The tree is decorated, the cookies are baked, and the packages are wrapped, but the biggest celebration this Christmas is Gaby Summerhill's wedding. Since her husband died three years ago, Gaby's four children have drifted apart, each consumed by the turbulence of their own lives. They haven't celebrated Christmas together since their father's death, but when Gaby announces that she's getting married—and that the groom will remain a secret until the wedding day—she may finally be able to bring them home for the holidays.
But the wedding isn't Gaby's only surprise—she has one more gift for her children, and it could change all their lives forever. With deeply affecting characters and the emotional twists of a James Patterson thriller, The Christmas Wedding is a fresh look at family and the magic of the season.
My Review:
Every year during the month of December our book club reads a holiday themed book, and this year we chose The Christmas Wedding by James Patterson. I can tell you up front that overall our group did not enjoy this book, and not much of it really even had anything to do with Christmas. I enjoy books that have a realistic theme, and considering the main plot was Gaby's wedding, her marriage to one of three men, whom only she would reveal until the actual wedding, was very unbelievable to me.
Gaby has had close friendships with three different men and each one proposed to her. They were all wonderful men with endearing qualities, and I couldn't imagine them following along with her plan either. So they are all going to stand at the altar until she walks down the aisle to let them know which one she chooses? That is the silliest thing I've every heard.
I did enjoy the stories of Gaby's children much more. They all seemed to live realistic lives with problems I'm sure most of us could relate to. Until they get invited to this silly wedding anyway, and support their mother whole-heartedly. Maybe some more character development could have been done to help me understand Gaby and accept her decisions.
We have usually found Christmas books do not have a lot of depth and this one definitely fits right into that category. With themes of family, love and Christmas you may find more enjoyment from this book than I did. If you are a Patterson fan, you may want to pick this one up, keeping in mind that it isn't his usual action packed thriller, but a goofy romance. As much as I didn't enjoy this book, I have to admit that I didn't hate it either, but I definitely would not suggest it as a book club selection.
My Rating: 3/5
Disclosure: I borrowed this book from my local library and read it for my personal entertainment and as a book club selection.
2 comments:
You're right about Christmas books. I probably won't pick this one up.
I agree with your thoughts on this one.
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