A Winter Flame

Mar 02, 2013 Kathryn Laceby rated it 3 of 5 stars

Originally reviewed at Novel Escapes

It's not that I was completely disappointed by Johnson`s latest novel because I found the plot line to be unique (not many books out there centre on the combined inheritance with a stranger of a partially completely winter wonderland theme park) but I really wish I`d been interested in the main character or felt some warmth towards her- it would have really improved my read.

Eve is quite emotionally stilted because of her history - although as we make our way t...more

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Jan 27, 2013 Carole rated it 4 of 5 stars

I loved the storyline of Eve's aunt leaving her a magical Christmas Theme Park ..... well, a partly finished theme park ...and with super efficient and organised Eve at the helm she knew it would be fabulous. But the catch is that she had to share the day to day organising with a mysterious stranger called Jacques Glace and Eve does not like sharing her plans. And, after meeting Mr. Glace, she doesn't like him either and she even starts to believe he could be a con man who has conned her beloved...more

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Jan 05, 2013 Sarah Broadhurst rated it 5 of 5 stars

This was one of the books that got me into the Christmas spirit last year. The main character, Eve, does not look forward to Christmas since her fiance was killed on a tour of duty in Afghanistan. This becomes a problem when, following a visit to her Aunt's solicitor to read her will, she finds out her aunt has been secretly planning and building her own Christmas wonderland. Her aunt left her to continue with her dream, but stipulates that she must work with Jacques Glace, a mysterious man who...more

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Dec 06, 2012 Best Books To Read rated it 4 of 5 stars

I have read a few of Milly’s books now and can honestly say I haven’t felt disappointed with any of them in any way. My favourite to date has been ‘Here Come The Girls’ but I’ve yet to read her earlier stuff. With the release of A Winter Flame I was actually pretty excited. Although I may favour one book over another all of her books have that wonderful feel good vibe about them.

A Winter Flame took me less than two chapters to get into and it becomes very apparent that Eve Beresford the main cha...more I have read a few of Milly’s books now and can honestly say I haven’t felt disappointed with any of them in any way. My favourite to date has been ‘Here Come The Girls’ but I’ve yet to read her earlier stuff. With the release of A Winter Flame I was actually pretty excited. Although I may favour one book over another all of her books have that wonderful feel good vibe about them.

A Winter Flame took me less than two chapters to get into and it becomes very apparent that Eve Beresford the main character is stuck in a rut. After losing her soldier fiancé on Christmas Day, she now avoids Christmas at all costs. She has managed to become successful with her events company and has a great career, but with nobody to share it with, and her inability to let go it seems she will never move on and be happy. When she is left a plot of land by her aunt, she fears that her aunt may have lost her marbles. There are plans in place for Eve to jointly run and own a Christmas theme park. It seems that her aunt has left the remaining half to a complete stranger, a man named Jacques Glace.

Never fear, the above paragraph will not ruin the story as this is all in the synopsis! I immediately loved Jacques and though he was a big bundle of joy. Eve however took me longer to warm to. With her mind being so suspicious and her issues surrounding trust, I felt like I had to work at getting to like her. However, as her aunts madcap scheme seems to start working I began to understand a little of why Eve was so shut off from everybody. The story gets right into the thick of Eve and Jacques as they try to construct the park as Eve’s aunt would have wanted. But between the stress of pulling it off, and Eve’s suspicions the plan is far from smooth.

The story was a little predictable, (although Milly Johnson had me going towards the end) but was exactly what I would have wanted anyway. One of the things I loved about this book is that we see the re-appearance of the characters that appeared in her last book White Wedding. Violet is the main character that we see, and Mac and Bel only briefly, but it was nice to get reacquainted. This book has come at the perfect time in the run up to Christmas and brings back a little of the Christmas magic. It still doesn’t top Here Comes The Girls for me, but was, as ever, a brilliant read for me. This was one that I could curl up and get lost in and truly enjoy. Can’t wait to read her others now.(less)

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Nov 26, 2012 Jennifer Joyce rated it 5 of 5 stars

A Winter Flame is a lovely festive read full of the sparkle and magic of the Christmas season. I adore the idea of Winterworld with its enchanted Christmas tree forest, cosy cabins, snow ponies and falling snow. There was such attention to detail when describing the theme park and its attractions that I felt like I was there, experiencing it all. If only! Winterworld is such a wonderful, magical place that I would love to go there and allow it to bring out my inner child.

Eve is far from impresse...more

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Nov 19, 2012 Kirsty Maclennan rated it 5 of 5 stars

Are you ready for a magical read that will reignite not just a love of christmas but the realisation that everything feels extra special when you have someone to share it with.

Meet Eve, she's the determined feisty lead character who sadly lost her fiance 5 years ago, when he went off to fight in Afghanistan. Jonathon died on Christmas Day re installing in Eve that nothing good happens on Christmas, surely her childhood was proof of that.

So imagine when to Eve's dismay she is left half a theme pa...more

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Oct 30, 2012 Megan Readinginthesunshine rated it 5 of 5 stars

I absolutely love books with a Christmas theme, not only does it help get you in the mood for Christmas that extra bit early, but it adds a bit more magic and sparkle in a person’s life, which is much needed during the cold, wet and windy months of October and November.

To say Eve does not like Christmas is an understatement. After a string of bad Christmases and a particularly heartbreaking one where her fiancé Jonathan was killed in Afghanistan on Christmas Day, Eve has no positive feelings tow...more I absolutely love books with a Christmas theme, not only does it help get you in the mood for Christmas that extra bit early, but it adds a bit more magic and sparkle in a person’s life, which is much needed during the cold, wet and windy months of October and November.

To say Eve does not like Christmas is an understatement. After a string of bad Christmases and a particularly heartbreaking one where her fiancé Jonathan was killed in Afghanistan on Christmas Day, Eve has no positive feelings towards the holiday and would rather spend the day alone, hiding away and pretending it does not exist. Eve’s Aunt Evelyn sadly passes away, and Eve learns that she has been left something in the will.

Eve attends the solicitors, expecting to be left Aunt Evelyn’s locket that she always wore. However, Eve is in for a shock – She has been left a theme park in her Aunt’s will. And not just any theme park, but Winterworld - A theme park dedicated entirely to Christmas, the one time of year Eve can’t bear. But more interestingly, Aunt Evelyn has stated that she must run the park with her new business partner, a man named Jacques Glace. Having never heard of this man, and with her dislike for the holiday season, this is going to be a big challenge for Eve.

I truly enjoyed this book. From the first chapter I was glued to the pages and I could not put it down! The part that really had me hooked was the mystery of Jacques Glace – From the beginning I was desperate to know the answers that were buzzing in my mind. Who is he? How is he related to Aunt Evelyn and where does he fit in to the puzzle? Why is he being so secretive? What significance did he have in Evelyn’s life to be left half of a business in the will? Why did she never mention him? How much involvement did he have in Evelyn’s life, and how much does he perhaps know about the theme park? My mind was working over time with this one, I was so so intrigued by him that I had to know everything I could about him, and Milly Johnson has done a great job with the opening few chapters because I was gripped!

The characters in the story were brilliant. Eve was a wonderfully written as a character who you could really get behind and support, and someone you really wanted to cheer on so that she would achieve her goals. I became very emotionally involved with Eve, my heart reached out to her, I warmed to her instantly and she felt very lifelike to me. Phoebe May Tinker deserves an honourable mention. In fact, she deserves her own book – she is brilliant! I also very much enjoyed the appearance of Eve’s cousin Violet and Violet’s boyfriend Pav, they were wonderful additions and really brought extra sparkle and life to the pages!

The writing was excellent.The plot line was delightful, with the idea of a sweet elderly lady having dreams of a fun, magical place and leaving behind such detailed plans of a Christmassy winter theme park. It was so refreshing, and it was exciting at the same time. After reading this book I’m very keen to visit a winter theme park! The story flowed beautifully and the reader can go with it at any pace they wish, this can be devoured in one sitting, or it can be savoured and enjoyed over a few days – each option leaving the reader with a warm, joyous feeling.

Although there is a lot of humour and happiness throughout the story, there are a few emotional scenes included, but don’t let that put you off. Milly Johnson has delicately addressed issues in the book such as the loss of a relative from war, and her writing style touches your heart.

Overall this is warm, Christmassy, comforting story about taking a risk, and allowing your heart to be opened to possibilities. Milly Johnson has again written an exceptional story, one which I’m sure will be a big hit not only with loyal fans, but with new readers too!
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Nov 27, 2012 Alison Jones rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is a lovely heart warming read from Milly Johnson yet again. It made me feel all warm inside from the very first page because the characters are so likeable, the storyline sentimental and it is perfect to cozy up with on the settee while sipping hot chocolate. Now what could be nicer than that as winter and Christmas approaches ?

Of course the plot is predictable, of course the characters aren't terribly real, of course nobody inherits a theme park ! But just for once wouldn't it be lovely i...more

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Nov 11, 2012 C rated it 4 of 5 stars

A gorgeous, heart-warming winter’s read! I so enjoyed reading Milly Johnson’s latest novel, as a massive fan of her writing (and not JUST because it’s set in Yorkshire) I was eagerly awaiting this latest tale, and I certainly wasn’t disappointed with what she produced! One of the really lovely things about this novel was that, although it wasn’t a sequel, some of the characters from her previous novel ‘White Wedding’ made cameos and it was a lovely feeling to catch up with them so to speak!

The m...more A gorgeous, heart-warming winter’s read! I so enjoyed reading Milly Johnson’s latest novel, as a massive fan of her writing (and not JUST because it’s set in Yorkshire) I was eagerly awaiting this latest tale, and I certainly wasn’t disappointed with what she produced! One of the really lovely things about this novel was that, although it wasn’t a sequel, some of the characters from her previous novel ‘White Wedding’ made cameos and it was a lovely feeling to catch up with them so to speak!

The man character Eve is a little hard to warm to at first bit this is down to the way Johnson has written her. She is mourning the loss of her boyfriend who was shot on Christmas day, and is suddenly thrust into partnership with a man she has never met before to run a theme park entirely dedicated to Christmas, of course she is feeling down and sombre! When Eve finally begins to warm to the idea of this new theme park, watching her relationship with co-owner Jacques develop and change is lovely. Although the storyline between these two characters is somewhat predictable, it is predictable in a comforting way, you want so much for her to see him in the same way that he sees her, and readers will be pleased to find out that there is more than one twist in the storyline involving these two!

The winter theme of this book makes it a great read for this time of year and the author cleverly avoids the temptation to make it all about Christmas and so you don’t find yourself choking on tinsel at the turn of every page! The sub-plot involving Eve’s cousin Violet from Johnson’s previous novel is just as lovely as the main storyline, and I think that it is something that a lot of female readers out there will be able to relate to. Even if you were not already a Milly Johnson fan, you will be able to pick this book up and enjoy it in its own right. I highly recommend snuggling up with this novel on a dark chilly night and enjoying the characters, the events and the magic with an equally comforting mug of hot chocolate!
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Nov 09, 2012 Ellie rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: girlie

Eve doesn’t like Christmas. On top of a childhood full of disappointments, her boyfriend was killed in Afghanistan 5 years earlier on Christmas day. Unable to move on, she keeps a candle burning for him; as long as it’s alight he’s there with her in spirit. But when her great aunt dies, she leaves Eve something strange in her will: the plans to a winter theme park and the money to make it happen. There’s one catch. She must work together with a mysterious stranger and she can’t help but be suspi...more Eve doesn’t like Christmas. On top of a childhood full of disappointments, her boyfriend was killed in Afghanistan 5 years earlier on Christmas day. Unable to move on, she keeps a candle burning for him; as long as it’s alight he’s there with her in spirit. But when her great aunt dies, she leaves Eve something strange in her will: the plans to a winter theme park and the money to make it happen. There’s one catch. She must work together with a mysterious stranger and she can’t help but be suspicious.

The winter theme park is a wonderfully silly idea for a festive novel and you’ll be pleased to know it’s better than the one that kept appearing on Watchdog last year! Whilst it does have its serious side, the best parts are the fun ones. There’s a host of wonderful bit-part characters, an amazing sounding ice-cream parlour, adorable reindeer and Santas. I wish that her niece had a bigger part as she is one of those children that comes out with very adult things. Not forgetting the error ridden local newspaper that has a lot to answer for!

At one point I decided I didn’t want Eve to get a happy ever after. Her bitterness, lack of trust and all-round anti-Christmasness goes just a bit too far. Yes, she has her reasons but her grief seems out of proportion. I mean she barely knew Jonathan before he was killed and he had left his previous long-term girlfriend after knowing Eve for one night! He doesn’t sound like the kind of man that would have stuck around for ever. I think it would work better if you feel a bit more compassion towards her. Though I suppose that’s the point of Christmas miracle stories… Miserable-person-discovers-joy-of-Christmas.

Milly’s books are fun and easy reads but there’s something about her writing style which prevents me from connecting with the characters. There were a few moments that succeeded, especially Eve's interactions with the reindeer. I probably enjoyed An Autumn Crush more but this has at least started to get me in the festive mood.(less)

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Nov 21, 2012 Book-shelf Shelf rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book touched more nerve endings than i knew i had. It brightened up Christmas but also reminded me of the service people and their families at this time of year. The best lesson i learned was that although we sympathize with the families of the fallen heroes, we forget that for years they have a big hole in their lives. We forget that every time another hero hits the headlines, their wound is ripped open again and again. We forget the lucky ones that come home alive but with missing limbs,...more

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Dec 21, 2012 BestChickLit.com rated it 4 of 5 stars

If you’re looking for something to get you in the mood for Christmas, then this is the read for you. And what better for a festive-themed book than a festive theme park! Johnson hooks you into the story almost immediately with Eve’s enthusiasm to get the park up and running, and by creating an air of mystery around Jacques Glace – who is he and what exactly was his relationship with Aunt Evelyn??

The writing style is confident, precise and hits you straight in the heart with the book’s few emotio...more

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Dec 21, 2012 Silver Thistle rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012, chick-lit, christmas, romance

I've been soaking up some Christmas Chick-lit recently. I seem to have developed a liking for cheesy romance. Can't seem to get enough of it!

This was an Amazon recc and it sounded right up my alley. Eve, who hates Christmas because of some pretty dire festive season's gone by has inherited a Christmas theme park and must run it jointly with a mysterious gentleman named Jacques Glace (which made me immediately think of Jack Frost and was a great choice of name).

It sounded great on paper but once...more I've been soaking up some Christmas Chick-lit recently. I seem to have developed a liking for cheesy romance. Can't seem to get enough of it!

This was an Amazon recc and it sounded right up my alley. Eve, who hates Christmas because of some pretty dire festive season's gone by has inherited a Christmas theme park and must run it jointly with a mysterious gentleman named Jacques Glace (which made me immediately think of Jack Frost and was a great choice of name).

It sounded great on paper but once started it didn't take me very long to develop a very strong dislike to the leading lady, Eve. We're to believe that she takes an instant dislike to Jacques because he's too friendly, happy and nice for her liking and she thinks he's up to something because nobody could be that nice just for the sake of it. She sneers when she talks to him (and about him) while everyone round her seems to think he's lovely. Here's the thing...HE IS LOVELY!!! It's that easy. He's nice, she's not. For most of the book I felt like grabbing Eve and shaking her and telling her to get over herself. I thought she was a brat, and a bitter, twisted one at that. The things she says and does to that poor man! I felt like grabbing him too and telling him to run like the wind to get away from her, he could do better. Not really what you want to feel in a romance, I don't think.

The other characters were great and reading about how the theme park was progressing was the only thing that kept me going. Some of the moments were quite touching and actually the park sounded pretty cool and I'd probably visit it if it were real...but Eve spoiled it for me. Honestly, when I read about how she met the 'love of her life' it was laughable (and he sounded like a right arse into the bargain, for his part in the proceedings).

Urgh! The story was a good one and the characters were great but I just wish Eve hadn't been so mental. She ruined it for me. So wrapped up in her own little miserable world and with the personality of a rottweiler she wasn't really romance material. I don't know why Jacques put up with her. How he kept on smiling and being nice was beyond me.

I think I was supposed to feel sorry for Eve, for all the rubbish Christmas' she'd had in the past and for her horrible life in general, but I didn't. Crappy lives and Christmases are no excuse for the level of rudeness she showed towards others and certainly not to someone who is going out of their way to be nice to her.

The story was well written though and judging by all the other 5 star reviews I'm in the minority in regards to how I felt about it. I just couldn't get past my severe dislike of Eve. Oh, and there were far, far too many cultural references too. I lost count of the TV shows and famous people used as tools to convey a feeling, mood, look, action, and, and, and.

Great, if you know who Alan Carr is or what the kiss David Beckham gave Posh after his affair looked like, or what Lord Sugar sounds like, or any number of other name drops, but if like me you don't... it's too much.

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Jan 05, 2013 Lisa (scarlet21) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Eve doesn't do Christmas - at all. For her, it has nothing but bad memories; an unwanted and unloved child the only warmth she ever experienced was from Aunt Evelyn, Aunt Susan and cousin Violet but when as an adult her fiance is killed at Christmas it only confirms in Eve's mind that Christmas is not for her.
Five years on from that sad time Eve has a successful business and is a strong, independent woman to outward appearances although inside she pines for her lost love.
When Aunt Evelyn dies Ev...more

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Nov 20, 2012 Rea Sinfield rated it 5 of 5 stars

Milly Johnson is a new author to me, a friend of mine sent me White Wedding to read earlier in the year and just loved it so I couldn’t wait to read another book by Milly so you can understand my delight when I found out she was releasing a Christmas themed book.

Having never been a fan of Christmas especially after her fiancé was killed in action on Christmas day imagine the thoughts that were going through Eve’s head when she is left a Christmas themed theme park in her late aunts will!

The adde...more Milly Johnson is a new author to me, a friend of mine sent me White Wedding to read earlier in the year and just loved it so I couldn’t wait to read another book by Milly so you can understand my delight when I found out she was releasing a Christmas themed book.

Having never been a fan of Christmas especially after her fiancé was killed in action on Christmas day imagine the thoughts that were going through Eve’s head when she is left a Christmas themed theme park in her late aunts will!

The added mystery to Eve is that she has inherited the theme park along with a mysterious man whom she had never heard of, Jacques Glace. The last thing Eve wants is to be working alongside someone else let alone with anything to do with Christmas but never one to give up easily Eve is determined to get the theme park up and running her way and hoping to lose the mysterious Jacques in the process.

Wow, Wow, Wow. This was just spine tingly good! I am a huge fan of Christmas and I do love it when I pick up a book with a festive cover and actually get a festive feeling whilst reading, but this book gives you more than a little festive feeling. The author manages to describe a perfect Winter wonderland which manages to transport you into the setting so you really feel as though you are there watching each little detail of the theme park appear if there really was a place like Milly has created in her book here in the UK I would be on my way there now!

Rather than this book being a tale of a traditional Christmas this book instead creates the more magical and surreal side of Christmas which manages to bring out the child in each reader.

Once again the author creates a wonderful cast of characters some who have returned from the pages of White Wedding but please don’t feel that you can’t read this one without having first read White Wedding as this can easily be read as a standalone book as the characters who are from White Wedding are supporting characters in this book but having said that I would still head out and by both as they are both fantastic reads.

Eve has many sides to her character the true side to her we get to see and love and then there also is the cold and frosty side she saves for Jacques but seen as I am ever the romantic I was convinced it was a love hate relationship as both Eve and Jacques are truly lovely and warm characters I couldn’t see a negative side to them.

Milly Johnson is fast becoming one of my favourite authors and she has won my heart with this book. This easily has to be one of my favourite ever Christmas reads.(less)

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Nov 10, 2012 Hannah (Jaedia) rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: chick-lit, christmas, fiction, received-for-review

Looking back through my notes I realised that I really didn’t take many notes while reading A Winter Flame because I was too engrossed in the story which is oh so festive! *sighs happily* I had a little tear in my eye by the time I closed the book.

Eve is a bitter workaholic who hates Christmas so you can imagine her shock when she inherits one half of her dear Great Aunt Evelyn’s Christmas theme park in her will. A theme park that nobody had known existed. The catch? The other half was left to a...more Looking back through my notes I realised that I really didn’t take many notes while reading A Winter Flame because I was too engrossed in the story which is oh so festive! *sighs happily* I had a little tear in my eye by the time I closed the book.

Eve is a bitter workaholic who hates Christmas so you can imagine her shock when she inherits one half of her dear Great Aunt Evelyn’s Christmas theme park in her will. A theme park that nobody had known existed. The catch? The other half was left to a man named Jacques Glace who Eve knows next to nothing about and becomes the bane of her existence. We also get to meet her cousin, Violet who readers of Milly’s White Wedding will recognise, and there’s a whole cast of side characters who really flesh out the population of A Winter Flame excellently. I was just as sad to leave Winterworld’s Santa Claus and Effin the Welshman with the most colourful insults I may have seen as I was to leave Eve, Jacques and Violet.

I fell in love with Jacques something silly. He’s such a delightful character with his mysterious past, his joie de vivre and his Spongebob phone sock that I think he may have been one of the reasons that I didn’t like Eve as much as I could have. I found she was clinging on too much to a life that she never got to live which, if anything, was befouling her Great Aunt’s memory who didn’t start living until the tail end of her life and didn’t wish that on anybody, least of all Eve. I found myself begging Jacques to melt her heart and will admit that I needed to see this happen. Eve is just so bitter and jaded. I wanted her to live! So while I wasn’t fond of her so much, she was an amazing character because you genuinely want to see her happy.

As for Violet, we’ve met her before so we know her story. I wouldn’t worry about not having read White Wedding (though it’s very good so you should anyway) because A Winter Flame is a standalone novel but we do see a continuation of her story and how her past relationships have shaped her confidence.

And of course, the Christmas theme park. Just.. wow. I feel like I’ve been there! I can picture so clearly the little train that keeps going too fast, the adorable quiet reindeer with her two little ones, the snow ponies, the enchanted forest, the carousel… If I close my eyes I imagine it so clearly, it’s just like I’ve actually visited Winterworld. Plus I think their really is Santa. He’s real, you know? I bet Milly had tea with him to research his character.

This is a book about finding yourself when you realise that things aren’t always as they seem and the idea that it’s never too late to discover the spirit of Christmas and to live. A Winter Flame is a light read that explores serious issues and it melted my heart, never mind Eve’s, and it cemented Milly Johnson as one of my very favourite chick lit authors.(less)

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Dec 16, 2012 Anne rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Eve hates Christmas. As a child she spent her Christmas wondering if there would be any food in the house, would she get a present, and which of her Mother's boyfriends would be on the scene. If it wasn't for her Aunt Susan and cousin Violet, Eve would probably never have received anything. Christmas did not get any better as an adult, five years ago Eve's fiance was killed in action in Afghanistan on Christmas Day. Is there any wonder that she would like nothing to do with December at all?
When...more

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Nov 23, 2012 Sharon Goodwin rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: tbr

We meet Eve Douglas as she’s waiting at the solicitors after the death of her beloved great aunt Evelyn, who in the later months of her life, developed an obsession with Christmas. Expecting to be left her locket, she’s in total shock when she finds out that Evelyn bought land in the 60’s and has started a Christmas theme park … and another shock that Jacques Glace has been willed the other half (as well as half of the few million). Eve knows nothing about him but has to decide whether to partne...more We meet Eve Douglas as she’s waiting at the solicitors after the death of her beloved great aunt Evelyn, who in the later months of her life, developed an obsession with Christmas. Expecting to be left her locket, she’s in total shock when she finds out that Evelyn bought land in the 60’s and has started a Christmas theme park … and another shock that Jacques Glace has been willed the other half (as well as half of the few million). Eve knows nothing about him but has to decide whether to partner him or resign.

Before meeting Jacques, Eve goes off on a research trip taking best friend Alison’s daughter, Phoebe. “White Christmas” is in the public eye for all the wrong reasons. She knows she can do a lot better. Her first meeting with Jacques is hilarious! He makes a very bold statement on leaving…

There is much more to A Winter Flame than Eve’s dislike of Christmas and a frozen heart (although obviously central … as not only did Jonathan die on Christmas Day but even before that, her childhood experiences left a negative feeling about everything surrounding the festive season). There are sub-plots weaving through. Eve’s cousin Violet is one of them. I cheered when I realised that Violet and Pav from White Wedding are also characters (you can read my review here). Max and Bel make a brief appearance too. I loved this. We continue finding our more about Violet’s relationship, which is nail-biting at one point and caused me tears of happiness at another.

Jacques is such an intriguing character. How did he know great aunt Evelyn? Why won’t he talk about his past? What is he hiding? This kept me hooked all the way through the story.

You all know I love to see a character grow and come into their own. Eve certainly does that with the help of Winterworld. There are some really touching moments with the reindeers and Christopher the snow pony. Santa makes her pause and reflect as well. Winterworld is an amazing invention … I could just imagine myself walking through the enchanted forest with Eve and feeling the magic tingling on my skin.

Magic … there is also a sense of the paranormal in a couple of scenes. I love the way Johnson adds these scenes to her stories.

I can’t finish my review without mentioning the humour. As well as Johnson’s inimitable humour throughout, her creation of the Daily Trumpet and the mistakes they make are hilarious (although one of the misprints is quite a major error in delaying knowledge – this thread is very cleverly crafted).

A Winter Flame is a seasonal tale that deals realistically and sensitively about bereavement and letting go, age differences in relationships, the parenting patterns that are inherited from previous generations … and living life to the full. It’s about family, friendships and love. It’s heart-warming and gives hope. I’ve been totally engrossed and have no hesitation in recommending A Winter Flame. This is definitely a story I will read again.

I would like to thank the publishers for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.(less)

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Dec 10, 2012 Abbey Liddle rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favourite-chick-lit-reads

Original Review on my Blog http://missbookworm23.blogspot.co.uk/...

Tis the season to be Jolly... but can Eve find happiness through the frost...? Eve has never liked Christmas, not since her beloved fiance was killed in action in Afghanistan on Christmas Day. So when her adored elderly aunt dies, the last thing she is expecting is to be left a theme park in her will. A theme park with a Christmas theme...

And that's not the only catch. Her aunt's will stipulates that Eve must run the park with a...more Original Review on my Blog http://missbookworm23.blogspot.co.uk/...

Tis the season to be Jolly... but can Eve find happiness through the frost...? Eve has never liked Christmas, not since her beloved fiance was killed in action in Afghanistan on Christmas Day. So when her adored elderly aunt dies, the last thing she is expecting is to be left a theme park in her will. A theme park with a Christmas theme...

And that's not the only catch. Her aunt's will stipulates that Eve must run the park with a mysterious partner, the exotically named Jacques Glace. Who is this Jacques, and why did Aunt Evelyn name him in her will?

But Eve isn't going to back down from a challenge. She's determined to make a success of Winterworld, no matter what. Can she overcome her dislike of Christmas, and can Jacques melt her frozen heart at last?

This was such a fabulous Christmas read, I was giggling at some of the best parts of the book! I am a big fan of Milly Johnson's books, I adored reading White Wedding and I was glad to find out that Violet was appearing again in this new book yay!! So we start with Meeting the Lovely Eve who is awaiting at the solicitors to hear about Aunt Evelyn's will, when Eve finds out her aunt left her a theme park and also some money, but one catch..you have a handsome business partner too Jacques Glace, I just loved the chemistry between Jacques and Eve, I loved the way she misjudges him all the way hehe, You will understand when you read it hehe!

It was great to hear more about Violet who is Eve's cousin and Pav, it was cute to see their relationship develop more and more although I felt like i had bit all of my nails at one point in the book but then was so happpy :)
I also noticed Max and Bella from Milly's last book White Wedding also reappeared which was just fab!

My favourite character in this book would have to be Eve, she was just so brave but also had a frozen heart and hates Christmas because she lost the love of her life Johnathon on Christmas day and Her Fiance's family can't stand her and wouldn't even tell her where he was buried. So she was alone until she received the theme park.
I really did love this book and It was such a great Christmassy feel, I couldn't wait to snuggle up reading this, It was great with plenty of humour but also pulled at my heart strings a couple of times. I want everyone to grab a copy because you will not be disappointed hehe!(less)

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Nov 16, 2012 Zanna Mackenzie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Be warned, if you pick this book up, you will struggle to put it down again! I read it in 24 hours which for me is a record. I couldn't stop turning the pages and dipping into it at any and every opportunity and then reading late into the night to finish it.

The book has a quite unusual and very touching storyline and as well as the romance,intrigue and drama, there are times you'll laugh out loud and times when you'll find yourself reaching for the tissues.

If you're wondering why I only gave the...more

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Feb 01, 2013 Diane rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: chick-lit

This book was bought as a christmas gift, and I'd never heard of Milly Johnson before. On looking at the cover I knew that this was a chick-Lit book, and thought I'd read it when I wanted an easy read.
I read this book in just two days, and would recommend to any chick-lit readers.
It tells the tale of Eve who is left a "just started" project by her late Great Aunt, of a Winter Wonderland, but gets more than she bargained for when she realises that it will be a shared project with someone that she...more

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Jan 12, 2013 Sandie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Eve and Jacques are two strangers who are bought together through an inheritance of a winterland theme park left by Eve's aunt. Forced to work together to finish building the project, the story takes you on a xmas journey when you can almost sense taste and feel, reindeer winter flame ice creams, having glitter snowballs and snowflakes landing on you, seeing snowmen jumping out from trees and well as imagining the feeling of your arm up a reindeer's backside!!!
I enjoyed the xmas predictability...more

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Feb 08, 2013 Book Chick City marked it as reviewed-by-carolyn

Shelves: dnf, romance-contemporary

Originally posted on www.BookChickCity.com

When I picked up A WINTER FLAME, I was hoping for a really warm, romantic Christmas read, especially after all the rave reviews I’d read when deciding whether to buy or not. Unfortunately A WINTER FLAME wasn’t my cup of tea at all. Both leading characters were very irritating; Eve because she acted like a 12 year old towards Jacques instead of a grown women, and Jacques because he acted like a pompous arse.

Although Eve didn’t like Jacques because she was...more Originally posted on www.BookChickCity.com

When I picked up A WINTER FLAME, I was hoping for a really warm, romantic Christmas read, especially after all the rave reviews I’d read when deciding whether to buy or not. Unfortunately A WINTER FLAME wasn’t my cup of tea at all. Both leading characters were very irritating; Eve because she acted like a 12 year old towards Jacques instead of a grown women, and Jacques because he acted like a pompous arse.

Although Eve didn’t like Jacques because she was worried he was a con man, who took advantage of her sweet great aunt, there are ways to portray this other than the childish behaviour Eve displayed at every opportunity. Stomping around grumpily, silly snide remarks that made me roll my eyes. She didn’t even know Jacques but decided who he was before she even got to know him. Not the greatest of traits for any person, let alone the heroine of the story, who I’m meant to like and connect with. This attitude was in contrast with Eve’s past, which was sad, and should have made her more appealing to me, but because of her silly attitude, I didn’t really feel compassionately towards her at all.

Jacques was a bit of a conundrum. I’m sure he was meant to come across as a modern, handsome man, but the way he was written he actually came across as quite old fashioned. In fact he was a bit like the stereotypical father christmas. Always jolly, making jokes, being foolish and humming Christmas songs. His over the top joviality was annoying rather than endearing, and I didn’t find him sexy in the slightest, which was a shame, as that is what I’d prefer to feel about my leading man. In all honesty I can quite understand why Eve disliked him, as I couldn’t stand him either.

The writing is ok but quite basic. There’s no real depth here, everything sort of hovers on the surface and doesn’t go very deep. Having just read a contemporary romance that was excellently written with great emotional depth to the characters and storyline, it was even more obvious when reading A WINTER FLAME that it lacked that special something. This was definitely verging on silly chick lit I thought I’d left behind a long time ago rather than a quality contemporary romance. So, after 150 pages I decided that if I didn’t care for the characters at this point I probably never would.

VERDICT:

Unfortunately, I didn’t enjoy A WINTER FLAME at all. I did read until 150 pages in, hoping it would get better, that I would like the characters and feel something towards them other than irritation, but alas I didn’t. I realise that as I didn’t read the entire book my review can only be about the pages I did read, but my advice would be if you like the typical Chick-Lit then you may enjoy this, but if you’re looking for a quality contemporary romance then I wouldn’t bother.(less)

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Nov 18, 2012 Annie rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: christmas-reads

I'm not really impartial where Milly Johnson is concerned - I love her writing, the ease of style, the wonderful sense of humour. I thought this really was the most perfect Christmas book - sad and funny (the newspaper misprints and apologies are quite excellent...), full of every Christmas cliche in Winterworld (the inherited Christmas theme park), a believable leading man, wonderful animals and characters new and familiar. A fantastic read, devoured in one magical sitting - for me, this was he...more

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Dec 02, 2012 Cath Stannard rated it 5 of 5 stars

When I first starting reading this I thought Milly had gone one step too far and overstepped the mark between fiction and stupidity. However, once you start getting into the book it draws you in and you become entangled in a world of desire, fulfilment and best of all Christmas.
A lovely book written for the modern woman with a lovely warm fuzzy felt ending. I love how everything is also so realistic as I'm a Yorkshire lass.
Well done again Milly x

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Jan 17, 2013 Samantha rated it 4 of 5 stars

This book is awesome, it has a Christmas theme park in it with baby reindeers and OWLS! It was a great read again and nice to see how Violet from the book "White Wedding". It was funny in parts especially the newspaper corrections but bits of it also had me bawling. Another classic from Milly who is already becoming one of my favourite authors.

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Jan 05, 2013 Yuska Vonita rated it 3 of 5 stars

This is a typical chick-lit with predictable ending. Eve who was miserable finally found the love of her life.
It's a sweet winter story, coated with Winter theme park, ice cream parlor and all the merry-go-round.
It's a bit boring because the development of the story is kinda slow and I can't connect with Eve.
One thing that turned me off is too many characters. I was gagged with names. And the Welsh is annoying because the writer didn't translate all the words.
But if you're looking for a light, h...more

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Oct 27, 2012 Kim rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, kindle

I absolutely loved this book. I could picture the characters and setting as vividly as if I was watching a film. It was a lovely heartwarming story about Eve who is left half of a Winter themepark to run with a complete stranger, Jacques. She hates Christmas- but gradually sees the new theme park take shape and soften her views!

She is one of my favourite authors.

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Dec 25, 2012 Emma rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: britain, chick-lit, xmas

4 and 1/2

Such a feel-good story!

Yes, it's very predictable, yes, the main characters are somewhat stereotypical but who cares? It's the perfect Christmas fairy tale. And there's a reindeer giving birth to twins, what else could you ask for?

It's my second Milly Johnson book and I'm slowly becoming a fan. She sure knows how to read delightful fluffy stories.

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Nov 27, 2012 Donna Irwin rated it 5 of 5 stars

Milly has excelled herself here - I loved Eve and Jacques, the central characters. A nice heartwarming story for the build up to Christmas. Noit as "daft" as some of her books (apart from the very idea of a winter theme park nr Barnsley) but a lovely, lovely read!

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