| Title | : | All I Want For Christmas |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | 44 |
| Publication | : | First published December 6, 2011 |
Except, Hugh doesn’t know the office party is the only night of the year his friend lets her hair down. That every hour she’s away from the office is spent caring for her sickly mother. That her mother’s condition, early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, is hereditary.
When Hugh finds out what she’s been hiding, he’s forced to do some serious soul-searching. It’s not fair to Anna or her mother for him to get involved casually, but casual relationships are all he knows. Can he prove to himself—and to Anna—that she’s all he wants for Christmas?
All I Want For Christmas Reviews
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A woman lets her hair down at the annual office Christmas party every year and the rest of the year she is staid and boring. A quick, sparkling holiday romance seemed like a great distraction in the busy time of the season.
Anna treats herself to getting buzzed and singing Christmas karaoke badly along with a once a year gift of a kiss with her office crush at the office Christmas party before she has to return to the weary life of only work and caring for her mother. But, this year Hugh is determined not to be ignored after the party and find out why Anna keeps denying their attraction so he sets out with the help of the Christmas season to get past Anna's barriers.
The story is a short story-length and it read swiftly, but it was full of heart and tenderness. This is an office romance that began with two people attracted, but unable to do anything about it because Hugh got a strong brush off and Anna feels she has legit reasons for not pursuing something with him. I liked the way it developed and didn't make light of the very real struggles in Anna's life or that Hugh had to come to terms with it all once he knew. The surprise at the end was fun and perfect gift to Anna and the reader.
Sadly, I think this one is out of print at the present and I only have it because I won it some time back when it was a new release, but I can recommend it as a sweet holiday romance if you ever come across it. -
If you have half an hour to kill whilst the turkey is cooking and the sprouts are bubbling away, then All I Want for Christmas is the ideal short read. Filled with festive sweetness, it reminds us that Christmas isn't easy for everyone. With endearing characters, I just wish it had been longer as it was a captivating little read. 3.5 stars.
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All I Want For Christmas hits all the right holiday notes. Short and sweet, it manages to tug your heart strings, give you hope, make you smile, and give even a Southerner like me--who more often than not is blasting her A/C on Christmas Eve--the warm, delicious feel of a white Christmas.
I'm in awe of Ros Clarke's ability to give her characters so much depth and rich backstory while not doing huge info dumps or bogging down the story. I got just enough to care about each of the characters, to understand where they are coming from and how they relate to each other, while also watching the rest of their stories unfold. And it only left me wanting more. I want to know what happens to these characters next! :-)
Anna's humor, strength, and loyalty make her an amazing protagonist. Her sweet and poignant relationship with her mother was so heartfelt. Her deep sense of caring for others, her desire not to burden anyone with her problems, makes her someone to admire. And her weakness for the office party punch and habit of serenading Hugh with impromptu, buzzed Karaoke was just plain awesome.
Hugh was a man you could fall in love with. Even though the chapters in his POV were few, I got to know the man he was, and the man he will be for Anna in the future, and the word 'swoon' doesn't even begin to do him justice. He's the type of love interest to make a reader sigh, get all dreamy-eyed, feel all warm and toasty without the need of a heater, then prompt her to hunt down her husband/signficant other and give him a big old smooch.
I loved that none of the characters shied away from the hard questions--and neither did the author. This wasn't a simple, we'll deal with whatever happens situation, where all the hard stuff is thought about/decided off page. Real issues are explored in this story, even as short as it is, and Hugh's belief that love is strong enough to get them through it all just made my heart happy.
The setting of England only enhanced an already beautiful love story. I loved witnessing a white Christmas filled with Queen's speeches, crackers with random crap stuffed inside, and fun vocabulary words I'd never heard before but instantly loved. Ros brought the sounds, smells, tastes, and joy of the holiday alive. The only drawback to this lovely story is that it's left me with an intense need to travel to London for a chance to experience it all myself! -
Reviewed by Angie
Review originally posted at Romancing the Book
Book provided by the publisher for review
All I Want for Christmas had Mariah Carey singing in my head all the way through. Thankfully this was a short story because I’m pretty sure that I couldn’t have handled listening to her sing in my head for longer than a half hour.
And I completely blame this on the main character, who in a bout of drunken karaoke, happened to sing that particular song.
It is obvious right from the start that Anna and Hugh have a thing for each other. I like this because since it’s a short story, we don’t have a lot of time to learn every little thing about them. However, don’t let that deter you because the author does pack a lot of punch in those forty four pages. Anna is delightful, if completely stubborn, and Hugh is the handsome sort that any girl would want to take home to meet her mom/mum. Oh and Irene…definitely wanted to hug her. I’d say more, but I’m afraid that I’ll give away the whole book!
Oh, did I mention that this story takes place in England? It does! Not only is it a Christmas short story, two of my favorite things, it also takes place across the pond! Score! Ms. Clarke scored a hat trick with this one.
I waffled back and forth with my rating of this book. I truly enjoyed it, but I just wanted more. Would I recommend this to anyone? Yes. If you want a book to read while taking a bath, load this up on your kindle or nook. You won’t be disappointed as it’s funny and poignant. If you’re chilling out in Starbucks and want something to read, waiting in a doctor’s office or the DMV…yes, you want to read this. -
I wasn't sure what to expect with this quick one. An office christmas party, drinking, karoke and a kiss. Things could go many directions. What I wasn't expecting was to find myself on the verge of sobbing at a Christmas story!
This is a story that pulls at your heartstrings. You've got a young woman who has made the decision to be the primary caregiver to her mother with Alzheimer. While it's still in it's beginning stages, we're given a glimpse of what Anna will be dealing with as the disease progresses. It's all consuming and it breaks your heart to see the wonderful relationship Anna and her mother have and know that it will soon be something much different. To add to Anna's grief, there's the knowledge that the disease is hereditary so if her mom has it, there's a good chance she'll have it. She chooses to be by herself, almost like she doesn't want to inflict the disease on whomever may choose to spend their life with her.
Hugh is a man that you love instantly and can see why Anna would be attracted to him. Even after being rejected by Anna three times, he still pursues her. When he finds out about her mother's Alzheimer's and the possibility that Anna may have it, he doesn't run as far away as possible. Instead, he researches and understands and then plans his course of action.
This was a wonderful story. Any book, no matter what length, that can make me cry is always a winner in my book. But this was exceptionally written and gives everyone a little hope that love can conquer anything. -
Sweet Christmas novella, but I wanted to read more about the office party. It was the event that set up the whole story. It was the only night of the year that Anna could let loose and escape her problems. I think it deserved more time. It could have been a hoot.
Re-read in December 2013. -
A short, sweet and very sentimental read. I'd recommend this little peach to anyone!
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Anna only allows herself one night to indulge in herself. It's the office's annual Christmas party. Hugh is the office hottie who she lusts after. After two years in a row of them ending the night on a kiss - Hugh is ready to pursue a relationship with Anna. But Anna feels that she can't take on more than she has on her plate. After she puts in her hours at work she goes home and takes care of her mother, who has early onset Alzheimer's disease. You can feel the love that Anna and her mother have for one another and it breaks your heart to know that eventually her mother wont know who she is anymore. Hugh is looking to love Anna and can't understand why she keeps pushing him away. After he discovers the truth and he questions himself on what he would do if it happens to Anna(the Alzheimer's is hereditary in her family),does he walk away now or fight for her. He still feels like its a relationship worth pursuing. I wish this was a little longer so we can see how they all adapt to the changes but it was a nice read.
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4.5 Stars
All I Want For Christmas is a short read, be that as it may, I didn't feel like I was lost because Ms. Clarke supplied back-story about the Hugh and Anna's relationship. It is 50 pages and only $.99, so worth the money. There is no smexin' in AIWFC but if you are a true fan of romance it won't matter. AT ALL.
All I Want For Christmas is an incredibly sweet love story about a woman letting life pass her by because of caring for her sick mother and man not willing to give up on her and who is willing to help her.
To read my entire review please visit:
http://www.guiltypleasuresbookreviews... -
My problem with novellas is if I really like the story, I wish it was LONGER! That's the case with All I Want for Christmas by Ros Clarke. I liked Anna and Hugh. For two years they've shared a kiss at the holiday party where they work. This year, Hugh wants more. Hugh wants to date Anna but she's too caught up with work and taking care of her mom who has Alzheimer's.
Tender and sweet, I was rooting for this couple to have something more, something lasting, besides one kiss. For a short piece, this novella packed a lot of emotion and depth. -
Format: PDF won from blog giveaway.
Having worked with elderly and their families in the past, I was easily attached to Anna’s plight. This is a sweet, short romantic story between Anna and Hugh. Hugh has pursued Anna over a period of time to only be rejected once again. When he learns why she’s been hiding away from romance, Hugh quickly embeds himself into Anna’s life like a real life knight in shining armor. This was a very easy read but entertaining. A sweet holiday read if you need a simple romantic pick me up. -
When I was asked by Entangled to review this, I agreed immediately. And let me tell you, I did not regret reading it.
It’s short and meaningful. It wasn’t hastenly written for such a short story, plus it’s perfect for the holidays. This is the kind of read one should have before a kindling fire and a hot mug of chocolate. The story itself holds a nice lesson that love must not be conditional and I just love how the story was written. REad on! Happy Christmas! -
My thoughts:
WOW! This short little Christmas romance is packed! The author grabs you with the very first sentence and keeps you rolling right through to the end of the story. The characters are well developed and lovingly created. You are emotionally invested in the story before you get to page two. Wonderfully written. This is a sweet, touching, fulfilling story of courage, dedication, and love. -
I picked up this story on a whim (who reads Christmas stories in May??) Anyway, I absolutely loved it. It was so sweet and charming, heart-warming and very romantic. It's a story about people you'd really want good things to happen to. A story that will make you go "awwwwwww". For anyone who wants a short-read/pick-me-up, any time of year, you'll love this little gem of a story. I kept picturing it as holiday film too, so someone please get on that. Okay?? :)
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I loved Clarke’s
Twelve Days short story for its utterly unsentimental view of a Grand Gesture Gone Wrong. This is one is mildly sentimental, but in the best possible way – it’s quietly lovely and grounded, showing off Clarke’s gift in revealing complex, completely believable characters in just a few pages. *~*happysigh*~* -
This is a lovely little story, tender and sweet, with nicely drawn characters and some really touching moments. Anna's difficult plight highlights a real issue in today's society of caring for elderly relatives, and the kind of sacrifices some people have to make. A lovely Christmassy read. You won't be disappointed!
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All I want for Christmas is a fun short and sweet novella. A perfect read to get you into the holiday spirit. I loved that it is set in London, it kind of reminded me of the relationship between Karl and Sarah (Laura Linney and Rodrigo Santoro)in Love Actually, only Hugh and Anna's story has a happy ending. :)
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3.5 stars. All I Want is a ok read. The storyline was good and romance predictable. This is a very short story. But Ross Clark did do a good job in building her characters. The ending was very very rushed. I think that she could have expanded that. This is a good short read during the holiday though
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A tender and bitter-sweet romance between two likable characters that tugs at the heart strings. I've read this one a couple of times now and I get very satisfyingly teary-eyed at the end. It has a Christmas setting, but I think it's a lovely read at any time of year.
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This was an adorable and sweet Christmas love story. It wasn't just about the love between Anna and Hugh, but also the love Anna has for her mother in such difficult times.
Absolutely happy I read 'All I want for Christmas'. -
This was a quick read novella, but what a super emotion punch!!!
I loved it and I fell in love with Hugh too!!!
Definitely worth reading...
Lisa :) -
Cute, quick read. I would have liked a slightly longer story because I enjoyed the characters so much. Great holiday read.
Full review soon at
www.mangamaniaccafe.com -
Sweet and short. Read it in one sitting. Love!
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Super cute and cheesy.
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A very sweet short read...cute
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$0.99 on Kindle
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Weak
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short holiday book
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Review will be posted shortly on Romancing the Book's blog.
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3.75 Nice story at Christmas. 2 years in a row she gets drunk and kisses hunk mogul but then ignores him the rest of the year. This year he is determined to find out why.
