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A review by beate251
'Tis The Damn Season by Fiona Gibson
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC.
Shelley has had enough - her husband Joel and kids Martha and Fin don't appreciate her and take everything she does for granted, especially when it comes to Christmas preparations.
Lena's horribly snooty parents-in-law who like to ask her things like where's she's really from have had a kitchen disaster and announced themselves for Christmas even though they will only criticise everything.
Pearl who lost her husband Dean ten years ago, feels stifled by the presence of her son Brandon's girlfriend Abi who arrived three months ago for a "temporary stay" but makes no attempts to leave. What will Christmas be like with an unwelcome addition?
So the three of them hatch a plan - they will have a quiet, restorative five day holiday just before Christmas in the Highlands, where Shelley's distant cousin has invited them to.
Obviously things don't go to plan - they suddenly find themselves snowed in and in charge of guests with a bored, destructive child, hens, a dog and the prospect of Christmas far from home. And what will wait for them when they get back?
In the meantime, things heat up for Joel at home - the kids throw a party and his extra-marital love life hits a snag. He gets the lion share of the home stories which feels a tad unfair. I would have liked to read about Abi and Brandon's Christmas too but Joel's disasters ARE hilarious and serve him right.
This is textbook Fiona Gibson, well-written and funny, predictable of course but like a relaxing bath - you know what you're getting. It's a fun, easy read, perfect in the run up to Christmas, and if just to see that other people's families aren't any better than your own!
Shelley has had enough - her husband Joel and kids Martha and Fin don't appreciate her and take everything she does for granted, especially when it comes to Christmas preparations.
Lena's horribly snooty parents-in-law who like to ask her things like where's she's really from have had a kitchen disaster and announced themselves for Christmas even though they will only criticise everything.
Pearl who lost her husband Dean ten years ago, feels stifled by the presence of her son Brandon's girlfriend Abi who arrived three months ago for a "temporary stay" but makes no attempts to leave. What will Christmas be like with an unwelcome addition?
So the three of them hatch a plan - they will have a quiet, restorative five day holiday just before Christmas in the Highlands, where Shelley's distant cousin has invited them to.
Obviously things don't go to plan - they suddenly find themselves snowed in and in charge of guests with a bored, destructive child, hens, a dog and the prospect of Christmas far from home. And what will wait for them when they get back?
In the meantime, things heat up for Joel at home - the kids throw a party and his extra-marital love life hits a snag. He gets the lion share of the home stories which feels a tad unfair. I would have liked to read about Abi and Brandon's Christmas too but Joel's disasters ARE hilarious and serve him right.
This is textbook Fiona Gibson, well-written and funny, predictable of course but like a relaxing bath - you know what you're getting. It's a fun, easy read, perfect in the run up to Christmas, and if just to see that other people's families aren't any better than your own!