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South West #1
The Worst Christmas Ever?
When Shirley 'Lee' Jones returns home from an awful day at the office, the last thing she expects to find is her husband in bed with another woman. Six weeks until Christmas, and Lee finds the life she had so carefully planned has been utterly decimated.
Hurt, angry and confused, Lee makes a whirlwind decision to drive her problems away and ends up in Totnes, an eccentric town in the heart of Devon. As Christmas approaches, Lee tries to figure out what path her life will follow now, as she looks at it from the perspective of a soon-to-be 31-year-old divorcée.
Can she ever return to her normal life? Or is a new reality - and a new man - on the horizon?
Will this be the worst Christmas ever?
Hurt, angry and confused, Lee makes a whirlwind decision to drive her problems away and ends up in Totnes, an eccentric town in the heart of Devon. As Christmas approaches, Lee tries to figure out what path her life will follow now, as she looks at it from the perspective of a soon-to-be 31-year-old divorcée.
Can she ever return to her normal life? Or is a new reality - and a new man - on the horizon?
Will this be the worst Christmas ever?
233 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 1, 2022
362 people are currently reading
365 people want to read
About the author
Rebecca Paulinyi
32 books28 followersRebecca Paulinyi was born in the South West of England in February 1992. She has been writing since she was a child, starting with short stories and poems that rarely got finished. Her weekly school assignment of writing a diary about the weekend provided a perfect platform to be inventive, with Rebecca's stories revolving around the aliens living on Planet Odd.
Writing has been her passion for years, and the unfinished stories became full length novels as she became a teenager. At eighteen she left home to go to York University, studying English Language and Linguistics, and following her graduation qualified as a teacher. Alongside writing two stand alone novels and a series, Rebecca teaches in a primary school in Bristol, where she lives with her husband and dog.
More information and updates on her writing progress can be found at rebeccapaulinyi.com
Writing has been her passion for years, and the unfinished stories became full length novels as she became a teenager. At eighteen she left home to go to York University, studying English Language and Linguistics, and following her graduation qualified as a teacher. Alongside writing two stand alone novels and a series, Rebecca teaches in a primary school in Bristol, where she lives with her husband and dog.
More information and updates on her writing progress can be found at rebeccapaulinyi.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
February 22, 2023
3-ish stars
A decent read, with a rather bland and run-of-the mill story.
A decent read, with a rather bland and run-of-the mill story.
September 14, 2023
What a cute holiday read.
What starts off as the worst holiday season for her ends up being one of the greatest
I enjoyed watching Lee overcome her heartbreak and become the happy woman that she was before.
James was an absolute treasure, I absolutely adored him.
Nathan? Well he can go the f away, what an absolute douchebag!
The storyline was interesting, I found myself skimming at times but other than that I enjoyed this.
What starts off as the worst holiday season for her ends up being one of the greatest
I enjoyed watching Lee overcome her heartbreak and become the happy woman that she was before.
James was an absolute treasure, I absolutely adored him.
Nathan? Well he can go the f away, what an absolute douchebag!
The storyline was interesting, I found myself skimming at times but other than that I enjoyed this.
January 23, 2019
Fantastic feel good read
I got lost in this book and can’t wait to read her others. Jill Mansell fans will love it too
I got lost in this book and can’t wait to read her others. Jill Mansell fans will love it too
December 23, 2019
This book was a really nice quick read :) it’s basically about Lee figuring out what she is going to do with herself after finding her husband cheating.
One part I loved was that there was no unrealistic (and to be honest annoying) miscommunication which was fantastic and it made the whole story feel real compared to some of the other romances I’ve read recently. Lee is a wonderful character she’s honest, outgoing and fun.
Rebecca really got the feel for totnes on the pages and it just took me back there and realised I was a little home sick. Devon truly is amazing.
My only thing is that I wish it fully tidied up everything at the end be fully stand alone but I think that’s me. I love a stand-alone romance with every single thing tidied up and explained by the end. The fact that this isn’t in no way took away from the story but I just prefer them.
Also Gina needs her own story! I really hope this will happen at some point :)
One part I loved was that there was no unrealistic (and to be honest annoying) miscommunication which was fantastic and it made the whole story feel real compared to some of the other romances I’ve read recently. Lee is a wonderful character she’s honest, outgoing and fun.
Rebecca really got the feel for totnes on the pages and it just took me back there and realised I was a little home sick. Devon truly is amazing.
My only thing is that I wish it fully tidied up everything at the end be fully stand alone but I think that’s me. I love a stand-alone romance with every single thing tidied up and explained by the end. The fact that this isn’t in no way took away from the story but I just prefer them.
Also Gina needs her own story! I really hope this will happen at some point :)
January 7, 2020
Good
This is a book about how people in England so things and how people change life after a marrige goes wrong
This is a book about how people in England so things and how people change life after a marrige goes wrong
March 21, 2022
The Worst Christmas Ever? Christmas in Devon: South West Series Book 1 is by Rebecca Paulinyi. The love for Christmas holiday may be broken forever for Shirley (Lee) Davis Jones. What can stop this from happening?
Lee Jones was on top of the world. She had just won a big case and had been told a celebrity client was coming in on Monday to consult with her. Her business world was finally really taking off. She decided to celebrate that night with her doctor husband. They would begin to celebrate Christmas as well by watching a Christmas movie. Lee and her husband celebrated all weekend and Lee was on her way to the office when things began to go wrong. It was raining and she broke the heel on her shoe. The bus was running late making her later than normal and the client came early. She superglued her heel and hoped it would stay and opened her door to greet her client. He took one look at her and was on his phone to someone telling them to get him another lawyer, one who wasn’t a woman! He turned to Lee and told her it wasn’t her fault; but she was a woman and he wanted a male lawyer. Then he turned and walked out. Lee was stunned and even though she knew it had nothing to do with her, she felt she had failed.
After trying to work a while, she finally gave up and decided to go home early and surprise her husband before he went to work that night. She splurged on a taxi to get there on time and was happy to see that the lights were on. He wasn’t downstairs and didn’t hear her call, so she went upstairs to find him. She found him alright! In bed with a blonde! Lee was speechless and horrified. The blonde dressed and left and then Lee found her voice. She discovered the blonde was a doctor and they had been together for months. He had also had an affair with a nurse a year ago. Lee was horrified and grabbed her purse, phone, and the car keys. She left and started driving with no destination in mind. She ended up at her sister’s house.
The next morning, Lee left and started driving South. She eventually ended up in Devon and got a room. Little did she know it; but her luck would begin to change in her favor. She just had to embrace it.
Lee Jones was on top of the world. She had just won a big case and had been told a celebrity client was coming in on Monday to consult with her. Her business world was finally really taking off. She decided to celebrate that night with her doctor husband. They would begin to celebrate Christmas as well by watching a Christmas movie. Lee and her husband celebrated all weekend and Lee was on her way to the office when things began to go wrong. It was raining and she broke the heel on her shoe. The bus was running late making her later than normal and the client came early. She superglued her heel and hoped it would stay and opened her door to greet her client. He took one look at her and was on his phone to someone telling them to get him another lawyer, one who wasn’t a woman! He turned to Lee and told her it wasn’t her fault; but she was a woman and he wanted a male lawyer. Then he turned and walked out. Lee was stunned and even though she knew it had nothing to do with her, she felt she had failed.
After trying to work a while, she finally gave up and decided to go home early and surprise her husband before he went to work that night. She splurged on a taxi to get there on time and was happy to see that the lights were on. He wasn’t downstairs and didn’t hear her call, so she went upstairs to find him. She found him alright! In bed with a blonde! Lee was speechless and horrified. The blonde dressed and left and then Lee found her voice. She discovered the blonde was a doctor and they had been together for months. He had also had an affair with a nurse a year ago. Lee was horrified and grabbed her purse, phone, and the car keys. She left and started driving with no destination in mind. She ended up at her sister’s house.
The next morning, Lee left and started driving South. She eventually ended up in Devon and got a room. Little did she know it; but her luck would begin to change in her favor. She just had to embrace it.
November 16, 2025
Rebecca Paulinyi (2018) THE WORST CHRISTMAS EVER?
Kindle - Rebecca Paulinyi
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 out of 5 stars
Amazon writes, "Can the magic of the Christmas season be rediscovered in a small Devon town?
When Shirley 'Lee' Jones returns home from an awful day at the office, the last thing she expects to find is her husband in bed with another woman. Six weeks until Christmas, and Lee finds the life she had so carefully planned has been utterly decimated. Hurt, angry and confused, Lee makes a whirlwind decision to drive her problems away and ends up in Totnes, an eccentric town in the heart of Devon. As Christmas approaches, Lee tries to figure out what path her life will follow now, as she looks at it from the perspective of a soon-to-be 31-year-old divorcée. Can she ever return to her normal life? Or is a new reality - and a new man - on the horizon? Finding herself and flirting with the handsome local police officer might just make this the best Christmas ever."
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LOVED THIS! LOVED EVERYTHING ABOUT IT!
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#RebeccaPaulinyi #TheWorstChristmasEver #Book #Books #Read #Reads #Reading #Review #Reviews #BookReview #BookReviews #GoodReads #Kindle
Kindle - Rebecca Paulinyi
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 out of 5 stars
Amazon writes, "Can the magic of the Christmas season be rediscovered in a small Devon town?
When Shirley 'Lee' Jones returns home from an awful day at the office, the last thing she expects to find is her husband in bed with another woman. Six weeks until Christmas, and Lee finds the life she had so carefully planned has been utterly decimated. Hurt, angry and confused, Lee makes a whirlwind decision to drive her problems away and ends up in Totnes, an eccentric town in the heart of Devon. As Christmas approaches, Lee tries to figure out what path her life will follow now, as she looks at it from the perspective of a soon-to-be 31-year-old divorcée. Can she ever return to her normal life? Or is a new reality - and a new man - on the horizon? Finding herself and flirting with the handsome local police officer might just make this the best Christmas ever."
=====
LOVED THIS! LOVED EVERYTHING ABOUT IT!
=====
#RebeccaPaulinyi #TheWorstChristmasEver #Book #Books #Read #Reads #Reading #Review #Reviews #BookReview #BookReviews #GoodReads #Kindle
September 25, 2023
A gorgeous feel-good Christmas romance. I absolutely loved that the book was set in Totnes and enjoyed the references to Bristol and Dartmouth. Having been to all of these places, Rebecca captured the essence perfectly, especially the quirks of Totnes.
Lee and the love interest were just lovely, and the romance was 'chefs kiss' Rebecca wote the romance scenes perfectly and there was plenty of them. It's the first Christmas book that I've read this year and it's definitely got me in the festive mood.
The story was simple yet effective and I enjoyed Lee's journey as she stepped outside of her comfort zone and went with her gut instincts, something we all should do more often.
This story is a lovely, cosy, hug in a book. The perfect novel to snuggle up with and cheer you up on a cold, dreary day.
Lee and the love interest were just lovely, and the romance was 'chefs kiss' Rebecca wote the romance scenes perfectly and there was plenty of them. It's the first Christmas book that I've read this year and it's definitely got me in the festive mood.
The story was simple yet effective and I enjoyed Lee's journey as she stepped outside of her comfort zone and went with her gut instincts, something we all should do more often.
This story is a lovely, cosy, hug in a book. The perfect novel to snuggle up with and cheer you up on a cold, dreary day.
December 23, 2023
1⭐️ - I honestly should have DNF'ed this book around the 20% mark, but I kept on thinking it would get better, but it didn't and I hate it. Am I supposed to be charmed that within 6 weeks a successful woman gives up her entire life to life in a magical town she stumbles upon when her trash husband cheats on her. It felt so unbelievable and unnecessary, witihin a couple of weeks she has found a new business to invest in, a new best friend, a friend group, a new boyfriend and a place to live.
Completely abandoning her place of work (one that she has worked hard for) and her partners there, and makes no moves to work out her life, just ups and leaves. Also, the love interest doesn't turn up until the 30% mark, which is odd.
I don't know why, but the whole thing just rubbed me the wrong way.
Completely abandoning her place of work (one that she has worked hard for) and her partners there, and makes no moves to work out her life, just ups and leaves. Also, the love interest doesn't turn up until the 30% mark, which is odd.
I don't know why, but the whole thing just rubbed me the wrong way.
March 1, 2021
A light romantic read with loveable characters in a quaint English village.
Shirley "Lee" is a partner in a law firm in Bristol, happily married hoping for children some day soon, till she walks in on her husband with another woman.
Lee leaves her house drives all night eventually arrives in Totnes a small seaside village.
She meets Gina who has a spare room so Lee stays hoping to sort her future out.
At a local cafe the owner is retiring putting the lease up for sale, so after some thought Lee buys the lease hiring Gina to help her.
What is the future for Lee, does she stay or does she go.
Great characters lovely romantic book.
Shirley "Lee" is a partner in a law firm in Bristol, happily married hoping for children some day soon, till she walks in on her husband with another woman.
Lee leaves her house drives all night eventually arrives in Totnes a small seaside village.
She meets Gina who has a spare room so Lee stays hoping to sort her future out.
At a local cafe the owner is retiring putting the lease up for sale, so after some thought Lee buys the lease hiring Gina to help her.
What is the future for Lee, does she stay or does she go.
Great characters lovely romantic book.
December 20, 2020
I actually picked this book for a #winterwarmer readalong challenge and was glad I did. It is the story of our lead, who, on a whim, ups and leaves everything she knows, ending up in a small town that, for me, was almost a character in itself! I loved the warmth of this book, and the ever day details of a wonderful cafe with wonderful people which of course matches the festiveness! All in all definitely recommended!
Rating:4.5/5
Rating:4.5/5
December 2, 2024
I grabbed THE WORST CHRISTMAS EVER at a SYK event and am glad I discovered this author. This was a fun book that opened with lots of drama. Lee is a high-powered attorney married to a doctor. They don’t get lots of time together and one day, Lee comes home to find her husband in bed with another woman. She escapes to the countryside in Devon for the night and winds up semi running away from her life for a while and having a Christmas romance. This was cute! 4/5 stars.
December 23, 2020
What a great book to read at this time of the year (December/Christmas). Lee’s story is so good and it has a happy ending too. The story line just flows effortlessly and I just couldn’t put the book down. I wanted to know what was going to happen next! I can’t wait to read more of this author’s books.
October 16, 2022
When you need some lighter fare, some feel-good reading with no angst, this book does it. A quick read, too, when you just need a pick-me-up between heavier tomes. I like that this ‘romance’ novel is well-written, heady but not steamy, and has colorful, believable, decently developed characters. And, it’s England. What’s a better setting than the English coast? (Well, maybe Ireland…)
February 20, 2023
I picked this up because it was available on Kindle Unlimited, relatively short, and it worked for a reading challenge I was participating in. It was such a cute story! This is why I love reading challenges. I would probably never have discovered this fun little book, but now that I have, I want to finish the series.
December 7, 2025
Festive and Romantic
Lee has it all; a law firm partnership before she's thirty, the house of her dreams, and a surgeon husband. Now, all she wants is a baby and a joyful Christmas. But then she gets home early...
A wonderful Christmas romance, plenty of festive feels, and a magical Christmas amongst heartbreak and strife.
A complete story in itself, but there is a sequel, too.
Lee has it all; a law firm partnership before she's thirty, the house of her dreams, and a surgeon husband. Now, all she wants is a baby and a joyful Christmas. But then she gets home early...
A wonderful Christmas romance, plenty of festive feels, and a magical Christmas amongst heartbreak and strife.
A complete story in itself, but there is a sequel, too.
September 15, 2021
Betrayal
A lovely story of life changing events for a female lawyer in England. I have visited Devon many times and am familiar with Bristol, Totnes, and Dartmouth. This enhanced my enjoyment of this book.
A lovely story of life changing events for a female lawyer in England. I have visited Devon many times and am familiar with Bristol, Totnes, and Dartmouth. This enhanced my enjoyment of this book.
October 11, 2022
A Nice Happy Read
It’s just a nice feel good book. The good characters are good and the bad ones are bad. You can predict the ending but who cares. The characters are people you have come to care about.
It’s just a nice feel good book. The good characters are good and the bad ones are bad. You can predict the ending but who cares. The characters are people you have come to care about.
December 15, 2022
Best Christmas ever
This is a great read. When I started it I wasn't sure if I could stick with it. But the drama & the pace picked up and I'm glad I stayed with it. There are a few typos, but nothing distracting. I recommend this book for everyone looking for a Christmas read
This is a great read. When I started it I wasn't sure if I could stick with it. But the drama & the pace picked up and I'm glad I stayed with it. There are a few typos, but nothing distracting. I recommend this book for everyone looking for a Christmas read
October 15, 2023
Estoy media ebria? Si, me pareció una cagada el final, no me elaboraron nada... Todo mal, me costó leerlo, pero pensé que era yo, igual está linda toda la superación de la principal pero no se, no me gustó
December 31, 2024
I know her husband cheats but it didn't feel like the worst Christmas ever. And it was all a bit surface (probably cos it's for Christmas) but this made it not a must read for me. It's OK. And it's nice to read a UK based novel.
June 15, 2020
Awesome
This was a really good book. Sometimes you just need to go where your heart takes you and start again.
This was a really good book. Sometimes you just need to go where your heart takes you and start again.
July 8, 2020
Christmas Wishes
A heartwarming story with lovable characters. Lee showed us that heartbreak can sometimes lead us in a very different direction.
A heartwarming story with lovable characters. Lee showed us that heartbreak can sometimes lead us in a very different direction.
July 26, 2020
An enjoyable story, not sure I’m happy with it continuing in book 2.
September 22, 2020
A feel good read which was slow to start, at one point I was tempted to give up on the book, glad I didn’t though.
December 15, 2020
Enjoyed that looking forward to the next
December 24, 2020
Worst Christmas Ever?
I really enjoyed this book! Finished it on Dec. 23rd evening. I will be looking for the next book in the series.
I really enjoyed this book! Finished it on Dec. 23rd evening. I will be looking for the next book in the series.
September 12, 2021
Great Christmas!
One of the very best Christmas romance books I've read. I'd like to read about how their life continued on and if Lee stayed in Totnes.
One of the very best Christmas romance books I've read. I'd like to read about how their life continued on and if Lee stayed in Totnes.
November 6, 2021
This was such a cute story! I absolutely loved Lee, Gina, and James! Already have book 2 downloaded to start after the holiday season 🎄🎅🏼
January 4, 2022
Worst Christmas?
I’ glad everything worked out for Lee and James. I kinda grew to love the town of Totnes too. I want to read the rest of the series
I’ glad everything worked out for Lee and James. I kinda grew to love the town of Totnes too. I want to read the rest of the series
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews