Summer Hastings hates Christmas. She loves sunshine, the beach and running her travel agency, sending people off to their dream destinations – even if she doesn’t get to see the world for herself. For Summer, Christmas is nothing but a reminder of all the things that have gone horribly wrong in her life, so when handsome Noel Pritchett moves his pop-up Christmas shop in the store next to hers, Summer is livid.
Noel loves Christmas…and he also has a sneaking suspicion that he might be falling in love with Summer, if only he could break through the armour she has surrounded herself with. Just why does Summer hate Christmas so much? And can Noel be the one to prove to her that life can be sweet all year round?
Summer Hates Christmas by Rachel Dove Review
Summer, the GRINCH of Christmas, meets her match in Noel the Christmas ANGEL
How could anyone hate Christmas? Christmas is easily my favourite time of year. Growing up in Australia, I loved everything about Christmas. I loved the long, hot summer evenings, beach trips, splashing and playing in the backyard pool and the never-ending bbq catch-ups with family and friends. If I strain my ears a little (who am I kidding, actually a lot), I can just about imagine the intense winds of Copenhagen are actually the chirping crickets we love to hate about Christmas.
When I was offered the chance to review ‘Summer Hates Christmas’ by Rachel Dove, I jumped at the chance to read the book. I wanted to find out why someone could hate my most favourite of the year so much.
The heroine, Summer Hastings is the local travel agent and she loves helping people to find the best deal on their upcoming vacations.
Summer lives with her Mum and her life revolves around her mother and her travel business. The time commitments of her Mum and the business leaves little or no time for Summer to travel and experience the world for herself. Instead, she is living vicariously through the vacations of her customers.
Summer dreams of a Christmas vacation, one where she can run away and never have to experience everything Christmas brings with it. She has an absolute hatred of all things Christmas, it brings with it too many painful memories of a past she rather forget.
Enter stage left, Noel Pritchett. Noel has decided to open a Christmas pop up shop right next door to Summer’s travel business. As Summer goes to investigate, sparks begin to fly.
Their first meeting ends with Summer kicking one of Noel’s Christmas trees. A rather comical incident which had me chuckling to myself as I could vividly imagine this whole scene playing out. Summer easily comes across as the true embodiment of the real GRINCH of Christmas!
Despite Summer intent to have Noel and his Christmas pop-up shop evicted, her long-term friend and employee Jean talks her out of her plans. Summer will have to learn to live with the dreaded festive shop and the handsome man who runs it, at least until Christmas.
From the very first page, I was captivated, and I loved seeing the love-hate relationship between Summer and Noel develop. Their relationship will keep you turning the pages. Doves writing style is eloquent and beautiful. The words just flow as she takes us on the journey of Summer and Noel’s beautiful love story.
If Summer is the GRINCH of the story, then Noel has to be the ANGEL. He never gives up. Will he be able to break down her walls? He is certainly intent on trying!
Will Summer finally be able to start living life for herself, seeing the world first-hand rather than living through other people’s vacations?
Do yourself a favour and order a copy of Summer Hates Christmas now. It’s the perfect time to read the book with Christmas just around the corner.
Many Thanks to Tracy Fenton at Compulsive Readers and Manatee Books for inviting us on this Blog Tour.
Published by: Manatee Books
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Wonderful, I am overjoyed. Thank you so much ❤️