Festive reading continues today with Jackie Ladbury's Christmas Kisses on Hollywell Hill.
Christmas is coming and actress Kirsty Castille seems doomed
to play the front part of Nag, the Christmas pantomime horse, when a surprise
audition lands her the lead role as Maria in the Sound of Music.
Even better she bonds with a handsome chef over a piece of
squid at her local supermarket, although sadly romance is the last thing on
Jake Levy's mind.
He has a Christmas deadline, an ex-wife to mourn and lots of
emotional baggage to drag around. He certainly doesn’t have time for romance
and even if he did he wouldn’t fall for someone like Kirsty who craves the
limelight: been there, done that.
A misunderstanding leads Jake to offer Kirsty a job in his
new restaurant and she takes it purely to convince him that she’s the girl of
his dreams.
Her charm offensive begins to work but while he’s cooking up
a storm she’s secretly sparkling under the spotlight – until her cover is
busted.
The fallout is catastrophic, but as they say in Luvvie Land,
the show must go on, even if Kirsty is terrified that she's taken her last
curtain call and ruined her chance for love.
Read on and immerse yourself in this delightful winter
romance as the snow starts to fall and Christmas day becomes a magical reality.
My Thoughts
This is a genuinely funny, contemporary romance. The humour comes not just from funny situations, of which there are many, but also from some of the characters, especially Kirsty. She is an original and slightly eccentric, scatty would- be actress whose quest for love and success takes her to some funny situations. The speed dating scene made me smile, as did her antics with the pantomime horse and her everchanging appearance. She is a likeable young woman who wears her heart on her sleeve and who can see through the trappings of 'stardom'.
Jake turns out to be a great contrast to Kirsty. He is damaged by his failed marriage and has deep-seated trust issues. A workaholic, he nevertheless has a charm about him and I found their chemistry to be totally believable. As misunderstandings mount, Christmas fizzes away in the background, giving the story a sheen of sparkle and glitz. An enjoyable read!
In short: A romcom with sparkle.
About the Author
Jackie Ladbury writes heart-warming contemporary and
historical women's fiction that is always guaranteed a happy ever after. From
spending many years as an air-stewardess and seeing that it really is love that
makes the world go around, she determined to put the same sparkle and emotion
into her stories. Her life is no longer as exotic (or chaotic) as it was in
those heady days of flying as she now lives a quiet life in Hertfordshire with
her family and two cats, spending her days making up stories and finding
excuses not to go to the gym.
You can read my review of Air Guitar and Caviar here.
Thanks to Jackie Ladbury and Rachel of Rachel's Random Resources for a copy of the book and a place on the tour.
Follow the rest of the tour!
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