Black Short Monday #9 ~ All I Want For Christmas by Ros Clarke

BSM is a feature exclusively titled by Stephanie from Books Paradise. Mondays are definitely black. I thought what could I do to make it better. In the last time I consistently read short stroies, novellas or something along those lines and what lends itself better for reviewing those stories as a black monday? - Right, a black Monday!

Genre:	Contemporary Romance
Published:	December 6th 2011
Format:	Kindle ebook
Websites:	Ros Clarke | Goodreads
My copy:	won
Purchase:	Amazon (DE) | Amazon (UK) | Amazon (US)

Blurb: Last night, Anna Gardner was the life of the office Christmas party—right up until she threw herself at gorgeous advertising executive playboy, Hugh Munro. Again. Last year, Hugh let her pretend their passionate kiss never happened, but this year he’s determined to make Anna admit she wants him as much as he wants her. Except, Hugh doesn't know the office party is the only night of the year his friend lets her hair down. That every hour she’s away from the office is spent caring for her sickly mother. That her mother’s condition, early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, is hereditary. When Hugh finds out what she’s been hiding, he’s forced to do some serious soul-searching. It's not fair to Anna or her mother for him to get involved casually, but casual relationships are all he knows. Can he prove to himself—and to Anna—that she’s all he wants for Christmas?

As far as Anna was concerned, the kiss had been all but forgotten, and she was greatful for his friendship.
   But after two glasses of punch, friendship just hadn't been enough.
   Next year she was definitely sticking to apple juice. She shook her head. Next year she wasn't goining to the party at all.
   Excellent plan.

My thoughts: 'All I Want For Christmas' is a romantic novella that lifts your mood. The author's style is funny, lighthearted and romantic. I really liked it. The central character Anna is a lovely character. She is ingenuous, lovingly and perky. I have liked her from the very first. Hugh is a diamond geezer and Anna liked him more than she admits. She was falling in love with him since their first encounter. But she soesn't allow herself to be in love with someone. She is trying to avoid him, but Hugh will take no refusal.

I felt sorry for Anna and of course for her mother too. But Anna doesn't want someones pity nor someone to treat her any different. Actually she has to go out or to live her own live but she can't do it, not yet. She loves her mother so much and she want to stay with her as a daughter, friend and caretaker. This part is almost heartbreaking and totally soulful. Hugh's serious soul-searching makes him really likeable as well.

All I Want For Christmas is an easy read, incredible pretty and thought-provoking. I'd like to read more, but I loved it.