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Once upon a Wish-Mas cover art

Once upon a Wish-Mas

By: Laura Barnard
Narrated by: Charlie Emmeline Albers
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Summary

Ruby Campbell isn't daunted at the prospect of working as a nanny for the notorious Barclay Rothchester. She’s warned he’s a strict control freak, but she’s sure she can soften him up. 

Barclay Rothchester lost his wife three years ago. Of course he’s never going to find someone to replace her role, the one she did so perfectly. He’s sure its not going to be hippy-dippy Ruby with her sass and rebellious ways. 

Ruby is determined to give his daughters the Christmas they deserve. Now if only she can tolerate their father long enough to make that happen. 

Are they both willing to put their stubborn pride aside, or will they risk losing the one gift that can't be wrapped: each other?

©2019 Laura Barnard (P)2020 Laura Barnard

What listeners say about Once upon a Wish-Mas

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humourous and easy listen romcom ❤️

A Christmas themed rom-com and I absolutely loved it. It's a bit of Mary Poppins with some Christmas fun and romance, the difference being I loved this nanny so much more than that Mary Poppins sequel!

Barclay a widower takes on a new nanny for his two cute girls and gets Ruby. Ruby omg she's a force of nature, she really made me chuckle. I did think she pushed the boundaries quite a bit for a new employee but it was needed at times and so entertaining.

The story is mainly from Ruby's pov, but Barclay gets some smaller chapters so we get his pov and it's obvious quite soon his not as cold as he first shows, just guarded. Did I mention he's a good looking man that keeps himself fit, something Ruby can't help but notice.

I listened to the audiobook and loved the narration. There were so many moments I wanted to highlight like an ebook!

The narrator defined the characters well and gave them personality and the children's voices came over cute.

A real humorous and easy listen. Trouble is you don't want to pause it when you have to go out! I could totally see this as a rom-com on the big screen.

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Definitely a festive favourite

This is a great festive rom-com. I loved every minute of Ruby and Barcley's story, It had some great laugh out load moments whilst also tugging at my heartstrings.

When Ruby finds herself the new nanny to Jessica and Lottie Rothchester she has no idea what she's let herself in for, only its not the children that's her problem its their dashingly handsome but very moody father.
Barcley has become very closed off since the death of his wife a couple of years ago but when he employs Ruby to take care of his girls he has no idea just how joy she will bring into all their lives.

Definitely a festive favourite for me and the narration of Charlie Emmerline Albers only enhanced by enjoyment.

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Fun and entertaining

I'm not a big fan of tearjerkers, but this one made me cry in a good way. Overall it was an entertaining, funny, feel good story and I liked the characters. It's a little like Mary Poppins meets the Sound of Music. The relationship developed fast in some ways and slow in others. I'm looking forward to listening to/reading more from this author. I'm actually starting Road Trip tonight.

I listened to the Audible version. Charlie Emmeline Albers' performance was amazing. She voices two distinct children's voices and brings a lot of energy and feeling to the whole story. At times that energy made it difficult to tell what was spoken aloud vs. what was in someone's thoughts, and Barclay's voice wasn't always consistent, but the energy is also a big part of what made the story fun to listen to. I would recommend the audio version.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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Christmas with children.

This was a fun Christmas read and probably my favourite of the three I've read in the run-up to Xmas 2020. I think what really made this one a hit for me was the build up of excitement from the two children as Christmas approaches.

Ruby Campbell has taken on the job of nanny for 2 adorable little girls, but their father is another matter. Barclay Rothchester lost his wife some years before and he is still grieving. He is impossible to please and has already scared off several nannies before Ruby appears on the scene. She immediately falls for the girls and fights their corner when Barclay declares there are not going to be any Christmas decorations, nor photos of his deceased wife.

Ruby is a bit of a super-nanny and the girls love her. She even joins the PTA so Jessica can ride on the Christmas float. She is totally sassy, but is rather quick to declare everyone she doesn't like as a B*tch, and this put me off her a bit.
The girls are similar ages to my granddaughters (3 and 6) and I totally related to their emotions and excitement.

I wasn't a great fan of the narrator, who only had 2 voices, twee and super-twee. I actually wished I'd been reading rather than listening. Still, the book was entertaining and helped build some Christmas spirit at the end of a really strange year.

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Channel your inner Mary Poppins!

Such a fun story. Loved this - my only slight issue was I found the jumps to Barclay’s narration a bit jarring, as the narrator was so well fitted to the nanny. I think it wouldn’t be an issue in the book as you’d “hear” different voices. But it didn’t spoil the book

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Warm Hearted

I wasn't sure what I was getting into judging by the cover but I received this audiobook for an honest review so I pushed play. And am so thankful I did! Absolutely loved the nanny. Especially her interactions with the dad of the kids. The wife has passed and he is very particular. This is a fantastic book, one I will definitely read again! Excellent narrator as well. Really helps bring it to life.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Predictable

Ruby Campbell meets Barclay Rochester a widower with 2 small children one 3yrs the other 8yrs, and no one can replace his wife so he becomes a workaholic but does make the time for his children now and then so along comes Ruby the nanny, she is bold and can be rebellious at times but good at her job. She finds Mr. Rochester without heart of so she thought but his thinking is taking everything that shows his wife out of sight out of mind so who will win as Xmas is drawing close. A sweet story really can be a bit sickly in places but an easy listen, the narrator Charlie Emmeline Albers was good in most parts but can also be grating in others. The story is predictable so no chewing the nails etc. more of a romance.

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Great Christmassy listen

I loved listening to the audio version of this book. It the tells the story of a lady called Ruby who is employed as a nanny of two girls. It is a lovely Christmas tale, with relatable characters and is very easy to listen to. The narrator was great. I have listened to a few other stories by this author and they have all been good.

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Warm and fuzzy like Christmas

Ok I’m never disappointed with Laura Barnards audiobook and yet again she’s nailed it. Not only do I have Magic 100% Christmas to listen to but now I have my first Christmas audio as well and I loved it. The story of a nanny trying to not loose her job with her intolerable boss (who just happens to be a bit of a hunk) is funny and comforting and everything you want in a romantic Christmas audio and the narration by Charlie was brilliant as well. I love this book and can I put my tree up now??

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A magical Christmas romance!

I received an audio copy of this book to listen to in exchange for an honest review from Laura Barnard.

Once upon a wish-mas is a heartwarming novella about lost love and new beginnings.

Ruby is an amazingly likeable character full of joy and who slowly begins to thaw the frozen heart of Barclay!
This book has all the feels of Christmas and has got me into the festive spirit already!

The children in this story are utterly adorable and I loved the narrators voice when reading their script.

This is a truly magical read that brought tears to my eyes and made my heart race with anticipation.

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