Book Review - All I Want For Christmas by Maggie Knox

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Title: All I Want For Christmas

Author: Maggie Knox

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton

Publication Date: 13th October 2022 

Rating: 5 Stars

When Sadie and Max are selected as contestants on the famed reality singing show STARMAKER's special festive season, Sadie thinks she's finally gotten her big break - and Max sees a chance to step out of his megastar father's shadow. But then they're paired up for duet week and stun the world with their onstage chemistry...

With fans going wild for #Saxie, the judges demand they remain a duo - on and offstage - or exit the competition. Faking a relationship shouldn't be too hard, except for one small problem: Sadie and Max can't stand each other.

But with their dreams just within reach, they agree to the ruse. Will their relationship lie be exposed before they can win? Or might their fake connection turn real by the Christmas finale?

A pitch-perfect festive rom com, perfect for fans of Sally Thorne's The Hating Game and Beach Read by Emily Henry

I am really loving Maggie Knox's writing. They have once again produced a completely irresistible Christmas story that I couldn't get enough of. 

There is something about a Nashville setting, plus music that makes me go weak at the knees, especially when you have good looking men involved.  Add in a clear chemistry between Sadie and Max even if it is allegedly fake at first as they can't stand each other and so many ups and downs between them, set to a backdrop of a TV talent show and this was 100% my sort of book. 

There is a whole will they, won't they get together for real sort of vibe, after #Saxie becomes an online sensation with the public, as their chemistry when performing is off the charts. 

They are also both dealing with things in their private lives which effects how they react to each other, and I enjoyed getting to know both Sadie and Max really well. 

There is a great cast of characters to support them, along with a sleazy music producer who made my blood boil.  But on the whole I loved the rest of characters and thoroughly enjoyed my time spend in the pages of this book. 

It's just pure romantic escapism at its very best, with a festive feel, but overly Christmassy, but it does add an atmospheric time of year setting for the story.  Just a all around easy, quick read which was right up my street. 

Thank you to Hodder & Stoughton and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Book Review - The Winter Killer by Alex Pine

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Title: The Winter Killer

Author: Alex Pine

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Avon Books

Publication Date: 13th October 2022

Rating: 5 Stars

Christmas has arrived in Cumbria, and wedding bells are ringing.

But an ice-cold killer is waiting in the fells…

As the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve, DI James Walker receives a phone call that puts paid to his Christmas break. During the wedding of the year at a lakeside hotel, the bride’s sister has vanished.

When Rachel left the wedding breakfast before her speech, newly-wed Libby was furious. But as the night went on with no sign of her maid-of-honour, Libby started to realise something was very, very wrong…

Before the wedding night is out, the lake is being searched for a body.

Something old, something new. One guest is a killer. The question is: who?

The most chilling crime thriller you’ll read this winter, perfect for fans of Catherine Cooper’s The Chalet and Simon McCleave’s The Snowdonia Killings – and anyone who prefers their mince pies with a side of murder.

I am loving Alex Pine's DI James Walker series and think it could be getting better with each book. 

I was totally hooked on this investigation that was fairly quick paced, and had so many potential suspects that it was impossible to predict. 

In fact while there are regular interesting bits of information to come out over the course of the investigation, making many people a viable suspects, I would never have guessed the final outcome! 

I really enjoyed seeing how the police put together this case and discovering the truth about many of the characters.   I was pulled in many directions and was kept on my toes as I was reading, eager to see just what would happen next. 

It's another fabulous addition to this series, and I am already looking forward to the next book (assuming there will be one). 

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

Book Review - A Little Christmas Panto by Angela Britnell

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Title: A Little Christmas Panto

Author: Angela Britnell

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Publisher supplied copy

Publisher: Choc Lit

Publication Date: 31st October 2022

Rating: 5 Stars

Can a little Cornish village panto convince a troubled Hollywood heart throb to act again?

Oh no it won’t! At least that’s what Zach Broussard initially thinks when the eccentric Anna Teague tries to railroad him into helping out with her community pantomime production in the run-up to Christmas. Zach has his reasons for leaving Hollywood behind, and his retreat to the remote village of Polcarne in Cornwall signals the start of a new acting free life for him.

But when Zach meets Anna’s daughter, Rosey – an ex concert pianist who has swapped Mozart for panto tunes – he starts to wonder whether he could change his mind, and not just about acting.

If nothing else, will the residents of Polcarne ensure Zach has a Christmas he never forgets?

Oh yes they will!

It has been a while since I last read an Angela Britnell novel but when I saw the words Christmas Panto in the title of this one, I knew I would succumb. 

And wow I'm glad I did, as this was such a lovely romance, between two characters with a clear connection and all set to the backdrop of trying to get a panto ready to perform. 

We have Rosey who is an ex-concert pianist, and Zach who was a Hollywood actor but is in Cornwall to get over a big loss, and both of them are just wonderful people.  I loved getting to know them both,  in addition to Rosey's mum Anna. 

Now Anna is a larger than life character who is in charge of the panto and is just marginally obsessed with it in a good way. But not everything seems to be going smoothly with this years production of Aladdin - between some things going missing (which escalates),  some cast members with absolutely awful attitudes, to well the most amazing Panto Dame - this is just superb. Oh yes it is! 

There is more to the book than just a panto though, and there is a great deal of character growth within Zach, and I loved his budding friendship with Joe too. 

This is a light hearted, festive story that brings with it some of the traditions of Zach's part of America together with Cornish traditions in addition to the great British tradition of Pantomime! It's an all around enjoyable story, that I couldn't get enough of. 

Thank you to Choc Lit for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Book Review - Hideaway in Iceland by Victoria Walker

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Title: Hideaway in Iceland

Author: Victoria Walker

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Author supplied copy

Publisher: Self Published

Publication Date: 1st November 2022

Rating: 4 Stars

PR executive Anna Mortimer has clinched the deal of a lifetime for the hottest celebrity couple to have their wedding covered by a glossy magazine, but when things don’t go to plan, she loses her job. With no job and no life outside of work to fall back on, an invitation to stay with her friend, Rachel, in Iceland is a well-timed distraction.

Ned Nokes has just left the most successful boy band in history to go it alone. With the eyes of the world on him, he escapes to Iceland in search of solitude while he plans what to do next. Not used to trusting anyone outside of the band that has been his life for the past ten years, he finds friendships in Reykjavik that he never expected.

Visit Iceland at its most beautiful as autumn turns to winter and find out whether the magic that helped Anna’s friend Rachel find her happy ever after, is still there…

I am really loving Victoria Walker's Iceland, and this although can be read perfectly as a standalone, is a fabulous follow up to Snug In Iceland. 

This time the story focuses on Anna, who is Rachel (the heroine from the previous book)'s best friend, who after being blamed at work for something she didn't do, loses her job and Rachel suggests she comes and visits her in Iceland. 

And we also focus on Ned, who was in a boy band, wants to launch a solo career but is having a crisis of confidence and struggling to write music and decides to go to Iceland for a few months to be completely incognito. 

It was wonderful catching up with all the characters I loved from the first book, while also getting to know Anna and Ned and seeing Iceland through their eyes. 

They had instant chemistry and I really enjoyed seeing how things would potentially develop between them.  There are some wonderful descriptions of Iceland, and I could picture everything so clearly.

This was just such a lovely read, featuring romance, Iceland, cosiness,  a sexy musician, friendship and just a pure escapist story. 

Thank you to the author for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Book Review - Wishing On A Star by Mandy Baggot

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Title: Wishing On A Star

Author: Mandy Baggot

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Embla Books

Publication Date: 10th October 2022

Rating: 5 Stars

A single mum. A superstar athlete. A Christmas like no other.

Anna Heath is divorced, a single mum and trying desperately to keep her life in order. Despite her friends' best efforts, Anna has stopped looking for love and is determined to give her daughter, Ruthie, a Christmas to remember.

Sam Jackman has just been dealt with life-altering news, and all he could think to do was run. He's left his American football team back in the US, stuck a pin in a map, and landed in Richmond, London.

When Anna and Ruthie literally bump into Sam on the snow-speckled streets, he finds himself being welcomed into their lives. But what begins as a night on the sofa turns into the start of something special...

I think this could be the best book the Mandy Baggot has ever written, and I've read the vast majority of them. 

I'm gutted that I've reached the end, it was just wonderful and I am already missing Ruthie. 

In a book that features and autistic teenager and another character with a degenerative genetic disease diagnosis, you may be thinking this is deep and heavy. But that couldn't be further from the reality.  Yes the bits with the diagnosis will make you think but from my knowledge of the disease which has mainly come from Neighbours, feels as accurate as I believe it to be which adds to the authenticity. 

Ruthie is easily my favourite character, she is a wonder, a joyous ray of light, and knows what she is and isn't comfortable with. I love the way she sees the world and I would happily read more books with her at the centre. 

This also felt like a bit of a ode to Richmond, perhaps Mandy Baggot should be working their tourist board in addition to writing amazing books, as I really felt as though I was in Richmond, and could picture this part of London, that I've only visited once, so clearly. 

Actually can I have more of Sam too, I think I might be a tiny bit in love with the guy, and after the first two chapters I was so surprised with how the two main character's stories would cross over, as they seem to be worlds apart. 

Add in a couple of mad cap animals, Anna and her friends who are a real tonic too, there is just so much to love in this book. 

I couldn't' get enough of this story and found I read it very fast. I thought it was superb and probably one of my favourite festive reads of the season.  Just brilliant. 

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

Book Review - The Christmas Castle in Scotland by Julie Caplin

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Title: The Christmas Castle in Scotland

Author: Julie Caplin

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: One More Chapter

Publication Date: 31st October 2022

Rating: 5 Stars

Unwrap this gorgeous gift of a book for an escape to the snow-peaked caps of the Scottish Highlands and a romance that will melt your heart…

Izzy McBride had never in a million years expected to inherit an actual castle from her great uncle Bill but here she was, in the run up to Christmas, Monarch of her own Glen – a very rundown glen in need of a lot of TLC if her dream of turning it into a boutique bed and breakfast was to come true.

But when Izzy’s eccentric mother rents a room to enigmatic thriller author Ross Adair and the Scottish snow starts to settle like the frosting on a Christmas cake, it’s a race to get the castle ready before they’re all snowed in for the holidays.

I couldn't get enough of this book, I really wanted it to go on and on forever as I was enjoying it that much.  It's Julie Caplin at her very best. 

It's warm and cosy, its a hug of a book filled with nourishing food, a castle that is being turned into a hotel, a delightfully eccentric Xanthe (well she doesn't like to be called Izzy's mum),  an unexpected lodger, other waifs and strays, and lovely feeling of Christmas too. 

All set in the snowy Scotland highlands and the castle even comes complete with Duncan, who speaks with a thick local dialect, that I could hear clearly in my head (but since I'm bad with accents, would have been awful had I tried speaking it allowed).   This really does feel remarkably Scottish, and thankfully barely a bagpipe in sight. 

Definitely some kilts though, but first we have Izzy who has just done a cookery course in Ireland, and is the new owner of this castle. While she has been away Xanthe has been busy, with some good and some more stressful surprises.  

I felt transported to that castle, I could picture it so clearly, including the treasure hunt (which I had a strong inkling about), and all the decorations.  And I loved all the interactions between Ross and Izzy. Actually I just loved all the characters. 

It's another wonderful romantic escape from an author who combines destinations and food so so well wrapped up with some romance.  Just simply delightful. 

Thank you to One More Chapter and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Book Review - A White Christmas on Winter Street by Sue Moorcroft

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Title: A White Christmas on Winter Street

Author: Sue Moorcroft

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Avon

Publication Date: 27th October 2022

Rating: 5 Stars

When Sky Terran returns to the village of Middledip after losing the job she loves, she anticipates a quiet Christmas getting used to her new life. However, the annual street decoration competition is coming up and this year, the residents of Winter Street are determined to win.

As she is pulled into the preparations, Sky quickly grows to love the quirky, tight-knit community she is now part of. Including the extremely handsome Daz, who soon becomes more than just a friendly neighbour.

But when Daz’s ex turns up determined to win him back and it seems he might not be the man Sky thought he was, she remembers how much allowing people into her life – and heart – can hurt. As the snow falls, will she and Daz find a way through – and help win a Christmas victory for Winter Street?

A gorgeously festive novel about love, family and the power of forgiveness from Sunday Times bestseller Sue Moorcroft, perfect for fans of Sarah Morgan and Phillipa Ashley.

What a warm and cosy read this was. 

It was joyous to be back in Middledip once again, a village that I am utterly convinced grows quite a bit larger with each book that Sue Moorcroft sets there, as this predominately has a cast of all new characters, plus a fluttering passing of familiar faces. 

But 100% this is a standalone, it's just fans of the author will recognise this setting, and The Corner House on Winter Street is a wonderful focal point for this story.  As is the whole Christmas decoration contest pitting Winter Street against other streets in Cambridgeshire. 

But it is so much more than a Christmassy story, for Sky Terran is a wonderful character, and her relationship with Freddy, her foster brother is interesting to say the least. It is also at the start not in the best of places which is upsetting Sky and leads her to quit her job with him and move back to Middledip. 

And seeing Sky quickly become part of the community in the village is heartwarming to say the least. Especially her friendship with Courtenay and her son Wilf who have been going through a tricky time themselves.  

And Sky is easily able to relate in a way to what Wilf is going through and it is so sweet to see him come out of his shell as the story progresses.  She also cares about the environment and it was interesting to hear about solar powered Christmas lights, and fat cakes for birds in winter that  can double as decorations. 

And then there is Daz, who is a video game developer and tester which makes him my perfect guy on job alone, let alone all of his wonderful personality traits. 

I just loved everything about these characters and this story and it was told with Sue Moorcroft's trademark warmth and sensitivity. There is a generous helping of Christmas Spirit sprinkled throughout the book too. 

It is simply marvellous and really did make me feel as though I was in a winter wonderland at times.  Another triumphant story from an author I absolutely love. 

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

Book Review - Wendy's Winter Gift by Debbie Viggiano

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Title: Wendy's Winter Gift

Author: Debbie Viggiano

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Author Supplied Copy

Publisher: Self Published

Publication Date: 1st November 2022

Rating: 5 Stars

Everyone has secrets but some are bigger than others.

Wendy Walker can count on two fingers the number of birthdays until she’s fifty. She can also count on six hands the number of years she’s been married to controlling Derek. Whatever happened to the boy she used to lark around with in the back of a Ford Escort? Just like Derek’s hairline, that lad has gone.

Wendy yearns for freedom but is resigned to her lot. After all, there are others to think about. Like daughter Ruby who – as a teenage single mum still at home – needs supporting, especially since abandoning her hopes of being on Love Island and achieving fame as a reality star.

But secrets dare to spill at the most inopportune moments.

Ruby is nurturing a mystery romance that she frets about her mother discovering, while Derek finds himself under the spotlight in the most disastrous of circumstances.

But just when Wendy thinks her world is falling apart, she discovers that sometimes unexpected joy is just around life’s corner…

This was really funny, so many giggles were had as I read Wendy's regular daydreams and inner musings. She regularly went off at a tangent in her inner voice and it takes a bit to get used to that particular character trait but once you do it's rather endearing. 

Wendy wants more than anything to be free from her husband Derek.  He is controlling and not overly pleasant and doesn't seem to like his daughter or granddaughter that much either. He is also adamant that divorce is waste of money and isn't too pleased when Wendy tries to ask for one. 

However that does set into play an a series of events that will ultimately change Wendy's life forever. 

I loved Wendy, she is s a dog walker, and amongst the dogs she walks there is the rather mischievous William Beagle who gets her into various amusing situations.  

And then there is the Paul Newman lookalike who Wendy keeps bumping into, normally in not the most straightforward of circumstances. 

Oh and I loved little Mo, Wendy's toddler grand-daughter, who has a fabulous habit of repeating new words from anyone around her, especially if they are naughty words! 

This is Debbie Viggiano at her humorous best. It's fabulous, I found it really quick to read and was thoroughly enjoying every moment I spent with this cast of characters. A triumph. 

Thank you to the author for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Book Review - The Christmas Bookshop by Jenny Colgan

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Title: The Christmas Bookshop

Author: Jenny Colgan

Format reviewed: Paperback

Source: Purchased

Publisher: Sphere

Publication Date: 27th October 2022

Rating: 4 Stars

The brand new feel-good Christmas novel from Sunday Times top ten bestselling author, Jenny Colgan.

Carmen has always worked in her local department store. So, when the gorgeous old building closes its doors for good, she is more than a little lost.

When her sister, Sofia, mentions an opportunity in Edinburgh - a cute little bookshop, the spare room in her house - Carmen is reluctant, she was never very good at accepting help. But, short on options, she soon finds herself pulling into the snowy city just a month before Christmas.

What Sofia didn't say is that the shop is on its last legs and that if Carmen can't help turn things around before Christmas, the owner will be forced to sell. Privately, Sofia is sure it will take more than a miracle to save the store, but maybe this Christmas, Carmen might surprise them all...

This feels like it's a Christmas redemption sort of a story as Carmen is rather tricky to get to know initially, let alone like, is the main character, and over the course of the book I found myself really warming up to her and loving her. 

She has a tricky relationship with her sister, and barely knows her nieces and nephews and isn't really that impressed with the job that has been found for her. 

But as the story progresses you see changes in Carmen, in part due to the attentions of two men in different ways, and in part it's an internal change. 

I loved seeing how she tries to transform McCreadie's bookshop and in fact is able to to do so much, she just doesn't believe in herself. 

I was frustrated with Carmen for parts of the book but ultimately really did love her, and was rooting for her.  

Set in a snowy Edinburgh, with a slight cameo from a character from one of Jenny Colgan's other Scottish based books in passing but enough to make me smile, and all manner of fabulous secondary characters, this is a book that ultimately stole my heart. 

Thoroughly enjoyed reading it, full of the author's trademark warmth, this really was a gorgeous Christmas story. 

Book Review - Mistletoe and Magic for the Cornish Midwife by Jo Bartlett

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Title: Mistletoe and Magic  for the Cornish Midwife

Author: Jo Bartlett

Format reviewed: Ebook 

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 27th October 2022

Rating: 5 Stars

It’s the most wonderful time of the year…

But for single mum and busy midwife Nadia, it’s quickly turning into her worst Christmas ever.

Her marriage is over, and whilst her husband has moved on, Nadia finds herself back home, squashed into her mum’s spare room with her two small children. They might not be a perfect family anymore, but Nadia is determined to make this Christmas special for them.

Dr Hamish Spencer totally understands Nadia’s pain. As a fellow single parent, he’s struggling to cope with a rebellious teen daughter and a precocious six-year-old! Perhaps if he and Nadia join forces, they could make this Christmas slightly more memorable for everyone?

The last thing Nadia wants is a new man in her life, but she’d definitely like lovely Hamish as a friend. But Christmas has a way of melting the hardest of hearts and maybe a kiss under the mistletoe could change everything?

Once again Jo Bartlett delivers a book filled to the brim with drama, excitement, emotion and of course a way to catch up with all the other midwives we have met too. 

This is another excellent addition to the series, and there is one storyline in particular that had me welling with emotion fairly early on.  Then there are as you would expect a variety of different births, given Frankie and Nadia both work on the midwife unit, some rather unexpected and all quite varied in circumstances. 

It was lovely to meet so many more expectant mothers within the Three Ports area, and I have to say that Cornwall by now must be undergoing a baby boom! 

Frankie and Nadia are our main characters this time, along with Dr Hamish. Nadia and Hamish are both single parents and their 6 year old daughters are best friends. They are though both single for very different reasons and I was fascinated by their back stories. 

And it was great getting to know Frankie a lot better too, and she is also struggling with a family relationship, not with her daughter Nadia, but her son Hari and her mother are both being completely and utterly unreasonable and I really wanted to knock some sense into then. 

And although the book does take part in the run up to Christmas, it was more as backdrop, than a key part of the story, so if you are dubious about reading festive things too early in the year, then this one should be fine as the emphasis on the story is more on a variety of relationships both romantic and family.

I absolutely adored this book, and this series as a whole, I love the authors writing style and felt as t though I was returning to friends, such is the sense of community that has been created.  I really hope there will be more books to this series. 

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