Ruby Campbell isn’t daunted at the prospect of working as a Nanny for the notorious Barclay Rothchester. She’s warned he’s a strict control freak, but she’s sure she can soften him up.Barclay Rothchester lost his wife three years ago. Of course he’s never going to find someone to replace her role, the one she did so perfectly. He’s sure its not going to be hippy dippy Ruby with her sass and … sass and rebellious ways.
Ruby is determined to give his daughters the Christmas they deserve. Now if only she can tolerate their father long enough to make that happen.
Are they both willing to put their stubborn pride aside, or will they risk losing the one gift that can’t be wrapped: each other.
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DEFINITELY A MUST READ!
When you are looking for a perfect Christmas Love Story with all the sweet, tear-jerking and swoony emotions, then this is definitely a book for you.
It’s not the typical Christmas story per se, but a heartwarming and unbelievable emotional love story that ends on a Christmas day, or begins on this day
This book has all the beautiful feelings.
It made me burst into laughter, thanks to Ruby’s hilarious humor and made me cry like a baby (and I’m not ashamed of that) because this story is just so unbelievable emotional and perfect .
I’m in love with this book and the characters.
The story just pulls you in and doesn’t let go.
I don’t want to spoil this beautiful book for you, you’ll have to trust me when I say,
this amazing love story will leave you with a smile on your face and warm feelings around your heart
Fantastic, cozy and heartwarming. I loved the closeness of the characters and it has everything you could wish for in a cozy release.
This is a Mary Poppins tale all grown up. Ruby takes a job as a nanny for widowed businessman with two adorable daughters. Barclay is a no nonsense man. He has no time for anything foolish. He is too busy throwing himself into his work and ignoring his emotions. Well Ruby changes all that. This was a hilarious book. Ruby was just what Barclay didn’t want. She is stubborn and independent and she doesn’t take orders she doesn’t agree with easily. As the story goes on and she fights for the girl’s happiness she starts to thaw his ice cold heart, even if he won’t show it. But Barclay is stubborn and once he realizes his truth it might be too late for himself and the girls who have fallen for Ruby. This was such a fun read/listen. This narrator was the perfect voice for the story. I couldn’t get enough of it. Ruby and Barclay cracked me up! And talk about swoon worthy. I dare you not to let this story grab your heart. I loved every second of it and wouldn’t mind more! A must read romance for the holiday season.
Hilarious, Sweet, and the perfect Holiday listen!
Ruby loves being a nanny. She wants to ensure the children she has in her care have someone loving and consistent in their lives.
Especially because she herself is an orphan. She lost her father very young and her mother passed when she turned 18. Her experience gives her an empathy to the children she finds in her care.
She finds herself assigned a new family with two young girls and a widower father. These girls have had a ever revolving door of nannies because their father is a stickler for his regimented schedule for the girls. They haven’t been able to keep anyone.
Mr. Rothchester is a grump. He reminds me of Captain Von Trapp when Maria first comes to the family. Actually a lot of the tone between Ruby and Mr Rothchester reminds me it. I love that musical so it works for me.
The girl’s mother died 3 years ago. Because of his sorrow, Barclay (Mr Rothchester) has distanced himself from everyone, even his girls.
Jessica & Charlotte (Lottie) are two girls in need of something more than the strict schedule their father thinks is what will make their lives better without their mother. But contrary to what he thinks, what improves his daughters lives is the attention and care that they receive from their new nanny, Ruby, who drives him nuts.
Ruby is determined to give these girls their perfect Christmas. And in the process helps thaw Barclay, who never thought he’d ever find someone else after his wife passed.
Hilarious, heartwarming, and the spirit of the holidays.
I haven’t listened to anything narrated by Charlie Emmeline Albers. I loved her narration.
I received a review copy. I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Once upon a Wish-Mas by Laura Barnard is a romantic comedy that I listened to on audio narrated by Charlie Emmeline Albers.
This is the first book of Laura’s that I have read and it definitely won’t be my last. I loved the chemistry between Ruby and Barclay. This book should really be made into a Hallmark movie. The book is Christmas themed but it so heartwarming you should read it anytime of the year.
Charlie did an amazing job on the narration. She really knows how to bring a story to life and I look forward to listening to more of her work in the future.
I would highly recommend this book if you love romantic comedies, enemies-to-lovers, age gap romances, or romance in general. This book really does cover all the bases for romance lovers.
A brooding widower + a nanny + Christmastime = an AMAZING holiday read!! I loved every interaction between Ruby & Barclay! They were so full of wonderful tension!!! This book was impossible to put down. 5 stars!!
A Christmas themed rom-com and I absolutely loved it. It’s a bit of Mary Poppins with some Christmas fun and romance, the difference being I loved this nanny so much more than that Mary Poppins sequel!
Barclay a widower takes on a new nanny for his two cute girls and gets Ruby. Ruby omg she’s a force of nature, she really made me chuckle. I did think she pushed the boundaries quite a bit for a new employee but it was needed at times and so entertaining.
The story is mainly from Ruby’s pov, but Barclay gets some smaller chapters so we get his pov and it’s obvious quite soon his not as cold as he first shows, just guarded. Did I mention he’s a good looking man that keeps himself fit, something Ruby can’t help but notice.
I listened to the audiobook and loved the narration. There were so many moments I wanted to highlight like an ebook!
The narrator defined the characters well and gave them personality and the children’s voices came over cute.
A real humorous and easy listen. Trouble is you don’t want to pause it when you have to go out! I could totally see this as a rom-com on the big screen.
Ruby Campbell has accepted a job as Nanny to Barclay Rothchester who has two daughter. Ruby realizes he has quite the reputation of going through Nannies because of his overbearing and strict ways. Ruby doesn’t realize that initially and they spar, Ruby has a different philosophy on what children need. With Christmas around the corner Ruby wants the girls get have the best Christmas ever but can both Ruby and Barclay get on the same page and maybe it becomes something more.
This was pretty funny, I thought this was like Bridget Jones meet Mary Poppins. Ruby is adorable and she radiates throughout the story with her personality and the thoughts drifting through her head. Barclay is rigid and it takes time for him to soften, you are not initially sure about him because he is so harsh but you begin to see a different side that is charming. Great story and I liked the narration on this, it made for a festive audiobook with laugh out loud moments.
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW
I might be biased but… a heroine named Ruby? Sign me up!
I have had the opportunity to read/listen to various of Laura Barnard’s books and each one always entertains me.
It’s weird but of all the ones I’ve had the chance to listen/read, this one is one of my top favorites. I think it’s the adorable little girls. I’m a sucker for that.
Barclay is such a Scrooge, but I love the way he thinks. His grinchy heart grows during the book and I loved listening to it happen.
Ruby is exactly what this grouch needs. To teach him to love again.
The antics she gets herself into (could you expect anything less from Ms. Barnard?) are hilarious.
I loved every second of this book and highly recommend this heartwarming holiday listen!
Audio Review
I love Christmas and I loved this story. Charlie Emmeline Albers did a pretty good job with the narration especially with the different voices involved with this story. I loved everything about this fun entertaining holiday read it was truely magical as you would expect from a story based around Christmas. Barclay is a widower trying to do his best with his two adorable daughters but work takes up most of his time and he comes across as Mr Grumpy to all who cross his path including his daughters, he goes through nannies like they are going out of fashion and that’s how Ruby finds herself starting as the new nanny for Lottie and Jessica just before the holiday season kicks in. Ruby has a heart of gold and will do what ever she feels is best for the children she is employed to watch even if that means going head to head with her boss in more ways than one ….. I loved the wonderful characters, the perfect one liners from two adorable little girls and the banter that flowed so naturally. This is a combination of enemies to lovers and boss employee romance and I have to say if you love romances set in the magical holiday season this will be a must read or a must listen
I love this story about a nanny who brings love and healing to a growing family during the holiday season. I love it even more that she finds tge family she always wished for as well. The characters are interesting and likable… the story a mix of sweetness, angst and humor. I smiled as I imagined these scenes playing out, especially with the great voice work provided by narrator Charlie Emmeline Albers. Great holdiday listen
I’m not a big fan of tearjerkers, but this one made me cry in a good way. Overall it was an entertaining, funny, feel good story and I liked the characters. It’s a little like Mary Poppins meets the Sound of Music. The relationship developed fast in some ways and slow in others. I’m looking forward to listening to/reading more from this author. I’m actually starting Road Trip tonight.
I listened to the Audible version. Charlie Emmeline Albers’ performance was amazing. She voices two distinct children’s voices and brings a lot of energy and feeling to the whole story. At times that energy made it difficult to tell what was spoken aloud vs. what was in someone’s thoughts, and Barclay’s voice wasn’t always consistent, but the energy is also a big part of what made the story fun to listen to. I would recommend the audio version.
The is a wonderful holiday story that can be listened to any time of the year. It made me smile and have those “feel good” feelings. Ruby (oh how perfect that name is!) is certainly a character to be reckoned with. She has sass and sparkly attitude that I just couldn’t help but love. Barclays is a tyrant at the beginning and it’s nice to see the changes that Ruby helps bring to him and the girls. I liked how the story didn’t revolve only around the romance..it was the day to day between nanny and the girls as well.
Overall I recommend this story if you enjoy the holiday tales with a of fairy tale endings. Oh I don’t want to forget the two little girls who add a lot to this story. I did listen to this little dreaming audio. Charlie Emmaline Albers is the narrator. She is a first time listen for me. She did a good job.
I can’t believe how quickly I read this book as I was unable to put it down. What a fabulous read Once Upon a Wish-mas is. Even though it is set around the Christmas period this story is the perfect read all year round in my opinion.
I absolutely adore Ruby. She has a wonderful personality and I would love her to be in my close circle of friends. She has a career which is so suited to her. She isn’t afraid to say what she thinks and takes great pleasure from putting those she cares about first. There were so many times that I just wanted to hug her and then in other moments I wished to give her a high five!
Barclay is a force to be reckoned with and I couldn’t help but love him also. Okay, I wanted to have a quiet word in his ear the majority of the time, but I could totally understand why he acts the way he does. His daughters are his world and as a parent myself I know I only want the best for my children. However sometimes we don’t realise just how much our actions affect those we love….. adults and children alike.
I would recommend this book for you to read without a second thought. There are laugh out loud moments, but then there were moments when the tears streamed from my eyes. There is nothing to fault about this story and I know you will enjoy it just as much as I have.
This was such a fun, sweet book for the holiday! I loved Ruby and her spunky tell it like it is attitude. She quickly became a favorite and had me laughing out loud multiple times. Mt heart definitely broke for Barclay and is little girls. Losing his wife was such a heartbreaking event and it caused him to push away his daughters in order to protect his hardened heart. When Ruby has the opportunity to enter their lives she decides that she is going to be the one that changing things for these wonderful little girls, and in doing so she begins to thaw Barclays ice cold heart. This is a must read book for sure! You won’t be disappointed! By Alisa
A Christmas to remember
Oh I loved this story !!!
It’s such a Beautiful slow burn romance with some comedy (laugh out lid moments) full of love and care and grief and healing !!
I laughed and cried and fell in love with this family !
Ruby is a witty and sassy nanny who starts working for a grieving widow looking after his two young girls .
Barkley is the grieving widow who is angry at the world and his behavior is curt and nasty because of it. He also works way too much !!! This story is about how love and dedication and wonderful Christmas spirit can change people and bring them together !!
Loved it !!!!
Laura is a new author to me and I really enjoyed this story. Ruby is a strong woman who enjoys being a nanny and loving while helping raise children. She never plans on having any or finding anyone to love in her life. Ruby has dated but has never wanted to make a family for herself. Barclay hires Ruby on as his nanny, but soon discovers her ideas or what his daughters need are different than his are. She is a strong willed stubborn woman who he ends up finding her respects. She loves his kids more than he ever thought anyone besides his late wife could, but can he share his heart and mind with a woman or is he supposed to live alone and continue to be lonely for the rest of his life.
I was given a copy of ‘Once Upon A Wish-Mas’ in exchange for an honest review, and boy Is this book the perfect read to get into the festive spirit!
The book is about Ruby, a woman who takes a job as a nanny for the Rothchester family. She learns that her new employer is a widow, stubborn and cold and difficult to handle. But if anyone can rise to the challenge, it’s Ruby.
She immerses herself into her job immediately, determined to put Lottie and Jessica Rothchester’s welfare first. She is aware they are grieving, sad and lonely without their mother, and wants more than anything to give them a sense of comfort, family and home.
Unfortunately Mr Rothchester is determined to battle with her at every turn, refusing to allow her to deviate from his strict itinerary for the girls, and scolding her like a child. However, Ruby is determined to make him see he’s in the wrong.
When she learns he doesn’t allow the girls to celebrate Christmas, she instantly knows she needs to rectify the situation, and throws all her energy into making the house as festive as possible, while honouring the girls late mother. But with Ruby focusing hard on delivering the girls their Christmas wish, will she ever get her own?
The story was beautifully written, believable and has me hooked. There was so many funny and witty moments that had me chuckling, and so many sad moments that made your heart hurt for the girls. But above all, it was a perfect feel-good read that enabled me to get into the festive spirit.
I love Barnard’s writing style, she always writes the perfect blend of humour and love, and always has me crawling back for more.