| Title | : | Christmas with the Recluse |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | 190 |
| Publication | : | Published November 26, 2018 |
Alexander has been dealing with the guilt from his wife’s death for two long years. It’s time to move past, so he hires someone to help rid his garage of his wife’s memories. But when she arrives, she’s not at all what he was expecting. And even though she’s a bit crazy, she helps him find his Christmas spirit once again.
Christmas with the Recluse Reviews
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Can a young, super bubbly, recent college graduate bring the joy of Christmas back into the life of a guilt-ridden, widower who's closed himself off from feeling?
Charley (I guess her parents wanted a boy because it's not short for Charlotte) is excited to be on her first antique appraisal job by herself, and she doesn't want to mess it up. When she arrives at the huge mansion of a house she's envisioning the beautiful antiques that she'll be appraising. But she's shocked and disappointed to discover that's not what she'll be doing at all--she'll be going through a three-car garage filled with moving boxes stacked on top of each other! Charley's not the only one who's surprised, Alexander Norris was expecting a man named Charles, not a barely-out-of-college young woman with a penchant for holiday socks.
Day by day Charley breaks through the armor Alexander uses to protect himself. Somehow she finds the time to decorate the house, teach him how to make cookies, cut down a tree and decorate it, go Christmas shopping and one of my favorite scenes--go caroling to a neighbor's house. She finds out way Alexander is a "grumpy, old man" and helps heal his heart.
Reading about all the Christmas cheer Charley spreads in Alexander's house will get you in the Christmas spirit. There are a couple of hilarious scenes--untangling the Christmas lights and the caroling I already mentioned that will make you laugh out loud, and if you need more there's an adorable rescued kitten named Millie.
This is a sweet holiday read that reminded me of Beauty and the Beast for a reason I never figured out other than Alexander being grumpy, and losing his cool a couple of times. -
Christmas with the Recluse is all about a peppy young college grad and a certifiable scrooge. Although this setup also comes across as a Beauty and the Beast type of book--Christmas style.
Alexander hires Charley to go through is antiques, but mistakes her for a man and is quite surprised when this happy, bubbly bundle of energy, with quirky socks, shows up to do the job. Both Charley and Alexander have endured hard losses in their lives, yet Charley handles her lot in life with a plan to find happiness and Alexander wallows in his grief, becoming hard, angry, and grumpy.
I loved watching the emotions melt away like the snow, revealing passion and tenderness. Cogsworth and Mrs. Potts, oh, excuse me... Thomas, the butler, and Dorothy, the housekeeper/cook, are the icing on the cake, especially with Dorothy's budding romance. Milly, the sweet black kitten, is also a fluffy added bonus.
This story proves to be as sweet as a frosted sugar cookie and is sure to melt your heart.
Content: mild, sweet romance (kissing), implied violence/death
*I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.* -
Honestly, I found the heroine super annoying in this story. However, she and the hero balanced each other out. She was overly cheerful and hyper and he was a total grouch. The storyline reminded me a lot of a Christian movie “Beauty and the Beast”. It was okay but not her best work.
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*sigh* I really enjoyed this one. It had a faint Beauty and the Beast feel to it without being Beauty and the Beast if that makes any sense. Alexander is mean and grumpy because he's been alone too long, but Charley knows how to light up a room with her positive outlook on life.
Lieske did a great job rounding out her characters personalities so they felt real. The supporting characters were also wonderful. One of the things I really appreciated is that Alexander didn't change overnight. During the ten days they spent together he made progress, but he did slip up. This is realistic. People don't completely change years of habit simply because they want to. And he did want to.
I loved Charley's spunk and forgiving nature. She was sweet and caring, hiding the hidden depth of her understanding behind her age.
I give Christmas with the Recluse a 4.5 and Clean rating.
1-5 scale and what it means:
1: I couldn’t even finish it / just plain bad
2: I hope I didn’t pay for this / disappointing
3: I didn’t hate it, but it was still missing something / forgettable but inoffensive
3.5: On the line between good and ok / like, not love
4: Solid mind candy / worth reading
4.5: So very close to perfection! / must read
5: I could not put it down and I’m still thinking about it! / a true treasure
Movie Ratings in relation to my review:
Clean--Hallmark movies, some kissing, no nudity, no sex on or off "screen"
PG--Some innuendo but nothing kids don't hear every day, sex is all closed door
PG-13--some language (swear words not related to sex), more talk about sex, heavy petting, removal of clothing on screen, but sex is closed door.
PG-14—somewhere between PG-13 and R. Not erotica, but at least a paragraph of on-screen sex
R--swearing (F-bomb, on “screen” sex, sometimes feels like the whole story is about the sex and not the relationship or some other plot, but not always -
Too cringeworthy for me
If you were almost fired & have a grouch for a boss, you're not going to be kissing him on the cheek. You're also not going to ask to use his winterized hot tub or to watch a movie with you (unless you're seeking additional employment?). You're certainly not going to be using the time that you're supposed to be working to put up Christmas decorations that you know he doesn't want because you've taking it upon yourself to decide that it's time for him to stop grieving.
I stopped there. I generally like Victorine Lieske's books. They're cheesy & predictable, but usually reliably entertaining like Hallmark movies. This one is just too unbelievable for me. The "joie de vivre" heroine is truly too immature for the job. -
I know the author was going for a fun loving, cute, energetic female lead but Charley comes across as a scatterbrained teenager. She was way too immature and giggly and acted like she was at this guy’s house for a vacation rather than for a job. Her behavior along with the plot were highly unrealistic and had me rolling my eyes so hard I almost gave myself a concussion. Alexander was written like a grumpy old Scrooge that was so hot & cold that I could not stand it.
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🎁 FREE on Amazon today (2/17/2019)! 🎁
Blurb:
When Charley gets sent by her father to appraise a mansion full of antiques, she gets a surprise when she arrives and the owner is cold and mean, and doesn’t want anything to do with Christmas. And even worse? It’s not really an appraisal job at all. He just wants her to clean out his mountain of junk from his garage. But Charley makes it her goal to show him that Christmas is a special time of year. And as time goes on, she sees his frozen heart start to thaw.
Alexander has been dealing with the guilt from his wife’s death for two long years. It’s time to move past, so he hires someone to help rid his garage of his wife’s memories. But when she arrives, she’s not at all what he was expecting. And even though she’s a bit crazy, she helps him find his Christmas spirit once again. -
Charley and Alexander were such great characters to read about. Of course you don't catch the side of Alexander until you get past his beastly mannerisms at the beginning of the book. But don't you worry, Charley will make sure that her bright and cheery disposition and love of all things Christmasy and fun socks will lighten Alexander's mood. And help him to realize that his life has been missing the love and happiness that fills the Christmas season.
Such a fun read. Light and sweet even though there is sorrow and heartache hanging over both of these characters' heads. By the time Charley finishes the job she is doing to clear out Alexander's memories, he won't quite know what hit his heart.
Plenty of funny and lighthearted scenes. I love Victorine Lieske's writing style. She always has great characters with plenty of spunk and humor (even though some start out with a little bit of a beast in them-they tend to melt and show their true colors throughout the book).
Fun Christmas story. Definitely one I'd recommend grabbing and enjoying before the end of the year hits in just a couple weeks.
Content: Clean. Some discussion of death/loss and talk of guilt but written very well.
I received a copy from the author. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Happy Reading!!! -
Not my favorite read by this author. I felt that Charley's character was way too immature and giggly for the character who needed to play her role. Her fun loving, eager for life personality came off as more high school than young adult. I get that it was to create a contrast between Alexander's somber personality and current lack of love for life, but she didn't quite pull it off. I also thought it was unrealistic that Charley would take so many liberties and feel such a sense of familiarity in an unfamiliar house that she was only employed at for such a short period of time. It seemed like the author couldn't decide what time period it was supposed to take place in. Sometimes the language was proper and old fashioned, and other times, it felt present day. I liked the story line. I liked that it was clean. Overall, it was a fun read about love, loss, moving on, and how one person can make a difference, but it wasn't executed fully. I wouldn't read it again, but I will still continue to watch for books by this author.
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Okay, I need to be frank here. The first time I read a Victorine book, I was so amazed that I sent her a mail to thank her for well, just being. All 3 'Accidental' books I read gave me the warm, fuzzy feeling in the pit of my stomach that I've come to associate with good romance.
Needless to say, I started this one with high expectations, and I was disappointed- no fuzzy feeling. Maybe my demands from romance have changed, or maybe this book just disappoints, but I wasn't really feeling it.
Because Victorine and I have history, I grudgingly bestow upon this book 3/5 stars. -
This is a sweet heartwarming story of how a younger woman that loves quirky socks goes to work for the grumpy Alex Norris. When Charley first meets Alexander, he tells her to leave. He was expecting a man to do the job not a woman just out of college. Can Charley get Alex to loosen up or will he send her packing. Alex has experienced a horrible loss and the guilt still eats at him. I won’t reveal everything that happens, but I have to say, when they go to the Miller house to sing carols, it was absolutely priceless. I literally laughed out loud. If you enjoy sweet holiday romances, then this will leave you with your holiday spirit intact and a smile on your face.
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Cute Christmas read.
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Too predictable, as if it was written on a readymade template. With a heroine with a ten year old personality and a hero with a grumpy old man personality.
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I saw a lot of reviews mention Beauty and the Beast but this one reminded me more of The Sound of Music (sans all the kids). Charley was irritatingly cheerful and Alex was a suit-wearing, work-from-home curmudgeon. I kept waiting for someone to burst into song...and then they went caroling.
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Absolutely amazing!!!
It’s going to be Easter soon, but I was in the mood for some Christmas :)
Charley has just graduated college and has her first real job as an antiques appraiser. Her boss isn’t what she had expected though. A reserved man, mean and grumpy. Even though he doesn’t mean to be!
Alexander has built himself a castle of pain and uses work as an excuse not to live life. He thinks Charley is way too perky. But she might be just what he needs. A bit of happiness in his life, a bit of lightness.
There’s a cute little kitten! Awww. Good to make clear cow’s milk is bad for kittens. BTW, I talk to my cats ALL THE TIME. It’s a sign of sanity ;)
It was a sweet story. Absolutely amazing!!! I laughed out loud a couple of times. This is a book that made me laugh, made me smile, made me happy!
Dual POV between bubbly Charley and uptight Alexander. That way we get both sides of the story, giving it depth. I loved the realness of it all, even though it was fairy-taley at the same time. I really felt for Alexander. And I loved Charley. Although she can be a bit much for a recluse :D -
I listened to the audiobook version of this book. It was a sweet, story around the magic of Christmas.
Charley had been sent by her father to the home of Alexander to appraise boxes of items in his garage. When Alexander realized she wasn't the man he had been expecting and that she was much younger than he expected, too, he was not happy and tried to send her away. Charley convinced him to give her a chance to prove herself.
Most of the items turned out to be worthless but Charley found a few treasures that brought up bittersweet memories for Alexander of his first wife. As Charley's infectious personality broke through Alexander's toughened exterior, he began to experience joy and happiness again. But, he was much older and Charley had plans that didn't involve getting involved with a client. However, the chemistry was real. Was it possible to resist, especially at Christmastime?
This was a sweet story of coping with loss and grief and learning how to live again and experience joy again. It was a clean, wholesome romance appropriate for anyone to read. -
Yikes.
I got to 20% and said that's it.
Major issues with this story.
#1. She had an energy about her that he had never seen in a person. When she laughed, she did it with her whole being. It was like she couldn’t wait to go out and experience life. Had he ever felt even a small part of that? He doubted it.
Of course she has the energy she is 20 with the mental age of 14.
2. She is there for a job. Her father is a "well respected" appraiser. His daughter grew up in the business. She SHOULD know how to treat clients.
3. Her behavior and manner is appalling. She is not cute, funny ....appalling. She is on a job. Not going to a frat party or slumber party.
4. This book puts out a pedophile vibe.
5. Book is a rip off of another book where the woman goes to do appraisals of fine paintings. Only she was an adult and not a 14 year old in heat.
6. I can already guess....since I didn't finish the book that she is a virgin. So cliche.
One star. -
Listen to Christmas With the Recluse audiobook by Victorine E. Lieske.
His heart is frozen. She's the sunlight he's been missing.
When Charley gets sent by her father to appraise a mansion full of antiques, she's shocked to find the owner is cold and mean, and doesn’t want anything to do with Christmas. And even worse? It’s not really an appraisal job at all. He just wants her to clean out his mountain of junk from his garage. But Charley makes it her goal to show him that Christmas is a special time of year. And as time goes on, she sees his frozen heart start to thaw.
Alexander has been dealing with the guilt from his wife’s death for two long years. It’s time to move past, so he hires someone to help rid his garage of his wife’s memories. But when she arrives, she’s not at all what he was expecting. And even though she’s a bit crazy, she helps him find his Christmas spirit once again. -
A light-hearted bubbly romance, Charley thinks that she is getting the opportunity of a lifetime when her father sends her to appraise antiques at the home of a recluse. Instead, she discovers that she has to clear out the grieving man's garage. Between her festive socks, music on her playlist and irrepressible personality, Alexander doesn't stand a chance of avoiding the holiday season. Bit by bit, Charley manages to break down the barriers and beneath the surface of things, they find that their experiences aren't that different after all. It is how they handle the sorrow in their lives that makes them different. The story is sweet and clean with an undeniable attraction between Charley and Alex, and ends on a hopeful and positive note, making one believe in the miracle of Christmas. I received a copy of this book as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.
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The Beautiful Beast
Author Victorine Lieske has a fine sense of the ridiculous and knows just how to balance past tragedy with present humor. Loss of a loved one can be crushingly difficult but unless one is forced into purdah, no honor is done to the beloved departed by wallowing endlessly in grief. Sometimes, however, it takes a nudge from the outside to stop the endless loops of 'what if' and 'why aren't you here with me' to push the focus outside one's self. Enter Charley who has her own issues but chooses the now rather than the past. Despite an age difference rather larger (at her age) than one usually sees, this romance actually works and watching it blossom in time with the holiday season is a delight. Besides, this book is just flat out funny! -
I picked this little story up on the recommendation of a friend.
2.5 ⭐️ rounded up to 3. Loved the witty dialogue. Struggled with the main character’s maturity and professionalism as well as the timeline (insta-love is only very rarely a win for me). I’m not gonna lie: I love me a Hallmark romance as much as the next girl, but this one stretched believability too way too far for me.
On a side note: the guy on the cover is hot. But his vibe doesn’t match the character I read about in this book. The sexy smolder doesn’t quite match the sweet romance feel. I have been known to judge books by their covers, and this cover made me wonder if I was going to encounter something more graphic than I generally prefer. -
This is a wonderful Christmas romance with all the feels. This is not just a fluffy story; it's deeply moving and one point had me nearly in tears. If you've ever lost a loved one, then you'll identify with these characters. Alexander is rude and abrasive while Charley is a breath of fresh air. The limited staff at Alexander's estate and the UPS guy are also fun side characters. Something I would have liked the author to develop further was showing off Charley's skill as an antique appraiser either during the story or in the epilogue, since it is a passion of hers.
I received an ARC of this book. This is an honest and voluntary review.
