The premise for this story sounded adorable, and this really could have been a fun, light read. I can absolutely see this being made as a Hallmark movie. As both a Romance and as a Christmas story, it failed for me, though, and I don’t see any other reason for reading this book. As a Romance, it was full of those tired old tropes that are the worst representation of the genre, and the internal logic just didn’t hold up. Shy, sweet heroine who thinks she’s plain, even though she only needs new clothes and makeup to become a total hottie? Check! Handsome, hypermasculine hero who has been so hurt by women in the past that he’s a commitment-phobe who only dates unmarriageable women, but is secretly a sweet teddy-bear who only needs the Right Girl to teach him the value of True Love? Check! Slutty mean beautiful rich girlfriend to serve as the villainess to keep our lovebirds apart? Check!

I just couldn’t like either of our protagonists. The heroine is far too passive and so lacking in common sense logic that I just can’t buy that she’s smart enough to have been admitted to vet school. The hero literally only thinks of adult women as either “good-timing bimbos” or “nice girls you take to the altar”. Throughout the entire book, he only thinks of them with regards to what they can do for him, either sexually or as support systems.

As a Christmas story, I suppose the message is about family togetherness? Because he’s forced by circumstances and basic common decency to take in his mother and stepsisters, so he has to finally listen when she talks to him, and forgives her? Really, this is just set at Christmas time, so has the trappings of the season.

Audiobook, borrowed from my public library, with a very good performance by Kathleen McInerney. I read this for The 16 Tasks of the Festive Season square 2: Guy Fawkes Night: Any book about the English monarchy (any genre), political treason, political thrillers, or where fire is a major theme, or fire is on the cover. There is a fire in the fireplace on the cover art. ( )

Give me a book with a cat and Christmas in it and it's a surefire bet that I'm going to like it. The Nine Lives of Christmas is a lovely Christmas tale told partially from a cat's point of view. The cat is named Ambrose and he is a yellow tabby who is on his last life. Ambrose is so engaging. Sheila really captured what most of us cat lovers know about cats...little lovers with attitude. I enjoyed the parts featuring Ambrose best, with his inner monologue all focused on how he is going to achieve a long and comfortable ninth life. Of course, some matchmaking is in order. It wouldn't be a Christmas story unless there was a little romance thrown in.

I was afraid at first that this book might end up very sad. It seems that a lot of the stories featuring animals often do. Luckily, this book filled the bill of a fun and heartwarming Christmas tail (tale...sorry, had to use Sheila's witticism) that just adds to the fun and magic of the season. Thank goodness Nicholas Sparks doesn't write Christmas books.

If you love Christmas themed books, you will really enjoy this book. I know it has become part of my permanent Christmas book collection and, I'm sure, will get a reread in Christmases to come! ( )

I prefer books about Christmas to have some spiritual aspect to it, but this one was okay, probably because I love cats so much. I didn't read this at Christmas time, but it wasn't too bad. ( )

Ambrose, the cat, is in danger of losing his ninth life…unless he can help Zach, who rescues him. Can he get Zach and Pet Palace Merilee together? ( )

The Nine Lives of Christmas is a fun read that is perfect for getting the reader into the holiday spirit. Narration is shared by three very different but equally likable characters, a firefighter who is in search for love (although he doesn't always acknowledge it), a sweet heroine, and Ambrose the cat who takes on the most important role of all, the matchmaker. I was a fan of The Nine Lives of Christmas from the very beginning. Ambrose is absolutely hysterical and Zach and Merilee are completely believable and likable characters. While the main story-line is somewhat predictable, there are plenty of surprises sprinkled in.
I recommend The Nine Lives of Christmas to readers who are looking for a good romance with a Christmas backdrop and as one of Sheila Roberts best books it is not to be missed by her fans. It is also the perfect gift for the cat lover in your life. ( )