Book Review: A Nantucket Christmas

Author: Nancy Thayer
Publication Date: October 29, 2013
Publisher: Ballantine Books

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.

On Nantucket, the Christmas season is different. Really.

Islanders have the leisure to savor the Charles Dickens charm gleaming from the glistening cobblestone streets and historic brick buildings.

Early on the morning of the Nantucket Christmas Stroll, glittering crystal sunlight streamed through the mist into the shops, streets, houses, and harbor, a mirror-like light it seemed you could almost touch with your fingertips.

This is the second book that I have read this year that takes place in Nantucket, although I must admit that this is the first Christmas book I have read with this setting. The story focuses around Nicole and her new husband, Sebastian. The two met later in life and fell in love instantly. This Christmas they are planning on receiving a visit from Sebastian’s adult daughter, Kennedy, her husband, and their three-year-old, Maddox. However, Kennedy is everything but pleasant. Besides being a spoiled brat, she is eight months pregnant, and doesn’t harbor the most loving feelings towards her new stepmom. This should make for a fun, festive Christmas season, right? Guess again!

This story embodied many different things. Firstly, it had a ton of well-developed characters. Kennedy was the worst, but this is why I can appreciate her character. She was so obnoxious, spoiled, and just downright hateful that I found it satisfying to dislike her. She is the perfect for a Christmas story like this one. Her heart needed brightening and warming this holiday season. Her son was another wonderful character, but not because he was atrocious like her. He, and the dog he meets, brought some light and love to this story, making it a truly charming Christmas tale.

I am such an animal lover, particularly dogs. Reading this story was hard for me because of Snix, who was abandoned by his owners at the end of the summer. Snix has been wandering around Nantucket trying to find food and shelter, until he meets sweet Maddox. The bond that these two form is incredibly heart-wrenching. I enjoyed seeing Snix be loved most of all! Nancy Thayer embodies Snix and really captures the essence of what a dog might possibly be thinking. This story was simple, but very sweet!

***A copy of this book was provided to me by the publishers at Ballantine Books in exchange for my honest review***