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Their Festive Island Escape
Can Christmas in the Caribbean... ...bring her comfort and joy this year? Jilted at the altar exactly three years ago, Celeste wants sun, sea and exotic cocktails - so escaping to Jamaica is perfect. But her peace is disturbed when the hot Santa from the beach turns out to be Reid Evanson - the luxury resort's CEO and best man at her non-wedding! Could their unexpected chemistry mean he's the one to restore her love of the festive season?
192 pages, Hardcover
First published October 31, 2019
6 people are currently reading
11 people want to read
About the author
Nina Singh
43 books17 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
October 24, 2024
Celeste and Reid are acquaintances and after unexpectedly crossing paths again, they must find a way to move beyond the awkward past of Celeste's canceled wedding. A business relationship gradually turns to friendship, and as they get to know each other better they discover previously held assumptions are untrue. Spending time together in a romantic paradise only strengthens their connection and with a few requisite stumbles along the way, they head for their happily ever after.
The smooth flow and an easy to imagine relaxed setting made this a breeze to read. It was enjoyable to read a contemporary romance where the focus was not primarily on the physical aspect. I also really enjoyed the setting, the island vibes were strong; I got a much needed mini tropical getaway myself!
The smooth flow and an easy to imagine relaxed setting made this a breeze to read. It was enjoyable to read a contemporary romance where the focus was not primarily on the physical aspect. I also really enjoyed the setting, the island vibes were strong; I got a much needed mini tropical getaway myself!
February 7, 2020
The only reason she was questioning now was because of one sandy blond masculine CEO with eyes the color of the deep ocean at sunrise and a dark beard. Celeste had never even liked facial hair before this. But on Reid, all she could think about was running her fingers through it. Or how it might feel against her skin. p. 124
Beards!
I wasn't crazy about this novel. Celeste spends every Christmas season in the Caribbean in order to 'escape.' Her fiancé left her at the altar three years ago. She chooses a new resort this year because her favorite resort was wrecked by a hurricane. She discovers it is run by her former-fiancé's former-best-friend Reid.
CELESTE
Celeste was not my favorite. I was expecting her to be stronger. Instead, she doubts herself all the time, doesn't speak up for herself, and doesn't have self-confidence.
I am actually okay with weak heroines. Weak heroines can be done brilliantly, I don't necessarily dislike them or books that contain them. Some of my favorite books have weaker heroines in them. The disconnect here was that she is some kind of marketing executive who I'm supposed to believe grew up on the streets of NYC, lived homeless sometimes, got in scraps defending her younger sister, pulled herself up by her bootstraps and etc. Then her passiveness and lack of spine are jarring to me.
The author doesn't do herself any favors, either, by pulling old tricks like "Look, the heroine has sprained her ankle and the hero has to carry her around everywhere! Isn't it romantic!" This is tired and seemed contrived.
Reid is rich, he was born rich, and he has a rich man's hobbies and skill set. Not what I'm into, to be honest. His deal is running his dad's company and not allowing his philandering, gambling father to gain control of it again and run it into the ground.
Celeste's sister and mother are useless, whiny leeches. Her mother is not only a useless whiny leech but also an alcoholic, a gambler, and abusive towards Celeste. It's very difficult to read about her forgiving these people constantly, giving them money over and over, and dealing with their abuse.
Unfortunately she comes off as pretty weak and passive, and Reid is set up to be the strong one.
REID
Reid annoys me as well. He thinks badly of Celeste (even though she was the one left at the altar) because his best friend filled his head with lies about her.
And once Reid and Celeste start having a romantic relationship he turns into a bit of a cold asshole to her. I think Singh is trying to go for "I don't deserve her" and "I shouldn't be with her" as Reid's inner monologue but to Celeste (and the reader) it seems Reid is an asshole who just uses her for sex and then drops her. Not romantic.
PLOT CONTRIVANCES
Her 'twisting her ankle so he 'has' to carry her around.
Them being asked to pose for photos that will be posted of them on the Internet 'pretending' to be couple and even kissing! Ridiculous.
He gets called away on a business trip and doesn't even tell her. She thinks he abandoned her. This could all be solved with a simple phone call, and he does call her cell phone but doesn't leave a voicemail because 'this isn't the sort of thing you leave on voicemail.' I think he's implying he doesn't want to say 'I love you' for the first time on voicemail, but how about leaving a voicemail that simply says he has to take a quick flight to Boston? It's quite frankly LUDICROUS that he doesn't do this. It's stupid. Also, wouldn't she see a missed call from him, even though he didn't leave a voicemail? And assume he tried to get a hold of her? And maybe call him back?
It's these parts of the novel, which are so contrived, that really get my back up. Lazy writing.
It also annoys me how many times Celeste is served delicious, amazing food and then DOESN'T EAT IT because of 'nerves' or 'excitement' or whatever bullshit. I'm like, "EAT THE AMAZING FOOD!!!!" If I could leap into the book and eat the amazing food, I would. Ugh. So annoying. I prefer when heroines eat and enjoy food.
HOW'S THE SEX, CARMEN?
There is no sex in this novel. Well, Celeste and Reid do have sex, but it is completely off-page and we have no idea what happened between them sexually at all.
That annoys me. I don't like when romance books don't include at least one sex scene.
One and only one thought hammered his brain as he left his room to make his way down to the sofa on the first floor; he could make her forget she'd ever been committed to another man. Hell, he could make her forget that other man even existed. p. 176
Oh, yeah? PROVE IT. Grrrr. Don't make your heroes think egotistical, bragging thoughts like this unless they can fucking back it up and you can prove it. If a hero says this, and then there is a sex scene, the author better make me fucking believe he can put it down. If he turns in a lackluster performance, I'm going to be gnashing my teeth and cursing him and his huge ego which is apparently based on nothing. Secondly, as is the case with this book, if you are NOT going to include any sex scenes in your book, don't make your hero think things like this. It's unfair. There's no way for me to assess if he is actually good in bed or not. It makes me frustrated and angry.
Then we have gems like this:
She'd never been so wanton, so in need. pg. 205.
*Carmen squints* She's just kissing a man and saying 'yes.' Seriously? That's as wanton as she gets?
When they wake up after having sex, and he leaves her, she thinks:
What had she been expecting? To spend the day with Reid holding hands and walking along the beach? She'd understood last night exactly what she was getting into. The fact that she was hurt and disappointed by the way he'd left this morning was no one's fault but her own. pg. 214
This is false. He's being an asshole. It is not 'only your fault.' GROW A SPINE.
Also, this THIS is what drives me to encourage people not only to date, but to avoid one-night-stands and to at the very least have a discussion with each other before sex.
People think it's prudish, or that I have some religious agenda, or that I'm old-fashioned... but the truth is it is smart to protect yourself. One-night-stands are something I worry about because they are so high risk. High risk for both males and females. You should KNOW the person whom you are going to have sex with. If you don't know them, get to know them. It's called dating. It helps prevent horrible situations that can arise from allowing someone to have sex with you whom you don't know from Adam. This goes for men AND women. Avoid stalkers. Avoid psychos. Avoid horrible human beings. Spend some time with a person before engaging in a high-risk (both emotionally and physically) activity with someone which could end badly in about five thousand different ways.
If you ARE going to have sex with someone, wear a condom. Even if the woman tells you she is on birth control, WEAR A CONDOM ANYWAY. She could be lying. She could have skipped a dose or three on accident. She could have STDs. As a man, honestly, I would be JUST as paranoid about one-night-stands if not MORE paranoid than I am as a woman. Honestly don't know how some men can be so blasé about engaging in sex - a very high-risk activity - with women they either don't know or barely know. It's dangerous. It's very dangerous for both men and women.
Three, have pre-sex talks. Discuss using a condom / birth control. Discuss - and this is important - what you think you two will be getting / where you will be going after this. A lot of heartbreak and horror and screaming and hurt can be avoided with this simple idea. Are you going to be dating after this? Boyfriend/girlfriend? Is this just going to be a one-time thing? Friends with benefits? Does anyone have any expectation of being exclusive after this? (That one is SUPER important.)
I gave MAJOR points to Laurel Greer for just this kind of talk in her book Holiday by Candlelight. And it's SO RARE. It's SO RARE in romance. And in real life, unfortunately. It's like people WANT drama and pain. >.<
Okay, end rant. I just get my mind boggled by this sort of thing.
TL;DR What annoyed me were the plot contrivances that were lame and nonsensical. Celeste's weakness clashing with her 'tough' background also made no sense to me. I wasn't buying it.
ROMANCE CATEGORIES
#OwnVoices Romance - I have no idea about Singh's nationality/ethnicity, so I really have no idea
Contemporary Romance
Holiday/Christmas Romance
Multicultural/Interracial Romance - Reid is white. Celeste is - I'm guessing - Iranian-American. Only Persia is mentioned, though, not Iran by name.
Non-Virgin Heroine
He's a CEO of a hospitality company; She's a marketing executive of some sort.
Takes place in: Jamaica.
NAMES IN THIS BOOK
Beards!
I wasn't crazy about this novel. Celeste spends every Christmas season in the Caribbean in order to 'escape.' Her fiancé left her at the altar three years ago. She chooses a new resort this year because her favorite resort was wrecked by a hurricane. She discovers it is run by her former-fiancé's former-best-friend Reid.
CELESTE
Celeste was not my favorite. I was expecting her to be stronger. Instead, she doubts herself all the time, doesn't speak up for herself, and doesn't have self-confidence.
I am actually okay with weak heroines. Weak heroines can be done brilliantly, I don't necessarily dislike them or books that contain them. Some of my favorite books have weaker heroines in them. The disconnect here was that she is some kind of marketing executive who I'm supposed to believe grew up on the streets of NYC, lived homeless sometimes, got in scraps defending her younger sister, pulled herself up by her bootstraps and etc. Then her passiveness and lack of spine are jarring to me.
The author doesn't do herself any favors, either, by pulling old tricks like "Look, the heroine has sprained her ankle and the hero has to carry her around everywhere! Isn't it romantic!" This is tired and seemed contrived.
Reid is rich, he was born rich, and he has a rich man's hobbies and skill set. Not what I'm into, to be honest. His deal is running his dad's company and not allowing his philandering, gambling father to gain control of it again and run it into the ground.
Celeste's sister and mother are useless, whiny leeches. Her mother is not only a useless whiny leech but also an alcoholic, a gambler, and abusive towards Celeste. It's very difficult to read about her forgiving these people constantly, giving them money over and over, and dealing with their abuse.
Unfortunately she comes off as pretty weak and passive, and Reid is set up to be the strong one.
REID
Reid annoys me as well. He thinks badly of Celeste (even though she was the one left at the altar) because his best friend filled his head with lies about her.
And once Reid and Celeste start having a romantic relationship he turns into a bit of a cold asshole to her. I think Singh is trying to go for "I don't deserve her" and "I shouldn't be with her" as Reid's inner monologue but to Celeste (and the reader) it seems Reid is an asshole who just uses her for sex and then drops her. Not romantic.
PLOT CONTRIVANCES
Her 'twisting her ankle so he 'has' to carry her around.
Them being asked to pose for photos that will be posted of them on the Internet 'pretending' to be couple and even kissing! Ridiculous.
He gets called away on a business trip and doesn't even tell her. She thinks he abandoned her. This could all be solved with a simple phone call, and he does call her cell phone but doesn't leave a voicemail because 'this isn't the sort of thing you leave on voicemail.' I think he's implying he doesn't want to say 'I love you' for the first time on voicemail, but how about leaving a voicemail that simply says he has to take a quick flight to Boston? It's quite frankly LUDICROUS that he doesn't do this. It's stupid. Also, wouldn't she see a missed call from him, even though he didn't leave a voicemail? And assume he tried to get a hold of her? And maybe call him back?
It's these parts of the novel, which are so contrived, that really get my back up. Lazy writing.
It also annoys me how many times Celeste is served delicious, amazing food and then DOESN'T EAT IT because of 'nerves' or 'excitement' or whatever bullshit. I'm like, "EAT THE AMAZING FOOD!!!!" If I could leap into the book and eat the amazing food, I would. Ugh. So annoying. I prefer when heroines eat and enjoy food.
HOW'S THE SEX, CARMEN?
There is no sex in this novel. Well, Celeste and Reid do have sex, but it is completely off-page and we have no idea what happened between them sexually at all.
That annoys me. I don't like when romance books don't include at least one sex scene.
One and only one thought hammered his brain as he left his room to make his way down to the sofa on the first floor; he could make her forget she'd ever been committed to another man. Hell, he could make her forget that other man even existed. p. 176
Oh, yeah? PROVE IT. Grrrr. Don't make your heroes think egotistical, bragging thoughts like this unless they can fucking back it up and you can prove it. If a hero says this, and then there is a sex scene, the author better make me fucking believe he can put it down. If he turns in a lackluster performance, I'm going to be gnashing my teeth and cursing him and his huge ego which is apparently based on nothing. Secondly, as is the case with this book, if you are NOT going to include any sex scenes in your book, don't make your hero think things like this. It's unfair. There's no way for me to assess if he is actually good in bed or not. It makes me frustrated and angry.
Then we have gems like this:
She'd never been so wanton, so in need. pg. 205.
*Carmen squints* She's just kissing a man and saying 'yes.' Seriously? That's as wanton as she gets?
When they wake up after having sex, and he leaves her, she thinks:
What had she been expecting? To spend the day with Reid holding hands and walking along the beach? She'd understood last night exactly what she was getting into. The fact that she was hurt and disappointed by the way he'd left this morning was no one's fault but her own. pg. 214
This is false. He's being an asshole. It is not 'only your fault.' GROW A SPINE.
Also, this THIS is what drives me to encourage people not only to date, but to avoid one-night-stands and to at the very least have a discussion with each other before sex.
People think it's prudish, or that I have some religious agenda, or that I'm old-fashioned... but the truth is it is smart to protect yourself. One-night-stands are something I worry about because they are so high risk. High risk for both males and females. You should KNOW the person whom you are going to have sex with. If you don't know them, get to know them. It's called dating. It helps prevent horrible situations that can arise from allowing someone to have sex with you whom you don't know from Adam. This goes for men AND women. Avoid stalkers. Avoid psychos. Avoid horrible human beings. Spend some time with a person before engaging in a high-risk (both emotionally and physically) activity with someone which could end badly in about five thousand different ways.
If you ARE going to have sex with someone, wear a condom. Even if the woman tells you she is on birth control, WEAR A CONDOM ANYWAY. She could be lying. She could have skipped a dose or three on accident. She could have STDs. As a man, honestly, I would be JUST as paranoid about one-night-stands if not MORE paranoid than I am as a woman. Honestly don't know how some men can be so blasé about engaging in sex - a very high-risk activity - with women they either don't know or barely know. It's dangerous. It's very dangerous for both men and women.
Three, have pre-sex talks. Discuss using a condom / birth control. Discuss - and this is important - what you think you two will be getting / where you will be going after this. A lot of heartbreak and horror and screaming and hurt can be avoided with this simple idea. Are you going to be dating after this? Boyfriend/girlfriend? Is this just going to be a one-time thing? Friends with benefits? Does anyone have any expectation of being exclusive after this? (That one is SUPER important.)
I gave MAJOR points to Laurel Greer for just this kind of talk in her book Holiday by Candlelight. And it's SO RARE. It's SO RARE in romance. And in real life, unfortunately. It's like people WANT drama and pain. >.<
Okay, end rant. I just get my mind boggled by this sort of thing.
TL;DR What annoyed me were the plot contrivances that were lame and nonsensical. Celeste's weakness clashing with her 'tough' background also made no sense to me. I wasn't buying it.
ROMANCE CATEGORIES
#OwnVoices Romance - I have no idea about Singh's nationality/ethnicity, so I really have no idea
Contemporary Romance
Holiday/Christmas Romance
Multicultural/Interracial Romance - Reid is white. Celeste is - I'm guessing - Iranian-American. Only Persia is mentioned, though, not Iran by name.
Non-Virgin Heroine
He's a CEO of a hospitality company; She's a marketing executive of some sort.
Takes place in: Jamaica.
NAMES IN THIS BOOK
November 17, 2020
I received this as an ARC from Netgalley in return for an honest opinion.
This story sounded like a really neat idea and I was looking forward to some witty and intelligent banter, some sensual love scenes, and lots of fun. Sadly, this just never hit any of my buttons.
Celeste was jilted at Christmas 3 years ago and since then she spends the festive season in the Caribbean despite the complaints of her utterly selfish, boring, moaning mother and sister. Celeste is successful and single-handedly supports this painful excuse for a family.
Arriving, she encounters Reid, part-owner of the resort and he turns out to be the best friend of her ex-fiance. Reid has a bad opinion of Celeste and is all on the side of the ratbag Jack. What's with this guy, his best friend jilts the girls at the altar and he's not the slightest bit critical of his despicable behaviour at the time, but only questions it when he gets to know Celeste?
The novel ambles lazily around a tour of the tourist spots of Jamaica for what seems an eternity. The reader is privy to the angst-ridden thoughts of the h/H - but with each of them behaving like inexperienced teenagers unable to communicate, instead of intelligent, mature adults. Celeste was so boring and so much an exploited victim of her family that I struggled to have any sympathy with her. Her behaviour towards Reid was for the most part, stupidly aggressive and immature and downright inexplicable. Reid never came to life and I couldn't understand his reticence to take the next step in the burgeoning relationship.
There was no real sexual tension between the characters and no real reason as to why they just didn't 'get it together'. I've enjoyed other books by this writer but this one was frustrating and ultimately rather boring.
This story sounded like a really neat idea and I was looking forward to some witty and intelligent banter, some sensual love scenes, and lots of fun. Sadly, this just never hit any of my buttons.
Celeste was jilted at Christmas 3 years ago and since then she spends the festive season in the Caribbean despite the complaints of her utterly selfish, boring, moaning mother and sister. Celeste is successful and single-handedly supports this painful excuse for a family.
Arriving, she encounters Reid, part-owner of the resort and he turns out to be the best friend of her ex-fiance. Reid has a bad opinion of Celeste and is all on the side of the ratbag Jack. What's with this guy, his best friend jilts the girls at the altar and he's not the slightest bit critical of his despicable behaviour at the time, but only questions it when he gets to know Celeste?
The novel ambles lazily around a tour of the tourist spots of Jamaica for what seems an eternity. The reader is privy to the angst-ridden thoughts of the h/H - but with each of them behaving like inexperienced teenagers unable to communicate, instead of intelligent, mature adults. Celeste was so boring and so much an exploited victim of her family that I struggled to have any sympathy with her. Her behaviour towards Reid was for the most part, stupidly aggressive and immature and downright inexplicable. Reid never came to life and I couldn't understand his reticence to take the next step in the burgeoning relationship.
There was no real sexual tension between the characters and no real reason as to why they just didn't 'get it together'. I've enjoyed other books by this writer but this one was frustrating and ultimately rather boring.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 19, 2019
This was cute. Celeste was a great character. I loved how they bumped into each other again. Reid was very interesting. I enjoyed the internal back and forth they both went through. I loved the ending of the book. It was so sweet.
August 25, 2019
I received this from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I love the enemies to lovers trope. The best enemies to lovers stories are full of sparks, passion and banter. Sexual tension fuels animosity until love wins out. Their Festive Island Escape has none of that. It’s also not “festive.” I don’t like it when I don’t like a book. I feel bad, like I failed as a reader. I don’t know what Nina Singh was going for, but I don’t think she got it.
Celeste Fajadi has been very successful in marketing, but comes from an impoverished background. On what was supposed to be her Christmas Day wedding, she was left at the alter. Her ex-fiance’s best friend and best man is Reid Evanson. Celeste has been going to the Caribbean for Christmas ever since. This year, she ends up at a resort co-owned by Reid. He’s dressed up as Santa, sees her and berates her for her lack of cheer. She storms off. He has a change of heart realizing he’s just insulted a paying guest and sends her a complimentary breakfast. She asks to speak to management to make sure the Santa hasn’t been fired (no idea why). She discovers Santa is Reid and then suddenly they have awkward tension.
I spent most of the book wondering, why? What is it beyond physical attractiveness that draws them together. There are moments when they open up to one another, but they spend most of the book making assumptions about each other and not talking. There is a moment about 3/4 of the way through where I gave up trying to like this book. They are having a heavy, depressing conversation and Reid decides they should dance to lighten the mood. He thinks to himself, “Celeste seemed to be able to bring a level of energy and fun to whatever she was doing.” I actually screeched in response. At what point in the entire book had Celeste ever brought a level of energy and fun to any of their activities? None. There are no points where that happens unless all of his previous companions spent their time with him catatonic or weeping. If I had a physical copy of the book when I finally managed to drag myself to the end, I would have thrown it across the room.
I love the enemies to lovers trope. The best enemies to lovers stories are full of sparks, passion and banter. Sexual tension fuels animosity until love wins out. Their Festive Island Escape has none of that. It’s also not “festive.” I don’t like it when I don’t like a book. I feel bad, like I failed as a reader. I don’t know what Nina Singh was going for, but I don’t think she got it.
Celeste Fajadi has been very successful in marketing, but comes from an impoverished background. On what was supposed to be her Christmas Day wedding, she was left at the alter. Her ex-fiance’s best friend and best man is Reid Evanson. Celeste has been going to the Caribbean for Christmas ever since. This year, she ends up at a resort co-owned by Reid. He’s dressed up as Santa, sees her and berates her for her lack of cheer. She storms off. He has a change of heart realizing he’s just insulted a paying guest and sends her a complimentary breakfast. She asks to speak to management to make sure the Santa hasn’t been fired (no idea why). She discovers Santa is Reid and then suddenly they have awkward tension.
I spent most of the book wondering, why? What is it beyond physical attractiveness that draws them together. There are moments when they open up to one another, but they spend most of the book making assumptions about each other and not talking. There is a moment about 3/4 of the way through where I gave up trying to like this book. They are having a heavy, depressing conversation and Reid decides they should dance to lighten the mood. He thinks to himself, “Celeste seemed to be able to bring a level of energy and fun to whatever she was doing.” I actually screeched in response. At what point in the entire book had Celeste ever brought a level of energy and fun to any of their activities? None. There are no points where that happens unless all of his previous companions spent their time with him catatonic or weeping. If I had a physical copy of the book when I finally managed to drag myself to the end, I would have thrown it across the room.
February 7, 2020
A beautiful, moving story with a fabulous setting, two people who knew each other from the past for a brief time and are now together and learning a lot about each other, and falling under the spell of love.
Celeste always likes to take a vacation during the Christmas holiday in the Caribbean, she has her reasons for this being jilted at the alter three years before, so it is time for fun and relaxation in the sun, she never expects to find that the CEO of the holiday resort she has chosen is none other than her ex’s best man and the sparks fly.
Reid is stunned when he is playing Santa and discovers Celeste on his resort he thinks he is sure about what happened three years before although he was never quite convinced, but as he needs some help to promote the resort and Celeste is just the person for it spending time together makes him see her in a very different way and he is slowing losing his heart to her.
There were a few ups and downs for both Reid and Celeste to overcome one for both of them being family but as they talk more the sensual pull gets stronger, and had me turning the pages and sighing, this is a story that I highly recommend to anyone who wants a moving story to a wonderful HEA, that is sure to leave any reader smiling.
Celeste always likes to take a vacation during the Christmas holiday in the Caribbean, she has her reasons for this being jilted at the alter three years before, so it is time for fun and relaxation in the sun, she never expects to find that the CEO of the holiday resort she has chosen is none other than her ex’s best man and the sparks fly.
Reid is stunned when he is playing Santa and discovers Celeste on his resort he thinks he is sure about what happened three years before although he was never quite convinced, but as he needs some help to promote the resort and Celeste is just the person for it spending time together makes him see her in a very different way and he is slowing losing his heart to her.
There were a few ups and downs for both Reid and Celeste to overcome one for both of them being family but as they talk more the sensual pull gets stronger, and had me turning the pages and sighing, this is a story that I highly recommend to anyone who wants a moving story to a wonderful HEA, that is sure to leave any reader smiling.
April 19, 2020
Novel in a Nutshell - When Celeste travels to a Jamaican resort for her annual getaway to avoid Christmas, the last person she expects to meet is Reid, her ex-finace's best man for their wedding where she was left at the altar. The pair find themeselves attracted to each other, and wonder where it could lead.
My review - I usually enjoy Nina Singh's novels, but this one was a real drag to get through. My first issue is that I hate stories packaged as Christmas themed, when there is barely anything festive about them. This was the case here. It maybe shouldn't have surprised me as the heroine dislikes Christmas, but then why present it as a Christmas novel?
My main issue with the story is that...nothing happens!!! I mean, things happen in terms of them going on excursions etc, but nothing happens really to further their relationship. It just feels like an interminable cycle of Celeste thinking she isn't the right kind of woman for Reid, and Reid thinking he isn't the right kind of man for Celeste. They both completely discount all the huge and unmissable signals that the other one is attracted to them.
Another huge issue is that I don't see why they are drawn to each other beyond physical attraction. There is no shared connection that comes through in the story.
I think another reviewer mentions the point in the story where Reid says that Celeste brings great energy and fun to whatever she does, but this is not evident at all!! Quite the opposite in fact. She comes across as miserable, reticent, and cold (an unlikeable character and not posessing any of the traits you would expect of the successful business woman she is meant to be).
The only bit where they reference her having fun is at a karaoke event, which takes place off the page!!
I have many other issues, ranging from her relationship with her family to the fact that she basically doesn't finish (or even start in most cases) any meal that is provided for her. And how she says she hates Christmas, but then later on tells of how she loves Christmas lights?! This is quickly clarified by her saying that this is the one bit of Christmas spirit that survived her dislike of the season (this feels like it may have been hastily added on at the editimg stage).
All in all, this was a frustrating read, and I hope Nina Singh returns to form for her next novel.
TLDR - the book is full of contradictions and the main character isn't very likeable. It also isn't really a Christmassy story. Best avoided.
My review - I usually enjoy Nina Singh's novels, but this one was a real drag to get through. My first issue is that I hate stories packaged as Christmas themed, when there is barely anything festive about them. This was the case here. It maybe shouldn't have surprised me as the heroine dislikes Christmas, but then why present it as a Christmas novel?
My main issue with the story is that...nothing happens!!! I mean, things happen in terms of them going on excursions etc, but nothing happens really to further their relationship. It just feels like an interminable cycle of Celeste thinking she isn't the right kind of woman for Reid, and Reid thinking he isn't the right kind of man for Celeste. They both completely discount all the huge and unmissable signals that the other one is attracted to them.
Another huge issue is that I don't see why they are drawn to each other beyond physical attraction. There is no shared connection that comes through in the story.
I think another reviewer mentions the point in the story where Reid says that Celeste brings great energy and fun to whatever she does, but this is not evident at all!! Quite the opposite in fact. She comes across as miserable, reticent, and cold (an unlikeable character and not posessing any of the traits you would expect of the successful business woman she is meant to be).
The only bit where they reference her having fun is at a karaoke event, which takes place off the page!!
I have many other issues, ranging from her relationship with her family to the fact that she basically doesn't finish (or even start in most cases) any meal that is provided for her. And how she says she hates Christmas, but then later on tells of how she loves Christmas lights?! This is quickly clarified by her saying that this is the one bit of Christmas spirit that survived her dislike of the season (this feels like it may have been hastily added on at the editimg stage).
All in all, this was a frustrating read, and I hope Nina Singh returns to form for her next novel.
TLDR - the book is full of contradictions and the main character isn't very likeable. It also isn't really a Christmassy story. Best avoided.
August 25, 2019
I received this from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I love the enemies to lovers trope. The best enemies to lovers stories are full of sparks, passion and banter. Sexual tension fuels animosity until love wins out. Their Festive Island Escape has none of that. It’s also not “festive.” I don’t like it when I don’t like a book. I feel bad, like I failed as a reader. I don’t know what Nina Singh was going for, but I don’t think she got it.
Celeste Fajadi has been very successful in marketing, but comes from an impoverished background. On what was supposed to be her Christmas Day wedding, she was left at the alter. Her ex-fiance’s best friend and best man is Reid Evanson. Celeste has been going to the Caribbean for Christmas ever since. This year, she ends up at a resort co-owned by Reid. He’s dressed up as Santa, sees her and berates her for her lack of cheer. She storms off. He has a change of heart realizing he’s just insulted a paying guest and sends her a complimentary breakfast. She asks to speak to management to make sure the Santa hasn’t been fired (no idea why). She discovers Santa is Reid and then suddenly they have awkward tension.
I spent most of the book wondering, why? What is it beyond physical attractiveness that draws them together. There are moments when they open up to one another, but they spend most of the book making assumptions about each other and not talking. There is a moment about 3/4 of the way through where I gave up trying to like this book. They are having a heavy, depressing conversation and Reid decides they should dance to lighten the mood. He thinks to himself, “Celeste seemed to be able to bring a level of energy and fun to whatever she was doing.” I actually screeched in response. At what point in the entire book had Celeste ever brought a level of energy and fun to any of their activities? None. There are no points where that happens unless all of his previous companions spent their time with him catatonic or weeping. If I had a physical copy of the book when I finally managed to drag myself to the end, I would have thrown it across the room.
I love the enemies to lovers trope. The best enemies to lovers stories are full of sparks, passion and banter. Sexual tension fuels animosity until love wins out. Their Festive Island Escape has none of that. It’s also not “festive.” I don’t like it when I don’t like a book. I feel bad, like I failed as a reader. I don’t know what Nina Singh was going for, but I don’t think she got it.
Celeste Fajadi has been very successful in marketing, but comes from an impoverished background. On what was supposed to be her Christmas Day wedding, she was left at the alter. Her ex-fiance’s best friend and best man is Reid Evanson. Celeste has been going to the Caribbean for Christmas ever since. This year, she ends up at a resort co-owned by Reid. He’s dressed up as Santa, sees her and berates her for her lack of cheer. She storms off. He has a change of heart realizing he’s just insulted a paying guest and sends her a complimentary breakfast. She asks to speak to management to make sure the Santa hasn’t been fired (no idea why). She discovers Santa is Reid and then suddenly they have awkward tension.
I spent most of the book wondering, why? What is it beyond physical attractiveness that draws them together. There are moments when they open up to one another, but they spend most of the book making assumptions about each other and not talking. There is a moment about 3/4 of the way through where I gave up trying to like this book. They are having a heavy, depressing conversation and Reid decides they should dance to lighten the mood. He thinks to himself, “Celeste seemed to be able to bring a level of energy and fun to whatever she was doing.” I actually screeched in response. At what point in the entire book had Celeste ever brought a level of energy and fun to any of their activities? None. There are no points where that happens unless all of his previous companions spent their time with him catatonic or weeping. If I had a physical copy of the book when I finally managed to drag myself to the end, I would have thrown it across the room.
November 22, 2019
4 1/2 STARS!
A captivating holiday adventure! THEIR FESTIVE ISLAND ESCAPE by Nina Singh is a twist on an enemies to lovers trope and is sure to delight.
Celeste nabs a reader's attention quickly once we learn she was dumped at the altar three Christmases ago and now escapes every year on a tropical vacation to forget the memories of the most humiliating time of her life. She is easy to relate to, and though I wanted to yell at her a few times over the way she rolls over to her family, I really enjoyed watching her find her way to happiness.
Reid is a character who thinks he knows the situation, but once he figures out that he might have been misled, is quickly adjustable to getting to know the real person that Celeste is. I really enjoyed seeing them both let their guard down with each other.
I recommend this book to anyone wanting a quick holiday read that throws tradition to the curb and lives a little in an electrifying ocean-drenched location. It's fun, it's touching and it's satisfying.
A captivating holiday adventure! THEIR FESTIVE ISLAND ESCAPE by Nina Singh is a twist on an enemies to lovers trope and is sure to delight.
Celeste nabs a reader's attention quickly once we learn she was dumped at the altar three Christmases ago and now escapes every year on a tropical vacation to forget the memories of the most humiliating time of her life. She is easy to relate to, and though I wanted to yell at her a few times over the way she rolls over to her family, I really enjoyed watching her find her way to happiness.
Reid is a character who thinks he knows the situation, but once he figures out that he might have been misled, is quickly adjustable to getting to know the real person that Celeste is. I really enjoyed seeing them both let their guard down with each other.
I recommend this book to anyone wanting a quick holiday read that throws tradition to the curb and lives a little in an electrifying ocean-drenched location. It's fun, it's touching and it's satisfying.
December 1, 2019
Can Christmas in the Caribbean… …bring her comfort and joy this year? Jilted at the altar exactly three years ago, Celeste wants sun, sea and exotic cocktails, so escaping to Jamaica is perfect. But her peace is disturbed when the hot Santa from the beach turns out to be Reid Evanson—the luxury resort’s CEO and best man at her nonwedding! Could their unexpected chemistry mean he’s the one to restore her love of the festive season?
This author is a hit and miss for me so I’m never sure if I’m going to love the book or skim through it. This book was somewhere in the middle. It was fine as a quick contemporary romp. Not so much for any kind of holiday spirit.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book
This author is a hit and miss for me so I’m never sure if I’m going to love the book or skim through it. This book was somewhere in the middle. It was fine as a quick contemporary romp. Not so much for any kind of holiday spirit.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book
read-partial
September 6, 2019Alas, I'm just not feeling this holiday in the island's romance right now. The FMC's family is guilt tripping her so much and I just can't deal with family drama right now.
That said, if you enjoy sexy Santa's approaching you while you're sunning yourself at the resort pool, give this one a try.
*I received a free copy in exchange for a fair review.
That said, if you enjoy sexy Santa's approaching you while you're sunning yourself at the resort pool, give this one a try.
*I received a free copy in exchange for a fair review.
November 23, 2020
I fear I didn't enjoy this one as much as the other two Christmas Romances I read by the author.
I feel it gets a bit slow in the middle part, wished there had been more easy banter between the characters, then picks up somewhat towards the end again but wraps up the story too fast in the finale.
I feel it gets a bit slow in the middle part, wished there had been more easy banter between the characters, then picks up somewhat towards the end again but wraps up the story too fast in the finale.
February 13, 2020
Fun holiday getaway story.
Read
September 27, 2020Needed something easy to read after latest nonfiction
January 14, 2021
There was too much back and forth, no argument seemed to hold any worth and they would just go back to each other so I found it a bit tedious...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 6, 2026
I really easy, quick read but it was sooooo repetitive and although I finished it, I found myself getting bored of Reid saying the same thing over and over again about his dad 😴😴😴😴
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