From the Bookshelf of Nothing But Reading Challenges…

Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor (Friday Harbor, #1)

Lisa Kleypas

Start date: November 1, 2010

Finish date: November 30, 2010

Discussion: Books of the Month

Discussion leader: Lisarenee

Why we're reading this: St. Martin's Press gave 25 copies of this book to our members, so we made it one of our Books of the Mont…more
[close] St. Martin's Press gave 25 copies of this book to our members, so we made it one of our Books of the Month. Thank you St. Martin's Press. Plus, I, Lisarenee, love Lisa Kleypas' books. She is my favorite romance author. I look forward to discussing this book with everyone.

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What Members Thought

Dec 27, 2010 Ronyell rated it really liked it

Shelves: sexy-bad-boy-hero, strong-heroine, strong-hero, my-blog-reviews, adult-book, lisa-kleypas, contemporary-romance, sexy-good-girl-heroine, christmas-books

Whenever I was reading some of Lisa Kleypas’ works, I was always reading her historical romance novels. Well, I just stumbled upon not only her most recent novel to date, but the first contemporary romance novel I have read from her and it is called “Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor.” Be prepared to see Lisa Kleypas’ romantic world contemporary style!

One night, a six year old girl named Holly lost her mother, Victoria, in a car accident and ever since the accident, Holly has never spoken a word to Whenever I was reading some of Lisa Kleypas’ works, I was always reading her historical romance novels. Well, I just stumbled upon not only her most recent novel to date, but the first contemporary romance novel I have read from her and it is called “Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor.” Be prepared to see Lisa Kleypas’ romantic world contemporary style!

One night, a six year old girl named Holly lost her mother, Victoria, in a car accident and ever since the accident, Holly has never spoken a word to anyone. Because Victoria is not around to take care of Holly anymore, Holly is sent to live with her handsome yet shy Uncle Mark Nolan, who has no idea how to take care of Holly. However, Mark soon starts to bond with Holly and tries his best to take good care of Holly. Later on however, Mark meets a beautiful and optimistic woman named Maggie Conroy, who had recently lost her husband to cancer a year ago and she and Holly seem to take a liking to each other. Is this the beginning of a new friendship between Mark and Maggie or will this relationship sprout into love?

This book was more like those cute little Christmas specials you see on television than an actual romance story since it is more focused on the characters’ background stories about their past lives rather than the romantic aspect of the story, which makes this one unique contemporary romance novel. This is not your typical romance novel as it focuses more on the trials of having an adopted family and trying to feel loved again, which I thought that Lisa Kleypas had pulled it off extremely well. What I really loved about Lisa Kleypas’ writing was that she was able to show the audience Holly’s reaction to her mother’s death as she did not speak to anyone and that part of the story was extremely powerful and moving to me since I cannot imagine what the death of a parent can do to a child. I found myself growing attach to Holly as a character since she is such a sweet little girl who went through so much after her mother died and I always sympathized with her situation since I would have felt the same way that Holly did when her mother died, but every time I see Holly’s happiness towards the middle of the book, my heart just melts for her! Now let us move onto the hot couple of the story! Oh my goodness, the best part of this story was Mark Nolan himself as not only does he have one muscular and hot body (which I love) but he has a very sweet and passionate personality that makes him one awesome character. Even though Mark had no experience with taking care of children, he truly cares for Holly and would do anything for her. Another character I really loved was Maggie as she was just as sweet as Mark is and because she also lost someone dear to her which was her husband, her loving relationship with Holly was heartwarming and believable that I just loved every minute that Maggie spent with Holly. From the beginning of the book, Mark and Maggie were meant to be together and what I really loved about their relationship was the fact that they just casually told each other their problems in their lives without feeling uncomfortable near each other.

The reason why I gave this book a four star rating instead of a five star rating is because while Mark and Maggie have great chemistry together, I wanted to see more intimate moments between those two so that this book would be more interesting in the romantic aspect of the story.

All in all, “Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor” is like a romance fan’s dream come true whenever they want to read romance novels during the holidays and I am definitely looking forward to reading Sam and Alex’s side of the story in the next books of the Friday Harbor series! Anyone looking for a good contemporary romance novel check this book out!

Review is also on: Rabbit Ears Book Blog
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Nov 20, 2015 Nancy rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: contemporary, romance, chicklit

It was OK for what it was. Saccharine sweet, predictable, and it ended all a bit too abruptly, but for pure escapism without having to think (at all), it fit the bill. Certainly not my kind of thing, but sometimes reading the genres you don't like that much helps you to appreciate the ones you do... ...more

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Dec 29, 2010 Jane(Janelba) rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: kindle, books-read-in-2014

Absolutely loved this book. I will always see this stories image of Thanksgiving dinner when I think of Thanksgiving and turkeys.

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Feb 07, 2011 Tasha rated it liked it

Shelves: own, audiobook-audible, public-library-booksfree, hardcover

Mark has gained custody of his five year old niece upon the death of his sister. He’s a single man who knows next to nothing about children, so he moves them into his brother’s house, who also nothings nothing about children, for the extra help that provides.

Holly, his niece, has withdrawn into herself since her mother died, and has not spoken a single word in about six months. So a trip to the local toy store was not when Mark would have expected it to happen. This local toy store is owned and ...more

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Nov 15, 2010 Nicole rated it really liked it

Shelves: library, christmas, romance, december-2010, holidays

I am a HUGE Lisa Kleypas fan and have yet to find a book of hers I didn't enjoy. While I did love this one, I have to say I do have a few issues with it. For starters, it wasn't long enough!!! And while it was a very heartwarming and emotional story(I found myself tearing up a couple of times), I wish it would have been centered around Christmas more.The book starts in September and only til the very end, does it get to Christmas. I feel like it was lacking that Christmassy feel. Then again, it ...more

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Dec 23, 2011 Juliana Philippa marked it as to-read

Shelves: romance-series, romance-series-book-1, romance, romance-contemporary, cr-series, cr-series-book-1

To all my GR friends: I have two copies of Lisa Kleypas' first book in the Friday Harbor series to give away, Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor !! Will send to whichever first two friends answer who have NOT yet read the book. Happy Holidays everyone!!

xoxo, juliana ...more

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