Review: A Nantucket Christmas by Nancy Thayer (audio)

Title: A Nantucket Christmas   

Author: Nancy Thayer   

Narrator: Joyce Bean  

Published: October 2013, Brilliance Audio   

Length: 4 hours 26 minutes  

Source: Library 

Known for her heartwarming observations of family life, New York Times
bestselling author Nancy Thayer showcases her beloved Nantucket’s snowy
off-season in this emotionally gratifying and utterly entertaining
story.

Holidays on this Massachusetts island are nothing short
of magical, from the jolly decorations on the Brant Point lighthouse to
the much anticipated Christmas Stroll, in which merrymakers promenade
through quaint streets adorned with Yuletide cheer. The season’s
wonderful traditions are much loved by Nicole Somerset, new to Nantucket
and recently married to a handsome former attorney. Their home is
already full of enticing scents of pine, baking spices, and homemade
pie.

But the warm, festive mood is soon tempered by Nicole’s
chilly stepdaughter, Kennedy, who arrives without a hint of holiday
spirit. Determined to keep her stepmother at arms’ length—or, better
yet, out of the picture altogether—Kennedy schemes to sabotage Nicole’s
holiday preparations. Nicole, however, is not about to let anyone or
anything tarnish her first Christmas with her new husband.

Nancy Thayer’s wonderful tale reminds us that this is the season of
miracles. Before the gifts are unwrapped, surprise visitors appear, and
holiday joy comes to all, both naughty and nice.

My thoughts: It seems that quite a few of my favorite “summer” authors have decided to also write holiday books – and you will certainly not be getting any complaints from me!!! Nancy Thayer is another author, like Elin Hilderbrand, who I mark the advent of summer by her latest book. This is Nancy’s first holiday book, which actually came out last year.

This was a great short holiday story that pulls you in right from the start. Focusing on family and all that it implies, the story will definitely get you in the holiday mood. It is a tale that sums up holidays all over; one that is filled with hope, strife, sadness, love and eventually peace.

The characters are well-developed and I found myself either loving or strongly disliking them. Kennedy really got under my skin but I loved little Maddox and enjoyed his escapades with the dog. Having the story told from different narrators really allows you as the reader to get inside the minds of the different characters, thus making them feel more alive. 

Nantucket remains a place that I’ve only had the pleasure of visiting through books, yet each time I read a book set there, I’m even more determined to one day visit. I loved seeing this charming place during Christmas – the sights, sounds and smells were brought alive. I am anxious to visit again with Nancy’s next holiday novel, which is due out in a few weeks!

Audio Thoughts: Jocye Bean is one of my favorite narrators and I was thrilled to see she was narrating this book. Her voice is magical – she is able to create unique voices for her characters, even adding the necessary attributes to the characters to make them come alive.