Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Review: Merry Ex-Mas by Sheila Roberts




Paperback, 320 pages
Published October 23rd 2012 by Harlequin MIRA
ISBN: 0778313921 (ISBN13: 9780778313922)
edition language: English




Icicle Falls, Washington, is home to three divorced women; talented strong women in their own right. They've all been hurt by their ex-husbands but are now moving on. Well, for the most part moving on.

Ella, who was sure her husband Jake was cheating on her, jumped into divorcing him. He's still living in their house for financial reasons.  He's hoping to make his big break into Nashville with his songwriting. Ella's sure she just wants their house to sell so they can move on. She's even starting to see another man but the magic of Christmas time, a little bit of eggnog and a very persuasive Jake might have her re-thinking her position. Jake and Ella were my favorite characters!

Charlene, "Charley" to her friends, definitely wants nothing to do with her Ex, Richard but when he shows up in town all remorseful and making a huge effort to get her back, Charley starts thinking maybe he has changed.  Leopards can change their spots. It is possible, right?

Cass, mother to three kids and owner of The Gingerbread Haus bakery has enough to do just to keep the business running, take care of things at home and deal with her still simmering disgust at her ex hubby and his new trophy wife. When their daughter, Danni, announces her engagement at Thanksgiving and sets the wedding date for the weekend before Christmas, Cass is just about undone with worry. As if that weren't enough, Danni wants her father to walk her down the aisle. It's not like he's been been there for her for years. It annoys Cass that her Ex can seem to pick and choose what to do as a father. To top that off, Danni wants him, his new wife and his mother and sister to stay with Cass. They will all have to come up with a way to get through the festivities without killing each other or some having  a big blow-up.

 I enjoyed the story, the three strong women and the rest of the characters, the setting and the realistic dialogue. Roberts did a good job with her themes of love, forgiveness and finding out that family is indeed the most important thing of all. This was my first experience with Sheila Roberts and I'm sure it won't be the last. 4****

Disclosure: A review copy of the book was provided by Netgalley/Harlequin MIRA in exchange for my honest opinion.

8 comments:

  1. I enjoyed it as well! I love a book that makes me LOL from time to time :D

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  2. I'm about 40% into it and enjoying it too. I'm pretty sure I will read more of her books!

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  3. This sounds like just the kind of book I love during the holidays.

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  4. I won't even read this review until December! Bah humbug!

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  5. Can't wait to read a few holiday books beginning after Thanksgiving. This sounds like a fun one.

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  6. I havent read this one yet, sounds like a wonderful Christmas story.

    Thanks so much for sharing your review! =)

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  7. Oh yes, this one does sound like it's got just the perfect amount of drama, and characters that you really want to follow. I have so few Christmas books, and I would love to get one that just knocks me off my feet, so this is a real contender!! Thanks for the great review!

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  8. Oh! I love Sheila Roberts books, I need to get on the Nook right now and download this one. I read her "Better Than Chocolate a month or two ago and enjoyed it.

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