Elyse Douglas | Black Lilac Kitty Book Reviews

I apologize for getting this review posted yesterday. Our area has been under an ice storm and I was without internet for a week. A day late, but my review nevertheless.

*Disclaimer: I was given a copy of this book by the author for a fair and honest review.*

Christmas Bridge by Elyse Douglas:

Publisher: Elyse Douglas (September 15, 2015)
Category: Contemporary Fiction, Women’s Fiction, Holiday Romance, Christmas novel
Tour Date: Oct & Nov, 2015
ASIN: B0141RDSCE
Available in: ebook, 183 Pages

My Ranking: 4 stars

I am completely gaga over Christmas romance stories. I watch every HallMark Christmas romance movie on television and I read as many Christmas romance novels as I can fit into my free time.

This is the first book I have read written by Elyse Douglas. In it, I found one too many characters: the college lover. Therefore, the first part of the book appeared choppy and just as chaotic as Olivia Norris’ life and left me wanting that feel good chill that comes over ones body when reading a juicy romance novel.

Several television talk shows have discussed older couples who either lose a spouse or gets divorced sometimes ends up getting together with their high school or college sweetheart. And this book goes along those lines.

Olivia’s husband, Carl, was her high school and hometown sweetie. She left him behind when she went off to college in New York City. In flash back sections we learn that Olivia fell hard for Andrew. Dangling two men at one time, Olivia ends up pregnant with Carl’s baby. What was she to do? She chose the baby’s father and left New York and Andrew to marry Carl.

Now Carl is dead and Olivia is going to New York on business and wonders if Andrew is around. What she expects from Andrew is unclear as she doesn’t know herself. Would they be able to rekindle the old feelings they once had? Or would the changes they both experienced over the years prove they would never been a perfect match for each other. What would Olivia do if they find out they are not right for each other afterall? Would she ever find another man to love? (READ THE BOOK TO FIND OUT).

If I were editing this book, I would have changed the opening to the scene on the Bow Bridge in Central Park when Olivia has some strange feelings as though, perhaps she was experiencing some form of time travel, a connection of some sort or a Christmas Miracle. The author did an excellent, over the top, job with this scene.

Overall, the book left me lacking connections with the characters. I didn’t laugh with them, I didn’t cry for them, I didn’t want to shout, “what the heck are you doing?” or “kiss her already!” And for me a delicious romance has me doing all of these things.

About Elyse Douglas:

Elyse Douglas is the pen name for the husband and wife writing team of Elyse Parmentier and Douglas Pennington. Elyse’s mother was a painter and her father a textile consultant. Elyse began writing poems and short stories at an early age, and graduated with a degree in English Literature. Douglas grew up in a family of musicians, astrologers and avid readers. His great grandfather lived to be a 134 years old, and was the oldest man in the world when he died in 1922.

Some of Elyse Douglas’ novels include: The Other Side of Summer, Christmas for Juliet, Wanting Rita, The Christmas Diary, The Christmas Bridge and The Summer Diary. They live in New York City.

Website: http://www.elysedouglas.com/

Blog: http://www.elysedouglas.com/blog-index/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elyse.authorsdouglas

Twitter: https://twitter.com/douglaselyse