BOTM 1 – Feb 2023 – The Snow Angel

[Susan]

Discussion thread for the first BOTM for February 2023. Please remember to use the spoiler tags when necessary! (Please see 'some html is ok' for instructions.)

Join us in reading this HR that features the theme paranormal . Happy reading!

The Snow Angel by Jayne Fresina


Synopsis:

It's Christmas 1877 and Anne Follyot— of little beauty and no fortune, but sturdy spirit and an excess of imagination— is invited to stay with her favorite aunt in Cornwall. She's all anticipation, waiting for the man chosen to escort her on this journey. According to her aunt, she met him before, many years ago, but Anne cannot remember him and she's positive that he must long-since have forgotten her. She's never been memorable.

But J.P. Deverell, Esq. is now a grown man with a dangerous reputation, of which her aunt cannot possibly be aware. And Anne means to make the most of her aunt's mistake and this adventure. She considers herself a modern, independent woman, for whom a little scandal is well overdue. If she doesn't seize this chance now, she might never have another.

As Charles Dickens wrote, "No space of regret can make amends for one life's opportunity misused."

* * * *

He's in no temper for eggnog and mistletoe; no mood to tolerate the painfully polite company of some plain spinster, in a carriage, for three days. It's probably a contrivance to get him home for Christmas.

Remember Anne Follyot? He doesn't care to remember himself sixteen years ago, let alone recall the dull vicar's five year-old niece.

He'd planned to spend his Yuletide working, alone and in peace. But a letter from his mother has guilted him into this act of begrudging chivalry, aided by the whispers of his best friend's mischievous ghost.

"Bah, Humbug!" As Charles Dickens also wrote.

* * * *

But this journey will not turn out quite the way either traveler expects, for when these two opposites collide, so do ghosts of the past, the present and the future.

It will be a holiday season with all the usual fare—peril, pandemonium, family quarrels, mulled wine and bodily injury. Certainly a Christmas adventure never to be forgotten this time.

At least, by one of them.

Publisher's Note: This story takes place within the Deverells' world, but the others in the series DO NOT need to be read first in order to enjoy this book.

[Merry]

I plan (and we all know how that is) to join this read in February

[Merry]

I am on page 1

[Cath]

This is the first Fresina I read and I really enjoyed it. Was a bit surprised at the final direction and had mixed feelings, but I think it made a better book for it MAJOR SPOILER (view spoiler)[meaning that the H and h encounter didn't really happen in the physical world - though in another way I felt a bit "cheated" about that (hide spoiler)]

One of my most favorite parts was when (view spoiler)[Anne saves JP from the mouse, lol (hide spoiler)]

[Merry]

Cath I am only at 10% so not going to peak yet. Plus, still a bit in my reading funk so spending way too much time surfing the net lol

[Cath]

@Merry, I know the reading-funk feeling - such a drag! I stepped away from HR late last summer, until this January b/c IRL stress was making me too anxious to relax and enjoy them. Hope your funk lifts soon!

[Jan]

Cath wrote: "This is the first Fresina I read and I really enjoyed it."

If you like Fresina's writing style, I recommend her Deverells series, beginning with True Story. Well worth a read. I also enjoyed The Bounce in the Captain's Boots. It was a lovely story, unlikely title and all.

[Merry]

At 37% there is a sweetness and charm to Fresina's writing.

[Cath]

Jan wrote: "Cath wrote: "This is the first Fresina I read and I really enjoyed it."

If you like Fresina's writing style, I recommend her Deverells series, beginning with True Story. Well wort..."

Thanks! Adding these to my list

[Merry]

I finished this yesterday and really enjoyed it. I don't really have much to add as a spoiler as enjoyed the book a lot. I did peak at your spoiler Cath! I read True's story and gave it a 5*.

[Susan]

This was a quick and light read. Charming and fresh like all Jayne Fresina. I have now read almost all the Deverell books - while this was.not my favorite it was still good.

[Peaktopeak]

This was pretty cute. I agree on the sweetness and charm of her writing.

Note: Check Cath's spoilers before going on ... ;-)

I had mixed feelings too. Not sure how we were supposed to feel. But I did find the urgency in her 'see me' intervals confusing. Mostly I found the story to have too many things going on - maybe just a tad too many ideas. You know? The tone of how he 'walks into our story' then cut to the Grandpa, then the meat of the story. Now back to Grandpa (who, honestly, I didn't remember any more) and where did the fairy tale feeling go? It was replaced by: oh wait - none of it?

I am definitely leaning toward feeling cheated. LOL

But, overall, it was diverting, and possibly a nice Christmas story to revisit. Glad to have read it.

[Leena]

I'd started it , then discarded it 20% in. I'm picking it up again

[Lauren]

I read the hidden spoilers before they were hidden. That's a big spoiler!! so I think I'll pass on reading this book. It wasn't my type of book to begin within. I hope everybody enjoys!