Cherise E. (CherryDuck) reviewed Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor (Friday Harbor, Bk 1) on + 150 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 6
This book reads like a novella, it felt more like a short story than a novel, and I am a little disappointed it was over so soon. That being said, it has me in the Christmas spirit at the beginning of September and has successfully reeled me into Friday Harbor. I loved the characters and the setting and look forward to reading more about the Nolan brothers, who are as different as can be.
I read this book in a few short hours and enjoyed every minute of it. Lisa Kleypas is one of my favorite authors and I love the way she so easily gets me emotional invested in her stories and characters. I was reading with my eyes filled with tears one minute and grinning ear to ear in the next.
At little over 200 pages, it is not the deepest book Ms. Kleypas has written, but it served its purpose and kept me entertained and turning the pages. I am looking forward to the remaining books in this new series, my only hope being that the next books are more novel than novella. Either way the Nolan brothers/Friday Harbor series already has the makings of another amazing series!
Cherise Everhard, September 2010
I read this book in a few short hours and enjoyed every minute of it. Lisa Kleypas is one of my favorite authors and I love the way she so easily gets me emotional invested in her stories and characters. I was reading with my eyes filled with tears one minute and grinning ear to ear in the next.
At little over 200 pages, it is not the deepest book Ms. Kleypas has written, but it served its purpose and kept me entertained and turning the pages. I am looking forward to the remaining books in this new series, my only hope being that the next books are more novel than novella. Either way the Nolan brothers/Friday Harbor series already has the makings of another amazing series!
Cherise Everhard, September 2010
Monica G. (champsmom) -
Helpful Score: 5
Disappointed the book was so short, but it was a wonderful read~! Really got me in the Christmas spirit~! I can't wait for the next ones in the series.
Ellen G. (lovelyduchess) reviewed Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor (Friday Harbor, Bk 1) on + 11 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
I loved this book and could actually (and would to love) to see more from this author on this family and town.
It is another great book by Lisa Kleypas...you can't go wrong reading this book....it is that fabulous also the description of the book is wrong....here is what it is really about it
ONE LITTLE GIRL NEEDS A FAMILY
One rain-slicked night, six-year-old Holly lost the only parent she knew, her beloved mother Victoria. And since that night, she has never again spoken a word.
ONE SINGLE MAN NEEDS A WIFE
The last thing Mark Nolan needs is a six-year-old girl in his life. But he soon realizes that he will do everything he can to make her life whole again. His sisters will gives him the instructions: Theres no other choice but you. Just start by loving her. The rest will follow.
SOMETIMES, IT TAKES A LITTLE MAGIC
Maggie Collins doesnt dare believe in love again, after losing her husband of one year. But she does believe in the magic of imagination. As the owner of a toy shop, she lives what she loves. And when she meets Holly Nolan, she sees a little girl in desperate need of a little magic.
TO MAKE DREAMS COME TRUE
Three lonely people. Three lives at the crossroads. Three people who are about to discover that Christmas is the time of year when anything is possible, and when wishes have a way of finding the path home
It is another great book by Lisa Kleypas...you can't go wrong reading this book....it is that fabulous also the description of the book is wrong....here is what it is really about it
ONE LITTLE GIRL NEEDS A FAMILY
One rain-slicked night, six-year-old Holly lost the only parent she knew, her beloved mother Victoria. And since that night, she has never again spoken a word.
ONE SINGLE MAN NEEDS A WIFE
The last thing Mark Nolan needs is a six-year-old girl in his life. But he soon realizes that he will do everything he can to make her life whole again. His sisters will gives him the instructions: Theres no other choice but you. Just start by loving her. The rest will follow.
SOMETIMES, IT TAKES A LITTLE MAGIC
Maggie Collins doesnt dare believe in love again, after losing her husband of one year. But she does believe in the magic of imagination. As the owner of a toy shop, she lives what she loves. And when she meets Holly Nolan, she sees a little girl in desperate need of a little magic.
TO MAKE DREAMS COME TRUE
Three lonely people. Three lives at the crossroads. Three people who are about to discover that Christmas is the time of year when anything is possible, and when wishes have a way of finding the path home
Robin M. (robinmy) -
Helpful Score: 3
Bachelor Mark Nolan is shocked when his sister is killed and he is given guardianship of his six-year-old niece. Holly has been traumatized by her mother's death and has not spoken since. When they visit a new toy store in town, they meet the owner, Maggie Conroy. Holly quickly bonds with Maggie and begins speaking. Mark and Maggie are attracted to each other, but he already has a girlfriend and she says she'll never marry again after the death of her husband.
This is the story of three lonely people who need each other. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and the connection between the characters. Both are struggling with baggage from their past and not looking for a relationship. But the sexual chemistry between the two is very noticeable.
My only problem with this story was the short length. At just over 200 pages I wish it could have gone on longer. I'm looking forward to books about the other Nolan brothers. My rating: 4.5 Stars.
This is the story of three lonely people who need each other. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and the connection between the characters. Both are struggling with baggage from their past and not looking for a relationship. But the sexual chemistry between the two is very noticeable.
My only problem with this story was the short length. At just over 200 pages I wish it could have gone on longer. I'm looking forward to books about the other Nolan brothers. My rating: 4.5 Stars.
Helpful Score: 2
Really terrible Lisa Kleypas book. Characters are not fully drawn, there's not enough development of them as people or them as a couple to really get excited about the romance.
As a BIG Kleypas fan, it is not fun to be so critical of a book. Thus far, every short story or novella I've read by Kleypas is a total bust. I don't know if she just doesn't do as much research or doesn't give the kind of thought to her prose as she does with full length novels. Whatever the problem, if I'd read Kleypas first in a novella, I never would have read her again. The plot is thin, the dialogue is cliche and boring, even the locations read more like a quick pamphlet for the island rather than the deeply researched descriptions we expect from Kleypas.
By far the best part of this book is the excerpt from the next Friday Harbor book in the series, which starts off immediately with the kind of writing we expect from Lisa Kleypas.
This book can and should be skipped.
As a BIG Kleypas fan, it is not fun to be so critical of a book. Thus far, every short story or novella I've read by Kleypas is a total bust. I don't know if she just doesn't do as much research or doesn't give the kind of thought to her prose as she does with full length novels. Whatever the problem, if I'd read Kleypas first in a novella, I never would have read her again. The plot is thin, the dialogue is cliche and boring, even the locations read more like a quick pamphlet for the island rather than the deeply researched descriptions we expect from Kleypas.
By far the best part of this book is the excerpt from the next Friday Harbor book in the series, which starts off immediately with the kind of writing we expect from Lisa Kleypas.
This book can and should be skipped.
Helpful Score: 2
Excellent Lisa Kleypas writing. Its a short book. But starts off the series in a lovely way. I totally recommend.
Helpful Score: 1
Even though Christmas is long gone I still couldn't help but read "Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor." Don't let the title fool you, Christmas Eve isn't the primary setting. I usually don't make a habit of reading in the romance genre but I was pleasantly surprised with this one. A young girl, Holly is thrust into a new life with her uncles (Mark and Sam) after her mother is tragically killed in a car wreck. Since her mothers untimely death, Holly has not spoken a single word. She seems lost within herself. One day Mark and Holly stop in a new toy shop in town and meet Maggie, the store owner, this chance meeting changes their lives in ways they couldn't imagine.
I absolutely loved the way Kleypas brought to life real emotion as well as realistic circumstances. The characters were fantastically developed with a depth like you wouldn't believe. When Holly speaks your heart breaks and is filled with excitement at the same time.
There were moments when you couldn't help but laugh hysterically. At one point Holly's uncles are attempting to cook Christmas dinner and let's just say that even though we know turkeys can't fly, they can at Holly's house. It's moments such as this that Kleypas makes the characters easier to relate to. The humor is simply fantastic.
Kleypas has quickly became a favorite author and I'm definitely going to check out more of her work. Add this gem to your must read list I promise you won't regret it regardless the time of year!!
I absolutely loved the way Kleypas brought to life real emotion as well as realistic circumstances. The characters were fantastically developed with a depth like you wouldn't believe. When Holly speaks your heart breaks and is filled with excitement at the same time.
There were moments when you couldn't help but laugh hysterically. At one point Holly's uncles are attempting to cook Christmas dinner and let's just say that even though we know turkeys can't fly, they can at Holly's house. It's moments such as this that Kleypas makes the characters easier to relate to. The humor is simply fantastic.
Kleypas has quickly became a favorite author and I'm definitely going to check out more of her work. Add this gem to your must read list I promise you won't regret it regardless the time of year!!
Marilyn M. (IndulgeYourself) -
Helpful Score: 1
I loved this story. The main characters were so likable and I was rooting for them throughout the whole book. Quick, short story - great for holiday reading. I raelly like this author - I've only read a couple of hers but this book made me want to keep reading more. I can't wait for the next in the series.
Alicia J. (breena31) -
Helpful Score: 1
This book didn't seem like it was Lisa's usual style, but it was very enjoyable. I found it to be a short, sweet read, but not one for my keeper shelf.
Jennifer S. (jens) reviewed Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor (Friday Harbor, Bk 1) on + 24 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
While i was disappointed with the length of the book i was still drawn into it. There was no contrived plot, just 2 people falling in love. Great short read!
Glenna G. (keno) reviewed Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor (Friday Harbor, Bk 1) on + 869 more book reviews
sweet book, i did get a smidge misty-eyed though. different from the hallmark movie.
Erin M. (ErinMc) reviewed Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor (Friday Harbor, Bk 1) on + 373 more book reviews
This book is the new Hallmark movie A Christmas for Holly. It is a wonderful story of the magic of Christmas. Love,family and real life up and downs.
Actually slightly disappointed in this story. Kleypas starts recycling characters or plotlines and I find that really insulting. So if you have read the Travis family series stay away from this because it mirrors it quite a bit. Mark Nolan is basically the male version of Ella in "Smooth Talking Stranger." The ending of Maggie resolving her fear and guilt of loving again was rushed and very shallow.
Still had some great characters. It was an okay read but nothing great.
Still had some great characters. It was an okay read but nothing great.
I liked this book a lot. This is first in the author's Friday Harbor series, and so far, all three have been quite good. Not a simple romance story, but something more. This is the kind of book that's a keeper.
Tracy C. (lauriepartridge) reviewed Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor (Friday Harbor, Bk 1) on + 15 more book reviews
Really enjoyed this book! I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
Janie T. (FriscoOBX) reviewed Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor (Friday Harbor, Bk 1) on + 601 more book reviews
Fast paced story with likable characters
Beautiful gift copy!
ONE LITTLE GIRL NEEDS A FAMILY One rain-slicked night, six-year-old Holly lost the only parent she knew, her beloved mother, Victoria. And since that night, she has never again spoken a word. ONE SINGLE MAN NEEDS A WIFE The last thing Mark Nolan needs is a six-year-old girl in his life. But he soon realizes that he will do everything he can to make her life whole again. His sisters will gives him the instructions: Theres no other choice but you. Just start by loving her. The rest will follow.
SOMETIMES IT TAKES A LITTLE MAGIC . . .
Maggie Collins doesnt dare believe in love again, after losing her husband of one year. But she does believe in the magic of imagination. As the owner of a toy shop, she lives what she loves. And when she meets Holly Nolan, she sees a little girl in desperate need of a little magic.
. . . TO MAKE DREAMS COME TRUE Three lonely people. Three lives at the crossroads. Three people who are about to discover that Christmas is the time of year when anything is possible, and when wishes have a way of finding the path home. . . .
ONE LITTLE GIRL NEEDS A FAMILY One rain-slicked night, six-year-old Holly lost the only parent she knew, her beloved mother, Victoria. And since that night, she has never again spoken a word. ONE SINGLE MAN NEEDS A WIFE The last thing Mark Nolan needs is a six-year-old girl in his life. But he soon realizes that he will do everything he can to make her life whole again. His sisters will gives him the instructions: Theres no other choice but you. Just start by loving her. The rest will follow.
SOMETIMES IT TAKES A LITTLE MAGIC . . .
Maggie Collins doesnt dare believe in love again, after losing her husband of one year. But she does believe in the magic of imagination. As the owner of a toy shop, she lives what she loves. And when she meets Holly Nolan, she sees a little girl in desperate need of a little magic.
. . . TO MAKE DREAMS COME TRUE Three lonely people. Three lives at the crossroads. Three people who are about to discover that Christmas is the time of year when anything is possible, and when wishes have a way of finding the path home. . . .
Amy N. (nanaamy) -
One of best. The story flowed well and had me hooked. I couldn't put it down.
Cheri C. (ckreads20) reviewed Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor (Friday Harbor, Bk 1) on + 21 more book reviews
Excellent read...loved it!
