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The First Christmas Without You: A moving and heartwarming read for Christmas
Jessie Collins has always wanted to visit Lapland. But this Christmas, more than any other, it’s the place she feels she really needs to be as she tries to come to terms with a future she really needs to start living.
90 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2012
About the author
Michelle Betham
44 books86 followersMichelle Betham is an ex-media technician turned author of super-sexy romance, usually involving rock stars, DJs, movie stars, hot businessmen, and bikers. But not usually all in the same book. Yet. A proud indie author, she also has six books published through One More Chapter, a division of HarperCollins Publishers, one of which is a pyschological thriller/romantic suspense written under the pen name of ML Roberts.
Addicted to binge-watching TV shows she struggles to think of a life before Netflix or Amazon Prime, loves music - especially rock and EDM; tattoos – of which she has many; spicy food, superheroes (she's a slightly obsessed Avengers fan-girl who harbours a particularly unhealthy obsession with Captain America), and Keanu Reeves – a crush that’s lasted well over twenty years, and one she blames entirely on ‘Point Break’. The original. She refuses to acknowledge any remake exists.
Her dream is to ride a Harley, visit Las Vegas, and be able to eat any amount of chocolate without putting on weight.
She lives in County Durham, north-east England, with her husband and their West Highland Terrier, Opie - named after her favourite biker in Sons of Anarchy! She can be found, most days, at her desk drinking tea and making up stories.
Addicted to binge-watching TV shows she struggles to think of a life before Netflix or Amazon Prime, loves music - especially rock and EDM; tattoos – of which she has many; spicy food, superheroes (she's a slightly obsessed Avengers fan-girl who harbours a particularly unhealthy obsession with Captain America), and Keanu Reeves – a crush that’s lasted well over twenty years, and one she blames entirely on ‘Point Break’. The original. She refuses to acknowledge any remake exists.
Her dream is to ride a Harley, visit Las Vegas, and be able to eat any amount of chocolate without putting on weight.
She lives in County Durham, north-east England, with her husband and their West Highland Terrier, Opie - named after her favourite biker in Sons of Anarchy! She can be found, most days, at her desk drinking tea and making up stories.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
December 19, 2013
4 Heartwarming Chirstmassy Stars!
Jase Collins. My husband. Now and forever. Always.
After reading those words, The First Christmas Without You was pretty much a sob-fest for me. In a good way though because it bought home, how Christmas isn’t always a happy time for everyone, but for Jessie Collins there is hope, that Christmas will be again, what it once was for her. Full of hope, happiness, magic and sparkle.
This is a quick read, and some might say that the emotional developments between Jessie and Zac are unrealistic, but I didn’t care. This is a book for Christmas, telling a story about two broken hearts coming together and healing each other. I loved that it was told from both their POV, it gave more depth to both their characters, their shared grief and feeling of guilt for daring to look to the future.
Mikku – I sort of had an idea about his role, but again I didn’t care, still cried at the big reveal.
Michelle Betham is a new author on my radar, and is definitely going on my “one to watch” list, as I enjoyed this story immensely.
ARC offered through Netgalley, and it was my pleasure to provide the above honest review.
Jase Collins. My husband. Now and forever. Always.
After reading those words, The First Christmas Without You was pretty much a sob-fest for me. In a good way though because it bought home, how Christmas isn’t always a happy time for everyone, but for Jessie Collins there is hope, that Christmas will be again, what it once was for her. Full of hope, happiness, magic and sparkle.
This is a quick read, and some might say that the emotional developments between Jessie and Zac are unrealistic, but I didn’t care. This is a book for Christmas, telling a story about two broken hearts coming together and healing each other. I loved that it was told from both their POV, it gave more depth to both their characters, their shared grief and feeling of guilt for daring to look to the future.
Mikku – I sort of had an idea about his role, but again I didn’t care, still cried at the big reveal.
Michelle Betham is a new author on my radar, and is definitely going on my “one to watch” list, as I enjoyed this story immensely.
ARC offered through Netgalley, and it was my pleasure to provide the above honest review.
August 14, 2015
Jessie doesn't like Christmas. She used to love it, but is now dreading it, because last year her husband, who was her soulmate, passed away in the days before the holiday that was so important to them. She's going to Lapland to be away from it all, but also because it's something they wanted to do together and she wants to go for both of them. She's taking their dream journey without him. Fortunately she isn't alone as her brother and his friends are there as well.
When she arrives at their destination she doesn't know what to do with herself. Then she meets Mikku, a Sami man who's making her feel at ease straight away. Whenever she's having a tough time he's there to talk her through it and more. Because of his subtle guidance she goes to a party where she meets Zac. They instantly feel a connection. Mikku is just a friend, but with Zac Jessie feels things she thought she would never feel again. The question is if it isn't too soon, will she give Zac a chance or will she run away from him?
The First Christmas Without You is a Christmas novella. I loved reading about the village in Lapland and immediately wished I could spend Christmas there. The setting is fantastic. Lapland is a place where fairytales can happen and I liked the dreamlike setting of the story. After just one year Jessie isn't ready to love someone again and it scares her very much that she meets someone she could like. The story shows how deep her love is for the man who was taken away from her too soon. This isn't a happy, cheerful Christmas story. It's emotional and even though it's sad it's also hopeful.
I found the year of mourning before meeting someone again a bit soon, but could also understand that sometimes destiny has different plans. Through the grief there's also the realization that there's room for something new and I liked how Michelle Betham dealt with that in her story. It's very well written and I liked the magical aspect of the village and its inhabitants. Mikku is mysterious, generous with his friendship and sweet, I loved his role. I think The First Christmas Without You is a wonderful Christmas story. It might not be the most jolly one, but it definitely has the right Christmas spirit.
When she arrives at their destination she doesn't know what to do with herself. Then she meets Mikku, a Sami man who's making her feel at ease straight away. Whenever she's having a tough time he's there to talk her through it and more. Because of his subtle guidance she goes to a party where she meets Zac. They instantly feel a connection. Mikku is just a friend, but with Zac Jessie feels things she thought she would never feel again. The question is if it isn't too soon, will she give Zac a chance or will she run away from him?
The First Christmas Without You is a Christmas novella. I loved reading about the village in Lapland and immediately wished I could spend Christmas there. The setting is fantastic. Lapland is a place where fairytales can happen and I liked the dreamlike setting of the story. After just one year Jessie isn't ready to love someone again and it scares her very much that she meets someone she could like. The story shows how deep her love is for the man who was taken away from her too soon. This isn't a happy, cheerful Christmas story. It's emotional and even though it's sad it's also hopeful.
I found the year of mourning before meeting someone again a bit soon, but could also understand that sometimes destiny has different plans. Through the grief there's also the realization that there's room for something new and I liked how Michelle Betham dealt with that in her story. It's very well written and I liked the magical aspect of the village and its inhabitants. Mikku is mysterious, generous with his friendship and sweet, I loved his role. I think The First Christmas Without You is a wonderful Christmas story. It might not be the most jolly one, but it definitely has the right Christmas spirit.
December 24, 2013
Jessie's husband died a year ago, just a few weeks before Christmas. He was her life, her past, her future. Without him, Jess feels lost and she definitely does not feel ready to move on. She is, however, determined to convince her loved once she's doing just fine. She knows she has to keep going but she's just not sure how to get on with life without Jase. She decides to follow her brother and his friends to Lapland, the dream holiday she and Jase had been looking forward to for so long.
In Lapland Jess finds herself enjoying the holiday spirit again and together with her new friend Mikku, she starts thinking about her life. She looks back on the past year and how she handled grieving for her husband.
But moving on will prove to be much harder than she thought.
I'm not a big believer in fate and destiny, so the idea of fate bringing them together (which is pretty much a constant throughout the story) kept me from getting really absorbed into the story. Mikku wasn't my favorite character. I liked how he was able to help Jess rethink her life, how he helped her decide for herself what it is she wanted. I did find him to be a bit "pushy" at times, and I would have liked it more if his mentor role had been assigned to her brother - for example- instead of a complete stranger she met walking down the street.
I did love reading Jessie's journey and I love how the story is full of hope and Michelle beautifully describes Jessie's mixed feelings of love, guilt, pain, loss,...
Final note: I absolutely love the cover!
I'm very happy I got the chance to read this novella just in time for Christmas.
http://mssbookshelf.blogspot.be
In Lapland Jess finds herself enjoying the holiday spirit again and together with her new friend Mikku, she starts thinking about her life. She looks back on the past year and how she handled grieving for her husband.
But moving on will prove to be much harder than she thought.
I'm not a big believer in fate and destiny, so the idea of fate bringing them together (which is pretty much a constant throughout the story) kept me from getting really absorbed into the story. Mikku wasn't my favorite character. I liked how he was able to help Jess rethink her life, how he helped her decide for herself what it is she wanted. I did find him to be a bit "pushy" at times, and I would have liked it more if his mentor role had been assigned to her brother - for example- instead of a complete stranger she met walking down the street.
I did love reading Jessie's journey and I love how the story is full of hope and Michelle beautifully describes Jessie's mixed feelings of love, guilt, pain, loss,...
Final note: I absolutely love the cover!
I'm very happy I got the chance to read this novella just in time for Christmas.
http://mssbookshelf.blogspot.be
August 6, 2015
Where better to set a Christmas novella than in Lapland. I think this may be the first book I have read that is set there, and its made me want to visit Lapland more than ever before. The place sounds completely magical at Christmas time, and magic is something that Jessie really needs.
Jessie suffered a tragedy a few weeks before last Christmas, and this year she is determined to do things her way, so she tags along on her brother's ski trip to Lapland. On her first day their she meets Mikku, a young Sami man, and he seems to really empathise with Jessie. He also points her straight into the path of Zac.
Over a few short days, Zac and Jessie become quite close, and they are both big believers in fate. Even if you are a bit sceptical about fate, you will certainly feel a connection between the pair, and that is a connection that is strengthened when their pasts are revealed.
For a relatively short novella, this book packs quite a lot in, and I found I was wondering certain things about Mikku, and although not completely correct, I was vaguely along the right lines. The descriptions of Finnish Lapland, even without meeting Santa Claus, make it sound like a wonderful place, and I could really picture the sky, in all of its various shades of colour, in a place that has very little sunlight in winter.
I really enjoyed this novella, and got a quite a good Christmassy vibe from it, despite reading it in summer!
Jessie suffered a tragedy a few weeks before last Christmas, and this year she is determined to do things her way, so she tags along on her brother's ski trip to Lapland. On her first day their she meets Mikku, a young Sami man, and he seems to really empathise with Jessie. He also points her straight into the path of Zac.
Over a few short days, Zac and Jessie become quite close, and they are both big believers in fate. Even if you are a bit sceptical about fate, you will certainly feel a connection between the pair, and that is a connection that is strengthened when their pasts are revealed.
For a relatively short novella, this book packs quite a lot in, and I found I was wondering certain things about Mikku, and although not completely correct, I was vaguely along the right lines. The descriptions of Finnish Lapland, even without meeting Santa Claus, make it sound like a wonderful place, and I could really picture the sky, in all of its various shades of colour, in a place that has very little sunlight in winter.
I really enjoyed this novella, and got a quite a good Christmassy vibe from it, despite reading it in summer!
November 25, 2023
Cute
This book is so me! I could basically have written it. Characters who love my kind of music and travel to Lapland, and a touch of magic. Kudos to the author for doing her research on Finland too. I'm a Finn and didn't spot any mistakes on that front.
Cute and Christmassy, this is.
This book is so me! I could basically have written it. Characters who love my kind of music and travel to Lapland, and a touch of magic. Kudos to the author for doing her research on Finland too. I'm a Finn and didn't spot any mistakes on that front.
Cute and Christmassy, this is.
October 27, 2020
Sweet
A true fantasy, tho I found it strange that two people wanted to start again after only a year of losing the loves of their lives I really want to believe in fate, this story takes you to a fantasy world I really want to believe exists
A true fantasy, tho I found it strange that two people wanted to start again after only a year of losing the loves of their lives I really want to believe in fate, this story takes you to a fantasy world I really want to believe exists
November 30, 2021
3 stars = ok.
This wasn't bad, but the bottom line was that the execution was just a bit too heavy handed to be as magical as the story was trying to.be in this fated romance for two grieving people.
This wasn't bad, but the bottom line was that the execution was just a bit too heavy handed to be as magical as the story was trying to.be in this fated romance for two grieving people.
April 17, 2014
Michelle has been a good friend of mine for a while now since we discovered our shared love of Breaking Bad and Jesse Pinkman but I’d been kicking myself that I hadn’t read any of her books. She kindle donated her novella, ‘The First Christmas Without You’ to my readathon and I was so excited to finally read it. The First Christmas Without You is about a woman called Jessie who tragically lost her husband around Christmas time a year ago and with Christmas being their favourite time of the year the first Christmas she’ll be spending without him is bound to be a difficult one, isn’t it? She agrees to go to Lapland with her brother and his friends and meets Zac, a ski-instructor with a rock-star edge but there’s more than just an attraction between them – there’s a deep and powerful connection that she can’t quite figure out. With the help of Mikku, a young Sami man she meets in a local café, she begins to see the signs and realise that it is okay to finally let go.
Although dubbed a romance, this book definitely had a different feel about it because it wasn’t your typical ‘boy leaves girl’ storyline, it had much more emotional depth than that and usually with novellas, I find that they aren’t long enough and would be better as full-length novels but this was perfect just the way it was. All the characters were very likeable and I massively sympathised with Jessie and what she’s going through. My favourite character was Mikku, the young Sami man she meets in a café. He was just a beacon of light upon the whole story and his place in the book gave it such a nice touch. The story is set in Lapland and the setting descriptions were fantastic and they instant transport you to this magically, snowy and beautiful place
It was such a moving story that actually made me cry within the first few chapters but that was nothing compared to the emotions I felt at the end when everything was revealed and Jessie finally got the answers she had been searching for. It’s not all about romance this story but finding hope where you least expect it, the idea of fate and those powerful forces way beyond anything we could comprehend that guide us and help us find what we’ve been looking for.
Find all my reviews here: www.jennyinneverland.wordpress.com
Although dubbed a romance, this book definitely had a different feel about it because it wasn’t your typical ‘boy leaves girl’ storyline, it had much more emotional depth than that and usually with novellas, I find that they aren’t long enough and would be better as full-length novels but this was perfect just the way it was. All the characters were very likeable and I massively sympathised with Jessie and what she’s going through. My favourite character was Mikku, the young Sami man she meets in a café. He was just a beacon of light upon the whole story and his place in the book gave it such a nice touch. The story is set in Lapland and the setting descriptions were fantastic and they instant transport you to this magically, snowy and beautiful place
It was such a moving story that actually made me cry within the first few chapters but that was nothing compared to the emotions I felt at the end when everything was revealed and Jessie finally got the answers she had been searching for. It’s not all about romance this story but finding hope where you least expect it, the idea of fate and those powerful forces way beyond anything we could comprehend that guide us and help us find what we’ve been looking for.
Find all my reviews here: www.jennyinneverland.wordpress.com
December 20, 2013
More reviews at http://losttobooks.blogspot.com
The First Christmas Without You was a very short read that I flew through. It surprised me with where the author took the story as I was not sure what to expect when requesting it. The description gives virtually nothing away so all I had to go off was the title. It turned it my thoughts were way off base though.
Set in Lapland, it created the perfect winter feel with a hint of magic that comes with Christmas and snow. I will admit I didn't feel there was much description with the setting and I would have liked more to really involve you in the world but you could still see the world through a general knowledge. However, because of the small amounts of detail, the writing flowed quickly and the character's story evolves rapidly which kept me engaged.
There was an instant attraction but the mixed emotions and hardly any contact didn't make it seem like a whirlwind romance. I would have liked more of the romance but the book ended in a nice sweet spot that leaves you smiling which was surprising. Everything I had heard up to reading The First Christmas Without You was that I would need tissues it was so sad but honestly, I didn't feel sad at all reading it. I sympathised with Jess and felt sorry for her loss but I never felt sad for her. I went in with the idea that it was going to be about a break up but I was soon corrected in the first few pages that Jess lost her husband. I guess this was the sad aspect people were talking about but personally because it's only stated and you never hear about Jase when he's living I didn't feel much towards it as there was no connection built.
Overall though, it was a quick, sweet read about getting over the loss of someone. It was enjoyable and something I sped through in front of the fire.
The First Christmas Without You was a very short read that I flew through. It surprised me with where the author took the story as I was not sure what to expect when requesting it. The description gives virtually nothing away so all I had to go off was the title. It turned it my thoughts were way off base though.
Set in Lapland, it created the perfect winter feel with a hint of magic that comes with Christmas and snow. I will admit I didn't feel there was much description with the setting and I would have liked more to really involve you in the world but you could still see the world through a general knowledge. However, because of the small amounts of detail, the writing flowed quickly and the character's story evolves rapidly which kept me engaged.
There was an instant attraction but the mixed emotions and hardly any contact didn't make it seem like a whirlwind romance. I would have liked more of the romance but the book ended in a nice sweet spot that leaves you smiling which was surprising. Everything I had heard up to reading The First Christmas Without You was that I would need tissues it was so sad but honestly, I didn't feel sad at all reading it. I sympathised with Jess and felt sorry for her loss but I never felt sad for her. I went in with the idea that it was going to be about a break up but I was soon corrected in the first few pages that Jess lost her husband. I guess this was the sad aspect people were talking about but personally because it's only stated and you never hear about Jase when he's living I didn't feel much towards it as there was no connection built.
Overall though, it was a quick, sweet read about getting over the loss of someone. It was enjoyable and something I sped through in front of the fire.
December 9, 2014
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This poignant novella explores the other side of Christmas. Jessie's had a year to come to terms with her tragic loss but the festive time of year brings bitter sweet memories. Tired of being everyone's pity object she embarks on the trip of a lifetime with her brother to Lapland, hoping she can feel closer to her lost love, living the dream they wanted to experience together.
The setting is beautifully vivid and manages to make Lapland seem like the Christmas fairytale. Jessie is a strong woman, who realises she is the only one with the power to move on to the next stage of her life. Exploring the quaint resort on her own she encounters Mikku and feels a bond with him, which she neither expects nor welcomes but can't ignore. Jessie trusts her new friend and acts on his advice even though it puts her outside her comfort zone. What she experiences forces her to make a life changing decision.
'The First Christmas Without You' has courage, mystique and romance. It's guaranteed to get you into the Christmas spirit, a lovely, enchanting tale.
Michelle Betham
December 31, 2012
This festive novella is mainly set in Lapland, which is a place that has long since been a childhood wish of mine to visit one day and as I'm way too old to believe in Father Christmas anymore (which by the way is not what this enchanting tale is about) but my dream was more to witness the spectacular Northern Lights for myself and I was hoping from the start that the main character would get to do that too, so I won't spoil it for anyone who hasn't read this story yet but something special does happen. As I was soon temporarily transported to the spectacular snowy wonderland by the delightfully descriptive writing of Michelle Betham as she took me along for the ride of a lifetime to a magical faraway land that seems like something out of a fairy-tale but also very real at the same time. It is the heartwarming story of a widow who is still not over the heartbreaking death of her beloved husband (two Christmases ago) enough to move on and start living again seeing as she had put her life on hold. Until that is, she spends Christmas in Lapland with her brother and co, who are intent on skiing but that's not for her as she'd rather get to know the place that her and her husband has planned to go to but never got the chance to before he sadly died. Would the widow be able to overcome her fear of forgetting her husband if she hooks up with someone new? Or will she be able to heal the hurt if only she'd let it happen naturally? I really enjoyed this sweet novella and recommend that nobody need be afraid not to enjoy it too.
January 3, 2014
Ok, as you all know if I dislike a book I always try and find the good in it, sometimes I can't always do that. Unfortunately First Christmas Without You is one of them books that I can't. I just couldn't connect to the book at all, I found the characters bland and the flow long and tedious. I did think the plot was ok mind, but could have been executed a lot better. For me it just kept going on and on. Also, wothout being totally insensitive here the constant me & Jase memories kind of made me roll my eyes. I wanted to read the book not constantly have the fact that she was once happy and did you know her husband died just before Christmas? It constantly repeats itself. We're reminded more than once that they saved up hard for their Christmas trip to Lapland the place they'd always wanted to go but never got the chance too, but she was there now doing it for them. Bore off! It's also very hard to believe that Mikku the Sami she meets is always there at the right time, but then just disappears and she never questions him. Sorry I'm ranting aren't I?
Please take a look at this book for yourself, it has some excellent reviews on amazon so therefore you might actually appreciate it. We all have our own tastes and that's what makes the book world so wonderful.
1/5 (for the plot)
Please take a look at this book for yourself, it has some excellent reviews on amazon so therefore you might actually appreciate it. We all have our own tastes and that's what makes the book world so wonderful.
1/5 (for the plot)
January 26, 2014
This little story will warm your heart and make you believe in fate!
Jessie is a 42-year-old who had always loved Christmas time. The lights on the trees, the snow and the smell it brings. Until Jase, her husband for 10 years had a fatal accident two weeks before Christmas day. And that just breaks Jessie’s world apart.
My life had been good before he’d walked into it, don’t get me wrong. He’d just made everything that much better, that’s all.
Jase had always been an adventurous man, and one of his dream trips was to ski in Finland.
One year later, Jessie is still grieving. But when her brother Matt, who was also one of Jase’s closest friends, invite her to go with him and a group of friends to the Finnish Lapland she cannot say ‘no’. Obviously.
There she meets Zac, a thirty-something Irish guy, who is the vocalist of a rock band! And who seems to make everything fell ok for the main protagonist :) She also keeps stepping into Mikku, a young Sami man, who is constantly giving her words of encouragment, but in a strange and misterious way… because Jessie and Zac deserve a second chance in love!
Jessie is a 42-year-old who had always loved Christmas time. The lights on the trees, the snow and the smell it brings. Until Jase, her husband for 10 years had a fatal accident two weeks before Christmas day. And that just breaks Jessie’s world apart.
My life had been good before he’d walked into it, don’t get me wrong. He’d just made everything that much better, that’s all.
Jase had always been an adventurous man, and one of his dream trips was to ski in Finland.
One year later, Jessie is still grieving. But when her brother Matt, who was also one of Jase’s closest friends, invite her to go with him and a group of friends to the Finnish Lapland she cannot say ‘no’. Obviously.
There she meets Zac, a thirty-something Irish guy, who is the vocalist of a rock band! And who seems to make everything fell ok for the main protagonist :) She also keeps stepping into Mikku, a young Sami man, who is constantly giving her words of encouragment, but in a strange and misterious way… because Jessie and Zac deserve a second chance in love!
January 1, 2014
Jessie Collins is going to Lapland. It's somewhere she's always wanted to go, particularly at Christmas. But her trip isn't going to be how she'd imagined it. Her beloved husband Jase passed away and Jessie will be making the trip with her brother and his friends. Can the magic of Lapland help her face her loss, allowing her to move forward with her own life?
The First Christmas Without You is not an out-and-out Christmas romance as it also tackles bereavement and loss. It did take me a while to become fully immersed in the story, but once I did I really wanted happiness and peace for Jessie. One thing I especially liked about this book is that at 42 the protagonist is a bit older than in many romances, which will perhaps add appeal for a slightly older readership.
The setting was absolutely perfect, dreamlike imagery of Lapland and the snow-covered landscape added to the romantic feel of the book.
Tender and poignant, if you are looking for a book that will touch your heart this Christmas, you may just have found it.
The First Christmas Without You is not an out-and-out Christmas romance as it also tackles bereavement and loss. It did take me a while to become fully immersed in the story, but once I did I really wanted happiness and peace for Jessie. One thing I especially liked about this book is that at 42 the protagonist is a bit older than in many romances, which will perhaps add appeal for a slightly older readership.
The setting was absolutely perfect, dreamlike imagery of Lapland and the snow-covered landscape added to the romantic feel of the book.
Tender and poignant, if you are looking for a book that will touch your heart this Christmas, you may just have found it.
December 18, 2012
Jessie tells us her story of why she is going to Lapland this Christmas with her brother, Matt, but feeling very alone. This was a trip she had always wanted to take with someone else. This trip is something she must do but it will stir up some painful memories from the past.
In Lapland Jessie meets a man called Mikku and he listens to her tale. A chance meeting brings Zac into her holiday. It must be fate. Jessie is big on fate, but she will only be here for a few days.
The author transports the reader right into the heart of the Lapland skiing resort and the buzz at that time of year, complete with the stunning Northern Lights experience.
A fabulous Christmas time novella for chick-lit and hen-lit fans.
9 out of 10 for me!
In Lapland Jessie meets a man called Mikku and he listens to her tale. A chance meeting brings Zac into her holiday. It must be fate. Jessie is big on fate, but she will only be here for a few days.
The author transports the reader right into the heart of the Lapland skiing resort and the buzz at that time of year, complete with the stunning Northern Lights experience.
A fabulous Christmas time novella for chick-lit and hen-lit fans.
9 out of 10 for me!
December 29, 2012
Without a doubt this is a very special Christmas novella that will have you filling up your glass with mulled wine and drawing the curtains as you're transported to Lapland.
Jessie has had the perfect life with her soul-mate but when that's ripped away from her how does she go on? Where is her centre? What does life hold for her? A trip to Lapland with her brother throws her a curve ball. This special place she dreamt of visiting with her husband is beautiful but soon also becomes mysterious and electrifying. Who is Mikku? Who is the gorgeous singer at The Ice Tree? And are either of them Jessie's way forward?
Brilliantly written, full of festive charm and like every good Christmas book should, it comes with a spot of magic!
Jessie has had the perfect life with her soul-mate but when that's ripped away from her how does she go on? Where is her centre? What does life hold for her? A trip to Lapland with her brother throws her a curve ball. This special place she dreamt of visiting with her husband is beautiful but soon also becomes mysterious and electrifying. Who is Mikku? Who is the gorgeous singer at The Ice Tree? And are either of them Jessie's way forward?
Brilliantly written, full of festive charm and like every good Christmas book should, it comes with a spot of magic!
January 2, 2014
(High 3.5) This sweet festive novella had my heart breaking and rejoicing - not bad for only about a hundred pages! An uplifting tale of finding love again after bereavement, with gorgeous description of Lapland and the Northern Lights and all those glorious things (man, I really want to go there!!) and a dash of Christmas magic to top it all off. Don't be put off by the fact that Christmas is now over for another year - this is a little read that's perfect for any time of the year (especially if it snows in the next few months!). I can't wait to read a more full length novel from Michelle Betham.
December 24, 2013
I love Christmas stories! They leave me feeling warm and happy inside. This one, in particular, had all my favorites - romance, a little fairy dust and a fabulous backdrop.
I've always heard of Lapland near the Arctic Circle, but had never read a story that took place in that part of the world. This is one of the few, I think. It's a story about a woman still mourning the loss of her husband who takes a Christmas trip there and discovers some amazing things about herself and the world around her.
This is truly a story that I will read every Christmas! May the season begin!
Thank you to Net Galley and Harper Collins UK for allowing me to read this excellent novella.
I've always heard of Lapland near the Arctic Circle, but had never read a story that took place in that part of the world. This is one of the few, I think. It's a story about a woman still mourning the loss of her husband who takes a Christmas trip there and discovers some amazing things about herself and the world around her.
This is truly a story that I will read every Christmas! May the season begin!
Thank you to Net Galley and Harper Collins UK for allowing me to read this excellent novella.
December 23, 2012
This was a lovely little story that would have been fantastic if it been edited better. The premise was lovely and the setting realistic but there was a lot of repition and the characters dialogue suddenly became quite Americanised in the last third of the book. A good writer though and one to watch.
February 13, 2013
An appealing novella with a festive theme, this Christmas tale sees protagonist, Jessie, taking a trip to Lapland with her brother, though she’d always dreamed of visiting with her husband. Into her life comes two new men, a singer and another, more mysterious, man.
September 8, 2014
This is a quint little story of someone loosing the love of of their life and needed to go to the place that her man and her were going to visit. Going to Lapland to lay the ghost at peace.
Short story well written.
Short story well written.
December 24, 2013
I am really disappointed. If I read a book about Lapland, I want to read about Lapland. The author only talked about snow and cold. She did mention Northern Lights, but I have seen them Iowa, also where there is a lot is snow and cold.
I do not recommend this book.
I do not recommend this book.
January 29, 2014
this is a cute short love story about love and loss. After losing her husband a year ago, Jesse decides to take a trip to Lapland over Christmas. She meets her "guardian Angel" and a man who lost his girlfriend two Christmas's ago. A little predictable but a nice Christmas read.
December 21, 2012
loved it,nice short Xmas Romance. good book well written
December 26, 2012
Lovely positive love story set in Lapland. Just right for Christmas.
January 8, 2013
A wonderful romantic Christmas story.
January 25, 2014
Heartwarming Christmas fun. Loved it as with all Michelle's books!
December 27, 2015
lovely magical short story
December 20, 2013
A beautiful novella that brought tears to my eyes and a smile to my face!
January 16, 2016
review coming
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