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There's Something about Christmas
Emma Collins has always believed that the world is divided into two kinds of people: those who love fruitcake and those who don't. She's firmly in the second category, so it's ironic that her major assignment for the Puyallup, Washington, Examiner is a series of articles about . . . fruitcake. At least it's a step up from writing obituaries.
Her task is to interview the finalists in a fruitcake recipe contest, and that means traveling around the state. Actually... flying around the state. Local pilot Oliver Hamilton, who's starting an airfreight business, has agreed to take her wherever she needs to go, in exchange for free advertising. Unfortunately Emma hates small planes-almost as much as she hates fruitcake.
But in the weeks leading up to Christmas, Emma falls for Oliver (who's not quite the Scrooge he sometimes seems) and his mutt, Oscar (who's allergic to her perfume, which makes him sneeze repeatedly). And she meets three wise women who know a lot about fruitcake-and even more about life.
Her task is to interview the finalists in a fruitcake recipe contest, and that means traveling around the state. Actually... flying around the state. Local pilot Oliver Hamilton, who's starting an airfreight business, has agreed to take her wherever she needs to go, in exchange for free advertising. Unfortunately Emma hates small planes-almost as much as she hates fruitcake.
But in the weeks leading up to Christmas, Emma falls for Oliver (who's not quite the Scrooge he sometimes seems) and his mutt, Oscar (who's allergic to her perfume, which makes him sneeze repeatedly). And she meets three wise women who know a lot about fruitcake-and even more about life.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 2005
389 people are currently reading
3318 people want to read
About the author
Debbie Macomber
914 books20.7k followersDebbie Macomber is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and one of today’s most popular writers with more than 200 million copies of her books in print worldwide. In her novels, Macomber brings to life compelling relationships that embrace family and enduring friendships, uplifting her readers with stories of connection and hope. Macomber’s novels have spent over 1,000 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Fifteen of these novels hit the number one spot.
In 2023, Macomber’s all-new hardcover publication includes Must Love Flowers (July). In addition to fiction, Macomber has also published three bestselling cookbooks, three adult coloring books, numerous inspirational and nonfiction works, and two acclaimed children’s books.
Celebrated as “the official storyteller of Christmas”, Macomber’s annual Christmas books are beloved and six have been crafted into original Hallmark Channel movies. Macomber is also the author of the bestselling Cedar Cove Series which the Hallmark Channel chose as the basis for its first dramatic scripted television series. Debuting in 2013, Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove was a ratings favorite for three seasons.
She serves on the Guideposts National Advisory Cabinet, is a YFC National Ambassador, and is World Vision’s international spokesperson for their Knit for Kids charity initiative. A devoted grandmother, Debbie and Wayne live in Port Orchard, Washington, the town which inspired the Cedar Cove series.
In 2023, Macomber’s all-new hardcover publication includes Must Love Flowers (July). In addition to fiction, Macomber has also published three bestselling cookbooks, three adult coloring books, numerous inspirational and nonfiction works, and two acclaimed children’s books.
Celebrated as “the official storyteller of Christmas”, Macomber’s annual Christmas books are beloved and six have been crafted into original Hallmark Channel movies. Macomber is also the author of the bestselling Cedar Cove Series which the Hallmark Channel chose as the basis for its first dramatic scripted television series. Debuting in 2013, Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove was a ratings favorite for three seasons.
She serves on the Guideposts National Advisory Cabinet, is a YFC National Ambassador, and is World Vision’s international spokesperson for their Knit for Kids charity initiative. A devoted grandmother, Debbie and Wayne live in Port Orchard, Washington, the town which inspired the Cedar Cove series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 358 reviews
November 16, 2020
Gilmore Girls Read A Thon: Takes place in a small town
This book gives exactly what you want out of a Christmas romance.
- Its sweet
- Its wholesome
- The guy is adorable
- And it has recipes(if you like fruitcake)
You can rarely go wrong with a Debbie Macomber Christmas story!
This book gives exactly what you want out of a Christmas romance.
- Its sweet
- Its wholesome
- The guy is adorable
- And it has recipes(if you like fruitcake)
You can rarely go wrong with a Debbie Macomber Christmas story!
July 5, 2018
I mean what can I say I completely surprised myself, I went into this book not very interested and hating Oliver with a passion and I was so completely and utterly wrong because 1. This book is beautiful and 2. Oliver is just so romantic.
I will not give spoilers because I think that ruins a book however what I will say is that the ending may make you cry because it is such a happy ending. I mean Emma hated Christmas after (a little spoiler) her mum died. It is a really interesting read and it just felt like Christmas, and I’m not a fan of Christmas.
I agree that romance doesn’t have to mean diamond rings, fancy restaurants, expensive gifts and roses. Romance can be anything. Anything big or small like buying your newly adopted dog food, bringing you some pizza and cola when you’re feeling down. Even buying a Christmas tree and flying you to meet your candidates for an article that you are doing. Hell even holding hands is really romantic.
Like Emma i sort of hate the holiday season purely because since I was 15 Christmas hasn’t been nice in my family, it’s just not very festive and we aren’t exactly the closest anymore, not since my dad and brother moved out and my mum always verbally abuses everyone. Mind you it’s been bad way before that. Anyway all it takes it for somebody to care for you in ways you can’t imagine to bring the spirit back.
I feel like the back cover of the book was a little off though because it says “Oliver is the biggest scrooge Emma’s ever met.” I think that is wrong because it’s the other way around. I don’t actually want to spoil anything more about these two characters so I’m going to move on to the other thing that interested me.
Which is the three Washington state residents that have placed in the good homemaking magazine’s national fruitcake contest.
There is;
Earleen’s (Earleen Williams) masterpiece fruitcake (ingredients listen in book and method)
Which is an alcohol infused fruitcake - She had three broken marriages that inspired her to make fruitcake.
Sophie McKay’s chocolate fruitcake (ingredients listen in book and method)
She started making fruitcakes after the love of her life who died in the war loved them and wanted her to carry on making them (she used his favourite ingredients chocolate, coconut and almonds) she never remarried because he was already the love of her life. Her passion is cats, flowers and fruitcakes. She is also my favourite candidate and I wish she had won
And Peggy Lucas’s no - bake fruitcake with marshmallows (ingredients listen in book and method)
She started making fruitcakes because of her four children (she married young and is still happily married). Basically isn’t a no bake method because her kids wanted them straight after she made them.
I find all of these women to be interesting and nice. I would have loved to hear more about them.
I am not a fan of fruitcake, never have been but I think if I was to ever get the chance to make the fruitcake that contains chocolate, almonds/ peacons and coconuts I would absolutely adore it. (Some of my favourite ingredients too.)
* if my grammar is slightly off it’s because I am rushing this review so I can take the book back to the library.
I will not give spoilers because I think that ruins a book however what I will say is that the ending may make you cry because it is such a happy ending. I mean Emma hated Christmas after (a little spoiler) her mum died. It is a really interesting read and it just felt like Christmas, and I’m not a fan of Christmas.
I agree that romance doesn’t have to mean diamond rings, fancy restaurants, expensive gifts and roses. Romance can be anything. Anything big or small like buying your newly adopted dog food, bringing you some pizza and cola when you’re feeling down. Even buying a Christmas tree and flying you to meet your candidates for an article that you are doing. Hell even holding hands is really romantic.
Like Emma i sort of hate the holiday season purely because since I was 15 Christmas hasn’t been nice in my family, it’s just not very festive and we aren’t exactly the closest anymore, not since my dad and brother moved out and my mum always verbally abuses everyone. Mind you it’s been bad way before that. Anyway all it takes it for somebody to care for you in ways you can’t imagine to bring the spirit back.
I feel like the back cover of the book was a little off though because it says “Oliver is the biggest scrooge Emma’s ever met.” I think that is wrong because it’s the other way around. I don’t actually want to spoil anything more about these two characters so I’m going to move on to the other thing that interested me.
Which is the three Washington state residents that have placed in the good homemaking magazine’s national fruitcake contest.
There is;
Earleen’s (Earleen Williams) masterpiece fruitcake (ingredients listen in book and method)
Which is an alcohol infused fruitcake - She had three broken marriages that inspired her to make fruitcake.
Sophie McKay’s chocolate fruitcake (ingredients listen in book and method)
She started making fruitcakes after the love of her life who died in the war loved them and wanted her to carry on making them (she used his favourite ingredients chocolate, coconut and almonds) she never remarried because he was already the love of her life. Her passion is cats, flowers and fruitcakes. She is also my favourite candidate and I wish she had won
And Peggy Lucas’s no - bake fruitcake with marshmallows (ingredients listen in book and method)
She started making fruitcakes because of her four children (she married young and is still happily married). Basically isn’t a no bake method because her kids wanted them straight after she made them.
I find all of these women to be interesting and nice. I would have loved to hear more about them.
I am not a fan of fruitcake, never have been but I think if I was to ever get the chance to make the fruitcake that contains chocolate, almonds/ peacons and coconuts I would absolutely adore it. (Some of my favourite ingredients too.)
* if my grammar is slightly off it’s because I am rushing this review so I can take the book back to the library.
November 23, 2024
Cute Christmas romance with a lot of fruitcake, a stray dog gets rescued, lots of warm and fuzzy feelings.
November 18, 2017
A sweet Christmas story that makes you feel all warm and gooey inside.
November 15, 2009
Fun story with some fruitcake recipes if you are so inclined to try to make one! The book does tempt you to try fruitcake. I may just make one this Christmas!
December 28, 2013
I've always enjoyed reading Christmas Romances to escape the annoying and stressful real-life things that come with the Holidays. There's Something About Christmas, by Debbie Macomber was an excellent Christmas read, packed with humor and romance. I absolutely loved this story.
Emma Collins is a bit of a scrooge... She hates Christmas, hates Christmas tress, hates Christmas lights, and she certainly hates fruit cake. So when her boss gives her the assignment to interview fruitcake recipe finalists for her job at the Examiner, she could really just scream. When she finds out this job involves flying in a small plane around the state, she really does scream...
Pilot Oliver Hamilton has offered to fly Emma around the state in exchange for free advertising of his airfreight business. He's never heard a woman complain more about anything in his life, and to top things off, his dog and constant companion Oscar is allergic to Emma's perfume. In the weeks leading up to Christmas, they begin to warm to each other. Emma thaws out considerably, she learns a few life lessons from the women she interviews, and she even begins to enjoy fruitcake! Her mother was always right, there really is something about Christmas!
5 stars!
December 9, 2020
3,5 stars
Okay, so I read this book in less than 24 hours. I think this is a record for me...at least in the last five years or so. I guess I was desperately in need of some Christmas cheer. Debbie Macomber has become something of a Christmas tradition for me. Every year, in anticipation of the festive season I like to read Christmas stories and those always include at least one book by this author because I know she's a super fan of Christmas.
This book had two different and completely unrelated stories: There's Something About Christmas (3 stars) and Shirley, Goodness and Me (as a bonus story - 4 stars).
Although both stories were heartwarming and exactly what I expected to celebrate the jolly season, I believe that the first story featuring Emma Collins and Oliver Hamilton was somewhat rushed, especially in the first few chapters. Oliver's interest in Emma was super sudden and actually kind of weird, if you ask me. It seemed completely out of context and I really wasn't that happy with this beginning. Other than that, the story flowed nicely and it was as sweet as I'd hoped, so the author redeemed herself throughout this cute love story.
Shirley, Goodness and Mercy was a completely different story and one which I very much enjoyed. Shirley, Goodness and Mercy are 3 angels that live on Heaven. Their boss Archangel Gabriel sometimes allows them to go to Earth on missions. These missions basically are tentatives to redeem certain despicable human beings and this particular mission had a clear goal: to help steer Greg Bennett in the right direction. This was a super satisfying tale of redemption which I enjoyed very much.
I'll definitely be reading more Debbie Macomber while I wait for Christmas, so stay tuned.
Okay, so I read this book in less than 24 hours. I think this is a record for me...at least in the last five years or so. I guess I was desperately in need of some Christmas cheer. Debbie Macomber has become something of a Christmas tradition for me. Every year, in anticipation of the festive season I like to read Christmas stories and those always include at least one book by this author because I know she's a super fan of Christmas.
This book had two different and completely unrelated stories: There's Something About Christmas (3 stars) and Shirley, Goodness and Me (as a bonus story - 4 stars).
Although both stories were heartwarming and exactly what I expected to celebrate the jolly season, I believe that the first story featuring Emma Collins and Oliver Hamilton was somewhat rushed, especially in the first few chapters. Oliver's interest in Emma was super sudden and actually kind of weird, if you ask me. It seemed completely out of context and I really wasn't that happy with this beginning. Other than that, the story flowed nicely and it was as sweet as I'd hoped, so the author redeemed herself throughout this cute love story.
Shirley, Goodness and Mercy was a completely different story and one which I very much enjoyed. Shirley, Goodness and Mercy are 3 angels that live on Heaven. Their boss Archangel Gabriel sometimes allows them to go to Earth on missions. These missions basically are tentatives to redeem certain despicable human beings and this particular mission had a clear goal: to help steer Greg Bennett in the right direction. This was a super satisfying tale of redemption which I enjoyed very much.
I'll definitely be reading more Debbie Macomber while I wait for Christmas, so stay tuned.
January 30, 2025
I really wanted to read this book ahen I first saw this on Instagram and I was not wrong..waited a long time to finally read it on Christmas and it was all warm, fuzy and happy feeling.
The most interest about this book is Emma dosen't like Christmas. She was sent on assignment to interview the finalists of a Fruitcake competition participants but she doesn't like fruitcakes either. Moreover, she has fly to these small towns which is also not her favourite mode of transport.
While reading she reminds me of Ebenezer Scrooge though more polite and clam.
While interviewing she finds out how each and every recipe is special and made with love for their loved ones. While doing all these we can see love also knocking on her door which she keeps on ignoring and ignoring but lastly accepts and that led to a happy ending.
Honestly it is warm, fuzzy, romantic read..loved the interview parts more than Emma's own lovestory. Felt a little bit streching at some points but hey it's Christmas and holidays so that's perfectly all right.
Got an another story as bonus with this one without any name..Thank Debbie Macomber for the additional one..
The most interest about this book is Emma dosen't like Christmas. She was sent on assignment to interview the finalists of a Fruitcake competition participants but she doesn't like fruitcakes either. Moreover, she has fly to these small towns which is also not her favourite mode of transport.
While reading she reminds me of Ebenezer Scrooge though more polite and clam.
While interviewing she finds out how each and every recipe is special and made with love for their loved ones. While doing all these we can see love also knocking on her door which she keeps on ignoring and ignoring but lastly accepts and that led to a happy ending.
Honestly it is warm, fuzzy, romantic read..loved the interview parts more than Emma's own lovestory. Felt a little bit streching at some points but hey it's Christmas and holidays so that's perfectly all right.
Got an another story as bonus with this one without any name..Thank Debbie Macomber for the additional one..
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 12, 2024
Simple and sweet.
December 5, 2021
Completely unrealistic and cheesy as all get up!
Loved it!!!
Loved it!!!
December 16, 2019
2.5**
Emma Collins is a journalist for a small-town newspaper. Oliver Hamilton is a charming pilot who’s agreed to fly her to various Washington cities so she can interview the three finalists in a national fruitcake contest. This is her big chance to prove she can do more than write obituaries and sell advertising space. But she’s afraid to fly. And she’s put off by Oliver’s attempts to charm her. Still, she can’t deny the spark between them.
It’s a Debbie Macomber Christmas story, cue the music and the snowflakes, grab some hot chocolate and enjoy the holiday romance. It’s a fun, fast read, if totally predictable.
Emma Collins is a journalist for a small-town newspaper. Oliver Hamilton is a charming pilot who’s agreed to fly her to various Washington cities so she can interview the three finalists in a national fruitcake contest. This is her big chance to prove she can do more than write obituaries and sell advertising space. But she’s afraid to fly. And she’s put off by Oliver’s attempts to charm her. Still, she can’t deny the spark between them.
It’s a Debbie Macomber Christmas story, cue the music and the snowflakes, grab some hot chocolate and enjoy the holiday romance. It’s a fun, fast read, if totally predictable.
December 6, 2014
I love Debbie Macomber but unfortunately I was a little disappointed in this book. If you like & make fruitcakes for the holiday good thing is there are 3 recipes.
January 6, 2025
DNF. I'm finding my tolerance for narcissists (or at least men who take "no" as a challenge and invitation) as love interests to be rapidly dwindling.
November 24, 2020
I think this was one of the best I read, just because of the main message. One being celebrating memories instead of running from reminders of lost loved ones. And secondly, most importantly, who cares about romantic gestures like flowers and chocolate, when you can have ordinary romance like help in times of need and other regular positive things we can take for granted in a partner!
*I also liked that it had recipes, I will at least try one of them!
*I also liked that it had recipes, I will at least try one of them!
December 13, 2024
The newspaper reporter interviewing the finalists for the best fruitcake contest in the nation was the highlight of the book. I enjoyed each of them and though I will never make fruitcake I enjoyed the different recipes. Oliver was an unlikable character and I found the romance not very believable. Emma’s switch from hating him to loving him was not that convincing as to why she would suddenly make this change. I enjoyed the character of Emma as well.
November 25, 2022
This was a cute little Christmas read. I always enjoy Debbie Macomber’s Christmas books. This was an older one, but quite enjoyable. It was also pretty funny in spots, and I loved the little letter she wrote in the front of the book which said that almost all the mishaps that happened to her character really happened to DM in real life!
December 30, 2022
Read as the first of a three book collection. This was ok, but I don’t really enjoy the ‘not interested’ switch to ‘can’t possibly resist him’ for no good reason. The rest of the story was better than the romance :)
September 21, 2017
A nice read.
November 23, 2019
Struggled to get into this .
December 11, 2020
Really enjoyed this!
January 3, 2025
3.5 Stars
November 6, 2019
There’s Something About Christmas by Debbie Macomber is a delightful, fun-filled contemporary romance and just perfect to get you into the festive spirit.
The book surrounds a fruit cake competition which includes recipes that I am dying to try – you cannot beat a good fruit cake.
Christmas is a time of good will and memories. Sometimes our memories make us sad as our loved ones are no longer here and we feel like hiding away. We need to take a risk, be vulnerable and make new memories.
Fear holds us back. Sometimes in life, we just have to ‘do it afraid.’
I loved the inclusion of two little dogs. Dogs always warm hearts.
Debbie Macomber has perfectly captured the essence of Christmas in a book. It was a totally charming read.
The book surrounds a fruit cake competition which includes recipes that I am dying to try – you cannot beat a good fruit cake.
Christmas is a time of good will and memories. Sometimes our memories make us sad as our loved ones are no longer here and we feel like hiding away. We need to take a risk, be vulnerable and make new memories.
Fear holds us back. Sometimes in life, we just have to ‘do it afraid.’
I loved the inclusion of two little dogs. Dogs always warm hearts.
Debbie Macomber has perfectly captured the essence of Christmas in a book. It was a totally charming read.
November 21, 2017
There’s Something About Christmas
By Debbie Macomber
In the vein of an advertisement-this book is small, cute and sweet, just the type you want to read at this season with its busy-ness. Perfecto Plus! In addition to providing recipes for fruitcakes, the heroine discovers she likes fruitcake, which I enjoy too.
Debbie Macomber has struck gold with this book, yes, I know she had knitting patterns in her Blossom Street books, but the patterns were blah and even the little brochure you could buy at a knitting shop with her patterns were not an improvement-but this-WOW. I cannot wait to gather up the ingredients after Thanksgiving!
The story revolves around a cub reporter, Emma, sent out to interview the finalist for a fruitcake context in the state of Washington. Emma is afraid of flying and must be flown by a friend of the publisher from place to place. Oliver, is an experienced pilot and dog lover, later to be deemed a romantic. In Emma’s travels she adopts a dog, learns how to forgive and love. This is a perfect Christmas book for a gift!
By Debbie Macomber
In the vein of an advertisement-this book is small, cute and sweet, just the type you want to read at this season with its busy-ness. Perfecto Plus! In addition to providing recipes for fruitcakes, the heroine discovers she likes fruitcake, which I enjoy too.
Debbie Macomber has struck gold with this book, yes, I know she had knitting patterns in her Blossom Street books, but the patterns were blah and even the little brochure you could buy at a knitting shop with her patterns were not an improvement-but this-WOW. I cannot wait to gather up the ingredients after Thanksgiving!
The story revolves around a cub reporter, Emma, sent out to interview the finalist for a fruitcake context in the state of Washington. Emma is afraid of flying and must be flown by a friend of the publisher from place to place. Oliver, is an experienced pilot and dog lover, later to be deemed a romantic. In Emma’s travels she adopts a dog, learns how to forgive and love. This is a perfect Christmas book for a gift!
January 11, 2024
A light and comforting Christmas story.
Something everyone needs to feel warm and cozy around Christmas time.
Something everyone needs to feel warm and cozy around Christmas time.
November 16, 2025
I already feel like such a Scrooge for writing this review. I typically love Debbie Macomber’s Christmas books. They’re warm, funny, cute and get me in the Christmas spirit. When I read the jacket for this book, I was excited about the premise. It was different from the other Christmas books and I was looking forward to reading it, but it just wasn’t for me.
Despite being about Christmas, the book wasn’t as Christmassy as her other offerings. And though the book moved quickly, it lacked detail and not a lot happened. Maybe my own expectations got in the way, because I looked forward to Emma meeting the women who created the fruitcakes and speaking to them about their fruitcakes, and then rounding out the story into something more. There was nothing more. In the span of close to 300 pages, that was all that happened. She met three women and talked to them about fruitcake, but that only took up a few chapters of the book and the rest was about Emma and Oliver. The concept was unique and there was so much she could have done with it, but just didn’t.
None of the main characters were likable, witty or charming. Both of the leads seemed extremely immature for their ages and the book comes across more as two people arguing for the majority of the book than being the enemies to lovers kind of flirty. It was exhausting. I wasn’t rooting for them. I almost DNFed the book a few times due to this. I loved reading about the women and their fruitcake, and the dogs stole the show, but I wanted to enjoy the relationship between Emma and Oliver and just couldn’t. It was a chore to get through a lot of their conversations, and I almost didn’t make it past page 208.
Though I love all things cheesy when it comes to Christmas, the cheesiness was so far over the top that it suspended reality. It seemed like a weird, unnecessary choice for a story this simplistic. The plot doesn't make a lot of sense when you realize that it took place over a couple of weeks. This book also does one thing that always grinds my gears, and I know this is just me being pedantic. Frequently, people will refer to Oliver by his first and last name for no reason or just by his last name. It rotates between the two throughout the book. There’s only one character named Oliver, so there’s no reason for this. It made the conversations seem unrealistic and forced, because I don’t know anyone who refers to someone in their fold by their first and their last name during casual conversation.
The book never really dives into who the characters are beyond the surface level. Most of what you know about them comes through their dialogue, and both were unlikable in their own way. Emma spends much of the book talking about her mother’s relationships and failures to the point where I felt like we got to know her mother much better than we ever got to know her. In fact, she seems so obsessed with her mother’s relationship that she can’t seem to have her own. She constantly beats herself up for being like her mother when she starts to like Oliver, but she goes from hating him to loving him in the span of a chapter, with little explanation as to why. There’s no buildup or him slowly starting to win her over. She just loves him. She’s known him less than two weeks.
At one point, Oliver drops her off at her house, and instead of staying he leaves to go do something. She starts telling us about her mother again and how she watched her mom pander after men for attention, and she wasn’t going to do that. She wouldn’t take the scraps of time he was willing to give her. Girl, he has a life of his own. He is allowed to go off and do something. This is a leap so wide that it could cross the great divide. You are the furthest thing from accepting the table scraps he’s willing to feed you when all he did was…go to do something on his own. When you’re not dating and you’re still acting like you hate him, nonetheless.
There’s a passage where Oliver’s mom talks about Emma’s articles and how much she loved them. She also speaks on Emma being so wise to compare fruitcake to life lessons. The thing is, Emma didn’t really do that on her own. The ladies she was interviewing made their own parallels and then Emma just shared them in her writing. There was hardly anything wise about it. I wasn’t sure what Debbie was trying to convey here, because it didn’t really jive for me.
I was shocked to read some of the reviews and see that so many people liked Oliver and found him romantic. There is nothing romantic or nice about Oliver. Boundaries? He’s never heard of them. The word no? It doesn’t apply to him. In fact, it’s a challenge. Respect? What’s that? He also likes to frame himself as the victim. Emma doesn’t want to do what he wants? Women, man. They’re so difficult. It’s not his fault, of course, but you should feel bad for him because he didn’t get what he wanted. He’s self involved, wants what he wants, feels he can argue his way into it, and everything he does has some sort of price tag attached to it. Yes, he does do a few nice things for Emma and pretends to be her hero, but it’s never just to do something nice for her.
For instance, he brought Emma a Christmas tree. She had told him numerous times she doesn’t celebrate Christmas, nor does she want to, and that she doesn’t decorate. Bringing her a tree she doesn’t want is not a nice thing to do. Respecting that she doesn’t want to do Christmas is. He then has the audacity to be upset that she shoved the tree in a corner instead of making it the centerpiece in the room and decorating it. You mean the tree she didn’t want? That you shoved on her? And this is written as if it’s some great, romantic gesture.
The two aren’t even dating when he asks her to Christmas with his family, misrepresenting the relationship with Emma to his mom, because he’s so egotistical that he knows they’ll be dating by Christmas, which is just a few short days away. (Spoiler alert, they are.) Emma tells him no, and I agree with her. She’s known the guy maybe two weeks at this point, and he’s asking her to dinner with his family on a holiday she doesn’t want to celebrate. Of course he doesn’t take no for an answer. Instead, he decides that this is a huge deal for him. She can’t possibly not do Christmas when Christmas is the holiday for his family, so he must convince her to go. Because God forbid someone says no to him and he respects that. To make matters worse, Emma’s best friend Phoebe jumps on her about how she’s in the wrong for saying no. Maybe I’m missing something, but this doesn’t sound like a normal scenario to me. I don’t know anyone who wouldn’t find it a little strange that a man I’ve known for maybe two weeks and am not dating is asking me to a get together with his family for a holiday I don't want to celebrate.
There’s also a part in the book where Oliver tries to show Emma how to be persuasive so she can sell more ads for the paper. In order to do this, he goes up to and convinces a guy to pay for his meal. Only, he does absolutely nothing charming or kind to convince this guy. He tells the guy he forgot his wallet, acts humble and the guy offers him the money. He got lucky, so him waxing poetic about how persuasive of a person he is and acting like he’s teaching Emma a lesson is ludicrous.
Overall, there’s no reason anyone should like Oliver as a person. There’s nothing nice about him. I don’t care how handsome he is, nobody is going to fall all over a guy who acts like this. I’d like to think women could see right through him. If he had done things for Emma that she had expressed she’d like a man to do, or he’d respected her boundaries, I’d be down for that. I don’t know if he ever once listened to or respected what she was actually saying to him, but he did spend a ton of time working hard to convince her into what he wanted and decided was romantic. This guy shouldn’t be anyone’s hero.
The rate in which the relationships moved could give you whiplash. Within six months of knowing Oliver, he and Emma were married. Within a year she was already pregnant. Phoebe was dating Walt for three months when they got engaged. A lot of realism went out the window at this point. It’s a cheesy Christmas book, and I understand that. That’s why I could see one relationship with a quick timeline, but both? The book just normalized it like this is what people do.
I wanted to like this book so gosh darn much, and maybe with a more mature female lead who paved her own path and didn’t spend most of her time stuck on her mother’s relationships, and a man who was actually worth being in love with, it would have been better. I never thought I’d say this, but I wish the book was more about the fruitcake contest and less about of everything else. Two stars because of the awesome fruitcake ladies and the dogs.
Despite being about Christmas, the book wasn’t as Christmassy as her other offerings. And though the book moved quickly, it lacked detail and not a lot happened. Maybe my own expectations got in the way, because I looked forward to Emma meeting the women who created the fruitcakes and speaking to them about their fruitcakes, and then rounding out the story into something more. There was nothing more. In the span of close to 300 pages, that was all that happened. She met three women and talked to them about fruitcake, but that only took up a few chapters of the book and the rest was about Emma and Oliver. The concept was unique and there was so much she could have done with it, but just didn’t.
None of the main characters were likable, witty or charming. Both of the leads seemed extremely immature for their ages and the book comes across more as two people arguing for the majority of the book than being the enemies to lovers kind of flirty. It was exhausting. I wasn’t rooting for them. I almost DNFed the book a few times due to this. I loved reading about the women and their fruitcake, and the dogs stole the show, but I wanted to enjoy the relationship between Emma and Oliver and just couldn’t. It was a chore to get through a lot of their conversations, and I almost didn’t make it past page 208.
Though I love all things cheesy when it comes to Christmas, the cheesiness was so far over the top that it suspended reality. It seemed like a weird, unnecessary choice for a story this simplistic. The plot doesn't make a lot of sense when you realize that it took place over a couple of weeks. This book also does one thing that always grinds my gears, and I know this is just me being pedantic. Frequently, people will refer to Oliver by his first and last name for no reason or just by his last name. It rotates between the two throughout the book. There’s only one character named Oliver, so there’s no reason for this. It made the conversations seem unrealistic and forced, because I don’t know anyone who refers to someone in their fold by their first and their last name during casual conversation.
The book never really dives into who the characters are beyond the surface level. Most of what you know about them comes through their dialogue, and both were unlikable in their own way. Emma spends much of the book talking about her mother’s relationships and failures to the point where I felt like we got to know her mother much better than we ever got to know her. In fact, she seems so obsessed with her mother’s relationship that she can’t seem to have her own. She constantly beats herself up for being like her mother when she starts to like Oliver, but she goes from hating him to loving him in the span of a chapter, with little explanation as to why. There’s no buildup or him slowly starting to win her over. She just loves him. She’s known him less than two weeks.
At one point, Oliver drops her off at her house, and instead of staying he leaves to go do something. She starts telling us about her mother again and how she watched her mom pander after men for attention, and she wasn’t going to do that. She wouldn’t take the scraps of time he was willing to give her. Girl, he has a life of his own. He is allowed to go off and do something. This is a leap so wide that it could cross the great divide. You are the furthest thing from accepting the table scraps he’s willing to feed you when all he did was…go to do something on his own. When you’re not dating and you’re still acting like you hate him, nonetheless.
There’s a passage where Oliver’s mom talks about Emma’s articles and how much she loved them. She also speaks on Emma being so wise to compare fruitcake to life lessons. The thing is, Emma didn’t really do that on her own. The ladies she was interviewing made their own parallels and then Emma just shared them in her writing. There was hardly anything wise about it. I wasn’t sure what Debbie was trying to convey here, because it didn’t really jive for me.
I was shocked to read some of the reviews and see that so many people liked Oliver and found him romantic. There is nothing romantic or nice about Oliver. Boundaries? He’s never heard of them. The word no? It doesn’t apply to him. In fact, it’s a challenge. Respect? What’s that? He also likes to frame himself as the victim. Emma doesn’t want to do what he wants? Women, man. They’re so difficult. It’s not his fault, of course, but you should feel bad for him because he didn’t get what he wanted. He’s self involved, wants what he wants, feels he can argue his way into it, and everything he does has some sort of price tag attached to it. Yes, he does do a few nice things for Emma and pretends to be her hero, but it’s never just to do something nice for her.
For instance, he brought Emma a Christmas tree. She had told him numerous times she doesn’t celebrate Christmas, nor does she want to, and that she doesn’t decorate. Bringing her a tree she doesn’t want is not a nice thing to do. Respecting that she doesn’t want to do Christmas is. He then has the audacity to be upset that she shoved the tree in a corner instead of making it the centerpiece in the room and decorating it. You mean the tree she didn’t want? That you shoved on her? And this is written as if it’s some great, romantic gesture.
The two aren’t even dating when he asks her to Christmas with his family, misrepresenting the relationship with Emma to his mom, because he’s so egotistical that he knows they’ll be dating by Christmas, which is just a few short days away. (Spoiler alert, they are.) Emma tells him no, and I agree with her. She’s known the guy maybe two weeks at this point, and he’s asking her to dinner with his family on a holiday she doesn’t want to celebrate. Of course he doesn’t take no for an answer. Instead, he decides that this is a huge deal for him. She can’t possibly not do Christmas when Christmas is the holiday for his family, so he must convince her to go. Because God forbid someone says no to him and he respects that. To make matters worse, Emma’s best friend Phoebe jumps on her about how she’s in the wrong for saying no. Maybe I’m missing something, but this doesn’t sound like a normal scenario to me. I don’t know anyone who wouldn’t find it a little strange that a man I’ve known for maybe two weeks and am not dating is asking me to a get together with his family for a holiday I don't want to celebrate.
There’s also a part in the book where Oliver tries to show Emma how to be persuasive so she can sell more ads for the paper. In order to do this, he goes up to and convinces a guy to pay for his meal. Only, he does absolutely nothing charming or kind to convince this guy. He tells the guy he forgot his wallet, acts humble and the guy offers him the money. He got lucky, so him waxing poetic about how persuasive of a person he is and acting like he’s teaching Emma a lesson is ludicrous.
Overall, there’s no reason anyone should like Oliver as a person. There’s nothing nice about him. I don’t care how handsome he is, nobody is going to fall all over a guy who acts like this. I’d like to think women could see right through him. If he had done things for Emma that she had expressed she’d like a man to do, or he’d respected her boundaries, I’d be down for that. I don’t know if he ever once listened to or respected what she was actually saying to him, but he did spend a ton of time working hard to convince her into what he wanted and decided was romantic. This guy shouldn’t be anyone’s hero.
The rate in which the relationships moved could give you whiplash. Within six months of knowing Oliver, he and Emma were married. Within a year she was already pregnant. Phoebe was dating Walt for three months when they got engaged. A lot of realism went out the window at this point. It’s a cheesy Christmas book, and I understand that. That’s why I could see one relationship with a quick timeline, but both? The book just normalized it like this is what people do.
I wanted to like this book so gosh darn much, and maybe with a more mature female lead who paved her own path and didn’t spend most of her time stuck on her mother’s relationships, and a man who was actually worth being in love with, it would have been better. I never thought I’d say this, but I wish the book was more about the fruitcake contest and less about of everything else. Two stars because of the awesome fruitcake ladies and the dogs.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 15, 2017
Simply adorable holiday romance. Set in Washington state - Emma is a journalist writing about local fruitcake finalists and Owen is a pilot that is tasked with flying her to interviews in exchange for some newspaper advertising. Add in their dogs and its a very cute story!
September 10, 2016
Emma Collins is a budding journalist looking for her chance to prove it to her boss at The Examiner where she writes obituaries. She has sworn off relationships after see her parents' fail disastrously and hates all things Christmas as a result, including fruitcake. So fate would have it her first real assignment as a journalist is the interview three of the finalists in a fruitcake contest. In comes our romantic hero, Oliver Hamilton, (and his dog Oscar) the pilot who has agreed to fly her to each interview location around Washington in his little plane that terrifies Emma. Through her interviews and flying with self-assured Oliver, Emma learns life lessons about Christmas, relationships and fruitcake.
I found this an enjoyable book but not as well developed as Debbie Macomber's other books. It was a quick read and nice holiday story though not overly festive. Through the interviews there are short and simple life lessons that give the story some depth. Beyond that the story line between Emma, Oliver, her friend Phoebe and boss Walt feels underdeveloped and progresses too quickly for the reader to experience what they are going through. Macomber adds some backstory for why Emma does not like Christmas and the conflict between her and her father but does not go into great detail with it. She does include the three fruitcake recipes from the finalists which is a plus. We get to hear all about how the finalists created them and how different they are from the typical fruitcake recipes so its exciting to have the recipes to try at home. I love when I find recipes included for this reason as it feels like parts of the book are coming to life (in this case fruitcake!) Overall, this is a good book to read during the holiday season or anytime during the year to get a quick holiday fix.
I found this an enjoyable book but not as well developed as Debbie Macomber's other books. It was a quick read and nice holiday story though not overly festive. Through the interviews there are short and simple life lessons that give the story some depth. Beyond that the story line between Emma, Oliver, her friend Phoebe and boss Walt feels underdeveloped and progresses too quickly for the reader to experience what they are going through. Macomber adds some backstory for why Emma does not like Christmas and the conflict between her and her father but does not go into great detail with it. She does include the three fruitcake recipes from the finalists which is a plus. We get to hear all about how the finalists created them and how different they are from the typical fruitcake recipes so its exciting to have the recipes to try at home. I love when I find recipes included for this reason as it feels like parts of the book are coming to life (in this case fruitcake!) Overall, this is a good book to read during the holiday season or anytime during the year to get a quick holiday fix.
March 16, 2015
I guess I would give this book 3 1/2 stars if I could... I liked the story overall because I have interest in writing and some in journalism. Emma was a very likable character, I thought, and enjoyed the banter between her and Oliver. Without giving away too much about the plot, I will say that something I really liked about the book was the focus on lessons learned through other women that Emma met in her interviews. This book definitely made me think of fruitcake differently, too.
I think the last half of the book was better than the first. I really enjoyed the setting of the book being in Washington and the fact that it was the winter/holiday time, making it more cozy in feel. The story was sweet and I really liked the ending. I also appreciated that the book was sweet and had innocence to it; it was very clean content wise.
If there was something I disliked about the book, it would be that it was not very deep. It was, however, an easy and enjoyable story if you're looking for a light book to read.
I might try this author again in the future if any of her other books are as clean, but maybe have a bit more depth to their stories.
I think the last half of the book was better than the first. I really enjoyed the setting of the book being in Washington and the fact that it was the winter/holiday time, making it more cozy in feel. The story was sweet and I really liked the ending. I also appreciated that the book was sweet and had innocence to it; it was very clean content wise.
If there was something I disliked about the book, it would be that it was not very deep. It was, however, an easy and enjoyable story if you're looking for a light book to read.
I might try this author again in the future if any of her other books are as clean, but maybe have a bit more depth to their stories.
December 24, 2009
I absolutely loved this story. The characters were engaging and there was some great humor. Of course there was the predictable happy ending.
One thing that made this book somewhat unique was its discussion of fruitcake. The very thing that has been the source of some joking in my family was presented in quite a different light. The author intermingled some quips and comments about fruitcake at the beginnings of many chapters - some were humorous digs against the traditional concoction. Others were pleasant reminiscences. As the up and coming reporter
Emma interviewed three finalists in a national fruitcake recipe competition from her state, she learned an appreciation of well-made fruitcake that surprised her. (The same can probably said by many who have read this book). But beyond that, she learned some deeper life lessons from the women she met with.
Of course, there was romance. That was the predictable part. But there was a lot of love about this book. Very entertaining, and a perfect holiday read.
One thing that made this book somewhat unique was its discussion of fruitcake. The very thing that has been the source of some joking in my family was presented in quite a different light. The author intermingled some quips and comments about fruitcake at the beginnings of many chapters - some were humorous digs against the traditional concoction. Others were pleasant reminiscences. As the up and coming reporter
Emma interviewed three finalists in a national fruitcake recipe competition from her state, she learned an appreciation of well-made fruitcake that surprised her. (The same can probably said by many who have read this book). But beyond that, she learned some deeper life lessons from the women she met with.
Of course, there was romance. That was the predictable part. But there was a lot of love about this book. Very entertaining, and a perfect holiday read.
March 15, 2015
Ehh. I wanted to read a Christmas book to get me in the holiday spirit. This one had good reviews and said it was humorous. Just a little too lame for my taste. The main character is excited to get a series of stories to write for her paper (she is now only writing obituaries and selling ad space). The series topic? Local ladies that are finalists in a national fruitcake recipe contest. Whoo-Hoo!
I could see the potential for a bit of comedy here, but the author chooses to go more philosophical and compare each fruitcake recipe to a life lesson. Really? And of course there is the required hunky guy who starts out seeming like an arrogant jerk but is really a wonderful person.
Formula story. Weak plot. Not a bad read if you have nothing else to do and want some new fruitcake recipes.
I could see the potential for a bit of comedy here, but the author chooses to go more philosophical and compare each fruitcake recipe to a life lesson. Really? And of course there is the required hunky guy who starts out seeming like an arrogant jerk but is really a wonderful person.
Formula story. Weak plot. Not a bad read if you have nothing else to do and want some new fruitcake recipes.
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