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A review by beate251
Winter Wishes in the Scottish Highlands by Donna Ashcroft
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC.
This is a dual POV Christmas insta-love romance between Ivy and Ross, who is the estranged adult grandson of Ivy's employer Miriam. Ross's elder brother Simon was supposed to be the Laird of the Ballentine estate but he had an argument with demanding and unreasonable Miriam so now she needs Ross to take over the role, and Ivy to bring him home. Of course, that isn't as easy as it sounds, so Ivy has to spend a lot of time in Christmas Resort in the Scottish Highlands where he works, to persuade the reluctant guy.
Gosh, estranged adult grandsons seem to be fashionable right now. This is my second in a week.
I had a bit of a problem with these characters. Miriam is a Cruella De Vil caricature, Ivy's anxious Mum behaves ridiculously, Ross's avoidance tactics are childish and Ivy is simply naive. Over time I warmed a little towards Ivy and Ross because they're kind-hearted but I'm kind of allergic to having everyone's traits and thoughts excused by childhood trauma. We all have some trauma but we don't all think whatever happened is our fault and retreat from our families or go into jobs we don't like just to please someone else.
The third-act break-up had me roll my eyes. It's always great when a man doesn't listen to you. Also, who needs a gimicky coaching app with daily inspirational messages to master their life?
I almost loved all the side characters more than the main ones - hermit Grizzle who denies his eye problems and has a dog called Bowser who only likes women visitors, plus Mairi who has history with grumpy Grizzle, and husband and wife team Bonnibell and Connell who run the resort with love and gingerbread. Then there is Moose who is a dog, and Snowball who is a domesticated wild boar. Yes, you read that right.
The cover is gorgeous but the title is kind of generic. However, it's a fast, light-hearted read with enough romance and festive Christmas activities going on in Christmas Resort, where it is Christmas all year round, to gladden the reader's hopeful heart.
This is a dual POV Christmas insta-love romance between Ivy and Ross, who is the estranged adult grandson of Ivy's employer Miriam. Ross's elder brother Simon was supposed to be the Laird of the Ballentine estate but he had an argument with demanding and unreasonable Miriam so now she needs Ross to take over the role, and Ivy to bring him home. Of course, that isn't as easy as it sounds, so Ivy has to spend a lot of time in Christmas Resort in the Scottish Highlands where he works, to persuade the reluctant guy.
Gosh, estranged adult grandsons seem to be fashionable right now. This is my second in a week.
I had a bit of a problem with these characters. Miriam is a Cruella De Vil caricature, Ivy's anxious Mum behaves ridiculously, Ross's avoidance tactics are childish and Ivy is simply naive. Over time I warmed a little towards Ivy and Ross because they're kind-hearted but I'm kind of allergic to having everyone's traits and thoughts excused by childhood trauma. We all have some trauma but we don't all think whatever happened is our fault and retreat from our families or go into jobs we don't like just to please someone else.
The third-act break-up had me roll my eyes. It's always great when a man doesn't listen to you. Also, who needs a gimicky coaching app with daily inspirational messages to master their life?
I almost loved all the side characters more than the main ones - hermit Grizzle who denies his eye problems and has a dog called Bowser who only likes women visitors, plus Mairi who has history with grumpy Grizzle, and husband and wife team Bonnibell and Connell who run the resort with love and gingerbread. Then there is Moose who is a dog, and Snowball who is a domesticated wild boar. Yes, you read that right.
The cover is gorgeous but the title is kind of generic. However, it's a fast, light-hearted read with enough romance and festive Christmas activities going on in Christmas Resort, where it is Christmas all year round, to gladden the reader's hopeful heart.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism