One Week In December

by Holly Chamberlin

The Rowans' rambling Maine farmhouse is just big enough to contain the family members gathered there in the week before Christmas. Becca Rowan has driven north from Boston with one thought in mind - reclaiming the daughter she gave up when she was a frightened teenager. Raised by Becca's older brother and his wife, Rain Rowan, now sixteen, has no idea she was adopted. And though Becca agreed not to reveal the truth until Rain turned twenty-one, lately that promise, along with all her career success, counts for little in the face of her loneliness and longing. But while Becca anticipates shock at her announcement, she's unprepared for the depth of her family's reactions. Her brother is angry and fearful of losing the daughter he adores; her sister Olivia, oblivious to her crumbling marriage, reveals long-buried resentments, while Becca's parents are torn between concern and guilt. And as the Rowans' neighbour, Alex, draws her deeper into an unexpected friendship, Becca begins to challenge her own preconceptions about family, about love, and about the courage needed to live with - and sometimes change - the decisions we make.

Genres: Christmas, Chick Lit, Fiction, Holiday, Romance, Novels, Family

336 pages, Paperback

First published September 30, 2006

About the author

Holly Chamberlin is a native New Yorker, but she now lives in Portland, Maine - the aftermath of stumbling across Mr. Right at the one moment she wasn't watching the terrain. She's been writing and editing - poetry, children's fantasies, a romance novel or two, among many other genres and projects - her entire life. She has two cats, Betty and Cyrus, and when she's not writing her hobbies include reading, shopping, and cocktails at six.

Reviews

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid 3.5 stars. It was a cute Christmas story. Some family drama with a love story mixed in always makes for a good holiday read!

[Stacey Simmons · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the third book I have read by Holly Chamberlin and was probably my favorite by her. I liked the story line but really wish a few different avenues were explored and some things could have been omitted and the story would have worked without them.

The story tells mainly of Becca Rowan and the entire Rowan family. Becca got pregnant at 16 and the family pulled together to pass off the child as David, Becca's oldest brother. Becca's, after a long self-imposed estrangement decides that she no longer wants to just be an aunt but she wants to reclaim her child as her own. She decides to do this over the Christmas holidays when the entire, small though not tight, Rowan family (12 members total over three generations). The story seems to be from Becca's point of view yet it does tell personal views of other characters through the novel. I did really enjoy the book and would have rated it higher but there were a few things that bothered me. I would have given it 3.5 stars but it fell closer to 3 than 4.

What I wish was different:

• I wish they had of told the reader more if the backstory. What did happen 16 years ago to create the entire family dynamic? What decisions were made by each adult? What were the feelings, emotions and sacrifices that each member had?

• Personally I wish that Olivia's character (and in turn James) had either had more development (What did they go through fertilty wise? What changed about adopting / fostering a child? What did James want?) or was left out (I did not find her obsessions with ancestry to be pertinent to the story, if she found a genetic reason for her infertility that would have been interesting but she shares none of her families history in the book).

• I would have loved for Alex and Becca's relationship to have started earlier so we could have seen that blossom more and see if they will work out as a couple in the long term.

• The ending was nice, if not completely predictable. It leaves you wanting more, and not completely satisfying. I would have liked at the least a one chapter epilogue about the future or a sequel book would be good. It could maybe be centered around the family coming together again with Rain's 21st birthday and we can learn if the family tell Rain the truth about her birth, see if Olivia and James can work out their problems and if the find a way to raise and love a child (having Liliy or Becca carry their child now that the family are becoming whole again) and of course find out if Becca and Alex are still together and she overcomes her guilt about having another child.

• Where was December 26th?!?!?!?

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

It moved a bit slow, but a tale of a family that pushed the daughter to give her daughter up to her older brother and his wife and become the aunt. Years later, a lonely career woman, she returns home for Christmas to drop the bomb to her family that she wants to tell the now teenage girl that she is her mother. The complicated relationship of this multigenerational NE family tended to drag on, but I was expecting more of a romance. That was hinted at but just beginning at the very end of the book.

[Angela C · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overall, I am not a fan of this author's writing style. This book has way too many exclamation points, and cheesy dialogue at times. The basic premise of the book was interesting enough to lead me to buy this book (for 40% off, but still) and left me disappointed. Could have been much, much more interesting. On a positive note, there were interesting conversations about fate, forgiveness, and what it means to be a part of a family.

But I can't really recommend this one.

[Ginger · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this author while searching for something else on my library’s website. I am so glad I did! Really enjoyed this book & would love to see a sequel (but I doubt the author will write one).
Will definitely be reading more of her works.

[Tori · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing style is different, as some have mentioned. I didn’t mind it too much. I did feel like it took a little bit to get started and then really slowed towards the end as well. Took me a few days to finish the last 30 pages just because I wasn’t drawn to finish it.

[Marti · Rating 3 out of 5]

Twins Michael and Malcolm! One of my classmates had brothers with these names, and they were also twins.

"Worry is payment paid on a loan that might never come due." Grandma Nora is wise.

Twins and a pregnant teen sent away - very much like "The Wish," to which I am listening.

A Norah O'Donnell reference.

[Jacqueline Cutter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first book of hers I read. Really enjoyed it and am looking forward to reading more of her books.

[Deb Kochanov · Rating 4 out of 5]

A feel-good book showing you life is hard, but you don't have to go to it alone. This rather large family is together for a week (and it's Christmas) and learns to lean on each other.

[Rhonda Rae Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intense family drama with the tangled web we all weave. I totally related to the situtation about saving face of the family but sacrificing personal feelings. The premise of wanting to tell the truth was so strong that I was cheering and yet kringing about what it all meant. Not wanting to tell you what really happened, I will have to just say that you will love this novel. Written very well and such a page turner...I loved it and will be picking up Chamberlin again!

Second Review

Wnat an indepth illustration of what family is all about...every character was so real, I feel like I know them personally. Holly did a wonderful job portraying what happens in any family dynamic as there is no person alive that doesn't have at least one secret. And the fallout of such secrets can be crippling as well as devastating not only to those that carry them but those that watch others suffer. I could not put this novel down as the story unfolded. Wasn't attracted to the cover, the title wasn't one that appealed to me, but I believe the novel called to me and I'm happy to have answered the prompting. I was cheering, crying, worried, upset, and ultimately identified with so much of this story that I'll have to read it again to catch more. Every detail was brought out in such a way that it was a rollercoaster of twists and turns but I cried happy tears of relief when things turned out. Unconditional love of families is so important. Personally, I identified with many of these situations so this novel became part of me and helped me resolve some of my own issues. We should never allow our lives to be caught up with the past...there is always today and the hope of a brighter tomorrow. Thanks Holly...I will be going back for notes on many things you said. Beautiful novel!

[Carmela · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the story, I liked the main character, I resented her family and their insistence that she "do the RIGHT thing." All of the tender, touching moments seemed contrived and a little judgmental. It took me forever to read and I felt a little like it was work. Good story...I liked the neighbor, but that family sucked.

[Ann · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh . . . it's like it was written off a template. Literally a beach read for me this week! Glad it was passed on to me and I didn't pay for it. Fine for a beach read, as it is predictable and a little banal.

[Kelly Downs · Rating 1 out of 5]

blah. I read half of this book and was so bored by the author's style that I had to put it down and say NO MORE!!! The characters are weak and uninteresting. There's no real depth to anyone. The story line could have been successful, written by another author. No more Holly Chamberlin for me.

[Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book. It was more of a 3.5 then a 3 for me. It was a little predictable and that's what lowered the rating for me. I liked how all the family characters were developed and part of the story.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to crawl into this book and strangle most of these characters. So many turns of events were completely unbelievable and I kept rolling my eyes. That being said, I kept reading, so I can’t really give it less than three stars...

[Kaitlyn Joy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Extremely disappointed with this experience. I loved the Yorktide Christmas book I read by Holly Chamberlin, it was one of my favorites and I was so excited to read another holiday book by her set in Maine (I used to live in New England and I miss it, so I was pumped).

This book just does not work and has a lot of problematic viewpoints, I'm not sure what I can discuss without it being spoilers so I'm marking this spoilers.

At the center of this novel is the story of Becca who had a baby when she was 16 and the baby was unofficially adopted by her brother and his wife. Now Becca wants to come clean this Christmas and it is the literal worst. The way the family dismisses the trauma that this experience had on Becca and minimize her pain and how isolating her life is by keeping this secret and protecting this secret. They also are convinced that the secret is the best idea ever and keeping it that way (possibly forever) is the best. It is 100% infuriating. Also, I'm not saying Becca fully considered her position or was perfect but it was shocking how this storyline made her the bad one with everyone else being angels?

Characters that could be likable are not likable because of their viewpoint on this story. The younger characters are very naive to the point that they seem to be more traditional than people their age normally would be. I did not like most of the characters.

I did not buy our central romance. It was random and didn't make sense because the book is mostly about the aforementioned crisis, so this romance just pops up out of no where. There doesn't seem to be much chemistry.

I'm really disappointed, I don't know if I can read the author again. I might read later work again if it's more modern and less problematic.

[Gerri Gregory · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story was a bit lacking, it basically gave you all the details on the jacket summary. I found it hard to keep the characters straight, I had to actively recall who each character was while reading because none of them were very memorable. The story revolves around the Rowan family, but there is a token neighbor who is very obviously going to be the love interest for the main character. It was very unrealistic that after her third encounter with him she already talking about being in love with him.

One other thing I didn't like was how all the Rowan siblings referred to the fact that they didn't have any friends. I understand that the book is focusing on the strength of family ties and loyalty, but it's quite unrealistic that all four siblings would not have any friends outside the family.

[JennM · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was more of a 3.5 stars rating. I liked the characters and how the family interacted with each other. It was a pretty traditional Christmas plot with family getting together for Christmas and their various attitudes towards each other -- brothers, sisters, parents, children, grandchildren, grandparents, and the occasional friend and pet. I've read a few books by Holly Chamberlin and I like that her books are kind of slow moving and calm. And one thing I can count on with this author is an ending that feels complete (even at times a bit long). I'm not a fan of abrupt endings. Holly Chamberlin finishes it completely. And there are traditional values of love and caring for family, which I liked. It was a slower read, but enjoyable and calm. Definitely not full of suspense and action. Just a calm easy read.

[Sue Lauzon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being a mom made this kind of a tough read. I know it was a work of fiction but the author made you really feel for the main character Becca Rowan. Sometimes I was all for her revealing the truth of her niece's parentage and at other times I wanted to smack her upside the head (insert laugh here). Story centers on Becca Rowan (she is now 32), who at the young age of sixteen gets pregnant. Her family makes the decision that the baby. Rain, will be raised by Becca's older brother and sister in law. Becca decides she wants to tell her niece that she was adopted and that she is really her mother. The fallout from wanting to make this major announcement along with all the other family dynamics makes for a really good read. It makes you question what you would do in that situation.

[Siobhan Ward · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5*

Unfortunately the biggest thing that stood out about this book was how unmemorable it felt. Maybe I read too many family dramas, but this one didn't have anything that really made it special. The weirdly shoehorned-in romance plot didn't add anything to the book either. It felt like Chamberlain wasn't quite sure what direction she wanted to go in, so she added a whole bunch of characters and decided to see where they took her. It meant that there were side plots (Alex the neighbour, Steve's painting, Lily and Nora's secrets) that felt out of place and irrelevant to the rest of the book.

[Lisa Bender · Rating 1 out of 5]

Finally done. I'm not sure whether it was because I would only read a bit of it before bed, or because this book literally takes place in one week, but it seemed to draaagg with nothing really happening. I feel like the author could have done so much more with the plot (which was an interesting plot idea!). And the romance story seemed like a bit of an afterthought and not really necessary - should have spent more time on it/developed it more since she included it. Oh well, can't expect much from a random free book from a book swap!

[Kathy Mitson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, as it really held my attention.
It is Christmas week, and the Rowan family have all headed to spend the holidays together, unaware that Becca, the second youngest daugher has an agenda for the time together. An agenda that she knows will be met with resistance, and be very unpopular.
I would not call this a Christmas story, not at all.
It is a story about families and secrets, and loneliness.
I found some of the characters a bit difficult to relate to, but generally the book is easy to follow.
Probably a chick book, by most standards, but since I am a chick......

[Marissa Savala · Rating 2 out of 5]

The equivalent of a Hallmark Christmas Movie.
I found this book at a garage sale a few years ago. It sounded like a light and fluffy fiction piece, but I still expected more out of the novel. The narration POV is third person omniscient, and the author switches between speaking for different characters with poor clarity. I found the characters to be self centered and unimaginative, and the love story that developed seemed forced and unnecessary. Overall disappointed with the read, but had a nicely buttoned up ending.

[Booknerdreads Grace Haddad · Rating 4 out of 5]

For Christmas I asked for a favorite book of hers from my aunt and she gave me this one! I found it to be simultaneously deep and refreshing as well as have its lighthearted and healing moments. I loved that it was written in a way that gives us everyone’s perspective, allowing us to glance into each of their lives. I loved that this book touched on very controversial but important topics, and that it showed the importance of family bonding and forgiveness. I highly recommend this book and I am so glad my aunt gave it to me! Ps- perfect for cat lovers 😉

[Tamie Hort · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too many cliches.!! Seems like it was written around a number of bright ideas, all good but they do not need to be in the same book nor continue to pop out of nowhere in the storyline...ARGG
Once a lesson is delivered in the story line, the author needs to realize the reader has understood this process and there is no need to repeat remind or reiterate that that person has learned a lesson.
Took a long time to get through this novel

[natalia · Rating 4 out of 5]

One week in December was one of my favorite books for winter. I liked how every single family member in the huge Rowan family had their own secrets. I also like the mini battles between family members because of those secrets and the final results of the battles. Plus this book stayed within holiday spirits!

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story line was good. The story shows that every family has some problems or past secrets that change people. All the characters in the story are struggling with a different problem that most people can easily relate to. Overall, it was a pleasant read and has small chapters that can be read when you have a few minutes here or there.

[Katherine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my favourite book ever. After she started out being crusty and unhappy, it was a little too convenient and unbelievable for the story to end with the main character falling in love and working things out with everyone, on Christmas no less. It took me a while to get through this book as I was not really enjoying it or feeling engaged with the characters, unfortunately.

[Karen Mcnicol · Rating 5 out of 5]

This books shows the pain a young woman is going through over the adoption of her baby 16 years ago, it shows the struggle her oldest sister is also going through, her youngest sister as well. This book shows the struggles of a whole family and how they deal with it all with love, heated arguments and just being a family.

[ShaylaReads · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a slow read. At times the writing was well thought out and left you wanting more. But then it seemed to jump a few steps. The family drama was interesting but the 'love interest' was a reach for me. It put it as 3 stars but it's more like a 2.8. Read it for the family drama, skim the romance part.