Heartwarming read

Once Upon A Wish-mas by Laura Barnard delivers on the cosy, heartwarming feels with all the delicious angst of an enemies-to-lovers story. Ruby is such a breath of fresh air for the Rochester family and you can’t help but fall for this feisty and caring heroine as she shakes things up for the brooding & handsome Barclay and his young girls. With great pace, witty banter, laugh-out-loud moments, doses of steam and fantastic characters you can easily connect with & get behind, you’ll fly through Once Upon A Wish-mas just as I did and be left feeling satisfied by this uplifting story about family and relationships. Overall the narrator did a good job however I found some of the voices she put on for peripheral characters and Ruby’s inner monologue a bit too much but I still really enjoyed this single-parent, hate-to-love romantic comedy. If you’re looking for a book to get you into the festive spirit with romance along the way, I recommend you check out Once Upon A Wish-Mas... though really, I’d happily listen to this feel-good story all year round!

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Quick Fun Read

I really enjoyed this book! Ruby is hilarious! I was laughing so much at her antics and inner dialogue. Ruby's interactions with the kids are great. I like the slow burn build up between Ruby and Barclay! The narrator is ok. I found her voice to be off putting at times but overall was decent.

1 person found this helpful

Once Upon a Wish-Mas

It’s almost Christmas, and Ruby has taken a job as a nanny. She immediately bonds with her two young charges, but their father is another story. Will she even last through the holidays? Laura Barnard has written a fantastic holiday story. I absolutely adored the cheeky and sassy Ruby. Her inner dialogue actually made me chuckle out loud a few times. Overall, Charlie Emmeline Albers did a pretty good job with the narration. There were a few small hiccups in the audio, and a couple of times I thought the children’s voices were a bit to whiny. I did love her portrayal of Ruby! I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and I have voluntarily left this review.

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Loved the story

I really enjoyed reading Once Upon A Wish-Mas. Centered around the most magical time of the year, a time for family and friends to come together and celebrate. There’s something about the holiday season in n my opinion, it’s never too early to read a holiday romance. There was angst, humour, fabulous characters and a story line that you couldn’t help but be drawn too. Ruby Campbell is a nanny who is feisty, sassy and not at all afraid of her boss Barclay Rothchester. In fact for the sake of his daughters, she will put up with his over the top control issues and his grumpy demeanour, determined to give his daughters the best Christmas she can. To Barclay no-one will ever be able to replace his wife who died three years ago and even if there was someone, it certainly wouldn’t be Ruby. Having recently returned from London, I could easily picture the places such as Harrods and Somerset House as I read this story. Can Barclay and Ruby put aside their obvious differences to ensure that the girls have a great Christmas, or will their pride get in the way? This is a story of overcoming grief, of love, about taking a leap of faith and learning to trust again. A heart warming, feel good story that will leave you with a smile on your face. I had a hard time connecting to the narrator Charlie Emmeline Albers, but the story was good so I was able to over look it for the most part.

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Great Read

I truly enjoyed listening to this book, Laura Barnard and Charlie Emmeline Albers did a great job bringing the characters to life. I look forward to more from this author

A book full of joy

This book is a must listen to book. I throughly enjoyed listening to it and the narrator was amazing and funny. I cried and laugh throughout the story. Amazing book.

A must read/listen for the holiday season

This is a Mary Poppins tale all grown up. Ruby takes a job as a nanny for widowed businessman with two adorable daughters. Barclay is a no nonsense man. He has no time for anything foolish. He is too busy throwing himself into his work and ignoring his emotions. Well Ruby changes all that. This was a hilarious book. Ruby was just what Barclay didn't want. She is stubborn and independent and she doesn't take orders she doesn't agree with easily. As the story goes on and she fights for the girl's happiness she starts to thaw his ice cold heart, even if he won't show it. But Barclay is stubborn and once he realizes his truth it might be too late for himself and the girls who have fallen for Ruby. This was such a fun read/listen. This narrator was the perfect voice for the story. I couldn't get enough of it. Ruby and Barclay cracked me up! And talk about swoon worthy. I dare you not to let this story grab your heart. I loved every second of it and wouldn't mind more! A must read romance for the holiday season.

Hilarious, Sweet, and the perfect Holiday listen!

Ruby loves being a nanny. She wants to ensure the children she has in her care have someone loving and consistent in their lives. Especially because she herself is an orphan. She lost her father very young and her mother passed when she turned 18. Her experience gives her an empathy to the children she finds in her care. She finds herself assigned a new family with two young girls and a widower father. These girls have had a ever revolving door of nannies because their father is a stickler for his regimented schedule for the girls. They haven't been able to keep anyone. Mr. Rothchester is a grump. He reminds me of Captain Von Trapp when Maria first comes to the family. Actually a lot of the tone between Ruby and Mr Rothchester reminds me it. I love that musical so it works for me. The girl's mother died 3 years ago. Because of his sorrow, Barclay (Mr Rothchester) has distanced himself from everyone, even his girls. Jessica & Charlotte (Lottie) are two girls in need of something more than the strict schedule their father thinks is what will make their lives better without their mother. But contrary to what he thinks, what improves his daughters lives is the attention and care that they receive from their new nanny, Ruby, who drives him nuts. Ruby is determined to give these girls their perfect Christmas. And in the process helps thaw Barclay, who never thought he'd ever find someone else after his wife passed. Hilarious, heartwarming, and the spirit of the holidays. I haven't listened to anything narrated by Charlie Emmeline Albers. I loved her narration. I received a review copy. I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

Great read!

I really enjoyed this book. The story felt real and flowed smoothly. The narrator did a wonderful job bringing the story to life.

Romantic Comedy

Once upon a Wish-Mas by Laura Barnard is a romantic comedy that I listened to on audio narrated by Charlie Emmeline Albers. This is the first book of Laura’s that I have read and it definitely won’t be my last. I loved the chemistry between Ruby and Barclay. This book should really be made into a Hallmark movie. The book is Christmas themed but it so heartwarming you should read it anytime of the year. Charlie did an amazing job on the narration. She really knows how to bring a story to life and I look forward to listening to more of her work in the future. I would highly recommend this book if you love romantic comedies, enemies-to-lovers, age gap romances, or romance in general. This book really does cover all the bases for romance lovers.