Home For The Holidays The Forgetful BrideWhen Christmas Comes

Posted In: Holiday Homes

Loan Hallerman says...

This is such a delightful book!If you missed "The Forgetful Bride" the first time around (in 1991),don't let this one get away!It's one of Debbie's best!

Posted on October 4, 2010

Shawna Heflin says...

Great author. Fiction. Short romantic Christmas Stories. Read by the fire on a snowy evening. Author captures readers attention in first few pages.

Posted on October 5, 2010

Heide Kossow says...

As always the book was fun to read & i enjoyed it a lot; excellent

Posted on October 5, 2010

Marlin Guiher says...

Every year, Debbie Macomber writes the most heart-warming Christmas stories to help readers relax during the busy holiday season. Home for the Holidays provides two good stories that will warm the heart.



The Forgetful Bride is an updated version of a story she wrote in 1991. Cait and Joe were "married" when they were children so that 10-year-old Joe could kiss 8-year-old Caitlin. The bonus Caitlin got out of the quicky marriage was to see the inside of the boys-only clubhouse, providing her with bragging rights around their childhood circle.



Many years later, Cait and Joe unexpectedly meet again. Although Cait has her eyes on an adorable co-worker who doesn't seem to recognize her desire for him, Joe is instantly taken with his childhood "bride". As she loudly protests, Joe insists they are still married and teasingly wants his rights as her husband.



The tug-of-war that ensues will bring a grin to your face if not a chuckle. Enjoy this Christmas time fun battle of the sexes.



When Christmas Comes - This story is a hilarious mix-up that brings out the true meaning of Christmas, whether one wants it or not. Emily traded her Washington home for Charles' Boston condo. Emily's friend Faith unexpectedly decides to visit Emily in Washington, but finds Charles instead. In the meantime, Charles brother decides to visit him in Boston only to find Emily ensconced in the condo.



Throughout the confusion, mixed-messages, and mayhem loves begins to find it's way among these unlikely couples.



Both of these light-hearted stories are just what one needs, along with a cup of hot chocolate, to relax after a busy day of shopping and wrapping gifts. Relax and enjoy the fun.

Posted on October 7, 2010

Laurine Vietti says...

What a light-hearted, fun book. Both stories had laugh out loud moments and very sweet romantic interludes.Very enjoyable reading.

Posted on October 9, 2010

Dotty Bloomstrom says...

Well,I'm not sure what all the low reviews are for, because I thought this was a fun book.It's an easy to read lighthearted book to read on the these cold snowy days.Something to relax by the fire with and laugh without getting into something too serious and deep.I think they are both warm with lots of laughter and a nice romance, perfect for getting away from it all.We have enough serious in our lives and it's nice to unwind with any of Debbie Macombers books.If you want deep and thought provoking material, then read an Opera book.

Posted on October 10, 2010

Isabel Mailo says...

If I had it to do again, I would have saved my money.This is a very easy read and very light hearted, which is fine.What I didn't like the book is something I would expect a 16 year old to write. The behaviors of the lead female are very childish and not the behaviors of an adult.For example, who would tell their boss that at the age of eight you had a pretend marriage and you didn't want him to be concerned about it.Honestly -- This is one example but the juvenile writng made it a challenge to keep reading

Posted on October 11, 2010

Shery Tamura says...

I received this book very fast and in great condition. I am in the middle of reading it and it is very good.

Posted on October 11, 2010

Jamey Gutzler says...

Forgetful Bride



I gave Cait the benefit of the doubt that she's a 28 year old, who is a hopeless romantic, blind to every indication to the obvious (I just took a random guess at the pairing and it turned out right) and sensitive to the littlest joke. With that mind frame, I managed to enjoy the story, which is how she gradually comes to her senses and starts thinking of other people, rather than herself. There was something way too simple about the writing style and characterization. Joe is shallowly drawn (as in there's no real depth to his character, no insight to how he switches from obnoxious to loving, hard hat construction worker to suave romeo. He just does and we're expected to roll with it). The best friend is too passive. The childhood marriage joke gets old pretty quickly.



When Christmas Comes



This was a straight comedy of error, reminding me of my favourite movie, "The Irony of Fate, or Enjoy Your Bath". Basically Emily switches houses with Charles. Faith flies across the country to be with Emily, only to find Charles, and Ray goes to look for Charles only to find Emily. Throw in a hysterical mother, a belligerent daughter, and her biker boyfriend. As the characters started to be developed and brought together, laughter could be heard echoing off my walls; I just couldn't help it. I laughed at what I read, I laughed in anticipation; I just laughed. I don't know if it was supposed to be that funny.



Anyway, the romances that were developed are shallow. The comedy of errors was hilarious, but immediately there were too many characters for a romance to develop in any depth. At best, I could find strong friendships. We didn't really get to see the couples fleshed out, their motives, concerns, and hopes really developed. With just a couple cookies and christmas trees, or a sleigh ride and dinner, they have fallen in love. In a way, I hand their restraint to the age of the couples, 30s- 50s, but that only goes so far. If this was a full length novel, where we were able to see the full two weeks they spend with each other, then it could have been an excellent romance. But it wasn't, and is therefore rather shallow.



These are two great stories that I would recommend to friends. I thoroughly enjoyed my experience and read them in one sitting. My criticisms stem from the fact that I wish I had more, especially more depth. But such is the situation with lighthearted novels.

Posted on October 12, 2010

Arnoldo Doolin says...

Debbie reminds us again what Christmas is really about.Thank you Debbie for making my christmas so special.

Posted on October 14, 2010