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Christmas at Thornton Hall
Need a fun, festive treat to warm you up on cold winter nights? Don’t miss this terrific debut from a witty new voice in romantic comedy!
When Juliet Hill unwittingly discovers a most-definitely-not-hers-rhinestone-studded lace thong in her high-flying lawyer boyfriend’s apartment, this usually feisty chef is suddenly single and facing a very blue Christmas – with only a ready meal for one to keep her company!
So when she’s personally requested to cater for the family at Thornton Hall three days before Christmas, it’s not long before Juliet’s standing at the (back) door of the Earl of Gloucester’s impossibly grand ancestral pile.
The halls are decked, the guests are titled, those below the stairs are delightfully catty, and all-American Juliet sets to work cooking up a glorious British Christmas with all the trimmings.
But other flames are burning besides those on the stove… Sparks fly with Edward, the gorgeous ex-soldier turned resident chef, and are those sidelong looks Juliet’s getting from her boss, the American tycoon Jasper Roth?
As the snow starts to fall on the idyllic Cotswolds countryside, so does the veneer of genteel high society and there are more than a few ancient skeletons rattling out of the Hall’s numerous dark cupboards!
CHRISTMAS AT THORNTON HALL is a country house romance for the modern age, a must-read for fans of the scandals and drama of Downton Abbey and the charm and wit of Helen Fielding.
386 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 12, 2013
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481 people want to read
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April 8, 2015
“Christmas is not as much about opening our presents as opening our hearts.”
----Janice Maeditere
Lynn Marie Hulsman, an American author, pens her debut heart-touching, warm, Christmassy story, called Thornton Hall , which revolves around a recently-single-chef cooking for a family at Thornton Hall.
Synopsis:
When Juliet Hill unwittingly discovers a most-definitely-not-hers-rhinestone-studded lace thong in her high-flying lawyer boyfriend’s apartment, this usually feisty chef is suddenly single and facing a very blue Christmas – with only a ready meal for one to keep her company!
So when she’s personally requested to cater for the family at Thornton Hall three days before Christmas, it’s not long before Juliet’s standing at the (back) door of the Earl of Gloucester’s impossibly grand ancestral pile.
The halls are decked, the guests are titled, those below the stairs are delightfully catty, and all-American Juliet sets to work cooking up a glorious British Christmas with all the trimmings.
But other flames are burning besides those on the stove… Sparks fly with Edward, the gorgeous ex-soldier turned resident chef, and are those sidelong looks Juliet’s getting from her boss, the American tycoon Jasper Roth?
As the snow starts to fall on the idyllic Cotswolds countryside, so does the veneer of genteel high society and there are more than a few ancient skeletons rattling out of the Hall’s numerous dark cupboards!
Juliet is a chef- a damn good cook who has cooked for Liz Hurley, yeah, she's that lucky, unfortunately, she is not lucky when it comes to matters like men. Catching her cheating long-time boyfriend Ben, she leaves everything behind and rushes up to take up an offer from her chef-agency- to cook meal during the Christmas time at Thornton Hall. Well, let me tell you, Juliet has some fond and not-so-fond memories on her previous employment at Thornton Hall. On the very first day of her work, she gets into an adult sleepover with the head-chef- Edward. But when Edward leaves the job all of a sudden, Juliet is caught between her romantic-and-lonely heart and her fear that if any guy looks at her twice he may end up proposing to her.
Well it's not Christmas and certainly it's not the perfect weather to enjoy reading this book, but anyhow, the book will be a perfect cure if you are feeling blue or recovering from a bad break-up. I call this book a no-fuss chick-lit with "DRAMA" in capital letters.
The only thing that kept me going through the story was the vibrant cast of funny, crazy and interesting characters, although their drama went on for a very long time. The myriad characters cracked me up with their craziness and some warmed me up with their cuteness and some simply made me hate them.
The primary character, Juliet is very romantic and bit immature when it is the crisis period. Romantic because she easily open up her heart and shamelessly fall for the trap. Her best friend, Posy is colorful character, even though she was not in this story in a greater/influential way, but I wished I could have got bit more of Posy drama. Juliet's hoards of admirers- Edward, Ben and her boss at the Thornton Hall- Jasper are equally adorable and bit nosy. The romantic aspect is nicely portrayed by the author with enough chemistry and passion. The food is the back-drop in this book which is strikingly portrayed by the author. All those delicious gourmet dishes prepared by Juliet will simply water your mouth.
The whole plot was layered with funny anecdotes and humorous moments that will make you go ROFL. The prose is fast enough and the narration is kept catchy and witty that will will keep you engrossed to the story. This book is absolutely a no-strings-attached kinda book that will make you laugh and happy with the colorful cast of characters, steamy make-outs, mystery and Christmas.
Verdict: A must-read for all chick-lit lovers!
Courtesy: Thanks to the author, Lynn Marie Hulsman, for giving me an opportunity to read and review her book.
----Janice Maeditere
Lynn Marie Hulsman, an American author, pens her debut heart-touching, warm, Christmassy story, called Thornton Hall , which revolves around a recently-single-chef cooking for a family at Thornton Hall.
Synopsis:
When Juliet Hill unwittingly discovers a most-definitely-not-hers-rhinestone-studded lace thong in her high-flying lawyer boyfriend’s apartment, this usually feisty chef is suddenly single and facing a very blue Christmas – with only a ready meal for one to keep her company!
So when she’s personally requested to cater for the family at Thornton Hall three days before Christmas, it’s not long before Juliet’s standing at the (back) door of the Earl of Gloucester’s impossibly grand ancestral pile.
The halls are decked, the guests are titled, those below the stairs are delightfully catty, and all-American Juliet sets to work cooking up a glorious British Christmas with all the trimmings.
But other flames are burning besides those on the stove… Sparks fly with Edward, the gorgeous ex-soldier turned resident chef, and are those sidelong looks Juliet’s getting from her boss, the American tycoon Jasper Roth?
As the snow starts to fall on the idyllic Cotswolds countryside, so does the veneer of genteel high society and there are more than a few ancient skeletons rattling out of the Hall’s numerous dark cupboards!
Juliet is a chef- a damn good cook who has cooked for Liz Hurley, yeah, she's that lucky, unfortunately, she is not lucky when it comes to matters like men. Catching her cheating long-time boyfriend Ben, she leaves everything behind and rushes up to take up an offer from her chef-agency- to cook meal during the Christmas time at Thornton Hall. Well, let me tell you, Juliet has some fond and not-so-fond memories on her previous employment at Thornton Hall. On the very first day of her work, she gets into an adult sleepover with the head-chef- Edward. But when Edward leaves the job all of a sudden, Juliet is caught between her romantic-and-lonely heart and her fear that if any guy looks at her twice he may end up proposing to her.
Well it's not Christmas and certainly it's not the perfect weather to enjoy reading this book, but anyhow, the book will be a perfect cure if you are feeling blue or recovering from a bad break-up. I call this book a no-fuss chick-lit with "DRAMA" in capital letters.
The only thing that kept me going through the story was the vibrant cast of funny, crazy and interesting characters, although their drama went on for a very long time. The myriad characters cracked me up with their craziness and some warmed me up with their cuteness and some simply made me hate them.
The primary character, Juliet is very romantic and bit immature when it is the crisis period. Romantic because she easily open up her heart and shamelessly fall for the trap. Her best friend, Posy is colorful character, even though she was not in this story in a greater/influential way, but I wished I could have got bit more of Posy drama. Juliet's hoards of admirers- Edward, Ben and her boss at the Thornton Hall- Jasper are equally adorable and bit nosy. The romantic aspect is nicely portrayed by the author with enough chemistry and passion. The food is the back-drop in this book which is strikingly portrayed by the author. All those delicious gourmet dishes prepared by Juliet will simply water your mouth.
The whole plot was layered with funny anecdotes and humorous moments that will make you go ROFL. The prose is fast enough and the narration is kept catchy and witty that will will keep you engrossed to the story. This book is absolutely a no-strings-attached kinda book that will make you laugh and happy with the colorful cast of characters, steamy make-outs, mystery and Christmas.
Verdict: A must-read for all chick-lit lovers!
Courtesy: Thanks to the author, Lynn Marie Hulsman, for giving me an opportunity to read and review her book.
December 11, 2013
Christmas at Thornton Hall by Lynn Marie Hulsman - 4.5 stars.
I really enjoyed this book! It's an exciting mix of dichotomy: English and American, upstairs and downstairs, festive and practical, love and lust!
I absolutely loved Juliet - I laughed and cringed with her all the way through, rooting for her despite the fact that her morals and judgement are - at times - slightly questionable (which just makes her all the more loveable!). Each of the harem of love interests are appealing in their own way - and there is just the right amount of steam, enough to add a frisson to the mix without steamrollering the plot.
A particular strength is the cast of supporting characters, both upstairs and downstairs. I loved Terrence!! Every scene he was in made me smile.
Christmas at Thornton Hall should DEFINITELY be your Christmas read of 2013. Get it from December 12th!
I really enjoyed this book! It's an exciting mix of dichotomy: English and American, upstairs and downstairs, festive and practical, love and lust!
I absolutely loved Juliet - I laughed and cringed with her all the way through, rooting for her despite the fact that her morals and judgement are - at times - slightly questionable (which just makes her all the more loveable!). Each of the harem of love interests are appealing in their own way - and there is just the right amount of steam, enough to add a frisson to the mix without steamrollering the plot.
A particular strength is the cast of supporting characters, both upstairs and downstairs. I loved Terrence!! Every scene he was in made me smile.
Christmas at Thornton Hall should DEFINITELY be your Christmas read of 2013. Get it from December 12th!
December 11, 2013
review excerpt from http://bleachhouselibrary.blogspot.ie...
I received a copy of this book for review purposes
Juliet Hill has had an awful start to Christmas. She has just broken up with her boyfriend and she has nowhere to go for the festive season. When her chef agency offers the job of catering at Thornton Hall over the Christmas period, it seems the ideal way to lick her wounds. She has catered for them before and knows the Earl, his eccentric family and their staff well. Too well, it seems.....
This is a fast paced romance novel with lots of colourful characters and crazy capers. The staff at the Hall are a great mixture of personalities and the Owners of Thornton Hall are whole lotta crazy!
Juliet is at a crossroads in her life and seems to think that if a man looks at her twice he may end up proposing to her. Bizzare. She has a couple of admirers at The Hall, but are either of them suitable? Should she give up on her ex and move on or consider a reunion?
This book flies along, sometimes so fast that I had to re-read parts to catch up. There are a few flashbacks to previous encounters with the Thornton Hall family and staff, but they are very vague.
I found Juliet to be a little immature with her approach to men, and her future, but I loved the characters in the kitchen of The Hall: Two clashing Gay Butlers competing for top dog position within the house, a cute Irish couple who have been there for years and a ditzy maid who has no filter. These characters made for an entertaining look at life below stairs in a modern day Country House.
Lynn Marie obviously enjoys comedy and has brought lots of it to her debut novel. Perfect read for the season and I look forward to her next book.
I received a copy of this book for review purposes
Juliet Hill has had an awful start to Christmas. She has just broken up with her boyfriend and she has nowhere to go for the festive season. When her chef agency offers the job of catering at Thornton Hall over the Christmas period, it seems the ideal way to lick her wounds. She has catered for them before and knows the Earl, his eccentric family and their staff well. Too well, it seems.....
This is a fast paced romance novel with lots of colourful characters and crazy capers. The staff at the Hall are a great mixture of personalities and the Owners of Thornton Hall are whole lotta crazy!
Juliet is at a crossroads in her life and seems to think that if a man looks at her twice he may end up proposing to her. Bizzare. She has a couple of admirers at The Hall, but are either of them suitable? Should she give up on her ex and move on or consider a reunion?
This book flies along, sometimes so fast that I had to re-read parts to catch up. There are a few flashbacks to previous encounters with the Thornton Hall family and staff, but they are very vague.
I found Juliet to be a little immature with her approach to men, and her future, but I loved the characters in the kitchen of The Hall: Two clashing Gay Butlers competing for top dog position within the house, a cute Irish couple who have been there for years and a ditzy maid who has no filter. These characters made for an entertaining look at life below stairs in a modern day Country House.
Lynn Marie obviously enjoys comedy and has brought lots of it to her debut novel. Perfect read for the season and I look forward to her next book.
December 9, 2013
3.5 Stars.
A good solid debut novel from Lynn Marie Hulsman. I love a good Christmas book, and although I enjoyed Christmas at Thornton Hall, it didn't blow me away.
That-said,the story is full and well developed, and the characters in the main likeable and easy to get along with. I did find some parts unnecessarily descriptive, but then others not informative enough.
Juliet, was easy to like, but I did find the writing style of talking to the reader a little distracting at times.
Edward being and ex-soldier and chef really ticked all my boxes and his little double entendres and saucy innuendo with Juliet kept the smile firmly on my face. The extended cast were completely endearing, I particularly liked Rose.
All-in-all a pretty good seasonal read. With a few tweaks it could become a great read. I am looking forward to seeing what Lynn Marie Hulsman has for us next, she definitely has a lot of potential.
ARC provided through Netgalley, in exchange for the above honest review.
A good solid debut novel from Lynn Marie Hulsman. I love a good Christmas book, and although I enjoyed Christmas at Thornton Hall, it didn't blow me away.
That-said,the story is full and well developed, and the characters in the main likeable and easy to get along with. I did find some parts unnecessarily descriptive, but then others not informative enough.
Juliet, was easy to like, but I did find the writing style of talking to the reader a little distracting at times.
Edward being and ex-soldier and chef really ticked all my boxes and his little double entendres and saucy innuendo with Juliet kept the smile firmly on my face. The extended cast were completely endearing, I particularly liked Rose.
All-in-all a pretty good seasonal read. With a few tweaks it could become a great read. I am looking forward to seeing what Lynn Marie Hulsman has for us next, she definitely has a lot of potential.
ARC provided through Netgalley, in exchange for the above honest review.
December 5, 2013
You know that sinful feeling you get when you devour a book? I feel like that feeling is amplified in Winter and if the book you are reading is set during Christmas and full of romantic strife. If you enjoy that feeling then Christmas at Thornton Hall is for you. I was lucky enough to have access to it from NetGalley and, though I had multiple books in my queue, I started this book as soon as I was granted access to it.
You have Juliet, the classic chic lit heroine that faces the issues many of us face, mostly the continuous feeling that nothing is going as it should and Mr Right doesn't actually exist. Lucky for her (and us, the reader) she takes a holiday job at a country home that ends up getting her into some fabulous trouble.
Recovering from her recent heartbreak is made easier by the gorgeous head chef, but then he disappears int he night and a shit-storm of drama descends upon all the houseguests and the staff, leaving Juliet in charge of the kitchen and somehow in the middle of the whirlwind. There are times that the drama becomes a little convoluted, but all loose threads are brought together before the final pages.
This is a solid holiday chic lit read. There are some bumpy parts at the beginning, and some of the flashbacks are a bit jolting, but overall the author hooks you from the start and throws curve-balls at every turn, keeping you guessing and turning those pages.
You have Juliet, the classic chic lit heroine that faces the issues many of us face, mostly the continuous feeling that nothing is going as it should and Mr Right doesn't actually exist. Lucky for her (and us, the reader) she takes a holiday job at a country home that ends up getting her into some fabulous trouble.
Recovering from her recent heartbreak is made easier by the gorgeous head chef, but then he disappears int he night and a shit-storm of drama descends upon all the houseguests and the staff, leaving Juliet in charge of the kitchen and somehow in the middle of the whirlwind. There are times that the drama becomes a little convoluted, but all loose threads are brought together before the final pages.
This is a solid holiday chic lit read. There are some bumpy parts at the beginning, and some of the flashbacks are a bit jolting, but overall the author hooks you from the start and throws curve-balls at every turn, keeping you guessing and turning those pages.
December 19, 2017
Originally, I just thought this would be another rom-com Christmas chick lit piece of fluff. And it was - in a way. But it really had a lot more to it than I originally thought.
I really wish I had the problems our heroine Juliet has. She's an A-1 chef who works for the rich and famous - including actress Liz Hurley apparently - she's engaged to a handsome lawyer (but she has to leave him because he's a cheat). She also has a boss and a fellow chef panting after her at the same time. What's a girl to do?
The book is a fast read and is fun and sexy. A nice pick-me-up for Christmas.
I really wish I had the problems our heroine Juliet has. She's an A-1 chef who works for the rich and famous - including actress Liz Hurley apparently - she's engaged to a handsome lawyer (but she has to leave him because he's a cheat). She also has a boss and a fellow chef panting after her at the same time. What's a girl to do?
The book is a fast read and is fun and sexy. A nice pick-me-up for Christmas.
January 1, 2021
My Thoughts:
I received my copy from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Christmas at Thornton Hall is the 6th Christmas themed book that I have read as part of the December Challenge that I'm participating in with the Aussie Readers Group at Goodreads. This one was a bit longer than a lot of the other Christmas themed novels around and it took me a little bit longer than I would have liked to get through. That's my own fault though, not the book's, since I must have gone crazy for a while earlier this year and elected to study two university subjects over the Christmas break so I have been pretty busy around here lately!
The longer than usual length allowed the author, Lynn Marie Hulsman, to pack in a lot of action and interesting characters. I quite often felt a bit stressed out for Juliet, the main character, because there was so much going on around her. She's a top chef to the stars dealing with a break up with her boyfriend, Ben and sexual tension with Edward, her sexy fellow chef and Jasper Roth, her handsome and wealthy boss while cooking for a huge, snobby Christmas party on her own at Thornton Hall which is one of those super wealthy English properties that have been owned by titled families for generations.
There were quite a few times that I questioned whether Juliet really had true feelings for any of these men as she seemed to be able to jump from fantasizing about one to another in a matter of seconds. Her previous ex was also brought up often so that makes four love interests in one book which is perhaps a few too many for me.
Juliet was a bit of annoying main character to be honest. 99% of her problems could have been solved just by talking about them to the relevant people but she seemed to avoid that like the plague. I could certainly relate to her tendency to drift off and daydream at the drop of a hat but I found myself getting frustrated at her indecisiveness and unwillingness to talk to anyone about anything.
The other characters were all well developed although I would have liked to have read more about Edward the fellow chef. He was missing for the majority of the story and from what I did read about him he seemed like a pretty interesting guy. He leaves Juliet in the lurch at the beginning of the book to cope with the Christmas festivities at Thornton Hall on her own with no explanation after a night of passion. I found it difficult to believe that Juliet simply didn't bother to give him a call to find out why he left. If some guy pulled a stunt like that on me I'd be chasing him down if only to give him a piece of my mind!
Edward had his reasons for leaving but will he be able to explain everything in time to stop Juliet from traipsing off to America with her married boss? Jasper Roth is rich, handsome and American so he did what any American who wants to succeed in London does apparently and married Lady Penelope who is titled but crazy. He has been after Juliet for ages and hopes to leave his wife and take off home to America with Juliet. Jasper wasn't the most likable of characters, he was far too interested in expensive things and rude to his staff for me.
There are a host of terrific supporting characters in Christmas at Thornton Hall. At times it was perhaps a few too many to keep up with. Some of my favourites included Terrence, the sassy gay butler, Rose and Seamus, the elderly and kind couple who have worked at Thornton Hall most of their lives and The Earl of Gloucester who is known by the downstairs staff as The Painter since he is a well known artist. The Earl has some interesting secrets of his own.
Christmas at Thornton Hall is a Christmas story with an interesting plot and characters. There is mystery, plenty of romance and few steamy love scenes. There are plenty of laughs and I found it to be a really enjoyable Christmas themed read with a noticable lack of cheesiness which I quite liked.
I received my copy from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Christmas at Thornton Hall is the 6th Christmas themed book that I have read as part of the December Challenge that I'm participating in with the Aussie Readers Group at Goodreads. This one was a bit longer than a lot of the other Christmas themed novels around and it took me a little bit longer than I would have liked to get through. That's my own fault though, not the book's, since I must have gone crazy for a while earlier this year and elected to study two university subjects over the Christmas break so I have been pretty busy around here lately!
The longer than usual length allowed the author, Lynn Marie Hulsman, to pack in a lot of action and interesting characters. I quite often felt a bit stressed out for Juliet, the main character, because there was so much going on around her. She's a top chef to the stars dealing with a break up with her boyfriend, Ben and sexual tension with Edward, her sexy fellow chef and Jasper Roth, her handsome and wealthy boss while cooking for a huge, snobby Christmas party on her own at Thornton Hall which is one of those super wealthy English properties that have been owned by titled families for generations.
There were quite a few times that I questioned whether Juliet really had true feelings for any of these men as she seemed to be able to jump from fantasizing about one to another in a matter of seconds. Her previous ex was also brought up often so that makes four love interests in one book which is perhaps a few too many for me.
Juliet was a bit of annoying main character to be honest. 99% of her problems could have been solved just by talking about them to the relevant people but she seemed to avoid that like the plague. I could certainly relate to her tendency to drift off and daydream at the drop of a hat but I found myself getting frustrated at her indecisiveness and unwillingness to talk to anyone about anything.
The other characters were all well developed although I would have liked to have read more about Edward the fellow chef. He was missing for the majority of the story and from what I did read about him he seemed like a pretty interesting guy. He leaves Juliet in the lurch at the beginning of the book to cope with the Christmas festivities at Thornton Hall on her own with no explanation after a night of passion. I found it difficult to believe that Juliet simply didn't bother to give him a call to find out why he left. If some guy pulled a stunt like that on me I'd be chasing him down if only to give him a piece of my mind!
Edward had his reasons for leaving but will he be able to explain everything in time to stop Juliet from traipsing off to America with her married boss? Jasper Roth is rich, handsome and American so he did what any American who wants to succeed in London does apparently and married Lady Penelope who is titled but crazy. He has been after Juliet for ages and hopes to leave his wife and take off home to America with Juliet. Jasper wasn't the most likable of characters, he was far too interested in expensive things and rude to his staff for me.
There are a host of terrific supporting characters in Christmas at Thornton Hall. At times it was perhaps a few too many to keep up with. Some of my favourites included Terrence, the sassy gay butler, Rose and Seamus, the elderly and kind couple who have worked at Thornton Hall most of their lives and The Earl of Gloucester who is known by the downstairs staff as The Painter since he is a well known artist. The Earl has some interesting secrets of his own.
Christmas at Thornton Hall is a Christmas story with an interesting plot and characters. There is mystery, plenty of romance and few steamy love scenes. There are plenty of laughs and I found it to be a really enjoyable Christmas themed read with a noticable lack of cheesiness which I quite liked.
September 2, 2016
Also posted on This Chick Reads
*Copy provided by author in exchange for an honest review*
Reviewing this book will not be easy. To be quite frank I really have no idea even where to start. I feel slightly disappointed because the start was very very promising.
Juliet Hill is a chef, a mighty good one actually. She's been offered a fab last minute offer to work at Thornton Hall, but she thinks she needs to decline because she's planning on spending Christmas with her wonderful boyfriend. The only thing is, her boyfriend is not wonderful, actually he's a cheating son a bitch. Looks like she won't be spending Christmas (or rest of the life) with him after all, so nothing is stopping her to accept the generous offer (big bonus included) from her agency and Jasper Roth and go to Thornton Hall to assist their permanent chef, Edward. But it's not the first time she's meeting that family and their staff, and she's feeling lots of drama will happen. And she's damn right.
Now I come to the part when I need to explain all the pro's and con's, and it's not gonna be easy. Well, for a start, I really tried to understand the MC, but Juliet seems too indecisive for me. I loved her at the beginning, honestly she's the classic chick lit character, with a fucked up life but willing to start again. I absolutely loved the first 15-20% of the book, and if I could rate solemnly on reading those pages, I'd say this book deserves 10 stars! I laughed, I found Juliet fun and funny, especially her reactions when she finds out her boyfriend is cheating. BUT then she goes to Thornton Hill and all of a sudden I felt like she stopped being so fun. Maybe the fact I was introduced to soooo many new characters at such a short time didn't help either. I know the idea of the author was to show each of the staff working in Thornton Hall, but really guys, it all just seemed a bit too overwhelming for me. I admit, I had difficulties remembering their names, their characteristics, positions in the household etc. I'm pretty sure I would enjoy it more if I was given more time to get to know them, meaning if they were introduced in the book step by step, or if it weren't so many of them. Or maybe the problem was the pacing. I do love fast paced books, but I think things were moving too fast for me to actually feel all these personalities (and there are so many of them).
Another thing which honestly is a big no-no for me in every book, are the triangles, and here we have couple of them. It all seemed too much for me and I think just burdened the story. They were unnecessary and just made the MC seem like a very lost character.
BUT on a lighter note, it's a debut and I'm sure Lynn Marie's other books will be better. Her writing style is fresh and she did intrigue me enough with this book (twists I didn't expect), which is good obviously. I did laugh on few places and there were some very fun and interesting situations the MC gets into. If you're a sucker for fun, festive read you should definitely give it a try. As for Lynn Marie's future books, I will definitely be on a watch our for them. I have a feeling she's putting all her heart in writing, and that's certainly a thing I really appreciate the most.
November 24, 2014
This review was originally posted on Between My Lines
If you are feeling all Christmas Grinch-like and grinding your teeth about how Christmas seems to start earlier every year, then you need a good dose of bookish Christmas cheer. And a fun book to deliver just that is Christmas at Thornton Hall by Lynn Marie Hulsman.
First Line of Christmas at Thornton Hall by Lynn Marie Hulsman:
My Thoughts on of Christmas at Thornton Hall by Lynn Marie Hulsman:
This book is so much fun. A lot of Christmas books can verge in to cheesy very quickly and they can depend on the Christmas vibe to build up a romance. Not so this book; there is no dreaded insta-love which in itself is like a little Christmas pressie directly to you from the author.
There were a few things I loved about this book:
- The FOOD! All the food! The main character is a chef and is catering for parties in a big house (think modern day Downton Abbey) and my mouth was watering at the all the gourmet treats being served up. It’s foodie heaven.
- The upstairs/downstairs element. That just set the scene perfectly for the lordly owners and the worker bee employees. I loved how the staff used to ‘stage’ the part of the kitchen table that could be seen from the dining room so it would like they on top of business and slaving away furiously.
- The sparkling humour. This book was fun. From witty one liners to catchy turns of phrase to an eclectic cast of characters; this book had me smiling all the way through.
- The romance is believable and it made me feel like humming “All I want for Christmas is You”. I’m not going to giveaway just who the romance is but when you read the book, you’ll clue in pretty quickly as they have great chemistry.
So there were loads of pluses in this book for me. The only drawbacks were that I felt were it got a little too crazy and melodramatic. There was a lot of storylines and when you put them all together it felt like a bit too much. But then again what is Christmas without lots of chaos and stroppy meltdowns?!
Like I said it’s a fun book. And my non foodie recipe for some festive bookish success is food, frolics and a dreamy romance and that’s exactly what Christmas at Thornton Hall served up!
Who should read Christmas at Thornton Hall by Lynn Marie Hulsman?
If you are looking for a festive read with fun characters, a fab setting and lots of rom-com style action, then add this to your Christmas list. It would also make a great Christmas pressie for bookish foodies.
If you are feeling all Christmas Grinch-like and grinding your teeth about how Christmas seems to start earlier every year, then you need a good dose of bookish Christmas cheer. And a fun book to deliver just that is Christmas at Thornton Hall by Lynn Marie Hulsman.
First Line of Christmas at Thornton Hall by Lynn Marie Hulsman:
“Juliet, it’s Phillipa at The Gastromone’s Trust.”
My Thoughts on of Christmas at Thornton Hall by Lynn Marie Hulsman:
This book is so much fun. A lot of Christmas books can verge in to cheesy very quickly and they can depend on the Christmas vibe to build up a romance. Not so this book; there is no dreaded insta-love which in itself is like a little Christmas pressie directly to you from the author.
There were a few things I loved about this book:
- The FOOD! All the food! The main character is a chef and is catering for parties in a big house (think modern day Downton Abbey) and my mouth was watering at the all the gourmet treats being served up. It’s foodie heaven.
- The upstairs/downstairs element. That just set the scene perfectly for the lordly owners and the worker bee employees. I loved how the staff used to ‘stage’ the part of the kitchen table that could be seen from the dining room so it would like they on top of business and slaving away furiously.
- The sparkling humour. This book was fun. From witty one liners to catchy turns of phrase to an eclectic cast of characters; this book had me smiling all the way through.
- The romance is believable and it made me feel like humming “All I want for Christmas is You”. I’m not going to giveaway just who the romance is but when you read the book, you’ll clue in pretty quickly as they have great chemistry.
So there were loads of pluses in this book for me. The only drawbacks were that I felt were it got a little too crazy and melodramatic. There was a lot of storylines and when you put them all together it felt like a bit too much. But then again what is Christmas without lots of chaos and stroppy meltdowns?!
Like I said it’s a fun book. And my non foodie recipe for some festive bookish success is food, frolics and a dreamy romance and that’s exactly what Christmas at Thornton Hall served up!
Who should read Christmas at Thornton Hall by Lynn Marie Hulsman?
If you are looking for a festive read with fun characters, a fab setting and lots of rom-com style action, then add this to your Christmas list. It would also make a great Christmas pressie for bookish foodies.
December 13, 2013
I got an advanced reader's copy of this book and was excited to be allowed to read it before it hit the shelves. I was very much in the mood for a Christmassy read. There are times when I like to read light fare to take my mind of the harsher topics in the news and the state of the world. This book really fit the bill for me as a comfort and a source of laughter.
The main character, Juliet, reminds me of myself when I was young. She's adventurous, ambitious, and has her eye on the prize, but she doesn't always have the best judgement, especially when it comes to her love life.
Despite the part of her brain that knows better, she's attracted to a crowd of diverse men who aren't ideal. Dumped in her youth by the self-obsessed Stephen, she's gun shy but unwilling to take herself out of the race (although she does muse about how it might be easier to stay single and become a cat lady who stays home stuffing herself with her own baked goods!).
To please her mother, she decides to go back to school and become a respectable citizen by getting licensed to become a psychologist. Before that, however, she takes on one last stint as a private chef in a grand English country house in the vein of Downton Abbey. Her decision is spurred by the discovery that her "perfect" boyfriend, the lawyer Ben, has been cheating on her.
At the manor, she's attracted to the brusque son-in-law of the Lord—a bossy, high-flying, banker American. Definitely alpha and appealing in his own way, but very married (and to a nut). Juxtapose this with Edward, the head chef who is part army man, part artist, and all sexy. Which of these men, if any, will she choose?
I like the humor of this book, and for fans of books like Bridget Jones, it'll be perfect for you. I also especially liked the secondary characters. I wish Rose were my aunt, and Seamus my uncle. And don't miss Terrence. He has a quip for every day of the week!
There were a few plot twists that lost me for a minute or two, but I quickly found my bearings and got back on board with this fast-moving, action packed romance. I think this was a solid first effort for a Christmas book. I hope Lynn Marie Hulsman writes more books in the future. I'm curious to see what she can do with a non-Christmas theme.
If you want to escape this holiday with a laugh-out-loud read that's sexy and has a little bit of a mystery in the background, I recommend picking up Christmas at Thornton Hall. Added bonus? The great descriptions of the Christmas decorations and the dishes that Juliet cooks as a chef for the rich and titled.
The main character, Juliet, reminds me of myself when I was young. She's adventurous, ambitious, and has her eye on the prize, but she doesn't always have the best judgement, especially when it comes to her love life.
Despite the part of her brain that knows better, she's attracted to a crowd of diverse men who aren't ideal. Dumped in her youth by the self-obsessed Stephen, she's gun shy but unwilling to take herself out of the race (although she does muse about how it might be easier to stay single and become a cat lady who stays home stuffing herself with her own baked goods!).
To please her mother, she decides to go back to school and become a respectable citizen by getting licensed to become a psychologist. Before that, however, she takes on one last stint as a private chef in a grand English country house in the vein of Downton Abbey. Her decision is spurred by the discovery that her "perfect" boyfriend, the lawyer Ben, has been cheating on her.
At the manor, she's attracted to the brusque son-in-law of the Lord—a bossy, high-flying, banker American. Definitely alpha and appealing in his own way, but very married (and to a nut). Juxtapose this with Edward, the head chef who is part army man, part artist, and all sexy. Which of these men, if any, will she choose?
I like the humor of this book, and for fans of books like Bridget Jones, it'll be perfect for you. I also especially liked the secondary characters. I wish Rose were my aunt, and Seamus my uncle. And don't miss Terrence. He has a quip for every day of the week!
There were a few plot twists that lost me for a minute or two, but I quickly found my bearings and got back on board with this fast-moving, action packed romance. I think this was a solid first effort for a Christmas book. I hope Lynn Marie Hulsman writes more books in the future. I'm curious to see what she can do with a non-Christmas theme.
If you want to escape this holiday with a laugh-out-loud read that's sexy and has a little bit of a mystery in the background, I recommend picking up Christmas at Thornton Hall. Added bonus? The great descriptions of the Christmas decorations and the dishes that Juliet cooks as a chef for the rich and titled.
December 10, 2013
Fancy being transported for a fabulous Country House Christmas this year? Well, Christmas At Thornton Hall is the perfect place to start. I picked up the book, and it immediately drew me in. (Warning: there is serious PTQ (page turning quality) here - don’t expect you’ll be able to put it down once you’ve picked it up.) To be honest, the moment I saw in the blurb that the heroine is brought down by a stray rhinestone thong, I knew that I’d love the humour, and I wasn’t disappointed.
Juliet, the heroine, is a private chef, with a whole load of parent problems, and such a catalogue of failed relationships, she’s starting to wonder if men are worth the bother at all. In desperation, she takes a Christmas job, and lands at Thornton Hall, where the aristocracy hang out, alongside more down-to-earth beings, and a satisfying number of gorgeous, hunky, sexy guys. Sizzle sizzle! I easily identified with Juliet, and was truly rooting for her, the whole way through her complex journey to her happy ending. She is surrounded by an intriguing cast of well drawn characters, who add to the the perfectly created atmosphere and detail – any Downton Abbey fan will LOVE this modern day version.
The action takes in a whirlwind of guests, snowstorms, gun shots, with all the non-stop drama we associate with English country piles, and their inhabitants. I loved that alongside the humour (yes, there are lots of laugh out loud moments) and lighter side, there was also deeper, darker, emotional exploration. This is Lynn Marie Hulsman’s debut romance, but her writing and insight are flawless and intelligent, and I look forward to seeing lots more from her. Fun, festive, fabulous, this is a classic holiday rom com, with deliciously satisfying extra depth. If you only treat yourself to one festive read this year, it has to be this one.
Juliet, the heroine, is a private chef, with a whole load of parent problems, and such a catalogue of failed relationships, she’s starting to wonder if men are worth the bother at all. In desperation, she takes a Christmas job, and lands at Thornton Hall, where the aristocracy hang out, alongside more down-to-earth beings, and a satisfying number of gorgeous, hunky, sexy guys. Sizzle sizzle! I easily identified with Juliet, and was truly rooting for her, the whole way through her complex journey to her happy ending. She is surrounded by an intriguing cast of well drawn characters, who add to the the perfectly created atmosphere and detail – any Downton Abbey fan will LOVE this modern day version.
The action takes in a whirlwind of guests, snowstorms, gun shots, with all the non-stop drama we associate with English country piles, and their inhabitants. I loved that alongside the humour (yes, there are lots of laugh out loud moments) and lighter side, there was also deeper, darker, emotional exploration. This is Lynn Marie Hulsman’s debut romance, but her writing and insight are flawless and intelligent, and I look forward to seeing lots more from her. Fun, festive, fabulous, this is a classic holiday rom com, with deliciously satisfying extra depth. If you only treat yourself to one festive read this year, it has to be this one.
December 19, 2013
Juliet Hill is dreaming of marrying her boyfriend Ben who she hopes will pop the question at Christmas. Things, however, take a turn for the worse when Juliet finds out that Ben was cheating on her. What option is there other than of breaking up with him and accepting the lucrative offer of cooking at Thornton Hall for the Christmas period. Juliet swears that she is off men – what why must head chef Edward and Jasper (her employer) be so extremely sexy??
Christmas at Thornton Hall is such a fabulous Christmas book! My review is easy: I loved it!!
From the first page onwards, I completely warmed to Juliet. Lynn Marie portrayed her in such an excellent way. It always felt as if Juliet was “talking” to the reader by means of several reflective monologues. I even caught myself answering her at one point :-).
As soon as Juliet arrives at Thornton Hall, the book turns into a lovely Christmassy story. I really enjoyed the flirtatious banter between Edward and Juliet. I also thought that Lady Penelope’s character (she is Jasper’s wife) was brilliantly portrayed and added so much humour to the story.
Christmas at Thornton Hall takes place over only a couple of days which means the reader gets to fully dive into the happenings of the Christmas festivities without missing out on anything. The book takes on a slightly mysterious edge towards the end. That was something I didn’t expect at all, but I really loved! (Eat your heart out Agatha Christie :-)).
Christmas at Thornton Hall easily makes it onto my list of my most favourite reads of 2013. Its easy flowing storyline, loveable characters and christmassy feel with brilliant friends and family values is so heart-warming and endearing!
Christmas at Thornton Hall is such a fabulous Christmas book! My review is easy: I loved it!!
From the first page onwards, I completely warmed to Juliet. Lynn Marie portrayed her in such an excellent way. It always felt as if Juliet was “talking” to the reader by means of several reflective monologues. I even caught myself answering her at one point :-).
As soon as Juliet arrives at Thornton Hall, the book turns into a lovely Christmassy story. I really enjoyed the flirtatious banter between Edward and Juliet. I also thought that Lady Penelope’s character (she is Jasper’s wife) was brilliantly portrayed and added so much humour to the story.
Christmas at Thornton Hall takes place over only a couple of days which means the reader gets to fully dive into the happenings of the Christmas festivities without missing out on anything. The book takes on a slightly mysterious edge towards the end. That was something I didn’t expect at all, but I really loved! (Eat your heart out Agatha Christie :-)).
Christmas at Thornton Hall easily makes it onto my list of my most favourite reads of 2013. Its easy flowing storyline, loveable characters and christmassy feel with brilliant friends and family values is so heart-warming and endearing!
December 12, 2013
I've always been fascinated by the English mansions and their lords and ladies, their staff and their traditions; all of which I considered to be in the past. But here's Thornton Hall in the 21st century, still governed by strict rules of hierarchy and class separation. From the moment Juliet set foot in Thornton Hall, I was intrigued; fascinated to see how the English rich and famous... and most importantly 'titled' lives their lives behind closed doors.
I loved Juliet. She's funny, talented and "real"... but her judgment on men was questionable to say the least and her stubbornness got me really agitated at times. There are so many "love interests- triangles" in this story, it's confusing at times with more than one classic case of misunderstanding and miscommunication. Sometimes funny, sometimes incredibly frustrating. [How badly do you want to slap Lady Penelope in the face?!]
The juicy gossip, the struggle for power, the affairs,... It's almost like a sitcom. A really expansive and decadent one.
Christmas at Thornton Hall is a lovely, funny and sexy modern "upstairs, downstairs" story. Prepare yourself for a Christmas like you've never seen before.
http://mssbookshelf.blogspot.be
I loved Juliet. She's funny, talented and "real"... but her judgment on men was questionable to say the least and her stubbornness got me really agitated at times. There are so many "love interests- triangles" in this story, it's confusing at times with more than one classic case of misunderstanding and miscommunication. Sometimes funny, sometimes incredibly frustrating. [How badly do you want to slap Lady Penelope in the face?!]
The juicy gossip, the struggle for power, the affairs,... It's almost like a sitcom. A really expansive and decadent one.
Christmas at Thornton Hall is a lovely, funny and sexy modern "upstairs, downstairs" story. Prepare yourself for a Christmas like you've never seen before.
http://mssbookshelf.blogspot.be
August 11, 2016
From the very first page I was hooked. If you don't get a chance to read it soon, this is good enough to save for all year-round (you don't have to read it for Christmastime). Juliet is such a great character. Self-effacing with humor and drive, I loved spending time with her. I'm not even a foodie, but the cooking descriptions were so good. Hulsman (the author) created a wonderful world for a place I know nothing about: an English countryside with titled Brits. And she's the American chef brought in. I just loved the older couple and the best friend and, of course, the men in her life. I had to warm up to Jasper, the wealthy guy, but the head chef is dreamy. I laughed out loud and it touched my heart. Hope there are more to come!
August 14, 2014
Loved this Christmas based story line although I didn't read it around Christmas you don't need too as essentially its about the people working at Thornton Hall and the toffee-nosed ones "upstairs".
Lynn wrote very descriptively and so much so I could "see" the kitchen and all that went on.....
Really loved this book and was sad when it was finished.
Lynn wrote very descriptively and so much so I could "see" the kitchen and all that went on.....
Really loved this book and was sad when it was finished.
December 3, 2015
Cute and entertaining
November 12, 2024
I am unable to determine if this book was part of a series. I feel like I came into the middle and did not really get to know any of the supporting characters, especially Edward and Posy. "Jubes" (is that an actual nickname?) also is pretty annoying and keeps jumping to conclusions without calming down and reacting rationally. The cooking descriptions were entertaining at least.
December 22, 2013
This is a debut novel by Lynn Marie Hulsman and I will be definitely checking out for her in the future.
For me it was like a comedy full of errors or mistakes and I think it would be great for a theatre play - all the scenes in the Hall, the rooms, scenography, the actors running here and there... I would be sitting in the first row, for sure:)
We are introduced to Juliet. She doesn't have a good start to Christmas. She discovers that her boyfriend has cheated on her and she actually isn't in a mood for the festive season. But then her agency approaches her with the work offer and she agrees - she will be a chef in a Thornton Hall over Christmas. She has already worked for the Earl so she knows him, and his staff, and his family, so she thinks everything will work out. But not necessary... And here starts the total chaos.
If the book has started quickly and have me hooked, then it slowed its pace and I actually didn't know where it is going and how it is going to continue. We meet many characters, the family in The Hall and their guests and also the staff working there. While I took a total dislike to almost the whole family of Jasper and their guests, I actually felt in love with the staff, especially with Terrence and Mr. Chisholm. Two gay butlers wanting to prove which one of them is more important, I couldn't ask for more and I loved every scene with them. The scenes with Terrence had me laughing out loud and I think he was the most colourful character in this book.
Juliet is also likeable character, although there were moments that her decisions were questionable, but maybe it made her just more real. In my eyes she was sometimes behaving immature and her indecisions about almost every men that she knew or met were just irritating.
Then the book took the pace again and it started to flow really fast. There were some parts not informative enough and the way the conversations or some descriptions were written was a little distracting. It was like a roller - coaster ride: either very high, a lot of happening, all at a time, or deep down, very slowly, nothing happening.
There were some scenes that rescued the book for me, and those were the ones with all the guests. They were like a farce, and I could really seen them presented for me on the theatre scenes. There were many sub - plots and I guess Lynn wanted to tell us so many in one book but all the loose threads are brought together before the story ends. Some of them were out of the blue for me, like for example the issue of Juliet's father but altogether, it was a festive, typical romcom, funny read.
Will be looking out for Lynn for sure.
I received a copy of this book from publisher via NetGalley.
For me it was like a comedy full of errors or mistakes and I think it would be great for a theatre play - all the scenes in the Hall, the rooms, scenography, the actors running here and there... I would be sitting in the first row, for sure:)
We are introduced to Juliet. She doesn't have a good start to Christmas. She discovers that her boyfriend has cheated on her and she actually isn't in a mood for the festive season. But then her agency approaches her with the work offer and she agrees - she will be a chef in a Thornton Hall over Christmas. She has already worked for the Earl so she knows him, and his staff, and his family, so she thinks everything will work out. But not necessary... And here starts the total chaos.
If the book has started quickly and have me hooked, then it slowed its pace and I actually didn't know where it is going and how it is going to continue. We meet many characters, the family in The Hall and their guests and also the staff working there. While I took a total dislike to almost the whole family of Jasper and their guests, I actually felt in love with the staff, especially with Terrence and Mr. Chisholm. Two gay butlers wanting to prove which one of them is more important, I couldn't ask for more and I loved every scene with them. The scenes with Terrence had me laughing out loud and I think he was the most colourful character in this book.
Juliet is also likeable character, although there were moments that her decisions were questionable, but maybe it made her just more real. In my eyes she was sometimes behaving immature and her indecisions about almost every men that she knew or met were just irritating.
Then the book took the pace again and it started to flow really fast. There were some parts not informative enough and the way the conversations or some descriptions were written was a little distracting. It was like a roller - coaster ride: either very high, a lot of happening, all at a time, or deep down, very slowly, nothing happening.
There were some scenes that rescued the book for me, and those were the ones with all the guests. They were like a farce, and I could really seen them presented for me on the theatre scenes. There were many sub - plots and I guess Lynn wanted to tell us so many in one book but all the loose threads are brought together before the story ends. Some of them were out of the blue for me, like for example the issue of Juliet's father but altogether, it was a festive, typical romcom, funny read.
Will be looking out for Lynn for sure.
I received a copy of this book from publisher via NetGalley.
December 30, 2013
I received this as a Review Copy for an honest review.
Private chef Juliet Hill is sure that her perfect boyfriend is going to propose to her this Christmas – so the last thing she expects to find in his flat is a slutty thong that is most definitely not hers!
Unable to face being alone over the holiday, she accepts a job at her home-from-home Thornton Hall, the Earl of Gloucester’s ancestral pile, cooking up a storm for the family’s seasonal guests.
However, romance definitely isn’t off the cards as the sparks fly between her and head chef Edward, not to mention with her many-time boss Jasper Roth – and what is she to think when even her toe-rag boyfriend follows her like a lovesick puppy?
But there seems to be more going on wiith the family and tensions boil over when the Earl falls ill.
I’ve never been one for Christmas really, but this year, tried a few things to get myself more into the mood. This included picking out a book that was about Christmas, looked ‘chick lit’ and therefore a very easy read and might make me feel full of a bit of festive cheer. The fact that it was based around food definitely appealed to me too!
Juliet was actually a great character – believable and likeable. Messed up, confused, needy but not a total pushover – you know, like most girls. The rest of the characters, not quite so believable really – very much secondary.
I also had a bit of a problem with the way that so many past events were referred to. I kept checking that Juliet hadn’t already appeared in another book and that this was a later book in the series. It really felt that I should have been aware of what had gone on before (imagine dropping in on Becky for the first time in Shopaholic Ties The Knot).
Enough was explained that you did have the whole story eventually, but it was a little disconcerting to be drip fed the past in that way..
In fact even the start of the story felt like it was a continuation of a scene that I’d just missed.
Don’t get me wrong, as frothy easy-to-read chick-lit goes, it hit the spot. It did what it said on the tin (or the cover). However, part of me wonders whether there is a pre-Christmas Juliet story laying around somewhere!
Private chef Juliet Hill is sure that her perfect boyfriend is going to propose to her this Christmas – so the last thing she expects to find in his flat is a slutty thong that is most definitely not hers!
Unable to face being alone over the holiday, she accepts a job at her home-from-home Thornton Hall, the Earl of Gloucester’s ancestral pile, cooking up a storm for the family’s seasonal guests.
However, romance definitely isn’t off the cards as the sparks fly between her and head chef Edward, not to mention with her many-time boss Jasper Roth – and what is she to think when even her toe-rag boyfriend follows her like a lovesick puppy?
But there seems to be more going on wiith the family and tensions boil over when the Earl falls ill.
I’ve never been one for Christmas really, but this year, tried a few things to get myself more into the mood. This included picking out a book that was about Christmas, looked ‘chick lit’ and therefore a very easy read and might make me feel full of a bit of festive cheer. The fact that it was based around food definitely appealed to me too!
Juliet was actually a great character – believable and likeable. Messed up, confused, needy but not a total pushover – you know, like most girls. The rest of the characters, not quite so believable really – very much secondary.
I also had a bit of a problem with the way that so many past events were referred to. I kept checking that Juliet hadn’t already appeared in another book and that this was a later book in the series. It really felt that I should have been aware of what had gone on before (imagine dropping in on Becky for the first time in Shopaholic Ties The Knot).
Enough was explained that you did have the whole story eventually, but it was a little disconcerting to be drip fed the past in that way..
In fact even the start of the story felt like it was a continuation of a scene that I’d just missed.
Don’t get me wrong, as frothy easy-to-read chick-lit goes, it hit the spot. It did what it said on the tin (or the cover). However, part of me wonders whether there is a pre-Christmas Juliet story laying around somewhere!
November 21, 2014
Review from my blog: http://vanilla-reads.blogspot.com
This was my first Christmas book this season and I was counting on relaxing, easy read - I've definitely got it. I liked the main character of Juliet - a promising chef with a messed up past, hurt by a guy, trying to sort out her life working at Thornton Hall but instead getting even more confused and lost in her feelings.
This book gets crowded with a lot of versatile characters so fast it can be a bit puzzling. At first I had problems with remembering names and who is related to whom and I had to go back to some parts, but on the other hand that fun party of employees and lords makes an unique and enjoyable atmosphere. Some of heros and heroines are very likeable and lovely (Seamus, Rose and Isaac totally melted my heart), some are amusing, some are annoying and highly frustrating (whenever Lady Penelope was mentioned I was rolling my eyes with disbelief). For me it's important to have likes and dislikes in the book, the worst is to feel ambivalence towards characters and here I definitely have a strong impression of all of them.
There is a lot of going on in Thornton - not only dramas and love scandals but also unexpected plot twists and mysteries to discover (some of which are easy to figure out but some left me speechless). That all being set in an old mansion surrounded by snow and filled with delicious food aromas makes it a perfect chic lit Christmas read. Having known that this is the author's debut I'll happily give her other titles a go. The story of Juliet was promising enough.
I'd recommend this book for everyone who seeks for a good Christmassy chic lit, full of love triangles, startling plot twists, old mysteries and a lovely crew of characters. Don't try to read it while being on a diet because description of amazing dishes and smells from the kitchen will definitely make you hungry.
This was my first Christmas book this season and I was counting on relaxing, easy read - I've definitely got it. I liked the main character of Juliet - a promising chef with a messed up past, hurt by a guy, trying to sort out her life working at Thornton Hall but instead getting even more confused and lost in her feelings.
This book gets crowded with a lot of versatile characters so fast it can be a bit puzzling. At first I had problems with remembering names and who is related to whom and I had to go back to some parts, but on the other hand that fun party of employees and lords makes an unique and enjoyable atmosphere. Some of heros and heroines are very likeable and lovely (Seamus, Rose and Isaac totally melted my heart), some are amusing, some are annoying and highly frustrating (whenever Lady Penelope was mentioned I was rolling my eyes with disbelief). For me it's important to have likes and dislikes in the book, the worst is to feel ambivalence towards characters and here I definitely have a strong impression of all of them.
There is a lot of going on in Thornton - not only dramas and love scandals but also unexpected plot twists and mysteries to discover (some of which are easy to figure out but some left me speechless). That all being set in an old mansion surrounded by snow and filled with delicious food aromas makes it a perfect chic lit Christmas read. Having known that this is the author's debut I'll happily give her other titles a go. The story of Juliet was promising enough.
I'd recommend this book for everyone who seeks for a good Christmassy chic lit, full of love triangles, startling plot twists, old mysteries and a lovely crew of characters. Don't try to read it while being on a diet because description of amazing dishes and smells from the kitchen will definitely make you hungry.
June 29, 2014
Like A Modern Day Jane Erye with a Feminist Twist
Juliet has excellent success as a chef, but not so much in the boyfriend department. She’s made some questionable choices with some philandering men, and hopefully, she’s learned from her mistakes. Or has she? After finding out her boyfriend isn’t as serious as she thought, she takes a job cooking for Christmas at Thornton Hall- a place where she has history with not one but two gorgeous men. Which one is better for her? Or are both of them the same old story of her sad love life. You’ll have to read this book to find out!
I whipped right through this story. It was one of the first romances that I had no idea what was going to happen at the end all the way until the last few pages! It reminded me of Jane Erye- in that the servant in an English manor was pursued by an older gentleman with a crazy wife. The cast of characters is so big and colorful, I never knew who would pop up next, and each one has as interlacing story of their own.
And the descriptions of the food were mouth-watering. If Ms. Hulsman isn’t a chef herself, she sure has me fooled. Every detail of each dinner was savory, all the way down to tips on how to cook- like thinly sliced mushrooms don’t take as long. I think there should be a recipe book published with all of the recipes in this book!
Ms. Hulsman’s talent lay in witty conversation. So many times I thought of an alternate meaning to what was being said- which made for hilarious reading and very clever writing. There’s not a dull moment at Thornton Hall- I’ll tell you that. Even in the heat wave of summer, this book still made me long for those blustery winters night and comfort foods and that’s impressive.
Juliet has excellent success as a chef, but not so much in the boyfriend department. She’s made some questionable choices with some philandering men, and hopefully, she’s learned from her mistakes. Or has she? After finding out her boyfriend isn’t as serious as she thought, she takes a job cooking for Christmas at Thornton Hall- a place where she has history with not one but two gorgeous men. Which one is better for her? Or are both of them the same old story of her sad love life. You’ll have to read this book to find out!
I whipped right through this story. It was one of the first romances that I had no idea what was going to happen at the end all the way until the last few pages! It reminded me of Jane Erye- in that the servant in an English manor was pursued by an older gentleman with a crazy wife. The cast of characters is so big and colorful, I never knew who would pop up next, and each one has as interlacing story of their own.
And the descriptions of the food were mouth-watering. If Ms. Hulsman isn’t a chef herself, she sure has me fooled. Every detail of each dinner was savory, all the way down to tips on how to cook- like thinly sliced mushrooms don’t take as long. I think there should be a recipe book published with all of the recipes in this book!
Ms. Hulsman’s talent lay in witty conversation. So many times I thought of an alternate meaning to what was being said- which made for hilarious reading and very clever writing. There’s not a dull moment at Thornton Hall- I’ll tell you that. Even in the heat wave of summer, this book still made me long for those blustery winters night and comfort foods and that’s impressive.
December 30, 2013
Jane Hunt Writer First Steps
Jane Hunt Writer Book Reviews
When I read the blurb for Christmas at Thornton Hall I was intrigued.
Juliet is a professional chef with a clientele that includes the rich and famous. Life seems perfect; right down to the designer corporate lawyer boyfriend who appears to be on the verge of popping the question. Then she discovers her boyfriend isn't exclusive and realises her house of cards is built on shaky foundations.
Christmas alone seems unavoidable so when she is offered a live in job at a country house she jumps at the chance even though it will bring her up close and personal with the residential chef Edward and the man who hired her Jasper the lord of the manor in waiting. Will she survive Christmas?
There are a host of supporting characters who are realistic and enhance the story and a plot with some surprising twists and turns. Christmas at Thornton Hall is a story of country house cuisine and living, self realisation and saucy romance, an enjoyable festive read.
I received a copy of this e-book from Harper Collins Harper Impulse via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Lynn Marie Hulsman
December 22, 2013
First off what a lovely cover! It's all so Christmassy and instantly made me want to read it. And I was not disappointed.
Juliet is looking forward to a nice relaxing Christmas with her fiancé Ben, but these plans get scuppered when Juliet finds a jewel encrusted thong in Ben's apartment. Juliet then finds herself making the quick decision to take on a job preparing a Christmas feast at Thornton Hall. Juliet is determined that men are completely off the menu, but that is until sparks begin to fly with the resident chef Edward, but is there also something going on with her boss Jasper?
This was so easy to get into. I love Lynn's writing style and I liked Juliet from the start. I like that we got a little more insight to Juliet's character with her inner thoughts and musings she would share with the reader. I think that's part of the reason that I liked her so much.
I absolutely adored Thornton Hall, it was the perfect setting for a Christmas read and I literally whizzed through it. I loved the colourfulness of all the characters and it had me feeling all warm and christmassy.
A definite Christmas read that should be on everyone's list.
Juliet is looking forward to a nice relaxing Christmas with her fiancé Ben, but these plans get scuppered when Juliet finds a jewel encrusted thong in Ben's apartment. Juliet then finds herself making the quick decision to take on a job preparing a Christmas feast at Thornton Hall. Juliet is determined that men are completely off the menu, but that is until sparks begin to fly with the resident chef Edward, but is there also something going on with her boss Jasper?
This was so easy to get into. I love Lynn's writing style and I liked Juliet from the start. I like that we got a little more insight to Juliet's character with her inner thoughts and musings she would share with the reader. I think that's part of the reason that I liked her so much.
I absolutely adored Thornton Hall, it was the perfect setting for a Christmas read and I literally whizzed through it. I loved the colourfulness of all the characters and it had me feeling all warm and christmassy.
A definite Christmas read that should be on everyone's list.
December 19, 2014
Christmas at Thornton House by Lynn Marie Hulsman is a funny romance. It is not normally a book that I would read, but I love to read stories about Christmas during the holiday season. Juliet is living in London and working as a private chef. She works through top agency in London and is placed in the households of the very rich and titled. After finding out that her boyfriend of one year is cheating on her, Juliet takes a booking to work over Christmas at Thornton Hall. Jasper Roth has asked for her specifically. At Thornton Hall is a wide assortment of characters. Some of the people at Thornton Hall are sweet Rose, handsome and rich Jasper Roth and his crazy wife, Chef Edward, and The Painter (he is the Earl). There is romance, fights, illness, accusations, snow, misunderstandings, and lots of food. Christmas at Thornton Hall is a fun read. Enjoy and Happy Reading!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
http://bibliophileandavidreader.blogs...
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
http://bibliophileandavidreader.blogs...
December 23, 2013
4.30am. That's the time I went to bed on a night I'd planned to get a good night's sleep. But sleep wasn't an option because I just had to keep turning the pages.
This story never flagged, keeping me gripped from page one to the very end. I loved the interesting cast of characters, the settings, the twists that were so well set up that I felt really clever for seeing them coming, and I became very invested in all the characters. But...
[Spoiler alert ahead - do NOT carry on reading if you don't want to know how things turn out]
... I'm giving this book only 4 stars rather than 5 only because I felt Juliet ended up with the wrong man! She had such a strong connection with Jasper - how could she not choose him? I would have!
But I still loved the book and I'd still recommend everyone read it.
This story never flagged, keeping me gripped from page one to the very end. I loved the interesting cast of characters, the settings, the twists that were so well set up that I felt really clever for seeing them coming, and I became very invested in all the characters. But...
[Spoiler alert ahead - do NOT carry on reading if you don't want to know how things turn out]
... I'm giving this book only 4 stars rather than 5 only because I felt Juliet ended up with the wrong man! She had such a strong connection with Jasper - how could she not choose him? I would have!
But I still loved the book and I'd still recommend everyone read it.
May 8, 2015
The brilliant bonus with this romance is that you don’t have to read it just at Christmas:). This read is a wonderful sharply-observed, atmospheric, and thoroughly witty commentary on Downton-esque living in the modern age. There is a whole-host of characters—which I found confusing at first, but was reassured when I connected with each one because they were so beautifully written. At the heart of the story is chef Juliet, who, after a disastrous start to Christmas, decides to accept the role of chef at Thornton Hall over the Christmas period. Juliet is presented with a banquet of yummy leading men to choose from while she navigates the hilarious and mysterious plot-twists—some of which I loved because I did not see them coming at all. A fab, fast-paced read and OMG…the descriptions of the food…double-yum!
July 6, 2015
What a delightfully fun and hunger-inducing read!
I had so much fun reading this book which was a cross between witty British chick lit (even though the author is American, she has that voice) and Downton Abbey. The characters were so quirky and well-fleshed out and I loved the interaction between upstairs and downstairs. The descriptions of food were so vivid, I could almost taste it. Kudos to the author for keeping me guessing because I really wasn't sure who Juliet would end up with until the very end. My favorite part of the book was the conclusion, not because the story was over, but because it gave me the warm and fuzzies and left me with a huge grin on my face.
After reading the preview for Summer at Castle Stone, I'm adding it to my TBR file as well. Sounds right up my alley.
I had so much fun reading this book which was a cross between witty British chick lit (even though the author is American, she has that voice) and Downton Abbey. The characters were so quirky and well-fleshed out and I loved the interaction between upstairs and downstairs. The descriptions of food were so vivid, I could almost taste it. Kudos to the author for keeping me guessing because I really wasn't sure who Juliet would end up with until the very end. My favorite part of the book was the conclusion, not because the story was over, but because it gave me the warm and fuzzies and left me with a huge grin on my face.
After reading the preview for Summer at Castle Stone, I'm adding it to my TBR file as well. Sounds right up my alley.
June 30, 2015
I really loved this book and I particularly liked the lead character of Juliet. Although smart and funny right from the get go she has to rise above being treated appallingly by her boyfriend Ben right at the start of the story and I'm sure I wasn't the only reader who punched the air when she kicks him to the kerb. Thankfully, like all great heroines she soon pulls herself together and sets off to work in the quintessential English Country House of the title where she encounters the brooding chef Edward the darkly sexy Jasper Roth and the hilariously camp Terrence. Its a really well paced novel, the kind you just can't put down once you pick it up. I read it whilst on holiday and found myself immediately downloading Hulsman's follow up novel Summer at Castle Stone - also an excellent read!
January 8, 2014
I WAS GIVEN THIS BOOK BY THE PUBLISHER FOR AN HONEST REVIEW,
THIS DEBUT NOVEL HAS FOR ME A FEW PACE ISSUES WHERE IT IS EITHER GOING TOO FAST OR TOO SLOW. BUT ON SAYING THAT I LOVE CHRISTMAS SNOWED IN STORIES AND THIS ONE HAD ME HOOKED. THEY HAVE NOWHERE TO RUN AND CONFRONTING THEIR ISSUES HEAD ON.
JULIET OUR HEROINE BREAKS WITH HER BOYFRIEND AND AGREES TO COOK AT THORNTON HALL OVER CHRISTMAS. THE MULTIPLE CHARACTERS ARE FUN, ENGAGING AND THREE DIMENSIONAL I FELT BAD FOR LAUGHING WHEN THE DOG DIED, BEING A DOG LOVER MYSELF.
I DON'T WANT TO GIVE TOO MANY SPOILERS BUT I MUST JUST SAY JUILET'S CHOICE IN MEN IS QUESTIONABLE SO NEVER HER LET HER PICK A DATE FOR YOU, A MUST READ AND I LOOK FORWARD TO READING MORE OF MS HULSMAN'S WORK
THIS DEBUT NOVEL HAS FOR ME A FEW PACE ISSUES WHERE IT IS EITHER GOING TOO FAST OR TOO SLOW. BUT ON SAYING THAT I LOVE CHRISTMAS SNOWED IN STORIES AND THIS ONE HAD ME HOOKED. THEY HAVE NOWHERE TO RUN AND CONFRONTING THEIR ISSUES HEAD ON.
JULIET OUR HEROINE BREAKS WITH HER BOYFRIEND AND AGREES TO COOK AT THORNTON HALL OVER CHRISTMAS. THE MULTIPLE CHARACTERS ARE FUN, ENGAGING AND THREE DIMENSIONAL I FELT BAD FOR LAUGHING WHEN THE DOG DIED, BEING A DOG LOVER MYSELF.
I DON'T WANT TO GIVE TOO MANY SPOILERS BUT I MUST JUST SAY JUILET'S CHOICE IN MEN IS QUESTIONABLE SO NEVER HER LET HER PICK A DATE FOR YOU, A MUST READ AND I LOOK FORWARD TO READING MORE OF MS HULSMAN'S WORK
July 15, 2014
I read this book in July, so it doesn't have to be Christmas for readers to enjoy it. What great read! Juliet is a fun and feisty heroine — I giggled when she thought about rolling the potatoes she'd just purchased at a market in the dirt to appease her employer who preferred fresh and organic — and her journey is one a lot of people can relate to, despite the high drama around her. The author has a real talent for creating likable characters, even if you aren't sure you're supposed to like them, and the romance builds and has a good, rewarding end. If you love contemporary romances, romantic comedies or Christmas stories, give this book a try.
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