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Comfort & Joy
It's December 23rd and Clara Dunphy is running around Oxford Street like a blue-arsed fly trying to buy presents. She wants to make Christmas perfect: it's a lifelong ambition. And a challenging one at the best of times, even without taking her sixteen guests - sorry, 'loved ones' - and their varying degrees of social dysfunction into account.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published September 27, 2011
About the author
India Knight
30 books128 followersIndia Knight is a British journalist. Her novels have been translated into 28 languages.
Knight, a native French speaker, lived in Brussels until about the time she turned nine. After migrating to the United Kingdom, she was educated in London. She was awarded an exhibition to Trinity College, Cambridge, where she read Modern Languages from 1984-1987, before starting her career in journalism.
In addition to writing for and contributing to major British magazines and newspapers, India Knight writes a prominent weekly column for The Sunday Times. She is also a regular guest on British radio and television.
After writing an article in The Sunday Times about her daughter's special needs - her youngest child has DiGeorge syndrome.
Knight lives in London with her three children.
Knight, a native French speaker, lived in Brussels until about the time she turned nine. After migrating to the United Kingdom, she was educated in London. She was awarded an exhibition to Trinity College, Cambridge, where she read Modern Languages from 1984-1987, before starting her career in journalism.
In addition to writing for and contributing to major British magazines and newspapers, India Knight writes a prominent weekly column for The Sunday Times. She is also a regular guest on British radio and television.
After writing an article in The Sunday Times about her daughter's special needs - her youngest child has DiGeorge syndrome.
Knight lives in London with her three children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 174 reviews
December 23, 2011
I was going with one star until the quite moving ending.
My main problem with C+J is familiarity with the author. Not personal familiarity, but in that I used to read her column every single week and I'm familiar with her life story. This leads me to conclude that Clara Dunphy is one of the most obvious self-interests (in my opinion) that I have ever read.
It shouldn't bother me as much as it does, but I'll be honest and say, yes, it does, especially when I can't stop ticking boxes in my head, for instance: Clara has struggled with her weight, but currently it's down (like Knight); Clara has multiple children from multiple relationships (so does Knigght), Clara is "good at languages" (Knight was awarded an exhibition at Cambridge to study modern languages). It shouldn't bother me, but it does. And just for what it's worth: I don't mind books that have been inspired by your own experiences, for example, ex-dancers writing something like "Black Swan" (I know that's not what happened, but you get my point). However, these details just seemed so unnecessary. There was no real purpose in Clara being 'good at languages', for instance. It was like Knight was tapping those who know anything about her life on the head and saying, "shhhh! This isn't really fiction, it's all about me, me, me!"
But, still, this would have all been okay if it hadn't all been such a smug, scathing take on her own life. And if Knight had managed to come up with a vaguely original, organic voice for Clara. But as someone who has read a lot of Knight's columns, all I could think was that this was essentially five columns mushed into one with a vague plot strand hanging them all together. Clara is essentially India Knight, right down to the voice. Now, I know that it is probably one of the most challenging things for a writer to come up with an utterly unique voice - but between the weird biographical details, the middle-class smugness and the terrible, grating, carbon-copy voice, I wondered if I'd stepped into some bizarro world novel version of The Times.
That's another thing: Clara is all very satirical and cutting when it comes to members of her 'extended' family - such as her ex mother-in-law Pat, or her 'desperate' friends, Tasmin and Hope - but, when it comes to her own, blood family, like her younger half-sisters, Evie and Flo, they were goddamn perfect. While Pat was basically every negative stereotype about old people - racism, homophobia, pathological lies about her family - rolled into one 'ohhhh look at me aren't I crazy?!' Betty-White-shaped cutout. It felt very unbalanced and cheap, almost like using her extended family as a foil to her blood family, to reinforce to the reader how wonderful they were. I know this all sounds very meta and pretentious, but it's stuff like: the humour with Evie and Flo comes from their clever wordplay, or lovingly mad insane jokes, while the humour with Pat comes from what a racist, homophobic, Irish, annoying old person she is. When coupled with the fact that Clara was such a blatant author avatar, it made me wonder how much of these people were made up - which just made me uncomfortable all over again.
Also, the smugness of Clara's narration is almost unbearable. She uses every conversation in the book as an internal springboard for her own views, for instance, when the very middle-class Sophie is babbling on about organic food and toddler lessons, Clara quickly diverts the reader with pages of ranting about how there are no bad or good kids and all this child-rearing stuff is such BS, isn't it? Coupled with Knight's journalistic background, it felt somewhere between an opinion column and a university lecture, hammering home every point to such an extent where I skim-read parts because I wanted to get to the story, not to another ridiculous monologue.
My main problem with C+J is familiarity with the author. Not personal familiarity, but in that I used to read her column every single week and I'm familiar with her life story. This leads me to conclude that Clara Dunphy is one of the most obvious self-interests (in my opinion) that I have ever read.
It shouldn't bother me as much as it does, but I'll be honest and say, yes, it does, especially when I can't stop ticking boxes in my head, for instance: Clara has struggled with her weight, but currently it's down (like Knight); Clara has multiple children from multiple relationships (so does Knigght), Clara is "good at languages" (Knight was awarded an exhibition at Cambridge to study modern languages). It shouldn't bother me, but it does. And just for what it's worth: I don't mind books that have been inspired by your own experiences, for example, ex-dancers writing something like "Black Swan" (I know that's not what happened, but you get my point). However, these details just seemed so unnecessary. There was no real purpose in Clara being 'good at languages', for instance. It was like Knight was tapping those who know anything about her life on the head and saying, "shhhh! This isn't really fiction, it's all about me, me, me!"
But, still, this would have all been okay if it hadn't all been such a smug, scathing take on her own life. And if Knight had managed to come up with a vaguely original, organic voice for Clara. But as someone who has read a lot of Knight's columns, all I could think was that this was essentially five columns mushed into one with a vague plot strand hanging them all together. Clara is essentially India Knight, right down to the voice. Now, I know that it is probably one of the most challenging things for a writer to come up with an utterly unique voice - but between the weird biographical details, the middle-class smugness and the terrible, grating, carbon-copy voice, I wondered if I'd stepped into some bizarro world novel version of The Times.
That's another thing: Clara is all very satirical and cutting when it comes to members of her 'extended' family - such as her ex mother-in-law Pat, or her 'desperate' friends, Tasmin and Hope - but, when it comes to her own, blood family, like her younger half-sisters, Evie and Flo, they were goddamn perfect. While Pat was basically every negative stereotype about old people - racism, homophobia, pathological lies about her family - rolled into one 'ohhhh look at me aren't I crazy?!' Betty-White-shaped cutout. It felt very unbalanced and cheap, almost like using her extended family as a foil to her blood family, to reinforce to the reader how wonderful they were. I know this all sounds very meta and pretentious, but it's stuff like: the humour with Evie and Flo comes from their clever wordplay, or lovingly mad insane jokes, while the humour with Pat comes from what a racist, homophobic, Irish, annoying old person she is. When coupled with the fact that Clara was such a blatant author avatar, it made me wonder how much of these people were made up - which just made me uncomfortable all over again.
Also, the smugness of Clara's narration is almost unbearable. She uses every conversation in the book as an internal springboard for her own views, for instance, when the very middle-class Sophie is babbling on about organic food and toddler lessons, Clara quickly diverts the reader with pages of ranting about how there are no bad or good kids and all this child-rearing stuff is such BS, isn't it? Coupled with Knight's journalistic background, it felt somewhere between an opinion column and a university lecture, hammering home every point to such an extent where I skim-read parts because I wanted to get to the story, not to another ridiculous monologue.
December 25, 2015
I actually found this book listed in a Guardian article where authors talked about their favorite books of the year. I forget now which author listed this book but since they also listed One Day by David Nichols (which I loved) I thought I would pick this one up. As soon as I started it I groaned. Chick Lit! A middle aged woman is whinging about her looks, her family, the crush of the Christmas season...so she ducks into a hotel bar for a drink and meets a man. Could this possibly be on anyone's favorite book list? Although I had to admit that there were some funny lines so I decided to keep going. I'm glad I did. By the middle of the book I'm laughing and reading passages out loud to my husband (who says he will not read it himself because he doesn't like to read this kind of low brow humor although he was also laughing at what I read).
Ultimately the story takes place over three Christmases. Our heroine is divorced and remarried so each gathering consists of extended families, ex-partners, ex-in-laws, current partners and in-laws, etc. All the makings of holiday humor. Knight creates a very amusing cast of characters that you can't help but to like. An excellent Christmas diversion if you like your humor with a touch of low brow.
Dec 2012 - I reread this book and laughed out loud many times in public places making a complete fool of myself. I have to say I love this book more for being just as funny the second time around. I plan to spend every Christmas with Clara and her family. 5 Stars!!
Ultimately the story takes place over three Christmases. Our heroine is divorced and remarried so each gathering consists of extended families, ex-partners, ex-in-laws, current partners and in-laws, etc. All the makings of holiday humor. Knight creates a very amusing cast of characters that you can't help but to like. An excellent Christmas diversion if you like your humor with a touch of low brow.
Dec 2012 - I reread this book and laughed out loud many times in public places making a complete fool of myself. I have to say I love this book more for being just as funny the second time around. I plan to spend every Christmas with Clara and her family. 5 Stars!!
January 3, 2013
My holiday read this year jumped into my hands after several of my GoodReads friends mentioned this book. At the end of the page, this was not exactly what I was expecting. Though it does have some lol funny spots, the underlying issues are those most of us experience during the season and often cause us to feel a bit less than jolly. Still, like the female narrator in Comfort & Joy, we somehow take joy in the love and sharing, despite the quirkiness, stress, etc. that too much family can produce.
Not sure why but it reminded me a bit of I Don’t Know How She Does It by Allison Pearson. Perhaps it’s the tone. An adulteress bit brought to mind Bridges of Madison County. Only my good friend LindaS would understand this. An easy read with some choice moments!
Not sure why but it reminded me a bit of I Don’t Know How She Does It by Allison Pearson. Perhaps it’s the tone. An adulteress bit brought to mind Bridges of Madison County. Only my good friend LindaS would understand this. An easy read with some choice moments!
December 27, 2011
I kept getting strange looks from Martin as I was reading India Knight's 'Comfort and Joy', because of the snorts of laughter that kept coming from my direction. Not lady-like, gentle little snorts, but great big loud honking snorts! First of all, you really need to 'get' India Knight's style of humour, espcially if you want a really good snort. She is often crude, near the knuckle and unforgiving. If you like your Christmas humour sedate and traditional then maybe Eric and Ernie would be more your thing.
Comfort and Joy is actually the sequel to 'My Life on a Plate' written years ago and we meet the lead character Clara; older but not really that much wiser. It's a couple of days before Christmas, Clara is flying around Oxford Street trying her best to not spend too much on presents for people that don't appreciate them and wondering how she gets herself into this state year after year.
The story goes on, introducing Clara's wildly dysfunctional circle of family and friends, including ex-husbands, sisters and old friends. Although this is a comic novel, there is also a underlying theme of tragedy lurking beneath the surface - the break-ups, the sadness, the stresses and the strains of life. I really enjoy India Knight's style of writing, it's a perfect pick me up.
Comfort and Joy is actually the sequel to 'My Life on a Plate' written years ago and we meet the lead character Clara; older but not really that much wiser. It's a couple of days before Christmas, Clara is flying around Oxford Street trying her best to not spend too much on presents for people that don't appreciate them and wondering how she gets herself into this state year after year.
The story goes on, introducing Clara's wildly dysfunctional circle of family and friends, including ex-husbands, sisters and old friends. Although this is a comic novel, there is also a underlying theme of tragedy lurking beneath the surface - the break-ups, the sadness, the stresses and the strains of life. I really enjoy India Knight's style of writing, it's a perfect pick me up.
December 28, 2014
I thought this book would be a light and heart-warming Christmas read. Instead, I was met with unrelatable characters and a disorganized plot. Unlike other works of fiction I read, this book offered me zero emotional attachments to its characters. Instead, it is about a bunch of wealthy people who have no real struggles except for cleaning truffles and sheer nightgowns. I wouldn't mind so much if this book was humorous, but it wasn't. It was dull and annoying.
May 18, 2016
Comfort and Joy by India Knight, narrated by, Anne Flosnik
Hmm what to say about Comfort & Joy, first of all this isn’t your normal sappy with a good moral Christmas story it is more Sex in the City meets AbFab Christmas story. And that is exactly what I liked about this book it was fun and had many laugh out loud moments, but not one you want to listen to in public without earbuds in it does get a little racy in spots but that is half the fun of this book.
I liked the characters in this book, Clara was trying to do the best she could and I like that she included not only her exes but their families too so her children would still have family there for Christmas, which I found very refreshing. She is a bit of an A personality when it comes to planning the big Christmas meal and was happy that on the third Christmas in the book they went to Marrakesh and she let others do much of the work.
I related to Clara so much, trying to plan the perfect Christmas for a bunch of people you’re not sure you even want to spend time with let alone what’s supposed to be a happy holiday. But I loved how she handled it, I myself would have drank much more! I loved Clara’s wit and sarcasm, I am a bit sarcastic myself so I enjoyed this aspect of Clara’s personality immensely!
Anne Flosnik’s flawless narration helps this book along at times and who knew she had such good comic timing, she embodies Clara and all the other characters, as always Anne’s narration was spot on!
Just a warning if you are reading or listening to this in public there are some laugh out loud moments and you may get sideways glances from people around you, I would also recommend not eating or drinking anything while reading especially the first half or you may ruin your book and/or your clothes from spitting whatever you have eaten or attempted to drink!
If you like your Christmas stories on the bawdy, funny side I highly recommend this book. Just don’t go into it thinking you are getting a heartwarming sappy read because that’s not this book!
4 Stars
Hmm what to say about Comfort & Joy, first of all this isn’t your normal sappy with a good moral Christmas story it is more Sex in the City meets AbFab Christmas story. And that is exactly what I liked about this book it was fun and had many laugh out loud moments, but not one you want to listen to in public without earbuds in it does get a little racy in spots but that is half the fun of this book.
I liked the characters in this book, Clara was trying to do the best she could and I like that she included not only her exes but their families too so her children would still have family there for Christmas, which I found very refreshing. She is a bit of an A personality when it comes to planning the big Christmas meal and was happy that on the third Christmas in the book they went to Marrakesh and she let others do much of the work.
I related to Clara so much, trying to plan the perfect Christmas for a bunch of people you’re not sure you even want to spend time with let alone what’s supposed to be a happy holiday. But I loved how she handled it, I myself would have drank much more! I loved Clara’s wit and sarcasm, I am a bit sarcastic myself so I enjoyed this aspect of Clara’s personality immensely!
Anne Flosnik’s flawless narration helps this book along at times and who knew she had such good comic timing, she embodies Clara and all the other characters, as always Anne’s narration was spot on!
Just a warning if you are reading or listening to this in public there are some laugh out loud moments and you may get sideways glances from people around you, I would also recommend not eating or drinking anything while reading especially the first half or you may ruin your book and/or your clothes from spitting whatever you have eaten or attempted to drink!
If you like your Christmas stories on the bawdy, funny side I highly recommend this book. Just don’t go into it thinking you are getting a heartwarming sappy read because that’s not this book!
4 Stars
February 10, 2021
I loved this book, but at the same time I can understand why it wouldn't appeal to many.
This book brings up all the feelings around family and Christmas, primarily comfort and joy. There is no captivating plot, just the recounting of three Christmases with the close friends, inner family and quirky extended family that you both tolerate and love at the same time. At the end of the day despite any arguments or difficulties, you sit back and reflect on the appreciation for the people around you. I love it because although different, I have the same feelings about my own family Christmases.
However if you don't have those feelings already associated with your family and Christmas, this probably comes across as boring, trite and steeped in more than a little white lady privilege.
This book brings up all the feelings around family and Christmas, primarily comfort and joy. There is no captivating plot, just the recounting of three Christmases with the close friends, inner family and quirky extended family that you both tolerate and love at the same time. At the end of the day despite any arguments or difficulties, you sit back and reflect on the appreciation for the people around you. I love it because although different, I have the same feelings about my own family Christmases.
However if you don't have those feelings already associated with your family and Christmas, this probably comes across as boring, trite and steeped in more than a little white lady privilege.
December 13, 2023
I’ve never read anything by India Knight before and I will certainly be checking out some of her other books. Clara has been divorced twice and Christmas involves exes, step children, ex mother- in-laws and some crazy friends. The story is told over three years of Christmas. It made me laugh out loud.
December 13, 2021
3.5 ⭐️ A little story about life as we age, set at different Christmases over the years. Some of this was laugh out loud funny, but the overall plot didn’t really do it for me.
December 15, 2011
Comfort and Joy follows Clara Dunphy backwards and forwards through her life to all the significant Christmases she encounters. She is a British everywoman - mother, wife, and daughter who is forever determined to make every Christmas the perfect day for her large brood of friends, family, and ex-husbands. Yearly she drives herself to the brink of madness searching for the perfect presents, cooking the requisite giant meal, and trying to maintain harmony among her troops.
I'm sure that many people will recognize bits and pieces of themselves and their own holiday mania in Comfort and Joy. Still, Clara's circumstances were just a little more extreme, out of control, and weird than the average Christmas. Year after year she seemed to land in full family drama. After the first few years it felt like maybe Clara was one of those people who creates drama where ever they go. I started to feel less and less sorry for her and by the end couldn't much relate to her. Some parts were funny and I found a few of the characters, her mother especially, endearing. I guess I just prefer the traditional, cheesy Christmas stories.
I listened to Comfort and Joy on audio read by Anne Flosnik. She has a thick, British accent that goes well with the story and suits Clara's character.
I'm sure that many people will recognize bits and pieces of themselves and their own holiday mania in Comfort and Joy. Still, Clara's circumstances were just a little more extreme, out of control, and weird than the average Christmas. Year after year she seemed to land in full family drama. After the first few years it felt like maybe Clara was one of those people who creates drama where ever they go. I started to feel less and less sorry for her and by the end couldn't much relate to her. Some parts were funny and I found a few of the characters, her mother especially, endearing. I guess I just prefer the traditional, cheesy Christmas stories.
I listened to Comfort and Joy on audio read by Anne Flosnik. She has a thick, British accent that goes well with the story and suits Clara's character.
December 20, 2012
If you’d ever thought Christmas was a mad, mad time of the year, check out this laugh-out-loud funny story of a twice-divorced mother, Clara, who loves the Christmas spirit so much that she continues to host her two ex-husbands and her former mother-in-law every year along with her own extended family for a wild and merry day.
Christmas tradition is sacrosanct and our heroine (what else could we call her?) manages to make especial truffle treats for the vegetarians of the group while satisfying everyone else’s wish for family favorites. She spends more on the people she doesn’t like than the people she does like simply because she puts it off longer and doesn’t want to offend. She uses old Christmas decorations along with new, but makes each year a more beautiful and perfect version of the past.
If you are exhausted in the rush to make Christmas perfect, take a moment to savor the world created in this novel: the girlfriend secrets, the mother-daughter, mother-son, and sister-sister interactions are all priceless, to say nothing of having one’s ex-mother-in-law to one’s idea of a perfect holiday. All that can go wrong will go wrong, but for the stalwarts among us, Christmas is a state of mind.
Christmas tradition is sacrosanct and our heroine (what else could we call her?) manages to make especial truffle treats for the vegetarians of the group while satisfying everyone else’s wish for family favorites. She spends more on the people she doesn’t like than the people she does like simply because she puts it off longer and doesn’t want to offend. She uses old Christmas decorations along with new, but makes each year a more beautiful and perfect version of the past.
If you are exhausted in the rush to make Christmas perfect, take a moment to savor the world created in this novel: the girlfriend secrets, the mother-daughter, mother-son, and sister-sister interactions are all priceless, to say nothing of having one’s ex-mother-in-law to one’s idea of a perfect holiday. All that can go wrong will go wrong, but for the stalwarts among us, Christmas is a state of mind.
November 4, 2013
I tried to get through this book, but I just couldn't stand it any longer. The main character is just murmuring about her Christmas shopping in the first of the book. Then she goes into a hotel to have a drink, and an extremely good looking man asks if he can sit with her. She has all kinds of thoughts about having sex with him, but doesn't. Later in the book she tells a friend how offended she used to be with the language her first husband used about their love making, and of course she told her the words that had offended her. Terrible book. What has happened to good old inspiring Christmas stories?
We need a category to let us get a book off our reading list, and into the dumpster.
We need a category to let us get a book off our reading list, and into the dumpster.
October 30, 2010
I really enjoyed this book. If you have large family Christmases now or as a child, with all the trimmings and loved them then this is for you. Clara organises her family Christmases, complete with 2 ex husbands, 2 half sisters, friends, neighbours, children, her mother and a mother-in-law and various relationships. The story takes you through 3 Christmases 2009-2011 and all the trials and tribulations of it all. It makes you laugh, makes you sad and it reminded me of my childhood Christmases with lots of family and friends.
A brilliant read!
A brilliant read!
December 19, 2014
I remember reading the author's "My Life on a Plate" years ago and being amused by it, so I was pleased to discover this lightweight, humorous followup on audio. A divorced, British mum gathers her clan of children, exes, friends and even an ex-mother-in-law together over three consecutive Christmases. There's a lot of bawdy talk, some laugh out loud bits of dialogue, one exotic locale and an ending that leaves open the possibility of another sequel, involving more extended family. The audio edition may be the best way to enjoy this collection of characters.
December 17, 2019
While the overarching message about family and love is sweet, I was put off by the amount of time dedicated to talking about "Gina"s and penises. There was an awful lot of it for a novel with no steamy scenes. I feel like all I just listened to was women talking about men the whole time.
February 25, 2017
It is weak. It's not analytical, self-observant, nor self-aware, but it needs to be, I think. It's judgy and smart-assed. Kind of amusing at times, but mostly dull, weird and provoking.
December 26, 2015
This book is about over-moneyed, entitled, never do any work, tedious Londoners. Irritating and I didn't like any of the characters who have no redeeming features.
Did make me smile in places.
Did make me smile in places.
December 21, 2018
I think I’m not even remotely posh enough for this book.
January 3, 2019
I was looking for an easy comforting read for Christmas and this ended up in my bag. I have read Knight's books in the past and I have to say that there is something about her style that I find interesting to read. Having said all that, this book, I found to be weak. I enjoyed the silly narrative (but it was like being in a woman's head, and I already have that all day/every day thank-you-very-much), the funny spots, the fact that she makes blended families sound less scary, these little middle-class accents... But the story was weak weak weak and it was getting weaker as I reached to the end. The whole book was a middle-class cliche which I was waiting to be ripped apart, only to find an even cheesier ending, like those of the romantic comedies that Hollywood mass-produces. It was an easy read (took me 2-3 days) and it keeps you in the holiday spirit, which I enjoyed.
December 4, 2022
I borrowed this book while searching for the same title by another author. This one was entertaining, a light read at the appropriate time of year. In this story we meet a wild and raucous group of family, extended family, complete with exes, and friends who gather every Christmas to celebrate the holiday. In it, the reader experiences all the anxieties, and tumult and turmoil that we all experience, from the list making, the preparations, the gift buying, the cooking and eating, and all the the highs and lows we are all familiar with. In a way, it helps us to remember that we are all part of one family, the human family. It also shows how one family navigates separation and divorce without either party breeding contempt for the other. I'd say it was a pretty good holiday read.
December 15, 2023
Let me save you from making the same mistake I did… if you’re thinking Comfort and Joy by Kristin Hannah has a wait list at the library, I’ll try this Comfort and Joy while I wait, DON’T DO IT.
I like Christmas novels for the lighthearted, often predicable story lines that bring me joy from the chaos of the season. I found this book added to my anxiety and brought me no joy.
I didn’t care for any of the characters. There was constant arguing and bickering amongst them, that I stopped caring. Then the story just ended! If the narrator hadn’t said ‘the end’ I wouldn’t have known the story concluded. I listened to this book, so in all honesty, the narration could have contributed to my dislike for the book.
I like Christmas novels for the lighthearted, often predicable story lines that bring me joy from the chaos of the season. I found this book added to my anxiety and brought me no joy.
I didn’t care for any of the characters. There was constant arguing and bickering amongst them, that I stopped caring. Then the story just ended! If the narrator hadn’t said ‘the end’ I wouldn’t have known the story concluded. I listened to this book, so in all honesty, the narration could have contributed to my dislike for the book.
December 28, 2018
Second time I read this simply because I needed a Comfort-and-Joy-read over Christmas. My family is neither as large nor as convoluted as Clara’s but somehow this resonates with me, and I still laughed at the same silly jokes second time round. I should give it at least 4 stars given it’s entertained me very nicely twice already but it’s so low brow chick litty that my inner book snob won’t let me award more than 3. Sorry, Clara, it’s not you, it’s me.
December 13, 2021
Sweet story of a blended family making it through Christmas through the years. Clara, the main character, is very believable and I found myself rooting for her from the beginning. Crazy friends, siblings, exes, and in laws make it a lively story. A good read for the holidays to remind you that your family is not the only crazy one.
December 20, 2021
This book was ok with some of the random social jokes, but felt it was all over the place with different character that I could keep track of what was going on. I even did the audio book and did not feel vested with the story at all.
December 26, 2022
This was quite a light read, fun in places, about the importance of families ( real and chosen) at Christmas time. Having just read and enjoyed "Darling", I'd wanted to read another India Knight book, but this earlier, seasonal one wasn't in the same league.
July 6, 2017
It's a cute fun book. Nothing heavy. I love the clever narrator and understand her heart pretty well.
March 15, 2018
This was the worst book I have ever read! Shockingly bad!
December 1, 2018
reread
December 20, 2018
What a delight. Not what I expected but a great deal of fun.
December 28, 2018
Did not finish
Displaying 1 - 30 of 174 reviews