It's a Wonderful Night (ePub)

4,5 stars

This is such a wonderful book! From the first chapter on, I really liked Georgia. She is such a good and caring person, a real heroine. I also felt for Leo, a sweet and good-natured guy. But as Georgia says: "Sometimes the people that smile the widest are suffering the most."

I didn't even care if the two become lovers or just good friends. The latter would have been fine for me, since this book is not about 'boy meets girl' (as the short description on the back might indicate) but about helping others, staying positive, finding solutions. Georgia is extremly good at all three. She is almost too good to be true! But at the same time she seems so authentic. (ok, the 'hide & seek' in the bank is getting ridiculous...) I really loved the talks between Georgia and Leo - it was a pleasure to be a silent observer of their conversations.

It's also a book about the economic situation in many (smaller?) towns, and not only in the UK. Independent shops on former high streets don't attract enough customers to survive, and with the failing of one or two businesses, others soon follow like dominoes. From the very beginning I though about options how the "Wonderful Latte", and actually the whole high street, could be saved. I couldn't think of anything feasible. But thank God for Georgia!

In the last quarter the book turns a bit unrealistic, but thankfully I've already fallen in love with the story and all its characters by then and so I simply put that down to Christmas magic. And I really, really should finally watch "It's a wonderful life". Next Christmas! I promise!