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The Nine Lives Of Christmas (2011)

by Sheila Roberts(Favorite Author)

3.83 of 5 Votes: 5

ISBN

0312594496 (ISBN13: 9780312594497)

languge

English

genre

Romance

publisher

St. Martin's Press

review 1: This story, in its true Christmas spirit, contains also some magic in the form of a cat - Ambrose - cheeky character with an attitude, and it was him that firstly drew me to this novel. Ambrose is given a second chance on his ninth - and last! - life and must do something nice to deserve this second chance. And he is going to do anything to deserve on this chance.I loved the passages told from the cat's point of view, well, you don't get often a story where a cat is one of the main characters, and I think that Ambrose was the real hero of the book. I don't know much about cats, as I'm more dogs' person, but this one has a real attitude, no matter in which life he has found himself, and I can imagine having him at home. Other characters were, well, nice but too clichéd fo... morer my liking. Zach, the typical firefighter, big, handsome, muscled, going jogging every day and with a heart made of gold, full of understanding, drinking beer and ordering pizza. I mean, can you make a guy more clichéd? Merilee is your typical Cinderella, having grown up with two beautiful sisters and thinking she's the ugliest and less worthy one, and so doing a great amount of comfort eating. After loosing a lot of weight she still didn't gain her confidence back and devoured her life to help animals and work in a pet store, and resigned from her dream of becoming a vet because she couldn't afford that. I mean, well, she did have a loving family, right? A family that would be more than glad to help her to fulfil her dream? If her sisters were able to take her shopping big, then they would for sure help her to learn to be a vet?But Ambrose really stole the show. He's on his second chance of his last, ninth life, and he must now do something good to prove that he deserves this second chance, so he decides on bringing Zach, who has saved him from a dog, together with the not yet known love of his life. His observations about human life were just precious, although there were too many repetitions for my liking. But his inner monologues and comments were brilliant. I would say he was a typical cat, very selfish, as he actually concentrated only on himself and focusing on how to earn this well deserved ninth life. This little matchmaking was just by the way :)So altogether, I have enjoyed "Nine Lives of Christmas" most of the three Sheila Roberts' Christmas books. It was funny and light and although a tad predictable as well, it made an easy, festive read with some magic in it. It was sweet and optimistic but sometimes it's just all what you need. Even if I don't like cats that much (yes, yes, sorry!), I really adored Ambrose, and I'm sure all of you cat fans will fall in love with this gentleman.Copy received from publisher in exchange for a review.
review 2: So lately I have been too much into books and movies about the apocalypse, dystopian worlds, superheroes, sci-fi generations, zombies, vampires, shape-shifters, monsters and all that is heavily unreal or fantastical or supernatural... Phew. I really needed a breather. I was looking for something different and light and happy to read when I was offered a copy of The Nine Lives of Christmas. I don't read contemporary romance much, but this Sheila Roberts title was something that made me say yes. The cat had a big paw in it actually. Ambrose made me smile and laugh (okay, not out loud, just a few smirks). I especially loved the cat's musings to himself and his match-making antics. The characters were likable enough to make me care about them and where the story was going. Overall, this was a sweet, quick and sort of cute Christmas themed read, definitely suited for the holiday season. My personal advice would be to read it snuggled in bed, on a weekend, with a big mug of steaming hot chocolate in your hand. Perfect, if you need to relax and cheer up after a hectic week. I did.Happy reading! less

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