(Prologue)...."I AM THE HEAD COOKIE bitch and this is my party. The Christmas Cookie Club is always on the first Monday of December. Mark it on your calendar. Twelve of us gather, and thirteen dozen cookies wrapped in packages. Home-made, of course. We bring a dish to pass around and a bottle of wine".......
The Christmas Cookie Club, is a tradition started some sixteen years earlier. Marnie (the head cookie bitch) and eleven of her closest friends, have kept this tradition going. The friends share how they met, their joys, their struggles, their disappointments, and more. They laugh together and cry together. Their stories are told in twelve alternating chapters, each of which includes a tasty sounding Christmas cookie recipe for readers to try.
My Thoughts: Certainly the message in this story is not a new one: close friends help each other through tough times, and are there to share the good times as well. Personally, I've read a few too many stories about friendship over the years. None of the characters were memorable or even the least bit endearing. I did enjoy the recipes, and I do see how some readers who enjoy light fiction, might think this was a great holiday read. For me, there just wasn't enough depth to the story, and you never really get to know any of the women. I understand that CBS Films has picked up the movie rights, and a sequel to this book is in the works as well. If you are looking for a quick, light holiday read, and enjoy stories about friendship, give this one a try.
(This book was sent to me for review by Simon and Schuster).
I guess I don't get her self-identifying as "the head cookie bitch." That would be a turn-off for me right at the start!
ReplyDeleteI do like to read Christmas books in December, and with so many choices, I appreciate this review. I did like The Christmas Sweater last year.
ReplyDeleteThis one sounds so cute! At least you enjoyed the recipes and a light read, even if you didn't really connect with the characters.
ReplyDeleteI have this one too and I am reading it for a Christmas Challenge. I have not heard the strongest of reviews so far. Bleh!
ReplyDeleteSorry there wasn't enough depth to this one for you. It might be perfect for me during the hustle and bustle of the holidays.
ReplyDeleteProbably won't be deep enough for me either! If you want to link this and/or Recipe Club review to my Weekend Cooking post from today, fee free -- no pressure, but these books are perfect for the theme.
ReplyDeleteRecipes are always a plus, for me. Of course, from now until Christmas my brain can't handle anything heavy. Too many other things to think about!
ReplyDeleteSo how do you get to be a "head cookie bitch?" *LOL!* Sounds like a decent light read. :-)
ReplyDeleteMaybe a nice light read during the busyness of the season, but I can see why it didn't appeal to you.
ReplyDeleteI was going to mention Beth Fish's weekend cooking meme ... this book and THE RECIPE CLUB are good fits for it.
I wonder if they're going to beat this genre to death???? I hope not because I love novels with great friendships in them.
ReplyDeleteThis was such a letdown for me. The good thing was I got me to thinking about starting my own club - though hopefully it will be full of way more fun times ;)
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of this book, but it sounds like you didn't think it was played out very well. Which is very possible. I don't really read many Christmas books in December - not sure why - maybe I'll give this one a try. Although, I don't like books with poor character development so this one might end up being a flop for me too.
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds like it doesn't really distinguish itself from other books of it's kind. I am not sure I would read it, but I really want to get a peek at the recipes!
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