276°
Posted 20 hours ago

One Christmas Morning: the much-anticipated magical and festive debut romance fiction novel about love and second chances for 2023

£4.495£8.99Clearance
ZTS2023's avatar
Shared by
ZTS2023
Joined in 2023
82
63

About this deal

I think it was a good idea for a novel, but not well executed. I expect a lot from "Groundhog Day" style books. You're already taking someone else's idea, so you have to deliver on characters and story. This did not. Eva has spent the past three years burying herself in her work, trying to forget the heartbreaking events of the Christmas that ripped her world apart. This year, the last thing she wants is to attend her friend’s weekend-long Christmas party. But at her husband James’ insistence, here they are.

This book is so magical and I’m not sure I could love it any more than I do. This is a MUST read! It’s not just a Christmas read. It’s about second chances, self discovery, and love after heartbreak. Please add this to your tbr list! You will fall in love with this book! I’m look forward to reading more from Rachel Greenlaw! This novel reminded me of a mashup of two movies: Groundhog Day and Freaky Friday, as it takes the main plot twists of both. There should have been homage to both movies paid in this book, but I did not see any. The premise is that Eva has neglected everyone and everything for her business. There is a hidden secret and reason for her doing so, and it is revealed at the end, but I figured it out long before that. The book was too long for such a simple ending. I never really felt connected to Eva or any of the characters except Gran.One Christmas Morning is an uplifting story about family, both biological and self-made. The ending brings the reader full circle and it's satisfying and bittersweet. The characters are well-drawn and the setting is just right. This is a Christmas novel that will stay with you long after you've finished it. The story then turns into a kind of modern take on A Christmas Carol, where Eva, guided by the spirit of her beloved (but now dead) Gran, must live Christmas Day in the lives of those around her she has chosen to ignore. Will she see the error of her ways and be able to fix all that is nearing destruction?? Hayes said: “ One Christmas Morning is a beautifully transformative and festive tale of love, self-discovery and second chances. From the moment I met Eva, it was love at first sight. Rachel takes us on a spellbindingly emotional journey with her writing and by the end I didn’t want to let go. I can’t wait to share Eva’s story with readers next year.” A mixture of Groundhog Day and it’s a Wonderful Life it looks like Eva is going to get the perspective of true friends and onlookers until she gets her life lesson. One Christmas Morning drops you into the main character, Eva's, life at a very pivotal moment. We see how far Eva has gone to launch her shop and start to understand how far out of the hole she has to climb. And then Christmas hits and the Groundhog day theme starts, along with Eva embodying the other guests at Penhallow to hopefully learn her lesson in time to repair relationships.

Wow! Wow! Wow! I want everyone to read this book that so we can talk about all the twists and turns as I am so worried about inadvertently giving away a spoiler!! Instead I’m going to try and tell you about the story line, as best as I can without giving too much away! The concept of living different lives through time loops is compelling, allowing readers to explore the power of empathy and understanding. Eva's journey of self-discovery is heartfelt and poignant, and the author skillfully explores themes of forgiveness, healing, and the importance of human connections. The narrative effectively balances the magic of the Christmas season with the realistic complexities of relationships and personal growth. The writing style is engaging, capturing the essence of the holiday season and evoking emotions in the readers. The author's descriptions create a vivid and immersive world that draws readers into Eva's journey of self-reflection and redemption. Eva is completely consumed with the expansion of her business, so much so that she's neglected every other aspect of her life and is causing pain for others. It's up to her Gran to make her see reason. But Gran has passed away, hasn't she?Poignant, clever, exceptional – with a light sprinkling of Christmas magic. Loved it.’ Milly Johnson, Together, Again

My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.The work life balance focus is also key. Again, it is easy to focus more on work during the tough times as it can be easier to control...but when you see yourself through other people's eyes, it is often clear how damaging a poor work life balance can be. If you enjoy Groundhog Day kind of stories, this is a good one. While it takes the same trope of a day being repeated while the character makes some changes in their thinking and their choices, it adds a twist in the way the day is repeated. I'll not reveal the twist to you, but I will say that it adds a lovely novelty to a tried-and-tested formula. Phew! I hope I haven’t given too much away!! Although this book is centred around Christmas Day, I think it can be read all year round – I am just astounded at the writing skill of the author with all the different threads and stories and angles! Eva is about to open her new store which she has been preparing for the past three years. She is hopeful her work will help bury a heartbreak from one Christmas. It is said that the people of Rosevear are lawless – that they steal from the ships that wash up on their shores. The islanders see it differently. They call it survival.

Greenlaw said: “ One Christmas Morning arrived like a lightning bolt and I wrote the first frenzied draft in just three weeks. Since then, it has been polished and refined, ready to invite readers to Penhallow, a granite manor house in the midst of the snowswept moorland of north Cornwall, where magic glints at the edges. Working with Maddalena Cavaciuti, Melanie Hayes, and the wider teams at DHA and HQ has been a total delight. I’m thrilled to be working with such an incredible dream team to bring my début novel to the UK.” The book I didn't know I needed to read - gorgeous, Christmassy and compelling” - Ella Allbright, The Last CharmEva is in the final days of preparing to open her first real store after a few years running an online business. But it's Christmas Eve and she's promised her husband and friends that she'll come out to Cornwall and spent a few days with them at her grandmother's home Penhallow, sold and now a rental. Eva is driven - for causes unknown - and obsessed with the store to the point of ignoring her husband James and their best friends Hallie & Kian. If she continues down this path, she will be a female Scrooge - with no friends and nothing in her life but work. Penhallow is a little mysterious, perhaps haunted, or at least paranormally active, and it has been since Eva's childhood.. So after a disastrous Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, the house and her gran conspire and Evan awakens, on Christmas Day, again and again, but each day in a different person's body. Gran appears from time to time to guide her. As the story progresses, Eva begins to see herself as others see her and how she has damaged all of her relationships. I really liked this book, the emotional journey of the MC and the wholesome ending were so good to read 😭

Asda Great Deal

Free UK shipping. 15 day free returns.
Community Updates
*So you can easily identify outgoing links on our site, we've marked them with an "*" symbol. Links on our site are monetised, but this never affects which deals get posted. Find more info in our FAQs and About Us page.
New Comment