Dinca’s review of A Lot Like Christmas by Dawn Atkins
Contemporary Romance published by Harlequin SuperRomance 9 Nov 10
Well, this is a first for me. I have never read a romance novel that took place in a shopping mall. Dawn Atkins gets an A+ for location. The characters’ names are a little confusing at first, Starr, Stark, and then the Starlight Desert Mall. It would have been easier if the hero’s mother had been someone other than Starr McCann.
Ms. Atkins has created a steadfast, lovable heroine in Sylvie Stark. Her interactions with the shop owners, I felt, are her greatest strength. After being let down by her boss, passed over for a promotion, and having to work for her former crush, she manages to stay loyal to her new boss, the Starlight Desert Mall tenants and the McCann Development Company.
I did not feel the McCann men were strong hero types in the beginning, but they came through in the end. Chase McCann has been through a lot and doubts his judgment, so I will give him a little slack. He is determined to do the right thing by his investors. When he realizes Sylvie has her hopes set on the general manager job for the mall, he tries to hand over as much of the reins as possible, given the position he’s in.
The interactions between Sylvie and Chase are interesting, especially the campout at the mall and exploring around the place like children. I felt it’s a good move on Sylvie’s part generating the good memories Chase might have about the mall.
The vandals are also an interesting part of the story. The fact that they are not consistent in their threats had me fingering a lot of different possibilities, including Chase’s brother, since he’s so insistent on selling the mall. I’m surprised at actually who the villain turns out to be.
So take a break from your Christmas wrapping and go to the mall…the story mall that is… Starlight Desert Mall and enjoy your time there. It’s “A Lot Like Christmas” and Dawn Atkins nail it with this delightful read.
Grade: A
Summary:
A lump of coal landed in Sylvie Stark’s stocking. Bad enough she’s been passed over for promotion, now she learns her new boss is none other than her old love, Chase McCann. No matter. She refuses to let him distract her from her job.
Read an excerpt.
