Our main character, Emily doesn't think so and brings home a fake boyfriend for Christmas. This was a surprisingly funny enemies-to-lovers romance.

It's sad how we sometimes treat the people we love, we should all start being nicer to each other. Some of the things we say to our loved ones we wouldn't dare say to a stranger. What makes it okay, just because they are related to us? I loved ALL the characters in this book, warts and all. Emily's family weren't perfect but you could tell they truly loved one another. On the other hand, I hated Emily's boyfriend, Robert so much. He was, in a word, terrible. What a sorry excuse for a human being.

My third Christmas book by this author (this month) so I had high expectations and Joanna Bolouri did not disappoint, I am now a seriously big fan! I love her style of writing, her realistic characters, and their banter. Bolouri always manages to suck me into her storylines and keeps my butt in the chair flipping pages. This book was sweet, funny and full of love and Christmas cheer. I cannot wait to dig into more of this author's books.

[Kimberly Carrington-Fox · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nuestra reseña en A la cama con... un libro

3'5 estrellitas
A pesar de que el final flojea bastante, yo me descojono con las cosas que escribe esta mujer.

[Agi · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Most Wonderful Time of the Year" is Joanna Bolouri's third novel, and third that I had a pleasure to read. And also third that I am rating with 5 stars - Joanna is the right person in the right place and I've no idea what I've done before without her books! Yes, I have the feeling that every novel by her is a little gentler than the previous one but they are still incredibly funny, incredibly sharp observed, with incredibly well developed and memorable characters, and Joanna describes the world just as it is, in this brilliant, sharp, down - to - earth and so realistic way and I think that right now "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year" is my favourite book by this author - but I love all three of them, so you can imagine, no? And one thing more - in the synopsis it says it is a perfect book for fans of Mhairi McFarlane, Tracy Bloom and Chrissie Manby and I whole - heartedly agree, but I think that soon we will read on other book covers that it's a perfect read for fans of Joanna Bolouri - believe me, she's the one and only!

The idea of this book was so simple yet Joanna has masterfully and skilfully and effortlessly created the most entertaining and enjoyable story. Emily is dating Robert, a shark in his job and even is she didn't want it, he is supposed to visit her family for Christmas. Unfortunately, shortly before Christmas, something happens and there is no more Robert - but as Emily's family, and especially her mother, are expecting him to come, and Emily knows that when she now won't bring a boyfriend home there will be no end to harassing her. So what now?
Enter Evan. He's Emily's neighbour from next door and to say that Emily dislikes him would be an understatement. But somehow, it happened that Emily persuaded Evan to be Robert and to come with her to visit her family. They have a few days to practice hugging (sic!) and for Evan to step into Robert's shoes. Only for the sake of Emily's family, and for them to not tease her mercilessly.

I absolutely, totally loved the interactions between the characters, as Joanna Bolouri is the champion of writing the most hilarious, funny and straight to the point sharp dialogues. I adored the characters and I warmed to them all immediately, well, with the exception of Robert, of course - the real Robert. Evan, on the other hand, was brilliant, and sure, he didn't agree to help Emily just so, there was a hidden agenda to it, but it was a great hidden agenda, and I kept my fingers crossed for him. He was full of life, he was kind and helpful and he was great to have him around.
Emily is over 30 and she didn't have a lot of luck when it comes to love, and it's a thorn in her mum's side as she would happily see her married. Emily's family is lovely but they take every opportunity to wind her up so the only thing Emily wants right now is to prove to them that she also has a love life - hence inviting Robert for Christmas extravaganza at her family home.
Emily so changes throughout the story! Even though we get to know her as always complaining, I didn't have any problem to immediately like her, because her problems were in fact so small that it was somehow funny to hear her moaning about them. Her life, her neighbour Evan being too loud, bad habits of her flatmates, her always unhappy mum, her brother and sister... there was always something to be unhappy about and while usually I'd be fed up with such character, Emily was written in a way that made her hilarious and I adored her, period - please, do not complain about Emily because I'm going to eat your head!
And guys, believe me, Emily's family was not as bad as she painted them! It was in fact this kind of a family that is my favourite kind and I'd love to spend Christmas with them because under all the picking faults, uptightness, patronising, video - gaming it turned out that they are normal people, with problems, biggest or smallest, but with problems, and it suffice to only tell the truth and not hide in a shell - it was this kind of a family that, only given a chance, will support you no matter what.

I absolutely loved the whole book but it really started to feel festive and even more hilarious when Evan and Emily got going to Scotland. This journey, and then meeting the family, it was entertaining, it has a good feeling and there were the most fantastic one - liners. But don't think that the book is for belly - laugh purposes only! Oh no! Underneath all this fun there are some more serious issues, issues that affected Emily's family for long and that finally, eventually exploded like a Christmas cracker only to show that the devil is not so black as he's painted and no matter what you are and how you are, your family is there for you, and I loved this message in this story.

"The Most Wonderful Time of the Year" is a brilliant novel about family bonds, second chances and the fact that age isn't important when it comes to love. There was enough Christmas feeling to it and from the start to finish it was an entertaining, laugh - out - loud novel with some much more tender and poignant moments to it, but also with so many sarcastic moments - just what the doctor ordered! So if you still don't know what to buy your best friends for Christmas, please treat them to this novel, it will be a perfect Christmas gift! Highly, highly recommended!

Copy provided by the publisher in return for an honest review.

[Lorilin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emily is used to getting ridiculed every time she goes home for Christmas. She's 38 and still single, and her family never seems to tire of reminding her. But not this year. This year is going to be different because this year she's bringing her lovely and successful boyfriend, Robert, home with her. Sure, he's a little uptight. But he's sweet in his way, cute, AND employed. For once, things seem to be on track---that is, until an unexpected revelation forces Emily to reevaluate everything. With her family watching, she's left to pick up the pieces of what was, while trying to figure out how to create something better for herself---with or without a man.

 *   *   *   *   *

I fully expected to not love this book. From the description (and title), I figured the story would be predictable and cheesy, one of those books that let's you know exactly where it's going within the first twenty pages. But I was honestly shocked by how much I loved it. I mean, yes, there are some predictable moments, but the characters are so, so good---really feisty, quirky, and fun. They weren't always realistic, especially Emily's over-the-top parents, but I didn't mind. This was a book that entertained me, start to finish. It made me laugh and feel lighter, happy.

One thing I'll mention... There are a lot of (playful) swears in here. I happen to cuss like a sailor, so I don't mind that one bit. (Am I the only person who is actually comforted when other people swear?) But I know not everyone feels the same way, so consider yourself warned.

I've got a long plane ride coming up next week, and I've already got one of Bolouri's previously published books queued up. I'm hoping it will be just as fun and entertaining as this one was. I can't wait to start it.

ARC provided through Amazon Vine.

See more of my reviews at www.BugBugBooks.com!

[Sofia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shut the fuck up this was so good, I did not expect to love it this much!! Its so fun, sweet and overall amazing christmassy book! I loved it! Its also FAKE DATING which is also *chefs kiss*!

Is it predictable? Yes. but honestly I love that in christmas books, they should be cheesy! I also loved the language, settings and characters and their dynamics, the main couple were so funny with each other and so sweet!

[Lovisa Wistrand · Rating 4 out of 5]

Så otroligt rolig! Ibland kanske lite *för* rolig, som om författaren ansträngde sig för mycket så att det föll platt i stället, men jag blev såld när "Robert" svarade i Emilys telefon och det var den riktiga Robert i andra änden 😂. Jättekul idé och medryckande story. Fin, romantisk och rolig!

[Matti Karjalainen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vuonna 2023 alkaneen perinteen (hei, jostakinhan sitä on lähdettävä liikkeelle!) mukaisesti joulukuussa luetaan yksi jouluinen romaani ja tänä vuonna arpa osui englantilaisen Joanna Bolourin teokseen "Paras aika vuodesta" (WSOY, 2021). Lähdin lukemaan teosta vähän pelonsekaisin tuntein, sillä viimevuotinen jouluhaastekirja, Jenny Baylissin Jouludeitti x 12, oli yksiselitteisesti kamala.

Nelikymppinen Emily on Lontoossa asuva opettaja, jonka on tarkoitus lähteä viettämään joulua raivostuttavan perheensä luokse Skotlantiin. Valitettavasti miesystävä osoittautuu petolliseksi juuri ennen reissua, ja koska sankarittaremme ei tahdo joutua ylenpalttisen surkuttelun ja päivittelyn kohteeksi, hän tulee humalapäissään pestanneeksi raivostuttavan naapurinsa Evanin esittämään kumppaniaan. Ja miten siinä sitten mahtaakaan käydä?

Lopputulos osoittautui vallan mukavaksi romanttiseksi viihderomaaniksi. Luonnollisesti voisin nipottaa juonen ennalta-arvattavuudesta ja muusta sen sellaisesta, mutta hei, unohdetaan sellainen negatiivisuus, koska sellainen vähän niin kuin kuuluu romanttiseen komediaan. Ja kaiken lisäksi on joulu!

Jos piditte tästä, niin lukaiskaapa seuraavaksi YLE:n artikkeli Jouluisista viihdekirjoista on tullut ilmiö myös Suomessa, sillä nyt kaivataan lohtua ja lämpöä.

[Lire.Papier · Rating 4 out of 5]

J'ai adoré. Un livre prévisible et quetaine à souhait mais qui fait tant de bien.
Jetais dans le mood pour ce genre de lecture.

[Sarah (is clearing her shelves) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for the URR 2017 New Year's Reading Challenge prompt 'Chick Lit' and for the 2016 POPSUGAR Reading Challenge (although I read it in 2017) prompt 'A Book Set in Europe'

8/2 - After reading the summary on the back cover, especially the bit about 'The only stress in her life is her neighbour Evan and his penchant for flirting, loud music and even louder sex' and then the idea that she enlists Evan to be her ex-boyfriend Robert, in order to keep up appearances with her family - well, I was expecting a sexual tension-charged romp with a ton of flirting that lead to some really steamy sex scenes. That's not what I got. Instead The Most Wonderful Time of the Year turned out to be a pretty funny chick lit on par with Bridget Jones' Diary, the book I was originally planning to read for both the aforementioned prompts, but then this one came along unexpectedly (by which I mean I impulse-borrowed it from the library on a visit where I was meant to be simply dropping off a book, not picking any up).

So yeah, the sex scenes were pretty meh in this book (a bit of a let down after that back cover teaser), but the comedy brought about by Emily's family mostly made up for that (only mostly, or this would have been a five star read). There were a couple that seemed promising, but each time they got interrupted by one of Emily's family members (slightly hilariously, but still), then they finally get some alone time and it lasts less than a page *shakes head in resignation at the way chick lit sex scenes always go*. Knowing what to expect (a focus on comedic situations, not romance) I would definitely pick another of Bolouri's books up from the library.

[Salma]

Awww what a beautiful novel .. hoped the author gave as an epilogue for this lovely couple and i really hope she will give us Iona's story .. :)

[Bogstoetten Elfie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bogen er en skøn, hjertevarm, romantisk og vanvittig morsom historie, som ville egne sig glimrende til en filmatisering. Det er længe siden, at jeg har grinet så meget af en bog. Den minder mig lidt om Bridget Jones. Den handler om at være single i en alder, hvor de fleste har slået sig til ro. Den handler om en mors forventninger, og hvordan man lyver det hele bedre, end det egentligt er.

Jeg elsker hovedpersonen Emily, bl.a. fordi hun er så nem at relatere til. Hun har en bestemt opfattelse af, hvordan man skal være, når man er 38 år. Hun føler slet ikke, at hun har styr på sit liv i forhold til sin alder. Karakteren Robert passer på alle mine fordomme om en britisk overklassedreng, og jeg fatter virkelig ikke, hvad Emily ser i ham. Han er snobbet og ubehøvlet, og Emily er slet ikke sig selv sammen med ham. Til gengæld kom jeg til at knuselske Evan. Samspillet mellem Emily og Evan er fantastisk.
Emilys familiemedlemmer er noget helt for sig selv, og jeg har aldrig mødt nogen i det virkelige liv, der minder om dem. Jeg ved ikke, hvor troværdige de er, men det gør egentligt ikke noget, for de er meget underholdende.

Hvis du er til romantiske komedier ala Bridget Jones og Nynne, vil du elske denne bog.

[Jaime Fiction Fangirls · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 sweet, I want more stars!!

Super cute book!!

I love the younger man/older woman, pretend boyfriend at Christmas storyline and thing that the author did a great job of tackling the age difference without beating me over the head with it. I really liked Emily and Evan together!!

However, when I finished I felt a little let down because the ending seemed sort of abrupt and left me wishing it had been drawn out more. I’m okay with time jumps but I NEED more details about what happened during the in-between. I’m nosey like that! I just wanted more time with Evan and Emily together, together BEFORE and AFTER the thing that separated them. I’m also greedy like that!

I would totally read more from this author.

[Mathilde · Rating 4 out of 5]

Guilty pleasure ❤️‍🔥

[Eloo · Rating 2 out of 5]

J’ai été plutôt déçue par cette lecture. J’ai trouvé le personnage d’Emily assez insupportable et j’avais envie de conseiller à Evan de fuir au plus vite 😂 Les clichés sur la différence d’âge ne m’ont pas fait rire longtemps ; il aurait été bien plus intéressant de banaliser la situation. L’histoire des colocataires d’Emily est sans grand intérêt, et l’ambiance de Noël n’est pas assez prononcée à mon goût. J’ai aimé la scène de la confrontation familiale et l’autrice aurait pu terminer sur ça… Car les 50 dernières pages sont chiantes. Dommage !

[Anja · Rating 5 out of 5]

Så hyggelig bog 😍

[Sofie Christensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hjem til jul er fortællingen om Emily som har et godt job, skønne venner og vigtigst af alt en lejlighed som præcis er 611 km væk fra hendes irriterende og fordømmende familie. Men da det snart er jul, skal Emily endnu engang se sin familie og denne gang som lovet også vise sin perfekte kæreste Robert frem. Men da det går galt mellem dem en uge før jul panikker Emily og er nødt til at finde en der kan agere hendes kæreste til jul og det ender så med at blive hendes møgirriterende nabo Evan… Og måske viser det sig at han måske ikke er helt så irriterende alligevel.👀

Hjem til jul havde jeg ingen forventning til inden jeg gik i gang med den, men den indholdte ordet jul i titlen så læses skulle den da og jeg blev heldigvis rigtig positivt overrasket.
I starten havde jeg lidt svært ved at komme ind i historien og forstå hvordan det hele hang sammen, men da jeg først var med på beatet lod jeg mig bare rive med af Emilys til tider lettere kaotiske liv, humoristiske tåkrummende situationer, pinlige oplevelser og romantiske scener. Jeg nød at følge Emily som karakter som både er lidt klodset, eftertænksom, omsorgsfuld og uperfekt perfekt. Hun er lige en karakter efter min bog jeg kan lide at være i hovedet af på en bog med 338 sider.✨

Historien var virkelig sød, sjov og fyldt med emner som der kan reflekteres over. Som alder og kærlighed, familierelationer, sandfundsforventninger og om der er mere bag facaden? Der var ihvertfald en del jeg kunne sidde og tygge lidt på under min læsning og det var der heldigvis også plads til.🧠

Jeg fald også hurtigt for bogens spirende kærlighedshistorie som var alt andet en rosenrød og som i Disneys fortællinger, men som stadig var fyldt med varme, sjov, drillerier og respekt for hinanden. Emily og Evan er så forskellige og står begge ved dem selv og ændre ikke ved sig selv for at behage den anden (altså selvfølgelig ikke andet end det åbenlyse) og det kunne jeg godt lide. De er et skønt par som løfter og giver hinanden noget godt. Fordælen de er dejlige sammen.
Alt i alt er jeg rigtig glad for at have fået denne læseoplevelse med.📖

Bogen får 4/5 stjerner 🌟🌟🌟🌟

[Rachel Gilbey · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year is a highly enjoyable story, predominately of one family's Christmas, a whole big 4 day fun extravaganza. Within that Emily has bigged up her current boyfriend Robert to the family, so they are expecting him to come with Emily for Christmas.

However a few days later they break up, and Emily drunkenly persuaded Evan from next door, her much younger, obnoxious neighbour to pose as Robert for Christmas up in Scotland. This is hilarious as Emily really doesn't like Evan that much, and they even have to practice hugging just so it may look natural.

Emily's family is great and borrows elements from perhaps even your own family. Her mother seems to manage to pick fault in most things, while making them sound like compliments. Her father is up for a drink and a dance. Her sister Iona, seems slightly uptight and doesn't have her husband with her this Christmas. Her brother Patrick loves video games, and his wife although quiet becomes a different person with a few drinks in her.

Over the course of four days, there is a lot of family time, drinking games, karaoke, long walks, a big party and all manner of self discoveries - it is just a lot of fun and really entertaining to read. However I will admit that for me it took at least until the break up of Emily and Robert's relationship for the book to get going, so the first perhaps 100 pages felt a bit slow for my liking, but after that I loved every second, once the story really started to ramp up.

Evan is a great guy, and one that I would happily date if he was real, and even in that first bit of the book he was a standout to me, and between his and Emily's quick wit, you get some really snappy one liners, and snap decisions with great affect.

With a great sense of humour throughout the book, and a really strong family festive feel to the story, it really is a book that will get you smiling this Christmas.

Thank you so much to Quercus for this copy of the book. This was my honest opinion.

[Clarabel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ô joie d’avoir gloutonné cette histoire la nuit du 25 décembre ! C’était tellement drôle. J’aime le style de Joanna Bolouri, son ton décalé et bourré de dérision.
Dans cette histoire, l’héroïne a trente-huit ans et vit en colocation dans un appartement à Londres. Peu de temps avant de se rendre en Écosse, pour fêter Noël en famille et présenter son petit ami, Emily rompt avec lui et propose à son voisin de prendre sa place. Ils ont donc huit heures de trajet en voiture pour apprendre à se connaître et donner le change face à une tribu réputée insupportable !
En vrai, le clan Carson est super drôle. Les traditions de noël se marient au folklore écossais dans un grand bal d’exubérance. Le faux couple est surprenant. Eux aussi vont d’ailleurs se surprendre en découvrant chez l’un et l’autre des qualités insoupçonnées. Et vous avez…
Un début d’idylle timide. Des répliques délirantes. Une famille déjantée. Un décor magique. Une ambiance de Noël qui n’est pas cucul la praline. Un super cocktail savoureux ! J’en veux encore.

[Galleane · Rating 4 out of 5]

J'ai passé un excellent moment de lecture avec Emily, sa famille et Evan. J'ai souri à de nombreuses reprises, j'ai enchaîné les pages et suivi avec joie les turpitudes des protagonistes. J'ai également adoré le contexte dans lequel ils évoluaient et tout ça pendant la période de Noël, une fête présente d'une façon fort agréable dans le roman.

Mon avis complet : https://bloggalleane.blogspot.com/201...

[Jaana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vähän kuin Younger, mutta sarkastisempi ja älyttömän hillitön! Ei voi kuin nauraa. Osui ja upposi!

[littleprettybooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

17/20

Une délicieuse romance de Noël amusante et divertissante, dont les personnages m’ont énormément plu. Un très bon moment de lecture !

Ma chronique : https://littleprettybooks.com/2021/03...

[Liza Hotta · Rating 4 out of 5]

En väldigt underhållande feelgood! Som en julfilm i bokformat: man vet vad man får, det är roligt, mysigt och klyschigt! Precis som jag tycker en julroman ska vara. Visst, den blir lite upprepande (åldersskillnad och pengar får allt för stor roll för min smak) och jag ifrågasätter hur närgången man ska behöva vara sin partner för att familjen ska "tro på" att man verkligen är tillsammans. Men ändå, en av de bättre julromanerna for sure! Jag fick också exakt den julkänslan jag hoppades på.

[Inka · Rating 3 out of 5]

Olen kuunnellut ja lukenut tämän vuoden aikana niin paljon tämän genren kirjoja, etten oikein tiedä, mitä tästä voisi sanoa. Paras aika vuodesta oli aikalailla juuri sitä mitä odottaa sopii, tässä ei varsinaisesti ollut mitään vikaa, mutta ei myöskään mitään sellaista, mikä olisi valtavasti ilahduttanut. Arvoin jopa kahden ja kolmen tähden välillä, mutta koska tämä oli mukava kuunneltava ja tarinaan oli helppo uppoutua ja aina teki mieli kuunnella vielä yksi luku, on tämä kolmannen tähden ansainnut.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

a re-read cause I loved it so much the first time I read it 😩 aaaaaand I still do. it’s fun, it’s sweet, it’s a crazy and loving family and it’s fake dating. AND ALSO; it’s christmassy!!!! i love it. am probably going to read this again in the future!

[Nelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Roligaste, mysigaste och mest underhållande på länge! Jag vill ha mer!!!

[Carole · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5

http://www.my-bo0ks.com/2020/01/comme...

Pour cette nouvelle année, j'ai jeté mon dévolu sur Comment ne pas faire pitié à Noël quand on est célibataire de Joanna Bolouri. Une romance de Noël qu'il me tardait de découvrir. Car même si Noël est officiellement derrière nous, je suis encore totalement dans l'ambiance, mon sapin, mon village de Noël sont toujours là sous mon nez.
Comment ne pas faire pitié à Noël quand on est célibataire, c'est l'histoire d'Emily, 38 ans qui s'apprête à passer les fêtes dans sa famille. Et pour une fois, elle est en couple avec Robert, un homme tout à fait respectable. Enfin ça c'était sans compter sa terrible découverte. Robert est marié, avec des enfants... Emily n'est autre que sa maîtresse, et ce, depuis des mois. Après avoir passé la soirée à boire pour se remettre de cette catastrophe de dernière minute, elle propose à son voisin (de 10 ans de moins) de se faire passer pour Robert... Quatre jours à faire semblant d'être en couple.

Lorsque j'ai commencé ma lecture, j'ai de suite eu un bon feeling avec l'histoire et les personnages. Le style de l'auteure, Joanna Bolouri, est franchement agréable. Elle ajoute beaucoup d'humour à son histoire tout en restant dans une histoire crédible et sincère. Emily, notre personnage principal est vraiment attachante. Cette femme n'a pas vraiment confiance en elle, sa famille est du genre à critiquer tout et les piques peuvent parfois être dur à encaisser. De son côté, Evan est vraiment génial. Au début, il passe pour le coureur, sans vraiment se démarquer mais c'est une belle façade. En vérité, derrière cette image désinvolte, se cache un jeune homme attentionné, pleins de bons sentiments et vraiment drôle.

Entre eux, cela balance entre haine et amour. Ils ne se connaissent pas du tout et ont beaucoup de préjugés. Pourtant, ce voyage dans la famille d'Emily va les rapprocher et les amener à en apprendre plus l'un sur l'autre. Des situations à la fois cocasses et mignonnes. J'ai aimé cette alchimie entre eux, les moments drôles, sexy et tendres. Les préjugés volent en éclats et les barrières tombent. Le couple qu'ils forment est vraiment parfait.

Comment ne pas faire pitié à Noël quand on est célibataire aborde non seulement l'amour mais aussi la famille et les problèmes qu'il peut y avoir. Il faut dire que Joanna Bolouri nous présente une famille un peu décalée, quoique pas tellement finalement. Chacun des membres de la famille d'Emily a sa personnalité, son tempérament. Emily est énormément jugée par eux, et souhaite vraiment bien faire. Elle voudrait qu'ils soient fières d'elle et ne plus être le centre de l'attention. Ces petits éléments "banales", ajoutent un vrai plus à l'histoire. Ils rendent l'histoire d'autant plus réelle, crédible aux yeux du lecteur. J'ai aimé voir cette famille se retrouver et aller au delà des apparences.
Enfin, l'ambiance. L'ambiance de Noël. Ces retrouvailles avec la famille, les jeux ridicules mais toujours drôles que l'on fait au moment de Noël, les pulls, l'échange des cadeaux, la volonté de faire plaisir. Tout cela à rendu l'histoire encore plus belle et touchante. J'étais vraiment embarquée dans Comment ne pas faire pitié à Noël quand on est célibataire. Les émotions étaient également de la partie et je dois dire que j'étais pas loin de verser ma petite larme au moments clés.

En conclusion, cette première lecture de l'année était exactement ce que je souhaitais. De l'humour, de l'amour et des émotions, le tout dans une ambiance de Noël. J'ai retrouvé tout les éléments importants d'une romance parfaite. Mon seul petit reproche concerne la fin, j'aurais voulu un ou deux chapitres de plus pour finir sur un coup de coeur. Car j'ai frôlé de peu le coup de coeur total pour cette lecture. Quelques pages de plus et c'était parfait même si la fin m'a énormément plu.

En tout cas, une chose est sûre, je surveillerais avec beaucoup d'attention les sorties de cette auteure !

[Kaisha (The Writing Garnet) · Rating 5 out of 5]

All reviews can be found on my blog at https://thewritinggarnet.wordpress.com

Having read Joanna’s previous books (yes, all of them), my expectations were pretty high. I absolutely loved her style of writing in the other books and I was hopeful that it would continue. No pressure for the author eh!
Did it live up to my expectations? This novel went above and beyond! It’s safe to say that this festive treat is my most favourite book of Joanna’s.
We follow the life of Emily; a thirty-something woman who is loving life away from her interfering family, as well as being courted by Mr Robert. Sounds bliss really doesn’t it? Well, it would be if her neighbour didn’t decide to turn his sex volume up several decibels. The walls are thin, not exactly the most comforting lullaby to fall asleep to! Despite being unable to find her neighbours mute button, Emily makes a lot of noise celebrating the fact that she is FINALLY going to be taking her boyfriend, Robert, to her parents house this Christmas! Unfortunately, best laid plans and all that, Emily needs to come up with plan B. Or Plan ‘E’ as it should be….
#MostWonderful has quite simple jumped into my Top 10 books of 2016!
The moment I opened the book and engaged with the storyline; I was hooked completely. Joanna’s trademark humour set up camp the whole way through and was definitely there to stay as I have NOT laughed that much in ages. Emily was such a fun and feisty character to read about and follow the footsteps of; especially as her one liners were unbelievable! The innuendos and witty comments seemed to fall out of her mouth with such ease; if it wasn’t weird I would say that I am jealous of Emily! COUGH, I am jealous. She’s fabulous.
Emily’s friends seemed to have similar personalities to her which was a definite plus point as I couldn’t imagine Joanna writing a boring character to live with her hah!
I am afraid that I cannot comment on Robert as my opinion is not suitable before the watershed. Ahemmmmm!!!!
You know when you pick up a book, totally lose yourself in it and end up feeling on top of the world whilst reading it? #MostWonderful gave me that feeling. The entire book allowed me to escape, lose my inhibitions and just go with the flow of the storyline, enjoying it in the process. As I said above, I adore Joanna’s style of writing as it is so down to Earth and enjoyable. It’s as though she is right in front of you having a chat, and that’s what I loved about #MostWonderful in particular; the fact it is such an easy read. Everything is there for you within the storyline, you just need to let go and enjoy it. Considering I turned into a drippy nosed, squeaky woman whilst reading it, I loved it. Yes, that is what my laughing does. Sorry, no, my extreme laughing. I make all sorts of sounds…
There was nothing I disliked about #MostWonderful, at all.
A truly magnificent and damn right hilarious read that will make you think twice about love this Christmas. A book that had tears streaming down my face with laughter, Joanna’s humour turns this storyline into an innuendo work of art.
‘The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year’ will definitely be #MostWonderful as long as you have Joanna Bolouri under your Christmas tree this year!
Thank you Quercus books!

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joanna Bolouri is a FANTASTIC author and if you don’t believe me, I will beat you up with one of her books. She’s only written three books but she’s become an auto-buy author for me because she’s such a witty, warm writer; and her guys are kinda hot. In a time where I worry my love for Chick Lit is waning, Joanna has come along, once again, and proven me wrong, because The Most Wonderful Time of the Year is an AMAZING devour-it-in-four-hours kinda read. TELL THE WORLD THEY NEED TO READ IT KINDA READ. So what are you waiting for? Go and bloody well read it.

Christmas is my favourite time of year (as long as I get Boxing Day off otherwise it’s ruined) – I love spending Christmas Day and Boxing Day with family, doing nothing, eating loads of food, and I have never been more thankful for MY family than I do after reading about the Carson’s, because by golly gosh are they a nosey clan. But, and I feel I really need to stress this because it’s important: they love each other absolutely. Even if Emily’s mum is always telling her about her flaws. That’s what I loved the most – yes Emily’s family do her head in to the point where she feels she needs to bring a fake boyfriend for the four-day annual pilgrimage up to Scotland, after her real boyfriend turned out to be a rat in disguise, but that time in Scotland was bloody epic. The pages for that four day just flew by – with quizzes, karaoke, films, food, interrogations the army would be proud of, and it just completely encapsulated what Christmas is all about. No matter what, you cannot beat a family Christmas.

Joanna also writes the most cracking characters. I loved Emily – her spark, her wit, her voice, it was all amazing and I feel like I could have read another 400 pages, and Evan. BE STILL MY BEATING HEART. The whole entire concept of Evan being fake Robert was ridiculous but absolutely amazing, because Evan was amazing and he totally pulled it off. Also? His chemistry with Emily is OFF THE CHARTS, people. They were incredibly entertaining together, even if they did wind each other up most of the time.

I absolutely loved every page of The Most Wonderful Time of the Year. It was entertaining, fast-paced, with characters I loved and I LOVED the Carson clan in the only way you can, sure in the knowledge that you never have to go to one of their Christmases, although saying that, I’m sure it would be epic. And intense. And worth it. Joanna Bolouri is such a good writer, she’s on-point, she knows how to make me laugh and swoon and want more pages! This is so good, the perfect Christmas novel that will have you swooning all over your Christmas tree.

[Anna Maja · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gillade den faktiskt ännu mer vid omläsning och slängde på en stjärna till på betyget.

[Ceres · Rating 4 out of 5]

J'ai beaucoup aimé cette histoire hilarante et familiale, pleine de bons sentiments!!!
Mis à part le caractère d'Emily un peu borné qui lui vaut une étoile en moins dans ma note, je conseille chaudement ce roman en cette période! La famille d'Emily vaut sacrément le détour et garantit de bons petits fous rire!