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Lexie Byrne #2
It's a Wonderful Life for Lexie Byrne
A fabulous read for cozy winter evenings! - Sophie White, author of Unfiltered
An unexpected love story of magical moments, Christmas surprises and life-affirming decisions - Lexie Byrne is back!
And life is wonderful, thank you very much. She has met The One, is still watching Dirty Dancing on repeat, and everything is perfect.
Or is it?
FaceTiming and flying visits aren't quite the happily ever after Lexie pictured. With her best friend Annemarie nagging her that she deserves more than a part-time lover with an ever-present ex-wife in his life, Lexie can't help wondering if life is as wonderful as she's telling herself it is.
Will a surprise trip for Christmas bring the magic back to her relationship? In the city of her dreams, a miracle might just be round the corner . . .
An unexpected love story of magical moments, Christmas surprises and life-affirming decisions - Lexie Byrne is back!
And life is wonderful, thank you very much. She has met The One, is still watching Dirty Dancing on repeat, and everything is perfect.
Or is it?
FaceTiming and flying visits aren't quite the happily ever after Lexie pictured. With her best friend Annemarie nagging her that she deserves more than a part-time lover with an ever-present ex-wife in his life, Lexie can't help wondering if life is as wonderful as she's telling herself it is.
Will a surprise trip for Christmas bring the magic back to her relationship? In the city of her dreams, a miracle might just be round the corner . . .
342 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 27, 2022
4 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
About the author
Caroline Grace-Cassidy
12 books45 followersCaroline Grace Cassidy is an author of seven bestselling novels and a screenwriter.
Her debut novel When Love Takes Over was released by Poolbeg on February 7, 2012. She was cited by The Irish Times newspaper as one of their 'People to Watch' in 2012.
Since then she has been published with , The Other Side Of Wonderful (2013), I Always Knew (2014) Already Taken (2015) and The Week I Ruined My Life was published in 2016 with UK Publishers Black & White Publishing, The Importance Of Being me (2017) Bride Squad Runaway (2019) and coming in August 2012
The Unexpected Love Story Of Lexie Byrne aged 39 and 1/2
Her debut novel When Love Takes Over was released by Poolbeg on February 7, 2012. She was cited by The Irish Times newspaper as one of their 'People to Watch' in 2012.
Since then she has been published with , The Other Side Of Wonderful (2013), I Always Knew (2014) Already Taken (2015) and The Week I Ruined My Life was published in 2016 with UK Publishers Black & White Publishing, The Importance Of Being me (2017) Bride Squad Runaway (2019) and coming in August 2012
The Unexpected Love Story Of Lexie Byrne aged 39 and 1/2
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
December 17, 2022
This book was a super cute read! Lexie is trying to navigate how to live her life, with a boyfriend who lives abroad and her friendships changing she is a whirlwind of emotions! This book is full of miscommunication, family, friendships and love and I thoroughly enjoyed it!
I think if you like books by Sophie Kinsella then this one is for you!
Thank you to @bwpublishing for a review copy of this book!
I think if you like books by Sophie Kinsella then this one is for you!
Thank you to @bwpublishing for a review copy of this book!
November 6, 2022
I would firstly just like to say a big thank you to Black and White Publishing who very kindly sent me a paperback copy of this book, in return for my honest review.
This book is a wonderful read and is perfect for reading on a cold Winter’s day. It was such a feel-good story, full of fun moments and also gave me lots of happy vibes too.
The story and characters were down to earth and believable and I really enjoyed going along for the ride with Lexi and her wonderful story!
I thoroughly enjoyed this this book, it was fun, festive, light hearted and funny, with a wonderful sprinkling of romance too…….
This book is a wonderful read and is perfect for reading on a cold Winter’s day. It was such a feel-good story, full of fun moments and also gave me lots of happy vibes too.
The story and characters were down to earth and believable and I really enjoyed going along for the ride with Lexi and her wonderful story!
I thoroughly enjoyed this this book, it was fun, festive, light hearted and funny, with a wonderful sprinkling of romance too…….
November 26, 2022
“You know I’d do anything for you, Lexie Byrne.”
3.75 stars
First of all, I want to say a massive thank you to BW Publishing for sending me this book in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this book, I found it very fast paced and enticing. The focus on female friendships and prioritising your friends throughout life’s hardships was lovely to read, it really opens your eyes to the fact that your truest friends are forever. My main focus though was on Adam and Lexie’s relationship. I enjoyed the drama and the ‘what is he hiding?’ storyline, it kept me really intrigued to the point where I was wondering constantly what was going to happen next!
At times, I found it quite cringe, but I think that’s a given in a lot of rom-com/romance novels, and overall this novel felt very Bridget Jones-esque to me, which I loved! The relationship between Adam and Lexie was very Mark and Bridget, and Lexie’s friends reminded me of Bridget’s in a lot of ways. I also appreciated the New York bucket list, because doesn’t every person want to experience New York at Christmas once in their life?
On a negative note though, I personally am not a fan of blasphemy in any type of book or media whatsoever, so it really annoyed me when I was reading and every second word would have blasphemous curse words mentioned in some manner, which definitely put me off. I just don’t think there’s any need for it.
In an attempt to overlook that though, it was an enjoyable story with interesting and unique characters. The storyline was gripping, and it was honestly a fun Christmas romance to cosy up and read with a cup of hot tea. Adam and Lexie’s relationship was very exciting to follow and I hope to see more of them in future Lexie Byrne novels!
3.75 stars
First of all, I want to say a massive thank you to BW Publishing for sending me this book in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this book, I found it very fast paced and enticing. The focus on female friendships and prioritising your friends throughout life’s hardships was lovely to read, it really opens your eyes to the fact that your truest friends are forever. My main focus though was on Adam and Lexie’s relationship. I enjoyed the drama and the ‘what is he hiding?’ storyline, it kept me really intrigued to the point where I was wondering constantly what was going to happen next!
At times, I found it quite cringe, but I think that’s a given in a lot of rom-com/romance novels, and overall this novel felt very Bridget Jones-esque to me, which I loved! The relationship between Adam and Lexie was very Mark and Bridget, and Lexie’s friends reminded me of Bridget’s in a lot of ways. I also appreciated the New York bucket list, because doesn’t every person want to experience New York at Christmas once in their life?
On a negative note though, I personally am not a fan of blasphemy in any type of book or media whatsoever, so it really annoyed me when I was reading and every second word would have blasphemous curse words mentioned in some manner, which definitely put me off. I just don’t think there’s any need for it.
In an attempt to overlook that though, it was an enjoyable story with interesting and unique characters. The storyline was gripping, and it was honestly a fun Christmas romance to cosy up and read with a cup of hot tea. Adam and Lexie’s relationship was very exciting to follow and I hope to see more of them in future Lexie Byrne novels!
January 2, 2023
“𝙰𝚗𝚍 … 𝚖𝚊𝚢𝚋𝚎, 𝚓𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝚖𝚊𝚢𝚋𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞’𝚛𝚎 𝚛𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝. 𝙸 𝚌𝚊𝚗 𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝚍𝚘 𝚒𝚝 𝚊𝚕𝚕 … 𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜 𝙸’𝚟𝚎 𝚙𝚕𝚊𝚗𝚗𝚎𝚍 … 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝙻𝚎𝚡𝚒 𝙱𝚢𝚛𝚗𝚎 𝚠𝚊𝚢?”
🍷🍷🍷 / 5
🌶 / 5
»»————-✼————-««
Review:
I want to start off by saying a huge thank you to Caroline and her publisher for sending me a free copy of this wonderful book for an honest review!
Also I would like to both apologise to Adam for shitting on him on my review of the prequel but also throttle him for not having his priorities straight (we gotta sit down mate🙄).
This magical Christmas story definitely helped get me in the Christmas spirit (yes it may be January 2nd, but I feel Christmasy again!🤣). I honestly lost a lot of faith in Adam throughout this book; but in the last few chapters he began to redeem himself. Lexie put up with a LOT of bull form everyone and honestly I think she dealt with it pretty well considering and I love that she’s taken time for her!
Caroline has written a fabulously funny and wonderfully Christmas novel; I love her writing style, it’s chatty, like we’re having a conversation with Lexie over a glass of wine while she tells us what’s happened. Naming the chapters with titles of Christmas songs was beautiful touch that I really enjoyed! They also helped keep the pace up, I kind of read it as each chapter happened while that song played? Not sure if that’s what Caroline was going for but it was such a fun touch🥰
All the spice scenes fade to black, but they do mention it; also check the trigger warnings as topics like postpartum depression and bulimia are mentioned.
For lovers of:
- Romance
- Irish FMC
- Taking life by the horns
- Strong, independent FMC
- Jealous ex-wife (who Pip wants to stab😅)
🍷🍷🍷 / 5
🌶 / 5
»»————-✼————-««
Review:
I want to start off by saying a huge thank you to Caroline and her publisher for sending me a free copy of this wonderful book for an honest review!
Also I would like to both apologise to Adam for shitting on him on my review of the prequel but also throttle him for not having his priorities straight (we gotta sit down mate🙄).
This magical Christmas story definitely helped get me in the Christmas spirit (yes it may be January 2nd, but I feel Christmasy again!🤣). I honestly lost a lot of faith in Adam throughout this book; but in the last few chapters he began to redeem himself. Lexie put up with a LOT of bull form everyone and honestly I think she dealt with it pretty well considering and I love that she’s taken time for her!
Caroline has written a fabulously funny and wonderfully Christmas novel; I love her writing style, it’s chatty, like we’re having a conversation with Lexie over a glass of wine while she tells us what’s happened. Naming the chapters with titles of Christmas songs was beautiful touch that I really enjoyed! They also helped keep the pace up, I kind of read it as each chapter happened while that song played? Not sure if that’s what Caroline was going for but it was such a fun touch🥰
All the spice scenes fade to black, but they do mention it; also check the trigger warnings as topics like postpartum depression and bulimia are mentioned.
For lovers of:
- Romance
- Irish FMC
- Taking life by the horns
- Strong, independent FMC
- Jealous ex-wife (who Pip wants to stab😅)
December 26, 2024
It's a Wonderful Life for Lexie Byrne (aged 41 ¼) by Caroline Cassidy
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Black & White Publishing and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Blurb
An unexpected love story of magical moments, Christmas surprises and life-affirming decisions - Lexie Byrne is back!
And life is wonderful, thank you very much. She has met The One, is still watching Dirty Dancing on repeat, and everything is perfect.
Or is it?
FaceTiming and flying visits aren't quite the happily ever after Lexie pictured. With her best friend Annemarie nagging her that she deserves more than a part-time lover with an ever-present ex-wife in his life, Lexie can't help wondering if life is as wonderful as she's telling herself it is.
Will a surprise trip for Christmas bring the magic back to her relationship? In the city of her dreams, a miracle might just be round the corner . . .
My Opinion
Firstly, I have to say that I haven’t read the first book in this series. With a fast pace and plenty of drama this was a relatively fast book to read. This is based around Christmas so it makes a great book to read over the holiday season.
Rating 4/5
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Black & White Publishing and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Blurb
An unexpected love story of magical moments, Christmas surprises and life-affirming decisions - Lexie Byrne is back!
And life is wonderful, thank you very much. She has met The One, is still watching Dirty Dancing on repeat, and everything is perfect.
Or is it?
FaceTiming and flying visits aren't quite the happily ever after Lexie pictured. With her best friend Annemarie nagging her that she deserves more than a part-time lover with an ever-present ex-wife in his life, Lexie can't help wondering if life is as wonderful as she's telling herself it is.
Will a surprise trip for Christmas bring the magic back to her relationship? In the city of her dreams, a miracle might just be round the corner . . .
My Opinion
Firstly, I have to say that I haven’t read the first book in this series. With a fast pace and plenty of drama this was a relatively fast book to read. This is based around Christmas so it makes a great book to read over the holiday season.
Rating 4/5
November 6, 2022
A laugh out loud romance for the slightly older woman and any girl who’s ever looked at her life and wished for more.
Besotted with her part time boyfriend but doubting because of her pushy best friend Lexie is wondering if she will get her happily ever after. Can a surprise trip to New York hold the festive magic to transform her life??
I loved Lexie she was funny and kind and strong. The easy writing style made it feel like I had a new best friend.
Adam’s struggle juggling his family comitments and their relationship made this a very modern tale. An emotional roller coaster spinning joyously from Dublin to New York to the picture perfect Cotswolds. Exploring love loss and the nature of female friendship.
Packed with witty humour relatable dilemmas and festive sparkle this is the perfect escapist read for the Christmas season.
Besotted with her part time boyfriend but doubting because of her pushy best friend Lexie is wondering if she will get her happily ever after. Can a surprise trip to New York hold the festive magic to transform her life??
I loved Lexie she was funny and kind and strong. The easy writing style made it feel like I had a new best friend.
Adam’s struggle juggling his family comitments and their relationship made this a very modern tale. An emotional roller coaster spinning joyously from Dublin to New York to the picture perfect Cotswolds. Exploring love loss and the nature of female friendship.
Packed with witty humour relatable dilemmas and festive sparkle this is the perfect escapist read for the Christmas season.
December 3, 2022
I really enjoyed this book it was a really fun festive read.
I’ve not read anything from this author before but I really enjoyed her writing style and I especially loved how she named her chapters after Christmas Songs
This is the second book about Lexie Byrne but this book can be read as a standalone but I’ll definitely go back and read the first to find out more about Lexie. The book follows Lexie, an older woman who is kind, funny and strong. It’s follows Lexie as she tries to manage a long distance relationship, work and a bossy best friend.
I definitely recommend if your looking for a festive fun book.
Thank you to Black & White Publishing for sending me a copy in exchange for my honest review. @bwpublishing
I’ve not read anything from this author before but I really enjoyed her writing style and I especially loved how she named her chapters after Christmas Songs
This is the second book about Lexie Byrne but this book can be read as a standalone but I’ll definitely go back and read the first to find out more about Lexie. The book follows Lexie, an older woman who is kind, funny and strong. It’s follows Lexie as she tries to manage a long distance relationship, work and a bossy best friend.
I definitely recommend if your looking for a festive fun book.
Thank you to Black & White Publishing for sending me a copy in exchange for my honest review. @bwpublishing
January 4, 2023
I was reading this, thinking - Jesus, I really do not miss England. Or Ireland, for that matter. All that lifestyle. For first 60 pages or so the action takes place in a pub where everyone is drunk and shouting, and rolling on the floor and wearing ridiculously short dresses. I think I have PTSD from seeing too much of that during my life in UK so no surprise I couldn't find the characters likeable And then the so called love story. I smell Bridged Jones. Long story short, even if the guy acts toxic, he might still end up being the ONE, you never know. Pass me the bucket.
Still, it was funny at times, a quick and easy festive read so not entirely bad.
"Be as picky with your men as you are with your selfies."
Still, it was funny at times, a quick and easy festive read so not entirely bad.
"Be as picky with your men as you are with your selfies."
November 24, 2022
The second in the Lexie Byrne series, Lexie is now juggling a long distance relationship with work and friendships but the long distance scenario isn't quite the happy ever after she anticipated.
I really enjoyed coming back to see where Lexie is at in the second book. While it can be read as a stand alone, I think you get a lot more from it having read The Unexpected Love Story of Lexie Byrne first so I'd recommend reading them in order.
A witty, funny, feel good read that's ideal to snuggle up with for the festive season. If you enjoy the likes of Sophie Kinsella, Lindsey Kelk and Jane Costello, then the Lexie Byrne series is one to try!
3.5 stars
I really enjoyed coming back to see where Lexie is at in the second book. While it can be read as a stand alone, I think you get a lot more from it having read The Unexpected Love Story of Lexie Byrne first so I'd recommend reading them in order.
A witty, funny, feel good read that's ideal to snuggle up with for the festive season. If you enjoy the likes of Sophie Kinsella, Lindsey Kelk and Jane Costello, then the Lexie Byrne series is one to try!
3.5 stars
December 4, 2023
This is part of the Lexie Byrne Series and my first book in the Series. They can be read as a standalone too. Lexie Byrne is back and aged 41 1/4 and everything is perfect, she has a man, and it is coming up to the best time of the year Christmas. But is it really all hunky dory? Lexie's best friend doesn't seem to think so, which puts ideas and doubts into Lexie's head. Is Lexie's man really who he says he is? is he really that committed to her? we will find out in this story full of miscommunication, family and friends wrapped up around Christmas time.
October 24, 2022
I'm yet to read anything by this author, but the fun title and cover drew me in.
It's a Wonderful Life for Lexie Byrne (aged 41 and a quarter) was a cute romance story with a believeable plot and characters you could relate to.
A quick, easy read dotted with Christmas elements.
Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book in return for my honest review.
It's a Wonderful Life for Lexie Byrne (aged 41 and a quarter) was a cute romance story with a believeable plot and characters you could relate to.
A quick, easy read dotted with Christmas elements.
Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book in return for my honest review.
October 28, 2022
3.5⭐️
This was a fun and festive read that made me smile throughout. I loved that all the chapter titles were Christmas songs and the New York trip was brilliant! My hubby & I were meant to visit NYC for our wedding anniversary in 2020 but flights to US were cancelled literally days before we were meant to leave. I cant wait to go there & see all the beautiful sites, this book made me feel like I've already been visited & now I cant wait to go back!
This was a fun and festive read that made me smile throughout. I loved that all the chapter titles were Christmas songs and the New York trip was brilliant! My hubby & I were meant to visit NYC for our wedding anniversary in 2020 but flights to US were cancelled literally days before we were meant to leave. I cant wait to go there & see all the beautiful sites, this book made me feel like I've already been visited & now I cant wait to go back!
October 27, 2022
Absolutely adored the second helping of Lexie Byrne! Caroline has this amazing sense of humour which is injected into her characters - making you laugh, cry and truly believe how real they are. I loved the first book and the second is just as funny, light-hearted and truly charming.
January 6, 2023
An easy read. Read over 2 days. Was good
May 15, 2025
Very enjoyable read. Love the humor and Lexie’s skewed view of her life.
November 2, 2022
Let me admit I marveled at these main characters, how they related to each other got me confused at first. Not wanting to be too clingy and therefor not always saying what one had on their mind... that sort of things.
However, the outcome with Lexie and the plans she had for her future, not playing by other people's rules, but her being her is what indeed made this book stick with me :)
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book.
However, the outcome with Lexie and the plans she had for her future, not playing by other people's rules, but her being her is what indeed made this book stick with me :)
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book.
January 4, 2023
Lexie Byrne is at a crossroads - she is besotted with her boyfriend Adam, but they live in different countries - oh and he still lives opposite his ex-wife with whom he has a daughter, Freya. At 41 and a quarter Lexie isn't sure whether this relationship fully brings the commitment she yearns for, and whether she should either push for more, or walk away. Supported by her best friend Annemarie this book brings other peoples influences to the foreground.....is Adam all he is promising he is, or is there more to this than meets the eye? Can Adam prove he wants everything Lexie does, or is he hiding something from her? Could her friend's worries about Lexie not being important enough to Adam hold any weight?
With a tonne of movie references, a lot of humour and a fair few twists and turns, this book was just brilliant! I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and whizzed through it in no time at all because I just couldn't put it down. The writing feels really familiar - I loved the Irish lilt to the speech and just felt like it was bring read to me by a friend.
A huge thank you to Hannah at Black & White Publishing for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review - I loved it!!
With a tonne of movie references, a lot of humour and a fair few twists and turns, this book was just brilliant! I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and whizzed through it in no time at all because I just couldn't put it down. The writing feels really familiar - I loved the Irish lilt to the speech and just felt like it was bring read to me by a friend.
A huge thank you to Hannah at Black & White Publishing for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review - I loved it!!
October 11, 2023
It's a Wonderful Life for Lexie Byrne by Caroline Grace-Cassidy is a laugh-out-loud romance during the most festive time of the year. This is the second book about Lexie Byrne, but this book can be read as a standalone, but I should definitely go back and read the first to find out more about the character. If you enjoy the likes of Marian Keyes and Sophie Kinsella, you should try this.
An unexpected love story of magical moments, Christmas surprises and life-affirming decisions. Lexie Byrne is still in a long-distance romance with super-hot Adam Cooper – but her best friend, Annemarie, is on her back about her increasing years and his lack of commitment. As Lexie anxiously awaits his plans to reunite with her for Christmas in Dublin, he surprises her with a trip to New York! Yet a startling text on Adam's phone she wasn't supposed to see has dashed all her dreams, and Lexie is forced to take an unexpected flight home. This shock to the system isn't the biggest surprise in store for Lexie Byrne, as this festive season will soon be the most memorable and life-changing event yet.
This is a very fast-paced read! There are lots of laughs, relatable romance and friendship drama and they get me in the holiday spirit in the best possible way! It explores love, loss and the nature of female friendship.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews