“It Started with Christmas” by Jenny Hale is a pleasant and enthraling romantic comedy that will give readers the vibes of a Christmas love story.
“It Started With Christmas” was published in 2018. It is the story of Holly McAdams, an event planner who finds herself astonishingly returning to her small hometown on the outskirts of Nashville, Tennessee, for the Christmas holiday.
The book is 401 pages long and is available in a Kindle edition on sites like Amazon, Kobo, and Barnes and Noble.
“It Started with Christma” is a warm and fuzzy book to cuddle with on a bed, with coffee in your hands, and let Holly dictate the rest of your Christmas holiday. This book is commendable for the Christmas season and the winter climate; it will make you feel warm in winter.
“It Started with Christmas” is written very naturally and smoothly. It has the essence of romance, friendship, and a big ounce of adventure, as Holly and Joe Rhett and her Nana plan an unforgettable Christmas feast. This book will win readers’ hearts with its merger of happiness and sadness. It is the perfect book for anybody hoping to sit in during the cold and enjoy a romance novel that will give them warmth.
Jenny Hale’s writing style is smooth and engaging, making it easy for readers to get lost in the story and feel connected to the characters. This IcyTales article reviews the award-winning Author Jenny Hale’s reauthorization of “It Started with Christmas.”
1. About the Author
Jenny Hale, an Authorday bestselling author of romantic fiction, resides in Nashville, Tennessee. She is known for novels like “Coming Home for Christmas” and “Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses,” which have been adapted for television.
Her experiences influence Hale’s writing in the South, where she finds inspiration in the mundanity of life, little moments, and the kind manners of Southerners. Feel-good romance, warm settings, and strong family and friendship themes characterize her stories.
Jenny Hale has a family: two sons and a loving husband whom she never forgets to appreciate. She also created her very own imprint, Harpeth Road Press, which shows her determination to write and make art.
Her books have been published internationally, reaching the top ten Amazon lists in the US, the UK, and Canada, and have been translated into more than five languages. Hale attributes her stories to her childhood and her background. She has spent a long time in Virginia.
There are many of her novels, but some of them have been included in the Hallmark movies. These novels are “Coming Home for Christmas” and “Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses.” Hale’s works include “The Summer House,” “A Christmas to Remember,” and “Summer by the Sea.”
2. Storyline
The story begins as Holly’s carefully planned life in the big city begins to unfold. Subsequently, Holly loses her job and her boyfriend and soon decides to head back outside Nashville to help her esteemed grandmother prepare for the annual Christmas festival.
As Nana, Holly’s grandmother and Holly reach their cabin in the snowy hills after being held up in the snow, they have a surprise in store for them: a guest waiting for them at the cabin will be lounging with them!
Meet Joe, a handsome, generous, and charming man who is desired by many. He is a paying guest at the cabin and will be spending the festive season with Holly and Nana. Holly finds herself attracted to Joe and tries to please him.
Additionally, she attempts to organize a Christmas celebration that will be special and joyous for her family and the townspeople.
“It Started with Christmas” will warm the hearts of its readers. It is a romance novel set in a comfy and warmth-inducing atmosphere: winter in Nashville, that too during Christmas. Unexpectedly, Holly and her grandmother Nana find themselves snowed in with Joseph Barnes, a wealthy renter of the cabin, and musician Rhett Burton, Holly’s old flame.
However, Holly’s return is not without misfortunes. She must confront her past and the repressed feelings for her childhood friend, Rhett.
The more time Holly spends in Nashville, in the town with the people, the more she realizes that they are completely different from how they were before.
She no longer recalls their nature and characteristics, But one person who stands out for her is her childhood best friend Rhett and her once-upon-a-time boyfriend, who is as impressive as before. Holly finds herself in a position where she attempts to find her place and belongs among family and friends with whom she wants to be close.
One of the fascinating things about this novel is that the town itself is written and described so that readers can see it as a character of its own with such a distinct and beautiful character. To readers, how the town and its eccentricity are described brings a sense of familiarity and home.
3. Central Characters and Secondary Characters:
This book’s prime strength lies in its well-developed and relatable characters. Holly, the protagonist, is a warm, engaging, and sympathetic main character with whom readers will easily connect. She has a sense of discovering herself that resonates with readers.
Her struggles with finding her domain in the world and navigating the complexities of relationships are realistic and sentimentally resonant. Ben, the male lead, is equally compelling. Hale has brought to life a successful yet emotional character with a depth that goes beyond the usual romantic heroine.
The chemistry between Holly and Rhett is extremely perceptible, and their interactions are childish and poignant. This creates an atmosphere where the readers feel involved in the story and root for their love lives.
The unexpected guest who waits for Nana and Holly at their family cabin is a pleasant surprise for Holly and the readers. He is charming and handsome, and everyone’s ideal love interest—is Joseph Barnes!
The secondary characters include Nana, Holly’s grandmother, Holly’s best friend Chloe, and the various members of the Christmas festival committee. These secondary characters are also so well drawn that we begin to give them realistic opinions.
There are some emotionally touching moments between Nana and her dead husband. Readers can feel the emotional depth of their relationship and sympathize with Nana.
Below is a list of the central and secondary characters in the book:
Holly McAdams – The main character and the main reason for the book’s warm and fuzzy feeling
Nana – Holly’s grandma who never fails to create an emotional impact on the readers.
Joseph Barnes – The handsome and charismatic young man whom Holly seems to be attracted to!
Rhett Burton – Holly’s childhood best friend who also was in a relationship with her once. He is here to complicate things with Holly!
4. Writing Style
Hale’s writing style is engaging and simple, making it understandable for intermediate and advanced English readers. It has a veritable balance of humour, romance, and emotional depth.
The narrative dimension follows flawlessly, and the Author’s grasp of sensAuthor’sil helps bring a vivid and inclusive reading experience to life. The conversation between the central and secondary characters is particularly well-written, with each character having a distinct narrative thought process and identity.
The banter between Holly and Rhett is delightful, and the Author’s ability to authorize complexities and the temperament of human interaction is impressive.
Additionally, Hale’s vivid descriptions of the town of Nashville and the various holiday celebrations showcase her descriptive talent.
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5. Themes
At the heart, “It Started with Christmas” is a story about the significance of love, the prioritization of family, and the blissful l tenacity of the holiday season.
The genre of “It Started with Christmas” by Jenny Hale is a romance with the subgenres of holiday-based romance, with a contemporary feel and aura.
Another central theme of the story is the desire to find one’s true personality and goal. Holly seeks to know who she is and what she is best at. The story has the theme of discovering one’s self.
Through the course of this novel, Holly comes to the eventual dawning that her true happiness lies in the small-town life and not in the hustle and crowd of a big city with so many people. The fact that Holly finds a home in a small town garners admiration from its readers.
Many people think city life is better, but this novel captures the beauty and essence of a simple life in a small town with people who know and care for you. It also takes on a completely different meaning in what it means to settle for town life.
Furthermore, the book has a subjective theme of forgiving, forgetting, and giving second chances. It also teaches us that there is hope and freedom from your nightmare in reconciliation. As Holly and Rhett face their past lives as childhood best friends and an old flame, they attempt to repair their relationship, readers are reminded of the importance of letting go of old wounds and accepting the probability of a happier future.
The target audience for “It Started with Christmas” by Jenny Hale is mostly readers who enjoy enthralling and feel-good romance novels set during the Christmas season in a town area.
This book suits those who enjoy festive romance stories about familial relationships, love, and self-exploration.
This novel is for those individuals and readers looking for a good reemphasizing the meaning of Christmas, friendship, and finding satisfaction in being authentic. Additionally, readers who prefer PG-rated romance without explicit scenes will find this book to their liking and taste.
6. Book Recommendations
For readers who enjoyed It Started with Christmas, here are some other books they will love.
“The Christmas Guest” by Peter Swanson
“A Boy Called Christmas” by Matt Haig
“Mr Dickens and His Carol” by Samantha Silva
“Christmas Bells” by Jennifer Chivarini
“Christmas Days” by Jeanette Winterson
“A LightHouse Christmas” by Jenny Hale
“Twelve Days of Christmas” by Trisha Ashley
“Royal Holiday” by Jasmine Guillory
“A Very Nantucket Christmas” by Nancy Thayer
7. Summary and Conclusion
This is a book review for Jenny Hale’s romantic comedy It Started with Christmas. The story is about Holly McAdams and her time at her family cabin during Christmas, just outside of Nashville. Holly finds herself sandwiched between her old flame and her new attraction.
Holly attempts to organize a Christmas event for her family and even the townspeople. During the preparation, she is constantly forced to associate with Rhett. This allows her to express her repressed feelings and find a source of reconciliation in their friendship and feelings.
“It Started with Christmas” is a pleasant and attractive read for readers who enjoy romance, playfulness, and poignance.
Hale is a highly dynamic and talented writer, and this book is just an extension of her already prevailing prowess in the art and business of writing.
Readers can be sure this book will leave them attached to its likable and pleasant characters and wanting more. It will give them a sense of belonging and familiarity, which only a cozy and warm holiday book can provide.
Overall, “It Started with Christmas” is a novel with the fragrance of Christmas and the delight of love, friendship, family, and more. It can, ultimately, even be considered a book on life.
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Last Updated on by Sathi
