We return to Ever After Street for some lovely festive reading. Christmas Ever After by Jaimie Admans was published by Boldwood Books on September 2nd.
A picture-perfect town, a place where dreams come true.
Welcome to Ever After Street...
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, but Franca Andrews
has never felt more miserable. With business far from bustling, she needs a
Christmas miracle to keep her beloved nutcracker shop open... But there’s one
man standing in her way - expert snow globe maker Raff Dardenne.
Dardenne Snow Globes have a magical reputation for bringing
lovers together, a myth that Raff continues to exploit, much to Franca’s
annoyance! But this Christmas their shops are pitted against each other and
only one gets to stay on Ever After Street. Franca doesn't know how her
handmade nutcrackers are ever going to compete with Raff's magical snow globes,
especially at the most magical time of the year!
Franca’s determined to prove Raff’s business is built on
lies. But when disaster strikes, and she’s left unable to make anything, she
needs help. It’s just very frustrating that the only person offering is her
gorgeous, annoying, nemesis himself!
As these two enemies get to know each other, Franca
discovers another side to Raff – kind, caring and funny. . But unless she can
prove that his magical snow globes can’t really match true lovers together,
she’s going to lose everything…
But maybe it's not too late for them to put aside their
differences and find some Christmas magic of their own?
My Thoughts
This is a classic 'enemies to lovers' scenario where Franca has let her past grievances colour her view of current events. There is a real festive feeling to the story which starts with lots of humour and takes you on a lovely journey through the run-up to Christmas. Franca is a sympathetic character who seems rather lonely and ready for a change. Raff's character is revealed more slowly as it is to Franca and the more you see of his family, the starkest Franca's circumstances stand in relief.
I loved the descriptions of the Christmas nutcrackers and Raff's snow globes which capture the season so well. The fellow shopkeepers all form a strong community and add to the joy of the time. I loved the names of the various shops with their puns and whimsy. Franca is determined to find out the secret behind Raff's magical snow globes but all is not as it seems. This is a gentle story which captures the season beautifully.
About the Author
Jaimie Admans is the bestselling author of several romantic
comedies – including The Little Christmas Shop on Nutcracker Lane and The
Chateau of Happily-Ever-Afters. Her new series for Boldwood, The Ever After
Street Series, is based on the magical world of fairytales.
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