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An American Holiday
*Ebook Availability coming Oct 16th*
Ahh, Thanksgiving… complete with ghosts of holidays past. Those being humiliating memories of last year's revelry gone wild: jail cells, a tattoo and rose left on Kristi James pillow by someone she can't remember. Toss in two brothers who, while loving, had needled her with vivid imagery on what might have happened during that fateful rendezvous at the local HoJo's. Seriously, what's a girl to do?
She'd run like hell from Harpers Ferry back to her apartment and job in Alexandria. She's praying this year's holiday ends a bit more traditional. But between exploding turkey's, cranberry fights, and the winter storm threatening to lock them all together for God only knew how long, she's fairly certain her Norman Rockwell hopes have flown the coop.
Adding another layer to this casserole of disaster, the high school boyfriend—who'd cheated on her two days before prom—returns, claiming to have made a horrid mistake all those years prior. Amid all this, what has her heart flip-flopping is catching her best friend Simon getting cozy with his latest girlfriend.
Thing is, she isn't sure why its bothering her so badly.
Sometimes it takes coming home again... to discover how lost we’ve really been.
Ahh, Thanksgiving… complete with ghosts of holidays past. Those being humiliating memories of last year's revelry gone wild: jail cells, a tattoo and rose left on Kristi James pillow by someone she can't remember. Toss in two brothers who, while loving, had needled her with vivid imagery on what might have happened during that fateful rendezvous at the local HoJo's. Seriously, what's a girl to do?
She'd run like hell from Harpers Ferry back to her apartment and job in Alexandria. She's praying this year's holiday ends a bit more traditional. But between exploding turkey's, cranberry fights, and the winter storm threatening to lock them all together for God only knew how long, she's fairly certain her Norman Rockwell hopes have flown the coop.
Adding another layer to this casserole of disaster, the high school boyfriend—who'd cheated on her two days before prom—returns, claiming to have made a horrid mistake all those years prior. Amid all this, what has her heart flip-flopping is catching her best friend Simon getting cozy with his latest girlfriend.
Thing is, she isn't sure why its bothering her so badly.
Sometimes it takes coming home again... to discover how lost we’ve really been.
- GenresContemporary Romance
114 pages, Paperback
First published October 10, 2014
About the author
Bobbi Romans
53 books120 followers*UPDATE: I'm BACK!!! *
Author Bobbi Romans is as quirky as her works tend to be. She’s been on a talk show, the cover of the Walt Disney Souvenir magazine, married two couples and has a football team sized family.
Born and raised in VA she now resides in the south where she taps away her next story...which much like her life, she never knows where its heading.
She’s all over the net so following along her whacky trail in life isn’t hard.
If you can’t find her on Facebook or Twitter try Bobbi Romans YakPad https://bobbiromans.wordpress.com/
Author Bobbi Romans is as quirky as her works tend to be. She’s been on a talk show, the cover of the Walt Disney Souvenir magazine, married two couples and has a football team sized family.
Born and raised in VA she now resides in the south where she taps away her next story...which much like her life, she never knows where its heading.
She’s all over the net so following along her whacky trail in life isn’t hard.
If you can’t find her on Facebook or Twitter try Bobbi Romans YakPad https://bobbiromans.wordpress.com/
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
November 3, 2014
An American Holiday by Bobbi Romans is a 2014 Independent publication. I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is a delightful holiday story full of all the angst family can represent, especially if you haven't been home for awhile. Kristi is returning to her small hometown trying to brace herself for the onslaught of memories, or in one particular case, a lack of memories. Her two brothers, Ethan and Max are typical brothers, annoying and protective. A Norman Rockwell family, they are not. But, they aren't a big problem, really. It's just that her old high school boyfriend, Jackson, has moved back to town and he is trying to rekindle their romance, after he cheated on her with one of her best friends. Another problem is Simon, Kristi's BFF. It would appear he has a new girlfriend and for some reason this really bothers Kristi.
“I watched my pop in silence, as he continued to surprise me. As quirky as my family may be, we had each other's backs. Always would, and nothing in life could ever change that.”
The Thanksgiving holiday for once, is in the forefront of this madcap and heartwarming, often hilarious story of family, friendship, and romance. Kristi will learn to stop running from her past, will find out a few interesting details about her parents she had never considered before, and will finally solve a mystery that has had her on edge for a long time. Most importantly, she will learn who the right guy for her really is after all these years. I laughed out loud in some places and felt all warm and sappy in others. There is no super heavy drama or tragedy, nor is it some great literary classic, it's just a light, very quick read, perfect for heading into that wonderful and uniquely American holiday season. I had a lot of fun reading this one and it left me with a smile on my face. 4 stars
This is a delightful holiday story full of all the angst family can represent, especially if you haven't been home for awhile. Kristi is returning to her small hometown trying to brace herself for the onslaught of memories, or in one particular case, a lack of memories. Her two brothers, Ethan and Max are typical brothers, annoying and protective. A Norman Rockwell family, they are not. But, they aren't a big problem, really. It's just that her old high school boyfriend, Jackson, has moved back to town and he is trying to rekindle their romance, after he cheated on her with one of her best friends. Another problem is Simon, Kristi's BFF. It would appear he has a new girlfriend and for some reason this really bothers Kristi.
“I watched my pop in silence, as he continued to surprise me. As quirky as my family may be, we had each other's backs. Always would, and nothing in life could ever change that.”
The Thanksgiving holiday for once, is in the forefront of this madcap and heartwarming, often hilarious story of family, friendship, and romance. Kristi will learn to stop running from her past, will find out a few interesting details about her parents she had never considered before, and will finally solve a mystery that has had her on edge for a long time. Most importantly, she will learn who the right guy for her really is after all these years. I laughed out loud in some places and felt all warm and sappy in others. There is no super heavy drama or tragedy, nor is it some great literary classic, it's just a light, very quick read, perfect for heading into that wonderful and uniquely American holiday season. I had a lot of fun reading this one and it left me with a smile on my face. 4 stars
January 4, 2015
Fun Book
I enjoyed this book. It's a quick read and it has a conversational tone that feels like you're chatting with a girlfriend. Nice way to spend an afternoon.
I enjoyed this book. It's a quick read and it has a conversational tone that feels like you're chatting with a girlfriend. Nice way to spend an afternoon.
November 17, 2014
I have to admit I have a few of Bobbi Roman's books in my to be read pile. As some of you know this pile is HUGE. The first book I have had a chance to read by Bobbi Roman's is An American Holiday. Let me just say I will be shuffling the pile around. I MUST read more of her work and soon! I loved this book. Oh my goodness I love to laugh when reading and laugh I did. I laughed so much I had to read parts of this book out loud to my family because it was so funny I just had to share.
Kristi James and her family may remind many of us of our own families from time to time. Especially around the holidays when everything may be just a little crazy for some.
Kristi returns home and the first night she ventures out on the town with her brothers. I so want to explain so many things here but I sure do not want to spoil this story for you. I will say just imagine a night going wrong and then being saved by your loving father. I have to say I really did like how her Dad had a way of helping her out at this part. I found it to be cute and very typical of something a loving parent would do.
That's not where the comedy of holiday mishaps ends though. There is a a whole slew of things that go wrong and make for an interesting story. There is a uninvited guest at the holiday table, there are rumors going around that sure are not true, and there is these strange feelings she has for her best friend Simon.
Overall I have to say this was a great Holiday story. It's a perfect story to read around Thanksgiving and be thankful when things go right for your holiday dinner. It's also a good reminder to remember even when things don't go quite right there are still many things to be thankful for.
I have to say that Bobbi Roman's has written a story that is full of humor, a little mystery, and a whole lot of fun. This is a relatively short story and I read it in one setting. That might be because I was having such a wonderful time I could not put this book down.
If you are looking for a quick story to read on the way to your family holiday party, grab this one! Then tell them all about it when you get there.
I know I am looking forward to reading more of Bobbi Roman's work soon.
I was given the opportunity to read this story so that I may share my thoughts with you. As always it has been my great pleasure to share my thoughts with you on An American Holiday.
Kristi James and her family may remind many of us of our own families from time to time. Especially around the holidays when everything may be just a little crazy for some.
Kristi returns home and the first night she ventures out on the town with her brothers. I so want to explain so many things here but I sure do not want to spoil this story for you. I will say just imagine a night going wrong and then being saved by your loving father. I have to say I really did like how her Dad had a way of helping her out at this part. I found it to be cute and very typical of something a loving parent would do.
That's not where the comedy of holiday mishaps ends though. There is a a whole slew of things that go wrong and make for an interesting story. There is a uninvited guest at the holiday table, there are rumors going around that sure are not true, and there is these strange feelings she has for her best friend Simon.
Overall I have to say this was a great Holiday story. It's a perfect story to read around Thanksgiving and be thankful when things go right for your holiday dinner. It's also a good reminder to remember even when things don't go quite right there are still many things to be thankful for.
I have to say that Bobbi Roman's has written a story that is full of humor, a little mystery, and a whole lot of fun. This is a relatively short story and I read it in one setting. That might be because I was having such a wonderful time I could not put this book down.
If you are looking for a quick story to read on the way to your family holiday party, grab this one! Then tell them all about it when you get there.
I know I am looking forward to reading more of Bobbi Roman's work soon.
I was given the opportunity to read this story so that I may share my thoughts with you. As always it has been my great pleasure to share my thoughts with you on An American Holiday.
December 20, 2015
I live on the other side of the country from my family so I think this story drew me in that much more. Kristi's family is delightfully flawed. They drink, they swear and they pull pranks on each other. The dynamics between her and her brothers made me miss my sisters and holidays of old. I loved the friends to lovers trope, that's always been one of my favorites. And the way Kristi had to learn that it wasn't Jackson (I really want to call him a name here but they'd probably pull my review) that she wanted after all.
And there was an epilogue that took happily ever after to a satisfying ending for each James' sibling. Cue major happy sighs.
This was the first of Romans' books that I have read and I'm currently trolling her backlist to choose something for our upcoming mini-vaca. If you love snark and sass and people who aren't afraid to tell it like it is, Bobbi Romans is the author for you. Love her writing voice. Makes you think "this is someone who'd be a lot of fun to hang out with". :D
And there was an epilogue that took happily ever after to a satisfying ending for each James' sibling. Cue major happy sighs.
This was the first of Romans' books that I have read and I'm currently trolling her backlist to choose something for our upcoming mini-vaca. If you love snark and sass and people who aren't afraid to tell it like it is, Bobbi Romans is the author for you. Love her writing voice. Makes you think "this is someone who'd be a lot of fun to hang out with". :D
March 26, 2015
This is a short read, as in I would call this a novella. Very entertaining, funny, quirky and enjoyable. Calamity seems to follow Kristi around and her two brothers don't help things either. Kristi comes home for Thanksgiving and sees some of her old high school friends that she hasn't seen for 7 years like her old high school boyfriend Jackson who cheated on her right before the senior prom with her best friend Darla. She also runs into her best friend Simon and gets a weird feeling when she sees him with another woman.
Things go a little crazy with a sibling food fight, an exploding turkey and middle of the night sledding. If you want to be entertained this holiday season by a light story that will warm your heart, then pick up this book.
I would like to thank the author for sending me an electronic copy of this book.
Things go a little crazy with a sibling food fight, an exploding turkey and middle of the night sledding. If you want to be entertained this holiday season by a light story that will warm your heart, then pick up this book.
I would like to thank the author for sending me an electronic copy of this book.
November 25, 2014
This is a really fun read! I loved the family aspects, romance, the humor and the holiday theme! I would reccommend it to anyone!
June 14, 2026
This story feels like a Hallmark style holiday read warm, cozy, and centered on family, romance, and a bit of emotional chaos wrapped in nostalgia. The main character returns to her small hometown for Thanksgiving and immediately gets pulled back into old memories, complicated relationships, and the kind of family dynamics that are messy but still rooted in love.
Her brothers are protective and annoying in that very real sibling way, while her ex boyfriend reappears trying to restart something she thought was long over. On top of that, there’s tension with her best friend that adds an extra layer of emotional conflict. It’s less about heavy drama and more about sorting through feelings that never fully went away.
it’s a light, feel good read with humor, romance, and a comforting holiday backdrop. It gives that familiar Hallmark movie energy predictable in a comforting way, but still enjoyable, especially if you want something easy that leaves you in a good mood.
Her brothers are protective and annoying in that very real sibling way, while her ex boyfriend reappears trying to restart something she thought was long over. On top of that, there’s tension with her best friend that adds an extra layer of emotional conflict. It’s less about heavy drama and more about sorting through feelings that never fully went away.
it’s a light, feel good read with humor, romance, and a comforting holiday backdrop. It gives that familiar Hallmark movie energy predictable in a comforting way, but still enjoyable, especially if you want something easy that leaves you in a good mood.
November 9, 2024
Read in one sitting. Perfect read for this time of the year. I was very entertained throughout the whole book. Would definitely recommend this to anyone!
November 10, 2014
REVIEWER: WILL
3.0 ON THE MASQ SCALE
I was provided with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
While the idea of the story is a cute one - innocent girl comes home for a Holiday, knowing that the previous holiday she had a total bender and can't remember it - the execution of the story fell totally flat. First, the book is all telling, essentially a summation of actions and events rather than showing the reader the events as they unfold. There is no emotional subtext to the book at all. Additionally, there are a lot of technical errors in the book: typos, strings of dialogue that have run together and have resulted in a confusing back and forth where the reader does not know who is saying what, as well as some issues with continuity (the main character is chopping a vegetable on one page, and two pages later has moved on to another action). Additionally, other than one scene near the end of the book (and aside from the predictability of the story), the reader wouldn't really get a true sense of her love interest because they barely have any interaction with each other, which makes the ending somewhat unrealistic.
A little bit of restructure, and perhaps a polish in writing technique and this story could be a good one. As it stands though, I would have difficulty recommending it.
3.0 ON THE MASQ SCALE
I was provided with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
While the idea of the story is a cute one - innocent girl comes home for a Holiday, knowing that the previous holiday she had a total bender and can't remember it - the execution of the story fell totally flat. First, the book is all telling, essentially a summation of actions and events rather than showing the reader the events as they unfold. There is no emotional subtext to the book at all. Additionally, there are a lot of technical errors in the book: typos, strings of dialogue that have run together and have resulted in a confusing back and forth where the reader does not know who is saying what, as well as some issues with continuity (the main character is chopping a vegetable on one page, and two pages later has moved on to another action). Additionally, other than one scene near the end of the book (and aside from the predictability of the story), the reader wouldn't really get a true sense of her love interest because they barely have any interaction with each other, which makes the ending somewhat unrealistic.
A little bit of restructure, and perhaps a polish in writing technique and this story could be a good one. As it stands though, I would have difficulty recommending it.
January 14, 2016
3.5 stars.
Nicely written but at times the humor was over the top and bordering on trying too hard to be funny. It came across more...slapstickish in spots and in others were chuckle worthy.
There were some plot elements that seemed a bit forced. Max is married and his kids and wife are absent for most of the time until the end. I understand that his wife was on call, but his kids were oddly absent most of the time. Who watched the kids if the wife was called in? It almost appeared that these grown men didn't have a life outside of their parents even near a holiday.
Also, I must not be a good person like Kristi was, I wouldn't have treated my bimbo boyfriend screwing friend as a bff, no matter how many years had passed. I wouldn't be rude to her face, but I wouldn't have been all hugs and be my bestie either.
Even so it was a cute story and touching in spots. I liked the authors writing voice and I am interested in reading more from her.
Nicely written but at times the humor was over the top and bordering on trying too hard to be funny. It came across more...slapstickish in spots and in others were chuckle worthy.
There were some plot elements that seemed a bit forced. Max is married and his kids and wife are absent for most of the time until the end. I understand that his wife was on call, but his kids were oddly absent most of the time. Who watched the kids if the wife was called in? It almost appeared that these grown men didn't have a life outside of their parents even near a holiday.
Also, I must not be a good person like Kristi was, I wouldn't have treated my bimbo boyfriend screwing friend as a bff, no matter how many years had passed. I wouldn't be rude to her face, but I wouldn't have been all hugs and be my bestie either.
Even so it was a cute story and touching in spots. I liked the authors writing voice and I am interested in reading more from her.
December 10, 2016
Cute story about one day realizing that what you thought you wanted may not be what you need leaving the past behind you. The characters were fun and the siblings had a humorous banter. The relationships were realistic and relatable. There are a few grammatical errors in the beginning, but don't let that sway you from escaping into this book and being grateful you're not Kristi, at least not at first.
December 18, 2014
A short, cute & fun holiday read. It was easy to guess how the story would end, but for a quick and easy read during the festive season this is perfect.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews