Review by Booklist Review
Given her past, it makes sense that Charlotte Lane might wish a pox on Christmas. Twenty years ago, she appeared in the movie Christmas, Truly, billed as precocious child star Charlie Rose Lane. The movie was an instant hit and became a holiday favorite. Since then, Charlotte has built a new life as an artist, and now all she wants to do is get through her holiday visit with her sister without an obsessed fan of the film recognizing her. However, while attending a Christmas lights ceremony at Eden Priory, Charlotte bumps into the historic home's owner, Graham Calloway. While Graham may not recognize Charlotte from Christmas, Truly, he does have a business proposition for Charlotte that could bring the ghost of her Christmas-movie past back to haunt her. As Waters (To Woo and to Wed, 2024) merrily pivots from her marvelous Regency historicals to an exquisitely crafted contemporary holiday romance, her winning way with quippy dialogue, clever characterization, and smartly crafted love stories remains a thing of joy and wonder.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Waters (To Woo and to Wed) sets her latest endearing meet-cute at a whimsical Christmas celebration in the English countryside. Artist Charlotte Lane was once a child star, appearing in exactly one film, the iconic Christmas, Truly, and the infamy it brought has led her to despise all things Christmas. Now, word's gotten out that Charlotte scuttled a sequel, and fans are pissed. She heads to the U.K. early for her yearly visit with her sister, Ava, and Ava's Christmas-loving in-laws. Dragged along on an outing to the countryside, Charlotte unceremoniously meets accountant Graham Calloway as he's changing out of a reindeer costume at his family's estate, Eden Priory. Charlotte is startled to realize the estate appeared in Christmas, Truly, and that the Calloways rely on the connection to draw in tourists. She's ready to keep her distance--until Graham commissions her to create a series of drawings based on famous Christmas films for their gift shop. She needs the money, so she can't refuse. Before she knows it, Charlotte's living a life straight out of the holiday rom-coms she says she hates. Waters keeps things lighthearted, quirky, and, above all Christmassy. This sweet holiday treat wouldn't feel out of place on the Hallmark channel. (Oct.)
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