Book Review - Keeping A Christmas Promise by Jo Thomas - Blog Tour

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Title: Keeping A Christmas Promise

Author: Jo Thomas

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Transworld Digital

Publication Date: 22nd September 2022

Rating: 5 Stars 

A Christmas to remember for a friend they'll never forget

Four friends

Twenty-five years ago, Freya and her three best friends created a bucket list. The future seemed bright, full of hope and most importantly guaranteed . . .

One promise

Now they are travelling to Iceland in memory of the friend they've lost, determined to fulfil her dream of seeing the Northern Lights at Christmas.

A life-changing adventure

They didn't count on an avalanche leaving them stranded! Handsome local, Pétur, comes to the rescue, showing them how the community survives the hard winter. With Christmas approaching, Freya and her friends throw themselves into the festivities, decorating and cooking for the villagers using delicious local ingredients.

But will the Northern Lights appear so they can honour their friend's wish? And can Freya's own dreams come true, this Christmas?

I believe Jo Thomas may have surpassed herself with this new book. It's phenomenal, and completely and utterly transported my head and heart into a remote part of Iceland, far away from the normal tourist locations, and getting to know a real community. 

It's a community that pulls together in times of need, like when an avalanche blocks the only safe way in and out of the village. I really loved how they went out of their way to help each. And after some initial reluctance, how our stranded heroines, also were able to help too. 

For best friends, Freya, Meg and Joanne all promised their fourth, Laura, that they would fulfil her bucket list, even once she was no longer here.  And they were determined to view the Northern Lights, on what would have been Laura's 40th birthday. 

They are only meant to be in Iceland for 3 days, for some relaxation, Northern Lights gazing all before going back to their incredibly busy lives. 

But the elves and trolls of Iceland clear had other ideas, after they went off the beaten track in search of lights, didn't heed the weather warnings and were incredibly lucky that they were near to Petur's farm. 

The descriptions of the landscape, the wildness of this remote Icelandic location were all so vivid, you felt as though you were alongside the characters. And since Freya is a chef, there is, as you may expect from a Jo Thomas novel, a strong foodie focus in this story, and of food being able to evoke memories. 

I was completely enchanted by this book, and completely and utterly devoured it. I couldn't get enough of the writing, and the story, the characters, and even as I'm writing this, I'm wondering just what is happening in their lives, a few hours after finishing the book.   

There is also an important message about sustainable farming practices, and how important it is not to pollute the water, as well as how it can be good to every now and then take a pause on your life and reflect and re-discover just what it is that will make you truly happy. 

A triumphant book that I am already missing being able to read more of. Simply wonderful. 

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