Christmas by the Lighthouse

By: Rebecca Boxall

Narrated by: Elizabeth Knowelden

Length: 6 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

Happy-go-lucky journalist Summer has always managed to focus on the silver lining. But nothing in her life has prepared her for her husband Seth’s recent revelation: He wants a six-month break from their marriage.

Determined to stay positive, Summer decamps to Jersey to spend six months by the sea, where every passing week makes Seth more of a distant memory. Then she meets sweet, charming Jude, whose life seems to be on permanent hold even before he receives devastating news of his own. To both of them, their chance encounter feels like fate, and with Summer’s encouragement Jude embarks on a bucket list of experiences that seem to bond them for life.

When they’re together, the world is alive with possibilities, but as Christmas approaches, their time is running out in more ways than one. Will they return to the lives they left behind - or take a chance on an unknown future?

©2019 Rebecca Boxall (P)2019 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Enjoyed it

I enjoyed this book very much although very unrealistic and predictable. It was a light hearted sweet read.

An emotional story about real people

I love that Rebecca Boxall writes about real and believable people. This time her characters are in their late 30s and have all the flaws and problems that real people have. Summer was a free-spirited daughter of older hippies who finds herself in a 20-year marriage to a very uptight headmaster of a school. When he asks for a 6-month break from their marriage, she soon discovers that it is just what she needs to rediscover herself. She soon meets Jules who finds out that he has inoperable brain cancer and is anxious to live life to the fullest for the year he has left. They have a wonderful time doing all the things that Jules never got around to in his pre-cancer existence. This is a bittersweet story with a few surprise twists that are very satisfying. While not all about Christmas, it is set on the amazing Island of Jersey at a quaint seaside cottage. The story even touches on the Island's interesting WWII history and the connection to Jules' family.

Perfect Christmas book!

Ups & Downs, pleasant characters and narrator. Just a lovely holiday book to curl up with on a cold winter's night.

An unexpected meeting

This was a warm and delightful story. Two people meet unexpectedly and find happiness despite the troubles.

Not Christmassy not relatable

Just going to come out and say it the cover is misleading. Small spoiler alert there is maybe one chapter on Christmas and the rest of the story is not very festive. Actually even plot is depressing. I wouldn't recommend this as a Christmas read at all.

Honestly I think the only reason I finished it was because the narrator of the audiobook is amazing. Elizabeth Knowelden, I heard her narrations before and she has a beautiful sweet voice, easy to listen too. This whole book felt rushed not that I enjoyed the plot much. Summers husband practically kicks her out the door for 6 months and Jude gets the worst news imaginable. They come together rather easily and in the allotted time they are allowed, fall in love.

Summer was an uplifting character but to the point where she was a push over. Jude had finally started living life although when pushed a little he turns into a sulking child and runs off. I guess the big probably for me was I didn't share their views about relationships. I can't understand why couples stay together unhappily for 20 years. Or if someone cheats on you and you just forget like it never happened. Nope let's not talk about our problems let's just let them fester.

For me Summer and Jude didn't feel meant for each other either. Only that they were both at an even point in their lives and needed each other for a few months. There just didn't seem to be anything spectacular or memorable. I couldn't relate to the characters. Guess I was just was really looking forward to a festive, hot chocolate, Christmas tale. This was not remotely close.