Book Review - Merrily Ever After by Cathy Bramley

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Title: Merrily Ever After

Author: Cathy Bramley

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Orion

Publication Date: 13th October 2022 

Rating: 5 Stars

Two strangers. One big secret. And a Christmas to remember . . .

Merry has always wanted a family to spend Christmas with, and this year her dream comes true as she says 'I do' to father-of-two Cole. But as she juggles her rapidly-growing business, wedding planning and the two new children in her life, her dream begins to unravel.

Emily is desperately waiting for the New Year to begin, so she can finally have a fresh start. She has always put her family first, leaving little time for happiness and love. When her beloved father Ray moves into a residential home, she discovers a photograph in his belongings that has the potential to change everything.

As past secrets come to light, will this be a magical Christmas for Emily and Merry to remember?

Well I had happy tears in my eyes by the end of this one, it's just so joyous and I loved every word of this wonderful book. 

Because Cathy Bramley is an auto read author for me, I never really look at her blurbs, so imagine my surprise and delight fairly early into the story when I realised it was a sequel to last year's Christmas release.  It's no wonder I felt right at home with Merry, as I already knew her and Cole, and I am so happy to have been able to read the continuation of their story. 

And then the second character this book focuses on is Emily, who is brand new, and she was a complete and utter delight to meet too. She's involved in some key storylines, and deals with everything thrown at her so so well.  

I guessed fairly early as to how the stories might intersect and it didn't remotely detract from my enjoyment and seeing if I was right, as I was enjoying all of the characters so much, I just was engrossed in their stories. 

It's a story full of love, romance, some adorable children, a couple of utterly fantastic men, while at the same time shines a light on dementia too with Ray.  Some of Ray's lines had me laughing out loud while also feeling for Emily, as she clearly is struggling with him. 

All set around a wedding being arranged within a few months, as well as Merry struggling with work-life balance, and also trying to work out just how she should be with Freya and Harley her about to be step children.   There is a sprinkling of Christmas too - and a romantic gesture that made me swoon too. 

It's just everything you could want in a Cathy Bramley novel. Another triumph from a totally fantastic author. 

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