Book Review - A Shetland Christmas Carol by Erin Green

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Title: A Shetland Christmas Carol

Author: Erin Green

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Headline Review

Publication Date: 29th September 2022

Rating: 4 Stars

Will the gift of friendship save their past, present and future?

Callie has taken multiple jobs to make the money she desperately needs. Her favourite is being the new guide for Lerwick Manor's alpaca walks. But her troublesome past is making it difficult to prove to others that she's learned from her mistakes.

Heather has been content breeding Sheltie sheepdogs and taking care of her grownup daughters. But now she feels that something is missing. Taking the leap into online dating, she makes an unexpected connection to which her daughters react very differently.

Tabitha sells homemade soap at the Stables Gallery, but her true passion is for amateur dramatics. Winning a role in the group's festive production of A Christmas Carol, Tabby is determined to make her mark - but will her growing feelings for fellow actor Rabbie distract her?

As Christmas draws near, can true friendship save the past, present and future of the Lerwick community?

Having just finished book 3 in this series, I couldn't help but instantly jump straight into A Shetland Christmas Carol while all the characters were fresh in my head. At least all the ones that make up the Lerwick Manor community, who I've really taken to my heart during the series. 

Once again this could be read as a standalone as the three main characters this time around, haven't had their stories looked at that much until now, but I'd suggest that due to the sheer number of characters and how everyone is interlinked this really probably is a series best started at the beginning - which has the bonus of you being able to read even more wonderful stories in this setting. 

So we have Callie, who is cousins with Pippa and Jemima, and doesn't seem to like them very much. She is big time struggling with her financial situation and it was very interesting having seen glimpses of her in the previous book, to understand just why she has made some of her more dubious choices.  She is though a hard worker, and reading her varying jobs was enough to exhaust me. 

I loved her guiding Alpaca walks and how much she loves the Alpacas on the estate. 

Then we have Heather, who is clearly a dog lover as she breeds Shelties for a living. They are highly sought after and she is determined to keep the breed's bloodline pure and give her three dogs and their pups the best possible care, as well as finding fabulous forever homes for each pup.  

In between her caring for the latest litter of puppies, she is slowly stepping into the dating world, much to the mixed reactions from her daughters.  I definitely saw a different side to Isla in this book. 

Lastly we have Tabitha in a leading role, and such an apt statement that is, given her love of theatre.  I absolutely adored reading all the theatre elements to her story, complete with how much research she puts into any role.  I also enjoyed hearing about her day job of creating soaps and balms from Goats milk. 

However the storylines that made me smile the most involved Dottie and Jemima, as they both take their next steps in their lives.  I loved even second hand hearing what these two stalwarts of the series are up to, and couldn't be happier with their outcomes. 

It's another good book in this gorgeous Shetland based series, which I really hope hasn't come to an end, but fear it may have done.  I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Lerwick Manor, and meeting so many fabulous characters. 

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