2.5 stars

Read this for 12 Tasks of the Festive Season:
Task the Eighth: The Movie Ticket:
- Read a book that has been adapted to a holiday movie.

This book was made into the movie 12 Men of Christmas. I caught it on tv a couple years ago and instantly thought of it for this challenge, correctly guessing it started off as a book. This may make me a turncoat but I liked the movie better :/ However, it starred Kristin Chenoweth and had Anna Chlumsky, who I now love from Veep, so it was ahead of the game.

While the movie was set in America, the book is set in England, providing me with some delightful little English vernacular. So much use of the word "kit", I guess y'all don't say clothing? Even though I got to imagine everyone with an enchanting English accent, the writing style made point-of-view switching from the heroine and hero confusing and awkward. In fact, the whole story felt a little disordered and I had a hard time warming up to both the hero and heroine. Maybe the Yank in me, but I much approved of the movie's fun cheesiness and the holiday feel that was severely lacking in the original content. ( )

I received this book as a freebie from B&N. I had seen the movie with Kristen Chenoweth, so thought I'd give it a try. Although different from the movie, I thought it was great quick read (although it really isn't a Christmas book). I loved the two main characters and thought the plot was well thought out. Definitely a keeper! ( )

Phillipa Ashely has written a charming, warm, fun to read romantic novel. The characters are interesting and likable, causing you to be drawn into their story.

Emma Tremayne Is working for the tourist board in Bannerdale as a PR person. Trying to help out the local Bannerdale Mountain Rescue Team raise fund for a new outpost She proposes a Calendar one month for each of the male rescuers. ( nude, well almost ) The one member of the team against the idea is Will Tennant. Though he finally agrees to pose for the calendar that's not the end of his dealings with Emma.

Emma Tremayne & Will Tennant are attracted to each other almost instantly upon meeting, but each has a past that could keep them from moving forward together.

I'm looking forward to reading Phillipa's next book Wish You Were Here now out in paperback and ebook formats.

( )

After a disastrous break-up and not so smooth departure from a glitzy PR firm in London, Emma Tremayne ends up working as the PR rep for a tourist board in a small town in the Lake country. Volunteering her time for the local search and rescue team, Emma proposes a nude calendar to raise funds for a new base. This immediately puts her in conflict with Will Tennant, who strongly opposes the idea. As the two engage in multiple verbal sparring matches, their attraction becomes obvious, but overcoming the emotional baggage from their previous relationships may kill their fledging flirtation.

This is a fluffy romance novel with nothing really fantastic about it. It's simply a nice, quick read. The climbing and rescue information adds an element of reality to it, but Emma and Will are likable without being really memorable. Definitely worth a try if you're looking for a predictable romance. I only have two complaints. First, the book is marketed as a holiday romance but only the last 5 pages actually take place at Christmas. Second, the model on the cover looks nothing like Emma who has dark hair and green eyes. Otherwise, sweet, fluffy, and really only for those who enjoy a dose of romance novels occasionally. ( )

Romance about a Scottish rescuer and a jobless PR executive. Nice book. Looking for more from this author