No Christmas Like the Present
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4.5 • 2 Ratings
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- $0.99
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- $0.99
Publisher Description
“All the elements of a Christmas romance are present, with a wary heroine slowly coming to trust the heaven-sent hero who's almost too perfect to be true.” —Publishers Weekly
Lindsay Miller is knee-deep in Christmas cards and homemade fudge, but she’s never felt more like a Grinch. Why can’t Christmas be full of magic, like in her favorite movie, A Christmas Carol?
Enter Fred, a sexy and eccentric stranger who arrives at Lindsay’s door out of the blue. Dressed like he just stepped out of a Dickens novel, complete with British accent, Fred claims he’s a Messenger, sent from “Headquarters” to help her discover the joy of Christmas. But is Fred an angel from above—or just stone cold crazy?
Fred's used to dealing with skeptics. Telling a stranger you’ve been ordered to inspire holiday cheer is a tough sell. But there’s a further complication. Fred's mission is to help Lindsay right the wrongs from her past that have been holding her back. But somehow along the way, they've become wildly attracted to each other--and falling in love is not part of the plan. Fred only has ’til the stroke of midnight on Christmas Eve to guide Lindsay to the magical future she deserves—even if it's a future without him . . .
“A charming holiday story that combines the magic of It’s a Wonderful Life with the warmth of A Christmas Carol.” —Donna Alward, New York Times–bestselling author of The Jewell Cove series
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Donovan packs this contemporary romance full of all kinds of Christmas magic: friendship, goodwill to colleagues, family, and forgiveness. Lindsay goes all out for Christmas each year with gifts, homemade fudge, and holiday cards, but the entire holiday season for her is just one giant to-do list that's never finished. Enter Fred, the heavenly messenger sent to teach her the joy of Christmas, including playing Christmas carols, putting up all the decorations on a real tree, and going ice skating on a frozen lake. Fred doesn't quite know what his assignment is, but falling in love with uptight, guilt-ridden Lindsay isn't it. Will she get past her baggage and learn his lesson before it's too late? All the elements of a Christmas romance are present, with a wary heroine slowly coming to trust the heaven-sent hero who's almost too perfect to be true.
Customer Reviews
Utterly enchanting, Sierra Donovan brought the heart and sentiment
Utterly enchanting, Sierra Donovan brought the heart and sentiment in this lovely Christmas story that has a feeling of familiarity, but is utterly unique. As a fan of Its a Wonderful Life, I adored Clarence the Angel, and Donovan works her own bit of ‘otherworldly’ magic into her character Fred.
Lindsay is not feeling the Christmas spirit at all: single, career-driven and just a touch lonely, the tasks that should bring joy only feel like obligations, and she just would like to fast-forward past the holiday. She’s got more than a passing resemblance to Ebenezer Scrooge, and a quiet night watching A Christmas Carol leads her to notice the charming nephew Fred.
When the doorbell rings, she is utterly amazed to find the nephew, Fred, come to life on her doorstep: in living color. Believing this is a dream, or her own slow slide to insanity, Fred knows things about her, and her house, that no one else does. When she realizes that others see Fred, she is momentarily appeased, at least her sanity is no longer a question. But …..
Fred is adorable with an English accent and manners that are straight from the film, but he also has a mission. He has to help her find her Christmas spirit while getting her to reconcile with a long lost love, Steven. But what Fred didn’t expect is the connection and the emotional pull he feels for Lindsay himself.
These two have a wonderful connection that is palpable to the reader: while their physical demonstration of the attraction is no more than a kiss – OH WHAT A KISS… There is a real sense of the two falling into love and understanding one another. But Fred’s time with Lindsay is short, and he is determined to complete his mission.
Scenes that are bittersweet and slightly melancholy vie with moments of hopefulness and potential near the end, as Fred wrangles a promise from Lindsay, her new approach to the life and holiday starting to take root. A lovely story, full of romance and emotion that will be a favorite of many.
I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.