I'll Be Home for Christmas

Just finished! One of my new faves!

Took me forever to get through. It was a sweet book but nothing particularly memorable.Fred (female, I think short for Frederica or something similar) Hallow Hart moved away from her small hometown in Scotland to make a life in the big city. Now at 35, after a big breakup, losing her job, and being unable to pay rent, she returns home to her mother and the elderly aunts who took her mother in when her mother was pregnant. She's not home to stay, she's just "perching" for a while until she figures things out. Or so she tells her former boyfriend Ryan. Add in a town brimming in Christmas festivities, a handsome restaurant reviewer, and some sparks with Ryan, and Fred doesn't quite know what to make of it all.In all honesty, I had a very difficult time warming to Fred at all. She acted a LOT younger than 35, and I didn't appreciate how she felt the need to meddle in her mother's life so much when her own life was a big mess. I felt like the author didn't really know what she wanted this book to be--a quirky love triangle set at Christmas in a sweet Scottish village? A family drama between Fred and her mom Bella and the past no one wanted to face? An emotional upheaval when Fred finally acknowledges the truth about her relationship that just ended? It all just felt like way too much. Maybe pick two if we want to have emotional impact, but the three made it overwhelming.Plus, the drama with the restaurant reviewer was weird and totally predictable to me. With Fred being so astute about some things and so clueless about others, it made me frustrated and annoyed with her more than I wasn't.Yet in the end I did find this book to be sweet and touching. It just took way too long to get there and readers may be challenged to stick with it to find the good parts.I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.

Fred Hallow-Hart is returning home to Pine Bluff after a bad breakup and losing her job. She isn't thrilled with the idea, even though she loves her mom and eccentric aunts dearly. Soon after returning home, she is persuaded to help her mom at their family Christmas Cracker business where she discovers a new passion for the work. A mistaken delivery leads her to meet Warren, an aspiring food critic. They spend time together eating at the various restaurants in Pine Bluff for his column. Meanwhile, Fred has reconnected with her childhood friend Ryan and is starting to have feelings for him. Fred must navigate these new relationships and her family business to ensure a happy holiday for all!I absolutely adored this book! Fred was such a sweet character, and I really enjoyed watching her grow, despite her struggles, in finding herself again after such a terrible, heartbreaking year. I loved the aunts so much! They were so quirky but also had a very sweet relationship. They really helped the story along so much. Ryan was a great character to add to the mix, and I found myself disappointed when Fred met Warren from the very beginning. I enjoyed that the town was really involved in the story and it wasn't entirely about the romance. The ending to this story was so lovely and I enjoyed it so much it gave me goosebumps! Great Christmas read for the season. Highly recommended!

This was a nice read overall. Loved all the Pine Bluff characters, wouod make a great series. The Hallow-Hart house and town gives off Practical Magic vibes but instead of midnight margaritas there are pre second breakfast cocktails. The storyline with Warren was a little too obvious for my tastes, but for some that makes it more cozy and easier to read.

This book will have you smiling.✔️ Cozy✔️ Small town✔️Christmas romance✔️Somewhat second chance✔️ Childhood friends to lovers?I love the growth Fred goes through after moving back to her childhood home. Her journey to find out who she is and what she wants to do.