What do you think?
Rate this book
Kerst met Evie
Nicola May vertelt in de novelle 'Kerst met Evie' het bijzondere verhaal van de Londense Evie. Twee dagen voor de kerst biecht haar vriend op dat hij een een affaire heeft en bij haar weggaat. Evies hart is gebroken en ze besluit haar verdriet te verdrinken met haar beste vriendin Bea. In de pub komt ze de vriendelijke Greg tegen, die toevallig hoort dat Evie geen plannen heeft voor de kerst. Hij runt een daklozenopvang en kan tijdens de koude wintermaanden een extra paar handen gebruiken. Evie besluit op zijna anbod in te gaan. Hier ontmoet ze Yves, een vriendelijke dakloze. Evie voelt zich meteen op haar gemak bij de man en ze spreken samen meerdere keren af in de decembermaand. Samen trekken ze door Londen, bezoeken ze bezienswaardigheden en praten ze over van alles en nog wat.
60 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 4, 2013
137 people are currently reading
370 people want to read
About the author
Nicola May
28 books600 followersHello, I'm Nicola May, author of 18 romantic comedy novels.
I look forward to sharing all my heartfelt and fun books with you.
For further information on me, my books and to read reviews please do go to www.nicolamay.com.
Happy Reading!
I look forward to sharing all my heartfelt and fun books with you.
For further information on me, my books and to read reviews please do go to www.nicolamay.com.
Happy Reading!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 154 reviews
November 10, 2018
Book Reviewed by Stacey on www.whisperingstories.com
Evie, with an E, has just been dumped by her boyfriend on Christmas Eve after he announced he was moving in with his secretary. She has also just lost her job. Feeling down, hurt and angry she makes arrangements to drown her sorrows with her best friend Bea at the local pub.
Whilst having a conversation about her life to Bea and what she is going to do on Christmas Day, a man, introduces himself as Greg and tells Evie that she could always help at the homeless shelter he runs. Evie decides to take him up on his offer, well the man was quite cute!
The next day Evie is handing out lunch to the homeless when she suddenly becomes all upset and heads outside where she meets Yves, with a Y! Yves has plenty of words of comfort for her and makes her feel special, so special that when he hands her a card with a time and date on for her to meet him, she does so.
Who is this homeless man who Evie has taken a shine too and why is it that no-one else knows or remembers him?
This book may only be 76 pages long but it certainly packs a punch. It is just perfect and a must read for the festive season. It doesn’t surprise me one bit that it won ‘Best Short Story Award’at the Festival of Romance.
I just adore festive books and especially novella’s as they are not only quick to read but are very often fast-paced and filled to the brim with heartwarming moments and this one is no exception. I just couldn’t put it down and read it in one sitting.
The book is the perfect pick-me-up read as it is so uplifting and has a wonderful message running through it. This is one Christmas book you don’t want to miss.
Evie, with an E, has just been dumped by her boyfriend on Christmas Eve after he announced he was moving in with his secretary. She has also just lost her job. Feeling down, hurt and angry she makes arrangements to drown her sorrows with her best friend Bea at the local pub.
Whilst having a conversation about her life to Bea and what she is going to do on Christmas Day, a man, introduces himself as Greg and tells Evie that she could always help at the homeless shelter he runs. Evie decides to take him up on his offer, well the man was quite cute!
The next day Evie is handing out lunch to the homeless when she suddenly becomes all upset and heads outside where she meets Yves, with a Y! Yves has plenty of words of comfort for her and makes her feel special, so special that when he hands her a card with a time and date on for her to meet him, she does so.
Who is this homeless man who Evie has taken a shine too and why is it that no-one else knows or remembers him?
This book may only be 76 pages long but it certainly packs a punch. It is just perfect and a must read for the festive season. It doesn’t surprise me one bit that it won ‘Best Short Story Award’at the Festival of Romance.
I just adore festive books and especially novella’s as they are not only quick to read but are very often fast-paced and filled to the brim with heartwarming moments and this one is no exception. I just couldn’t put it down and read it in one sitting.
The book is the perfect pick-me-up read as it is so uplifting and has a wonderful message running through it. This is one Christmas book you don’t want to miss.
November 7, 2018
A sweet, funny Christmas novella with a great message!
Evie is down and out after a series of life changes leave her in a major rut. She meets Greg by chance and a series of events unfold that will change her life forever.
This is a great little Christmas story with a twist I did not see coming at the end! The characters were great and super likable – I especially enjoyed the comedy from Evie’s best friend.
If you’re looking for a quick, uplifting, lighthearted read this coming Christmas season, this one is for you!
Evie is down and out after a series of life changes leave her in a major rut. She meets Greg by chance and a series of events unfold that will change her life forever.
This is a great little Christmas story with a twist I did not see coming at the end! The characters were great and super likable – I especially enjoyed the comedy from Evie’s best friend.
If you’re looking for a quick, uplifting, lighthearted read this coming Christmas season, this one is for you!
November 8, 2018
I have rated this novella (read under the title Christmas Spirit) as 5 stars. but if I could then I would give it more. I read other reviews but I purposely avoided reading the synopsis.
Every page was a beautiful emotional and thought provoking journey and tears were inevitable at various points throughout.
I realised that very early on that I was reading something rather special and I can say undoubtedly, that I was correct. This novella captured everything that is wonderful about Christmas to me.
I have seen in person the various places visiting during this wonderful story. I never saw them this beautiful way.
Some stories leave you with a positive lasting memory and for me, this is one of those books.
Thank you to Nicola May and Rachel's Random Resources for gifting me a review copy of Christmas Spirit. The gifting of this book did not influence this review.
Every page was a beautiful emotional and thought provoking journey and tears were inevitable at various points throughout.
I realised that very early on that I was reading something rather special and I can say undoubtedly, that I was correct. This novella captured everything that is wonderful about Christmas to me.
I have seen in person the various places visiting during this wonderful story. I never saw them this beautiful way.
Some stories leave you with a positive lasting memory and for me, this is one of those books.
Thank you to Nicola May and Rachel's Random Resources for gifting me a review copy of Christmas Spirit. The gifting of this book did not influence this review.
November 8, 2018
Well if you’re looking for a quick read to put you in a holiday frame of mind then this one is absolutely perfect! It’s a novella, so really fast paced but it still packed quite an emotional punch and left me feeling all warm and fuzzy inside.
I adored both Evie and her best friend Bea, they’re complete opposites and make quite the pair. Evie is sweet and caring and down on her luck and then Bea is outrageous and wickedly funny, truly naughty she made me laugh so hard. Besides fun characters this had such great meaning about what’s truly important in life. Evie goes through a remarkable period of growth over the course of just a few days and it was sweet and heartwarming. Ideal Christmas read, totally recommended!
Christmas Spirit in three words: Festive, Hopeful and Heartwarming.
I adored both Evie and her best friend Bea, they’re complete opposites and make quite the pair. Evie is sweet and caring and down on her luck and then Bea is outrageous and wickedly funny, truly naughty she made me laugh so hard. Besides fun characters this had such great meaning about what’s truly important in life. Evie goes through a remarkable period of growth over the course of just a few days and it was sweet and heartwarming. Ideal Christmas read, totally recommended!
Christmas Spirit in three words: Festive, Hopeful and Heartwarming.
December 21, 2021
A short Christmas story.
This was a very sweet but short Christmas story, reminded me a little of A Christmas Carol kind of story.
Anyway it was a nice read, but some of it, the romance side of it, was a bit too perfect for me, I mean come on, that sort of thing really doesn’t happen in real life does it. But then that is the beauty of stories, it can be as perfect or imaginative as you want.
Lovely characters and pretty well written from start to finish. The setting was a nice touch, being London as it featured some of the well known iconic places in London.
This was a very sweet but short Christmas story, reminded me a little of A Christmas Carol kind of story.
Anyway it was a nice read, but some of it, the romance side of it, was a bit too perfect for me, I mean come on, that sort of thing really doesn’t happen in real life does it. But then that is the beauty of stories, it can be as perfect or imaginative as you want.
Lovely characters and pretty well written from start to finish. The setting was a nice touch, being London as it featured some of the well known iconic places in London.
December 13, 2017
Christmas Spirit is a novella which is an ideal read for this time of year. It doesn't take long to read so if you want a quick festive story then this is perfect.
Through Evie working at the homeless shelter you really get a sense of what Christmas is really about. It reminds us of how lucky a lot of us are and certainly made me think about how many people will be freezing on the streets this Christmas instead of sat around a table with loved ones. Definitely gave me food for thought.
Overall this is a quirky fun and festive read. I have to admit I didn't take that much to Evie for some reason, not sure why as it did slightly spoil my enjoyment as I really like to get behind a main character. Would still recommend to others looking for a short, fun read this festive period.
Through Evie working at the homeless shelter you really get a sense of what Christmas is really about. It reminds us of how lucky a lot of us are and certainly made me think about how many people will be freezing on the streets this Christmas instead of sat around a table with loved ones. Definitely gave me food for thought.
Overall this is a quirky fun and festive read. I have to admit I didn't take that much to Evie for some reason, not sure why as it did slightly spoil my enjoyment as I really like to get behind a main character. Would still recommend to others looking for a short, fun read this festive period.
December 13, 2020
sweet Christmas book
November 4, 2018
Life is not peaches and cream and I am sure everybody has been through rough patches. In that case you have 2 choices : you can dwell in your misery of you can deal with it and move on, in search of the silver linings.
In this story Evie has had some setbacks and she needs a pick me up badly. Someone shows her that by not staying focussed on the negative, she will be able to see how things can be different and everything falls back into place.
In my opinion the title was a very good match. When you start the book, you have an idea what it means, but when you finish it, you see something else in it. It was surprising and very touching.
If you do not have a lot of time, but you are looking for a lovely, short Christmas story, I can recommend this one. 4 stars.
Thank you, Nicola May and RachelsRandomResources.
https://bforbookreview.wordpress.com
In this story Evie has had some setbacks and she needs a pick me up badly. Someone shows her that by not staying focussed on the negative, she will be able to see how things can be different and everything falls back into place.
In my opinion the title was a very good match. When you start the book, you have an idea what it means, but when you finish it, you see something else in it. It was surprising and very touching.
If you do not have a lot of time, but you are looking for a lovely, short Christmas story, I can recommend this one. 4 stars.
Thank you, Nicola May and RachelsRandomResources.
https://bforbookreview.wordpress.com
December 23, 2020
Een kort kerstverhaal dat ons meeneemt in de dagen rondom kerst met Evie in Londen.
Een dag voor kerst verbreekt Evie’s vriend hun relatie. Als ze haar verdriet aan het verdrinken is met haar beste vriendin ontmoet ze Gregg. Hij vraagt haar, aangezien ze geen plannen meer heeft tijdens de kerst, te komen helpen in de daklozenopvang waar ze meteen valt voor de knappe charmante Gregg. Maar dat verloopt niet helemaal soepel. Bij de opvang ontmoet ze de Dakloze jonge Yves die haar meeneemt naar verschillende magische plekken in Londen en geeft haar een andere (positieve) kijk op het leven.
Een kort feelgood kerstverhaal met leuke afwisseling tussen Evie en haar vriendin Bea, de momenten met Gregg en de magische tijd die ze doorbrengt met Yves.
Een dag voor kerst verbreekt Evie’s vriend hun relatie. Als ze haar verdriet aan het verdrinken is met haar beste vriendin ontmoet ze Gregg. Hij vraagt haar, aangezien ze geen plannen meer heeft tijdens de kerst, te komen helpen in de daklozenopvang waar ze meteen valt voor de knappe charmante Gregg. Maar dat verloopt niet helemaal soepel. Bij de opvang ontmoet ze de Dakloze jonge Yves die haar meeneemt naar verschillende magische plekken in Londen en geeft haar een andere (positieve) kijk op het leven.
Een kort feelgood kerstverhaal met leuke afwisseling tussen Evie en haar vriendin Bea, de momenten met Gregg en de magische tijd die ze doorbrengt met Yves.
November 7, 2018
When Evie gets dumped by Darren just before Christmas she takes up the rather unconventionally offered alternative. Greg helps out at a local homeless shelter and wants Evie to volunteer her time. While there she meets Yves, a homeless man who is mysterious but gives her some priceless advice. Sometimes gifts cost nothing…
For a little story,76 pages, this is a beauty. It definitely evokes the spirit of Christmas, the feeling of helping others and reaching out is something that comes across very strong. Evie finds that by helping others she, in fact, starts to help herself, she realises that not everything is meant to last and that she can move forward.
The story flows at a lovely pace and is the perfect novella for getting into the fictional festive feeling. Yves is something of an enigma, I wasn’t sure quite what to make of this character initially and thought they had ulterior motives, maybe this is the cynic in me 🙂
By the end of the book, I had definitely been convinced that not everything should be viewed with suspicion, that things can happen for a reason. It is a novella with morals and what lovely morals they were too.
By the last line of the story had me gobsmacked and left me with a huge emotional lump in my throat. It is an emotional festive story that makes a wonderful read snuggled up under a blanket with a mug of something hot.
One I would recommend to readers who are after one of those really nice and uplifting reads, with a wonderful cast of characters and a good dash of hope, love, and romance.
For a little story,76 pages, this is a beauty. It definitely evokes the spirit of Christmas, the feeling of helping others and reaching out is something that comes across very strong. Evie finds that by helping others she, in fact, starts to help herself, she realises that not everything is meant to last and that she can move forward.
The story flows at a lovely pace and is the perfect novella for getting into the fictional festive feeling. Yves is something of an enigma, I wasn’t sure quite what to make of this character initially and thought they had ulterior motives, maybe this is the cynic in me 🙂
By the end of the book, I had definitely been convinced that not everything should be viewed with suspicion, that things can happen for a reason. It is a novella with morals and what lovely morals they were too.
By the last line of the story had me gobsmacked and left me with a huge emotional lump in my throat. It is an emotional festive story that makes a wonderful read snuggled up under a blanket with a mug of something hot.
One I would recommend to readers who are after one of those really nice and uplifting reads, with a wonderful cast of characters and a good dash of hope, love, and romance.
November 27, 2022
Een kerstnovella mag een beetje kort door de bocht en stereotype zoet zijn, maar dit was wel erg zoet. Teveel cliches, afhankelijke vrouwen die gered moeten worden door een man. Na 1 maand gaan samenwonen in verband met de kosten nadat je de maand daarvoor gedumpt bent door je vreemdgaande ex. Mwahhh
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 17, 2023
It is a simple, short, festive read by a fantastic author, Nicola May.
Evie is manless and jobless just before Christmas, and by chance, she stumbles upon a gentleman who convinces her to come and help at a homeless shelter on Christmas day. She enjoys her time there and meets a homeless man, Yves, who brightens her life, leaves her with plenty to think about after every time they meet, and somehow directs her to her true destiny and love.
This was a perfect feel-good read!
Evie is manless and jobless just before Christmas, and by chance, she stumbles upon a gentleman who convinces her to come and help at a homeless shelter on Christmas day. She enjoys her time there and meets a homeless man, Yves, who brightens her life, leaves her with plenty to think about after every time they meet, and somehow directs her to her true destiny and love.
This was a perfect feel-good read!
December 5, 2020
What's better than to start the advent period with a new book every day? So I decided to listen to this one, the first that was offered by my audiobook app.
It was okay, but no more than that. Quite boring, repitetive and very predicable/role confirming. Maybe I shouldn't look at it that way, but I just cringe at books like these where females more or less need a man to make them financially cope, provide for them and 'make them happy'.
That there were some uplifting things like love yourself, think positive etc. was nice, but didn't do much to make the book better to me.
It was okay, but no more than that. Quite boring, repitetive and very predicable/role confirming. Maybe I shouldn't look at it that way, but I just cringe at books like these where females more or less need a man to make them financially cope, provide for them and 'make them happy'.
That there were some uplifting things like love yourself, think positive etc. was nice, but didn't do much to make the book better to me.
December 2, 2022
I went into this thinking it was going to be a short romance
Christmas story, Rom com style. But it wasn’t at all. This novella takes you on a beautiful thought provoking journey. I didn’t know how much I would need to read this. and the ending.. 🥹I loved everything about this.
Christmas story, Rom com style. But it wasn’t at all. This novella takes you on a beautiful thought provoking journey. I didn’t know how much I would need to read this. and the ending.. 🥹I loved everything about this.
November 9, 2020
Read November 2020
November 15, 2023
Great heartwarming Xmas story
September 22, 2022
Relaxed feel good read
November 11, 2015
Nicola May has been on my radar for a while as an author I would like to read, and when I was given the opportunity to read Christmas Evie, I jumped on it.
Christmas Evie, is a short story, that is full of heart and a fabulous message, that you don't need to be materialistic to be happy.
Evie has had a tough run up to Christmas, losing both her job and her boyfriend, she knows things need to change and soon. While drowning her sorrows in Sherry, she meets Greg and is co-erced into spending Christmas Day helping out a homeless shelter.
The experience at the shelter and the chance meeting with Yves, is enough that over a short few days of the Christmas period, her life changes radically.
I loved the various meetings Evie has with Yves and you get to see a side of London, that is just as impressive, but is free to experience. Yves is clearly a spiritual man and the whole way through I had the feeling there was something more to him, than just a homeless man...
Christmas Evie is a short story, which packs a fair amount in, you get a sense of a supporting friendship with Bea, and she has a completely different Christmas period than her normal one. This is the perfect book to read in a lunch hour, or whenever you want a quick read, and well paced snapshot into another persons life.
This may be short, but for the story that is being told its the perfect size, and has just enough details to get a feel for Evie at least, and just enough description to get a good picture in your mind about the locations featured.
Christmas Evie is a wonderfully crafted short story, that has given me a valuable insight into Nicola May's writing style and abilities, and I'm very impressed and will certainly be reading more from her in the future.
Thank you to Nicola May, for this review copy. This was my honest opinion.
Christmas Evie, is a short story, that is full of heart and a fabulous message, that you don't need to be materialistic to be happy.
Evie has had a tough run up to Christmas, losing both her job and her boyfriend, she knows things need to change and soon. While drowning her sorrows in Sherry, she meets Greg and is co-erced into spending Christmas Day helping out a homeless shelter.
The experience at the shelter and the chance meeting with Yves, is enough that over a short few days of the Christmas period, her life changes radically.
I loved the various meetings Evie has with Yves and you get to see a side of London, that is just as impressive, but is free to experience. Yves is clearly a spiritual man and the whole way through I had the feeling there was something more to him, than just a homeless man...
Christmas Evie is a short story, which packs a fair amount in, you get a sense of a supporting friendship with Bea, and she has a completely different Christmas period than her normal one. This is the perfect book to read in a lunch hour, or whenever you want a quick read, and well paced snapshot into another persons life.
This may be short, but for the story that is being told its the perfect size, and has just enough details to get a feel for Evie at least, and just enough description to get a good picture in your mind about the locations featured.
Christmas Evie is a wonderfully crafted short story, that has given me a valuable insight into Nicola May's writing style and abilities, and I'm very impressed and will certainly be reading more from her in the future.
Thank you to Nicola May, for this review copy. This was my honest opinion.
November 9, 2018
This was such a cute little novella, and perfect for the run up to Christmas! Just to reiterate, I still hold my Grinch status but this was perfect for me. It was a quick read (only 57 pages) so I finished it in one sitting and it left me with a smile on my face.
When I heard about the book, although being a grinch, there was something about the “unlikely” friendship between Yves and Evie and a spiritual awakening which intrigued me, plus the cover is just cute. I can not talk too much about the book as I just would not want to ruin this for anyone.
We meet Evie at the worse possible time of her life! Douche ex-boyfriend walking out on her before Christmas! I mean seriously, so she helps out at the local shelter on Christmas Day where she meets Yves and Greg.
Evie was a woman who thought she knew what she wanted, and each chapter was a different adventure, each with a different moral to be learned. Without realising each day she is opening herself back up for love and life and accept who she is. It is not a preachy book before you think that, but it opens your eyes up to make you realise that sometimes we are all a little bit too materialistic.
As I said this story is a cute one, I may have shed a tear at the end because I sussed something wasn’t quite right and it moved me. The story has a message behind it, the happiness and love and the freedom to be who you want to be if you just allow yourself to be.
The descriptions given to us by the author were breathtaking, and knowing the parts of London in the book I was able to picture it perfectly. The author, in fact, did it more justice with the scenery provided to the reader than sometimes London deserves.
Get yourself snuggled in a blanket and hot chocolate and escape for half an hour or so with this story.
Normal service has now resumed, and the Grinch is back until December x
When I heard about the book, although being a grinch, there was something about the “unlikely” friendship between Yves and Evie and a spiritual awakening which intrigued me, plus the cover is just cute. I can not talk too much about the book as I just would not want to ruin this for anyone.
We meet Evie at the worse possible time of her life! Douche ex-boyfriend walking out on her before Christmas! I mean seriously, so she helps out at the local shelter on Christmas Day where she meets Yves and Greg.
Evie was a woman who thought she knew what she wanted, and each chapter was a different adventure, each with a different moral to be learned. Without realising each day she is opening herself back up for love and life and accept who she is. It is not a preachy book before you think that, but it opens your eyes up to make you realise that sometimes we are all a little bit too materialistic.
As I said this story is a cute one, I may have shed a tear at the end because I sussed something wasn’t quite right and it moved me. The story has a message behind it, the happiness and love and the freedom to be who you want to be if you just allow yourself to be.
The descriptions given to us by the author were breathtaking, and knowing the parts of London in the book I was able to picture it perfectly. The author, in fact, did it more justice with the scenery provided to the reader than sometimes London deserves.
Get yourself snuggled in a blanket and hot chocolate and escape for half an hour or so with this story.
Normal service has now resumed, and the Grinch is back until December x
November 5, 2013
OMG! This is just the best Christmas story ever!
Two days before Christmas, Evie Harris discovers that her boyfriend is up to no good. Hilarious best friend Bea, takes her to the pub to try to cheer her up when she is approached by handsome stranger Greg who overhears her dilemma and persuades her to help out at a homeless shelter on Christmas day.
When she meets homeless man Yves, she makes a new and firm friend and begins to unravel her life through a series of spiritual awakenings. He takes her on a journey to heal and find peace within herself whilst travelling around a number of London landmarks amongst the stunning winter scenery and backdrops.
How will New Year's Eve pan out? Will she find peace and love and where does that leave Yves? Or Greg for that matter? Yeah right - well I'm not going to tell you that now, am I?
I loved this novella right from the start. Bea and Evie have such a fabulous friendship, I adore them both as if they are my new best friends. I've always loved reading Nicola May's books. She writes the things that we are all thinking! She also creates such lovable characters that immediately get into your heart.
When I read the last sentence of this novella, I have to confess that I burst into tears as my heart exploded with emotion. Proper sobs too! For me, it was such an unexpected but wonderful ending. Just thinking about it again is making me tear up! It completely blew my mind!
This novella is filled with fun and laughter and at the same time is moving beyond words which is an incredible gift that Nicola has. It is full of hope, love, peace and joy and is completely heart-melting! It is such a beautiful, fabulous and amazing story.
The world just has to read it!
Two days before Christmas, Evie Harris discovers that her boyfriend is up to no good. Hilarious best friend Bea, takes her to the pub to try to cheer her up when she is approached by handsome stranger Greg who overhears her dilemma and persuades her to help out at a homeless shelter on Christmas day.
When she meets homeless man Yves, she makes a new and firm friend and begins to unravel her life through a series of spiritual awakenings. He takes her on a journey to heal and find peace within herself whilst travelling around a number of London landmarks amongst the stunning winter scenery and backdrops.
How will New Year's Eve pan out? Will she find peace and love and where does that leave Yves? Or Greg for that matter? Yeah right - well I'm not going to tell you that now, am I?
I loved this novella right from the start. Bea and Evie have such a fabulous friendship, I adore them both as if they are my new best friends. I've always loved reading Nicola May's books. She writes the things that we are all thinking! She also creates such lovable characters that immediately get into your heart.
When I read the last sentence of this novella, I have to confess that I burst into tears as my heart exploded with emotion. Proper sobs too! For me, it was such an unexpected but wonderful ending. Just thinking about it again is making me tear up! It completely blew my mind!
This novella is filled with fun and laughter and at the same time is moving beyond words which is an incredible gift that Nicola has. It is full of hope, love, peace and joy and is completely heart-melting! It is such a beautiful, fabulous and amazing story.
The world just has to read it!
November 13, 2018
https://donnasbookblog.wordpress.com/...
This is a lovely Christmas story that gives you a really big hug at the end!
I loved the plot and the main characters were lovely, I warmed to Evie right from the outset and really hoped that she got the happy ending she deserved.
I loved the different locations in the book and the author has written a really charming story that was a delightful one to read - and I just loved the ending!
Four stars from me, a lovely Christmas story - highly recommended!
This is a lovely Christmas story that gives you a really big hug at the end!
I loved the plot and the main characters were lovely, I warmed to Evie right from the outset and really hoped that she got the happy ending she deserved.
I loved the different locations in the book and the author has written a really charming story that was a delightful one to read - and I just loved the ending!
Four stars from me, a lovely Christmas story - highly recommended!
December 13, 2015
A no spoilers review here of a good pre-Christmas read http://lindasbookbag.com/2015/12/13/c...
November 1, 2018
Poor Evie isn’t having the best start to her Christmas; she has lost her job and discovered her boyfriend has been cheating. Unable to afford the rent without her ex’s help and facing the prospect of starting the New Year with no home she does what any sensible person would do and heads to the pub with friend Bea to drown her sorrows.
It’s there she meets handsome Greg who invites her to spend Christmas Day helping at the homeless shelter where he works. With no better offers Evie agrees and finds herself unexpectedly upset when she discovers Greg is already spoken for. Crying outside the homeless centre she is comforted by Yves, one of the homeless customers and they quickly become friends.
Between Christmas and New Year the pair spend their days visiting London landmarks together which prompts Evie to embark on a journey of self-discovery with the help of wise, yet mysterious Yves. During their meetings their friendship blossoms, but how much does Evie really know about Yves?
This novella is a faced-paced read filled with love, hope and magic that had me gripped from the first sentence – and what an opening sentence it is! Despite being festively themed this book isn’t overly Christmassy, however it is set against a beautiful wintery London backdrop and I loved tagging along with Evie and Yves as they discovered some it’s well-known landmarks.
This book really gives you food for thought from its message about homelessness to the it’s ideas about reflection and change. It’s full of the right kind of Christmas spirit; helping others, love and hope instead of materialistic items, just what the festive season should be about. It’s a perfect length to devour in one sitting and it’s just as well as you won’t be able to put it down until the final unexpected and emotionally charged twist. A fabulously cosy read that will leave you with a warm glow inside, a great big cheesy smile and quite possibly slightly damp eyes.
It’s there she meets handsome Greg who invites her to spend Christmas Day helping at the homeless shelter where he works. With no better offers Evie agrees and finds herself unexpectedly upset when she discovers Greg is already spoken for. Crying outside the homeless centre she is comforted by Yves, one of the homeless customers and they quickly become friends.
Between Christmas and New Year the pair spend their days visiting London landmarks together which prompts Evie to embark on a journey of self-discovery with the help of wise, yet mysterious Yves. During their meetings their friendship blossoms, but how much does Evie really know about Yves?
This novella is a faced-paced read filled with love, hope and magic that had me gripped from the first sentence – and what an opening sentence it is! Despite being festively themed this book isn’t overly Christmassy, however it is set against a beautiful wintery London backdrop and I loved tagging along with Evie and Yves as they discovered some it’s well-known landmarks.
This book really gives you food for thought from its message about homelessness to the it’s ideas about reflection and change. It’s full of the right kind of Christmas spirit; helping others, love and hope instead of materialistic items, just what the festive season should be about. It’s a perfect length to devour in one sitting and it’s just as well as you won’t be able to put it down until the final unexpected and emotionally charged twist. A fabulously cosy read that will leave you with a warm glow inside, a great big cheesy smile and quite possibly slightly damp eyes.
January 8, 2025
This is a really cute Christmas story which has a hint of A Christmas Carol to it.
Evie, is down on her luck, she lost her job and has just been dumped by her boyfriend on Christmas Eve after he announced he was moving in with his secretary. So she goes out to drown her sorrows with her best friend Bea (who I adored!)
Whilst telling Bea all of her fears and worries, a man interupts their conversation asking Evie to help him at the homeless shelter on Christmas Day. Evie declines until Bea uninvites her to her Christmas Dinner, so Evie agrees to go and help the man who introduces himself as Greg.
Greg is cute and just as Evie is about to ask if he wants to go for a drink with her another woman, Shell, turns up wrapping herself around Greg and telling him how he was missed at the Christmas Dinner and she had presents for him from everyone.
Feeling hurt again, Evie goes outside and is found on the step crying by Yves. Yves offers her words of comfort and then asks to see her again the next day. Evie goes along and is surprised that Yves, a homeless man takes her to a carol concert. When they part, Yves hands Evie a card with another meeting time for the next day. This continues for 5 days before Yves says Evie won't see him again and that she has the courage to change her life and encourages her to talk to Greg.
Evie arranges to speak to Greg on New Year's Day, but then he is at the same New Year's Eve party she is at with Bea, saying she told him to come and shows her a white card like the ones Yves gave to her.
So who is Yves, why does Greg not know him? Can Evie and Greg find their happy ever after together?
This is a short read but I couldn't put it down. The twist at the end was lovely.
Evie, is down on her luck, she lost her job and has just been dumped by her boyfriend on Christmas Eve after he announced he was moving in with his secretary. So she goes out to drown her sorrows with her best friend Bea (who I adored!)
Whilst telling Bea all of her fears and worries, a man interupts their conversation asking Evie to help him at the homeless shelter on Christmas Day. Evie declines until Bea uninvites her to her Christmas Dinner, so Evie agrees to go and help the man who introduces himself as Greg.
Greg is cute and just as Evie is about to ask if he wants to go for a drink with her another woman, Shell, turns up wrapping herself around Greg and telling him how he was missed at the Christmas Dinner and she had presents for him from everyone.
Feeling hurt again, Evie goes outside and is found on the step crying by Yves. Yves offers her words of comfort and then asks to see her again the next day. Evie goes along and is surprised that Yves, a homeless man takes her to a carol concert. When they part, Yves hands Evie a card with another meeting time for the next day. This continues for 5 days before Yves says Evie won't see him again and that she has the courage to change her life and encourages her to talk to Greg.
Evie arranges to speak to Greg on New Year's Day, but then he is at the same New Year's Eve party she is at with Bea, saying she told him to come and shows her a white card like the ones Yves gave to her.
So who is Yves, why does Greg not know him? Can Evie and Greg find their happy ever after together?
This is a short read but I couldn't put it down. The twist at the end was lovely.
December 18, 2023
Short of reading time as we race towards Christmas? Then may I suggest this lovely novella from Nicola May? You may well know Nicola as the author of the hugely successful Cockleberry Bay or Ferry Lane Market series but Christmas Evie is a standalone short story from a few years back now.
Poor Evie’s Christmas isn’t going quite as she’d hoped what with losing her job then discovering her boyfriend has been cheating on her. A chance meeting in a pub leads her to be volunteering in a homeless shelter on Christmas Day and that’s where she meets the mysterious Yves.
Yves is one of the clients at the shelter but he is rather unusual. He encourages Evie to join him at various London landmarks and helps her discover the things which really matter in life such as peace, hope, creativity and of course, love. There’s more than a sprinkling of Christmas magic surrounding Yves.
I must just mention Evie’s potty mouthed friend Bea who was hilarious and made me laugh a lot!
So if you fancy a little Christmas cheer to make you smile and perhaps melt your heart a little, I highly recommend you treat yourself and find time to squeeze Christmas Evie into the last few buys days before Christmas.
Poor Evie’s Christmas isn’t going quite as she’d hoped what with losing her job then discovering her boyfriend has been cheating on her. A chance meeting in a pub leads her to be volunteering in a homeless shelter on Christmas Day and that’s where she meets the mysterious Yves.
Yves is one of the clients at the shelter but he is rather unusual. He encourages Evie to join him at various London landmarks and helps her discover the things which really matter in life such as peace, hope, creativity and of course, love. There’s more than a sprinkling of Christmas magic surrounding Yves.
I must just mention Evie’s potty mouthed friend Bea who was hilarious and made me laugh a lot!
So if you fancy a little Christmas cheer to make you smile and perhaps melt your heart a little, I highly recommend you treat yourself and find time to squeeze Christmas Evie into the last few buys days before Christmas.
November 1, 2018
Christmas Spirit
By Nicola May
5 stars
Reviewed on behalf of 3 Degrees of Fiction Book Blog.
This was such a sweet, romantic Christmas read! It was a short read but it has definitely got me into the Christmas Spirit so to speak! I think whilst I had kind of guessed what was going on in the story I wasn’t expecting the epilogue! That brought the whole story full circle and I admit I felt a little emotional when I had finished it!
I loved Evie! She was such a great character, I felt for her during the first part of the story but I also really admired her strength too. Together with her friend Bea they certainly made me laugh a few times and I really loved reading her story. I think I kind of have a little crush on Greg! Hot, sexy, older guy! I could tell straight away he was taken with Evie and I was personally rooting for them the whole way through! Yves gave Evie some great advice too!
A really lovely Christmas novella that I would highly recommend!
By Nicola May
5 stars
Reviewed on behalf of 3 Degrees of Fiction Book Blog.
This was such a sweet, romantic Christmas read! It was a short read but it has definitely got me into the Christmas Spirit so to speak! I think whilst I had kind of guessed what was going on in the story I wasn’t expecting the epilogue! That brought the whole story full circle and I admit I felt a little emotional when I had finished it!
I loved Evie! She was such a great character, I felt for her during the first part of the story but I also really admired her strength too. Together with her friend Bea they certainly made me laugh a few times and I really loved reading her story. I think I kind of have a little crush on Greg! Hot, sexy, older guy! I could tell straight away he was taken with Evie and I was personally rooting for them the whole way through! Yves gave Evie some great advice too!
A really lovely Christmas novella that I would highly recommend!
December 12, 2020
Ok, Sinterklaas was het land nog niet uit of wij hadden de kerstboom staan. En als het dan zo extra gezellig is in huis krijg ik ook gelijk zin in 7 kilo kerstkransjes, nutteloze lichtjes op elke denkbare plek in huis en foute kerstverhalen. Nou, dat heb ik geweten 😂
Dit kerstverhaal heeft letterlijk alle ingrediënten voor een extreem zoetsappige guilty pleasure. Een onmogelijke liefde, een losbandige beste vriendin, een spannende vreemdeling en een zeer hoog alles-komt-goed-gehalte.
Grootste pluspunt van dit verhaal: wandelen door Londen. Ik heb daar heel wat jaar geleden even gewoond en krijg er nog altijd warm fuzzy feelings van 😊 Verder is het natuurlijk een flauw, weinig verrassend sprookje. Op de schaal van hersenloze kerstverhalen scoort deze zeker vijf sterren, maar tsja... 😂
Dit kerstverhaal heeft letterlijk alle ingrediënten voor een extreem zoetsappige guilty pleasure. Een onmogelijke liefde, een losbandige beste vriendin, een spannende vreemdeling en een zeer hoog alles-komt-goed-gehalte.
Grootste pluspunt van dit verhaal: wandelen door Londen. Ik heb daar heel wat jaar geleden even gewoond en krijg er nog altijd warm fuzzy feelings van 😊 Verder is het natuurlijk een flauw, weinig verrassend sprookje. Op de schaal van hersenloze kerstverhalen scoort deze zeker vijf sterren, maar tsja... 😂
November 17, 2018
An endearing tale of love, loss and hope. I don't want to give anything away, but totally not what I was expecting and was surprised by how much it provoked my thoughts not only around Chrismas and how its a time of family and festivities, but also how some people are not as fortunate as me.
I've not read Nicola May before, however, much like Evie and Yves with a Y, Nicola and I were introduced via something totally unbook related on Twitter, as we live close to each other, it's funny how the world works. I enjoyed Nicola's writing style and characters/story so much, I've downloaded another 3 books.
A really good heart warming feel good read 5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I've not read Nicola May before, however, much like Evie and Yves with a Y, Nicola and I were introduced via something totally unbook related on Twitter, as we live close to each other, it's funny how the world works. I enjoyed Nicola's writing style and characters/story so much, I've downloaded another 3 books.
A really good heart warming feel good read 5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
December 8, 2021
This was a delightful read at this time of year. I listened to it via audible as I was writing my Christmas cards and it was definitely the right choice.
The book starts with Evie been dumped by her cheating boyfriend after losing her job and very unsure when she is going to get her next rent check. It is true what they say when you are feeling that you have lost everything that matters to you the best way to feel better is help those who are less fortunate. Therefore Evie is roped into helping at a homeless shelter, where she discovers the true meaning of not just Christmas but life. Loved this story
The book starts with Evie been dumped by her cheating boyfriend after losing her job and very unsure when she is going to get her next rent check. It is true what they say when you are feeling that you have lost everything that matters to you the best way to feel better is help those who are less fortunate. Therefore Evie is roped into helping at a homeless shelter, where she discovers the true meaning of not just Christmas but life. Loved this story
Displaying 1 - 30 of 154 reviews