The Christmas Bouquet by Sherryl Woods Series: Chesapeake Shores #11
Published by Harlequin on 2014-10-01
Genres: Contemporary Romance, Romance
Pages: 400
Format: eARC
Source: the publisher
Add to Goodreads
Also in this series: A Seaside Christmas, Dogwood Hill, Willow Brook Road
Also by this author: Midnight Promises, Where Azaleas Bloom, Catching Fireflies, A Seaside Christmas, Home to Seaview Key, Swan Point, Dogwood Hill, Willow Brook Road
When it comes to family and Christmas, #1 New York Times bestselling author Sherryl Woods always looks to the O'Briens for a little holiday magic. For the very driven medical student Caitlyn Winters, catching the bridal bouquet at a Christmas wedding has set off a chain reaction that she's sure is more curse than blessing. Not only has she fallen in love with family medicine resident Noah McIlroy, but an unexpected pregnancy threatens her well-laid plans for the future. It doesn't help that Noah—with a whole lot of help from her O'Brien relatives—is completely on board with the prospect of marriage and happily-ever-after. It takes a whole lot of patience, love and family persuasion to help Caitlyn realize that she can still have everything she ever wanted, including a home in her beloved Chesapeake Shores and a man who understands all of her dreams.
Review
I love Sherryl Woods’ Chesapeake Shores series featuring the large, loving O’Brien family, so when I learned that The Christmas Bouquet was part of the series, I was eager to read it. It’s well-written, and there’s plenty of the extended O’Brien family and their tendency to meddle in one another’s affairs – with the best intentions, of course!
Unfortunately, Caitlyn, the heroine, got my back up early on. Surprised by an unexpected pregnancy – with a man she loves, who clearly adores her and is totally committed to her and the baby – all she can focus on is how it messes up her plan. Granted, she has a passion that has driven her entire career choice, and it’s not one she will easily be able to follow with a baby, not in the way she originally planned. But she’s totally roadblocked by the fact that things aren’t going the way she wants them too – and she’s stubbornly refusing to consider compromises. Or rather, she’s refusing to make any kind of decision, because in her mind, anything short of her dream means giving up her dream. I kept thinking, “Grow up! Life doesn’t always follow the plan.” The unexpected things life throws at you aren’t always as wonderful as a loving man and a baby on the way. Time after time, I would think she was coming to a more mature acceptance, and then she would revert to being stubborn again, as if she were a spoiled child rather than a doctor doing her residency.
Noah, on the other hand, seemed almost unnaturally perfect – perfectly patient (nearly so), perfectly supportive – the ideal man. He’s also a good and dedicated doctor, though we know that more from what people say and think about him than from seeing him in action . I liked him; it would be impossible not to! But I couldn’t quite believe in him.
To be fair, other readers may not have the same reaction, and may find themselves more in sympathy with Caitlyn than I did. And O’ Brien fans will enjoy the glimpses of family – particularly patriarch Mick and his devious attempts to get Caitlyn married to Noah. (It’s easy to see where she gets her stubbornness, at least!) I don’t regret reading A Christmas Bouquet, but it won’t be joining my list of favorite Sherryl Woods novels, either.
NOTE: I feel a little funny rating this book, because my reaction to it has more to do with who the main character is than any flaws in the writing. So please take my rating as my personal and subjective reaction, and not an objective evaluation.
About Sherryl Woods
Sherryl Woods grew up in Virginia, graduated from Ohio State University with a degree in journalism, and spent more than 10 years in journalism, mostly as a film critic. Dell Candlelight Ecstasy published her first book, Restoring Love, in 1982 under the pseudonym Suzanne Sherrill. The same year, her second book, Sand Castles, written as Alexandra Kirk, was published by Bantam. Silhouette began publishing her books in 1986, at which time Sherryl began writing full time. She is now published by Harlequin MIRA, and her popular small-town romances routinely hit paperback bestseller lists. She has also written two mystery series.
Ms. Woods divides her time between Florida and Virginia. When she’s not writing, she enjoys gardening and watching baseball.
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
Bea @Bea's Book Nook
I think my reaction would be quite similar to yours so I’ll pass o this book.
Bea @Bea’s Book Nook recently posted…Bea Reviews Down to the Sea with Mr. Magee by Chris van Dusen
Lark_Bookwyrm
It’s too bad because I usually love her books, but not every character is going to appeal to every reader. I’m sure some readers will really relate to Caitlyn.
Katherine @ I Wish I Lived in a Library
Ugh. I do enjoy her books but the main character does sound especially annoying! Thanks for the heads up. I’ll be prepared!
Katherine @ I Wish I Lived in a Library recently posted…This Week in Reading – November 9
Lark_Bookwyrm
You may not find her annoying; I suspect it’s going to be pretty subjective.
kimbacaffeinate
Hehehe..yeah perfect guys like Noah make me nervous. I have read quite a few of this series but not all of them.
kimbacaffeinate recently posted…Sunday Post #133 -cocoa, cookies and holiday themed reads
Lark_Bookwyrm
He stayed perfect, which was a little unbelievable (and rather unlike Woods.)
Bookworm Brandee
We can’t help our response to a character, Lark. Honestly, as you’ve described her, I think I’d find Caitlyn equally as annoying. Life is all about learning to adapt. Hopefully, she eventually did some personal growing?!? I’m glad you’ll stick with the series even if this one won’t join your favs list.
Bookworm Brandee recently posted…**Blog Tour Review ~ Fairy Tale in New York ~ Nicky Wells**
Lark_Bookwyrm
Thanks, Brandee (and thanks for stopping by!) She did grow eventually. She’s just lucky that she found a guy who was willing to wait for her to do so!
Laura
THis is the first book I’ve read by this author. I will never read another by her I’m afraid. I found this totally boring. I kept waiting for something to happen since I had to wait on the waiting list at the library to get it I thought it should be a page turner. Sorry… not my cup of tea at all. bla bla bla is my comment.
Lark_Bookwyrm
I have to say, it’s the first one of hers I haven’t enjoyed. And I agree; not much happens. But it’s definitely not representative of her books or even of that series.