Boyfriends of Christmas Past

By: Erika Marks

Narrated by: Kelsey Navarro

Length: 3 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

A magical modern-day Christmas Carol

Digital designer Emma Wallace is finally poised for her big break: Kitchenware giant Johnson Cookware is looking to rebrand - and with Christmas around the corner, Emma’s long-held philosophy of work-before-play may just give her the edge she needs to win the account.

The only peppermint twist in her Scrooge-worthy plan? She promised her ever-patient architect boyfriend Sam Cole that, after spending the last three Christmases in her office instead of in his arms, she’ll make this holiday just about the two of them. But as Christmas Eve draws near and the deadline crunch threatens her promise to Sam, Emma finds herself visited by three boyfriend “ghosts” of Christmases past, who come bearing the gift of hindsight.

Will showing Emma her past romantic failures, as well as her early courtship with Sam, help her to see the path to true happiness in time to save her future?

©2019 Erika Marks (P)2021 Blackstone Publishing

Cute little romance

Emma is on the fast track of success in her business. An independent woman who wants to make her own way and have her own source of income. She doesn’t want to end up like her mother. She has a successful career so loves and a supportive boyfriend Sam with a stable relationship. Or does she?

Her reality and mindset changes when she is vistas each night by boyfriends from the past who remind her of her reality. A fun twist on the Christmas carol.

Modern Day Scrooge

An Audible short audiobook. A modern romantic Scrooge story.

The story is a modern take on the classic story of Scrooge. The main character, Emma, is very focused on her work, a possible career boost even, but during her relationships she has always neglected her partner. This holiday season she is again focused on her work, not romance or important people in her life. But this time she gets visits from former boyfriends who take her through her past relationships.

I love Christmas stories, and this one brings a modern spin to a classic story. I didn't really like the main character, I didn't think she learned or grew enough in the few days the story was told. But I think the visits from past boyfriends are an worthwhile and interesting part of the story. The ending is of course a happy one, like any good Christmas story.

Boyfriends of Christmas Past Audiobook Review

📚BOOK REVIEW📚
236/250
Boyfriends of Christmas Past by Erika Marks
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/5
I listened to the audio of this holiday novella and it was just everything I needed to keep the Christmas spirit alive. With a modern twist on the classic Christmas Carol, Emma finds herself having to make a decision between a commitment she made with her current boyfriend and her dream job. Before the decision is made, she is visited by several past boyfriends to remind her of her tendency for all work and no play. Will these visits help her make the right choice for her future?
I enjoyed this story and am always a sucker for a holiday romance. It was quick paced and narration was good, all around good listen.

So romantic!

I loved it!
The story creates enough of anxiety to feel what both MCs are going through. Though it nods to Dickens Scrooge, it does not follow the past, oresent and future ghosts exa tly. It's mainly padt, padt and padt with a hint of possible undesirable future. The ending is framed in an unexpected way.

Great Narration.

Such holiday fun!

Past Mistakes

Great modern day version of Christmas Carol. Sam has a kind giving soul. Emma can’t be bothered. She’s too busy making a living to make a life. The narrator adds even more life to the characters.

very cute story

very cute story with a very good narrator. Nice twist and update to the Christmas classic.

Super cute!

Love how the author took a spin on Scrooge. Wonderful fun holiday story. Definitely recommend this book. Made me take a look a my grinch self.

Past to present

I love this book from start to finish! This is a new version of Scrooge with a really smart twist.

Loved it

Such a light sweet story. That touched on a topic many women face today that balance.

Great narration

Overly simplistic and frustrating (potential spoilers)

This story is based on A Christmas Carol - a wonderful, beloved story. Ebenezer Scrooge is a selfish, calculating grump who cares more about money than people. He’s transformed by experiencing his past, present and future. In the end, he’s generous and invested in people over income.

Scrooge is visited by ghosts all in one night. In this one, it’s stretched out over several nights. With banal, repetitive scenes of Emma being late.

The value shift doesn’t correlate with this story. Emma’s problem is being a workaholic (who lacks boundaries) and taking advantage of her long suffering saint of a boyfriend. But, Emma isn’t inherently selfish or taking advantage of others. She trapped by fears. Nothings going to change unless Emma confronts her fear. Therefore, one of the ghosts should be her family members.

I hate that the author sets Emma up to fail - she can have her dream career or her relationship.

That’s what I mean by overly simplistic. Emma works long hours, so she’s a selfish a-hole. Why not have Emma find a shiny spine and stand up to her a-hole boss? Or have Sam invested in her work, offering support. (No, he’s also a selfish a-hole because he thinks of Emma’s success as a threat.) Everyone kinda sucks.