Book Review - It Always Snows on Mistletoe Square by Ali McNamara

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Title: It Always Snows on Mistletoe Square

Author: Ali McNamara

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Sphere

Publication Date: 12th October 2023

Rating: 5 Stars

Bestselling author and reader favourite, Ali McNamara, is giving her readers just what's on their Christmas list. Curl up with this magical winter warmer...

Wanted: experienced writer to record the history of one house and its family.

Bed and board provided, the successful applicant must love Christmas.

Elle is rudderless, jobless and she's soon to be homeless. When she spies an advert that looks like it could answer all her problems she's devastated to see one huge catch. Elle definitely does not love Christmas.

On Mistletoe Square, an eccentric elderly woman and her unconventional housekeeper have an enormous Christmas tree and a box of delicate decorations collected over what must be centuries. With each decoration comes a story and with each story a breath-taking glimpse of a Christmas past.

One Christmas at a time, the house's history is brought vividly to life for Elle. But the more she sees of the family's past, the more she wonders where and how their story might end. And what of her own story? Is it possible that what felt like an ending might have been leading her here, to a new beginning?

Wow! Unbelievably believable! 

Speechless... literally don't have the words to describe this

Christmas Magic at it's finest. 

A must read festive book this year. 

Immensely imaginative, and full of warmth. 

Truly spectacular....

... and I'm still struggling to work out how to write in full sentences. 

Would absolutely love to see this on the big screen. In fact I reckon it would work well on stage too there is a theatrical quality about it. 

Everything was so vividly described, that I almost forgot I was reading a book, let alone a book that is featuing so many unexplainable circumstances. 

It's magical realism, its festive, it has elements of history, of social commentary on various issues at various times in the house's life. 

And two characters who you know aren't quite regular everyday run of the mill characters, but that I would absolutely struggle to find proper words to describe them .

My mind is blown (and in a good way). 

Completely unlike any other Christmas book I've read (and I read ridiculous amounts each year of festive books) - all in a good way. 

Was thinking about this even when I wasn't reading it, and I am sure it will play on my mind for days. 

Just a festive masterpiece, and easily one of Ali McNamara's best books and probably my new favourite of hers. 

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