Review ~ The Kiss Before Christmas by Sophie Pembroke

eARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Release Date: 19th December 2013

Publisher: HarperImpulse

Description:
An English Girl in New York

As the snow starts to fall on Manhattan, PA Dory Mackenzie is a long way from home, far from the comforts and cheer of her cozy family Christmases back in Liverpool.

So when her boss Tyler Alexander offers to pay her pricey ticket home for New Year, Dory just can’t say no… even if she has to pretend to be his girlfriend for the holidays!

Tyler may be hiding the real reason he needs a girlfriend-of-convenience but that’s the least of Dory’s worries when she’s up against the disapproval of his high society mother, and the suspicions of his gorgeous older brother Lucas, the black sheep of the family.

There’s no fooling Lucas, and it’s not just the truth he wants to get closer to… So before the bells have even rung out for Christmas day, Dory finds herself caught up in the Alexander family’s dramas – and sharing more than just a few kisses under the mistletoe!

My Opinion

When I read the description for this book my mind went instantly to the movie "The Proposal." It sounded exactly like the narrative for that only with the genders reversed. Now, I love that movie so it didn't put me off requesting it, all I hoped it wasn't a total rip off and I was so glad that it was not what I expected at all. It couldn't have been further from the movie and I think I like this storyline more!

The Kiss Before Christmas was a quick, easy, festive read that left me with that warm, fuzzy feeling by the end of it. It engaged me brilliantly and I couldn't put it down. The writing flowed seamlessly and I liked how, unlike a lot of novellas I read, The Kiss Before Christmas wasn't jumpy. It flowed from one scene to the next and they all linked well to create a flawless story. There wasn't much detail in the characters backstory, but for once I didn't care. You get a few fact but other than that you are focused solely on the present relationships and I thought the author did this beautifully. It's not usual that I don't mind missing a backstory but this book really didn't need more than it had.

I found myself surprisingly drawn to Lucas. He had a relaxed manner and being the black sheep of the family differed from Tyler and the rest. I was engaged and drawn in with the romance as it built and I loved how it developed. It was a slow build which allowed me to invest in the characters relationship fully. The web of lies surrounding it all added another depth of emotion as you could feel for the characters.

I wasn't sure how the author was going to tie everything up-I knew the ending but couldn't guess how she would get there. Because of this I found myself surprised when the last little twist revealed itself, which was a nice development.

The only slight complaint I have about this book is the cover. Don't get me wrong, it's pretty but I'm just so tired of seeing the same couple on Christmas novellas. This is the fifth book I have read this year with them on so I would have liked something a little more original.

Overall though book title was a great festive romance. My heart melted for the characters and I felt for their situation. Their story was engaging and I couldn't stop reading!