Book Review - The 12 Days of Christmas by Poppy Alexander

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Title: The 12 Days of Christmas

Author: Poppy Alexander

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Orion

Publication Date: 11th November 2021 

Rating: 5 Stars

The most magical time of the year...

For the first time in ten years, Freya is back in the little village of Middlemass for Christmas. The streets might be twinkling with fairy lights, but after the recent loss of her mother, she's never felt less festive.

Forced to sleep under the same roof as her handsome neighbour Finn, Freya realises she's going to need a distraction - fast! So she sets herself a challenge: to cook the '12 Days of Christmas'. Her delicious food soon brings the villagers together, and as each day passes, old friendships are renewed, memories stirred and there's even the flickering of romance...

She was only meant to stay for the holidays, but could Middlemass - and Finn - steal her heart forever?

Heartwarming and such a pleasure to read, this really is a truly lovely story. 

And just for a change it is set around the actual 12 days of Christmas (plus Christmas Eve), so although it does have Christmas theming, on the whole this could easily be read at any time of the year. 

For this is the story of Freya who has rushed back to Middlemass, to see her dying mother, losing her big job in Paris as a result, and needs to decide just what she wants to do now, well after she gets through some of the hardest days of her life. 

So although there is a big Christmas Day celebration it is in contrast to how Freya is feeling, and the resurrection of her acquaintance with Finn is rather well timed, as it is clear he remembers Freya and has has a habit of taking in waifs! 

Knowing that Freya needs a distraction, he challenges her to cook the 12 days of Christmas, so a dish inspired by each of the days in the song, of which the birds are arguably a lot easier had me completely intrigued to see just what she would come up with each time.  And the dishes were certainly inventive. 

Foodies will love some of the food and descriptions mentioned, especially since Finn lives above and runs his own Deli and has a wonderful array of local produce for sale. Add in Freya's talents as a cook and there is a lot of food. 

But there is also a lot of guilt from Freya that she has barely been home in 10 years, has let old friendships slide and is unsure if anyone will even remember her.  

I thoroughly enjoyed this latest book by Poppy Alexander who has a real talent for writing incredibly readable books.  I look forward to seeing what her next book will be. 

Thank you to Orion and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.