Book Review - Christmas Is All Around by Martha Waters

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Title: Christmas Is All Around

Author: Martha Waters

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Headline Eternal

Publication Date: 22nd October 2024

Rating: 4 Stars

A former child star learns that holiday magic can come from a change in perspective in this charming and hilarious holiday rom-com, perfect for fans of Love, Actually and The Holiday.

A little holiday magic can change everything . . .

Charlotte hates the holidays. As a former child actress, she starred in a Christmas movie, whose fans won't let her move on. When a piece revealing that her reluctance nixed plans for a reboot, she flees to London to spend the festive season with her sister.

But the ghosts of Christmas past follow her when she visits Eden Priory, one of the filming locations. When she's accidentally left behind, she's forced to accept a ride back to London from Graham, the son of the owners. Their family business - and the funds to keep their historic house running - relies on holiday cheer, and Graham knows seasons greetings from a certain star would bring in more visitors.

Now an illustrator, Charlotte accepts a commission illustrating iconic holiday movie scenes in London and its environs for Eden Priory, with Graham offering to escort her. But as Charlotte's chaotic family holiday goes awry, she begins spending more time with Graham. Charlotte may not love a Christmas romance . . . but what if she has one of her own?

Such a quick and easy, but above all enjoyable festive book. 

It has so many of the good tropes of a hallmark Christmas movie, that in fact I think it would make a charming festive film of its own. 

We have a demonic baby, there are a troop of period costumed carol singers, there are references to Christmas films, there are multiple Christmas light turn-ons and festive activities. 

But Charlotte is our main character and she isn't particularly a fan of Christmas, as especially of Christmas films, despite having been in one when she was a child.  And yet Christmas, Truly is haunting her well into her 20s, and thanks to one article and the internet, she is being vilified for not wanting anything to do with a reboot, twenty years on. 

So Charlotte decides to spend December with her sister in London, to have a break from the craziness, only to end up meeting Graham, at a Christmas event, as his home, which just happens to be where some of the scenes from her film were filmed!

I really warmed to all of the characters, and it was such a lovely and Christmassy story to read. What a delight it was. 

This is the first book I've read from the author and if she choses to write more contemporary festive books it certainly won't be the last.  Definitely a Christmas story to enjoy. 

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