Book Review - The MacGregor Brides by Nora Roberts

Happy New Year, you all! 2015 has started off on a promising note. Hope you all are having a good start already :) To start off a wonderful year, I'm going to review this gorgeous book that I finished today. 

From the book cover: It's the time of year for families and friends, romance and laughter... Daniel MacGregor will make sure that his beautiful granddaughters share it with someone special!

Laura is up to all her meddling grandfather's tricks. So when Royce Cameron arrives on her doorstep, Laura, means to resist his charms...

Gwen is convinced that she'll escape the MacGregor's trap. Until one kiss from Branson Maguire rocks her world...

Julia thinks she's safe- she's busy with her career and has no time for love. But Callum Murdoch is hard at work changing her mind. 

As Christmas approaches, will Daniel's granddaughters escape his schemes? Or will the magic of the festive season soften their stubborn hearts?

My take: I started this book few days back. I was feeling so low and desperately needed some cheering up. And when in doubt, I pick a Nora Roberts. And cheer me it did. One of the reasons that I bought the book was because of its gorgeous cover. I mean, how can you not fall in love with something that has the picture of a christmas tree on it? Besides, the cover had sparkles too! I love anything and everything with glitter on them so it was a win-win situation. I know that you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but I always do. And this one just lives up to it. 

The book starts off from the private memoirs of Daniel MacGregor and is divided into three stories which are interconnected. When the old man himself decides that his family need a nudge in the right direction and starts meddling into the love lives of his three granddaughters- Laura, Gwen and Julia, it sure makes for a very interesting read. 

Laura is a lawyer wherereas Gwen is a doctor and Julia is a businesswoman. Like all of Roberts' heroines, they are all beautiful and fiercely independent. And of course, the heroes are tall and dashing too! Like Roberts said in an interview, it's her story and she wants everyone to be beautiful there. I so agree. When you pick up a Roberts novel, you expect to get lost in the lives of stunning strangers. 

Though all three cousins mean to resist the charm of the men that their grandfather has handpicked for them, they end up inevitable in love and then some more. Predictable? Yes. But even then, you find yourself turning the pages and getting swept off your feet along with the heroines of the novel. 

Now what pissed me off a bit was Daniel MacGregor who kept on harping about getting his granddaughters married off so that they would give him and his wife 'beautiful babies'. Of course, I get it that would be the wish of all grandparents, but when you become obsessed about the point, it starts getting a bit creepy. Well, maybe it's just me. Take it with a pinch of salt and everything is rosy once more!

I'm giving it a shiny three stars for this one. Though it is titled Christmas Fairytales, I felt that a bit more of the festive factor could've been brought in. Though Christmas plays a role, it is the romance and the chemistry that Roberts has focused on. I do wish I had seen more of snow and warm logs crackling indoors. Well, I guess you can't have it all. 

This is the first book towards my reading challenge for 2015. 2015! Wow, it sure feels good writing  typing it. I have taken up the goodreads challenge for 2015 and intend to read at least 50 books for this year. I hope I complete it. So, tell me, are you taking the challenge? If so, how many books are you planning to read this year. Come on, challenge yourself, it's going to be fun! 

On another note, I'm also planning to start a 'Happiness jar' inspired by the concept that was introduced by Elizabeth Gilbert. That woman is an inspiration, I tell you. I learn so much everyday through her Facebook page. The Happiness jar is a concept where you write one thing that has made you happy on a piece of paper and put in a jar/ container/ box. Like she says, create your own rules. Do what works for you. And this has to be done everyday. Yes, even on those days when you feel low or down. I think it's going to work. Well, I shall never know till I do it. Will I? And, once more, wishing you all a fabulous 2015! 

Linking this post to Write Tribe Pro Blogger Challenge.