A Nantucket Christmas

A Novel

De: Nancy Thayer

Narrado por: Joyce Bean

Known for her heartwarming observations of family life, New York Times best-selling author Nancy Thayer showcases her beloved Nantucket’s snowy off-season in this emotionally gratifying and utterly entertaining story.

Holidays on this Massachusetts island are nothing short of magical, and the season’s wonderful traditions are much loved by Nicole Somerset, new to Nantucket and recently married to a handsome former attorney. Their home is already full of enticing scents of pine, baking spices, and homemade pie.

But the warm, festive mood is soon tempered by Nicole’s chilly stepdaughter, Kennedy, who arrives without a hint of holiday spirit. Determined to keep her stepmother at arm’s length - or, better yet, out of the picture altogether - Kennedy schemes to sabotage Nicole’s holiday preparations. Nicole, however, is not about to let anyone or anything tarnish her first Christmas with her new husband.

Nancy Thayer’s wonderful tale reminds us that this is the season of miracles. Before the gifts are unwrapped, surprise visitors appear, and holiday joy comes to all, both naughty and nice.

©2013 Nancy Thayer (P)2013 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Meh

Sadly, I expected better from this author, on pretty much every level. Indeed, if there was an editor, shame on them for green-lighting the work in this condition. I feel like I should stop investing money in other works by this author after this.

Eh...

I finished it even though several times the narration greatly tempted me to stop listening and return it. The story line itself was unremarkable. It moved a bit slow at some points. The narration was puzzling. Ms. Bean did excellent for most characters but her portrayal of Kennedy and Maddox were like fingers on a chalkboard.

I enjoyed it but...

Don’t get me wrong I enjoyed listening to the story the narrator had a very pleasant voice but after listening for a few minutes I thought this might be a child/teen book. The language and adult interactions seemed youngish in style.

A Short Sweet Christmas Story

A Nantucket Christmas was a beautiful light short Christmas holiday story, which captures the reader from the cover to the ending. The cover itself is what we all dream about when we think of Christmas with the snow lined streets and quaint lit shops-- Kind of reminds you of Richard Paul Evans Christmas books, he is so famous for.

Nancy Thayer is an excellent author and one of my favorites, as have read all her books, and she does not disappoint. I purchased from audible as had so many other books to read on e-book so thought this would be nice while jogging and running errands. I had to finish it in one day as could not wait for the ending.

The story begins with a dog from his perspective (haven’t we all always wondered what goes on in the minds of our dogs)? Mixed together with a little boy named Maddox, a spoiled rich girl-Kennedy, her selfish mother, and her father Sebastian who is now married to Nicole. Of course, Kennedy dislikes Nichole (as she is not as glamorous and more down to earth), and she continues to compare the rich glamorous mother to her plain but nice stepmother, who cooks and helps everyone. She is set to make her life miserable when Nicole hosts the family Christmas at Kennedy’s former family home on Nantucket.

Kennedy is so rude to Nichole and sits around while Nichole waits on her and the mind games begin. She is also pregnant and milks it to the maximum with her poor me and daddy buy me this-wishing her mom and dad would get back together.

The one salvation is the adorable Maddox (Kennedy’s son) and his only wish is a dog. Of course his mother and rich grandmother (who is off with a younger man in Switzerland) would not dream of such a thing. However, since this is now Nichole’s home, she will allow a dog. When the ex-wife (Kennedy’s mother) has a breakup with her younger lover, shows up unannounced at the home of Nichole/Sebastian and now poor Nichole has two women to contend with – the heat turns up!
Things turn for Nichole when Kennedy goes into labor, and Nichole being a nurse is there to take charge and Maddox goes missing with his favorite new friend (the dog Pooch) – and the two men go in search of him – Nichole is left with the ungrateful daughter and rude ex-wife.

When this happens everything changes – for a holiday miracle! Highly recommend for a feel good holiday story of how a dysfunctional family can be saved!

PS Not a fan of Joyce Bean as her voice is too gruff; however, the story was still good.

Narrator

Narrator was not convincing enough. I didn’t like the voices used for each character. The men’s voices ran together and sounded the same.

Too much whining!

Certainly not my favorite Christmas story! The whiney adult calling her mom “Mommy” was just one of the many turnoffs. The title sounded so sweet and charming....as Nantucket is but this the story was hokey. I would not recommend this for a holiday read!

WORST BOOK IN MY ENTIRE LIBRARY

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

not sure, I would not recommend it to anyone

What was most disappointing about Nancy Thayer’s story?

Elementary and boring

How could the performance have been better?

performance wasn't terrible the storyline was just boring

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

disappointment

Any additional comments?

waste of a credit

Hohumbug

I cared about the dog, and the description of Nantucket was not completely without charm.