Customer Reviews

A Country Christmas (Zebra Historical Romance)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Heroine: sturdy, statuesque

Teased unmercifully for years by the town bully, and forced to wait hand and foot on her lazy, spiteful brother, impetuous Charlotte Bass harbors no dreams of ever tying herself down to a man. Instead of marriage, she fantasizes about escaping from her small town and searching the globe for a place where she can be herself, and practice in peace the art no one around her seems to understand.

But all that changes the day her brother brings home a Harvard classmate as a houseguest for the Christmas holidays.

Handsome Shaun Matheson is as elegant a gentleman as even an artist like Charlotte could ever imagine. His genuine concern for the put-upon young lady warms her heart, and when his sweet lips salute hers, she begins to think that marriage, at least to this fine man, might not be so horrid after all.

But Shaun, unable to stand up to his heavy-handed father, quickly resigns himself to life without Charlotte, and leaves that broken-hearted young lady behind with nary a second glance. With no other recourse, disillusioned Charlotte accepts a betrothal from her only other suitor: Giles Williams, the very same bully who tormented her all her life!

In her heart of hearts, Charlotte knows she and Shaun belong together. But can these two wounded souls swallow their pride, defy their families, and find their way back into each other's arms?

What worked for me:... Reading "A Country Christmas", I felt I could perceive shades of Anne and Laura in Charlotte.

There were certainly a plethora of horrible, hateful people to despise and pity in this story. (I didn't share Charlotte's type of home-life, but I too had a Giles Williams in my life from the cradle 'til the day I graduated from school, so I could sympathize with the poor girl on that count.)

I enjoyed the secondary romance between Charlotte's bosom friend Sarah and her beau, and wouldn't have minded seeing more of it... And the ending of the story had a certain poetic justice to it which left me smiling.

Size-wise Charlotte was still a plump young girl at the beginning of the book, but by its conclusion had matured into a lovely, voluptuous young lady.

What didn't work for me:

Perhaps I'm influenced by having read more traditional British romances set in this time period than I have American ones, but I felt the tone of this story lent itself to a later time, perhaps the close of the19th century rather than the stricter, more formal 1830s.

I can't go into it without spoiling plot points, but there was a scene revolving around a winter storm which had a few elements which didn't work for me.

Overall:

This well-written story with its gentle humor was like warm gingerbread with whipped topping: comfortingly sweet with a hint of spice.

Warning: there are some steamy scenes in this book...

Reading this book was definately a good use of time as it has become one of my favorite Christmas romances. The characters were almost always realistic while remaining unlike anyone you have ever met. Definately untraditional and their own people.
The book takes place in the oh so traditional and strict early American Vermont, where a young woman who never quite fit in yearns for something new and different and even a little wild in her life. She expresses herself through art that none of her family can understand or appreciate because she draws emotions instead of pictures.
Her life gets the adventure and romance in it that she did not quite realize she desperately wanted when her brother brings home an older friend from college. He is mysterious and handsome, but far too rich and worldly for a country girl like herself. She is determined not to like him, but, after a late night skating lesson, some scandalous kisses, and her first dance, she finds him far too good to resist.
But that's only the beginning of the story. A broken heart, parental disapproval, and a disaster of an engagement to the wrong person stands between this couple and their wedding day...

The tone of this book - the voices and characters in this romance, which is supposed to be set in 1831 Vermont, are far too contemporary for me. I don't demand strict historical accuracy, but Gee, when you're writing a historical romance, how about SOME? Calling the lead male character "Shaun"; having him use the words "psychological" and "impressionistic" when speaking of the heroine's art, and just the basic general tone of the book, threw me off.

Aside from the overall shakiness of the historical re-creation - the characters, their motivations, and the plot, varied between humor and pathos, making it difficult for me to maintain interest. What kind of mood was the author trying to create here? You have Charlotte & Giles' semi-humorous interactions, and then the 'heavier', serious romance of Shaun & Charlotte along side. One minute Charlotte's yelling at Giles for criticizing her art in an article in the newspaper, and then she's thoughtlessly running out into a blizzard - thereby causing Shaun, who goes to search for her, to lose some of his fingers to frostbite. There were plenty of moments where a 'joky' moment would be followed by a serious one. Overall, was this story supposed to be a light romantic comedy or a serious romance? I couldn't figure it out.

In any case, the author lost my interest in these characters well before the end. Very disappointing read.

This heart warming holiday romance is wrapped with a twist of fate that any reader will enjoy year round... Personally, this is a "one sitting" read for all ages...

I have been reading a great deal of historical romances lately. This one is a breath of fresh air. For once nobody is a member of the ton. I like Charlotte's humble beginnings and I can relate to her torment. I suffered the same thing, and I too at 17 slimmed down to a voluptous figure. So I can really relate to her. I really enjoyed the humor in this book, it was a light fun read!

Charlotte at 17 is an unpopular spinster. Her mother despairs of marrying her off, and her older brother is a spoiled excuse for a human being. When her brother brings a school buddy home for the holidays she expects to spend her days slaving for him (which she does), but when Shaun also turns out to be considerate and hot, she falls for him.

Overall, I was entertained by the story. I felt bad for Charlotte. Disgusted by her brother, annoyed at her mother and sympathetic with Shaun. I did find the characters a tad youngish.. (Charlotte is 17 when she meets Shaun)... I also thought the brother was obnoxious and needed to be taken down a peg or two particularly in the eyes of his fawning mom.

I found this a quick entertaining holiday read with a delightful hero and heroine.