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Away For Christmas
Jonathan Jones has written a novel. Losing his job a few days before Christmas means the pressure is on for his book to become a bestseller, but when his partner drops her own bombshell, the festive holiday looks set to be a disaster.
When he's bequeathed a failing bookshop in their seaside town, it seems that some of his prayers have been answered, but his publishing company turn out to be not what they seem, and when his ex-wife suddenly declares her romantic intent, another Christmas looks set to be complicated.
Is everything lost, or can the true meaning of words, a dog called Frodo, and the sheer magic of Christmas be enough to save Jonathan's book, and his skin?
Bookmuse Magazine: "If you're a writer you will laugh, despair and sympathise with Jonathan Jones, and the trials and tribulations he faces as he battles to become a published author. And if you're a reader, you'll be captivated by the excellent story-telling that weaves Jonathan's complicated life into a page turning drama. A real feel good novella, perfect to curl up with on a stormy winter's afternoon..."
You'll enjoy this if you like: Jojo Moyes, Jill Mansell, Erica James.
Ideal accompaniments: Hot chocolate with marshmallows and a plate of shortbread.
When he's bequeathed a failing bookshop in their seaside town, it seems that some of his prayers have been answered, but his publishing company turn out to be not what they seem, and when his ex-wife suddenly declares her romantic intent, another Christmas looks set to be complicated.
Is everything lost, or can the true meaning of words, a dog called Frodo, and the sheer magic of Christmas be enough to save Jonathan's book, and his skin?
Bookmuse Magazine: "If you're a writer you will laugh, despair and sympathise with Jonathan Jones, and the trials and tribulations he faces as he battles to become a published author. And if you're a reader, you'll be captivated by the excellent story-telling that weaves Jonathan's complicated life into a page turning drama. A real feel good novella, perfect to curl up with on a stormy winter's afternoon..."
You'll enjoy this if you like: Jojo Moyes, Jill Mansell, Erica James.
Ideal accompaniments: Hot chocolate with marshmallows and a plate of shortbread.
- GenresChristmas
166 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 13, 2017
6 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
About the author
Jan Ruth
20 books126 followersJan Ruth lives in Snowdonia, a mountainous area of North Wales, UK. Jan writes contemporary fiction about the darker side of the family dynamic, often blending life in rural Wales with a touch of city business. Her style is best described as fast-paced and realistic, with a sprinkling of dry humour.
The real story began at school, with prizes for short stories and poetry. She failed all things mathematical and scientific, and to this day struggles to make sense of anything numerical.
Her first novel – written in 1986 – attracted the attention of editor Anne Dewe, Andrew Mann Literary Agency, London. Dewe’s own company, Love Stories Ltd, was a project aiming to champion those books of substance which contained a romantic element but were perhaps directed towards the more mature reader and consistently fell through the net in traditional publishing. Summer in October was contracted immediately but sadly, the project failed to get the right financial backing and the company dissolved.
Many years later Jan’s second novel, Wild Water, was taken on by Jane C Judd Literary Agency, London. Despite Judd’s enthusiasm, the book failed to find the right niche with a publisher – one brave enough to expand on those established, traditional genre stereotypes. And then Amazon changed the face of the industry with the advent of self-publishing and Jan went on to successfully publish several works of fiction under her own imprint, Celtic Connections. After a brief partnership with Accent Press in 2015, Jan chose to return to the freedom of independent publishing.
Wild Water won the Cornerstones competition for the most popular self-published book in 2011, and Midnight Sky won the Romantic Review Magazine Award (2013). Silver Rain (2015) and Wild Water (2016) were both finalists in the Wishing Shelf Awards.
Jan’s books are available globally via Amazon as ebooks or paperbacks.
The real story began at school, with prizes for short stories and poetry. She failed all things mathematical and scientific, and to this day struggles to make sense of anything numerical.
Her first novel – written in 1986 – attracted the attention of editor Anne Dewe, Andrew Mann Literary Agency, London. Dewe’s own company, Love Stories Ltd, was a project aiming to champion those books of substance which contained a romantic element but were perhaps directed towards the more mature reader and consistently fell through the net in traditional publishing. Summer in October was contracted immediately but sadly, the project failed to get the right financial backing and the company dissolved.
Many years later Jan’s second novel, Wild Water, was taken on by Jane C Judd Literary Agency, London. Despite Judd’s enthusiasm, the book failed to find the right niche with a publisher – one brave enough to expand on those established, traditional genre stereotypes. And then Amazon changed the face of the industry with the advent of self-publishing and Jan went on to successfully publish several works of fiction under her own imprint, Celtic Connections. After a brief partnership with Accent Press in 2015, Jan chose to return to the freedom of independent publishing.
Wild Water won the Cornerstones competition for the most popular self-published book in 2011, and Midnight Sky won the Romantic Review Magazine Award (2013). Silver Rain (2015) and Wild Water (2016) were both finalists in the Wishing Shelf Awards.
Jan’s books are available globally via Amazon as ebooks or paperbacks.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
December 18, 2022
AWAY FOR CHRISTMAS (Jan Ruth) Review—December 18, 2022
4 stars
I really enjoyed this holiday novella that had been languishing on my TBR, begging to catch my attention. I mean, look at that lovely cover! There are many things that I liked about this one:
1) It features a bookstore! Now who could not like that?
2) There’s a cute dog named Frodo who anyone would love
3) I think the writing is very good and the story kept me guessing
4) The protagonist, Jonathan, is a struggling author attempting to get his mystery thriller published. It’s not that I enjoyed seeing him struggle, but the workings of his publisher, The Tangerine Press, are an eye-opener, and Jonathan’s journey in trying to get his book out into the world really held my interest
5) Jonathan has values that I liked
6) The characters are nicely developed, and there are a lot of personal relationship threads that I enjoyed
What didn’t I like:
1) Other than Jonathan and a young woman named Lizzie, I wasn’t terribly invested in the characters. But again, the plot was good.
2) Towards the very end, there was a major reveal that occurred in just a few sentences. What? I was anxious to see how that thread was going to play out, and it didn’t. It was just “told to us” in a very off-the-cuff, somewhat ambiguous, and cursory manner. That disappointed me. I think the author could have added a few pages to “show us” exactly how this issue played out.
Overall, “Away for Christmas” entertained me, and I’m happy I finally picked it up off my Christmas pile. The things I liked clearly outweighed the few things I didn’t, and I definitely recommend this little story for a cozy afternoon of diversion. I just bought her second Christmas book, Home for Christmas, which is a volume of three short stories that I look forward to reading this time next year.
4 stars
I really enjoyed this holiday novella that had been languishing on my TBR, begging to catch my attention. I mean, look at that lovely cover! There are many things that I liked about this one:
1) It features a bookstore! Now who could not like that?
2) There’s a cute dog named Frodo who anyone would love
3) I think the writing is very good and the story kept me guessing
4) The protagonist, Jonathan, is a struggling author attempting to get his mystery thriller published. It’s not that I enjoyed seeing him struggle, but the workings of his publisher, The Tangerine Press, are an eye-opener, and Jonathan’s journey in trying to get his book out into the world really held my interest
5) Jonathan has values that I liked
6) The characters are nicely developed, and there are a lot of personal relationship threads that I enjoyed
What didn’t I like:
1) Other than Jonathan and a young woman named Lizzie, I wasn’t terribly invested in the characters. But again, the plot was good.
2) Towards the very end, there was a major reveal that occurred in just a few sentences. What? I was anxious to see how that thread was going to play out, and it didn’t. It was just “told to us” in a very off-the-cuff, somewhat ambiguous, and cursory manner. That disappointed me. I think the author could have added a few pages to “show us” exactly how this issue played out.
Overall, “Away for Christmas” entertained me, and I’m happy I finally picked it up off my Christmas pile. The things I liked clearly outweighed the few things I didn’t, and I definitely recommend this little story for a cozy afternoon of diversion. I just bought her second Christmas book, Home for Christmas, which is a volume of three short stories that I look forward to reading this time next year.
January 19, 2018
Ooh, a book about books, authors, bookshops and Christmas. My favourite kind of book!
This novella is about a struggling aspiring author, with a somewhat unsuccessful love life, who doesn’t enjoy his day job, and has a less than perfect relationship with his publisher or his family. His struggles felt real and I was eager to see if things worked out for him in the end or not, while at the same time feeling frustrated by his own self-destructive behaviour.
This is a well written story of love, life, family, mistakes, regret, change, success, hope and happiness.
I loved the focus on the writing industry, covering publishers, self-publishing, authors and book reviewers. I was able to really relate to these parts of the story.
Away for Christmas actually isn’t all that Christmassy, so could be read any time of year, or if you’re someone who isn’t that keen on Christmas books, but like the sound of the blurb, I’d highly recommend it, as Christmas certainly isn’t the main focus of this book.
My review is also available on my blog here:
https://littlemissnosleep.wordpress.c...
This novella is about a struggling aspiring author, with a somewhat unsuccessful love life, who doesn’t enjoy his day job, and has a less than perfect relationship with his publisher or his family. His struggles felt real and I was eager to see if things worked out for him in the end or not, while at the same time feeling frustrated by his own self-destructive behaviour.
This is a well written story of love, life, family, mistakes, regret, change, success, hope and happiness.
I loved the focus on the writing industry, covering publishers, self-publishing, authors and book reviewers. I was able to really relate to these parts of the story.
Away for Christmas actually isn’t all that Christmassy, so could be read any time of year, or if you’re someone who isn’t that keen on Christmas books, but like the sound of the blurb, I’d highly recommend it, as Christmas certainly isn’t the main focus of this book.
My review is also available on my blog here:
https://littlemissnosleep.wordpress.c...
November 13, 2017
Away for Christmas was a perfectly charming story and one which I thoroughly enjoyed. It took perhaps a couple of hours in total to read but although this was a novella, it didn’t feel like a short read; the storyline didn’t feel rushed at all and the characters were fully fleshed out, warts and all.
It’s very difficult to review a shorter story without giving away too much of the plot which I don’t want to do but I have to admit that when I first started reading I wasn’t too enamoured with Jonathan Jones. An accountant desperate to be a full time writer, it seemed that he had put his own ambitions above that of everyone else, including his family. He had signed a contract with Tangerine Press, which may have been a mistake as a friend who had self published her book, seemed to be having far more success. However as the story went on and his personal and publishing woes got worse, I actually felt quite sorry for him. I did wonder whether the author had based some parts of the story on her own experiences, or at the very least had added some artistic licence as Tangerine Press appeared to be one to avoid at all costs!
Lovers of bookshops and dogs are well catered for in this story. Jonathan’s life was full of drama, much of it of his doing to be fair but this is a story of families and relationships, realising what is important and finding your way again. The storyline around the elderly bookshop owner Gwilym I found particularly moving and Frodo the dog was much loved addition to the story; there was a certain character who I really took a dislike to when they suggested that Frodo find a new home!
This is a perfect read to get you in the mood for Christmas. Set mainly in North Wales, there is an excellent sense of place with the snowy descriptions adding greatly to the atmosphere. Any book about a bookshop is a hit with me – I can definitely recommend this one although I wonder if Fireside Book Reviews would too!! (You have to read the book to get this reference!)
Finally, I have to give congratulations to the designer of the book cover. Its a real stunner and perfectly sums up the beauty of the book.
It’s very difficult to review a shorter story without giving away too much of the plot which I don’t want to do but I have to admit that when I first started reading I wasn’t too enamoured with Jonathan Jones. An accountant desperate to be a full time writer, it seemed that he had put his own ambitions above that of everyone else, including his family. He had signed a contract with Tangerine Press, which may have been a mistake as a friend who had self published her book, seemed to be having far more success. However as the story went on and his personal and publishing woes got worse, I actually felt quite sorry for him. I did wonder whether the author had based some parts of the story on her own experiences, or at the very least had added some artistic licence as Tangerine Press appeared to be one to avoid at all costs!
Lovers of bookshops and dogs are well catered for in this story. Jonathan’s life was full of drama, much of it of his doing to be fair but this is a story of families and relationships, realising what is important and finding your way again. The storyline around the elderly bookshop owner Gwilym I found particularly moving and Frodo the dog was much loved addition to the story; there was a certain character who I really took a dislike to when they suggested that Frodo find a new home!
This is a perfect read to get you in the mood for Christmas. Set mainly in North Wales, there is an excellent sense of place with the snowy descriptions adding greatly to the atmosphere. Any book about a bookshop is a hit with me – I can definitely recommend this one although I wonder if Fireside Book Reviews would too!! (You have to read the book to get this reference!)
Finally, I have to give congratulations to the designer of the book cover. Its a real stunner and perfectly sums up the beauty of the book.
November 15, 2017
OMG I absolutely loved Away for Christmas! I’m not really one for Christmas books but I do have some favourite authors and if they have a festive offering then I do have to put it on the TBR! But this is actually the first book that I have read by Jan Ruth and already it’s safe to say that it won’t be the last! It’s actually a novella but it was the perfect size-think of it as a mini mince pie, a perfect short and fruity bite full of Christmas flavours but without being overwhelmingly sickly! I spent an afternoon on the sofa reading it with a huge mug of tea and a packet of mini stollen, just to get myself in the festive mood ofcourse!
What I loved most about Away for Christmas was that the main protagonist was male but what will probably surprise you is….I didn’t particularly like him!!! Well, not to begin with anyway. Jonathan Jones is an accountant by trade but a novelist at heart. When he quits his job, he thinks he will have more time for his novel but the publishing industry doesn’t seem to be working in Jonathan’s favour! I found the interaction Jonathan had with his publisher rather surprising and his attitude to book bloggers had me hysterical with laughter! But I was also shocked at the way he was being treated as he then passed his frustration on to the people who could really help him. I have to say that thankfully I have never had an author respond to an email in quite the same way as Jonathan responded to “Fireside Book Reviews”!
I never knew which way things were going to go for Jonathan but I thoroughly enjoyed the journey he took to get there. There’s a fantastic cast of quirky and amiable supporting characters and the setting couldn’t have been more perfect. And isn’t it every book lovers dream to have their own bookshop?! Beachside Books sounded like the sort of blank canvas we would all love to put our own mark on and I really enjoyed the way the shop started to work its magic on Jonathan once he takes over.
I have been lucky enough to read some fabulous Christmas books this year and this is up there with the best of them. I will be reading it once again when December comes around, hopefully bringing some snow with it! It’s a beautifully written, heartwarming tale with a humorous edge that will captivate you from the very first page. I can’t recommend it enough! Take it with you when you go Christmas shopping, find a little coffee shop to collapse into and then read it over a hot chocolate with the trimmings-it will be the best couple of hours of your day!
Highly recommended by me!
What I loved most about Away for Christmas was that the main protagonist was male but what will probably surprise you is….I didn’t particularly like him!!! Well, not to begin with anyway. Jonathan Jones is an accountant by trade but a novelist at heart. When he quits his job, he thinks he will have more time for his novel but the publishing industry doesn’t seem to be working in Jonathan’s favour! I found the interaction Jonathan had with his publisher rather surprising and his attitude to book bloggers had me hysterical with laughter! But I was also shocked at the way he was being treated as he then passed his frustration on to the people who could really help him. I have to say that thankfully I have never had an author respond to an email in quite the same way as Jonathan responded to “Fireside Book Reviews”!
I never knew which way things were going to go for Jonathan but I thoroughly enjoyed the journey he took to get there. There’s a fantastic cast of quirky and amiable supporting characters and the setting couldn’t have been more perfect. And isn’t it every book lovers dream to have their own bookshop?! Beachside Books sounded like the sort of blank canvas we would all love to put our own mark on and I really enjoyed the way the shop started to work its magic on Jonathan once he takes over.
I have been lucky enough to read some fabulous Christmas books this year and this is up there with the best of them. I will be reading it once again when December comes around, hopefully bringing some snow with it! It’s a beautifully written, heartwarming tale with a humorous edge that will captivate you from the very first page. I can’t recommend it enough! Take it with you when you go Christmas shopping, find a little coffee shop to collapse into and then read it over a hot chocolate with the trimmings-it will be the best couple of hours of your day!
Highly recommended by me!
December 26, 2017
This was a really lovely enjoyable read. I was sitting here the day after Christmas looking for a light read and that’s what I got.
Set in North Wales was a delight. I lived there for a few years so it was lovely seeing the familiar place names.
Jonathan is an author. It’s his passion but obstacles are put in front of him and he starts to feel disheartened. We get an insight into authors problems and in this case putting faith in a publishing company.
I found this to be more about Jonathan and a book shop rather than a Christmas read although it is based around Christmas. Still a great wee read that I enjoyed.
Set in North Wales was a delight. I lived there for a few years so it was lovely seeing the familiar place names.
Jonathan is an author. It’s his passion but obstacles are put in front of him and he starts to feel disheartened. We get an insight into authors problems and in this case putting faith in a publishing company.
I found this to be more about Jonathan and a book shop rather than a Christmas read although it is based around Christmas. Still a great wee read that I enjoyed.
November 22, 2017
A delightful and fun Christmas read which outlines the pitfalls for the unwary writer in the publishing minefield. I loved it!
November 13, 2017
Jonathan is at a crossroads in his life; disillusioned with his work as an accountant he is about to launch his first book, but was it wise to give up his job just before Christmas? As he and his girlfriend, Catherine, set out for a couples Christmas with their usual friends, at a rented house in Llangollen, their relationship is heading for a crisis. And he already has unresolved issues with ex-wife Denise and their teenage daughter, Lizzie.
There are many complications with his book trilogy, due to the incompetency of the publishing company and he is concerned about Catherine’s grandfather Gwilym, who is rapidly developing Alzheimer’s. He cherishes Gwilym’s small bookshop on the seafront and doesn’t want it to close. Could he find a solution to all these problems?
There are some delightful observations about the difficulties of publishing a book. Tangerine Press and editor, Eden Edwards, act as if they are on the ball as a prestige company but it is all smoke and mirrors. It doesn’t take the reader long to identify the online bookseller, Marathon, where Jonathan searches for his sales figures.
For a novella, this story packs in many strands: of parental and romantic relationships, of friendship and community spirit. Set over three Christmas seasons, 2015 -2017, we see Jonathan find a way through his problems, gaining wisdom and appreciating his friends and family. He acquires a dog called Frodo and sets out on a new life. There is a satisfying conclusion which keeps you guessing and even leaves the way open for the possibility of a follow-up book. A warm, rewarding book for the Christmas season, set in a realistic, inviting location.
There are many complications with his book trilogy, due to the incompetency of the publishing company and he is concerned about Catherine’s grandfather Gwilym, who is rapidly developing Alzheimer’s. He cherishes Gwilym’s small bookshop on the seafront and doesn’t want it to close. Could he find a solution to all these problems?
There are some delightful observations about the difficulties of publishing a book. Tangerine Press and editor, Eden Edwards, act as if they are on the ball as a prestige company but it is all smoke and mirrors. It doesn’t take the reader long to identify the online bookseller, Marathon, where Jonathan searches for his sales figures.
For a novella, this story packs in many strands: of parental and romantic relationships, of friendship and community spirit. Set over three Christmas seasons, 2015 -2017, we see Jonathan find a way through his problems, gaining wisdom and appreciating his friends and family. He acquires a dog called Frodo and sets out on a new life. There is a satisfying conclusion which keeps you guessing and even leaves the way open for the possibility of a follow-up book. A warm, rewarding book for the Christmas season, set in a realistic, inviting location.
December 22, 2017
Just the thing to get us in the Christmas spirit is the latest novella from Jan Ruth, although the main character is more of a grinch than a jolly Santa Claus. That's why I liked him! I wasn't sure what to make of Jonathan Jones at first: he's an accountant who wants to swap numbers for letters and become an author. His idea of keeping warm when it's cold outside is to wear two sweaters - give this guy my number, it's like looking into a mirror!
When Jonathan loses his job at the same time as his partner quits her job, it looks like Christmas isn't going to be much fun. Add to this Jonathan's struggles with his publisher, who seem to forget he even exists, and even the coldest heart would start to feel sorry for him. Things start to look up when he becomes the surprise new owner of a charming but neglected bookshop where he finally sheds his accountant skin and takes a few risks that could see all his dreams come true.
A book with books in it is always going to get a big thumbs up from me - it's definitely a book for booklovers. I could virtually smell the books in Beachside Books and I knew it would be a place where I could spend hours browsing the shelves. I loved Jonathan's dreams of becoming an author and taking risks which would be completely against his nature. To see him evolve from an unhappy accountant to a much happier person at the end was well worth it.
Although it has Christmas in the title, it's not too Christmassy so you could definitely read Away for Christmas at any time of the year. Whenever you read it, I know you will enjoy it as much as I did.
I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
When Jonathan loses his job at the same time as his partner quits her job, it looks like Christmas isn't going to be much fun. Add to this Jonathan's struggles with his publisher, who seem to forget he even exists, and even the coldest heart would start to feel sorry for him. Things start to look up when he becomes the surprise new owner of a charming but neglected bookshop where he finally sheds his accountant skin and takes a few risks that could see all his dreams come true.
A book with books in it is always going to get a big thumbs up from me - it's definitely a book for booklovers. I could virtually smell the books in Beachside Books and I knew it would be a place where I could spend hours browsing the shelves. I loved Jonathan's dreams of becoming an author and taking risks which would be completely against his nature. To see him evolve from an unhappy accountant to a much happier person at the end was well worth it.
Although it has Christmas in the title, it's not too Christmassy so you could definitely read Away for Christmas at any time of the year. Whenever you read it, I know you will enjoy it as much as I did.
I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
November 14, 2017
Jonathan thinks losing his job just before Christmas is pretty bad news. Little does he know there’s much more to come.
Away for Christmas was not what I was expecting. I had anticipated a chick-lit style cosy romance, but although there are some of those elements present, they are minimal in comparison to what is a fascinating insight into being an author and a masterclass in characterisation.
I think it shows how well Jan Ruth writes that I hated Jonathan throughout and yet was still totally absorbed in the narrative. I found Jonathan self-absorbed, delusional and deserving of a really good shake. His attitude to bloggers riled me and his naivety in dealing with his publisher astounded me and yet he was completely believable and real so that he had my full attention throughout and even managed to redeem himself. In fact, I’ve just realised I’ve commented on him as a real person rather than a creation of Jan Ruth which illustrates how convincing a person he is!
Although I think it’s the characters that make Away for Christmas so successful, I was impressed too because although Away for Christmas is a novella, the plot is satisfying and well developed, giving plenty to think about in family and social dynamics, relationships and the way we find our place in the world, making the read both interesting and absorbing.
However, having enjoyed Away for Christmas as a highly entertaining story, I’d love to see it used as a training manual for aspiring and unpublished authors so that they don’t make the same mistakes as Jonathan and instead actually have a flying start in the publishing world. Great stuff!
Away for Christmas was not what I was expecting. I had anticipated a chick-lit style cosy romance, but although there are some of those elements present, they are minimal in comparison to what is a fascinating insight into being an author and a masterclass in characterisation.
I think it shows how well Jan Ruth writes that I hated Jonathan throughout and yet was still totally absorbed in the narrative. I found Jonathan self-absorbed, delusional and deserving of a really good shake. His attitude to bloggers riled me and his naivety in dealing with his publisher astounded me and yet he was completely believable and real so that he had my full attention throughout and even managed to redeem himself. In fact, I’ve just realised I’ve commented on him as a real person rather than a creation of Jan Ruth which illustrates how convincing a person he is!
Although I think it’s the characters that make Away for Christmas so successful, I was impressed too because although Away for Christmas is a novella, the plot is satisfying and well developed, giving plenty to think about in family and social dynamics, relationships and the way we find our place in the world, making the read both interesting and absorbing.
However, having enjoyed Away for Christmas as a highly entertaining story, I’d love to see it used as a training manual for aspiring and unpublished authors so that they don’t make the same mistakes as Jonathan and instead actually have a flying start in the publishing world. Great stuff!
November 18, 2017
When I saw the beautiful cover and the premise of this book I couldn't not read it. Any book that has a bookshop in it is immediately appealing and the one on the cover is surely any bookaholic's dream. I love that Frodo the dog is on there too.
The shop in the book doesn't look quite like the one on the cover, at least not at first. Jonathan Jones is bequeathed it by his ex-girlfriend's grandfather (it's complicated!). This comes after Jonathan has managed to lose his well paid but extremely boring job as an accountant. But it's ok, he's got a three book deal with Tangerine Press to fall back on.
Of course nothing is that easy. Jan Ruth is clearly using her own experiences of traditional and self-publishing in this story. Jonathan has a terrible time with his publishers and I had to smile at his attitude to book bloggers, which hopefully the author doesn't completely share.
Away for Christmas takes place over three consecutive Christmases and we see Jonathan deal with his partner, daughter, ex-wife, friends and former colleagues. As I said, things are complicated and he doesn't always help matters.
It's the perfect antidote to the fluffy Christmas reads out there. I loved Jan Ruth's writing style. It's quite dry and very entertaining.
I've noticed some reviewers haven't particularly liked Jonathan but I did quite like him. He has a dream but like most people he ended up being pushed into a career that wasn't right for him. Good on him, I say, for trying to follow his dream.
For a novella it didn't seem rushed in any way. Each of the three Christmases is explored in plenty of detail and through each of them Jonathan learns a little more about the person he really wants to be, right up to the absolutely lovely conclusion. I wish I could visit Beachside Books but as I can't I contented myself with reading about it.
I thought Away for Christmas was a superb read for Christmas (or any time really). Although it's set over the Christmas period, the themes are not solely Christmas ones. It's just a really really good story and I highly recommend it.
The shop in the book doesn't look quite like the one on the cover, at least not at first. Jonathan Jones is bequeathed it by his ex-girlfriend's grandfather (it's complicated!). This comes after Jonathan has managed to lose his well paid but extremely boring job as an accountant. But it's ok, he's got a three book deal with Tangerine Press to fall back on.
Of course nothing is that easy. Jan Ruth is clearly using her own experiences of traditional and self-publishing in this story. Jonathan has a terrible time with his publishers and I had to smile at his attitude to book bloggers, which hopefully the author doesn't completely share.
Away for Christmas takes place over three consecutive Christmases and we see Jonathan deal with his partner, daughter, ex-wife, friends and former colleagues. As I said, things are complicated and he doesn't always help matters.
It's the perfect antidote to the fluffy Christmas reads out there. I loved Jan Ruth's writing style. It's quite dry and very entertaining.
I've noticed some reviewers haven't particularly liked Jonathan but I did quite like him. He has a dream but like most people he ended up being pushed into a career that wasn't right for him. Good on him, I say, for trying to follow his dream.
For a novella it didn't seem rushed in any way. Each of the three Christmases is explored in plenty of detail and through each of them Jonathan learns a little more about the person he really wants to be, right up to the absolutely lovely conclusion. I wish I could visit Beachside Books but as I can't I contented myself with reading about it.
I thought Away for Christmas was a superb read for Christmas (or any time really). Although it's set over the Christmas period, the themes are not solely Christmas ones. It's just a really really good story and I highly recommend it.
December 20, 2017
I have spotted this novella on several fellow bloggers sites and it has such an appealing cover and content that seemed ideal for a book lover like me, so I rapidly downloaded it onto my Kindle. It’s only relatively short, just over 100 pages but it crams in a huge amount of detail.
As it’s only days away from Christmas it suited my need for something brief and easy to read while my concentration levels are low.
Stuck in a rut of going away with friends for the festive season Jonathan has more on his mind this year after quitting his job! I took an instant dislike to this guy, he is a wannabe author who puts his writing before everything else including work, relationships and friends. I could admire his determination to make it in the book world and almost felt like encouraging him until he slags off bloggers/reviewers, that really got my back up! How dare he .. for reference if anyone treated me like that their book would go to the bottom of the pile to be read and stay there!
Anyway, time moves on and he realises that publishing a book isn’t quite as straightforward as he anticipated. He has a lot of influences from Catherine, his partner and Denise the ex-wife who both seem intent on romantic notions which just complicates his life even more. In a very complex situation he ‘inherits’ a book store and that is where my love of the story comes to the forefront. I could visualise this run-down, tired store, on the seafront. The battering it takes from the weather and lack of stock, community and care. Can Jonathan do his utmost and turn it into a haven for readers and visitors?
I really like the intricacies involved so that the story swings from a frustrated author, to the frolics of Christmas, to the darker side of dementia then to the quirky teenage mind of his daughter Lizzie. She was probably my favourite character in the entire book. So nice to see a youngster with her head screwed on wanting to do the right thing in the world.
As I said previously there is a LOT of drama between these pages and Jan Ruth has captured a segment of life in Wales that will appeal to lovers of family Christmas tales, filled with charm, warmth and hope .. oh and just to add to the delight a gorgeous mutt called Frodo.
I’m glad I spotted this book and gave it a chance, a highly entertaining, enjoyable read.
As it’s only days away from Christmas it suited my need for something brief and easy to read while my concentration levels are low.
Stuck in a rut of going away with friends for the festive season Jonathan has more on his mind this year after quitting his job! I took an instant dislike to this guy, he is a wannabe author who puts his writing before everything else including work, relationships and friends. I could admire his determination to make it in the book world and almost felt like encouraging him until he slags off bloggers/reviewers, that really got my back up! How dare he .. for reference if anyone treated me like that their book would go to the bottom of the pile to be read and stay there!
Anyway, time moves on and he realises that publishing a book isn’t quite as straightforward as he anticipated. He has a lot of influences from Catherine, his partner and Denise the ex-wife who both seem intent on romantic notions which just complicates his life even more. In a very complex situation he ‘inherits’ a book store and that is where my love of the story comes to the forefront. I could visualise this run-down, tired store, on the seafront. The battering it takes from the weather and lack of stock, community and care. Can Jonathan do his utmost and turn it into a haven for readers and visitors?
I really like the intricacies involved so that the story swings from a frustrated author, to the frolics of Christmas, to the darker side of dementia then to the quirky teenage mind of his daughter Lizzie. She was probably my favourite character in the entire book. So nice to see a youngster with her head screwed on wanting to do the right thing in the world.
As I said previously there is a LOT of drama between these pages and Jan Ruth has captured a segment of life in Wales that will appeal to lovers of family Christmas tales, filled with charm, warmth and hope .. oh and just to add to the delight a gorgeous mutt called Frodo.
I’m glad I spotted this book and gave it a chance, a highly entertaining, enjoyable read.
November 13, 2017
My Review of Away For Christmas by Jan Ruth.
I really enjoyed Away for Christmas by Jan Ruth. Jonathan is a really interesting character and his writing journey over many Christmases is interesting to follow. I like the contrast between what he imagined being a published author with a small publisher would be like, vs what it was truly like for him. I also liked how being self-published was painted in a good light. I think one of the clear things in Jonathan journey was expectation and discovery.
The story itself follows Jonathan as he quits his job and dedicates his life to his book. However, being published isn’t all he thought it would be and though his writing frustrations he loses his long-standing partner and also realised he’s not the father he should be. Will he be able to get his books? Rebuild his relationship with those he loves? Or will his life go down as fast as a sinking boat? Read this novella to find out.
One of my favourite characters was Jonathan’s daughter Lizzie, She’s bright and caring and values helping others. I also loved Gwilym; I could just imagine him in his worldly bookshop stuck in the past among old timeless classics.
This is a great Christmas read, full of twists and turns and festive hope amidst harder times in Jonathan and his loved one’s lives. If you love a good festive read with a real life feel and great characters to follow and seek to delve into a writer’s mind, you’ll love this novella.
I really enjoyed Away for Christmas by Jan Ruth. Jonathan is a really interesting character and his writing journey over many Christmases is interesting to follow. I like the contrast between what he imagined being a published author with a small publisher would be like, vs what it was truly like for him. I also liked how being self-published was painted in a good light. I think one of the clear things in Jonathan journey was expectation and discovery.
The story itself follows Jonathan as he quits his job and dedicates his life to his book. However, being published isn’t all he thought it would be and though his writing frustrations he loses his long-standing partner and also realised he’s not the father he should be. Will he be able to get his books? Rebuild his relationship with those he loves? Or will his life go down as fast as a sinking boat? Read this novella to find out.
One of my favourite characters was Jonathan’s daughter Lizzie, She’s bright and caring and values helping others. I also loved Gwilym; I could just imagine him in his worldly bookshop stuck in the past among old timeless classics.
This is a great Christmas read, full of twists and turns and festive hope amidst harder times in Jonathan and his loved one’s lives. If you love a good festive read with a real life feel and great characters to follow and seek to delve into a writer’s mind, you’ll love this novella.
November 20, 2017
4.5*
Set mostly in Rhos-on-Sea, Away For Christmas focuses on three successive Christmases in the life of Jonathan Jones. Jonathan is an accountant, a career he’s not particularly fond of, his aspirations lie firmly with writing and his driving ambition is to get his books published, to be able to hold a copy in his hand. Impulsively and without considering the consequences, Jonathan resigns from his job just days before Christmas. He hopes to be able to give all his attention to the second book he’s writing for the publishing house, Tangerine Press, with whom he has signed a contract. But he’s not the only one behaving rashly.
Initially Jonathan isn’t a very sympathetic character, he’s preoccupied, thinking only of his own interests and needs. After a disastrous Christmas, things don’t get any better for Jonathan, with a personal crisis and the realisation that Tangerine Press are not promoting his novel and are much less than the thriving publishing company they profess to be. Jonathan has given friends and family a publishing date, which seems less likely to materialise as time goes on. His patience and endurance are tested to the limit during his many unsuccessful attempts to contact his publisher and find out what’s going on and I could understand his frustration with the unpredictability of it all.
Jonathan began to redeem himself when he became the new owner of Beachside Books, and acquired a little companion. I couldn’t guess how things were going to turn out for him. The book store was in a pretty bad state, it had been neglected for a long time. His personal life wasn’t faring much better. Following Jonathan’s journey of self discovery was anything but boring though. I loved everything about Beachside Books and how the store was brought back to life. So with three of my favourite things – books, bookshops and dogs – included in the story it’s definitely a winner. It was interesting too, to get a glimpse inside the world of publishing which I’m sure Jan Ruth knows quite well. The well developed story moves at a fast pace, packing a lot in for a novella while still flowing well and fully exploring the story line. Don’t be put off if Christmas books aren’t your thing, there’s no seasonal overload here at all.
Jan Ruth’s characters are always well-rounded and real, and this is no exception. The setting is one I can picture very clearly, the combination of that, along with the plot, complex and varied relationships and character dynamics all serve to deliver a very satisfying read.
I chose to read and review Away For Christmas based on an advance reader copy supplied by the author.
Set mostly in Rhos-on-Sea, Away For Christmas focuses on three successive Christmases in the life of Jonathan Jones. Jonathan is an accountant, a career he’s not particularly fond of, his aspirations lie firmly with writing and his driving ambition is to get his books published, to be able to hold a copy in his hand. Impulsively and without considering the consequences, Jonathan resigns from his job just days before Christmas. He hopes to be able to give all his attention to the second book he’s writing for the publishing house, Tangerine Press, with whom he has signed a contract. But he’s not the only one behaving rashly.
Initially Jonathan isn’t a very sympathetic character, he’s preoccupied, thinking only of his own interests and needs. After a disastrous Christmas, things don’t get any better for Jonathan, with a personal crisis and the realisation that Tangerine Press are not promoting his novel and are much less than the thriving publishing company they profess to be. Jonathan has given friends and family a publishing date, which seems less likely to materialise as time goes on. His patience and endurance are tested to the limit during his many unsuccessful attempts to contact his publisher and find out what’s going on and I could understand his frustration with the unpredictability of it all.
Jonathan began to redeem himself when he became the new owner of Beachside Books, and acquired a little companion. I couldn’t guess how things were going to turn out for him. The book store was in a pretty bad state, it had been neglected for a long time. His personal life wasn’t faring much better. Following Jonathan’s journey of self discovery was anything but boring though. I loved everything about Beachside Books and how the store was brought back to life. So with three of my favourite things – books, bookshops and dogs – included in the story it’s definitely a winner. It was interesting too, to get a glimpse inside the world of publishing which I’m sure Jan Ruth knows quite well. The well developed story moves at a fast pace, packing a lot in for a novella while still flowing well and fully exploring the story line. Don’t be put off if Christmas books aren’t your thing, there’s no seasonal overload here at all.
Jan Ruth’s characters are always well-rounded and real, and this is no exception. The setting is one I can picture very clearly, the combination of that, along with the plot, complex and varied relationships and character dynamics all serve to deliver a very satisfying read.
I chose to read and review Away For Christmas based on an advance reader copy supplied by the author.
December 21, 2017
When aspiring author Jonathan quits his job on the spur of the moment he grabs the opportunity of a lifetime to become the owner of a quirky, Dickensian, bookstore
| Introduction |
Perhaps quitting your job before the Christmas holiday is not such a great idea. And perhaps Jonathan should have consulted his girlfriend, Catherine, but somehow, he does not find the courage to do so. Christmas for him and Catherine means, going away for a few days with their ‘Christmas-friends’, the two couples they meet up with only once a year. Jonathan struggles to keep up his spirits: his book is going nowhere and his publisher is not responding very much. Not the best way to start the festive season…
| Storyline |
The last thing Jonathan wants to do is to go away for Christmas, as they usually do with their friends. Can you even call them friends when you meet up once a year based on the common ground of having no children? Perhaps Jonathan feels a cheater as he does have a daughter, Lizzy, who lives with his ex-wife Denise. On the other hand, among them is Sue, who has successfully self-published a book. Jonathan feels a pang of envy when she tells him about it as he feels to have reached a dead end with his publisher. On top of that, his relationship with Catherine is close to a break-up, his ex-wife is nagging him, he is an almost invisible father to his daughter, Lizzie, and he lacks the inspiration to finish his books. Then there is the old neglected bookstore which Jonathan would love to recreate into a stunning bookshop…
| My Thoughts |
What a charming little story is Away for Christmas! I thought Jonathan was rather selfish and self-absorbed but the little town, the lovely bookshop, the Christmassy feel.. just perfect! Why would you go away when you live in such a beautiful coastal town? I would not! The author has created true-to-life characters and I loved Lizzy – what a refreshingly charming and determined young lady. She does not care about money or appearances, she wants to create a better world and is fully determined to make it happen. Two pretty egoistic parents having a daughter like that.. they should feel so lucky! A Christmassy feel-good novella with a touch of romance (but not the usual chick-lit) combined with valuable and practical insights into the world of self-publishing.
Read the review on my website: https://www.bitsaboutbooks.net/away-c...
| Introduction |
Perhaps quitting your job before the Christmas holiday is not such a great idea. And perhaps Jonathan should have consulted his girlfriend, Catherine, but somehow, he does not find the courage to do so. Christmas for him and Catherine means, going away for a few days with their ‘Christmas-friends’, the two couples they meet up with only once a year. Jonathan struggles to keep up his spirits: his book is going nowhere and his publisher is not responding very much. Not the best way to start the festive season…
| Storyline |
The last thing Jonathan wants to do is to go away for Christmas, as they usually do with their friends. Can you even call them friends when you meet up once a year based on the common ground of having no children? Perhaps Jonathan feels a cheater as he does have a daughter, Lizzy, who lives with his ex-wife Denise. On the other hand, among them is Sue, who has successfully self-published a book. Jonathan feels a pang of envy when she tells him about it as he feels to have reached a dead end with his publisher. On top of that, his relationship with Catherine is close to a break-up, his ex-wife is nagging him, he is an almost invisible father to his daughter, Lizzie, and he lacks the inspiration to finish his books. Then there is the old neglected bookstore which Jonathan would love to recreate into a stunning bookshop…
| My Thoughts |
What a charming little story is Away for Christmas! I thought Jonathan was rather selfish and self-absorbed but the little town, the lovely bookshop, the Christmassy feel.. just perfect! Why would you go away when you live in such a beautiful coastal town? I would not! The author has created true-to-life characters and I loved Lizzy – what a refreshingly charming and determined young lady. She does not care about money or appearances, she wants to create a better world and is fully determined to make it happen. Two pretty egoistic parents having a daughter like that.. they should feel so lucky! A Christmassy feel-good novella with a touch of romance (but not the usual chick-lit) combined with valuable and practical insights into the world of self-publishing.
Read the review on my website: https://www.bitsaboutbooks.net/away-c...
November 14, 2017
Sometimes we need to make changes in our lives before we can move forward, and for Jonathan Jones giving up his job just before Christmas will give him, he thinks, just the jolt he needs to finish off writing and promoting his novel. However, he finds out, to his cost, that the publishing world can be fraught with difficulties and not every book to hit the book shelves has 'best seller' written all over it.
What then follows is a delightful seasonal story which looks at the vagaries of the publishing world alongside Jonathan's journey of self discovery. The North Wales setting, is as always, lovingly recreated by this author who knows the area well, and who writes about the small seaside town of Rhos-on Sea with such wonderful attention to detail that I felt as if I was strolling down the main street, with the tang of sea salt and the harsh cry of seagulls resonating in my head.
As you would expect of a novella of just over a hundred or so pages, the story moves along quickly, as there is much to pack into a small space, and yet, the story never feels rushed or incomplete. I'm not going to say any more about the story as you would do well to read it for yourself, but there were some lovely observations of the book world, and reviewers, which as a reader and a book blogger made me smile and laugh out loud in places. I loved the whole concept of Beachside Books, in my opinion, every town should have one, and when I am next in this small corner of North Wales, I am sure I will be keeping an eye open for Frodo as he encourages customers into the book shop to peruse the shelves and drink the excellent Colombian coffee.
I was completely charmed by Away for Christmas, from the beauty of its stunning cover, to the bookish world which is so lovingly recreated by an author who writes, not just for herself and her readers, but also to bring alive this beautiful area of North Wales, a place which she calls home.
If, in the busy rush towards Christmas, you only have time to squeeze in one short story, then let it be this one. Feed your e-reader, brew your coffee, turn off your phone and, courtesy of this talented author go Away for Christmas.
What then follows is a delightful seasonal story which looks at the vagaries of the publishing world alongside Jonathan's journey of self discovery. The North Wales setting, is as always, lovingly recreated by this author who knows the area well, and who writes about the small seaside town of Rhos-on Sea with such wonderful attention to detail that I felt as if I was strolling down the main street, with the tang of sea salt and the harsh cry of seagulls resonating in my head.
As you would expect of a novella of just over a hundred or so pages, the story moves along quickly, as there is much to pack into a small space, and yet, the story never feels rushed or incomplete. I'm not going to say any more about the story as you would do well to read it for yourself, but there were some lovely observations of the book world, and reviewers, which as a reader and a book blogger made me smile and laugh out loud in places. I loved the whole concept of Beachside Books, in my opinion, every town should have one, and when I am next in this small corner of North Wales, I am sure I will be keeping an eye open for Frodo as he encourages customers into the book shop to peruse the shelves and drink the excellent Colombian coffee.
I was completely charmed by Away for Christmas, from the beauty of its stunning cover, to the bookish world which is so lovingly recreated by an author who writes, not just for herself and her readers, but also to bring alive this beautiful area of North Wales, a place which she calls home.
If, in the busy rush towards Christmas, you only have time to squeeze in one short story, then let it be this one. Feed your e-reader, brew your coffee, turn off your phone and, courtesy of this talented author go Away for Christmas.
Read
December 11, 2017Loved this Christmas novella! There really is something for everyone here. If you’re a writer you will laugh, despair and sympathise with protagonist Jonathan Jones, and the trials and tribulations he faces as he battles to become a published author. And if you’re a reader, you’ll be captivated by the excellent story-telling that weaves Jonathan’s complicated life into a page turning drama.
Set in the North Wales resort of Rhos-on-Sea, the author uses the landscape to match the tone of the narrative. Out of season Irish Sea coastlines can be bleak, grey and blustery – but equally they can be lit by twinkling fairy lights and toasty open fires and packed with heart-warming memories. It’s a clever trick that worked perfectly here and brought out the best of the setting.
The story strode along at a pace, detailing the successes and failures, the rights and wrongs, Jonathan made on his life’s journey. You will laugh and cry in equal measure. He not only walks out of his job, inherits a book shop, and splits from his partner … he also has additional complications from his first wife and daughter to manage. I also loved the subtle echoes of some of Jonathan's writing heroes, like Frodo the dog and references to rings and lost manuscripts. All helped build the atmosphere of Jonathan's literary life.
Characters are strong and believable – from Jonathan and his writer’s angst, to Catherine as his discontented partner, to Lizzie his strong-willed daughter … to the ineptitude and rudeness of the staff of the small publishing house, Tangerine Press, who were just perfect for their roles! For me as a writer, I could relate to every single publishing experience poor Jonathan suffered and was cheering him on throughout. Whether he gets his happy ending or not though, of course, is not for me to say – this is fiction after all!
A real feel good novella, perfect to curl up with on a stormy winter’s afternoon, and experience the highs and lows of one writer’s journey.
Set in the North Wales resort of Rhos-on-Sea, the author uses the landscape to match the tone of the narrative. Out of season Irish Sea coastlines can be bleak, grey and blustery – but equally they can be lit by twinkling fairy lights and toasty open fires and packed with heart-warming memories. It’s a clever trick that worked perfectly here and brought out the best of the setting.
The story strode along at a pace, detailing the successes and failures, the rights and wrongs, Jonathan made on his life’s journey. You will laugh and cry in equal measure. He not only walks out of his job, inherits a book shop, and splits from his partner … he also has additional complications from his first wife and daughter to manage. I also loved the subtle echoes of some of Jonathan's writing heroes, like Frodo the dog and references to rings and lost manuscripts. All helped build the atmosphere of Jonathan's literary life.
Characters are strong and believable – from Jonathan and his writer’s angst, to Catherine as his discontented partner, to Lizzie his strong-willed daughter … to the ineptitude and rudeness of the staff of the small publishing house, Tangerine Press, who were just perfect for their roles! For me as a writer, I could relate to every single publishing experience poor Jonathan suffered and was cheering him on throughout. Whether he gets his happy ending or not though, of course, is not for me to say – this is fiction after all!
A real feel good novella, perfect to curl up with on a stormy winter’s afternoon, and experience the highs and lows of one writer’s journey.
January 5, 2018
Just the kind of read to get me out of my reading slump :) Loved this story from start to finish, mainly due to having an interest in the subject matter, though not solely. It is a feel-good story but down to earth. Not everything comes up smelling of roses but, it comes pretty close to the tangled web that is people's lives. I would happily recommend this book and not just for Christmas :) Enjoy!
December 16, 2017
It’s been so lovely to see this book getting such wonderful write-ups from blogger friends over the last couple of weeks, every word of them so totally deserved – this novella really was something rather special.
I’m sure everyone can already tell from the description that this is the perfect read for anyone with an interest in books and publishing. Jonathan’s hunger to become a published writer is infectious, but every aspiring published writer will equally identify with the hours spent tweaking a couple of paragraphs and making no discernible progress. Jonathan’s tangles with the publishing world have a distinctly uncomfortable whiff of authenticity – hopefully his encounter with the world of book blogging a little less so. Faced with a bland and unsuitable cover, a missing chapter and a distant and uncertain publication date, the route to a solution could almost be a handbook (albeit a highly entertaining one) on how to self-publish.
I loved the whole bookshop story too – but who doesn’t love a bookshop story? I know Rhos-on-Sea well – beautiful in summer, desolate and dismal in the winter – and the warm glow that develops around Beachside Books as its fortunes are transformed is just perfectly described.
Others have said they didn’t entirely take to Jonathan, although he grew on them as the story progressed – I must say I was on his side, cheering him on, from the very beginning. This is what Jan Ruth does so very well – her characters are real people, they live on her pages, and being real people you like them some of the time, but sometimes they don’t behave quite as you’d like them to. I loved the relationships in this story – the group of “friends” at that first Christmas gathering, the partner, the ex-wife, the daughter – all marked by the most accomplished characterisation, with an absolute authenticity in all their dialogue and interactions. Life, throughout this book, is complicated – but life so often is, and it’s the way it captures that is just one of the things that makes the book so thoroughly excellent. Life is also sometimes heartbreakingly sad, and at other times ridiculously funny – and the balance in this book is absolutely right.
I was particularly impressed that so much was packed into just over a hundred pages. Nothing felt rushed, no emotions or situations unexplored, every thread perfectly tied up into a perfect Christmas bow. An absolutely gorgeous read, and certainly not just for Christmas.
I’m sure everyone can already tell from the description that this is the perfect read for anyone with an interest in books and publishing. Jonathan’s hunger to become a published writer is infectious, but every aspiring published writer will equally identify with the hours spent tweaking a couple of paragraphs and making no discernible progress. Jonathan’s tangles with the publishing world have a distinctly uncomfortable whiff of authenticity – hopefully his encounter with the world of book blogging a little less so. Faced with a bland and unsuitable cover, a missing chapter and a distant and uncertain publication date, the route to a solution could almost be a handbook (albeit a highly entertaining one) on how to self-publish.
I loved the whole bookshop story too – but who doesn’t love a bookshop story? I know Rhos-on-Sea well – beautiful in summer, desolate and dismal in the winter – and the warm glow that develops around Beachside Books as its fortunes are transformed is just perfectly described.
Others have said they didn’t entirely take to Jonathan, although he grew on them as the story progressed – I must say I was on his side, cheering him on, from the very beginning. This is what Jan Ruth does so very well – her characters are real people, they live on her pages, and being real people you like them some of the time, but sometimes they don’t behave quite as you’d like them to. I loved the relationships in this story – the group of “friends” at that first Christmas gathering, the partner, the ex-wife, the daughter – all marked by the most accomplished characterisation, with an absolute authenticity in all their dialogue and interactions. Life, throughout this book, is complicated – but life so often is, and it’s the way it captures that is just one of the things that makes the book so thoroughly excellent. Life is also sometimes heartbreakingly sad, and at other times ridiculously funny – and the balance in this book is absolutely right.
I was particularly impressed that so much was packed into just over a hundred pages. Nothing felt rushed, no emotions or situations unexplored, every thread perfectly tied up into a perfect Christmas bow. An absolutely gorgeous read, and certainly not just for Christmas.
November 20, 2017
Away for Christmas is a 107 page novella by author Jan Ruth. Jan Ruth is a contemporary women’s fiction writer and sets her stories in the countryside, specifically her beloved Welsh countryside. I really enjoyed Away for Christmas, so much that I didn’t want it to end, this was mainly because the storyline is set around a bookshop, which is every book lover’s dream to own and run their own bookshop.This festive story tackles real life issues which made the storyline and characters more easily recognisable.
Jonathan Jones was a despondent accountant in a lovely coastal town in Wales. For the last year or two his mind has been more focused on words rather than numbers as he is an aspiring author. With his first book written he was now part way through his second novel and was obsessed with getting his characters and ideas in his head noted down. After a particular bad day at work he makes a radical decision about his career. With a failed marriage under his belt he’s hoping his relationship with Charlotte will not go the same way as his writing obsession does have the habit of taking over his life.
We follow Jonathon’s journey fulfilling his dreams of seeing his own books in print in a bookshop. His steps to become a published author hit many wrong turns and you are left wondering whether Jonathon will realise his dreams. We also follow his relationship woes and over the months and years pursuing his writing career he is given time to ponder his future.
Jan Ruth transported me to the ruggedness of Wales with it’s natural beauty. I fell in love with the rundown bookshop and could picture it in my head and also images were swimming around my head of my very own imaginary book shop. The text flowed very well and I was sad to see the story come to an end.
Jonathan Jones was a despondent accountant in a lovely coastal town in Wales. For the last year or two his mind has been more focused on words rather than numbers as he is an aspiring author. With his first book written he was now part way through his second novel and was obsessed with getting his characters and ideas in his head noted down. After a particular bad day at work he makes a radical decision about his career. With a failed marriage under his belt he’s hoping his relationship with Charlotte will not go the same way as his writing obsession does have the habit of taking over his life.
We follow Jonathon’s journey fulfilling his dreams of seeing his own books in print in a bookshop. His steps to become a published author hit many wrong turns and you are left wondering whether Jonathon will realise his dreams. We also follow his relationship woes and over the months and years pursuing his writing career he is given time to ponder his future.
Jan Ruth transported me to the ruggedness of Wales with it’s natural beauty. I fell in love with the rundown bookshop and could picture it in my head and also images were swimming around my head of my very own imaginary book shop. The text flowed very well and I was sad to see the story come to an end.
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