Author: Julie Butterfield
Format reviewed: Ebook
Source: Author supplied Copy
Publisher: Self Published
Publication Date: 31st October 2019
Rating: 4 Stars
Working for a department store where Christmas arrives in August, Eve prefers her own festivities to be low key with nothing more complicated than an oven ready turkey and frozen peas while she spends the day in her pyjamas. Unfortunately, this year her husband has invited his best friend to visit, the glamorous and sophisticated Abby, and Eve reluctantly decides that she needs to inject a little sparkle into their laid back and slightly shabby Christmas. So the celebrations are upgraded to include champagne and canapes along with homemade gravy and organic turkey and plans are made for a Christmas that looks as though it has emerged from the pages of a glossy magazine.
But even the best laid plans can go wrong and as Eve struggles with her mini Yorkshire puddings and an interfering cat, she is suddenly faced with an unexpected guest and an explosive secret that threatens to put her vision of a perfect Christmas in jeopardy.
But even the best laid plans can go wrong and as Eve struggles with her mini Yorkshire puddings and an interfering cat, she is suddenly faced with an unexpected guest and an explosive secret that threatens to put her vision of a perfect Christmas in jeopardy.
If there such a thing as a perfect Christmas? Can you really replicate anything described in glossy magazines on how to have the best luxurious, Christmas experience, planned to the nth degree. Where nothing can veer from the plan, and you even schedule in lounging around time, all the activities and menus for a full 12 days of Christmas?
Unfortunately for Eve she discovers the hard way that things almost never go according to plan, especially when trying to impress your husband's best friend who you have always been just a bit wary of. Let alone another unexpected guest, surprise interactions with a colleague and a slight clumsiness with one of the elements!
It took me a while to get into this story, as Eve's insistence on perfection, her planning and many attempts at each recipe drove me a bit mad. Especially with my skeptics hat on I had a feeling nothing would live up to her expectations.
Once Abby arrived, things really lifted for me, and there is so much to like in this story. in addition eldest daughter Alice is an walking fact machine about just how wasteful Christmas can be, how bad for the environment and it was really eye opening.
It is clear all of what Alice says had been researched carefully, but at other times, she also seemed wise beyond her years and I loved how at times she really did support Eve.
I could really picture the transformation from their normally cosy Christmas to something that wouldn't look out of place in centre spread,
I think there is a message in this story about the excessive consumerism and one up manship that exists especially at Christmas. There is a fabulous feeling that often all you need for your perfect Christmas is just a bit of quality time with the family.
Really enjoyable story from an author that I really do love.
Thank you to the author for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
Unfortunately for Eve she discovers the hard way that things almost never go according to plan, especially when trying to impress your husband's best friend who you have always been just a bit wary of. Let alone another unexpected guest, surprise interactions with a colleague and a slight clumsiness with one of the elements!
It took me a while to get into this story, as Eve's insistence on perfection, her planning and many attempts at each recipe drove me a bit mad. Especially with my skeptics hat on I had a feeling nothing would live up to her expectations.
Once Abby arrived, things really lifted for me, and there is so much to like in this story. in addition eldest daughter Alice is an walking fact machine about just how wasteful Christmas can be, how bad for the environment and it was really eye opening.
It is clear all of what Alice says had been researched carefully, but at other times, she also seemed wise beyond her years and I loved how at times she really did support Eve.
I could really picture the transformation from their normally cosy Christmas to something that wouldn't look out of place in centre spread,
I think there is a message in this story about the excessive consumerism and one up manship that exists especially at Christmas. There is a fabulous feeling that often all you need for your perfect Christmas is just a bit of quality time with the family.
Really enjoyable story from an author that I really do love.
Thank you to the author for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
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