The Perfect Christmas
By Debbie Macomber
Mira Books
Publication Date: September 29, 2009
ISBN: 9780778326823
This book came into work for us to review. It was Christmas themed and seemed relatively cute and Macomber is a huge author, so I decided to try it out. Make no mistake - I did not purchase it on my own...thankfully.
The plot is simple: Cassie Beaumont is 31 and single. As the holidays are calling, she's getting desperate to find her "perfect guy." In walks Simon Dodson, a professional matchmaker who charges clients $30,000 to find their "most suitable match." Cassie gives in and asks for his services. After collecting a database of information on her, Simon asks Cassie to complete three tasks before she's introduced to his chosen match for her. She must: ring a bell to get donations for the Salvation Army the weekend after Thanksgiving, work as one of Santa's elves in the mall for one day, and prepare a Christmas feast for her (somewhat rude) neighbors. Through crazy events and awakening moments, Cassie learns more about who she is...and how the "perfect match" might have been standing in front of her all along.
The book was...sweet. An incredibly easy read, it's a very on the surface story that gives the facts, but not much feeling. Going from the (from what I'm assuming) "show, don't tell" theory of writing, Macomber shows a lot of events, but never tells us how the characters are reacting to them. And I think that's my biggest problem - the story jumps from Cassie's challenge to challenge, but never lets us know what's going on between - what she's thinking, other than her one track mind to get a guy (which is also slightly disconcerting - her whole "I can't be happy until I find the perfect man" disposition). Likewise, the plot is a bit Hitch like, only without the humor and I can't really see someone spending so much money on a matchmaker.
Macomber has a very easy writing style and I can see why she's so loved by many, but it's just not deep enough for me. Plus, like her story, her characters are very on the surface. Very stereotypical with not much depth. Cassie was a decent character, but she was all over during the book-sometimes strong, sometimes weak. I didn't get a feeling as to who she really was. And don't get me started on her wardrobe. Macomber should probably spend some time with 31 year olds - they don't wear velvet red pant suits for Christmas dinner. It's like that scene in Sex and the City where Carrie tells Burger that the main character in his book is wearing a scrunchie.
As a cute, lovely holiday themed easy read, it's fine. Definitely something I can see my mom enjoying more so than me. But for those looking for a bit more, (and a bit less cheesy dialogue), maybe try something else.
Here's an excerpt from Macomber's site.
2 comments:
I have a friend who reads everything by this author, and she once loaned me a book. I guess I walked away with a similar feeling. Cheesy and surfacey, and just a little too sweet. But you're right, it is easy reading, if that is what you're after.
The title and the cover (and yes, I know....don't judge a book by its cover) seem cheesy to me. Not something I would pick up.
Post a Comment