Books Read in 2026 - No. 1
Greetings Fellow Readers.
Well I've read my first book of the year already! Although it took me longer than I'd hoped as I started it on Christmas Day and was hoping to finish before the 12 days after Christmas was over. Hopefully I won't get any more bad luck this year.
Karen Naylor is not only the author of this book but a friend and founder of Cleckheaton Writing Group. A writing group I used to attend regular a couple of years ago. Sadly due to timings with work and Library opening times I don't get to go.
So in a way I've read Karen's work before in the past. Most were fantasy, crime and supernatural stories. So when Karen said she'd written romance and got it published I was shocked. It wasn't, until now, a genre I saw her writing. It's also a genre I never thought I'd read. Though it's said you're best reading out of your comfort zone some times.
The story centres on Evie, the owner of a florist. Her friend, Rosalie, owns the coffee house opposite her shop. Rosalie is trying to set Evie up with one of her Italian brothers. Although Evie fancies one of her customers, who ends up helping Rosalie out when she's in hospital. Will Evie end up with the handsome Romano or Rosalie's brother?
Will Evie also fulfil the clause in her Grandma's will to be married by Christmas to receive the inheritance?
That is all I will say, as I don't want to spoil the story too much!
Overall - the story follows the main POV of Evie and also Romano. Here we see their inner struggles as they negotiate the dating and romance world. They instantly fall in love with one another. The other brother Luca is also quite a big part of the story as that is where the misunderstandings and humour come from.
As a debut novel, Karen has done well with the characters and the story as a whole. Although I think there could have been more towards the end when there is a break up as it feels slightly rushed at the end.
Karen has certainly done her research on the Italian language and the Island of Capri.
I've already said I haven't read any comedy romance before and wasn't sure what I'd get into.
I have to admit when I started reading Christmas Evie I wasn't sure it was for me. It probably didn't help earlier in the morning I'd just finished a gory Alien novel, then started this, so the tones and genres were totally different.
I'm glad to say I continued on and chuckled quite a bit through the novel. Especially Evie's disaster dates, almost killing a date paint balling.
The prose and action are fast paced and when I read it, flew through it in big chunks, especially towards the end to see how the misunderstandings were resolved.
What shocked me, knowing Karen, were the intimate sex scenes in the novel. I had to blush a few times!
Whilst reading I realised the hunky protagonist and love interest Romano seemed very familiar with his chocolate brown eyes and toned body. Then it dawned on me. When I first started Karen's writing group that is what I looked like before I put a bit of weight on. I'm sure Karen took inspiration from me?
One thing that bugged me about the novel was the layout but that's just Amazon printing for you.
Published by the small indie publisher Champagne Book Group I felt they have done well by Karen. There seems to be a lot of small indie publishers printing via Amazon now which is a good thing as it gets more out.
Finally, I really enjoyed dipping my toes into romantic comedy as Christmas Evie was a fast paced fun romp. I look forward to the sequels Karen has promised in her novel.
Score - 10/10
Goodreads Score - 5/5
