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Huntersbrook House #1
Driving Home For Christmas
Christmas at Huntersbrook House is a family tradition and this year it's even more important as, with mounting debts and insufficient income from the livery yard, it looks like the Craig family might have to sell their beloved family home.
Pippa, Joey and Lainey are the three grown up Craig children who, caught up with their own lives in Dublin, are, as yet, unaware of the problems facing Huntsersbrook.
Joey is starting to wonder if his controlling, fitness-mad girlfriend really is the one for him. Lainey, the family worrier, is doing her best to ignore her ex's recent engagement while also trying to look out for her sister Pippa whose frivolous lifestyle is about to catch up with her.
As the Christmas season approaches, the Craig family need to do some soul-searching and what better place than around the fire at Huntersbrook House.
One thing's for sure, this is a Christmas none of them will forget. But will it be their last at Huntersbrook or will they manage to save the family home?
Pippa, Joey and Lainey are the three grown up Craig children who, caught up with their own lives in Dublin, are, as yet, unaware of the problems facing Huntsersbrook.
Joey is starting to wonder if his controlling, fitness-mad girlfriend really is the one for him. Lainey, the family worrier, is doing her best to ignore her ex's recent engagement while also trying to look out for her sister Pippa whose frivolous lifestyle is about to catch up with her.
As the Christmas season approaches, the Craig family need to do some soul-searching and what better place than around the fire at Huntersbrook House.
One thing's for sure, this is a Christmas none of them will forget. But will it be their last at Huntersbrook or will they manage to save the family home?
384 pages, Paperback
First published October 18, 2012
57 people are currently reading
584 people want to read
About the author
Emma Hannigan
23 books164 followersEmma Hannigan was an Irish author and blogger, best known for writing about her experience of suffering from cancer.
With a family history of breast and ovarian cancer, Hannigan's mother and maternal aunt tested positive for the responsible gene, BRCA1. She also received a 'positive' result in August 2005, which carries an 85% risk of developing breast cancer and a 50% risk of ovarian cancer. In 2006, Hannigan underwent a bi-lateral mastectomy (or both breasts removed) and a bi-lateral oopherectomy (or both ovaries removed) to reduce the risk of cancer developing to 5%. However, breast cancer soon developed, "in the neck, shoulder and under my arm", in 2007. After repeated treatment, a tumor always reappeared. She died at age 45 after her tenth battle with cancer.
With a family history of breast and ovarian cancer, Hannigan's mother and maternal aunt tested positive for the responsible gene, BRCA1. She also received a 'positive' result in August 2005, which carries an 85% risk of developing breast cancer and a 50% risk of ovarian cancer. In 2006, Hannigan underwent a bi-lateral mastectomy (or both breasts removed) and a bi-lateral oopherectomy (or both ovaries removed) to reduce the risk of cancer developing to 5%. However, breast cancer soon developed, "in the neck, shoulder and under my arm", in 2007. After repeated treatment, a tumor always reappeared. She died at age 45 after her tenth battle with cancer.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
December 26, 2015
Review to come.
November 9, 2019
A lovely festive read.
December 13, 2022
Fun yet moving story of family coming up to and celebrating Christmas. 3.5 stars.
November 10, 2013
When I was sent driving home for Christmas, I was unsure of what to expect. I have never read a book by Emma Hannigan before and was not sure of her style of writing.
This story is based around the Craig family. The chapters are relatively short and each represent one of the members from the family. The story is in the run up to Christmas, where they normally spend it at Huntersbrook House as a whole family.
All the characters in the story are written very well, I had a connection with some and found it hard to relate to others. Pippa was my favourite character and actually reminded me slightly of Becky Bloomwood from the shopaholic series. She loves to spend money and is in a lot of debt. I do not think there was meant to be a connection between the two, this is something I just interpreted from reading her character.
I also loved Joey, I thought his character was written very well and loved his story. I felt sorry for him at times and then envious that he got to spend so much time at Huntersbrook House!
Lainey I found hard to connect with and I didn't find her story as interesting as the others in the family, saying this though the story would have not been right without her and it was important her character was included.
For me I found I had a personal connection to the book. When growing up I had a strong family unit and we would visit my grandparents in Cornwall where they had a large house. This bought back memories for me reading this book and I made links between my own family Christmas and the Craigs.
I would say that this book is Christmas wrapped up in a box, it is about family, connections and the love you have for your family. I would recommend this book to everyone for Christmas as its heart warming and makes you wish you were part of the Craig family sharing their family Christmas.
I would like to that Headline for sending me this review copy.
This story is based around the Craig family. The chapters are relatively short and each represent one of the members from the family. The story is in the run up to Christmas, where they normally spend it at Huntersbrook House as a whole family.
All the characters in the story are written very well, I had a connection with some and found it hard to relate to others. Pippa was my favourite character and actually reminded me slightly of Becky Bloomwood from the shopaholic series. She loves to spend money and is in a lot of debt. I do not think there was meant to be a connection between the two, this is something I just interpreted from reading her character.
I also loved Joey, I thought his character was written very well and loved his story. I felt sorry for him at times and then envious that he got to spend so much time at Huntersbrook House!
Lainey I found hard to connect with and I didn't find her story as interesting as the others in the family, saying this though the story would have not been right without her and it was important her character was included.
For me I found I had a personal connection to the book. When growing up I had a strong family unit and we would visit my grandparents in Cornwall where they had a large house. This bought back memories for me reading this book and I made links between my own family Christmas and the Craigs.
I would say that this book is Christmas wrapped up in a box, it is about family, connections and the love you have for your family. I would recommend this book to everyone for Christmas as its heart warming and makes you wish you were part of the Craig family sharing their family Christmas.
I would like to that Headline for sending me this review copy.
July 25, 2015
Who says you have to read Christmas themed books in December???
Huntersbrook Lodge, in Southern Ireland, is home to the Craig family. The kids mat have have grown up and moved out, but always come back for the traditional Huntesrbrook Christmas. A period house, on acres of land, the Craigs fill the rooms with festive decorations, light the fires and cook up a storm. Only difference this year, is that money has run out and the house may be in jeopardy. The younger generation are unaware and are having their own problems.
Lainey is recovering from a break up and stalking her ex on Facebook, Joey has the girlfriend from hell, but she happens to be beautiful and he is the envy of the male population, while Pippa is on a spending spree which seems to be getting out of control. Will a family gathering make things worse, or will the heart of the home bring out the best in them?
I first came across Emma Hannigan's work when I read The Pink Ladies Club. I devoured it and have been a fan ever since. Her writing is so simple and endearing. There is no need for shock tactics or major plotting. The characters do the work.
The Craig family were a little difficult to like at the beginning. It's hard to feel sympathetic for people who's biggest problems seemed so trivial. However, as the novel moved on, and the characters developed, the grew on me. Each of the children had their own annoying traits and I actually wanted to give them a stern talking to at several stages throughout the book. I did love the parents, Holly and Paddy, and their housekeeper, Sadie. The buzz over the Christmas period is really brought to life within these pages, but it's not necessary to read this only in winter. It is a story of family, first and foremost, and Huntersbrook is a beautiful Georgian home, with its own quirkiness and history. Well worth picking up, anytime of year!
Huntersbrook Lodge, in Southern Ireland, is home to the Craig family. The kids mat have have grown up and moved out, but always come back for the traditional Huntesrbrook Christmas. A period house, on acres of land, the Craigs fill the rooms with festive decorations, light the fires and cook up a storm. Only difference this year, is that money has run out and the house may be in jeopardy. The younger generation are unaware and are having their own problems.
Lainey is recovering from a break up and stalking her ex on Facebook, Joey has the girlfriend from hell, but she happens to be beautiful and he is the envy of the male population, while Pippa is on a spending spree which seems to be getting out of control. Will a family gathering make things worse, or will the heart of the home bring out the best in them?
I first came across Emma Hannigan's work when I read The Pink Ladies Club. I devoured it and have been a fan ever since. Her writing is so simple and endearing. There is no need for shock tactics or major plotting. The characters do the work.
The Craig family were a little difficult to like at the beginning. It's hard to feel sympathetic for people who's biggest problems seemed so trivial. However, as the novel moved on, and the characters developed, the grew on me. Each of the children had their own annoying traits and I actually wanted to give them a stern talking to at several stages throughout the book. I did love the parents, Holly and Paddy, and their housekeeper, Sadie. The buzz over the Christmas period is really brought to life within these pages, but it's not necessary to read this only in winter. It is a story of family, first and foremost, and Huntersbrook is a beautiful Georgian home, with its own quirkiness and history. Well worth picking up, anytime of year!
October 18, 2013
Christmas themed books are my favourite, I absolutely love Christmas and anything related to it, so books and Christmas together is wonderful. With that in mind, I was very excited for Emma Hannigan’s book Driving Home For Christmas, and I couldn’t wait to get started!
As this was my first time reading Emma’s writing, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I quickly became absorbed in her wonderful writing and story.
I really liked the characters, and I found that I was interested in them as separate people as well as a family too. I really invested my emotions and feelings into their individual story lines. I enjoyed that they all had their own dilemmas, like Joey and his girlfriend, or Lainey and the situation with her ex, because it helped them stand out from the family on their own, and I really felt by the end that I had spent time with each and every family member. I was really rooting for the characters and I thoroughly enjoyed my time with them.
The descriptions were beautiful, whilst reading I could picture the scenes clearly in my mind and at one point I could almost feel the snow falling around me.
This is a light, easy to read story with many joyous moments. The characters go through their ups and downs and there are more serious moments but Emma effortlessly weaves in some more lighter-hearted sections that will have you smiling. Driving Home For Christmas is an enjoyable story of family, friendship, love and is a wonderful festive read.
As this was my first time reading Emma’s writing, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I quickly became absorbed in her wonderful writing and story.
I really liked the characters, and I found that I was interested in them as separate people as well as a family too. I really invested my emotions and feelings into their individual story lines. I enjoyed that they all had their own dilemmas, like Joey and his girlfriend, or Lainey and the situation with her ex, because it helped them stand out from the family on their own, and I really felt by the end that I had spent time with each and every family member. I was really rooting for the characters and I thoroughly enjoyed my time with them.
The descriptions were beautiful, whilst reading I could picture the scenes clearly in my mind and at one point I could almost feel the snow falling around me.
This is a light, easy to read story with many joyous moments. The characters go through their ups and downs and there are more serious moments but Emma effortlessly weaves in some more lighter-hearted sections that will have you smiling. Driving Home For Christmas is an enjoyable story of family, friendship, love and is a wonderful festive read.
November 30, 2014
I had the feeling when I started reading this book that it was one in a series of stories about a family, but it appears not. I have to admit, I really didn't like it. Full of stereotypical characters and selfish, vapid women. The story dragged on with little real conflict apart from the accident and even that seemed to be glossed over.
I loathed the way the nervous girl (who was demonstrating how to make a fruit cake) was written. There was no empathy for her and the same goes for the man with a speech impediment
He did his best to show them how to make Christmas crackers but he was too much for Holly and Sadie who had to retreat outside.
Wow.
As for the comments about the jumpers knitted by the 'local elderly people' (and I wonder if Holly actually paid any of them for knitting the jumpers, or was she just trying to get cheap presents under the pretence of 'helping the local elderly people?) I found the mocking comments truly unpleasant. Do writers have to play the 'let's make fun of old people' game? Just because people are old there is no reason to portray them as incompetent, drooling idiots.
The only character I had any sympathy for was Joey.
I loathed the way the nervous girl (who was demonstrating how to make a fruit cake) was written. There was no empathy for her and the same goes for the man with a speech impediment
He did his best to show them how to make Christmas crackers but he was too much for Holly and Sadie who had to retreat outside.
Wow.
As for the comments about the jumpers knitted by the 'local elderly people' (and I wonder if Holly actually paid any of them for knitting the jumpers, or was she just trying to get cheap presents under the pretence of 'helping the local elderly people?) I found the mocking comments truly unpleasant. Do writers have to play the 'let's make fun of old people' game? Just because people are old there is no reason to portray them as incompetent, drooling idiots.
The only character I had any sympathy for was Joey.
December 15, 2018
Another excellent book by this author. Nice easy read to get the Christmas reading started.
December 31, 2022
Couldn't stop reading it. Love Christmas stories.
December 8, 2017
The Second Book I’ve Read By This Author And This One Didn’t Disappoint Either. Great Characters That The Reader Can Love & Hate. Christmas Is The Perfect Setting For Miracles And This Book Is Full Of Them
December 17, 2017
A really lovely Christmas story following the lives of the Craig family on the lead up to their traditional family festivities .. This is the third book I have read by this Author, and the third that I have really enjoyed. The characters are believable and each are given their own story and equal billing. The underlying story skips along at a lovely pace. You think you know where it is going, but a nice twist at the end ties up all the ends in a festive bow. Looking forward to reading more by EH.
December 11, 2013
A feel good book which makes you want to pick up the phone and call a relative you haven't spoken to in a while . It Highlights the importance of family and how we are all seeking that special someone. I would like to read Hannigans other books.
December 18, 2025
The Craig family and an assortment of friends are gathering at their family home, Hunterbrook House, for Christmas, but financial troubles might mean this is their last winter there. And of course, each person has their own personal issues too, all of which are resolved in the predictable, easy way one expects from this kind of Christmas-themed novel!
I liked the setting and the Christmassy atmosphere is nicely done, but I couldn't rate this story any higher because some aspects were just too unbelievable. For example, one of the characters is physically and sexually assaulted by a taxi driver in front of a witness, yet when she reports it to the police, the perpetrator is let off with a caution. Really?!!! Please tell me that this is not an accurate reflection of Irish policing in 2012! At another point, a character who is too poor to to heat her house buys a load of expensive wool so that the elderly residents of a care home can knit a dozen or so jumpers for her to give her family as presents. When the jumpers arrive, they are so badly made as to be unwearable. I found it hard to believe in a bunch of OAPs who could knit fast enough to produce patterned adult size jumpers in a couple of days, yet knitted so badly that the jumpers were unwearable. And that's before we get started on the cost of wool - it would have been FAR cheaper for her to have bought jumpers ready made from a shop! Another character sets up an online personal shopper business in just one evening, but the descriptions of how this work conflict with each other. An abusive man manages to convince his girlfriend that he is perfect whilst simultaneously bragging on Facebook about getting away with cheating on her...how did neither she nor any of her friends spot these posts? There were just so many things that had me going 'Eh?' and it made the whole thing feel quite unbelievable. But I think the biggest issue was the attitude of the whole family towards the grandmother, Maggie. We are told at the start of the story that she has gone to Australia to be with her new partner, leaving her middle aged son and daughter and her three grandchildren (all in their twenties and thirties) in Ireland. The whole family are so mad at her that they refuse to have any contact with her. When she sends one granddaughter an expensive birthday present, the girl is happy enough to accept the gift but still won't speak to the giver. The theme of how upset they are over grandma's 'abandoning' of them is reiterated many times, and I found myself becoming increasingly annoyed by their bratty behaviour. At the end, we find out that the real reason Maggie left was and even then, they still manage to make it all about themselves and how they are feeling! It's hard to sum up much enthusiasm for a happy ending for such obnoxious people.
I liked the setting and the Christmassy atmosphere is nicely done, but I couldn't rate this story any higher because some aspects were just too unbelievable. For example, one of the characters is physically and sexually assaulted by a taxi driver in front of a witness, yet when she reports it to the police, the perpetrator is let off with a caution. Really?!!! Please tell me that this is not an accurate reflection of Irish policing in 2012! At another point, a character who is too poor to to heat her house buys a load of expensive wool so that the elderly residents of a care home can knit a dozen or so jumpers for her to give her family as presents. When the jumpers arrive, they are so badly made as to be unwearable. I found it hard to believe in a bunch of OAPs who could knit fast enough to produce patterned adult size jumpers in a couple of days, yet knitted so badly that the jumpers were unwearable. And that's before we get started on the cost of wool - it would have been FAR cheaper for her to have bought jumpers ready made from a shop! Another character sets up an online personal shopper business in just one evening, but the descriptions of how this work conflict with each other. An abusive man manages to convince his girlfriend that he is perfect whilst simultaneously bragging on Facebook about getting away with cheating on her...how did neither she nor any of her friends spot these posts? There were just so many things that had me going 'Eh?' and it made the whole thing feel quite unbelievable. But I think the biggest issue was the attitude of the whole family towards the grandmother, Maggie. We are told at the start of the story that she has gone to Australia to be with her new partner, leaving her middle aged son and daughter and her three grandchildren (all in their twenties and thirties) in Ireland. The whole family are so mad at her that they refuse to have any contact with her. When she sends one granddaughter an expensive birthday present, the girl is happy enough to accept the gift but still won't speak to the giver. The theme of how upset they are over grandma's 'abandoning' of them is reiterated many times, and I found myself becoming increasingly annoyed by their bratty behaviour. At the end, we find out that the real reason Maggie left was and even then, they still manage to make it all about themselves and how they are feeling! It's hard to sum up much enthusiasm for a happy ending for such obnoxious people.
May 11, 2017
Meet the Craig family – Pippa, Lainey and Joey – the grown-up children of Holly and Paddy Craig – the owner of Huntersbrook House.
As in the story, the coming Christmas might be the last at the family house-Huntersbrook House. The three children are clueless about the future of the house and only the pa and ma are aware of how they are about the lose the house.
Pippa, Lainey and Joey each leads their own life but they are bonded with the family tradition of celebrating Christmas at home with Paddy and Holly and not forgotten their absent grandma - Maggie. Readers will only meet Maggie at the end of the story but she is also one of the main characters in the family. Whilst Maggie is said to be away Down Under with a male friend, Paddy and Holly are left to decide on the future of the house. With business not doing well, they may have to give up the house. The three children are not aware of the financial state of the family and so have no idea that the next Christmas might be the last at Hunstersbrook.
As it happens, Lainey is struggling from her recent breakup, Pippa is submerged with debts and Joey, despite being successful at work is not so in the department of love as Sophia seems to hate his family and just could not understand all the hype of being together at Christmas.
The plot flows to Christmas preparation at Huntersbrook with all the decoration of the Christmas trees amidst the worries of losing the house.
A feel good story this is as the ending is a happy one ….Maggie returns home on eve of Christmas and the family knows the reason of her leaving the family so suddenly which is not to be with her male companion but due to her illness. She had cancer but is cured now. The family is rejoiced of her coming back but some hurtful truths are confronted. The story touches on the many sides and conflicts in a family. Mother and daughter’s bond is one of Holly and Maggie and Holly and Lainey.
I guess the main message is family bonding. Which is what makes the book a nice one to read as one knows..whatever the hardship is, the family comes together , it will work out.
The house shall remain in the if family as the compensation money from Joey’s unfortunate accident will be used to maintain the house – although the Paddy and Holly rejected it in the beginning. I guess in every cloud there is a silver lining and that one’s calamity can be turned into a fortune.
With Maggie back at home, the family is reunited. Pippa has started her own business in the line she loves – fashion..Lainey is finding love again with a guy she met at a party. Joey is separated with Sophie and with another S – Skye. Of which everyone is the family approves.
A happy ending. A nice reading for the season of joy to celebrate the love and bond of family.
As in the story, the coming Christmas might be the last at the family house-Huntersbrook House. The three children are clueless about the future of the house and only the pa and ma are aware of how they are about the lose the house.
Pippa, Lainey and Joey each leads their own life but they are bonded with the family tradition of celebrating Christmas at home with Paddy and Holly and not forgotten their absent grandma - Maggie. Readers will only meet Maggie at the end of the story but she is also one of the main characters in the family. Whilst Maggie is said to be away Down Under with a male friend, Paddy and Holly are left to decide on the future of the house. With business not doing well, they may have to give up the house. The three children are not aware of the financial state of the family and so have no idea that the next Christmas might be the last at Hunstersbrook.
As it happens, Lainey is struggling from her recent breakup, Pippa is submerged with debts and Joey, despite being successful at work is not so in the department of love as Sophia seems to hate his family and just could not understand all the hype of being together at Christmas.
The plot flows to Christmas preparation at Huntersbrook with all the decoration of the Christmas trees amidst the worries of losing the house.
A feel good story this is as the ending is a happy one ….Maggie returns home on eve of Christmas and the family knows the reason of her leaving the family so suddenly which is not to be with her male companion but due to her illness. She had cancer but is cured now. The family is rejoiced of her coming back but some hurtful truths are confronted. The story touches on the many sides and conflicts in a family. Mother and daughter’s bond is one of Holly and Maggie and Holly and Lainey.
I guess the main message is family bonding. Which is what makes the book a nice one to read as one knows..whatever the hardship is, the family comes together , it will work out.
The house shall remain in the if family as the compensation money from Joey’s unfortunate accident will be used to maintain the house – although the Paddy and Holly rejected it in the beginning. I guess in every cloud there is a silver lining and that one’s calamity can be turned into a fortune.
With Maggie back at home, the family is reunited. Pippa has started her own business in the line she loves – fashion..Lainey is finding love again with a guy she met at a party. Joey is separated with Sophie and with another S – Skye. Of which everyone is the family approves.
A happy ending. A nice reading for the season of joy to celebrate the love and bond of family.
December 21, 2018
A beautiful family novel set during Christmas about the incredibly close-knit Craig family, centred around the family home, Huntersbrook House, in which the 3 children (Lainey, Joey and Pippa) grew up. All three kids have moved in the direction of Dublin for work now, although they remain close and return to Huntersbrook often. The book basically chronicles typical struggles of the family following the matriarch Maggie’s (the siblings’ grandmother)’s seemingly random decision to follow her man to Australia, which was not in any way possible taken well by her family.
The book opens with a letter to Maggie describing the things going on at Huntersbrook House in her absence, although we later find that it is an email. This confused me at first, I think the author meant for this to introduce the characters but it was in a slightly odd way that left me rather confused. The narrative then focuses on each of the characters in turn (changing in each chapter) as the children go about their lives and jobs in Dublin while their parents remain at Huntersbrook House where mother Holly is busy with her annual preparations for Christmas. There is the usual fanfare of issues with jobs, friends, money and love interests or otherwise, which are resolved when the family comes together for the festive period. Hannigan writes incredibly well, conveying emotion so effectively through her words and the subtle change in style between paragraphs made it seem like each of her characters had a unique voice which I thought was the beauty of this book.
I enjoyed this very much for what it was: A warm, easy read set over the Christmas period in a truly likeable family that sticks up for one another. This is the first of a duo, the second of which I am looking forward to reading. A solid 4 star rating.
The book opens with a letter to Maggie describing the things going on at Huntersbrook House in her absence, although we later find that it is an email. This confused me at first, I think the author meant for this to introduce the characters but it was in a slightly odd way that left me rather confused. The narrative then focuses on each of the characters in turn (changing in each chapter) as the children go about their lives and jobs in Dublin while their parents remain at Huntersbrook House where mother Holly is busy with her annual preparations for Christmas. There is the usual fanfare of issues with jobs, friends, money and love interests or otherwise, which are resolved when the family comes together for the festive period. Hannigan writes incredibly well, conveying emotion so effectively through her words and the subtle change in style between paragraphs made it seem like each of her characters had a unique voice which I thought was the beauty of this book.
I enjoyed this very much for what it was: A warm, easy read set over the Christmas period in a truly likeable family that sticks up for one another. This is the first of a duo, the second of which I am looking forward to reading. A solid 4 star rating.
December 20, 2023
I liked the story. I liked a lot of the characters in the story. I felt the part about potentially losing the farm was too short and a little rushed. A lot of the chapters were taken up by the characters and not by the situation in the house I also feel the story about the gay character could have been left out. It felt a little like because her mo mother didn't agree with how she was living she was the bad person. It feel a little like an agenda push. I think when we read books like this we want to get away from the agenda pushing and talk of politics etc. and go into the world of the scene in the book but when I see agenda pushing it takes me out of the magical world of the story . It wasn't mentioned much in it though. A nice read overall
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 19, 2018
This is a perfect Christmas book about one family and all its members. It’s set in a short space of time but loads happens in that time. You get hooked on each person and want them to be happy. I love the family values and the way they look out for each other. My favourite person is lainey as she is the most similar to me. The feisty sister reminds me of my youngest sister in the way she says what she thinks but that she would do anything for her family when it comes down to it. As a big family person this book was perfect for me.
November 29, 2017
It was easy to read I enjoyed the beginning getting to know the characters but then towards the middle it started becoming a bit to predictable and very unrealistic which is fine in some ways but I think it could of done with being a bit more representative of your average family and it felt a bit rushed to get in wrapped up in the end. Just one thing I was wondering considering how many bedrooms does this house actually have because on my estimation there must be at least 6-7!
October 30, 2019
Christmas is not about presents. A meaningful Christmas is when families gather together for a good meal and conversation. That is what i learned from this wonderful book written by Emma Hannigan. It's only October but I just feel very Christmassy and decided to read a book about Christmas. And best of all, this story takes place in Dublin and the beautiful Wicklow of which i have just visited mid of this month. I just love all the books written by Emma.
January 21, 2025
Cute feel-good Christmas read. At first, I thought it was a bit hard to get into the story because of the character swap every chapter without any real introductions. And the mysterious letters to who?! I would have like Sadie to have gotten more time at the beginning to make the letters make sense. However it clicks half way and I found myself quite fond of each character. Very simply written, although it’s always nice to read a book set in Ireland too.
December 6, 2025
This was fine. Christmassy vibes were pretty good but I wasn't crazy about any of the characters and I found the dialogue to be a little cheesy at times.
Also Joey's Sophia and Lainey's ex Seth being written as cartoonishly horrible really took me out of it, they could have just been normal levels of annoying and it would have been better.
Also Joey's Sophia and Lainey's ex Seth being written as cartoonishly horrible really took me out of it, they could have just been normal levels of annoying and it would have been better.
December 3, 2019
I really loved this book. Super characters infact it's one of those books you can read over and over again. Love the idea that the chapters are all Christmas songs. I love Holly she's a lot like me a mega Christmas fan.
January 9, 2022
Absolutely love this book. The first book I have read by this author and my first read of 2022 and I haven't had a book make me feel so many emotions in a long time.
The ending for this make me excited for the next one!!!
The ending for this make me excited for the next one!!!
September 19, 2024
This story tells about the importance of being together with family members and know how to choose the right partner and value people around us.It will come around when there is up and down...this story might never happen in my life but I rather enjoyed reading this book.
January 1, 2018
Enjoyed this book thoroughly. Set in Ireland at christmas time. Easy reading.
March 23, 2018
Excellent
Great Read for everyone really pulls you into the characters lives highly recommended for anyone who likes Emma hannigan RIP
Great Read for everyone really pulls you into the characters lives highly recommended for anyone who likes Emma hannigan RIP
December 19, 2018
Much better than I expected. Though I would have preferred a little more on Christmas itself as there was so much buildup and the actual festivities passed quickly!
December 27, 2018
3.5 stars.
January 8, 2020
I wished I read this at Christmas time. What a great heartfelt read
February 3, 2020
A bit trashy but easy read
Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews