Happy-go-lucky journalist Summer has always managed to focus on the silver lining. But nothing in her life has prepared her for her husband Seth’s recent revelation: he wants a six-month break from their marriage.Determined to stay positive, Summer decamps to Jersey to spend six months by the sea, where every passing week makes Seth more of a distant memory. Then she meets sweet, charming Jude, … charming Jude, whose life seems to be on permanent hold even before he receives devastating news of his own. To both of them, their chance encounter feels like fate, and with Summer’s encouragement Jude embarks on a bucket list of experiences that seem to bond them for life.
When they’re together, the world is alive with possibilities, but as Christmas approaches, their time is running out in more ways than one. Will they return to the lives they left behind – or take a chance on an unknown future?
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Don’t squander you life away – and be careful what you wish for! When a young man wishes it were his turn to be the person of the hour in the office where he works, little does he expect it to materialize because of a difficult health diagnosis. With some quality time planned, he heads to Jersey where he meets a woman who is staying in a cottage nearby after her husband requested a six-month break from their marriage. This is a well-written, touching story with two fascinating characters in two unique situations whose lives connect in yet another unlikely scenario when they inadvertently walk away with the other’s suitcase at the airport.
Hmm… can you like a book but at the same time not like it? I’m not even sure why I don’t like it except it seemed so far fetched it was ridiculous. If you put that aside it was a sweet love story.
I found the title very misleading. Christmas played a very minor role in the story. By the title, I would have thought it would be rampant throughout.
In my opinion, read as a book not to take seriously and one as a relaxing read. I give it 4 stars because I liked the story just not the delivery and the outlandishness of it.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, Amazon Publishing UK, through NetGalley. Any and all opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.
What happens when your husband ask for a break and you travel to your Aunts cottage. Well of course you pick up the wrong luggage. When you arrange to pick it up after a gentleman’s friend has wrote a story and put it on the news. What you don’t know is the this gentleman has been given bad news and is trying to figure out what to do with it. Summer and Jude set out on adventures together and find themselves in love. They work together to go through Jude’s short bucket list. Both have fears for the future as Jude doesn’t think he has a chance of one with his diagnosis. Summer doesn’t think she will return to her old life. With support from friends and family they see things changing for the better. At the end of they day life will throw them a few curves and then it will even out. This book was provided by the publisher for my honest review.
Challenged Romance. This book did an excellent job of following the standard tropes while making it seem like that might not happen – at least for someone who had never read this author before. The particular challenges this couple face could be considered insurmountable, but the author does a great job of showing the couple come together through the challenges, rather than fall apart because of them. Excellent work, and very much recommended.
About Summer and Jude two people who meet while trying to come to grips with each of their lives and what has been thrown at them. This story is about how they handle bad news and sadness while trying to move on. A lot of sadness in this book not really my cup of tea but it is a quickread and well written.
The story itself is emotional, but the telling stays clear of sentimentality. Two very unlike people meet at a low time for each of them and forge an immediate bond that circumstances dictate will be temporary. As expectations change, fears and responsibilities pull them apart. I liked that we were given enough backstory for each of the lead characters before they met to enjoy the plot driven character development that is spread throughout the story.
I requested and voluntarily read an advanced review copy provided by Netgalley and I offer my honest opinion in response.
Christmas by The Lighthouse by Rebecca Boxall a five-star read that will light up your life. I loved the alternating POV of this story, Summer and Jude both had great sides to them, they are both such complex characters, but they bring the story and the setting of Jersey to life. I was right there with Summer when her husband devastates her, you feel her pain and anguish. As well as Jude his story is a hard one at times, but you need to find that one as you read. I love a good Christmas story, and even though this isn’t truly a Christmas story, it just happens to be set at Christmas really, it still has enough of the sparkle to make it great.