Reviews for Deck the Halls

The average rating for Deck the Halls based on 2 reviews is 3.5 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2012-12-13 00:00:00 Nayady Rodriguez Deck The Halls ran by three sisters that were left orphaned when their parents died. At one time - they were well off, but now they were working as temps during the off-season. During the winter months, they ran Deck The Halls. Holly was the oldest, and she ran it like a tight ship. She worked hard, but she was only trying to succeed at their business. On one particular night, she was decorating a penthouse for a law firm. She soon finds out Adam Markland lives there. She was still working when he came home. He was very intrigued with her and starting helping her with the tree. He even got along with her sisters Lauren and Ivy. Lauren was an aspiring actress, and Ivy wanted to go to college. Ivy's sisters went - she was waiting for her turn. Adam helped them with their business, but he never charged them, and he often brought food along so they could all eat and work. He was falling in love with - Holly. As the story unfolds more - Gus - a photographer - took pictures at Adam's home. The pictures turned up in a calendar that eventually landed on his desk. Adam claims he knew nothing about it - and he didn't. He didn't like his word being - questioned either. Everything was going well for Holly until she did work for Mrs. Fitzhugh. Mrs. Fitzhugh was in a crunch, and Holly saw it as a good opportunity for her business. She told Holly her problem - it had to do with an event - the Winter Ball. Holly offered to help. Mrs. Fitzhugh was happy until Holly - showed her bills from the Winter ball. So, Mrs. Fitzhugh hired her brother's law firm to deal with Holly and Deck the Halls. The calendar, along with a lawsuit, landed at the law firm where Adam worked. Adam felt it was fair to ask Mrs. Fitzhugh to pay for the bills because Holly saved the Winter Ball. Mrs. Fitzhugh did not see it that way, so she proceeded with the lawsuit. Shortly after - Adam quit. Initially, Holly had no attorney, and she did not see why Adam quit. When she found out, she was more in love with him. Adam sat through the trial and watched Holly get butchered. He finally could not take it anymore, so he stepped in as her attorney. She had no - attorney. He was a shark in the courtroom. The prosecution folded, and Holly won. After the trial, Adam's old boss asked him to came back. Adam refused. In the end, Lauren went on to pursue acting, and Ivy went to college. Holly lived in the big house she grew up in with Adam. She continued her business, and Adam practiced law. They also got married, and Holly had her happily ever after!

Review # 2 was written on 2014-01-13 00:00:00 Brad Buerso [ Holly is so used to being in charge she stops listening to others and ends up in big financial trouble. She crumbles and Adam is finally able to get through to her and help, but she continues to deny her sisters their chance for their own lives in pursuit of her ambition and is two faced to Adam and alienates him. Of course, everything turns out in the end and Holly learns her lesson (despite being altruistic in her actions initially). It was hard to like Holly because there was so little Holly and Adam time or time with her sisters that I couldn't get interested in her and ultimately she becomes unlikable and I didn't really feel the convinced with the change at the end. I also couldn't relate to how her sisters were pretty much putting up with it and they didn't have a counsel of war or something. Also, as a business grad from SMU, one would think she would have handled her parents financial situation better (found another attorney), known about contracts (which causes the blow up at the end), been more open to her sister getting a different degree (even if you are a decorating company looking to go into full service event planning, who needs 3 business degrees, how about law, finance, interior design, etc.?!?). She takes and takes and takes in the mistaken belief it's still benefiting her sisters and herself. I give this an ok rating because that's how I felt when I ended the book. After I read the review and all the stuff I pick at, I'm not feeling so ok. However, characters are not me, with my experiences and they can be flawed so I'll stick with 2 stars. HOWEVER, one last peeve: Holly tells Ivey at one point there's no money for her to go to school. As an orphan living at subsistence level, even with the house, Ivey would be eligible for grants, scholarships and student loans. Anyone who's been to college should be aware of this, especially someone with a business degree from SMU. (I am not an SMU grad, merely a decent state school.) I received a copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. (hide spoiler)]