My Synopsis
Imagine this: You are looking up to Christmas
this year with your amazing boyfriend. Until he ditches you, then you are not
so sure you are in a festive mood to celebrate. But at least, you do have your
family, and there’s reason to be thankful?
But not
until your mum and dad, after years of marriage, decide to finalize their
separation. Christmas would be a major screw up this year, you think to
yourself. Then your parents decide there could be one last holiday taken as a
family before the year ends. Now something to look up to.
But the
family vacation doesn’t go as planned. You are being pursued by someone who you
assume is gay. Your sister is really losing her nerve to hold it together
amongst her aloof husband and boisterous kids. Your mum might have mistakenly
invited her younger lover over. And your dad’s girlfriend hops into the picture
to further complicate the sleeping arrangements.
Is everyone
in need of a Christmas miracle or what?
Because
whatever happens, chip in a snowstorm and extreme weather conditions and you
are foreseeing a disaster.
Thea’s life summed up for your delight.
My Review
I liked this
book.
Great
storyline. I was a sucker for the whole plot. Who knew Christmas could get this
disastrous? Girl thinks she’s crazy for not warding off the advances of a gay
man. Girl struggles to keep herself in a celebratory spirit after being dumped
by her boyfriend. Girl wishes her family would just suck it up and not fall
apart this Christmas season because they might be the only cause for her to be
happy. A star to the storyline.
Thea is much
like your everyday self or friend or sister who has no kids and always get
snubbed off by mums who tell her she has no idea what being a mother entails
when she’s a teacher whose job is to control hyperactive six-year olds. Very
relatable when you consider that very moment you are dumped by a guy who you
thought could be that happily-ever-after one so you cut your hair, dye up some
strands pink, (record heart-breaking solos with your guitar), and not bother
whether you care not. A star to her.
Other
supporting characters––like Anna, the (grand) mum in constant thought of
whether her family would approve of her boyfriend; Mike, the (grand) dad
battling with keeping her over the top girlfriend under control; Emily, the
sister who wouldn’t just suck it up and enjoy the holidays because she’s in
constant fear of what her husband’s ignorance might get her kids into; Mr. Over
The Road who can’t keep his tongue out of throats that aren’t his wife’s when
given a little drink. A star to these characters.
I liked this
book. But I really, really wish I could have loved, loved it. It had such a
funky blurb I was expecting so much more. The humour could have been revved up,
the pace could have been quicker, the suspense could have been more engaging.
My rating:
3/5 stars.
Judy
Astley’s latest is available on amazon.
I recommend
this book to anyone who wants a festive title this holiday season. Anyone who
could do with a little miracle could also pick this title.
My work not
done here. Off to post my review on Goodreads.
