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Christmas Wedding At The Gingerbread Cafe (2014)

by Rebecca Raisin(Favorite Author)

4.35 of 5 Votes: 3

languge

English

genre

Romance

publisher

Carina UK

series

The Gingerbread Cafe

review 1: "Christmas Wedding at the Gingerbread Cafe" is a third book in the "Gingerbread Cafe" series but my first one to read (yes, I know, it IS possible!). I was a little afraid that perhaps I should read the previous books before starting this one, but unfortunately my day has only 24 hours and I haven't managed it. Nevertheless, I started reading this novel and I was immediately dragged in the story and I haven't had any feeling that I missed something. No, I started it just like any other stand - alone novel, but - it's really strange, really - I felt as if I am meeting good, old friends, people that I knew for ever.The story is about Lily and Damon getting married at Christmas. Actually, everything is already prepared, there are only some bits and bobs, such as dress fitting... more, baking cake... The finishing touches. But then Lily's future parents - in - law arrive, earlier as expected, and while Damon's father is a very laid - back and hearty man, Olivia, Damon's mother, is a little different story... she doesn't fall for Lily and she makes the preparations a little complicated... Is she going to sabotage the wedding? Is she going to really complicate the things? This book covers the last ten days before the wedding and it's a countdown to this day. Of course, every day brings something new, and as it usually is with the weddings, and especially those planned on Christmas, this "new" doesn't necessarily mean "nice" or "trouble - free". Well, Lily didn't make it lighter for herself with working in the cafe till the very end, so on top of her own wedding cake, she must bake her usual dose of things that her customers so like. Also, her mum's clumsiness with the beautiful, full of heart and work wedding cake is not this kind of help that she was hoping for. I really felt sorry for our Lily. This book has only positive feelings to it, there is nothing pessimistic or sad in it, even if the storyline also follows a death. It's in fact so sweet that I started to feel fed up to my back teeth and I was yearning for SOMETHING, anything to happen, something that add a little drama, that make the plot to twist or turn a little. I remember my English Literature professor once, drawing an outline on the blackboard and showing us what a climax is, and I still see it with my eyes, this high spot marked climax. And while reading this book I was also looking for such a climax, for a highlight, for something that is going to shake the whole book, but unfortunately I haven't found anything. It was as if the plot was following a very long, very straight line, without any turns, ups or downs. I mean, in my opinion, there was so much potential to make this book even greater as it was, for example with the mother - in - law - to - be... Oh yes, our main character had one scene when she exploded with jealousy, but it was such out of order and it totally didn't fit her and the story.The characters were nice ones but I couldn't find any depth to them. They always appeared at the right moments and even the author's attempt to spice things a little with the bad mother - in - law went down like a lead balloon. It just rang so untrue, Olivia lied through her teeth to Damon, when all the signs on heaven and on earth were telling something different... I mean, calling the dress - maker, telling her to change the dress and then denying it... This whole intrigue just seemed so amateurish, I think that from such an author as Rebecca Raisin we could expect something more refined.What was nice, though, was that the relationships and friendships in the story were believable and the girls could talk you to death, such chatterboxes they were. The author can also in a very sublime way deal with sad moments and describes those moments in a very emotional way, and a big applause for her for this, and for the fact that the sorrow, while present in the book, doesn't overwhelm the happy moments. There is also the one thing that it's hard not to notice, and it is the atmosphere and warmth of the story. It's oozes with charm and friendship and in my eyes it has made up for those gaps in the storyline. I guess it was the author's goal, to write an optimistic, sweet story, brimming with good feelings, and she has achieved it. I'm only really sorry that the magic didn't work on me as much as on the other reviewers, I seem to have been looking for something more in this book. Nevertheless, so many people enjoy this story, and it makes me really happy - it was just not for me. But if you are looking for a cosy, feel - good romance, full of oh my so yummy cakes and gingerbread, friendship, love, romance, snow, then Rebecca Raisin is your person.Copy received in exchange for a review as a part of Blog Tour.
review 2: An absolutely gorgeous Christmas read. It's the third in the Gingerbread Cafe- but the first one I've read. I didn't feel that I'd missed the back story as it all flowed so well. But I will definately go back and get the other books and any more by Rebecca Raisin.Lily runs an adorable 'Gingerbread' cafe- where all the locals pop in for cosy chats and tasty treats. She's due to marry her fiance in a matter of days and all the plans and preparations are well under way. Her dress is being made locally and she is going to make a beautiful creation with CeeCee as the wedding cake.Everything seems blissful until........... her future mother in law rolls into town. She seems to be on some sort of vendetta to stir things up. Why?This book is full of romance, wonderful friendships, delightful culinary experiences and wonderful imagery. This wedding is going to be wonderful- or is it?! All I can say is that I really wish my wedding cake had been made by CeeCee.With many thanks to Carina Uk, the publisher and Net Galley for the chance to read this book. less

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