Wednesday 21 December 2016

Book Review & Giveaway - The Christmas Guest by Daisy Bell - #CuteChristmas


Amazon UK
Title: The Christmas Guest
Author: Daisy Bell
Format reviewed: Ebook
Source: Netgalley
Publisher: Quercus
Publication Date: 20th October 2016
Rating: 5 Stars



A puppy for Christmas. A friend for life. The heartwarming tale of a homeless puppy with a huge heart who healed a family . . .

When Teddy runs away from home a week before Christmas, he's far too excited to worry about what lies ahead. But all too soon Teddy realises just how cold and scary the world really is, and what was supposed to be the perfect adventure now seems like a terrible mistake.

Then Teddy is discovered on a snowy doorstep by the Woods family. With their kind hearts and cosy cottage, Claire, Ben and their daughter Emily are the family Teddy is desperate to have. But Emily is ill, her parents are stressed and, with Christmas around the corner, raising and training a well-meaning but unruly puppy is hardly a priority.

Teddy knows he and little Emily have a once-in-a-lifetime bond, and that he can be the best friend she needs in this dark time. If only he can prove to Ben and Claire how much happier he could make them all, Teddy might just find the family of his dreams this Christmas.

Don't be fooled by the incredibly adorable cover, yes this is a very cute story about a puppy trying to convince a family that they should be his forever home, but there is also a much more serious storyline in the book too which makes it so full of depth its brilliant. 

In fact the cute puppy antics of Teddy, are a real tonic to the worry his new family have over their daughter who has been seriously ill. However she is convinced that Santa sent her Teddy as an early Christmas present, and helps in the campaign for the Woods family to become his owners. 

Teddy is just over 2 months old when he runs away from his first family. He got the feeling he was no longer wanted, and at the first opportunity ran and didn't look back, just over a week before Christmas, when on a trip into the countryside.  He eventually finds a house and it belongs to the Woods, and all he wants is to have a forever home. 

It is so cute and interesting to hear about Christmas from a young puppy's point of view, given he's never experienced it before, and also how he tries to interact with the family cat too. He is trying his hardest to be on his best behaviour to impress the humans, but ultimately has no idea why sometimes its ok to chew or dig, and others it isn't. He isn't really a naughty pup, just trying his best. 

What is beautiful is the relationship he quickly builds with Emily, the daughter of the family, who is trying to regain her strength after a horrific illness. 

I loved the writing in this story, and the pacing, in addition to just how it drew me in and had me gripped. I found myself very much absorbed in the story and was willing Emily to get better. The odds are if you are slightly softer hearted than me, there are elements of the book will have you in tears, I was almost there myself. 

The Christmas Guest is a heart warming Christmas story that will get under your skin and that I loved every second of it. 

Thanks to Netgalley and Quercus for my copy of this book. This was my honest opinion. 


Giveaway to win 1 x Hardback copy of The Christmas Guest (UK Only)

Many thanks to Quercus who have donated 1 hardback copy of The Christmas Guest, for this giveaway. 


Giveaway open to UK only, all options are voluntary, but please do what they ask, as I will be verifying the winner. Giveaway closes 23:59 3/1/2017. Winner will be announced on twitter and emailed, and they will need to reply within 7 days, or forfeit the prize, and I will re-draw for a new winner.  Good luck everyone.

2 comments:

  1. What a lovely review! Loving the sound of this, Daisy! Thanks for sharing, Rachel! :) xx

    ReplyDelete

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