The Christmas Breakup Club

by Luci Beach

When Holly’s boyfriend dumps her in December, her boss invites her to cat-sit in a flat above a cosy old-fashioned department store in an English seaside town.
In Holly’s plans: a turkey ready meal for one, adorable movies, a cute cat for company.
Not in her plans: the gorgeous man upstairs, adventures in the deserted department store, plastic Santa’s sleigh.
The first rule of The Christmas Breakup Club is... well, there isn’t one. Yet.

This is a short, sweet and romantic novella, set in the UK and written in British English.

Genres: Audiobook, Christmas, Romance, Holiday, Short Stories

59 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 20, 2020

About the author

Luci Beach is the author of romantic novels and novellas. When she isn't writing, reading or spending time with her family, she works as a travel copywriter, a UK/US English linguist and an editor of extremely cute picture books.

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness. This wonderful Christmas novella came to me at the most perfect time. I had just finished a Christmas read. I was searching around my kindle, reading blurbs and samples, trying to find something for this strange period before I unwrap and can start reading the books I’ve been given for Christmas.

The Christmas Breakup Club was exactly what I needed at this stage in December. It was funny, sweet and utterly delightful. Holly (of course she loves Christmas) and Joe have brought me so much joy, misunderstandings and all, in a short amount of time. Thank you Luci for this wonderful gift!

[raelynn⋆ ˚ ౨ৎ ⋆｡˚ ⋆ · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐️

quick read- or in my case listen- but it was pretty meh and i found the fmc kind of dumb and annoying… cute for the holidays tho!

[Ed Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok story, it was well written. Unfortunately, it’s too short.

[mrsljgibbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was having a look on Amazon for a Christmas novella to read as I had a bit of a book hangover from my previous book and I came across this one and it sounded perfect and I was right, it was a good choice and I really enjoyed everything about it.

I was a bit unsure of what to expect because I had not come across this author before but I was instantly drawn in to the blurb and was very glad that I read it.

I loved the two main characters, Holly and Joe, they were perfect for each other and clearly had chemistry from their instant attraction and the more they got to know each other the more they realised that they belonged together.

This was a super sweet Christmas novella with a prefect ‘happy ever after’…….

['Nathan Burgoine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short novelette I found on KoboPlus in audiobook, this was just the thing today while I did some holiday pre-work and got some things together. It’s cute—Holly gets dumped before Christmas, her boss asks her to cat- and flat-sit, and then she bumps into Joe who lives upstairs when there’s a ceiling leak and it turns out they’ve got quite a lot in common.

It’s got a kinda/sorta third-act breakup, but it’s totally an understandable one, and they’ve only just met, so it’s more like Holly has a moment of "I literally just met this guy, what am I doing?" before the HFN ending which lands just the right note.

Also there’s a cat.

[Mrs Moa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and sweet Christmas read.

Read as an audio book. Narration was on point 👌🏻

[K. ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute, quick read that definitely gave me the holiday spark that I was looking for! I also enjoyed the audiobook version because the narrator had a British accent that truly tied the story together.

[Day Ravenstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so cute. It made me feel so festive. I loved how cosy it was.

[Sarina · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐️

[Stefanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

REALLY cute and sweet festive romance. Highly recommend, especially if the season has you down. Highly recommend the audiobook as well, bc the narrator sounds JUST like Felicity Jones when she did Northanger Abbey, so that's who I had in my head for the FMC. 🥰

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the little disclaimer that this book is set in the UK and uses British English, which is hilarious as a Welsh person. Lol her monologue is so fucking relatable and omg why is her reaction exactly mine especially with the missing cat. Lol the puns and her general thirsting are iconic. It's definitely too short for me, but that's what I get for being on a Kindle novella kick, which is why it's only getting 4 stars as i definitely think it could be longer. The ultimate cute and wholesome short book, especially perfect to kick a reading slump.

[Jozie | Cozy Romantasy Reader · Rating 2 out of 5]

This wasn't for me.

Holly is spending Christmas at her boss's apartment, watching her cat, when she notices a leak coming from the apartment above where Joe is staying. Joe is taking care of the apartment building while his grandfather is away for the holidays, so he agrees to fix the leak. When the pair arrive at Holly's boss's apartment, she realizes that she left the door open and the cat is nowhere to be found. Holly and Joe search the apartment building for the cat.

The beginning of this story was okay. I liked how Joe agreed to search for the missing cat. That was also my first problem with Holly. She left the apartment door open, on purpose? That's how it seemed to me, and she justified it by saying the cat was an indoor cat and the building seemed safe. The entire reason she is there is to look after the cat. It just didn't make sense to me. Holly also annoyed me with her whole "I will never befriend or date anyone who doesn't like Christmas" statement. The story and the characters were forgettable to me. As soon as the audiobook ended, I forgot both main characters' names until I reread the blurb.

christmas • holiday romance

[Kate McMurry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable, PG, New Adult, Christmas romance

This is a lighthearted, Christmas novella featuring two attractive and sympathetic protagonists, who are in their early twenties. Both of them have very recently endured being dumped by their romantic partners and, as a kind of joke, the two of them agree to form a club between themselves, in which they commiserate with each other about their former, lousy relationships. In the process, naturally enough, because this is a romance, they fall for each other.

It is terrific to see two such good-hearted people end up with each other. There is also a cute little cat in this story, which will delight cat lovers and animal lovers in general. And, last but not least, if you are in the mood to read a Christmas story during the holiday season, this adorable novella just might be your cup of tea.

This is a PG-rated story in that there is no foul language and no sex. I would not say it is G-rated, however, because there is lots of kissing and some talk of potentially having sex in the near future.

I rate this novella as follows:

Heroine: 4 stars
Hero: 4 stars
Subcharacters: 4 stars
Romance plot: 4 stars
Writing: 4 stars
Overall: 4 stars

[Kristina · Rating 1 out of 5]

I got about 65% with this and decided not to finish. The plot sounded good and it was decent writing but the decisions the main character made (pet sitting and leaves the apt door wide open to an under construction apt building - loses the cat and focuses on the Hot Guy who lives upstairs instead/while searching for the cat). Sorry but I can't abide by dumb stuff like that. Also calls the person she's house/cat sitting for about a leak from the apt above them and the owner is like O ya that happens BUT you should date the guy that lives in that apt and pushes the subject SO hard despite her cat being lost and ceiling leaking into a bucket. Also this person is the main character's boss - sooo random and really unrealistic?

[Best_books · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cheap and cheerful short love story.

Girl cat-sits for her boss over Christmas. Girl meets boy in flat above. Girl discovers they have something in common - they have both recently broken up with their partners.

Then they fall in love - after approx 8 hours in each other’s company - having shared childhood tales, fixed a leak, lost (and found) the cat and worked through the obligatory relationship threatening misunderstanding.

Not much more to report and certainly no nuanced hidden meanings ... but a non taxing, chilled bedtime read nonetheless.

Oh and the cat is called Purr-man Mousy Tongue :)

[Gwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holly is spending the holidays cat sitting for her boss after a recent break up. Joe who has the apartment upstairs has also just been involved in a recent break up. After they meet because of a water leak, they form the Christmas breakup club and spend the day together .
A short sweet holiday novella with likable characters and an easy flowing and fun storyline.
I will be watching for more by this author

[Clarí · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Christmas breakup club is one of the books you read or listen to help reach your reading goal for the year. It’s a short novella that quite engaging. It’s set in Britain 🇬🇧 which was nice. It’s a simple nice Christmas read about dealing with heart break and opening your heart to new love.


PS. It could have had for plot and body, but I understand it was a novella. With it being a novella it does have the insta love trope. If you don’t like insta love, you may not like this book

[Brielle923 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, sweet and perfect to get any grinch into the holiday season. Holly and Joe meet, they connect and they realize that opposites attract, especially on Christmas. This was a feel good romcom that intrigues me to read more by Luci Beach. I got the free audiobook through a stuff your earbuds promo and it did not disappoint

[Warfie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stuff Your Earbuds Find!

3.5 Stars!

Cute, Quick, and everything to get you into the holiday spirit. I am very glad that I picked it up. A very low stake story to help me get out of my reading slump while letting me get just a taste of festivities before the season starts.

[princxssce · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first ever Christmas book and I loved it. I’ve never been one for holiday books but this one makes me want to try reading more. I loved the premise of the book as a whole sure I’m not a big fan of a few things but they aren’t that big of a deal.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a cute, fun story! The narrator did a great job. The English accent was perfect for the story, as it appears to take place in England (I'm American, so I'm not familiar with the geography.)
So glad it had a happy ending too. I can't wait to read the next one.

[Sandy T · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook review:
An enjoyable sweet romance fun short story. The narrator was good, easy to listen and voiced emotions. I liked the concept of the "breakup club".

Thank you to the author for the free audible book. I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Cherie • bookshelvesandtealeaves · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was cute and funny and very sweet. I liked the connection between the characters but I did feel like Holly was making some wild mental leaps with a man she’d just met. This is only a short story so I was expecting fast, but I still wish I got to know the characters a little better.

[Marsha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute and quirky. I liked it.

[Nicola Golding · Rating 4 out of 5]

This a a cute, quick read that you can finish over the festive period in and amongst doing other things.

[Louise Bookmac82 Mackin · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

This book was short but sweet, a nice easy festive read.
Great characters and a nicely flowing story. Can't wait for Luci's next book.

[Lindsay Muir · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lighthearted festive romance


A very enjoyable novella about two people whose separate plans for Christmas and life take an unexpected turn of events.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is very cute, short and sweet. Enjoyed it a lot!

[Krista Walsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was cute

Short and sweet read. Perfect for the Christmas season. A little predictable but still entertaining. Can't wait to read more of her stories

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Such a cute little Christmas read, I just didn’t feel super connected to the characters.