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Single by Christmas
You’ve heard the saying, ‘opposites attract’ haven’t you? Well meet 27 year old Alex Marshall, a party girl with a penchant for free flowing Prosecco, and her devilishly handsome scientist boyfriend, Charlie, who loves jazz and dinner for two.
Alex and Charlie are together for 11 blissful months until Alex goes out of town and does something she will later regret. Was she drunk? You bet. Does she want Charlie to know? Well what do you think?
With the couple about to spend their first Christmas together will Charlie be the forgiving kind or will Alex be Single by Christmas?
This is a feel good, Christmas novel with very few mince pies, not much snow and absolutely no mistletoe – just a couple of best friends, a sociopathic nemesis and a lot of drinking.
Alex and Charlie are together for 11 blissful months until Alex goes out of town and does something she will later regret. Was she drunk? You bet. Does she want Charlie to know? Well what do you think?
With the couple about to spend their first Christmas together will Charlie be the forgiving kind or will Alex be Single by Christmas?
This is a feel good, Christmas novel with very few mince pies, not much snow and absolutely no mistletoe – just a couple of best friends, a sociopathic nemesis and a lot of drinking.
246 pages, ebook
Published October 3, 2016
4 people are currently reading
13 people want to read
About the author
Rosa Temple
14 books31 followersRosa Temple began writing romantic comedies and chick lit as a ghost writer. In her notebooks, she constantly jotted down story ideas of her own and she eventually self published her first novella Sleeping With Your Best Friend. Rosa went on to self publish the following novels: Natalie's Getting Married, Single By Christmas and Dear..Anybody?
HQ Digital published three of her ebooks: Playing By The Rules, Playing Her Cards Right and Playing for Keeps.
On 26th May 2022 Simon & Schuster published The Slow Lane Walkers Club in 3 formats.
Rosa Temple is a Londoner and is married with two sons. She recently escaped to the Herefordshire countryside.
Visit her website https://www.rosatemple.co.uk/ for more!
HQ Digital published three of her ebooks: Playing By The Rules, Playing Her Cards Right and Playing for Keeps.
On 26th May 2022 Simon & Schuster published The Slow Lane Walkers Club in 3 formats.
Rosa Temple is a Londoner and is married with two sons. She recently escaped to the Herefordshire countryside.
Visit her website https://www.rosatemple.co.uk/ for more!
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
October 19, 2016
Alex loves her boyfriend Charlie, but her helpfulness, and sometimes her stupidity, gets in the way of their relationship. From putting her best friend’s needs before Charlie, and often herself (and there are a lot of needs), plus keeping secrets from him, and not listening to what is often has to say, it looks like the relationship won’t last the course.
Will Charlie, who is absolutely in love with Alex, walk away for good, or does he realise that Alex is sorry for her mistakes and give their relationship one last chance? The stroke of midnight Christmas Eve will give you the answer.
Rosa Temple writes wonderful, natural, and believable romance novels, with characters you know you will get involved with and can’t help rooting for, even if they are a disaster waiting to happen.
Alex, the main character, is quite a hot and cold character. Sometimes I just wanted to yell at her, to make her see what her actions were doing to her relationship. She tries too hard to please everyone, often resulting in Charlie getting hurt over and over again. She doesn’t have a very good attention span either, as her mind is often somewhere else, causing her to do stupid things, like going to the wrong restaurant to meet Charlie
I did at times wonder why Charlie hadn’t already walked away and called it time on the relationship, but I suppose the answer is love.
I found myself fully absorbed in the book, and quite often laughing at some of the situations that Alex found herself in, especially spying on her best friend’s husband.
If you are after an uplifting book that you can really sink your teeth into then this is a must for you.
Reviewed by Stacey at www.whisperingstories.com
Will Charlie, who is absolutely in love with Alex, walk away for good, or does he realise that Alex is sorry for her mistakes and give their relationship one last chance? The stroke of midnight Christmas Eve will give you the answer.
Rosa Temple writes wonderful, natural, and believable romance novels, with characters you know you will get involved with and can’t help rooting for, even if they are a disaster waiting to happen.
Alex, the main character, is quite a hot and cold character. Sometimes I just wanted to yell at her, to make her see what her actions were doing to her relationship. She tries too hard to please everyone, often resulting in Charlie getting hurt over and over again. She doesn’t have a very good attention span either, as her mind is often somewhere else, causing her to do stupid things, like going to the wrong restaurant to meet Charlie
I did at times wonder why Charlie hadn’t already walked away and called it time on the relationship, but I suppose the answer is love.
I found myself fully absorbed in the book, and quite often laughing at some of the situations that Alex found herself in, especially spying on her best friend’s husband.
If you are after an uplifting book that you can really sink your teeth into then this is a must for you.
Reviewed by Stacey at www.whisperingstories.com
October 10, 2016
Alex enjoys her party lifestyle and having a wonderful new boyfriend. The book is full of romance, relationship issues, family dynamics and taking your life onto the next step both career wise and setting down with your personal dreamboat. Can all these things sit happily together and allow you to have the perfect life together.
The book title suggests we are looking at the breakdown of a relationship and we follow the events that lead to this possibility. Christmas is supposed the be that magical time where we snuggle down with all those that are special to us and let the magic sparkle around us. It's difficult to read some of the scenes where you'd like to shake Alex and make her wake up to what she's risking and also get her friends to realise what they are doing.
But friendships tend to rally round when you need them- and there are some lovely friendships in the book. The two lads in the flat above her provide a lovely friendship and her two girly friends provide the 'boozy' evenings!
I was given a copy by Rosa- with thanks in exchange for writing a review on my thoughts on the book. I am now keen to read more by Rosa Temple as I loved her writing style.
I was really drawn into the book and loved every page.
The book title suggests we are looking at the breakdown of a relationship and we follow the events that lead to this possibility. Christmas is supposed the be that magical time where we snuggle down with all those that are special to us and let the magic sparkle around us. It's difficult to read some of the scenes where you'd like to shake Alex and make her wake up to what she's risking and also get her friends to realise what they are doing.
But friendships tend to rally round when you need them- and there are some lovely friendships in the book. The two lads in the flat above her provide a lovely friendship and her two girly friends provide the 'boozy' evenings!
I was given a copy by Rosa- with thanks in exchange for writing a review on my thoughts on the book. I am now keen to read more by Rosa Temple as I loved her writing style.
I was really drawn into the book and loved every page.
October 21, 2016
I really really liked this book.It was funny and at times also emotional.
The fast pace of the story and the flowing words enthralled me and made me a new fan of Rosa Temple writing.
Alex is a nice woman with a wild party animal side that makes her even more adorable and you cannot hate her even if you don't agree with her behaviour.
I liked all the characters and I hope to read more stories about them.
P.S. Charlie is a Saint *sigh*
Copy kindly provided by the Publisher/Author.
July 14, 2017
Single by Christmas is an amusing romp of a read packed with romance, humour and the most chaotic of chick-lit heroines. The story follows Alex and her boyfriend Charlie as Christmas is approaching. The beginning of the book has Alex waiting for Charlie to show up on Christmas Eve, but as she explains, she is not exactly expecting him to be there. Alex has made her mistakes but throughout this book we see her grow, a little, and as she thinks back on some of the mistakes she has made in the run-up to Christmas, we see her character develop (a bit!) along the way.
Alex’s life is a series of mishaps and misunderstandings. She is a bit of the typical chick lit heroine, a nice girl who means well but is a bit ditzy and swerves from one chaotic event to another. She also has a penchant for parties and loves little more than a few drinks with her best friends. But even though I found her a little bit frustrating at times, I did like Alex and she is a character you will to get herself together. When you think it’s not possible for Alex to find herself in another awkward situation, she out does herself again and it was certainly a fun read following the mistakes she makes.
Rosa Temple’s writing styling is bubbly and vibrant. Alex narrates this book on a day-to-day basis in the lead up to Christmas. The writing is fast-paced and the chapters are addictive, so it didn’t take me long to finish this book as Alex details all the ways things were going wrong with her and her boyfriend Charlie. We learn a lot about Charlie through Alex’s words and thoughts and really it was hard to find anything to dislike about him. If I’m honest, I found he was portrayed a bit too perfectly but then that’s down to personal taste and my love of flawed characters. I sympathised with him quite a bit throughout this book, especially when he had no clue that Alex was keeping important things from him. The chatty tone to this book had Alex come across more like a friend than a character in a book – although if I was her friend I’d have been a lot less lenient with her than Shalina was about her owning up to what she’d done!
The characters in Single by Christmas were entertaining. From the disastrous to the loveable to the trouble-causing, Rosa created vivid characters who were made easy to picture and easy to love or hate. The book in its entirety was engrossing reading with its quick chapters and fast-moving events. It was easy just to say “one more chapter” then find yourself still reading five chapters later, and I love those kind of books. The story had plenty of humour and was, at times, laugh-out-loud funny. It focuses on the run-up to Christmas rather than being a hugely festive story, but if you like your books full of laughter, friendship, booze and calamities, Single by Christmas is definitely a book you will enjoy.
Alex’s life is a series of mishaps and misunderstandings. She is a bit of the typical chick lit heroine, a nice girl who means well but is a bit ditzy and swerves from one chaotic event to another. She also has a penchant for parties and loves little more than a few drinks with her best friends. But even though I found her a little bit frustrating at times, I did like Alex and she is a character you will to get herself together. When you think it’s not possible for Alex to find herself in another awkward situation, she out does herself again and it was certainly a fun read following the mistakes she makes.
Rosa Temple’s writing styling is bubbly and vibrant. Alex narrates this book on a day-to-day basis in the lead up to Christmas. The writing is fast-paced and the chapters are addictive, so it didn’t take me long to finish this book as Alex details all the ways things were going wrong with her and her boyfriend Charlie. We learn a lot about Charlie through Alex’s words and thoughts and really it was hard to find anything to dislike about him. If I’m honest, I found he was portrayed a bit too perfectly but then that’s down to personal taste and my love of flawed characters. I sympathised with him quite a bit throughout this book, especially when he had no clue that Alex was keeping important things from him. The chatty tone to this book had Alex come across more like a friend than a character in a book – although if I was her friend I’d have been a lot less lenient with her than Shalina was about her owning up to what she’d done!
The characters in Single by Christmas were entertaining. From the disastrous to the loveable to the trouble-causing, Rosa created vivid characters who were made easy to picture and easy to love or hate. The book in its entirety was engrossing reading with its quick chapters and fast-moving events. It was easy just to say “one more chapter” then find yourself still reading five chapters later, and I love those kind of books. The story had plenty of humour and was, at times, laugh-out-loud funny. It focuses on the run-up to Christmas rather than being a hugely festive story, but if you like your books full of laughter, friendship, booze and calamities, Single by Christmas is definitely a book you will enjoy.
October 25, 2016
Where can I find a man like Charlie? He is such a trooper and Alex is so lucky to have him. There were many times I wanted to strangle Alex because of her actions and self-centeredness but she had to learn things the hard way. I really disliked Alex until she had the wake-up call that her actions were having effects of others and to consider the feelings of the people in her life. Will Alex's actions make her lose Charlie at Christmas or will Alex get a second chance at a happily ever after? Great fun, fast-paced chicklit read for a weekend getaway.
I received an advance reading copy of this book and am voluntarily reading it.
I received an advance reading copy of this book and am voluntarily reading it.
October 14, 2016
This was my first read by Rosa Temple and I was looking forward to a laid back Christmas rom com - my first of the year!
Alex and Charlie, being a new (ish) loved up couple, are about to spend their first Christmas together - or are they?
From the off they seemed so happy together but then throughout the story we discover Alex is just a little bit ditzy, and that's where things start going wrong. Especially when she goes away for a night and keeps something big from Charlie.
Along with miscommunication on both parts, I kind of just wanted to bang their heads together and say 'Here - sit and talk and get it all out and put it right!" But mainly Alex! I did feel sorry for her though; I thought if she just listened a bit more, and thought before she spoke, she wouldn't get herself in such situations. It didn't put me off her as and character though, if anything it made her more likeable!
I didn't like Charlie's best friend Stevo; what a twunt! I loved the relationship between Alex and her best friends Shalina and Rachel though, with fallouts like friends in real life but not for long. They helped her in the way friends should and it was really heartwarming.
I loved Rosa's style of writing, and there were some quite comedic moments in there. Just what I look for in a laid back book! 4.5* because I really didn't like Stevo - even in a love to hate him kind of way!
Alex and Charlie, being a new (ish) loved up couple, are about to spend their first Christmas together - or are they?
From the off they seemed so happy together but then throughout the story we discover Alex is just a little bit ditzy, and that's where things start going wrong. Especially when she goes away for a night and keeps something big from Charlie.
Along with miscommunication on both parts, I kind of just wanted to bang their heads together and say 'Here - sit and talk and get it all out and put it right!" But mainly Alex! I did feel sorry for her though; I thought if she just listened a bit more, and thought before she spoke, she wouldn't get herself in such situations. It didn't put me off her as and character though, if anything it made her more likeable!
I didn't like Charlie's best friend Stevo; what a twunt! I loved the relationship between Alex and her best friends Shalina and Rachel though, with fallouts like friends in real life but not for long. They helped her in the way friends should and it was really heartwarming.
I loved Rosa's style of writing, and there were some quite comedic moments in there. Just what I look for in a laid back book! 4.5* because I really didn't like Stevo - even in a love to hate him kind of way!
December 27, 2025
Was a quick read to get in. Fast paced story but for me the main character Alex was just insufferable. She cared about no one, not even herself at times. She didn't listen and seemed all over the place. Would have had a lot higher stars if the main character would have been written better. 2.5/5.
January 1, 2017
I first came across Rosa Temple earlier this year when I read and reviewed Natalie's Getting Married, which I described as 'a surprising little gem of a book'. I absolutely adore Rosa's writing; when reading her books it feels like you are being welcomed by life-long friends. It's not often that I get hooked on a book outside the crime/thriller genre but the drama of Alex's life certainly had my eyes glued to the page.
Alex Marshall seems to have it all: a handsome boyfriend who thinks the world of her, a couple of very close friends and a career heading in an upward direction. Alex really doesn't realise how lucky she is and she is so dizzy at times that she can't see how her actions are affecting other people. She is trying to juggle her boyfriend, her friends and her job and it's only a matter of time before she drops a ball or two.
Alex takes her boyfriend, Charlie, for granted and he always seems to get bumped by Alex's friends or her job. Charlie has a busy and important job too but he has his priorities in the right order and makes time for Alex and his family. They just seem to be a bit out of sync and like ships passing in the night, so if Alex isn't careful she will lose Charlie. I could have shook Alex at times and if I hadn't liked her so much I would have said she was selfish. She gets offered a job in Edinburgh and just assumes that Charlie will support her and move with her, but she has no idea what is going on in Charlie's personal and professional life.
Edinburgh is another story. When Alex goes up to look at the Edinburgh office she goes out with some of her potential new workmates. After a few drinks too many, she wakes up the next morning with one of her colleagues. So she hot-foots it back to London but, as we all know, secrets have a way of coming out however deep you bury them. As Christmas approaches, will time be called on Alex and Charlie's relationship or will they be kissing under the mistletoe?
Single by Christmas is another fabulous book from Rosa Temple. I thought I was going to dislike Alex intensely due to her apparent selfishness but she really means no harm; she just can't say no to people (friends, family, Scottish men). Written in Rosa's inimitable funny, warm and modern style, Single by Christmas is full of misunderstandings, secrets, drama and disaster - a bit like most office Christmas parties. So curl up on your favourite chair with a hot chocolate and read Single by Christmas, you won't be disappointed.
I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
Alex Marshall seems to have it all: a handsome boyfriend who thinks the world of her, a couple of very close friends and a career heading in an upward direction. Alex really doesn't realise how lucky she is and she is so dizzy at times that she can't see how her actions are affecting other people. She is trying to juggle her boyfriend, her friends and her job and it's only a matter of time before she drops a ball or two.
Alex takes her boyfriend, Charlie, for granted and he always seems to get bumped by Alex's friends or her job. Charlie has a busy and important job too but he has his priorities in the right order and makes time for Alex and his family. They just seem to be a bit out of sync and like ships passing in the night, so if Alex isn't careful she will lose Charlie. I could have shook Alex at times and if I hadn't liked her so much I would have said she was selfish. She gets offered a job in Edinburgh and just assumes that Charlie will support her and move with her, but she has no idea what is going on in Charlie's personal and professional life.
Edinburgh is another story. When Alex goes up to look at the Edinburgh office she goes out with some of her potential new workmates. After a few drinks too many, she wakes up the next morning with one of her colleagues. So she hot-foots it back to London but, as we all know, secrets have a way of coming out however deep you bury them. As Christmas approaches, will time be called on Alex and Charlie's relationship or will they be kissing under the mistletoe?
Single by Christmas is another fabulous book from Rosa Temple. I thought I was going to dislike Alex intensely due to her apparent selfishness but she really means no harm; she just can't say no to people (friends, family, Scottish men). Written in Rosa's inimitable funny, warm and modern style, Single by Christmas is full of misunderstandings, secrets, drama and disaster - a bit like most office Christmas parties. So curl up on your favourite chair with a hot chocolate and read Single by Christmas, you won't be disappointed.
I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
October 28, 2016
4.5 STARS!
Rosa Temple's festive romance story- SINGLE BY CHRISTMAS starts off with Alex, the protagonist, waiting for her boyfriend in the graveyard of the church on Christmas Eve. When Charlie doesn't show up for the midnight mass, Alex's thoughts wind back to the events that lead to this situation. Amongst partying hard, helping friends and tackling issues at the office, Alex forgets to heed attention to the important person in her life and thus wrecks her peace of mind as well as the Christmas.
This book is an account of main character's life in a month; it includes Alex's naive decisions and immature attempts to take a control of what's happening in her life and how she learns from her mistakes. Alex is a good-natured, caring and loving woman, however, having a less control over drinking. She becomes heedless at handling situations and always backs off from having an honest talk with her boyfriend. What appeared as small and insignificant matters loom out as a bigger one, and she becomes guilty, regretting over her follies. Towards the end, we see Alex shaping into a sensible, sophisticated and responsible woman and finding her happiness.
SINGLE BY CHRISTMAS is definitely a character-driven story, as a major part of the book describes the protagonist's character development. Though it's narrated in simple, straightforward writing, Rosa Temple's prose has wonderfully captured the changes Alex goes through. I'm, honestly, so glad that I read this book. I could relate to her in a million ways (apart from boozing and partying, of course) and brought back the embarrassing memories of the blunders I did once. It also made the reading experience unique and special.
Charlie is a gem- too precious to lose. He is everything that Alex is not. It was good to read a story, wherein opposites attract and complete each other. Apart from Charlie, the secondary characters were also equally good and fun to be around. The whole story rings true and the characters seem so authentic. I savoured this book slowly, it wasn't a compelling read that urged me to leaf through and see what might happen; however, certainly a read that made me think and struck a chord with me. I really liked this book.
SINGLE BY CHRISTMAS is not embellished with the Christmassy settings or descriptions, yet a thought-provoking and extremely good story to read in this festive season. You will also like it if you enjoyed We Were on A Break by Lindsey Kelk. Recommended!
Rosa Temple's festive romance story- SINGLE BY CHRISTMAS starts off with Alex, the protagonist, waiting for her boyfriend in the graveyard of the church on Christmas Eve. When Charlie doesn't show up for the midnight mass, Alex's thoughts wind back to the events that lead to this situation. Amongst partying hard, helping friends and tackling issues at the office, Alex forgets to heed attention to the important person in her life and thus wrecks her peace of mind as well as the Christmas.
This book is an account of main character's life in a month; it includes Alex's naive decisions and immature attempts to take a control of what's happening in her life and how she learns from her mistakes. Alex is a good-natured, caring and loving woman, however, having a less control over drinking. She becomes heedless at handling situations and always backs off from having an honest talk with her boyfriend. What appeared as small and insignificant matters loom out as a bigger one, and she becomes guilty, regretting over her follies. Towards the end, we see Alex shaping into a sensible, sophisticated and responsible woman and finding her happiness.
SINGLE BY CHRISTMAS is definitely a character-driven story, as a major part of the book describes the protagonist's character development. Though it's narrated in simple, straightforward writing, Rosa Temple's prose has wonderfully captured the changes Alex goes through. I'm, honestly, so glad that I read this book. I could relate to her in a million ways (apart from boozing and partying, of course) and brought back the embarrassing memories of the blunders I did once. It also made the reading experience unique and special.
Charlie is a gem- too precious to lose. He is everything that Alex is not. It was good to read a story, wherein opposites attract and complete each other. Apart from Charlie, the secondary characters were also equally good and fun to be around. The whole story rings true and the characters seem so authentic. I savoured this book slowly, it wasn't a compelling read that urged me to leaf through and see what might happen; however, certainly a read that made me think and struck a chord with me. I really liked this book.
SINGLE BY CHRISTMAS is not embellished with the Christmassy settings or descriptions, yet a thought-provoking and extremely good story to read in this festive season. You will also like it if you enjoyed We Were on A Break by Lindsey Kelk. Recommended!
November 1, 2016
Single by Christmas begins on Christmas Eve, with Alex Marshall sitting outside a church waiting for her boyfriend Charlie. I loved the opening of this book. It made me winder why she was sitting alone and what would happen next. The real story begins on the first day of December, a month before, with us following Alex through all of December until we come full circle to where she is sat on the bench outside the church.
I really enjoyed this book, although Alex frustrated me, and at times annoyed me. She was not an easy character to like, but it was through her faults that I began to understand her, and ultimately begin to like her.
The story goes that Alex has been dating her scientist boyfriend, Charlie (who I fell in love with instantly) for eleven months. They met and started dating on New Year's Eve. This in itself is the perfect romantic perquisite to any romantic story. However, it is after she makes a trip to Scotland, that is shrouded in secrecy, that her life begins to unravel around her and begins to lose the love of her life. Did I feel sorry for her at this point in the book? Sadly not. I firmly believed that she had brought on all of her troubles by herself, most of which were fueled in a drunken haze. But as the story progressed, my understanding for her behaviour grew and, I began to emphasise with her and then simply wanted her to be happy.
What makes this book so funny though is the number of misunderstanding that take place. In fact the entire book is built upon miscommunication and misunderstandings, as is so much of life. Nobody's life is perfect or runs smoothly, and we are reminded of this while reading Alex's exploits. I think that is why I liked this book so much. It is not your typical warm and fuzzy Christmas read, as it tells a much deeper and raw kind of story - but one that will make you laugh and feel good about life.
Rosa Temple has a very distinctive writing style that is fresh, fest paced and witty. If you want to read a Christmas romantic comedy that is a little bit different - then this is the one for you. You won't be disappointed.
I really enjoyed this book, although Alex frustrated me, and at times annoyed me. She was not an easy character to like, but it was through her faults that I began to understand her, and ultimately begin to like her.
The story goes that Alex has been dating her scientist boyfriend, Charlie (who I fell in love with instantly) for eleven months. They met and started dating on New Year's Eve. This in itself is the perfect romantic perquisite to any romantic story. However, it is after she makes a trip to Scotland, that is shrouded in secrecy, that her life begins to unravel around her and begins to lose the love of her life. Did I feel sorry for her at this point in the book? Sadly not. I firmly believed that she had brought on all of her troubles by herself, most of which were fueled in a drunken haze. But as the story progressed, my understanding for her behaviour grew and, I began to emphasise with her and then simply wanted her to be happy.
What makes this book so funny though is the number of misunderstanding that take place. In fact the entire book is built upon miscommunication and misunderstandings, as is so much of life. Nobody's life is perfect or runs smoothly, and we are reminded of this while reading Alex's exploits. I think that is why I liked this book so much. It is not your typical warm and fuzzy Christmas read, as it tells a much deeper and raw kind of story - but one that will make you laugh and feel good about life.
Rosa Temple has a very distinctive writing style that is fresh, fest paced and witty. If you want to read a Christmas romantic comedy that is a little bit different - then this is the one for you. You won't be disappointed.
May 12, 2024
Read my review on RomanceJunkies.com by clicking on the link below. It is also posted in full.
http://romancejunkies.com/reviews/sin...
Rated 3.5 but rounded to 4 on Goodreads.
SINGLE BY CHRISTMAS by Rosa Temple takes place entirely during the month of December, except for the epilogue, and is a very appropriate title. The prologue sets up the ending, and the rest of the book takes us day by day through the month. The epilogue gave nice closure with a happily ever after that was totally unexpected, given the nature of the story up until almost the end.
The writing is solid and the story kept my interest. Unfortunately, the characters didn’t have much depth. What you see is what you get, and I couldn’t connect with much of it. Alex likes to party and drink way too much, and everyone around her expects it– even her straightlaced scientist boyfriend, Charlie. This is definitely a story of opposites attract, but I don’t see why he puts up with her. He’s black, she’s white. He’s more serious, she loves fun. He’s prompt, she’s always tardy–if she shows up at all. Alex thinks her life is more important than his and doesn’t seem to pay much attention to what Charlie says or feels. But still they click and I could feel their affection for each other, though I couldn’t understand it.
SINGLE BY CHRISTMAS is filled with family and friends, secrets, lots of drinking, and bouts of sadness, all set during Christmas. The steamy relationship was done well. I laughed a time or two and even shed a tear. The story was heartbreaking throughout, but I still found myself turning the pages to see what would happen next and I was glad I did, since there were twists and turns to the story that definitely kept my interest.
Temple is a new-to-me author. I will definitely give her books another try to see if there’s more substance to them than the way Alex, Charlie, and their friends were portrayed. I liked the cover with the heart broken in two. Very appropriate.
Rated 3.5 but rounded to 4 on Goodreads.
http://romancejunkies.com/reviews/sin...
Rated 3.5 but rounded to 4 on Goodreads.
SINGLE BY CHRISTMAS by Rosa Temple takes place entirely during the month of December, except for the epilogue, and is a very appropriate title. The prologue sets up the ending, and the rest of the book takes us day by day through the month. The epilogue gave nice closure with a happily ever after that was totally unexpected, given the nature of the story up until almost the end.
The writing is solid and the story kept my interest. Unfortunately, the characters didn’t have much depth. What you see is what you get, and I couldn’t connect with much of it. Alex likes to party and drink way too much, and everyone around her expects it– even her straightlaced scientist boyfriend, Charlie. This is definitely a story of opposites attract, but I don’t see why he puts up with her. He’s black, she’s white. He’s more serious, she loves fun. He’s prompt, she’s always tardy–if she shows up at all. Alex thinks her life is more important than his and doesn’t seem to pay much attention to what Charlie says or feels. But still they click and I could feel their affection for each other, though I couldn’t understand it.
SINGLE BY CHRISTMAS is filled with family and friends, secrets, lots of drinking, and bouts of sadness, all set during Christmas. The steamy relationship was done well. I laughed a time or two and even shed a tear. The story was heartbreaking throughout, but I still found myself turning the pages to see what would happen next and I was glad I did, since there were twists and turns to the story that definitely kept my interest.
Temple is a new-to-me author. I will definitely give her books another try to see if there’s more substance to them than the way Alex, Charlie, and their friends were portrayed. I liked the cover with the heart broken in two. Very appropriate.
Rated 3.5 but rounded to 4 on Goodreads.
November 28, 2016
This book sounded a lot of fun. A book that you can read and enjoy to take your mind off of real life, and it was pretty much just that. It’s pretty outrageous at tie, and that is exactly what you need at times.
The writing makes it easy to capture your attention for long reading sessions. This is mostly in part to our protagonist, Alex. At times I really empathised with her, and the rest was spent in shock at her outrageous attitude. I understand how dejected Charlie felt in their first week of mishaps.
At first i thought it was just a bit of absent mindedness, but as time went on it seemed more like she didn’t listen to Charlie, and didn’t really consider him in her choices.
She hated Charlie’s best friend, Stevo. I don’t blame her, I hated him to, but she had issue with his ‘bros before ho’s’ attitude, but there were many times she put her friends before Charlie. That said, Stevo was a complete two-faced twit, and that’s putting it lightly. His attitude was less ‘bros before ho’s’ and more being a sneaky and jealous person who was determined that Charlie should spend all his time in his presence and no one else.
As I said before, while I think she was annoying at times with her lack of thought and attention to her relationship, I did really feel for her job dilemma a bit, and there were times when she was a lot of fun. The prologue outside the church was a deeper look into Alex, and it was this that reminded me throughout the book that there was good in her overall, once she got perspective.
Charlie was really the perfect boyfriend, and I really felt for all he put up with. He has the patience of a saint, and according to every woman in the book, absolutely gorgeous to boot.
Overall this book was a fun read that had me laughing at times and was a great distraction throughout a time when I needed my spirits lifted.
The writing makes it easy to capture your attention for long reading sessions. This is mostly in part to our protagonist, Alex. At times I really empathised with her, and the rest was spent in shock at her outrageous attitude. I understand how dejected Charlie felt in their first week of mishaps.
At first i thought it was just a bit of absent mindedness, but as time went on it seemed more like she didn’t listen to Charlie, and didn’t really consider him in her choices.
She hated Charlie’s best friend, Stevo. I don’t blame her, I hated him to, but she had issue with his ‘bros before ho’s’ attitude, but there were many times she put her friends before Charlie. That said, Stevo was a complete two-faced twit, and that’s putting it lightly. His attitude was less ‘bros before ho’s’ and more being a sneaky and jealous person who was determined that Charlie should spend all his time in his presence and no one else.
As I said before, while I think she was annoying at times with her lack of thought and attention to her relationship, I did really feel for her job dilemma a bit, and there were times when she was a lot of fun. The prologue outside the church was a deeper look into Alex, and it was this that reminded me throughout the book that there was good in her overall, once she got perspective.
Charlie was really the perfect boyfriend, and I really felt for all he put up with. He has the patience of a saint, and according to every woman in the book, absolutely gorgeous to boot.
Overall this book was a fun read that had me laughing at times and was a great distraction throughout a time when I needed my spirits lifted.
October 18, 2016
This was such a fun festive read full of frolics, laughter and love. I really enjoyed the pace of the story and how the chapters were focused on daily events leading up to Christmas. I’ve read a few books by Rosa Temple now and love her wonderful wit and charm and am left surprised that her books are not more widely known. Please do check out this author Rosa Temple! Her writing style reminds me a little of Lindsey Kelk, Melissa Hill and Jane Green.
We first meet Alex waiting for her boyfriend Charlie to join her and her family for Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. She’s devastated and ashamed with the events of the past few weeks and decides to wait for Charlie in the church grounds. Whilst sat in the dark waiting for Charlie Alex starts thinking back to were it all went wrong for her and Charlie. The story then takes us back to December 1st when we start to follow Alex at work and at play leading up to Christmas.
Alex has such a big heart that she’d stop everything to help her friends and also at work she steps in to help her less confident boss. However, this big heart of hers get’s too carried away and Alex starts forgetting the most important person in her life, her boyfriend Charlie. Alex is a young twenty something career girl that works hard but plays as hard and loves her monthly drink binges with her girlfriends. With her hectic work schedule and social life Alex’s relationship starts tumbling down around her but she’s too wrapped up trying to save and help everyone else to see it.
A fabulous festive read that’s full of fun, laughter and love. The season of giving brings a whole new meaning to Alex when she forget to give time to herself and her boyfriend. 5/5*
We first meet Alex waiting for her boyfriend Charlie to join her and her family for Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. She’s devastated and ashamed with the events of the past few weeks and decides to wait for Charlie in the church grounds. Whilst sat in the dark waiting for Charlie Alex starts thinking back to were it all went wrong for her and Charlie. The story then takes us back to December 1st when we start to follow Alex at work and at play leading up to Christmas.
Alex has such a big heart that she’d stop everything to help her friends and also at work she steps in to help her less confident boss. However, this big heart of hers get’s too carried away and Alex starts forgetting the most important person in her life, her boyfriend Charlie. Alex is a young twenty something career girl that works hard but plays as hard and loves her monthly drink binges with her girlfriends. With her hectic work schedule and social life Alex’s relationship starts tumbling down around her but she’s too wrapped up trying to save and help everyone else to see it.
A fabulous festive read that’s full of fun, laughter and love. The season of giving brings a whole new meaning to Alex when she forget to give time to herself and her boyfriend. 5/5*
October 30, 2016
If you are ever fortunate to be in love and in a committed relationship with someone by the end of November, please don't do what Alex does in Single By Christmas and end up destroying a perfectly good relationship in under a month.
I have spent the entire book with assorted mixed feelings towards Alex, at on point I really did want to throw rocks at her head, at others I hated her, some of the time I felt sorry for her, I generally thought that most of her problems were her own fault, but yet when it came to having a friend in need she has strong sense of loyalty and doing the right thing by them. The problem is due to her multi faceted personality, there are times she drifts off into daydreams and ends up double booking her boyfriend, or missing key things he is saying.
But yet Alex isn't malicious, just careless, and thankfully although I really wasn't sure what to think about her, I did think Charlie, was a saint for the majority of December barely complaining at anything.
The story takes place over the month of December and charts the course of how you can start the month with a boyfriend and potentially end up single by Christmas day. Add in her best friend having a relationship crisis, and a potentially new job and promotion, and there is a lot to take in.
Despite my feelings towards Alex I was definitely entertained by Single By Christmas, and found it a very easy book to read, and the pacing was good. You could see the timeline of the story clearly, and everything was from Alex's point of view.
This won't be the most overly festive feeling book you will read with Christmas in the title but what you have is a great generally light hearted romantic comedy that is enjoyable to read on a cold winter's day!
I have spent the entire book with assorted mixed feelings towards Alex, at on point I really did want to throw rocks at her head, at others I hated her, some of the time I felt sorry for her, I generally thought that most of her problems were her own fault, but yet when it came to having a friend in need she has strong sense of loyalty and doing the right thing by them. The problem is due to her multi faceted personality, there are times she drifts off into daydreams and ends up double booking her boyfriend, or missing key things he is saying.
But yet Alex isn't malicious, just careless, and thankfully although I really wasn't sure what to think about her, I did think Charlie, was a saint for the majority of December barely complaining at anything.
The story takes place over the month of December and charts the course of how you can start the month with a boyfriend and potentially end up single by Christmas day. Add in her best friend having a relationship crisis, and a potentially new job and promotion, and there is a lot to take in.
Despite my feelings towards Alex I was definitely entertained by Single By Christmas, and found it a very easy book to read, and the pacing was good. You could see the timeline of the story clearly, and everything was from Alex's point of view.
This won't be the most overly festive feeling book you will read with Christmas in the title but what you have is a great generally light hearted romantic comedy that is enjoyable to read on a cold winter's day!
October 22, 2016
This sounded such a good read with a gripping title, I could not wait to tuck in.
We open up the story with Alex Marshall, who is waiting in the graveyard for her boyfriend Charlie to join her and her family for Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. As we soon discover the events from 1st December leading up to this Christmas eve, we learn that things have gone terribly wrong and Alex doesnt even know if Charlie will turn up.
As Alex takes us through the breakdown of her relationship, at times I wanted to shake Alex and tell her to wake up and smell the coffee, some of the decisions she made and the things she did were wrong. But she was a loveable girl and couldnt help but like her. After a trip to Scotland, to look into a new job opportunity she finds herself in a situation she can only keep to herself or risk her relationship. But as we know in life things have a way of catching up with us. Alex confides in her best friends Rachel and Shalina, who were lovely charactors. She doesnt have an easy time with Stevo, who is Charlies best friend and doesnt like Alex all that much. Alex had great gay neighbours in the flat above her who seemed to be full of fun. And came to her rescue more than once.
Rosa Temple has a certain style of writing and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute, so much so I didnt want it to end. The charactors were well written and they seemed to stick in your mind even when the book was over. Alex and Charlie clearly love each other, but as Rosa has shown not everything in life is easy nor black or white. And how quickly a situation os not always as it seems. Full marks to Rosa for this festive treat.
We open up the story with Alex Marshall, who is waiting in the graveyard for her boyfriend Charlie to join her and her family for Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. As we soon discover the events from 1st December leading up to this Christmas eve, we learn that things have gone terribly wrong and Alex doesnt even know if Charlie will turn up.
As Alex takes us through the breakdown of her relationship, at times I wanted to shake Alex and tell her to wake up and smell the coffee, some of the decisions she made and the things she did were wrong. But she was a loveable girl and couldnt help but like her. After a trip to Scotland, to look into a new job opportunity she finds herself in a situation she can only keep to herself or risk her relationship. But as we know in life things have a way of catching up with us. Alex confides in her best friends Rachel and Shalina, who were lovely charactors. She doesnt have an easy time with Stevo, who is Charlies best friend and doesnt like Alex all that much. Alex had great gay neighbours in the flat above her who seemed to be full of fun. And came to her rescue more than once.
Rosa Temple has a certain style of writing and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute, so much so I didnt want it to end. The charactors were well written and they seemed to stick in your mind even when the book was over. Alex and Charlie clearly love each other, but as Rosa has shown not everything in life is easy nor black or white. And how quickly a situation os not always as it seems. Full marks to Rosa for this festive treat.
October 17, 2016
I previously read Natalie's Getting Married by Rosa Temple and I thought both the story and characters were great. So I was more than happy to read Single by Christmas.
So what did I think...
I really liked the fact that my opinion varied so much on Alex, one minute I would be feeling sorry for her and the next wanting to give her a shake. This all goes to prove that she was a well written character. There were times when I wanted Charlie to stand up to her a bit more and then others when I wanted him to understand. It was great that Alex wasn't totally likeable all of the time. A story is all the more interesting when it shows that the main character has flaws. Charlie and Alex are pretty perfect for each other though and I was hoping that things would work out for them in the end.
The first chapter really grabbed my attention and I was intrigued as to how the story would play out. The book moved at a really good pace and I never found myself losing interest in the plot. Single by Christmas has plenty of romance but also some real issues like infidelity, trust and new beginnings. This makes the book all the more entertaining and interesting to read.
Overall:
I thought Alex was an engaging character even though sometimes I felt like telling her to think before she acted. I really enjoyed the fact that you didn't know which way things would go for Alex and Charlie in the end.
Single by Christmas is both fun and entertaining!
Five stars from me!
Thank you to Rosa Temple for kindly sending me a copy, this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
October 24, 2016
A clever title that kept me guessing ’til the end.
I really love this ‘easy listening’ ‘actually happening’ style of writing, where the main character speaks directly to me. Alex is a likeable girl and I find myself caught up in her dilemma from the opening pages of the story. I’m right here with her in the graveyard wondering how she’s going to avoid being single by Christmas. Mind you, I think she deserves to be because of the way she treats Charlie. Then I got to thinking that the title has already given me the heads up. But maybe not - it could be more of an assumption than a foregone conclusion. I’m hoping so, as deep down Alex really loves Charlie, but she’s so busy being everyone’s best friend, her life is full of anything and everything but him.
It takes a great author to make their fictional characters seem so realistic that they have the ability to play with their readers’ emotions, and for me, Rosa Temple made that happen. There were times when I wanted to jump into the story and give Charlie a hug, and Alex a clip around the ears for being so thoughtless. She didn’t mean to be, I know, but she was, and all I could see was the title becoming a reality for her.
A great read, I would highly recommend to readers of romance and chick-lit.
I really love this ‘easy listening’ ‘actually happening’ style of writing, where the main character speaks directly to me. Alex is a likeable girl and I find myself caught up in her dilemma from the opening pages of the story. I’m right here with her in the graveyard wondering how she’s going to avoid being single by Christmas. Mind you, I think she deserves to be because of the way she treats Charlie. Then I got to thinking that the title has already given me the heads up. But maybe not - it could be more of an assumption than a foregone conclusion. I’m hoping so, as deep down Alex really loves Charlie, but she’s so busy being everyone’s best friend, her life is full of anything and everything but him.
It takes a great author to make their fictional characters seem so realistic that they have the ability to play with their readers’ emotions, and for me, Rosa Temple made that happen. There were times when I wanted to jump into the story and give Charlie a hug, and Alex a clip around the ears for being so thoughtless. She didn’t mean to be, I know, but she was, and all I could see was the title becoming a reality for her.
A great read, I would highly recommend to readers of romance and chick-lit. 
November 15, 2016
Alex had a good life. She had her friends and a wonderful boyfriend. Alex and her boyfriend, Charlie may have different personalities and they have been together for a while. They were happy, but, their relationship is slowly slipping with Alex's priorities sets on something else.
I love this book. I admit that I wasn't a big fan of Alex. She loves partying and was a bit of an airhead. She may not be a good girlfriend, but she is definitely a good friend. Alex would always try to be there with her friends whenever they had issues. I love Charlie. He's really nice and patient to Alex. There have been a few times when I thought that he may be too good for Alex. But I'm really happy with how the story wrapped up too.
I love Rosa Temple's writing style. It was really easy to get into. The plot is straightforward but enjoyable. I love Alex's interaction with the people around her. And I definitely enjoy watching how Alex grew up in this book.
The book didn't have a lot of Christmassy feeling to it, but still, if you're looking for a light romance, I would definitely recommend this book.
I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher in exchange for my review.
I love this book. I admit that I wasn't a big fan of Alex. She loves partying and was a bit of an airhead. She may not be a good girlfriend, but she is definitely a good friend. Alex would always try to be there with her friends whenever they had issues. I love Charlie. He's really nice and patient to Alex. There have been a few times when I thought that he may be too good for Alex. But I'm really happy with how the story wrapped up too.
I love Rosa Temple's writing style. It was really easy to get into. The plot is straightforward but enjoyable. I love Alex's interaction with the people around her. And I definitely enjoy watching how Alex grew up in this book.
The book didn't have a lot of Christmassy feeling to it, but still, if you're looking for a light romance, I would definitely recommend this book.
I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher in exchange for my review.
October 19, 2016
This is the second book I have been asked to read and review by this author and I am a happy to oblige.
Party girl Alex Marshall has been going out with her gorgeous boyfriend Charlie for 11 months, having met on New Years Eve. I like the way that there story is told from 1st December with a countdown to their 1st anniversary. To say that Alex leads a chaotic life is an understatement as she gets herself into all sorts of situations while poor Charlie is often the one who is let down. After a secret trip to Scotland to pursue a possible new job opportunity, Alex ends up hopelessly drunk yet again and finds herself caught in a web of lies to cover her tracks.
Misunderstandings plus a bit of stirring from Charlie’s friend Stevo, adds to disaster for Alex and Charlie and consequently their relationship is tested to the limit.
Warm, cosy and Christmassy this is not but it’s certainly not doom and gloom either as there is plenty of funny laugh out loud moments to be had. Single By Christmas can be enjoyed at any time of the year not just for Christmas. A four star rating from me.
Party girl Alex Marshall has been going out with her gorgeous boyfriend Charlie for 11 months, having met on New Years Eve. I like the way that there story is told from 1st December with a countdown to their 1st anniversary. To say that Alex leads a chaotic life is an understatement as she gets herself into all sorts of situations while poor Charlie is often the one who is let down. After a secret trip to Scotland to pursue a possible new job opportunity, Alex ends up hopelessly drunk yet again and finds herself caught in a web of lies to cover her tracks.
Misunderstandings plus a bit of stirring from Charlie’s friend Stevo, adds to disaster for Alex and Charlie and consequently their relationship is tested to the limit.
Warm, cosy and Christmassy this is not but it’s certainly not doom and gloom either as there is plenty of funny laugh out loud moments to be had. Single By Christmas can be enjoyed at any time of the year not just for Christmas. A four star rating from me.
October 26, 2016
This is very cleverly written. We meet Alex on Christmas Eve, awaiting her boyfriend Charlie. Will he turn up, or won't he?
We then go back to a month previously and see the workings (or lack of) in their relationship and all the things that lead up to Alex sitting in the churchyard, waiting.
I felt so sorry for Charlie. Alex put everything and everyone before him and yet he remained patient and loving until the straw that broke the camel's back arrived. I felt like shaking Alex and telling her to sort herself out!!
As the December days pass, Alex becomes more and more unreliable and finally we arrive at the churchyard on Christmas Eve. But the story doesn't end there. Now Alex has to get her act together. and change her habits. Can she?
Wonderful read - families and friends are all well created and contribute to the overall story in a believable way.
Great Christmas book :)
Thank you to the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
We then go back to a month previously and see the workings (or lack of) in their relationship and all the things that lead up to Alex sitting in the churchyard, waiting.
I felt so sorry for Charlie. Alex put everything and everyone before him and yet he remained patient and loving until the straw that broke the camel's back arrived. I felt like shaking Alex and telling her to sort herself out!!
As the December days pass, Alex becomes more and more unreliable and finally we arrive at the churchyard on Christmas Eve. But the story doesn't end there. Now Alex has to get her act together. and change her habits. Can she?
Wonderful read - families and friends are all well created and contribute to the overall story in a believable way.
Great Christmas book :)
Thank you to the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 22, 2016
We've all done things we might regret but Alex seems bent on a path of self-destruction. All loved up with hunky boyfriend she seems too self absorbed to actually listen and then in a drunken evening does something that will shatter her world. Enjoyable read, loved the characters and the secondary characters and just wanted to give Alex a shake. Enjoyable read.
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