Review: Christmas in Vermont by Anita Hughes
“All these dating apps make young people think there’s something better out there, but when you find the person you love, you should stick to them like toffee on a candy apple.”
The Basics
Title: Christmas in Vermont
Author: Anita Hughes
Published: 2019
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin — Macmillan
Pages: 291
Format: Paperback
Genres: Fiction — Contemporary fiction, Holiday, Romance, Contemporary romance, Holiday romance, Clean romance
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Book Synopsis
While trying to pawn a bracelet from her ex-boyfriend a couple days before Christmas, Emma spots the engraved watch that she had given her college boyfriend, Fletcher, over 11 years ago. Seeing her interest in the watch, the pawn store owner offers to trade her the watch for the bracelet, and on a whim, she agrees. When she later recounts the story to her friend, Bronwyn, Bronwyn is convinced that finding the watch was no mere coincidence but rather synchronicity. Believing that Fate is trying to reunite Emma with the only man she’s ever loved, Bronwyn does some social media snooping and discovers that Fletcher, who was living in London, has moved back to America and will be spending the holidays up at a Vermont inn. Seeing this as another sign that Emma and Fletcher are meant to be together, Bronwyn signs Emma up to be the inn’s childcare coordinator for the following week. Spurred on by Bronwyn, Emma agrees to go the inn, believing that Bronwyn might be on to something. And she believes that right up until she arrives at the inn and discovers that Fletcher not only has a daughter but also a fiancé. What ensues is a story about second chances, friendship, and community.
My Review & Overall Thoughts
Christmas in Vermont is such a cozy, feel-good book. Set in a picturesque Vermont town at a quaint inn struggling to make ends meet, the story is reminiscent of the holiday classic White Christmas (minus all of the choreographed musical numbers).
Although the plot (a couple reunites after years apart) is not inherently novel, Anita Hughes puts her on spin on it through her characters and writing style. The protagonists, Emma and Fletcher, both have depth to them, as we are able to learn about their backstories through a series of flashbacks and shifting perspectives. The flashbacks allow us to see how their relationship once was, as well as how it ended, and the alternation between Emma and Fletcher’s perspective gives us insight into how each currently feels about the other. Emma and Fletcher also have plenty of interactions with one another during their time at the inn, so we are able to watch as their feelings for one another begin to return. These interactions also allow for relationship buy-in. One of my biggest pet peeves with romances is when the two romantic leads barely interact with one another – how am I supposed to root for a couple when the relationship is almost non-existent? The story also features just enough uncertainty in the form of a fiancé and misunderstandings to keep you turning the pages to see whether the two will end up together.
The secondary characters and their subplots are also enjoyable. Fletcher’s precocious daughter, Lola, with her over-the-top personality and wardrobe to match is equal parts adorable and comical. Betty, the inn owner, is the perfect host. She’s always baking up some tantalizing recipe – all while doling out sage advice and planning incredible excursions for her guests.
Perhaps the best character of all, however, is the inn itself. I wish the Smuggler’s Inn was real. I want to stay at an inn with not only home-cooked breakfast but also dinner and tasty snacks throughout the day. There’s also the added appeal of its nightly talent shows and winter wonderland location, where horse-drawn sleighs are actually a thing and everyone goes snow shoeing in the afternoon. One can dream.
The story’s central them of synchronicity, coupled with the Christmastime setting, imparts the story with a sense of magic and possibility. When you read this book, you can’t help but feel happy, and that’s precisely how a good holiday story should make you feel.
The not so good
The ending is somewhat predictable, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. When it comes to romances, especially holiday ones, I tend to prefer happy endings. I read romances to escape from reality, not to see it play out in the book.
Overall
A Christmas romance set in an idyllic Vermont inn about second chances – what’s not to love? If you’re looking for a cute, cheerful holiday book to curl up with by the Christmas tree, look no further.
Have you read this book? If so, share your thoughts with me in the comments section!
