The Christmas Bucket-List by Ella Fairlie is a sweet story about a South African girl spending her first Christmas in London. Isobel Grey has always dreamed of spending Christmas the way it is portrayed in the movies: snow, chestnuts over a roasting fire, lights, shopping, the works! So she refuses plane tickets home for the holidays to stay in London with her boss and boyfriend and do all the things she’s always wanted to do. There’s only one problem, her boyfriend leaves town for work. Now she’s alone for Christmas.

So for me this book was just okay. Isobel is kind of hard to like. She’s a bit hung up on her crappy boyfriend and too focused on what she thinks Christmas is supposed to be that she nearly misses out on what Christmas actually is. However I have to give her props. Rather than wallowing in self-pity because she is alone for Christmas, she focuses on still doing what is on her list. So bravo for that!

Then there’s Jamie...Jaime is this really sweet co-worker who happens upon Isobel when she is attempting to ice skate. She opens up to him, telling him about the list and her boyfriend. So Jamie offers to do the things on her list with her AND show her what a London Christmas is all about. I kinda love Jamie! He’s sweet, a bit nerdy, and altogether exactly what Isobel needs. Jamie is this book’s saving grace!

Overall this is an okay story. It’s short and sweet and perfect if you are looking for a quick read in between all the busyness of the holidays. However if you are looking for depth, an unpredictable plot, than I would pass on this read. The plot is predictable, bland, and the characters are 2D. It just wasn’t for me.