Book Review - A Cosy Christmas at Bridget's Bicycle Bakery by Alex Brown

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Title: A Cosy Christmas at Bridget's Bicycle Bakery

Author: Alex Brown

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: One More Chapter

Publication Date: 14th Oct 2021

Rating: 5 Stars

Bridget smiled to herself, certain she could see one of the stars twinkling extra brightly in that moment as if to acknowledge her wish and convince her that, yes, Mulberry-On-Sea was just the place they all needed to be. Surrounded by those happy memories of holidays and special times where nothing bad ever happened…

Finding yourself without a home in the weeks before Christmas would break most people, but for Bridget Carrington it’s a chance to start again. Mulberry-On-Sea has always been her happy place and she’s hoping it can work its magic this festive season and heal her family after a difficult year.

Now, as the community wraps Bridget and her children in its warm embrace, she starts to feel like herself again. With a new business, kids who are starting to smile, and the promise of a second chance at love, Bridget’s holiday season might just be a happy ever after…

I love, love, loved this book, but be aware it will most likely make you crave bread or other baked goods, so please makes sure you have something to hand to snack on while you are reading. 

And it was so good to be back in Mulberry-On-Sea, in this new spin off from the Carrington's' series, which I always loved. Rest assured though this is definitely a standalone with a whole new family at its heart. 

I was completely hooked by the first few pages, as Bridget moves her family to their new home in Mulberry-On-Sea, in the hopes that this may be a happier Christmas than the previous year when they had just lost Ted, Bridget's husband.  And there is a very memorably moment within that first chapter which was rather funny and great introduction to the tone of the book, and to a rather key character. 

Bridget as well as a keen love of baking, has twin teenage sons and 6 year old daughter Freya, in addition to Henry their dog who is rather bouncy. And he isn't the only rather exuberant four legged friend in this book! Freya, Oscar and Olly are still trying to come to terms with their dad's death, but it is soon apparent this change of scenery for them is going to do a whole world of good for the family. 

As Bridget starts to get to know her new community including the online sea shanty choir that was doing Christmas sons, shanty style (and I'd love to hear those), she also gets to know some rather lonely people, and is able to really help the whole community when the road to the big shops become unpassable and is able to supply bread to the town. 

There is so much to love about this book, but it was Jack who really stood out to me, I am completely in love with the man, he is so thoughtful, but also rather funny, and seems to like children in addition to their mum!  I just loved all the scenes he was in. 

It's a story about healing, growing stronger, getting to know a new community, plenty of bread and baking, and of allowing yourself to move on.  All with a Christmas beachside backdrop. 

I'm already counting down the days until the next book in the series will be available, as I really want to read more from all of these characters.  A fabulous start to a new series. 

Thank you to One More Chapter and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.