What do you think?
Rate this book
Maple Woods #1
'Twas the Week Before Christmas
A romantic inn... a white Christmas... hot cocoa by a roaring fire... it all adds up to a perfect holiday romance!
Dear Holly,
As I look around the inn, I see garland and mistletoe, colored lights and ornaments–everything I have always professed to despise. You were right to wonder why I would choose to visit The White Barn Inn. You were right about a lot of things.
Since I met you, though, everything has changed. I’ve changed. And that’s why I can’t go on any longer without telling you the whole story. I don’t know if you will ever be able to forgive me. But they say Christmas is a time for miracles. And you do believe in them, don’t you? The question is, can you still believe in me?
Max.
Dear Holly,
As I look around the inn, I see garland and mistletoe, colored lights and ornaments–everything I have always professed to despise. You were right to wonder why I would choose to visit The White Barn Inn. You were right about a lot of things.
Since I met you, though, everything has changed. I’ve changed. And that’s why I can’t go on any longer without telling you the whole story. I don’t know if you will ever be able to forgive me. But they say Christmas is a time for miracles. And you do believe in them, don’t you? The question is, can you still believe in me?
Max.
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 1, 2013
72 people are currently reading
852 people want to read
About the author
Olivia Miles
82 books447 followersOlivia Miles is a two-time USA Today bestselling author of heartwarming women's fiction and small town contemporary romance. She has frequently been ranked as an Amazon Top 100 author and Kindle All Star, and her books have appeared on several bestseller lists, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, BookScan, and USA Today. Olivia has been published by Harlequin, Grand Central Publishing/Hachette, and Montlake, and her books have been translated into more than half a dozen languages.
After growing up in New England and later living in Montreal, Olivia traded salt water for fresh water, and now lives on the shore of Lake Michigan with her family and an adorable pair of dogs.
Join Olivia's mailing list at: https://subscribepage.io/jQkafo
After growing up in New England and later living in Montreal, Olivia traded salt water for fresh water, and now lives on the shore of Lake Michigan with her family and an adorable pair of dogs.
Join Olivia's mailing list at: https://subscribepage.io/jQkafo
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
December 23, 2016
Holly Tate owns and runs a bed-and-breakfast called the White Barn Inn. It used to be her grandmother's home, but when she died a few years ago Holly inherited the large historic home and transformed it into an inn. She loves having it open on Christmas in particular, (her parents died on Christmas day six years ago) and she doesn't like being alone on that day. She prefers spending the holiday with people at the inn. So she really throws herself into Christmas, hanging decorations up, setting up games and activities for the guests, etc...
One day Holly is waiting for her last guest of the day to show up. He finally does, a tall, dark, gorgeous stranger (Max Hamilton). Holly finds herself very attracted to him. He says he's in town on business. But what will Holly do when she finds out the man she is falling for is in town planning to tear down her inn and turn it (and the area) into a shopping center?
Max feels guilty once he gets to know Holly and doesn't quite know how to tell her why he is there. He keeps trying to convince himself that she won't mind selling. But it's obvious that Holly loves her inn. Max hates Christmas. When he was young his parents were never there for him. His father was a drunk, and his mother abandoned them around Christmas when Max was a child. He prefers to work at Christmas time. But now, after meeting Holly, he's beginning to realize that there is more to life than work and business, and he eventually wonders if he should change his mind about the shopping center.
Holly was a likable heroine. She really threw herself into running the inn, making it a success. Even though the one thing she really wanted was a family.
I really liked some of the secondary characters, especially elderly Mrs. Evelyn Adler. I loved the way she kept trying to matchmake and get Holly and Max together. And I liked Holly's friend Abby. I also liked the small, cozy town of Maple Woods.
This was an enjoyable, sweet, and festive read.
One day Holly is waiting for her last guest of the day to show up. He finally does, a tall, dark, gorgeous stranger (Max Hamilton). Holly finds herself very attracted to him. He says he's in town on business. But what will Holly do when she finds out the man she is falling for is in town planning to tear down her inn and turn it (and the area) into a shopping center?
Max feels guilty once he gets to know Holly and doesn't quite know how to tell her why he is there. He keeps trying to convince himself that she won't mind selling. But it's obvious that Holly loves her inn. Max hates Christmas. When he was young his parents were never there for him. His father was a drunk, and his mother abandoned them around Christmas when Max was a child. He prefers to work at Christmas time. But now, after meeting Holly, he's beginning to realize that there is more to life than work and business, and he eventually wonders if he should change his mind about the shopping center.
Holly was a likable heroine. She really threw herself into running the inn, making it a success. Even though the one thing she really wanted was a family.
I really liked some of the secondary characters, especially elderly Mrs. Evelyn Adler. I loved the way she kept trying to matchmake and get Holly and Max together. And I liked Holly's friend Abby. I also liked the small, cozy town of Maple Woods.
This was an enjoyable, sweet, and festive read.
December 20, 2017
Rated 3.5 - to follow discussion and find out how to join us next year for TBR Challenge, read this at my blog for the linkies.
‘Twas the Week Before Christmas by Olivia Miles has plenty of holiday festivities inside its pages, setting the mood for Christmas with cozy traditions. I finished reading ‘Twas the Week Before Christmas during that exact week this year, urging me to stop procrastinating with my own decorating.
Why was this book in Dorine’s TBR? I collect holiday stories with the full intention of reading them in December and January every year, which never happens. I have good intentions, and dream of filling my days with holiday stories, but somehow, I become too busy with life to follow through. This book landed in my pile in 2013 because it featured an inn as the setting during the holidays. I love B&B stories for their romantic ambience and homespun traditions.
Holly Tate owns the White Barn Inn, inherited from her family. She looks forward to spending the holidays with her guests every year. She’s especially excited this year as she will be the official owner of the land her family has leased for 99 years. Max Hamilton is one of Holly’s guests during the week before Christmas. Will he be a gift or a bad omen for the New Year?
When I first started reading, this book seemed familiar, but I think it’s just a common theme from all the holiday movies I watch. Initially, I was curious about Holly – what got her to this point in her life? The reader is told more later, but initially it’s unknown. Her ability to run an inn successfully at such a young age was appealing. I really enjoyed the details about the inn and the guests. Unfortunately, the weather scares most of them away except for Max. That’s convenient for this couple to get to know each other better without outside influences, but I missed the guests’ interaction with them.
This was an enjoyable book after I got through the halfway point. Up until then, I felt Holly blushed too much with a constantly grinning Max looking on, so it felt repetitive. This might not have been so obvious, but the POV was off with Holly thinking about her red cheeks when she couldn’t see them. Those little POV hops always bump me out of the story. Fortunately, that minor detail calmed down further into the book.
I did not like Max at all through most of the novel because he was keeping a very important secret from Holly. I had hoped he’d grovel a lot when his truth is revealed, which was done in a satisfactory manner, but I think that part of the story was rushed. That made it feel like Holly overlooked Max being an idiot a little too easily. He needed to grovel a lot longer in my opinion for being a jerk.
In the end, I liked how the story resolved. I still feel that the inn details were the best part of the story, as well as one of the quirky guests. I would have liked more of that instead of Holly and Max fighting their attraction alone. Holly’s career choices and friendships kept the story moving forward, while I wondered when and how Max’s secret would be discovered.
I think those that appreciate small town settings with a beautiful, homey inn as the setting will appreciate ‘Twas the Week Before Christmas the most. By a new-to-me author, I enjoyed it enough to look for more by Olivia Miles.
Thanks so much to Wendy the Super Librarian for hosting TBR Challenge 2017. I had such a great time visiting with the other bloggers and chatting books with them this year. Even though I didn’t get my reviews posted for all the TBR Challenge months, I read 11-12 books that had been languishing in my TBR. I fully intend on posting reviews for the ones I’m behind on, so come back to The Zest Quest , or sign up for my mailing list, to check up on me!
Review by Dorine, courtesy of The Zest Quest. Print copy purchased.
‘Twas the Week Before Christmas by Olivia Miles has plenty of holiday festivities inside its pages, setting the mood for Christmas with cozy traditions. I finished reading ‘Twas the Week Before Christmas during that exact week this year, urging me to stop procrastinating with my own decorating.
Why was this book in Dorine’s TBR? I collect holiday stories with the full intention of reading them in December and January every year, which never happens. I have good intentions, and dream of filling my days with holiday stories, but somehow, I become too busy with life to follow through. This book landed in my pile in 2013 because it featured an inn as the setting during the holidays. I love B&B stories for their romantic ambience and homespun traditions.
Holly Tate owns the White Barn Inn, inherited from her family. She looks forward to spending the holidays with her guests every year. She’s especially excited this year as she will be the official owner of the land her family has leased for 99 years. Max Hamilton is one of Holly’s guests during the week before Christmas. Will he be a gift or a bad omen for the New Year?
When I first started reading, this book seemed familiar, but I think it’s just a common theme from all the holiday movies I watch. Initially, I was curious about Holly – what got her to this point in her life? The reader is told more later, but initially it’s unknown. Her ability to run an inn successfully at such a young age was appealing. I really enjoyed the details about the inn and the guests. Unfortunately, the weather scares most of them away except for Max. That’s convenient for this couple to get to know each other better without outside influences, but I missed the guests’ interaction with them.
This was an enjoyable book after I got through the halfway point. Up until then, I felt Holly blushed too much with a constantly grinning Max looking on, so it felt repetitive. This might not have been so obvious, but the POV was off with Holly thinking about her red cheeks when she couldn’t see them. Those little POV hops always bump me out of the story. Fortunately, that minor detail calmed down further into the book.
I did not like Max at all through most of the novel because he was keeping a very important secret from Holly. I had hoped he’d grovel a lot when his truth is revealed, which was done in a satisfactory manner, but I think that part of the story was rushed. That made it feel like Holly overlooked Max being an idiot a little too easily. He needed to grovel a lot longer in my opinion for being a jerk.
In the end, I liked how the story resolved. I still feel that the inn details were the best part of the story, as well as one of the quirky guests. I would have liked more of that instead of Holly and Max fighting their attraction alone. Holly’s career choices and friendships kept the story moving forward, while I wondered when and how Max’s secret would be discovered.
I think those that appreciate small town settings with a beautiful, homey inn as the setting will appreciate ‘Twas the Week Before Christmas the most. By a new-to-me author, I enjoyed it enough to look for more by Olivia Miles.
Thanks so much to Wendy the Super Librarian for hosting TBR Challenge 2017. I had such a great time visiting with the other bloggers and chatting books with them this year. Even though I didn’t get my reviews posted for all the TBR Challenge months, I read 11-12 books that had been languishing in my TBR. I fully intend on posting reviews for the ones I’m behind on, so come back to The Zest Quest , or sign up for my mailing list, to check up on me!
Review by Dorine, courtesy of The Zest Quest. Print copy purchased.
December 31, 2013
Very good book, slightly reminding me of A Christmas Carol. We have Holly, the innkeeper, who loves Christmas. She has decorated the inn, participates in all the Christmas activities, and just generally seems a pretty happy person. Then you have grumpy Max. He is a self-made successful real estate developer. He doesn't like Christmas at all. He's in town to try to buy some land for a shopping mall, land her inn just happens to occupy.
I liked Holly. She has made a life for herself at the inn. She left Boston after being disappointed in love, losing her parents and then her grandmother. The inn and its guests have become her life. I loved the way that she throws herself into all the Christmas preparations and activities. When Max shows up she is very attracted to him. He has a great smile and seems very interested in her. She doesn't understand his dislike of Christmas and gets him involved in the activities. Her disappointment when a snowstorm keeps guests away is obvious and she's grateful that Max is staying around. Everything is going great between them until she finds out why he's in town.
Max had had a miserable childhood with a drunk, abusive father and a mother who abandoned them when he was eleven, right after Christmas. He has disliked the holiday ever since. He has worked hard to build a successful real estate development company. His latest project is a shopping mall in Maple Woods. He has come to town to buy the land and get the project approved by the city council. He doesn't expect the instant attraction to Holly. He can't seem to stay away from her and the more he gets to know her the guiltier he feels about his plans. I felt really bad for Max. He was so torn about what he should do. On the one hand, his business really needs the mall property and it's important to him to continue with his business successes. On the other hand, his growing feelings for Holly make him want to leave it all behind for her. He went through so much turmoil before he finally found his way back to her.
The story showed Max his past as he told Holly about it, with the unhappy things that happened to him that made him the man he is today. We also saw Max in the present, as he spends time with Holly and her friends, seeing the happiness she has as she takes care of her guests. Max also envisions the future as it might be after the mall is built and the effects it would have on the town.
I really enjoyed the descriptions of the town and the inn. The various secondary characters felt real to me and brought both the town and the inn to life. I'm looking forward to the next book and a return to Maple Woods.
I liked Holly. She has made a life for herself at the inn. She left Boston after being disappointed in love, losing her parents and then her grandmother. The inn and its guests have become her life. I loved the way that she throws herself into all the Christmas preparations and activities. When Max shows up she is very attracted to him. He has a great smile and seems very interested in her. She doesn't understand his dislike of Christmas and gets him involved in the activities. Her disappointment when a snowstorm keeps guests away is obvious and she's grateful that Max is staying around. Everything is going great between them until she finds out why he's in town.
Max had had a miserable childhood with a drunk, abusive father and a mother who abandoned them when he was eleven, right after Christmas. He has disliked the holiday ever since. He has worked hard to build a successful real estate development company. His latest project is a shopping mall in Maple Woods. He has come to town to buy the land and get the project approved by the city council. He doesn't expect the instant attraction to Holly. He can't seem to stay away from her and the more he gets to know her the guiltier he feels about his plans. I felt really bad for Max. He was so torn about what he should do. On the one hand, his business really needs the mall property and it's important to him to continue with his business successes. On the other hand, his growing feelings for Holly make him want to leave it all behind for her. He went through so much turmoil before he finally found his way back to her.
The story showed Max his past as he told Holly about it, with the unhappy things that happened to him that made him the man he is today. We also saw Max in the present, as he spends time with Holly and her friends, seeing the happiness she has as she takes care of her guests. Max also envisions the future as it might be after the mall is built and the effects it would have on the town.
I really enjoyed the descriptions of the town and the inn. The various secondary characters felt real to me and brought both the town and the inn to life. I'm looking forward to the next book and a return to Maple Woods.
July 6, 2014
3 1/2 Stars ~ 99 years ago, Holly's great-great grandfather had built his wife a beautiful house, and ever since a Tate has lived in it. But the land was only leased to the Tate family, it belonged to the Miller's and now on Christmas Day the 99 year lease would be up. When Holly's parents were killed suddenly in a car crash, her grandmother and this house was all Holly had left for family. And then her grandmother passed on as well, so Holly renovated the beautiful home in to a country inn, and she surrounded herself with invited guests to substitute for her missing family. It's only a week now until Holly's dream of purchasing the land from the Miller's is about to come true.
Max is a property developer and he's come to The White Barn Inn to make a deal with the owner. The land is ideal for a shopping mall, something the whole community would benefit from. In fact his whole business needs this deal or he may be faced with selling off or merging with another developer. He's surprised to learn that Holly doesn't own the land, or at least she won't until Christmas. Max has to work quickly to convince the Miller's to sell to him and not to Holly. The only thing is that Max is starting to have doubts about what he's about to do. He hadn't expected to have feelings for Holly and getting to know her, he realizes that buying the land out from under her will destroy her.
This was a sweet holiday read. This is Ms. Miles debut, and enjoyed the community she created and the characters that she brought to life. Holly and Max make a lovely couple. I hope we'll have more about them in Ms. Miles next book which is also set in Maple Wood.
Max is a property developer and he's come to The White Barn Inn to make a deal with the owner. The land is ideal for a shopping mall, something the whole community would benefit from. In fact his whole business needs this deal or he may be faced with selling off or merging with another developer. He's surprised to learn that Holly doesn't own the land, or at least she won't until Christmas. Max has to work quickly to convince the Miller's to sell to him and not to Holly. The only thing is that Max is starting to have doubts about what he's about to do. He hadn't expected to have feelings for Holly and getting to know her, he realizes that buying the land out from under her will destroy her.
This was a sweet holiday read. This is Ms. Miles debut, and enjoyed the community she created and the characters that she brought to life. Holly and Max make a lovely couple. I hope we'll have more about them in Ms. Miles next book which is also set in Maple Wood.
November 20, 2013
'Twas the Week Before Christmas was a heart-warming, emotional holiday story that grabbed my attention from page one. I was immediately swept into the deliciously quaint Inn and into the hero and heroine's lives.
Holly was a heroine I loved right away. She was independent and successful. She was also had a vulnerability and warmth that shone through in her interactions with those around her. And Max...sigh...I was charmed and fell in love right alongside the Holly! Their connection was instant and I found myself smiling at their interactions and banter. I have to say I was nervous when I found the secret he was keeping and his plans...and I was on the edge of my seat wondering how this couple was going to get their happily-ever-after!
Olivia Miles' writing was engaging and I wished I were a guest at the romantic Inn! The setting was masterfully written and the secondary characters added to the small-town charm. There were several laugh out loud moments.
If you're looking for a holiday read that will warm your heart and leave you smiling for hours, this book is a must! You will not be disappointed!
Holly was a heroine I loved right away. She was independent and successful. She was also had a vulnerability and warmth that shone through in her interactions with those around her. And Max...sigh...I was charmed and fell in love right alongside the Holly! Their connection was instant and I found myself smiling at their interactions and banter. I have to say I was nervous when I found the secret he was keeping and his plans...and I was on the edge of my seat wondering how this couple was going to get their happily-ever-after!
Olivia Miles' writing was engaging and I wished I were a guest at the romantic Inn! The setting was masterfully written and the secondary characters added to the small-town charm. There were several laugh out loud moments.
If you're looking for a holiday read that will warm your heart and leave you smiling for hours, this book is a must! You will not be disappointed!
December 5, 2013
This one took that perennial favourite theme of mine, "Let's save the inn!" and threw in a hero who was the reason the inn was in jeopardy. So highish stakes: her family home and business (which is her last tangible connection to her family) vs. the business he built to prove his self-worth (having been abandoned by his mother and left with an alcoholic father).
Full review here: http://themummyreads.blogspot.ca/2013...
Full review here: http://themummyreads.blogspot.ca/2013...
December 23, 2019
Weak chick no brainer.
November 17, 2023
I love this Christmas romance it does remind me of a hallmark christmas movie and I love the small town vibe of maple woods and I love the community and all the characters in the book and I love that maple woods loves to go all out with Christmas and that they have a Christmas market and I love that Holly is passionate about her Inn that been on her family for ages and means alot to her and I love her friends and I love Mr and Mrs Alder the elderly couple in the book who loves to come to the inn at Christmas and I love that Holly loves Christmas and max doesn't like Christmas but prefers to work and I like that we more about Holly and max and I just really enjoyed this book so much and I love the chemistry between max and Holly and there was some drama and secret near the end and I read this book in a few hours and I just love the setting, the plot and the romance and I would love to go to maple woods and this book is just warm, cozy read during the festive holidays and it's a quick read and I really like Olivia miles writing as well and this book did make me tear up a little bit but I really enjoyed this book and I love that Holly treats her guests like family since she lost her parents six years ago and then her grandmother who died not long ago and this book definitely got me in the mood for Christmas
Small town
Christmassy vibes
Under 230 pages
FMC loves Christmas and MMC hates Christmas
Small town
Christmassy vibes
Under 230 pages
FMC loves Christmas and MMC hates Christmas
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 14, 2017
Take one real estate developer who doesn't believe in Christmas. Add one B&B owner who has lost everyone she has loved and you get a truly delightful, heartwarming holiday read.
This is the second HQ Special Edition I pretty much read in one sitting because the writing was so lovely and fluid; the plot was not unbelievable, and even to the last chapter I wasn't quite sure where the ending would take us.
My first Olivia Miles - now it's time to find her backlist! Job well done, Ms Miles.
This is the second HQ Special Edition I pretty much read in one sitting because the writing was so lovely and fluid; the plot was not unbelievable, and even to the last chapter I wasn't quite sure where the ending would take us.
My first Olivia Miles - now it's time to find her backlist! Job well done, Ms Miles.
March 12, 2024
Cute and quick little read about a couple in Maple Woods, that meet at the White Owl Inn.
The owner inherited the family home and turned it into an inn which she wants to celebrate the holidays filled with guests.
The week before Christmas a handsome “real estate” man from Manhattan books the most expensive room. His agenda is not the same as the owners.
An unexpected snowstorm causes cancellations and changes in plans.
The owner inherited the family home and turned it into an inn which she wants to celebrate the holidays filled with guests.
The week before Christmas a handsome “real estate” man from Manhattan books the most expensive room. His agenda is not the same as the owners.
An unexpected snowstorm causes cancellations and changes in plans.
December 26, 2013
Reading a Christmas romance during the Holidays has become a new tradition for me that I started a few years ago, and Harlequin Christmas books rarely disappoint. Of course they are no "A Christmas Carol" by masterpiece standards, but they do warm the heart and keep me relaxed during the busy hustle and bustle of the holiday season. "'Twas The Week Before Christmas" by Olivia Miles looked like the perfect recipe to a warm and fuzzy yuletide tale: a snowy inn, delicious food and hot chocolate, and roaring fireplaces. After reading it I was left both satisfied and annoyed. It did it's job in giving me cheer, but the unbelievable events and ending did leave me feeling a bit short changed.
Holly is a beautiful woman who has a rough time with Holidays, due to a tragic accident several years before that took the life of her parents. Luckily, she manages to keep busy in the inn she converted from her grandmother's cozy mansion. It is located in a small town and has charmed tourists and locals alike. Little does she know, city business man Max is a guest at the inn around Christmas, scouting out the location to tear the inn down and build a massive shopping complex. But two things but an obstacle in his plans: a snow storm and the fact that he is falling in love with Holly!
Pros: The characters are cutesy. The story is interesting, and the setting lovely. As a reader, you want to root for these beautiful lovers and wish you were there at the inn yourself with a piping hot bowl of home-made soup. This could easily be made into a TV Hallmark movie and has equal parts cheerfull-ness, drama, and romance.
Cons: The situation is unbelievable. Why would he choose a random small town for a massive shopping mall? They explain it, but even the explanation doesn't make sense to me. Also, they wouldn't have her clear out in just like two days. Overly dramatic! Also, the ending. I won't spoil it, but it just seemed a bit over the top. Also, I felt some parts dragged a bit and added too many details or characters to make the book have more pages. It could have easily been twenty pages shorter and would have more genuine impact on the story.
Overall, not bad. I probably will forget about it by next year, but it did it's job as a book. I felt cozy next to the fire while reading Max and Holly's romantic love affair. Also, I knew what I was getting into and didn't expect to be blown away by a life changing novel. If you like adorable Holiday tales, then pick it up. You'll like it.
Holly is a beautiful woman who has a rough time with Holidays, due to a tragic accident several years before that took the life of her parents. Luckily, she manages to keep busy in the inn she converted from her grandmother's cozy mansion. It is located in a small town and has charmed tourists and locals alike. Little does she know, city business man Max is a guest at the inn around Christmas, scouting out the location to tear the inn down and build a massive shopping complex. But two things but an obstacle in his plans: a snow storm and the fact that he is falling in love with Holly!
Pros: The characters are cutesy. The story is interesting, and the setting lovely. As a reader, you want to root for these beautiful lovers and wish you were there at the inn yourself with a piping hot bowl of home-made soup. This could easily be made into a TV Hallmark movie and has equal parts cheerfull-ness, drama, and romance.
Cons: The situation is unbelievable. Why would he choose a random small town for a massive shopping mall? They explain it, but even the explanation doesn't make sense to me. Also, they wouldn't have her clear out in just like two days. Overly dramatic! Also, the ending. I won't spoil it, but it just seemed a bit over the top. Also, I felt some parts dragged a bit and added too many details or characters to make the book have more pages. It could have easily been twenty pages shorter and would have more genuine impact on the story.
Overall, not bad. I probably will forget about it by next year, but it did it's job as a book. I felt cozy next to the fire while reading Max and Holly's romantic love affair. Also, I knew what I was getting into and didn't expect to be blown away by a life changing novel. If you like adorable Holiday tales, then pick it up. You'll like it.
November 20, 2013
Holly Tate owns The White Barn Inn, a cozy establishment in the little town of Maple Woods, Connecticut. The week before Christmas, a handsome guest named Max Hamilton arrives on her doorstep and the attraction is obvious and mutual. Holly knows that Max is in town on business, but she doesn't know that his business purpose involves buying the real estate on which her beloved Inn is built and clearing it to make way for a shopping center. Max is increasingly drawn to Holly's warmth and generosity, but what will happen when she discovers the reason for his visit?
The best way I can describe this book is to call it a comfort read. Ms. Miles has an easy writing style that hooks you from page one and immerses you in a warm and inviting world. Spending time with Holly and Max feels like being wrapped in a soft blanket and whisked away to a Christmas-y movie of the week. It's perfectly charming. I love the little details Ms. Miles offers about the delicious foods or festive decorations the characters are enjoying. The secondary characters are quirky and add some sparkle and humor. A comfort read is not the same as fluff, though. From this warm place, Ms. Miles reveals the significant emotional hurdles Holly and Max must overcome before they can be together. For each of them, the holiday is tinged with pain, but they deal with that pain differently: Holly, by surrounding herself with the joy of the season, and Max by closing himself to it. The result is an engaging and ultimately satisfying Christmas love story.
I highly recommend this book for anyone who loves small town Christmas stories.
The best way I can describe this book is to call it a comfort read. Ms. Miles has an easy writing style that hooks you from page one and immerses you in a warm and inviting world. Spending time with Holly and Max feels like being wrapped in a soft blanket and whisked away to a Christmas-y movie of the week. It's perfectly charming. I love the little details Ms. Miles offers about the delicious foods or festive decorations the characters are enjoying. The secondary characters are quirky and add some sparkle and humor. A comfort read is not the same as fluff, though. From this warm place, Ms. Miles reveals the significant emotional hurdles Holly and Max must overcome before they can be together. For each of them, the holiday is tinged with pain, but they deal with that pain differently: Holly, by surrounding herself with the joy of the season, and Max by closing himself to it. The result is an engaging and ultimately satisfying Christmas love story.
I highly recommend this book for anyone who loves small town Christmas stories.
November 20, 2013
I received this book from GoodReads First Reads
Christmas is Holly's favorite time of year. From the red and green decorations to Christmas carols, she savors it all. Having no family left, Holly fills her Inn every holiday season until its bustling with people so as to not be alone. This year is no exception. However, she's pleasantly surprised by one of her guests, a handsome and charming New Yorker whose smile she cannot resist. But Max came to the Inn with ulterior motives, intending to obtain the deed to the land for a development project his company critically needs. As he gets to know Holly, his guilt makes him question his plans.
Nothing about 'Twas the Week Before Christmas is new or exciting. It's a standard romance so it was very predictable. However, the Christmas festivities and both the characters' yearning for family moved me. I enjoyed reading about all the town's events and the warmth that the community members had for each other. Holly and Max are both quite similar. Both lacking family and concealing their unhappiness with their career or job. But ultimately when they're not preoccupied, they realize that they want more.
I can see this as an ABC Family Christmas movie. I actually like those since they're generally sweet and happy, and set during my favorite holiday.
Christmas is Holly's favorite time of year. From the red and green decorations to Christmas carols, she savors it all. Having no family left, Holly fills her Inn every holiday season until its bustling with people so as to not be alone. This year is no exception. However, she's pleasantly surprised by one of her guests, a handsome and charming New Yorker whose smile she cannot resist. But Max came to the Inn with ulterior motives, intending to obtain the deed to the land for a development project his company critically needs. As he gets to know Holly, his guilt makes him question his plans.
Nothing about 'Twas the Week Before Christmas is new or exciting. It's a standard romance so it was very predictable. However, the Christmas festivities and both the characters' yearning for family moved me. I enjoyed reading about all the town's events and the warmth that the community members had for each other. Holly and Max are both quite similar. Both lacking family and concealing their unhappiness with their career or job. But ultimately when they're not preoccupied, they realize that they want more.
I can see this as an ABC Family Christmas movie. I actually like those since they're generally sweet and happy, and set during my favorite holiday.
December 24, 2015
THE REVIEW
Why this book?
I wanted to read a story for Christmas
What I thought
This book reminded me of a hallmark Christmas movie, and i'm a sucker for hallmark Christmas movies. This was a Cute holiday read. It had a promising premise. It also had great characters . Usually I don't like the female lead but I really liked Holly. As for Max I liked him, but I didn't like that he lied to Holly, but he made up for it in the end. The romance was attraction at first sight instead of instalove which was refreshing. The story also had good pacing it flowed nicely it never felt too rushed. ovearall it was a good read
Why this book?
I wanted to read a story for Christmas
What I thought
This book reminded me of a hallmark Christmas movie, and i'm a sucker for hallmark Christmas movies. This was a Cute holiday read. It had a promising premise. It also had great characters . Usually I don't like the female lead but I really liked Holly. As for Max I liked him, but I didn't like that he lied to Holly, but he made up for it in the end. The romance was attraction at first sight instead of instalove which was refreshing. The story also had good pacing it flowed nicely it never felt too rushed. ovearall it was a good read
June 12, 2017
Lovable Christmas read!! I loved it. It is a shorter story, but not too short, you really still feel like you get the whole story and nothing is rushed. Holly and Max are perfect for each other, both lonely and in need of that special someone to trust. Max is holding back some truths about why he is in Maple Woods at Holly's Inn. This is not a problem until he starts falling for Holly...that wasn't part of the plan for him originally! Will Max and Holly's brewing love conquer all in time for Christmas? Olivia Miles writes such great characters, cozy towns, and holiday cheer! Enjoy this one!!
December 27, 2016
Holly runs a B&B made out of her grandmother's house. In a week, she will be able to buy the land it sits on when the 99 year lease expires. Max is a developer who plans on buying the land from the old innkeeper. He has to make new plans when he learns about the lease. Then he has to change his plans again as he falls in love with Holly
Read
December 29, 2014"Miles debuts a holiday romance with more tangles than old Christmas lights; Her Grinchy hero with heart and elfish, Christmas-loving heroine entertain with their obstacle-course courtship as her narrative paints a Currier and Ives holiday scene". (RT Book Reviews, rated 4 stars)
August 3, 2016
I loved this book. I think it is the author's first published book and I can't wait to read more of her stuff. I love the "Grinchy" hero who is trying to take the Heroine's INN from her. I loved how they fell in love, almost a love at first site situation.
August 9, 2019
Nothing new, creative or exciting. Neither main character brought much to the table. She needed to move forward and have develop a spine and he needed to grow a heart. It all wrapped up too quickly for my taste. No one is that forgiving that quickly.
August 30, 2016
A lovely, easy reading book, really enjoyed it.
December 28, 2016
great Christmas classic
March 23, 2014
A lovely book, cant wait for the next one!
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews