The Christmas Promise: A Novel
Contents:
The whole book caught me by surprise on more than one occasion, even when I had, cough, something in my eye, cough. An enticing, shocking and loveable read that managed to keep my attention from chapter to chapter. A true Christmas work of art and hats off to Sue Moorcroft for writing her best book yet! Thank you to the publishers for my copy of the book. Sep 26, Ann Cooper rated it it was amazing. I always look forward to Sue's new books and this one is a real winner! Her research is meticulous and I learned so much about millinery, file sharing and, Revenge Porn - together with the laws around it.
Ava is a struggling couture milliner and lives with her best friend Izz. Izz works for a high tech promotion firm, together with Tod, the other friend of the trio. Christmas is looming and office parties are in full swing. Ava doesn't do Christmas as her parents were dedicated professionals who I always look forward to Sue's new books and this one is a real winner! Ava doesn't do Christmas as her parents were dedicated professionals who always worked over Christmas and had taught her to be self sufficient.
This backfires on her when she becomes incapable of asking for, or accepting help in any shape or form.
Sam comes into the picture, but Izz has a huge crush on him, so Ava tried to ignore her increasing feelings towards him. It's about learning about other people and helping them - even when they don't think they want their help. It's about betrayal, real and perceived - and forgiveness. Ava's ex is the villain of the piece and how all her friends - and her father - come together to help her is wonderfully heart-warming. It left a smile on my face and a love for all the characters except one!
The perfect Christmas book! Ho comprato questo libro e, tempo un paio di giorni, ne ho sentito peste e corna. Il commento principale che ho sentito? Che faceva addormentare e che era noioso come pochi. I am ever so pleased Sue is now signed with Harper Collins and I do wish her high flying sales. I was born 3 days before Christmas that is why I just reading Christmas fiction novels. And of course the best way to start off the Christmas novels is to read The Christmas Promise. I was lucky to receive a advance reading copy.
Wednesday, 30 November 2016
No doubt, this was a nice read and at some point a bit touching. But I have to admit, that there were some things in this novel, I had my problems with to connect them with a wintry or Christmassy novel. Her hats havent sold out at the market as she had hoped and now she is on her way to a Christmas party. She of all people who has nothing but bad feelings for this time of year, will give her best frie 3,5 stars A lot of heavy stuff in the story for a romantic christmas novel.
She of all people who has nothing but bad feelings for this time of year, will give her best friend company at a party she knows nobody. But when she meets with Sam, and he asks her to create a hat for his sick mother, everything changes. Not only her business life, but her private life changes as well. Her ex-boyfriend turns out to be a bully and she has to learn that someone else wishes her bad things.
This novel is brought to the reader through the personal perspective of Ava and Sam. Both show what they think of things and how they feel about certain things. But if you are looking for some very romantic stuff you are wrong. Sure, I get it, that the author obviously needed something to give Sam a reason to act the way he does, but that could have been shown in a bit different, lighter way.
The language the author uses is clear, sometimes very blunt and mostly with a certain kind of sensitiveness.
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And sometimes a bit dry. And with the fact in mind that her beloved grandmother died on Christmas, she is done with those emotional days. She rather works during the holidays and earns herself some money. As a strong and independent woman she feels good about it and as long as her friends are with her, why not? There are other winter novels with Christmas in it that got me more. Originally posted on Gone With The Books Sep 27, Anne rated it it was amazing Shelves: Well no, not really — definitely not the fluffy!
There are some really dramatic moments too — just when you think everything is settling down and progressing nicely — that had me on the edge of my seat, frantically turning pages to see just what was going to happen next. The research that went into this book must have been tremendous. And I suspect most of us know the dangers of intimate photos and the internet, but that whole thread is so well done — very real, and the intricacies just fascinating.
Achieving a balance that works so well is a real achievement, and the mark of a really superb story teller. As the centre of the story, I loved Ava — gentle, loveable, loyal, honest, and someone for whom you really hope there will be a happy ending. Sue Moorcroft is so very good at portraying relationships — friends and families — and creating characters that you take to your heart. I loved this book — and so will you… I am always a big fan of Festive books and I was chuffed to bits to be asked by the lovely Helena from Avon Books to be part of the blog tour. So you want to know what The Christmas Promise is all about?
We meet Ava Bliss who is a bespoke hat maker and one snowy evening in December a dishy gentleman called Sam Jermyn steps into her life and sparks fly. But Ava is having a tough time with struggling to make ends meet, her ex boyfriend who is bullying and blackmailing her but also because its nearly Christmas.. Dishy Sam commissions Ava to make a hat for a special someone in his life in which Ava makes a promise that will most definitely change her life..
It took a while to get to know which character was who but then I soon got settled in for a good read. Some people are just damn right horrible! I really loved reading about Ava, she seems like an amazingly talented lady who makes bespoke hats.. Sue Moorcroft has certainly created such a fantastic character that all her readers will enjoy reading about.
The Christmas Promise will give you all the festive feels, tug at your heart strings but also make you smile hell of a lot! Thank you to Helena Avon and Sue Moorcroft for letting me read and review this wonderful book. The Christmas Promise is out now on e-book Paperback 1st December. Il finale fa cadere le braccia. Oct 04, Claire Mc Partlin rated it it was amazing Shelves: I absolutely loved this book, it drew you in from the first chapter and kept you wanting to read more to see what happened, I was up to the early hours reading which is always a sign of a really good book for me.
The story was set around Ava Bliss love her name! I loved all the characters, well apart from the really, really nasty ex who we were supposed to hate. The love interest was Sam, who I absolutely loved this book, it drew you in from the first chapter and kept you wanting to read more to see what happened, I was up to the early hours reading which is always a sign of a really good book for me. The love interest was Sam, whose Mum had just been treated for ovarian cancer and was waiting to start chemo in the New Year.
Christmas obviously is supposed to be a time of celebrating and he was trying to make it the best Christmas ever for his Mum, Wendy, and his aunt Vanessa, who both came to stay with him for Christmas. His Mum was so lovely, trying to be so upbeat and happy knowing what she was going to go through in the New Year.
Sam and Ava's friends overlapped, mainly through work, which was how they met. There were quite a few real-life events going on, date rape, revenge porn I'd never heard of this before this book! Even though there were mini crises going on, especially with the revenge porn aspect, it wasn't at all as depressing as it sounds, but actually really uplifting. I also loved the fact that we weren't left wondering about what happened to Wendy as there was an 'authors notes' at the end tying up the loose ends.
Absolutely perfect, great read! Oct 03, Sally Coles rated it it was amazing. Ava hates Christmas and when the rounds of parties start she is dragged along by her flatmate and best friend Izz. At the first party she meets Izz's boss Sam and there is an instant attraction but the problem is Izz is completely besotted with him - how could she hurt her best friend like that.
Then to make matters worse her ex boyfriend Harvey turns up, drunk again, and starts causing trouble - he has explicit photos of her on his phone and is threatening to send them viral if she doesn't get Ava hates Christmas and when the rounds of parties start she is dragged along by her flatmate and best friend Izz.
Then to make matters worse her ex boyfriend Harvey turns up, drunk again, and starts causing trouble - he has explicit photos of her on his phone and is threatening to send them viral if she doesn't get back with him! Sam is immediately very protective towards her and also helps her out by bringing his mother and aunt along to her workshop to buy them expensive hats for Christmas but somehow Wendy, Sam's mother thinks they are an item and Sam lets her go along with it and needs Ava's help with some faux dates - can he get her to turn them into real dates!
Another lovely book by Sue Moorcroft - I love her style of writing and it is great that this book although set in Camden has a visit back to Middledip where other books are set - also great the way she explores the new law regarding posting photos etc on facebook or media sites - definitely worth reading Oct 10, Anne Harvey rated it really liked it.
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- The Christmas Promise (Christmas Hope, #4) by Donna VanLiere;
- The Christmas Promise by Sue Moorcroft.
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Our heroine, bespoke milliner Ava Blissham, hates Christmas, is struggling to establish her business and is being pestered by her ex-boyfriend, Harvey. In return, to help Sam out with his mother, facing chemotherapy, Ava agrees to be his date over the Christmas period.
Oct 08, Paige rated it really liked it.
Ava is a hat maker. She meets Sam and the both have an attraction to one another, but something keeps holding Ava back. As the story goes on you find out why. Ava has made some choices in her past relationship with Harvey that come back to haunt her. That being said, she's a likable character. She's strong yet weak when I think we all would be in her situation. Sam is supportive and masculine but at times I didn't care for his behavior.
I suppose instead of him being a perfect prince charming he Ava is a hat maker. I suppose instead of him being a perfect prince charming he is flawed like everyone in some way. I was given a copy of this book from Netgalley for an honest review. Oct 05, Leanne Francis rated it it was amazing. Love this latest one from Sue Moorcroft. She has an amazing ability to create flawed characters we cannot help but fall in love with. This time it is Ava Bliss. Together with the blizzard-cold conditions of London and impending Christmas that Ava hates with its associated parties, food, carols and shopping, it's a delightfully festive read.
Thanks to Netgalley for a copy. Oct 22, K. Walker rated it it was amazing Shelves: I really enjoyed this book. It kept me hooked and I couldn't put it down until I finished at 2: Nov 29, Liz Fenwick added it. A wonderful, emotional read Oct 11, Julie rated it it was amazing. Smart, uplifting and engaging, The Christmas Promise is the eagerly awaited new novel from award-winning author Sue Moorcroft! Ava Blissham hates Christmas. A time of year that is packed with painful memories she would much rather forget, according to Ava, the only good thing about the festive season is that she might just be able to sell some of her bespoke hats and get her fledgling millinery business off the ground.
With sales proving to be few and far between and commissions scant, Ava can fe Smart, uplifting and engaging, The Christmas Promise is the eagerly awaited new novel from award-winning author Sue Moorcroft! With sales proving to be few and far between and commissions scant, Ava can feel all of her hopes and dreams slipping through her fingers. The last thing she needs is having her ex boyfriend Harvey pestering her at every turn! Harvey cannot seem to accept the fact that their relationship is over and when his reluctance to leave Ava alone takes a dark and unexpected turn, Ava cannot help but wonder whether things will ever go right for her ever again.
After things with Harvey had turned sour, Ava had vowed to take a break from the dating game and to put all of her time and energy into saving her fledgling business. Having had her fingers well and truly burned by Harvey, men are strictly off the agenda for her, however, Sam will not be so easily deterred! There was something about Ava Blissham that ignited a spark deep within Sam. But will he manage to change her mind? With his beloved mother in need of a Yuletide treat, Sam decides to commission Ava to design a bespoke hat for his mum for Christmas. So when Sam commissions Ava to make a hat for someone special, she makes a promise that will change her life.
Simply gorgeous Christmas story with a difference Reader review Superb novel! Reader review Perfect pre-Christmas read. Reader review Original, poignant, relevant and romantic. Reader review A wonderful cosy Christmas read. Enter your HarperCollins account username and password. Please note that your username is an e-mail address. Download your e-book s from your bookshelf. Year He obviously harbors some secrets he doesn't want anyone else to know and on top of it all, is a functioning alcoholic who spends all his free time at the bottom of a bottle.
He isn't exactly the most likable character initially, but things begin to slowly change for him as he discovers a caring side to himself he didn't realize existed. He works the night shift, and the turnaround starts with him caring for the little boy of a cleaning lady, who had nowhere else to take him and so brought him with her to work. Chaz develops a strong friendship with the little boy, Donovan, and to the extent she will let him into her life, the boy's mother, Carla, who is being abused by her boyfriend. Chaz also begins to feel a connection to Mike, the homeless man who sometimes stands outside Wilson's, and worries when Mike is hit by a car.
Last but not least, Chaz falls in love at first sight with Erin, a pretty but very pregnant young woman who Gloria is helping. What impressed me most about The Christmas Promise is how the author manged to seamlessly weave together all the lives of these characters until it was like they became one family unit. The Christmas Promise was very much a story of new beginnings. Each one of the characters in the book received some sort of second chance after life had thrown them a curveball.
This time they chose the right path, but it wasn't without the help of strangers. The one thing I loved most about this book is the serendipitous nature of the characters' meetings which underscores the It's a Wonderful Life principle that each person's life touches so many others in ways that we often don't even know.
The Christmas Promise
The Christmas Promise is simply a warm, feel-good story that was a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. Nov 04, Pamela rated it really liked it Shelves: Who was I kidding? Maybe that's what truth does, it beats the living hell out of us until we do something about it.
And when we are forgiven much, we love much. She gets others in town to donate huge boxes of clothes to those in need and she loves that she's able to do this for others. The second was on how to end chapt I had the privilege to attend a class at the Swanwick Writers' Summer School in which Sue Moorcroft delivered. Che faceva addormentare e che era noioso come pochi. Now, having moved from her small town and all the painful memories it held, she is building a life by caring for people in need.
What are you doing for others? Yes, a wonderful little Christmastime story filled with just the right amount of wisdom, honesty, humor, charitableness, eccentricity and sappiness to be festively endearing. And yes, as typical with this genre, the ending is neatly tied-up in a conspicuously tidy, happily-ever-after bow. Ah, but everyone needs a bit sappy indulgence from time to time; it cleans the biblio-palate. Dec 16, Mom2triplets04 rated it liked it.
We meet many more characters and the writing just confused me when she switched between characters without warning. I was hoping to see characters from first books but they only appeared for a short time. I listened to this book with my mother. Not realizing this was part of a series, I enjoyed meeting Mr. Christmas Promise could definitely be read as a stand alone book. I have yet to read Christmas Hope. VanLiere does an excellent job of conveying it. Jun 17, Jana rated it liked it Shelves: This is a good story, but the reason I didn't rate it higher is because I detest books that introduce a dozen or so characters in a short story It takes me several chapters to figure out who everyone is and then BAM!
Maybe I'm just slow witted Dec 08, Malinda rated it really liked it. I was surprised by how much I liked this "Christmas book. I recommend this book to you!
The Christmas Promise has ratings and reviews. The Christmas Promise is the first book by Sue Moorcroft I've read but it definitely won't be my last. Each Christmas we are given a promise from heaven. And each year on earth we make promises to each other. This is a story about how a promise from one.
Dec 14, Trudy Gleason rated it it was amazing. This is what the true spirit of Christmas is all about. Nov 22, Eomicheli rated it really liked it. Nice to read a "feel good" book during the holidays!
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Definitely on the light side, but enjoyable just the same. Dec 18, Dana Leet rated it it was amazing. This book was amazing. It was miraculous that the main character glory was looking all this time for her son with a porch light constantly on. I think that we all should really strive to find a miracle with every Christmas that occurs and even if it is a small one realize that they still happen to every family today.
Dec 01, Deann Doolittle rated it liked it Shelves: Jul 21, Stephy rated it liked it. Sadly this is book 3 in a 4 book series and I read only this one. It was good a feel good book. A very quick read though. And I might have teared up once or twice. Wh Sadly this is book 3 in a 4 book series and I read only this one. If your looking for a quick read and a feel good book I'd read it.
Nov 13, Norah Baron rated it really liked it. Jun 25, Ronna rated it it was amazing Shelves: Donna Van Liere has numerous books about Christmas hope, love, and God's working in people's lives. This particular book is especially good as it is basically about God's grace. Sixty something, Gloria, lives alone since the death of her husband seven years ago, when her 17 year old son ran away and her other children were grown and living away with their own families.
She has a special wish that has been hanging on her tree for years--a prayer for God. Gloria spends her day helping people. She t Donna Van Liere has numerous books about Christmas hope, love, and God's working in people's lives. She takes in second had clothes and anything else that people leave for her. She also collects food in large amounts.
Her house doesn't always look spectacular when cars or old refrigerators are outside being worked on. Her crabby next door neighbor, Mariam, never missis an opportunity to complain to Gloria about her "repairs" in the yard, until one day when Mariam returns from a trip to find her house flooded. With no place else to go, Gloria invites Mariam to stay with her.
Meanwhile, Chaz, who is a drifter, drinker, grumpy but good hearted man, gets a job in security at a local department store and winds up becoming a part time babysitter to one of the employees precocious 5 year old son with issues of his own. Van Liere's connections of all these people, plus a few others, creatively and wonderfully illustrates God's grace in this lovely sentimental Christmas story.
I listened to this on Audible and believe it enhanced the story a great deal. Hope there are lots more if these stories for the future holiday seasons! Jan 10, Bonnie rated it really liked it Shelves: Miss Glory lives her life for others and yet her neighbor, 'critical Miriam' sees very little without suspicion and disapproval.
What happens when Miriam and Miss Glory are thrown together and must endure each others company? Within the same house? Chaz is a loner who goes from job to job, dwelling to dwelling. He takes a job in security at a department store to pad his wallet until he decides to move on. During this job he meets and works with several people whose lives have him looking at himse Miss Glory lives her life for others and yet her neighbor, 'critical Miriam' sees very little without suspicion and disapproval. During this job he meets and works with several people whose lives have him looking at himself and his choices.
This story takes the lives of 4 individuals and weaves them together in a story of faith, hope, promises and second chances. I may need to find the first 3 books to become acquainted with the beginning in order to understand 'the rest of the story.
Nov 07, Loraine rated it really liked it Shelves: