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Winterglücksmomente
Weihnachtszeit in London: Funkelnde Lichter, tanzende Schneeflocken und köstliche Düfte – für viele ist es die schönste Zeit des Jahres. Für Nettie Watson aber ist es die schmerzliche Erinnerung an das glückliche Leben, das sie einmal hatte. Ablenkung verspricht ihr Job bei einer Charity-Veranstaltung. Doch der Abend endet peinlich: Mit einer Panne zieht Nettie alle Blicke auf sich und landet sogar im Internet. Und plötzlich steht ihr Leben kopf – selbst der US-Star Jamie Westlake wird auf sie aufmerksam. Nettie blockt jede Annäherung ab, zu groß ist ihre Angst vor Nähe – doch sie hat ihre Rechnung ohne die Liebe gemacht ...
480 pages, Paperback
First published November 5, 2015
90 people are currently reading
1320 people want to read
About the author
Karen Swan
61 books2,385 followersKaren Swan began her career in fashion journalism before giving it all up to raise her three children and a puppy, and to pursue her ambition of becoming a writer. She lives in the forest in Sussex, writing her books in a treehouse overlooking the Downs. Her books include Christmas at Tiffany's, Summer at Tiffany's, The Perfect Present, Christmas in the Snow, The Summer Without You, The Paris Secret, and Christmas Under the Stars.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 155 reviews
December 24, 2015
Stupid book, unrealistic storyline, ridiculous characters and unbelievable ending. Never again.
January 28, 2016
http://www.jerasjamboree.co.uk/2016/0...
Source: Purchased
First of all I have to say that I loved Nettie. She is a fabulous lead character and from the moment she accidently slides down the Ice Crush slalom and becomes the Blue Bunny Girl I identified with her.
In charge of charitable donations she's collecting for 'Tested.' Donations increase because of the accident at the event and when the film is uploaded (without the sponsor's consent) to YouTube it goes viral. Friend and colleague Jules gets them out of being fired by suggesting they use this to promote the charity and comes up with the social media challenge that grabs the attention of Jamie Westlake.
The PR and challenges are fabulous and are so well thought out. This is a campaign that would really work. It gave me some laugh out loud moments. Nettie doesn't want to be recognised which adds intrigue to the campaign but also made me curious. Why didn't she want to be noticed? The first challenge attracts the notice of the law.
They needed to have the police on their side.
Why? and who is Gwen? Why does Nettie check in with her? I had several thoughts about Nettie's mum but I wasn't correct. I loved her dad. He's so active in the community but that is keeping him occupied ... what doesn't he want to remember or face up to? When we find out it explains so much of Nettie's behaviour. Including running out on Jamie.
Jamie the rock star and yet very vulnerable. With lifestyles that are polar opposites I wondered if they would ever be able to reconcile this. One of my favourite scenes is in the park.
I read Christmas at Primrose Hill between Christmas and New Year and as I came close to the ending, I read until 1am and then again the next day at breakfast. I couldn't put it down.
There are so many threads running through the story besides the romance. Karen Snow makes real a social issue that I would guess a lot of us don't think about. In the acknowledgements she shares a charity and their website with a link to download a relevant song for a £1 donation.
Don't let the word Christmas in the title put you off. Christmas on Primrose Hill can be read at any time of the year.
Source: Purchased
First of all I have to say that I loved Nettie. She is a fabulous lead character and from the moment she accidently slides down the Ice Crush slalom and becomes the Blue Bunny Girl I identified with her.
In charge of charitable donations she's collecting for 'Tested.' Donations increase because of the accident at the event and when the film is uploaded (without the sponsor's consent) to YouTube it goes viral. Friend and colleague Jules gets them out of being fired by suggesting they use this to promote the charity and comes up with the social media challenge that grabs the attention of Jamie Westlake.
The PR and challenges are fabulous and are so well thought out. This is a campaign that would really work. It gave me some laugh out loud moments. Nettie doesn't want to be recognised which adds intrigue to the campaign but also made me curious. Why didn't she want to be noticed? The first challenge attracts the notice of the law.
They needed to have the police on their side.
Why? and who is Gwen? Why does Nettie check in with her? I had several thoughts about Nettie's mum but I wasn't correct. I loved her dad. He's so active in the community but that is keeping him occupied ... what doesn't he want to remember or face up to? When we find out it explains so much of Nettie's behaviour. Including running out on Jamie.
Jamie the rock star and yet very vulnerable. With lifestyles that are polar opposites I wondered if they would ever be able to reconcile this. One of my favourite scenes is in the park.
I read Christmas at Primrose Hill between Christmas and New Year and as I came close to the ending, I read until 1am and then again the next day at breakfast. I couldn't put it down.
There are so many threads running through the story besides the romance. Karen Snow makes real a social issue that I would guess a lot of us don't think about. In the acknowledgements she shares a charity and their website with a link to download a relevant song for a £1 donation.
Don't let the word Christmas in the title put you off. Christmas on Primrose Hill can be read at any time of the year.
February 9, 2016
On Primrose Hill . . .
Under the glaring spotlight of the world's media, Nettie is unexpectedly caught up in a 21st century storm . . . Her exploits have made her a global name and attracted the attention of one of the world's most eligible men - famous front man, Jamie Westlake. But now she has his attention, does she want to keep it?
I didn't like Nettie, I understand she is going through something tough but she was selfish and annoying. Because I didn't like her, it was hard to enjoy this book. It was way too long and I didn't get that Christmas feeling.
Under the glaring spotlight of the world's media, Nettie is unexpectedly caught up in a 21st century storm . . . Her exploits have made her a global name and attracted the attention of one of the world's most eligible men - famous front man, Jamie Westlake. But now she has his attention, does she want to keep it?
I didn't like Nettie, I understand she is going through something tough but she was selfish and annoying. Because I didn't like her, it was hard to enjoy this book. It was way too long and I didn't get that Christmas feeling.
December 30, 2021
Well I finally finished my Christmas read and with that year 2021 is done for me.
It's a fun read and definitely keeps the reader hooked. Jamie Westlake is a total romantic whom women would love to read about. Nettie on the other hand, she starts off as a relatable character, one you like but ends up being perceived as a selfish and kind of annoying main character. Yeah I started to get annoyed with her and the decisions she made as the story progressed.
The novel's plot can be perceived as unrealistic by some but in my opinion it is a fictional world and anything can happen there. Also, let's not forget it's a sweet Christmas read. Miracles do happen 😀
The pace of the book picks up but there are multiple moments where it just drags a bit. I did not mind the slowness but would've appreciated it more if Nettie would have had some sort of selflessness to her.
Karen Swan definitely has a way with words and I'll definitely read more of her works in the future.
It's a fun read and definitely keeps the reader hooked. Jamie Westlake is a total romantic whom women would love to read about. Nettie on the other hand, she starts off as a relatable character, one you like but ends up being perceived as a selfish and kind of annoying main character. Yeah I started to get annoyed with her and the decisions she made as the story progressed.
The novel's plot can be perceived as unrealistic by some but in my opinion it is a fictional world and anything can happen there. Also, let's not forget it's a sweet Christmas read. Miracles do happen 😀
The pace of the book picks up but there are multiple moments where it just drags a bit. I did not mind the slowness but would've appreciated it more if Nettie would have had some sort of selflessness to her.
Karen Swan definitely has a way with words and I'll definitely read more of her works in the future.
January 4, 2020
4.5 stars because it was a slooooooow start, but very good in the end!
January 28, 2017
Ich bin schon seit ein paar Jahren Fan der Winter-/Weihnachtsbücher von Karen Swan und gehören für mich inzwischen schon zu der Jahreszeit dazu.
Winterglücksmomente ist wirklich schönes Buch, dass mir sehr viel Lesefreude beschert hat. Ich mochte die Geschichte selbst sehr, die Spendenchallenges fand ich sehr witzig und insgesamt eine nette Idee. Außerdem ist es etwas was ich nicht oft in Geschichten lese.
Nettis Erlebnisse haben für einige sehr witzige Situationen gesorgt und ich habe mich bestens in der Geschichte amüsiert.
Die Charaktere mochte ich alle sehr gerne. Nettie und Jamie hatten so eine tolle Chemie, man hat das Kribbeln richtig gespürt und die Funken fliegen sehen.
Die winterliche und weihnachtliche Atmosphäre hat die Autorin ebenfalls total schön rübergebracht und man hat sich in dem Buch einfach wohl gefühlt.
Winterglücksmomente ist wirklich schönes Buch, dass mir sehr viel Lesefreude beschert hat. Ich mochte die Geschichte selbst sehr, die Spendenchallenges fand ich sehr witzig und insgesamt eine nette Idee. Außerdem ist es etwas was ich nicht oft in Geschichten lese.
Nettis Erlebnisse haben für einige sehr witzige Situationen gesorgt und ich habe mich bestens in der Geschichte amüsiert.
Die Charaktere mochte ich alle sehr gerne. Nettie und Jamie hatten so eine tolle Chemie, man hat das Kribbeln richtig gespürt und die Funken fliegen sehen.
Die winterliche und weihnachtliche Atmosphäre hat die Autorin ebenfalls total schön rübergebracht und man hat sich in dem Buch einfach wohl gefühlt.
March 21, 2016
It is just like a fan fiction, only much better written.
The first few pages had me quite confused, but as soon as the story started to develop I was hooked.
I loved that the characters could actually be real and that their storyline were all so well thought out. Nettie and Jamie's relationship had me so hooked, it always made me want more of it!
Nettie was such a sweet and interesting character and I loved the way her personality changed when she put on the bunny costume.
To finish, it was actually one of the only two books that involved social media in its story without making me cringe.
The first few pages had me quite confused, but as soon as the story started to develop I was hooked.
I loved that the characters could actually be real and that their storyline were all so well thought out. Nettie and Jamie's relationship had me so hooked, it always made me want more of it!
Nettie was such a sweet and interesting character and I loved the way her personality changed when she put on the bunny costume.
To finish, it was actually one of the only two books that involved social media in its story without making me cringe.
December 8, 2019
I almost quit reading this book at the beginning. Not one of her best. It did get better at times, but dragged at others. I found myself just wanting to get it done so I could read a better book.
April 18, 2018
.....yes it's stupid,yes i know it's April but i ordered it in December,yes i didn't expect it to be good.i ordered it because it sounded shitty.no i didn't know it was almost 500pages because the page said it was 350..
December 25, 2019
Visst, det är jul. I London. Primrose Hill. Och jo, chicklithjältinnan bor i ett gult, bohemiskt hus på Chalcot Square. (Fast Sylvia Plath nämns inte. Kriminellt.)
"Should she DM him an apology?" får mig att längta efter kärleksbiljetter skrivna med fjäderpenna och levererade med droska. Undviker vardagssituationer där man i samtal refererar till, recenserar eller penismäter sociala mediekontons retweets, likes, visningar eller selfie-postningar. Blir därför mycket irriterad när hela boken är en - redan lätt daterad - zeitgeistig genomgång av olika fenomen som trendat: #owling #whaleing #planking #unicorning #catbreading, photobombning och flashmobs.
Det mest tillfredsställande var själva akten, d.v.s. att vara julledig och under en eftermiddag kunna sträckläsa en bok på parkbänk, på café och chez moi i the love seat.
PS. And the view's so nice https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gghFP...
"Should she DM him an apology?" får mig att längta efter kärleksbiljetter skrivna med fjäderpenna och levererade med droska. Undviker vardagssituationer där man i samtal refererar till, recenserar eller penismäter sociala mediekontons retweets, likes, visningar eller selfie-postningar. Blir därför mycket irriterad när hela boken är en - redan lätt daterad - zeitgeistig genomgång av olika fenomen som trendat: #owling #whaleing #planking #unicorning #catbreading, photobombning och flashmobs.
Det mest tillfredsställande var själva akten, d.v.s. att vara julledig och under en eftermiddag kunna sträckläsa en bok på parkbänk, på café och chez moi i the love seat.
PS. And the view's so nice https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gghFP...
December 23, 2018
I don't really feel like writing up a full review for this. It was rather boring, didn't hold my attention span, and needed a lot more Christmas given its title and cover and whole "Christmas story" premise. I do feel like I might like some of Karen Swan's other books though, as there was a small element that kept me engaged so this didn't take forever to read. Also, I love the fact that I've actually been to London and I know what the O2 is. if I didn't, I think I would have enjoyed this book less.
January 5, 2016
As there couldn't be Christmas without Karen Swan's book - I personally can't think about my Christmas TBR without Karen's new novel - here we can enjoy her newest release, Christmas on Primrose Hill. I love Karen's books - she has incredible way with words and she has this exceptional talent to make you feel like a part of the characters' world - and it was the same with this tale. Lately books featuring our social media's world are popping out one after another, but I think it's just unavoidable, and when the books are so up - to - date and so greatly written as Christmas on Primrose Hill, the better, and as soon as I started reading it, I was hooked - and never expected anything else, to be honest.
This was a very modern story where some of the current trending hashtags were playing a big part, what with a Blue Bunny Girl having to copy them - and this is a little minus point from me, because I thought Karen could think about something totally new and exceptional, right? Nevertheless, it was really up - to - date, with the campaign going viral quicker than we can say "hashtag". It just perfectly captured how, in fact, the modern technology controls our life, but what I liked is that Karen Swan has decided to use this internet obsession for good reasons.
Karen Swan has again gave us what we are looking for in her books, first and foremost brilliant characters. I can't remember her book where I wouldn't like the main heroine, and this time I also fell for Nettie mightily. Then we have Jamie, the impossible happening possible. I loved Nettie and Jamie's story, they were so genuine in all that they did or said, and what I liked most was that the relationship was not the easiest one, not the obvious one. - there was never a certainty to how it's going to end. The characters have, of course, quirks and they make mistakes, they jump to conclusions and complicate their own lives - just like we normally do, and this is what make me like them more.
I truly liked Nettie, she was so normal and so believable and really, I immediately warmed to her and there was something in her that just drew me to her. It was brilliant to go on this trip with her and see how her alter - ego Blue Bunny Girl amasses so much interest in internet, and how she desperately tried to keep the interest from her doorstep and focus on the campaign. Because there is also a secret to Nettie, a secret that turned out to be really sad and heart - breaking... I really admire the way the author tackled this problem, I could feel all Nettie's emotions and her pain, but also her anger and confusion and living in uncertainty. She had a great relationship with her father, and I loved the scenes with both of them, they were funny but also touching.
As for Jamie, hmmm... Oh well, he was also brilliant, and in my opinion his personality was greatly described. I mean, he was a pop - star, right? And as much as he was also a normal guy, he could behave like a pop - star as well, which is IMO great and made him even more believable in my eyes. No matter what Nettie believed in or what she thought, there was a damn great chemistry between them, and the way the author described this relationship was believable and, what's more important, possible to happen!
It's truly a great escape, this novel, and the twisty storyline will keep you hooked. There are many layers to this book and it kept me on my toes, I couldn't wait to see what's expecting me when I'll turn the page. I loved the setting of this story, the very modern London, with all its Christmas decorations and trendy places to be and see.
And as usual in Karen's novels, under the surface, under all this lightness and humour, she's plotted some very serious messages there. We can see what happens when the social media craziness goes wrong, how - even when you are the most normal person in the world - when the media got a wind of something that might be juicy in their opinion, there is not a hiding place for you. The author also emphasizes men's health this time, and I really liked the way she has weaved it into this story. There is also the case of Nettie's mother, which adds a lot of seriousness to the story - but all those things only make the reading more realistic and more likeable for me.
Although, I must say this, I had a feeling that the book is incredibly dragging along. It was as if the author wanted to fill in the pages with words - and as much as I liked those words, I couldn't help thinking that it's just going round in circles and takes us away from the real plot, from this what's important. You know me - the longer the book the better for me, but in this case it could be much shorter and not lose on the quality, on the contrary, it would be much more gripping in my opinion. But I adored this story. It is such a typical Karen Swan's tale, with outstanding characters, full of twists and turns. There was a great romance in there (which girl hasn't dreamed of something like this happening to her???) and enticing, complex storyline. I really liked this book and can't wait for more from Karen Swan!
Copy provided by publisher in exchange for a review.
October 30, 2016
Originally reviewed at Books Etc.
Given the number of books Karen Swan has written and my preference for the types of novels she writes, it's surprising that Christmas on Primrose Hill was only the second book by Swan I've read. I quite enjoyed it!
Fairly early on the reader can figure out there's a secret about Nettie's mother...but you don't know what it is and it takes forever for it to be revealed. It. Drove. Me. Crazy. Not only that, but I really couldn't understand why she didn't want anyone to know about what had happened. I suppose I could to a point but...I would think it'd be something she'd want to share with someone she was becoming close with. One of my good friends, and fellow blogger, Natalie of Browsing Bookshelves, enjoyed the suspense though so it's all a matter of personal preference.
I got a huge amount of enjoyment out of the social media/viral video storyline. It was fun to listen to them report how things were going and how much money they were raising. I almost wished the Blue Bunny was real because it'd be pretty amusing to watch the antics Nettie and her team got up to. Social media and the Internet move quickly so the story (sort of...see above paragraph) moved quickly too. The viral marketing part of the story almost went too fast, which was odd considering other parts of the story dragged. I couldn't really keep track of time because everything was happening at a rapid pace.
Time to talk about the romance! While I almost wanted something else to happen (because I'm a sucker for those types of stories), in the end I'm glad it didn't. (Yep. That's vague. But I can't tell you more than that otherwise I'll start spoiling the story.) Average girl meets famous guy is always a fun storyline and I enjoyed reading as Nettie and Jamie's relationship evolved.
While the novel doesn't have too much to do with Christmas itself, you get the gear up/hype of the holiday season as well as some Christmas magic (not literal magic...it's not that kind of story). The holiday hints were subtle - markets, ice skating, tree decorating - but perfectly paired with the overall novel. It's one of those Christmas stories that should leave you with many warm fuzzies when you've finished it.
I'm quite happy I have more Karen Swan books to catch up on because I don't want Christmas on Primrose Hill to be my last. Swan writes engaging, sweet, emotional, and funny stories. You may be done with your Christmas reading now but I think you should still pick this one up and carry on the festive spirit for just a few more days.
Given the number of books Karen Swan has written and my preference for the types of novels she writes, it's surprising that Christmas on Primrose Hill was only the second book by Swan I've read. I quite enjoyed it!
Fairly early on the reader can figure out there's a secret about Nettie's mother...but you don't know what it is and it takes forever for it to be revealed. It. Drove. Me. Crazy. Not only that, but I really couldn't understand why she didn't want anyone to know about what had happened. I suppose I could to a point but...I would think it'd be something she'd want to share with someone she was becoming close with. One of my good friends, and fellow blogger, Natalie of Browsing Bookshelves, enjoyed the suspense though so it's all a matter of personal preference.
I got a huge amount of enjoyment out of the social media/viral video storyline. It was fun to listen to them report how things were going and how much money they were raising. I almost wished the Blue Bunny was real because it'd be pretty amusing to watch the antics Nettie and her team got up to. Social media and the Internet move quickly so the story (sort of...see above paragraph) moved quickly too. The viral marketing part of the story almost went too fast, which was odd considering other parts of the story dragged. I couldn't really keep track of time because everything was happening at a rapid pace.
Time to talk about the romance! While I almost wanted something else to happen (because I'm a sucker for those types of stories), in the end I'm glad it didn't. (Yep. That's vague. But I can't tell you more than that otherwise I'll start spoiling the story.) Average girl meets famous guy is always a fun storyline and I enjoyed reading as Nettie and Jamie's relationship evolved.
While the novel doesn't have too much to do with Christmas itself, you get the gear up/hype of the holiday season as well as some Christmas magic (not literal magic...it's not that kind of story). The holiday hints were subtle - markets, ice skating, tree decorating - but perfectly paired with the overall novel. It's one of those Christmas stories that should leave you with many warm fuzzies when you've finished it.
I'm quite happy I have more Karen Swan books to catch up on because I don't want Christmas on Primrose Hill to be my last. Swan writes engaging, sweet, emotional, and funny stories. You may be done with your Christmas reading now but I think you should still pick this one up and carry on the festive spirit for just a few more days.
December 3, 2023
4.5 stars. ✨
Another awesome read by Karen Swan. Love her holiday stories which really are romance with mystery infused around Christmas.
We have dates to raise money and Nettie has to be the blue bunny girl. When front man Jamie comes in the sparks fly. But can a simple girl who is missing her mom fall for a rock star.
So many layers and secrets in this one. Loved it. All the side characters. Jules, Dan, Caro, Daisy and Gus were awesome and added to the magic.
Another awesome read by Karen Swan. Love her holiday stories which really are romance with mystery infused around Christmas.
We have dates to raise money and Nettie has to be the blue bunny girl. When front man Jamie comes in the sparks fly. But can a simple girl who is missing her mom fall for a rock star.
So many layers and secrets in this one. Loved it. All the side characters. Jules, Dan, Caro, Daisy and Gus were awesome and added to the magic.
November 14, 2018
Loved loved loved loooooooved Christmas on Primrose Hill!!! As the usual with Karen Swans books, they are always more than even the synopsis let's on and this was one emotional romantic and heart wrenching story. Absolutley LOVED Jamie Westlake (famous singer and heart throb anyone?!?!) And loved Netties back story as well. I love karen Swans books so much!! Another 5 star from me!!
November 26, 2022
this book was very silly and not really the best. but that was what I wanted from it. ludicrous. but not as consistently light hearted ludicrous as Id expected bcos of the whole missing mum plot line. anyway. a lot of it read a bit like fanfic imo. lol.
December 4, 2019
Sweet, Christmas fare. Girl meets rock legend dressed in blue bunny suit. Given its Christmas and the cover is cute, you just know what will happen - but sweet!
February 12, 2018
Ho letto questo romanzo, che avevo comprato con uno sconto speciale a Natale, grazie a una delle sfide di lettura a cui sto partecipando.
"Natale a Notting Hill" non è uno dei soliti romance, e lo sottolineo subito.
Molti lettori e lettrici non leggono il genere, perché disgustati dalla classica favola di "Cenerentola" riproposta con infinite variazioni al pubblico, dalle sciocche e frivole romanticherie alle fruste.
Ma Karen Swan, che è una delle mie autrici straniere preferite di romance, per fortuna cerca sempre di offrire al lettore storie originali, senza sacrificare lieto fine e romanticismo.
Quando ero molto piccola in televisione c'era un appuntamento fisso, un film che faceva sospirare le adolescenti degli Anni Ottanta, "Sposerò Simon Le Bon", tratto dall'omonimo romanzo di un'autrice italiana, Clizia Gurrado.
Il romanzo della Swan lo ricorda vagamente, non tanto per la tematica ma per il rapporto tra Nettie, una ragazza normale, che svolge un lavoro noioso e vive una vita normale; e una star della musica internazionale, Jamie Westlake, ambito e bellissimo cantante, pieno di fan sfegatate.
Nettie, la protagonista della storia, porta con sé un dramma importante, un dramma che viene svelato come ogni buona trama richiede, oltre la metà del romanzo. Questo dolore, questa assenza che trae origine da una tendenza reale, di cui l'autrice parla alla fine del romanzo, condiziona tutte le scelte della giovane ragazza, bloccata in una non-vita in cui si limita a collezionare un giorno tiepido dopo l'altro.
A sconvolgere l'intera esistenza di Nettie sarà un incidente di percorso, e non in senso lato.
Il romanzo inizia con una delle scene più buffe di sempre, che mi ha strappato più di una risata e che non svelerò per non scivolare in spoiler.
Ma da quel momento, la vita di Nettie non sarà più la stessa, perché l'incidente che dà il via alla storia attira l'attenzione della star mondiale, che un po' alla volta inizierà un lento e serrato corteggiamento nei confronti della ragazza.
La collisione di due mondi così agli antipodi, di cui i protagonisti sono i rappresentanti, rende la narrazione altamente contrastata e ricca di conflitti.
La coerenza con cui la scrittrice presenta Nettie al lettore, la sua caratterizzazione assolutamente verosimile in ogni sua sfumatura, compresa quella legata al dolore, ha reso la lettura di questo romanzo un vero piacere.
Il protagonista maschile, come è giusto che sia in un romance, passa leggermente in secondo piano. Uno dei punti fondanti della tecnica narrativa legata al romanzo rosa è quella di non creare protagonisti maschili troppo soverchianti; protagonisti che con la loro presenza salvano la dama di turno.
In questo romanzo è Nettie a salvare se stessa; è Nettie a concedersi una seconda possibilità, scegliendo di essere felice nonostante il dolore del passato.
E come sempre, nella vita, quando si affronta e si supera un grosso ostacolo personale, ecco che tutti i tasselli iniziano a muoversi, andando al loro posto.
Il lieto fine è d'obbligo, e non manca nemmeno in questo romanzo, ma è un lieto fine che non è scontato e passa attraverso lo scioglimento di numerosi nodi narrativi.
Consigliato a chi desidera una lettura leggera e divertente, a tratti commovente, che abbina a una nota frivola un argomento complesso, dal notevole peso.
"Natale a Notting Hill" non è uno dei soliti romance, e lo sottolineo subito.
Molti lettori e lettrici non leggono il genere, perché disgustati dalla classica favola di "Cenerentola" riproposta con infinite variazioni al pubblico, dalle sciocche e frivole romanticherie alle fruste.
Ma Karen Swan, che è una delle mie autrici straniere preferite di romance, per fortuna cerca sempre di offrire al lettore storie originali, senza sacrificare lieto fine e romanticismo.
Quando ero molto piccola in televisione c'era un appuntamento fisso, un film che faceva sospirare le adolescenti degli Anni Ottanta, "Sposerò Simon Le Bon", tratto dall'omonimo romanzo di un'autrice italiana, Clizia Gurrado.
Il romanzo della Swan lo ricorda vagamente, non tanto per la tematica ma per il rapporto tra Nettie, una ragazza normale, che svolge un lavoro noioso e vive una vita normale; e una star della musica internazionale, Jamie Westlake, ambito e bellissimo cantante, pieno di fan sfegatate.
Nettie, la protagonista della storia, porta con sé un dramma importante, un dramma che viene svelato come ogni buona trama richiede, oltre la metà del romanzo. Questo dolore, questa assenza che trae origine da una tendenza reale, di cui l'autrice parla alla fine del romanzo, condiziona tutte le scelte della giovane ragazza, bloccata in una non-vita in cui si limita a collezionare un giorno tiepido dopo l'altro.
A sconvolgere l'intera esistenza di Nettie sarà un incidente di percorso, e non in senso lato.
Il romanzo inizia con una delle scene più buffe di sempre, che mi ha strappato più di una risata e che non svelerò per non scivolare in spoiler.
Ma da quel momento, la vita di Nettie non sarà più la stessa, perché l'incidente che dà il via alla storia attira l'attenzione della star mondiale, che un po' alla volta inizierà un lento e serrato corteggiamento nei confronti della ragazza.
La collisione di due mondi così agli antipodi, di cui i protagonisti sono i rappresentanti, rende la narrazione altamente contrastata e ricca di conflitti.
La coerenza con cui la scrittrice presenta Nettie al lettore, la sua caratterizzazione assolutamente verosimile in ogni sua sfumatura, compresa quella legata al dolore, ha reso la lettura di questo romanzo un vero piacere.
Il protagonista maschile, come è giusto che sia in un romance, passa leggermente in secondo piano. Uno dei punti fondanti della tecnica narrativa legata al romanzo rosa è quella di non creare protagonisti maschili troppo soverchianti; protagonisti che con la loro presenza salvano la dama di turno.
In questo romanzo è Nettie a salvare se stessa; è Nettie a concedersi una seconda possibilità, scegliendo di essere felice nonostante il dolore del passato.
E come sempre, nella vita, quando si affronta e si supera un grosso ostacolo personale, ecco che tutti i tasselli iniziano a muoversi, andando al loro posto.
Il lieto fine è d'obbligo, e non manca nemmeno in questo romanzo, ma è un lieto fine che non è scontato e passa attraverso lo scioglimento di numerosi nodi narrativi.
Consigliato a chi desidera una lettura leggera e divertente, a tratti commovente, che abbina a una nota frivola un argomento complesso, dal notevole peso.
December 30, 2021
I was pleasantly surprised by this book, I absolutely loved reading every word. The story was enticing and kept me hooked the whole way through. It was the perfect book to relax and get caught up in over Christmas (warning though, it's not all that Christmas-y, other than the fact that it is set during December). A romance book that wasn't lacking in an actually interesting storyline, great characters and good writing.
Initially I wasn't quite sure about it just because of the whole twitter thing, I'm not sure why it just seemed a bit off putting, but it became something I really liked about the book. Otherwise as soon as I started reading the book I was hooked. The most important thing foe me in a book is characters that I actually like, and I loved the characters in this book. They were real and believable, Nettie, the protagonist, especially so. She is the type of character who, if written wrong, could come across as annoying and arrogant, which with characters who don't like technology or understand it often do, Nettie on the other hand was refreshingly a lovable character who grew as the story progressed.
My favourite storyline in the book was the Nettie and Jamie one.
I have very few things that I wasn't sure about in the book, I didn't dislike them per-say, that would be too strong a word but just small points that I wasn't entirely mad about. One such thing was that there were occasions when something would happen which left me a bit like 'seriously?', just small things that I though could have been easily avoided, maybe I think too logically and critically about things but that's just what I thought about it. The main thing that had me a small bit cynical was made it feel a bit far fetched. I think once you get over the fact that some of it is a bit unrealistic, and I certainly did quite quickly, it gets you hooked.
The most disappointing part for me was the ending, I wasn't all that happy with it, I just wasn't mad about it. Saying it was disappointing though doesn't mean it was awful, it was just the part I wasn't mad about.
I would definitely recommend this book to people who love romantic books, it is a great escape that has a great storyline that will keep you wanting to read on. The characters were likeable and relatable, they all had their own quirks and idiosyncrasies which made me like them more. I'm glad I bought it and it's definitely a book to give a chance.
Initially I wasn't quite sure about it just because of the whole twitter thing, I'm not sure why it just seemed a bit off putting, but it became something I really liked about the book. Otherwise as soon as I started reading the book I was hooked. The most important thing foe me in a book is characters that I actually like, and I loved the characters in this book. They were real and believable, Nettie, the protagonist, especially so. She is the type of character who, if written wrong, could come across as annoying and arrogant, which with characters who don't like technology or understand it often do, Nettie on the other hand was refreshingly a lovable character who grew as the story progressed.
My favourite storyline in the book was the Nettie and Jamie one.
I have very few things that I wasn't sure about in the book, I didn't dislike them per-say, that would be too strong a word but just small points that I wasn't entirely mad about. One such thing was that there were occasions when something would happen which left me a bit like 'seriously?', just small things that I though could have been easily avoided, maybe I think too logically and critically about things but that's just what I thought about it. The main thing that had me a small bit cynical was made it feel a bit far fetched. I think once you get over the fact that some of it is a bit unrealistic, and I certainly did quite quickly, it gets you hooked.
The most disappointing part for me was the ending, I wasn't all that happy with it, I just wasn't mad about it. Saying it was disappointing though doesn't mean it was awful, it was just the part I wasn't mad about.
I would definitely recommend this book to people who love romantic books, it is a great escape that has a great storyline that will keep you wanting to read on. The characters were likeable and relatable, they all had their own quirks and idiosyncrasies which made me like them more. I'm glad I bought it and it's definitely a book to give a chance.
November 29, 2017
The story didn't grip my interest from page one but once the story got going i thoroughly enjoyed this book. Nettie is a very real interesting character with more than one surprise about her. I liked how the relationship developed between her and Jamie.
April 2, 2016
Usually really enjoy Karen Swan books but this one was so far fetched that I got through the first few chapters & then gave up.
May 18, 2018
Cute. A little unrealistic and really drags at some points but a cute love story nonetheless.
December 3, 2020
Probably a 3.5. Very slow start. Certainly not my favourite of Karen’s Christmas books.
December 26, 2020
Eine Zeitverschwendung. Ich mochte die Hauptfigur Nettie überhaupt nicht, ich finde, sie reagiert die ganze Zeit nur anstatt auch mal selbstständig zu agieren, zudem denkt sie immer nur an sich. Ich verstehe ja, dass sie eine schwierige Zeit hat (obwohl es mich auch genervt hat, dass es quasi lange Zeit über ein Geheimnis war, was da jetzt genau los war), aber trotzdem geht so ein Verhalten gar nicht. Die Love Story wirkt auch sehr hölzern, ich persönlich konnte Jamie auch nicht viel abgewinnen. Und das ganze als Weihnachtsbuch zu verkaufen ist auch nicht viel mehr als ein Marketing-Gag, sehr viel Weihnachtsstimmung wurde nämlich nicht transportiert. Aber dem ganzen die Krone aufgesetzt hat noch das vollkommen unrealistische Ende - daher kann ich nicht mehr als einen Stern geben, und wäre es möglich, keine Sterne zu vergeben, dann würde es auch den nicht geben.
January 18, 2018
This review was originally posted on Star Crossed Reviews Whenever I get asked for book recommendation Christmas At Tiffany's by Karen Swan is always on of my go to books and every year I look forward to seeing what Karen is going to bring us next. Unfortunately my TBR pile is bigger than a house!
This book follows Nettie. Nettie lives in her parents home and works in a job she quite frankly hates. Nettie was a character you both love and hate. At times I wanted to shake her and others I wanted to give her a big hug.
For me this book had a slow start and I was as captured by it as I have been for other books by Karen but that could be a personal thing as I was reading it during the Christmas period and there was a lot going on.
I really enjoyed the the blue bunny campaign. I was very funny and it just shows how the littlest of things can go viral.
The heartbreak in this book was hard to guess.I guesses who it involved quite early on but not what had happened.
This book is perfect for this season and will leave you with a case of the warm fuzzies. I can't wait to dive into Karen's other books and may have to move them up the TBR pile.
This book follows Nettie. Nettie lives in her parents home and works in a job she quite frankly hates. Nettie was a character you both love and hate. At times I wanted to shake her and others I wanted to give her a big hug.
For me this book had a slow start and I was as captured by it as I have been for other books by Karen but that could be a personal thing as I was reading it during the Christmas period and there was a lot going on.
I really enjoyed the the blue bunny campaign. I was very funny and it just shows how the littlest of things can go viral.
The heartbreak in this book was hard to guess.I guesses who it involved quite early on but not what had happened.
This book is perfect for this season and will leave you with a case of the warm fuzzies. I can't wait to dive into Karen's other books and may have to move them up the TBR pile.
December 15, 2020
I have read many books in my life, but rarely, if not never, rarely has the beginning of the book immediately made me feel that I am going to enjoy the writing. I read the first 4 sentences of the prologue of this book and I found the writing so beautiful, I knew I was going to enjoy the language, irrespective of whether or not I end up enjoying the plot.
Thankfully, I thoroughly enjoyed the plot as well! London, Christmas, snow, the interesting turn of events, the way the writer dealt with the trauma of loss of a certain kind, the relationships shared between the different characters, the occasional witty banters.... what's there to not like?
I'm looking forward to reading more of Karen Swan's books.
Thankfully, I thoroughly enjoyed the plot as well! London, Christmas, snow, the interesting turn of events, the way the writer dealt with the trauma of loss of a certain kind, the relationships shared between the different characters, the occasional witty banters.... what's there to not like?
I'm looking forward to reading more of Karen Swan's books.
December 28, 2021
I have mixed views on this book!
I’m not the biggest fan of chick lit generally, but wanted a Christmassy read. It took me quite a while to get into it, I wasn’t initially gripped by the characters, but as I got near the end I got more into it.
I can put aside whether the main storyline is realistic or not - but what I was disappointed with was the lack of detail in the ending, given how long the book is. Maybe a sequel is due?!
Saying that, a couple of her other books sound interesting so I am likely to read more of hers.
I’m not the biggest fan of chick lit generally, but wanted a Christmassy read. It took me quite a while to get into it, I wasn’t initially gripped by the characters, but as I got near the end I got more into it.
I can put aside whether the main storyline is realistic or not - but what I was disappointed with was the lack of detail in the ending, given how long the book is. Maybe a sequel is due?!
Saying that, a couple of her other books sound interesting so I am likely to read more of hers.
January 10, 2019
Eigenlijk zit ik te twijfelen tussen 3 en 4 sterren, maar geef dit boek het voordeel van de twijfel. Het heeft 1/3 geduurd voor ik het echt interessant begon te vinden. Na die 1/3 was het heerlijk romantisch en had het alles waar ik van houd. Waar ik me wel een beetje aan stoorde waren de onlogische perspectief wisselingen (head hopping) van de ene zin op de andere en dan weer terug. Dat had ik toch niet van deze schrijfster verwacht.
January 15, 2025
I was pleasantly surprised with this book. I was all in for Nettie and Jamie, but didn’t really need the family drama. I do feel the title and book cover didn’t really match the story!
December 27, 2024
Lento e noioso non parte mai. L’ho abbandonato.
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