I was so busy this December that I almost forgot to read Jenny Bayliss's latest. Known for releasing a heartfelt romcom each Christmas, the Brit lit wit never fails to make me smile through my Santa-induced stress. So when I spied a lone copy of Kiss Me at Christmas while tornadoing through Target, I snagged it.
Teacher-turned-pastoral care worker Harriet Smith is in dire need of a change. Overworked and underappreciated, she's always on call and haunted by the one student she couldn't save. And this Christmas her nerves are especially fraught because her daughter's spending the holiday stateside. Lonely and vulnerable, triple-cardigan-wearing Harriet embarks on a one night stand. Then, fresh off the walk of shame, she finds her most at-risk students, a.k.a. the "famous five," playing hooky in the abandoned Winter Theater.
When her students get caught, she takes the blame and, per the eccentric old woman who owns the theater, cleans it up to avoid charges. Yet what starts as community service snowballs into a production of A Christmas Carol. Harriet leads, inspires, and energizes the famous five, a local theater group, and various disenfranchised community clubs including refugees, treasure hunters, and self-proclaimed "lonely farts" into putting on the best show ever. Also, there's the guy from Harriet's one night stand, who just happens to be the eccentric woman's lawyer.
It's nice when Christmas has a sense of humor.
Still, Kiss Me at Christmas is more than a romcom. It's about self-care and community, two things that sound as though they'd be at odds but are, oddly, intertwined. Because it's only when Harriet allows herself to be at peace that she's able to bring peace to others. And yes, perhaps, fall in love.
Big-hearted and hilarious, Kiss Me at Christmas is Bayliss's best book yet. Because everyone deserves a second act. Especially at Christmas.
3 comments:
Oh, it does have a certain charm that's irresistible! It could be just your review though! Thanks so much! Sorry I couldn't get here sooner. But now I am more curious about the author. I hope you guys had a fantastic Christmas. ✨❤️🎄❤️✨❤️🎄 It felt it was on the run with me. And then to do it all again (well not quite) in the middle of the week again. Add somebody moving to a new place which is a bit farther away and visiting too.. seem to make catchup harder. And my goodness..all those other people in my head wanting me to make time for them..(✿◕‿◕✿)(✿◡‿◡) Thanks again, for reading and thank you for your comments!
It is so sad to be alone especially for the holidays. Sounds like a good story. I did not remember the theme of Kiss Me Kate. Self-care and community? Interesting - finding peace is is the ultimate goal for everyone. Hope you enjoyed a wonderful Christmas with your little family and your extended family.
What a heart-warming (and funny!) read, it sounds like!! Christmas with a sense of humor sounds like the perfect book to read amongst the holiday frenzy. The cover is so cute too, with them hanging the garland! 💛🎄💚
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