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Saving Mr Scrooge
It's the time of peace on earth and goodwill to all men, but at Carroll's Confectionary, the meaning of Christmas seems to have been forgotten. New boss, Kit Carroll, is hardly winning friends with his high-handed attitude, his foolhardy approach to production, and his tight-fisted treatment of the factory's employees.
Marley Jacobs, his self-styled PA, is determined to make him see the error of his ways, and return the festive spirit to Carroll's Confectionary.
Unfortunately, the little matter of their previous relationship, along with Kit's callous treatment of her when they were teenage sweethearts, keeps getting in the way of her good intentions.
With encouragement from co-worker Don, romantic sister Olivia, and — astonishingly — the usually sceptical Great Uncle Charles, Marley decides to save this modern-day Mr Scrooge from himself, despite having no well-meaning ghosts to help her.
But revisiting the past doesn't just stir things up for Kit. As Marley struggles to deal with bittersweet memories, present-day events take a surprising turn. Can the future be changed, after all?
And is it only Kit who needs saving?
Marley Jacobs, his self-styled PA, is determined to make him see the error of his ways, and return the festive spirit to Carroll's Confectionary.
Unfortunately, the little matter of their previous relationship, along with Kit's callous treatment of her when they were teenage sweethearts, keeps getting in the way of her good intentions.
With encouragement from co-worker Don, romantic sister Olivia, and — astonishingly — the usually sceptical Great Uncle Charles, Marley decides to save this modern-day Mr Scrooge from himself, despite having no well-meaning ghosts to help her.
But revisiting the past doesn't just stir things up for Kit. As Marley struggles to deal with bittersweet memories, present-day events take a surprising turn. Can the future be changed, after all?
And is it only Kit who needs saving?
370 pages, Paperback
Published December 2, 2017
46 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
April 30, 2019
I'm not a big fan of normal contemporary romancing, romantic retellings of classics, or of Christmas romances (shudders). This one, however, is different. The leads are likable at first, especially the heroine. Eventually you figure out the Christmas miracle is not just saving the personality of one person, but saving two.
The heroine, Marley, thinks she is supposed to save someone else but ends up saving herself at the same time. The old, crotchety, and money hungry great-grandfather is reminiscent of Scrooge, greed, and showed that a life left unhealed isn't a life at all. He was a warning that fed into a well done retelling of the classic. Kit himself appears heartless at times but just keeps secrets close to himself.
We even get our very version of Tiny Tim and his own miracle - God bless everyone.
Sarcastic and funny (the Loverocks peppermint 'adult' candies, ahem), we get sweet romance that makes sense and holds histories, misunderstandings easily cleared up that aren't (sigh), Christmas cheer, Santa, Scrooge, decorating. It's all here.
There's plenty of potential for this type to be either silly or melodramatic, but the author fortunately avoids this. The story is mainly a character exploration with less happening behind the scenes, but the power plays and the factory with the small town and family distance made interesting reading as well.
Fans of holiday romances will want to check this one out. It's not steamy but it's genuine enough to tug on the heartstrings and say bah to all the possible humbugs that may arise to ruin an otherwise sentimental moment.
The heroine, Marley, thinks she is supposed to save someone else but ends up saving herself at the same time. The old, crotchety, and money hungry great-grandfather is reminiscent of Scrooge, greed, and showed that a life left unhealed isn't a life at all. He was a warning that fed into a well done retelling of the classic. Kit himself appears heartless at times but just keeps secrets close to himself.
We even get our very version of Tiny Tim and his own miracle - God bless everyone.
Sarcastic and funny (the Loverocks peppermint 'adult' candies, ahem), we get sweet romance that makes sense and holds histories, misunderstandings easily cleared up that aren't (sigh), Christmas cheer, Santa, Scrooge, decorating. It's all here.
There's plenty of potential for this type to be either silly or melodramatic, but the author fortunately avoids this. The story is mainly a character exploration with less happening behind the scenes, but the power plays and the factory with the small town and family distance made interesting reading as well.
Fans of holiday romances will want to check this one out. It's not steamy but it's genuine enough to tug on the heartstrings and say bah to all the possible humbugs that may arise to ruin an otherwise sentimental moment.
July 3, 2021
Adorable and sweetly funny - someone had a near-miss with a bourbon biscuit in 1961 and that really made me chuckle.
This book includes Sharon Booth's characteristic northern family setting. Marley is close to her mum, sister and great uncle. Reader's meet Marley when she is saved from choking by a tall handsome stranger - only a stranger because of his long hair and beard.
A fabulous contemporary, Yorkshire nod to A Christmas Carol. (Nice Charlie mention too!)
You don't have to read this book at Christmas (although I imagine it would be beautiful to do so).
This book includes Sharon Booth's characteristic northern family setting. Marley is close to her mum, sister and great uncle. Reader's meet Marley when she is saved from choking by a tall handsome stranger - only a stranger because of his long hair and beard.
A fabulous contemporary, Yorkshire nod to A Christmas Carol. (Nice Charlie mention too!)
You don't have to read this book at Christmas (although I imagine it would be beautiful to do so).
November 25, 2017
Most of the 'Fabrian' books I have read recently turned out to be real duds, and I was a bit dubious about this one.
The first two chapters were a little 'ropey' somehow - a rather peculiar scene in a pub followed by Marley being lambasted by her family in a way that I found rather off-putting and frankly verging on bullying.
However, I persevered and was rewarded with a wonderful story about real people. Once the author got into her stride it all fell into place and the writing was emotional, humorous and rich in detail.
I loved the portrayal both of Kit and Marley and so far, this has to be my favourite Christmas story of 2017.
The first two chapters were a little 'ropey' somehow - a rather peculiar scene in a pub followed by Marley being lambasted by her family in a way that I found rather off-putting and frankly verging on bullying.
However, I persevered and was rewarded with a wonderful story about real people. Once the author got into her stride it all fell into place and the writing was emotional, humorous and rich in detail.
I loved the portrayal both of Kit and Marley and so far, this has to be my favourite Christmas story of 2017.
December 18, 2023
I'm not usually one for contemporary romance but I was drawn by the Dickens connection. This was a story of redemption and it seemed like most of the characters needed saving in some way. Thoroughly enjoyable festive read.
December 31, 2018
Book 97 of my Goodreads Challenge 2018
After reading Belle, Book and Christmas Candle
I simply wanted to read another wonderful tale by Sharon Booth
Saving Mr Scrooge was the ideal way to end the year.
After reading Belle, Book and Christmas Candle
I simply wanted to read another wonderful tale by Sharon Booth
Saving Mr Scrooge was the ideal way to end the year.
December 22, 2017
My 4* review for Saving Mr Scrooge by Sharon Booth, which i was asked to read and review.
I always enjoy reading Christmas books through December, just to get me in the mood for Christmas and this one certainly did that for me. It tells the story of Carroll's Confectionery Factory, it's new Manager Christopher Carroll (Kit), his P.A. (and ex girlfriend from when they were teenagers) Marley Jacobs and how they struggle to save the the factory, it's workers and themselves in the process.
The story begins with Marley choking on a sweet in the pub and Kit rushing to save her. Having recovered, Marley is convinced she was "brought back to life" to save someone and so spends the rest of the book trying to work out who needs saving and why. For Kit Carroll, the meaning of Christmas seems to have been forgotten and for some reason he is being mean to her and everyone else at the factory, having cancelled the annual buffet meal, decorating of the canteen and the Christmas bonus. He might just as well have shouted "humbug" and cancelled Christmas altogether.
Marley also has a grumpy Uncle Charles who she is fond of, but who believes she is only looking after him to inherit his money when he dies. However, Marley Jacobs, is determined to make them see the error of their ways, and return the festive spirit. Marley decides to save this modern-day Mr Scrooge and the factory, but is it only Kit who needs saving? Doesn't everyone need to be reminded of the meaning of Christmas at times?
I loved the play on the names from the original Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol, and although from the beginning you could see where the story was going and probably how it would end, it was nevertheless a really well written and enjoyable book to read in the lead up to Christmas. There are so many different characters included in the book from Marley's Mum and Sister to Kit's Brother who left him in charge of the factory with no word to anyone, but each of them are lovely to get to know. I did not take to Marley or Kit straight away, I found them both selfish, self-centred, arrogant, materialistic, sulky and downright annoying and wanted to bang their heads together at times, but all of that added a richness to the story and certainly made me invest emotionally in them and i warmed to them in the end, exactly as I wanted to. Their back story of love, loss and misunderstandings unravels slowly throughout the book and Sharon Booth does a perfect job of teasing you with snippets of their past relationship.
I assumed it would be a short story, but was pleased it was a full length novel because she was able to elaborate more on the secrets and lies that each and every family hides and which eventually all come pouring out after someone has died. Marley's Dad being a boo hiss baddy was a great addition to the story too. I rushed through the last few chapters because i was rooting for them all and was rewarded with a perfect ending which was a little unexpected, and that is what i was hoping for.
I always enjoy reading Christmas books through December, just to get me in the mood for Christmas and this one certainly did that for me. It tells the story of Carroll's Confectionery Factory, it's new Manager Christopher Carroll (Kit), his P.A. (and ex girlfriend from when they were teenagers) Marley Jacobs and how they struggle to save the the factory, it's workers and themselves in the process.
The story begins with Marley choking on a sweet in the pub and Kit rushing to save her. Having recovered, Marley is convinced she was "brought back to life" to save someone and so spends the rest of the book trying to work out who needs saving and why. For Kit Carroll, the meaning of Christmas seems to have been forgotten and for some reason he is being mean to her and everyone else at the factory, having cancelled the annual buffet meal, decorating of the canteen and the Christmas bonus. He might just as well have shouted "humbug" and cancelled Christmas altogether.
Marley also has a grumpy Uncle Charles who she is fond of, but who believes she is only looking after him to inherit his money when he dies. However, Marley Jacobs, is determined to make them see the error of their ways, and return the festive spirit. Marley decides to save this modern-day Mr Scrooge and the factory, but is it only Kit who needs saving? Doesn't everyone need to be reminded of the meaning of Christmas at times?
I loved the play on the names from the original Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol, and although from the beginning you could see where the story was going and probably how it would end, it was nevertheless a really well written and enjoyable book to read in the lead up to Christmas. There are so many different characters included in the book from Marley's Mum and Sister to Kit's Brother who left him in charge of the factory with no word to anyone, but each of them are lovely to get to know. I did not take to Marley or Kit straight away, I found them both selfish, self-centred, arrogant, materialistic, sulky and downright annoying and wanted to bang their heads together at times, but all of that added a richness to the story and certainly made me invest emotionally in them and i warmed to them in the end, exactly as I wanted to. Their back story of love, loss and misunderstandings unravels slowly throughout the book and Sharon Booth does a perfect job of teasing you with snippets of their past relationship.
I assumed it would be a short story, but was pleased it was a full length novel because she was able to elaborate more on the secrets and lies that each and every family hides and which eventually all come pouring out after someone has died. Marley's Dad being a boo hiss baddy was a great addition to the story too. I rushed through the last few chapters because i was rooting for them all and was rewarded with a perfect ending which was a little unexpected, and that is what i was hoping for.
November 28, 2017
I’ll be honest – for the first fifty or so pages, I really wasn’t at all sure about this book. Now I’m not telling you that to put you off, but just in case you feel the same, and choose not to read on: because if you don’t, you’ll be missing something rather special.
At the book’s start, Marley is totally without any redeeming features – and from the book’s afterword, the author was fully aware of that she was taking a bit of a risk with that. Marley is totally self-absorbed, with a grossly inflated sense of her own importance, and her visits to her ailing great uncle seemingly with the sole aim of being left his house almost made me want to stop reading. Kit Carroll seemed a bit cardboard cut-out too – stunning looks maybe, but arrogant, a total misery, and I thought deserving of every misfortune that might befall him (shame about the impact on the workers at Carroll’s Confectionary, but there you go). There’s also a touch of slapstick about an incident at the book’s start that didn’t entirely draw me in – but I can be funny like that. But I’m SO glad I didn’t throw in the towel, because this book totally turned itself around… and the author incredibly skilfully, without you really realising it’s happening, pulls you over onto the side of her characters.
So what was it that did the trick? Marley just got under my skin – beneath that hard and brittle surface there’s actually a heart of pure gold, a softness that people don’t often get to see. There are such lovely touches that let you glimpse the real person – times with her family, the exchanges with her great uncle (what a great character – so many layers!), her obviously good relationship with Kit’s predecessor Jack, her exchanges with Don (another great character – I loved him!), the whole focus on Christmas at the factory and her concern for the workers. The personal revelations slowly emerge too, and there’s a depth to the back story that you really might not expect. The scenes at the school nativity play and the factory Christmas party? Just superb. And Kit’s character develops beautifully too – we start to see things from his point of view, the reasons for his high-handed behaviour. And slowly and subtly, the whole story begins to grab your heart.
Marley’s unshakeable belief that it’s her destiny to save Kit is beautifully handled – I loved the whole concept, and the way the story is constructed around that belief, with occasional adjustments in the focus. Given the character names and the premise of the story, I’m guessing it’ll come as no surprise that the story is loosely based on A Christmas Carol, with a fairly heavy nod too towards It’s A Wonderful Life – and so very cleverly done. At outset, I might have wondered how this book would ever fit with its moody and mysterious cover – by the end, I understood perfectly. Do give this one a try – I promise you won’t be disappointed. Sharon Booth’s writing just gets better and better…
At the book’s start, Marley is totally without any redeeming features – and from the book’s afterword, the author was fully aware of that she was taking a bit of a risk with that. Marley is totally self-absorbed, with a grossly inflated sense of her own importance, and her visits to her ailing great uncle seemingly with the sole aim of being left his house almost made me want to stop reading. Kit Carroll seemed a bit cardboard cut-out too – stunning looks maybe, but arrogant, a total misery, and I thought deserving of every misfortune that might befall him (shame about the impact on the workers at Carroll’s Confectionary, but there you go). There’s also a touch of slapstick about an incident at the book’s start that didn’t entirely draw me in – but I can be funny like that. But I’m SO glad I didn’t throw in the towel, because this book totally turned itself around… and the author incredibly skilfully, without you really realising it’s happening, pulls you over onto the side of her characters.
So what was it that did the trick? Marley just got under my skin – beneath that hard and brittle surface there’s actually a heart of pure gold, a softness that people don’t often get to see. There are such lovely touches that let you glimpse the real person – times with her family, the exchanges with her great uncle (what a great character – so many layers!), her obviously good relationship with Kit’s predecessor Jack, her exchanges with Don (another great character – I loved him!), the whole focus on Christmas at the factory and her concern for the workers. The personal revelations slowly emerge too, and there’s a depth to the back story that you really might not expect. The scenes at the school nativity play and the factory Christmas party? Just superb. And Kit’s character develops beautifully too – we start to see things from his point of view, the reasons for his high-handed behaviour. And slowly and subtly, the whole story begins to grab your heart.
Marley’s unshakeable belief that it’s her destiny to save Kit is beautifully handled – I loved the whole concept, and the way the story is constructed around that belief, with occasional adjustments in the focus. Given the character names and the premise of the story, I’m guessing it’ll come as no surprise that the story is loosely based on A Christmas Carol, with a fairly heavy nod too towards It’s A Wonderful Life – and so very cleverly done. At outset, I might have wondered how this book would ever fit with its moody and mysterious cover – by the end, I understood perfectly. Do give this one a try – I promise you won’t be disappointed. Sharon Booth’s writing just gets better and better…
November 18, 2017
Marley Jacobs is dead, choked by a hard candy at a hen party - at least, until a mysterious stranger thumps on her and saves her life. Too bad the stranger turns out to be her ex-boyfriend and new boss, Kit Carroll, owner of the candy factory where she works as a PA (not a secretary). Despite their bitter past, Marley decides the fact he saved her life means she must save him. Kit is a real Scrooge, abrupt and rude to his new staff, canceling traditional Christmas events, and being a pain in general. Marley is going to awake his Christmas spirit, egged on by her cranky great-uncle Charles and her romantic sister.
I found Marley a hard person to like for the first half of the book. Kit is only marginally better, and honestly, it was the secondary characters that kept me reading. I'm so glad I did. Very gradually, we get backstory about Marley and Kit's pasts that explains their current behavior and makes the reader understand and sympathize. Ms. Booth has a way of writing her characters so they are real. You get them warts and all, but they are always people the reader can recognize in themselves, friends, and family.
Marley and Kit didn't communicate as young lovers often don't, and now that they're older, they learn their lessons that a relationship means the couple must talk to each other. Gradually, old secrets and hurts are revealed, and they start to mend. Both Kit and Marley learn the real spirit of Christmas along the way.
Obviously, this is a takeoff of Dicken's A Christmas Carol, but I found it a subtle retelling. The reader can recognize along the way different bits and bobs taken from the original story, but there's enough twists that I didn't always know where it was going. I was also happy to see Mr. Rochester as part of the story, having read his book earlier.
It's always fun to visit Yorkshire, and Ms. Booth is very intimate with the area. She makes each description fresh from the Shambles of York to the snow-covered Dales. Stuck over here in the new world but missing the beauty of the north country of England, I really enjoy her books. Saving Mr. Scrooge is a worthy addition, and a good read no matter the time of year.
I found Marley a hard person to like for the first half of the book. Kit is only marginally better, and honestly, it was the secondary characters that kept me reading. I'm so glad I did. Very gradually, we get backstory about Marley and Kit's pasts that explains their current behavior and makes the reader understand and sympathize. Ms. Booth has a way of writing her characters so they are real. You get them warts and all, but they are always people the reader can recognize in themselves, friends, and family.
Marley and Kit didn't communicate as young lovers often don't, and now that they're older, they learn their lessons that a relationship means the couple must talk to each other. Gradually, old secrets and hurts are revealed, and they start to mend. Both Kit and Marley learn the real spirit of Christmas along the way.
Obviously, this is a takeoff of Dicken's A Christmas Carol, but I found it a subtle retelling. The reader can recognize along the way different bits and bobs taken from the original story, but there's enough twists that I didn't always know where it was going. I was also happy to see Mr. Rochester as part of the story, having read his book earlier.
It's always fun to visit Yorkshire, and Ms. Booth is very intimate with the area. She makes each description fresh from the Shambles of York to the snow-covered Dales. Stuck over here in the new world but missing the beauty of the north country of England, I really enjoy her books. Saving Mr. Scrooge is a worthy addition, and a good read no matter the time of year.
November 28, 2017
I have to thank Sharon Booth's never ending artistic flow for yet another fantastic Christmas story! Evidently inspired by the more famous dickensian novel, this is a real treat. Trust the author to entertain us with her witty, funny dialogues and peculiar characters, and a fantastic Yorkshire setting that we have all come to like. Did I like to book? Absolutely! Did I like the leading female character and empatise with her? No way! I usually like books where I would want the main characters as my best friend, but no, thanks, Marley, I think I'll pass. The author managed to achieve what she wanted (you'll read about her worries in the acknowledgement) and surprised me (again) with her ability to carry on a story where you'll actually like more the supposedly "bad" characters (or opponents), than the heroine.
My favourite remains Great Uncle Charles, a real character (pardon the pun), and it was lovely to see a little cameo of Mr Rochester from the previous book in the Moorland series.
Brilliant, as ever.
My favourite remains Great Uncle Charles, a real character (pardon the pun), and it was lovely to see a little cameo of Mr Rochester from the previous book in the Moorland series.
Brilliant, as ever.
December 6, 2017
Saving Mr. Scrooge is a unique story.
The title seems clear enough but as you begin a journey through its pages you aren't exactly sure who needs saving.Everyone in the book seems to be in need of a little help.
The characters are real. They feel sorrow, hold on to past hurts and pain, just like we do in the real world and above all are flawed, unlike typical romance books which present characters with shiny personalities and hardly a vice.
The narrative is fairly engaging and the author shows us that even in imperfection and despite seemingly selfish aspirations and agendas we can still find love, a common purpose and be loved in return in this flawed world.
The title seems clear enough but as you begin a journey through its pages you aren't exactly sure who needs saving.Everyone in the book seems to be in need of a little help.
The characters are real. They feel sorrow, hold on to past hurts and pain, just like we do in the real world and above all are flawed, unlike typical romance books which present characters with shiny personalities and hardly a vice.
The narrative is fairly engaging and the author shows us that even in imperfection and despite seemingly selfish aspirations and agendas we can still find love, a common purpose and be loved in return in this flawed world.
November 15, 2019
Such a fascinating book! Inspired by Dickens, it’s a clever tale with lots of mystery and moments of redemption and second chances aplenty, it has its own story that captures your imagination.
A different Christmas story but just as compelling as you find yourself drawn into the story. I loved the relationship between Marley and her Uncle, the relationship seems frosty but you can feel their connection.
Great characters and a brilliant plot made me desperate to keep reading long into the night!
A different Christmas story but just as compelling as you find yourself drawn into the story. I loved the relationship between Marley and her Uncle, the relationship seems frosty but you can feel their connection.
Great characters and a brilliant plot made me desperate to keep reading long into the night!
December 8, 2020
Another gem!
I have thoroughly enjoyed both books in the moorland heroes series. Sharon Booth is fast becoming one of my go to authors when I'm looking to escape from the crazy world we currently find ourselves in. Her characters are depicted so well that you really become attached to them, even if at certain points in this book you wanted to bang their heads together! Very cleverly written.
I have thoroughly enjoyed both books in the moorland heroes series. Sharon Booth is fast becoming one of my go to authors when I'm looking to escape from the crazy world we currently find ourselves in. Her characters are depicted so well that you really become attached to them, even if at certain points in this book you wanted to bang their heads together! Very cleverly written.
December 18, 2019
Just what I needed to bring me out of a bah humbug mood. The characters are believable, memorable and have depth making the story much more than a festive romance.
November 27, 2021
Another wonderful story by this author! A real feel good story. Loved the characters and how they are portrayed. Praise for Sharon Booth will read more by her!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews