Title: Christmas on Chestnut Street by Nancy Thayer
Published by: Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine
RRP: $18.00 / £10.85 Hardback
Available from 28th October 2014
Rating : 4/5
THE BLURB:
In this enchanting holiday novel from New York Times bestselling author Nancy Thayer, family and friends gather on Nantucket for a gorgeous winter wedding with plenty of merry surprises in store.
As Christmas draws near, Felicia returns to her family’s home on the island to marry her adventurous, rugged boyfriend, Archie. Every detail is picture-perfect for a dream wedding: the snow-dusted streets, twinkling lights in the windows, a gorgeous red and white satin dress. Except a lavish ceremony is not Felicia’s dream at all; it’s what her mother, Jilly, wants. Jilly’s also worried that her daughter’s life with daredevil Archie will be all hiking and skydiving. Wondering if their handsome neighbor Steven Hardy might be a more suitable son-in-law, Jilly embarks on a secret matchmaking campaign for Felicia and the dashing stockbroker.
As the big day approaches and Jilly’s older daughter, Lauren, appears with rambunctious kids in tow, tensions in the household are high. With the family careening toward a Yuletide wedding disaster, an unexpected twist in Nancy Thayer’s heartwarming tale reminds everyone about the true meaning of the season.
MY OPINION:
I was sceptical at first about this book, especially as I was reading the opening chapter. There were so many characters introduced that I found it hard to follow. The first three chapters were a mixture of brief enjoyment, confusion and pure cheese - Christmas cheese. But isn't that why we love a festive novel?
We start by Jilly talking on the phone to her friend Nicole about Jilly's daughter upcoming wedding - on Christmas day. Of course like many mothers, the husband to be wasn't what she'd hoped for her daughter - at first, and she proceeded to try and fix Felicia (her daughter) up with Steven - the guy who recently moved next door and appeared single. Felicia had known him from childhood and still had a great relationship with him, however was it enough to leave her soon to be husband Archie for? Hmm Time will tell as you read further.
We meet Felicia's husband to be, Archie, and his mother Pat, along with Jilly's husband George and Felicias sister Lauren complete with husband Porter and children Laurence and Portia.... see... lots of characters! They spend the few days before Christmas together preparing for the wedding and encountering a few mis-haps that only Christmas can bring including crazy cat Rex tearing up the stocking for his catnip toy!
I would have liked to have read more about the wedding and the days after the wedding, but alas it was not to be.
I found the story adorable, and sweet in a festive short movie kind of way, although there were a few "roll the eyes" and "OMG- Did I really just read that?" moments including the coast guard being named.... John West... as in the Salmon in tins here in the UK John West... maybe it was just me but that was what made me realise it was a story.
I honestly really enjoyed reading this story by Nancy having never read any of her work before, it certainly hasn't put me off reading more.
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