Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

The Twelve Days to Christmas (Single in the City #3)

by Michele Gorman (Goodreads Author)

3.51 of 5 stars 3.51 · rating details · 74 ratings · 26 reviews

"What if his proposal had an expiration date?"

Hannah’s in a bit of a pickle. In twelve days she flies from Hong Kong to the US with Sam, where he’s finally going to meet her parents… and ask to marry her.
Since overcoming a rather rocky patch in their relationship (which was totally his fault), he really is a new man, and they’re completely in love. The problem is, she feel...more

Paperback, 120 pages

Published September 11th 2012 (first published January 1st 2012)

more details... edit details

Get a copy:

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

The Night Before Christmas by Scarlett Bailey

It Started With A Kiss... by Miranda Dickinson

Twelve Days of Christmas by Trisha Ashley

Christmas Chick Lit

31st out of 66 books — 83 voters

More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 474)

filter | sort: default (?) | rating details

Oct 11, 2012 Chelsey rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is the first book that I have read by Michele Gorman. She has written a few other books like this one and I am anxious to check them out. This book was a Christmas story, how fabulous I know, and took place in Hong Kong! I was really thrown by the location at first but once I started reading I was really pleased with how Michele worked Hong Kong into the cozy Christmas setting. She even describes some of the more favored traditions of the Christmas season as it takes place in Hong Kong and...more This is the first book that I have read by Michele Gorman. She has written a few other books like this one and I am anxious to check them out. This book was a Christmas story, how fabulous I know, and took place in Hong Kong! I was really thrown by the location at first but once I started reading I was really pleased with how Michele worked Hong Kong into the cozy Christmas setting. She even describes some of the more favored traditions of the Christmas season as it takes place in Hong Kong and I was so into reading parts like those. It is always fascinating to see how someone else represents a holiday that is widespread here. That was probably my favorite part of the book!

Hannah was a very believable character and her flaws were something that I could relate to, most of the time. Hannah did drive me a little batty at first because she was constantly questioning her relationship with Sam, who was supposed to be proposing to her soon. It was almost like she had to talk herself into the fact that he really and truly loved her. Their relationship had comes through a few rough spots in the past, but I felt like they weren’t completely finished with hitting that prickly patch just by the way Hannah talked. For the most part, however, I did love and value her sense of realism. She was just like any other woman would be in her current situations. Hannah had a lot of major events happening in her life and I thought that she handled them all well.

Christmas was a reoccurring theme throughout this book and that was fine by me! Michele does an awesome job of incorporating Hong Kong traditions, like I mentioned before, but also by allowing our main character, Hannah, to talk about her American Christmas traditions as well. There was a paragraph where Hannah was going on and on about her Dad’s annual tradition of making eggnog for everyone! How could something so small captivate me? It was amazing!

I also loved her relationship with her best friend, Stacy. Stacy is an in your face type of friend who speaks nothing but the truth. She is bold and blunt and I would understand if some people didn’t like her, but I was thrilled with her character. I have a friend like that and I am a firm believer that everyone needs a friend to tell you when you are being a little ridiculous.

This is a quick and highly entertaining read. If you are ready for just a taste of Christmas then please go and check it out today!

***An e-copy of this book was provided to me by the author in exchange for my honest review***
(less)

like · see review

Oct 15, 2012 Kirsty Maclennan rated it 4 of 5 stars

Michele Gorman has given us our first taste of christmas with this witty novella.

Through 120 pages we follow Hannah on her quest to get Sam to propose and along the way we discover that although Hannah’s head is telling her marriage is what she wants, her heart isn’t so sure.

This is a lovely story, with easy to relate to characters. And even though the main part of the story follows Hannah working on her feelings, there is also the proposed sale of the firm that Hannah works for as a sub plot to...more

like · see review

Oct 11, 2012 Jennifer Joyce rated it 4 of 5 stars

The Twelve Days to Christmas is the third and final instalment in Michele Gorman's Single in the City series. I've already read Misfortune Cookie but it doesn't matter if you haven't read any of the other books as everything is explained within The Twelve Days to Christmas. The Twelve Days to Christmas picks up a few months down the line from Misfortune Cookie and although Hannah loves Sam, she isn't so sure their relationship will last, especially as she has been keeping a big secret from him.

I...more

like · see review

Oct 13, 2012 Swati rated it 3 of 5 stars

Christmas is just around the corner and Hanna is feeling giddy not only because she is going to fly home and see her family after two years but because she believes that her boyfriend Sam is going to propose her or why he would be flying back to US with her to meet her family? This is what Hanna wanted, to marry the love of her life but whenever she think about the moment he would pop the question , she finds herself in dilemma and has often asked herself in low voice if she wants this? She has...more

like · see review

Oct 20, 2012 SOS Aloha rated it 3 of 5 stars

A good conscience is a continual Christmas. - Benjamin Franklin

Hannah suspects her boyfriend, Sam, will ask her to marry her when they both fly from Hong Kong to her parents' home for Christmas. In the days leading up to their departure, Hannah has a battle of conscience - she moved to Hong Kong to be with Sam. But her life in Hong Kong has expanded her horizons and she wonders if Sam will accept the imperfect side of her.

Oh, this may seem to be a heavy story, but it is not. It is a laugh out lo...more A good conscience is a continual Christmas. - Benjamin Franklin

Hannah suspects her boyfriend, Sam, will ask her to marry her when they both fly from Hong Kong to her parents' home for Christmas. In the days leading up to their departure, Hannah has a battle of conscience - she moved to Hong Kong to be with Sam. But her life in Hong Kong has expanded her horizons and she wonders if Sam will accept the imperfect side of her.

Oh, this may seem to be a heavy story, but it is not. It is a laugh out loud adventure in the "final chapter" of Hannah's story. Readers first met Hannah in Book 1, SINGLE IN THE CITY (full length novel) with Hannah moving to London and falling in love with fellow American Sam. I joined the fun with Book 2, MISFORTUNE COOKIE (full length novel) when Hannah followed Sam to Hong Kong. It was not quite the "romance story" that I expected but rather Hannah's self discovery - a story that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Book 3 (a novella) continues in Hong Kong with a self assured Hannah. As she considers what may be her reaction to Sam's expected proposal, Hannah comes to realize that her friends accept her, quirks and all. But she has not allowed Sam to see those quirks in fear of his disapproval. Hannah finds herself in conflict. The ending was not what I expected but one that brought the series to a plausible conclusion.

I give it a three star rating because I felt a novella was too short for reintroducing Sam back into Hannah's life to the point of proposing. I thought the pace was too fast as Hannah considered her predicament. Plus Gorman had to use precious space to recap Hannah's life for new readers.

That being said, Gorman delivered a fun read with Hannah at her best ... because she accepted herself. My children wondered why I was singing "Wang Chung Tonight":

I'll drive a million miles
To be with you tonight

Ev'rybody have fun tonight
Ev'rybody Wang Chung tonight

Oh, you have to read the novella to understand how Gorman leads into this situation with Chinese cloth manufacturers. And that is where Gorman shined - allowing Hannah to have fun in Hong Kong. Fans of the Hannah's two first books will want to read this novella. I recommend readers new to the series consider the first and/or second full length novels before ending the series with this novella.

I received an ecopy from the author for this review.
(less)

1 like · like · see review

Oct 16, 2012 Samantha Robey rated it 5 of 5 stars

I received a copy of The Twelve Days to Christmas in exchange for an honest review. Michele Gorman’s novels have delighted me, so I was super excited to be reviewing her latest, and another in the Hannah series – The Twelve Days to Christmas. It was great to catch up with Hannah and company again, including Hannah’s boyfriend, Sam. The big dilemma is that Hannah believes Sam is going to propose to her – why else would he be flying from Hong Kong back to the States with her to meet her parents? T...more

like · see review

Feb 06, 2013 Andrea rated it 5 of 5 stars

Single in the city and Misfortune Cookie are definitely on my top 10 list of favorite books. I couldn't believe this one had come out and I didn't even know! So as you can imagine I didn't even think twice before buying it.
On this book we continue reading about Hannah's adventures in Hong Kong and we get to find out what happened right after Misfortune Cookie ended. It doesn't really matter of you haven't read the first two books because this one explains everything very well and you won't get...more

like · see review

Sep 20, 2012 Tifferz rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is the third book in The Single in the City series. I have not read the first two books and felt like it stood alone nicely. This is also my first read by Michele Gorman. I do want to read the first two books as they are all connected. Hannah she is great and cracks me up. I like that she is excited yet a bit jittery about a possible proposal from Sam her boyfriend. I found her self evaluation funny and real. I felt that she worked things through and grew in the process. Her friends are ama...more

1 like · like · see review

Oct 17, 2012 Melissa rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 12x12-challenge, 2012-challenges, author-review-requests, ebooks, friendship, holiday, i-own, marriage, romance, secrets

This review was originally posted on Melissa's Midnight Musings on October 13, 2012
*I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*

A few months ago, Michele contacted me to review the previous novel in this series, Misfortune Cookie. (You can read that review here) So when she contacted me about The Twelve Days to Christmas I was happy to say yes because I wondered what had happened to them.

I have to admit that I wasn't all that thrilled by the ending of Misfortu...more This review was originally posted on Melissa's Midnight Musings on October 13, 2012
*I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*

A few months ago, Michele contacted me to review the previous novel in this series, Misfortune Cookie. (You can read that review here) So when she contacted me about The Twelve Days to Christmas I was happy to say yes because I wondered what had happened to them.

I have to admit that I wasn't all that thrilled by the ending of Misfortune Cookie only because I had hoped that Hannah would stick to her guns and not get back together with Sam because it seemed like he didn't care about her enough. But at the end of the book you could already tell that she was considering letting him back in. In this book. it's very obvious that he cares for her a lot. It seems as if they've flipped roles a little in that regard because Hannah doesn't seem quite as needy as she was before (this is a very good thing).

But, as she starts to suspect (and worry) that Sam is going to propose to her, she starts to plan Operation Proposal to ensure that he does, even though it's clear that she's having second thoughts about the whole idea. I was a bit disappointed about this, more on a personal level than one with the book itself. Hannah knowing that Sam is going to propose just takes all the fun out of it. In terms of the story though, it's perfect because it's reason to throw Hannah into a frenzy and get her all worked up which is typical of her character.

It's a bit fun to watch her go to the length to ensure that Sam proposes, but I did feel kind of bad about the fact that she had her own secrets to keep from him in this book. It's almost like payback for the secret he kept from her in Misfortune Cookie.

One thing that I want to note that was really fun about the structure is that at the beginning of each chapter there's a set of lines that's repeated and grows with each chapter, that's very similar to The Twelve Days of Christmas song. That was a cute touch to the story.

If you're worried about the fact that this is a series, don't be. Each of these work well as standalone books too. I didn't get a chance to read Single in the City before I read Misfortune Cookie and I didn't really feel like anything major was missing. I don't think anyone who reads just this story will feel that way either.

I do have to say that I was slightly disappointed by the ending. To me, it just felt a tiny bit cliche, I was hoping for something more. There was also an issue with the names of characters at the end (I won't say what this is because I don't want to spoil it) but I felt it was slightly unoriginal.

Those are really personal issues though, nothing to do with the book itself, which was excellent. This is a wonderfully sweet story that's perfect for the Christmas season.
(less)

1 like · like · see review

Dec 20, 2012 Lydia Laceby rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: chick-lit

Rated 3.5 Star

Originally reviewed at Novel Escapes

The Twelve Days to Christmas is the third installment in a series beginning with Single Girl in the City and Misfortune Cookie and it is just as easy and enjoyable to read Hannah's continuing adventures in life and love. I had anticipated reading more of Hannah's adventures while this novella sat in my to-be-read pile, but I found myself a tad disappointed that this was just a novella of about 150 pages, especially when I discovered that there w...more

like · see review

Sep 22, 2012 Katie rated it 4 of 5 stars

If you have read either of the two other books in this series (I have read one Single in the City) reading The Twelve Days of Christmas will be like meeting up with old friends. If you have not read the other books the characters are still very easy to get to know and love. From Hannah the main character to the supporting characters of twin ginger haired Brits living in Hong Kong, Brent and Stuart, you quickly become attached and really want everyone to be happy. The books in this series also sh...more

like · see review

Oct 01, 2012 Laura rated it 4 of 5 stars

Fun and easy to read....

When I say easy to read, it doesn't mean that it's (in my opinion,) not a good book. This is the third book in the 'Single in the City' series by Michele Gorman. I'm new to this series, having only read The Twelve Days of Christmas.' A book about Christmas, well it had me hooked from the beginning but it soon became clear that this was a light hearted (very welcome,) and fun story too. Hannah is a good heroine and seems to have real, relatable flaws but is still likeable....more

like · see review

Oct 04, 2012 Krystal rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is the last in the series about Hannah, Sam and friends. For those who've read the previous books (Single In the City, Misfortune Cookie), this is a nice wrap up to her story. But it also works as a stand alone. There is enough background info on the characters and their history to give a new reader enough of a back story to care about them and what happens to them. Although, because of the history of these characters, you might find yourself wanting a different outcome than what actually h...more

like · see review

Oct 01, 2012 Cupcakencorset rated it 4 of 5 stars

Warning: this review contains some spoilers. Proceed at your own risk!

Michele Gorman's novella continues the story of Hannah Cumming, an American expat who moved to Hong Kong to be with the man she loves and almost lost. The series began with Single in the City and continued in Misfortune Cookie. In this final novel in the series, Hannah believes Sam Parker is going to propose to her over the Christmas holidays, when they're at Hannah's family home in Connecticut and surrounded by her family......more Warning: this review contains some spoilers. Proceed at your own risk!

Michele Gorman's novella continues the story of Hannah Cumming, an American expat who moved to Hong Kong to be with the man she loves and almost lost. The series began with Single in the City and continued in Misfortune Cookie. In this final novel in the series, Hannah believes Sam Parker is going to propose to her over the Christmas holidays, when they're at Hannah's family home in Connecticut and surrounded by her family... and the prospect frightens and thrills her, in turns.

There's no doubt Hannah love Sam, but she hasn't always been, well, herself with him. Now she's as afraid that he might not want to marry the "real" her as she is that she might have to keep up the pretense that she's an adventurous nature lover for the rest of their life together. She wants to be honest about her couch-potato preferences, but doesn't quite know how or where to start.

Over the twelve days leading up to Hannah and Sam's trip to the U.S., Hannah struggles with her dilemma, supported by her quirky friends (all of whom know her true nature much better than Sam) and nearly swamped with love and desire when she's with Sam.

As if that weren't enough, Hannah's boss is trying to sell his party-supplies business, his longtime secretary is trying to get Hannah deported and her first-ever bikini was came out, um, uneven.

Despite the heavy themes, this novel is funny and sweet, with unexpected moments of hilarity. I laughed aloud several times and, to use a cliché, felt Hannah's pain more than once.

Although I am not generally a fan of holiday-themed romance novels, where the ending seems assured and the tropes of the holiday are predictable and formulaic, I highly and without reservation recommend this book. Perhaps because it is set in Hong Kong, the traditional American Christmas activities do not intrude. And while I expected a happy ending, given the genre, I wasn't sure what that would be until Hannah herself decided it in a climactic airport scene. The outcome surprised me, as I could see it easily going another way, but it was entirely logical and satisfying.

(Disclosure: For review purposes, I received a free advance copy of the eBook.)(less)

like · see review

Oct 11, 2012 Charlotte Lynns Reviews rated it 4 of 5 stars

When Sam suggests to Hannah that he go home with her for Christmas she is ecstatic. But when he said he had something important to talk to her parents about, Hannah’s nerves kick in. Would she say yes or no? She was unsure. Hannah knew she loved Sam, I mean she did move to Hong Kong to be with him. She had no doubt Sam loved her, he told her daily. So why was she unsure of her answer?

Hannah decided she had to get Sam to ask her to marry her before they go home for the holiday, I mean how awkward...more

like · see review

Oct 29, 2012 Lyndimari rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: goodreads-first-reads

The Twelve Days to Christmas is an easy-to-read story about a woman who finds out that her boyfriend is going to propose to her at Christmas while visiting her family but isn't really sure how she feels about that or what her answer will be. This story highlights the importance of trust, honesty and being yourself in a relationship. Though sometimes the story was a little predictable overall it was a very enjoyable read and I really liked Ms. Gorman's writing. A great story for anyone who has ev...more

1 like · like · see review

Nov 16, 2012 Hannah (Jaedia) rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction, chick-lit, christmas, received-for-review, ebook, indie, short-stories

Warning: May contain spoilers for earlier books in the series.

Well now. I wasn't expecting that. At the end of Misfortune Cookie we saw Hannah make a break from Sam who was just too hurtful to her. Yes! That was a great thing! I was so happy to see her liberate herself but then between then and The Twelve Days to Christmas, I don't know how this happened, but suddenly Sam is going with her to meet her parents and she is positive that he's going to propose but wants to be sure before he asks her...more

like · see review

Sep 22, 2012 Lori rated it 4 of 5 stars

This book was the third in the series and I recommend them all but if you haven't read the others, you will still be able to catch up. It has kept up the momentum throughout the series, which is exciting.
It is funny right from the start.
The main character remains someone I can relate to and I think a lot of people will relate to her. She is flawed but likable.
If you like "Friends" the television show, you will like this.
I like the clever way the chapters are set up.
I feel like I was able to know...more

like · see review

Apr 19, 2013 Tonya rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013-reads

Michele Gorman writes like no other! I really really fell in love with Hannah in the first book, and I was sadden each time they ended. So to get my hands on this one, was utterly delightful! Hannah tried to mask who she really was to Sam, even chasing him across the country. Hannah is one of the neatest, most down-to-earth characters I have EVER had the pleasure of knowing. (Can you even say that?? I think most of us true readers can!!) And I gobble up each word, you can't help but laugh with H...more

like · see review

Dec 06, 2012 Mrs Mommy Booknerd http://mrsmommybooknerd.blogspot.com rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: review-for-mmbbr-s

A wonderfully delightful novella with a great cast of characters! I enjoyed being on the journey with Hannah while she discovered what she really wanted and how sometimes life works out just the way it was meant to! Pick up this Christmas novella and enjoy a quick, fun read! 4.5 stars!
*note this book is part of a series

1 like · like · see review

Feb 15, 2013 Jamie rated it 3 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this series! Very Bridgette jones ish....

like · see review

Oct 25, 2012 Kristin (Kritters Ramblings) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: kritter-reviewed-2012, ebook

Check out the full review at Kritters Ramblings

A wonderful holiday novella that will you get you in the mood to find the person you love and tell them why you are glad they are the one by your side through the holiday season. Sam is a young woman from the United States who has lived in London and now currently resides in Hong Kong - she moved there for a boy (that part of the story hit close to home!). She is getting back together with the guy she moved for and is trying to decide if this is the...more

like · see review

Dec 25, 2012 Lindsay rated it 3 of 5 stars

Short but sweet!

like · see review

Sep 30, 2012 Tara Cunnane Niland rated it 5 of 5 stars

What a very enjoyable quirky read I thoroughly enjoyed it, the trials & tribulations of relationships, well worth reading x x

like · see review

May 03, 2013 Kelly Parker rated it 3 of 5 stars

Eh.

like · see review

Dec 05, 2012 Talli Roland rated it 5 of 5 stars

Having read both Single in the City and Misfortune Cookie, I couldn't wait to see what mischief and mishaps awaited Hannah in The Twelve Days to Christmas - and I wasn't disappointed! In typical bubbly, fun fashion, Hannah manages to find her way to what's really important and negotiate her own happy ending. A wonderfully warm, fitting conclusion to a great series.

1 like · like · see review

Dec 15, 2012 Heather rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

A really nice book with likeable characters, the story kept me wanted to read until I got to the end.

like · see review

Oct 22, 2012 Hannah rated it 5 of 5 stars

What a delightful little read. I'm so happy Hannah got her happy ending.

like · see review

May 21, 2013 Lauren Price added it

May 19, 2013 Melody Anne rated it 4 of 5 stars

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 … 15 16 next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Be the first to start one »

Recommend it | Stats | Recent status updates

combine
Other Editions (1)

Genres

Holiday > Christmas

7 users

Womens Fiction > Chick Lit

6 users

Holiday

2 users

Short Stories

2 users

Contemporary

2 users

See top shelves...

Readers also enjoyed similar books

About Michele Gorman

Michele Gorman was born and raised in the US, but lost her heart to London nearly 15 years ago and is now a card-carrying Brit. Michele writes both chick lit (Single in the City, Misfortune Cookie, The Twelve Days to Christmas). She also writes upmarket commercial fiction under the pen name Jamie Scott.

Since procrastination is an essential element in writing, Michele spends way too much time on t...more

More about Michele Gorman...

Books by Michele Gorman

More…

Share This Book

Facebook Twitter Your website

Trivia About The Twelve Days t...

No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »

title link	preview: The Twelve Days to Christmas
avg rating	preview: The Twelve Days to Christmas Goodreads rating: 3.51 (74 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15840809-the-twelve-days-to-christmas?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1345622096l/15840809.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15840809-the-twelve-days-to-christmas?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]The Twelve Days to Christmas by Michele Gorman[/url]

The Twelve Days to Christmas (Single in the City #3)

Friend Reviews

Community Reviews

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website