The Most Wonderful Time of YearAuthor: Marie Landry
Publication Date: November 5, 2013
Format: eBook
Pages: 84
Source: Author
Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year, right? At least that’s what twenty-year-old Ginny Bailey’s grandmother always told her, and Ginny believed it until Grama died. She even put on a brave face the following two Christmases, carrying on Grama’s traditions and decorating her house and café with Grama’s favorite decorations.
But Ginny can’t pretend any longer. When she finds out she’s going to be alone for the holidays this year, her Christmas spirit goes out the window, along with her luck. Everything that can go wrong does, and Ginny just wants to spend the holidays hiding under the covers...until Dean Riley comes back into her life. With their shared past, old feelings begin to resurface almost immediately, and Ginny thinks Dean might just be the Christmas miracle she’s been waiting for to help her remember why Christmas really is the most wonderful time of the year.
Now that the holiday season is fast approaching, it’s time to bust out the hot chocolate, put a fire on and snuggle in with some good books. Unless you live in the southern hemisphere, then I’m jealous of your warmer weather. I don’t like winter and hate cold weather, which probably contributes to the fact that I very rarely read holiday themed books. I’m pretty sure I can count the number of holiday/wintery books I’ve read on one hand. However, when I do, I prefer them to be novellas. So I was stoked that The Most Wonderful Time of Year by Marie Landry was in novella form.
Not only is the author a lovely person, she’s also a fantastic writer. I’ve read her work before, so I was fairly certain I’d enjoy this book. And I did! The Most Wonderful Time of Year was quick and sweet, just how I like my holiday reads (when I actually read them).
This is a small town story with a great set of characters. Ginny loves her town, her job, and her friends. But Christmastime has been a little bittersweet since her grandmother passed away. I completely connected with Ginny and the relationship she had with her grandmother, because I was a total grandma’s girl until she died when I was thirteen. Although Ginny is trying to stay in the holiday spirit, it seems like everything is working against her. That is, until Dean arrives.
Obviously since this is a novella, the romance has to move a little quicker than in a 300+ page book. Thankfully, it isn’t turned into a ridiculously over the top love story. Instead, there is some background to their relationship, and it’s all very sweet. There’s also a few surprises along the way.
In addition the romance, there are some great friendships. It can be hard to get a good feel of the secondary characters in novellas, but it’s clear that Ginny has some amazing friends. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said about her parents, who are definitely more on the selfish side of the spectrum. But it all plays out very nicely.
Overall, I enjoyed The Most Wonderful Time of the Year a lot, and found it to be perfect for when you want a quick, feel good story. Plus, it’s only $0.99!
I love small town stories, and a holiday read that is short and sweet in novella form sounds perfect! I can’t wait to meet Ginny, she sounds awesome! Any heroine who has a close relationship with her grandmother is starting off in my good graces for sure. Lovely review, glad you enjoyed this one!
I enjoyed this one, and it was my first read by Marie. I am actually posting my review tomorrow . You and and I love to post around the same time..It makes me giggle!
Alright you convinced me to give this one a try as well. I am all with you on the holiday reads being novellas. I love the holidays but for some reason I have a hard time reading a full length novel on the holiday theme.
Yeah, there’s only so much sweetness I can take at a time, so novellas are perfect. lol!
OH quite your whining about cold weather, want to come spend some time up here in the soaking rain? It sucks today! I am getting ready to read my HO Ho read a thon books as soon as I finish commenting. This looks like one I should grab if it melted your grinch heart, it must be good. BWAHHAHAH. Glad to see you finally dug in and read Kennally’s books. I told you they were good!
Yeah, this would be a perfect RAT read. Haha – we’re having a warm spell, so it’s like 79 today! Booyah!
great review, going to have to put this one the list. I am preparing to read a lot of christmas stories this year love small town romances
I’m glad you liked the book. I think I saw it a couple of days ago and I wasn’t totally sure I wanted to grab it. But I think I’m going to have to.
I love romance set in the holiday season. I might be persuaded to read this even though I’m in denial that Christmas is upon us. Lol.
You and your warm weather. It’s 26 here this morning. Lol… I like the sounds of this one, and I need some Holiday books. 🙂 Great review.
Thank you so much for the great review, Christy! I’m so glad you liked the book, and I’m honoured that you read it since you don’t read a lot of holiday books. You’re such a great friend! <3 I'm totally with you on the novella length too…I like Christmas stories, but when I see one that's 300-400 pages, I kind of go 'meh' and usually give it a pass in favour of something shorter.
Don’t hate me too much… But I actually like cold winters. 😉 Though I rarely pick up season-themed books either. This sounds like a decent novella to curl up with though. Thanks for sharing, Christy!
I may have been born in July — but I am a cold weather girl all the way!! lol I’m super excited to hear you enjoyed this one because I have it to read and review for the last week of November Novellas!! This review has me really happy and anticipating this one! Have an awesome weekend!
Sounds like they packed a lot in this novella but glad it was done well. I haven’t read many Christmas themed books but I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Sounds like a sweet, fun read. I think I’ll have time to squeeze in one more before the end of HoHoHo so I might make it this one.
It would be perfect to squeeze in for the RAT, since it’s a really quick read.
You sold me! I just bought it, lol. I’m really looking forward to reading this – I’m not a huge fan of cold weather living here in Ohio, but I do love breaking out the hot chocolate, a warm fuzzy blanket, and a good book. 😀 Stay warm! 😀
[…] ~ Christy from Love of Books […]
[…] Wonderful Time of Year was quick and sweet, just how I like my holiday reads.” ~ Christy from Love of Books About the Author Marie Landry is the author of BLUE SKY DAYS (contemporary […]
[…] Wonderful Time of Year was quick and sweet, just how I like my holiday reads.” ~ Christy from Love of Books About the Author Marie Landry is the author of BLUE SKY DAYS (contemporary YA—January […]
[…] ~ Christy from Love of Books […]
[…] Wonderful Time of Year was quick and sweet, just how I like my holiday reads.” ~ Christy from Love of Books About the Author Marie Landry is the author of BLUE SKY DAYS (contemporary YA—January […]
[…] ~ Christy from Love of Books […]
[…] Wonderful Time of Year was quick and sweet, just how I like my holiday reads.” ~ Christy from Love of Books About the Author Marie Landry is the author of BLUE SKY DAYS (contemporary YA—January […]
[…] Wonderful Time of Year was quick and sweet, just how I like my holiday reads.” ~ Christy from Love of Books Marie Landry is the author of BLUE SKY DAYS (contemporary YA—January 2012), THE […]
[…] ~ Christy from Love of Books […]