Christmas At Rachel's Pudding Pantry by Caroline Roberts

Rachel, mum Jill, granny Ruth and daughter Maisie are back in a Christmas adventure in their pudding pantry.

As they begin a pudding club which builds in success, Rachel finds herself too busy to see Tom while she discovers her ex has a new girlfriend in tow when he decides to make a rare visit to see Maisie while she discovers Tom's ex is also back, but why?

As the joy of Christmas arrives, hard work and heavy snowfall threaten to make this Christmas a tough time, can Rachel find herself having a good Christmas and spending time with Tom at last too or will plans to awry?

I loved that characters from Caroline's other books made an appearance too while there was a snowdog line which won me over being a huge The snowman fan! The cast of characters really made the pudding club come to life and the time of each character shone through it was a fabulous easy Christmas read with plenty of drama to keep you hooked on reading more I just can't wait for the next one now after that final chapter too!

Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!

The Little Bakery Of Hopes And Dreams by Kellie Hailes

Callan lives in his bakery with young daughter Mia as Christmas approaches, Josie find herself arriving at their bakery and applying for the job going as front of bakery assistant.

Abigail was Callan's wife who sadly passed away and left him to coepwith Mia and running the bakery, which it's obvious he's failing to manage as his bakes aren't up to much instead being hard and not the gorgeous delicacies his wife used to bake, which is where Josie comes in and changes things...

In a really sweet read Kellie has centred a whole story around a bakery that revives its Christmas spirit with renewed love and a new match made family thanks to Christmas spirit and magic. I loved the way the characters didn't fall for each other straight away but slowly and then suddenly especially little Mia as she comes to love and accepting Josie being around. I also love that Josie was the main characters name as my auntie Josie would've loved this book of she was here still and being nearly a year on since losing her, I encourage anyone who loves Christmas as much as she did to definitely give this book a read, it was quick and eventful but leaves you feeling happy and content with the story you've devoured and the sweet Christmas bakes you had too!

Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!

Clementine For Christmas by Daphne Benedis-Grab

In this book, Josie and her bulldog Clementine visit kids at the hospital to cheer them up as Christmas approaches.

Oscar is having a bad time at home with his parents constantly arguing and not bothering with him

Gabby is secretly sick with epilepsy after being forced to move school after he ridicules her over it. Now with new friends at a new school, she finds herself facing the seizures as they come back full force...

Gabby is a strong character for dealing with epilepsy like she does and makes her a role model to other kids dealing with the issue as she learns not to let it rule her life. Oscar is a kid who's dealing with issues a lot of kids and teens do sadly but the pair together show how friendship can come from nowhere between two random people and to never rule anyone out of being a good possible friend.

Make In A Day: Modern Wreaths by Victoria Hudgins

Filled with colourful wreaths designed for an array of ages and abilities, wreath making is made fun!

Made with everyday items from shops such as straws, embroidery threads and craft polystyrene balls as well as simply coloured card, these wreaths are an everyday twist on a usually Christmas only decoration.

The wreaths may look complicated but the guide is clear and they really aren't as hard to make as they look on first glance, many folding techniques and threading helps to achieve their look.

Set with an easy to follow and read layout, you can make these alone or aided by someone else and can enjoy making something fun together!

Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!

Carols And Crushes by Natalie Blitt

In this book we follow, Charlie who's passionate about singing and making the school concert the best it can be especially as she dreams of getting the solo and performing amazingly.

Only when her teacher leaves to have her baby the concert is thrown into jeopardy and as her group consists of her best friend, her crush, Eric and the popular guy, Matthew she doubts whether they'll be good enough or even get along well together to perform to a great standard not to mention how will she cope with her feelings towards the boys!

I really enjoyed the way the characters were thrust together and made to make do which obviously made great twists happen along the way. However Charlie was a great character whose judgement gets shattered and altered for the better by the end of the book she's definitely a better person. A sweet holiday read, curl up with a hot chocolate, blanket and prepare to fall in to a great musical adventure!

Christmas At The Cornish Café by Phillipa Ashley

As Demelza the café is approaching it's opening, now it's October after the summer since starting the series off, everyone pulls together to make it work.

When Kit reveals a shocking surprise to Cal after he sees him with Mawgan their lives all change at this revelation.

Physical and emotional battles get revealed for Cal he finally confides in Demi a huge secret while Demi has a shock turn around with her dad and their relationship.

There is a sentence at the end of the book about Christmas not being perfect and how we shouldn't expect it to be. I have to say not only is it true anyway but definitely in my family as we always lose members at Christmas and sadly my beloved auntie passed on the 21st the same day my grandma passed a year before I was born unfortunately. In this book Phillipa makes it a very emotional ride with family at the heart throughout. With all the issues arising for the extra cast of characters we can't help but get hooked on the storyline it draws us in and makes us appreciate the family and friends we have and can share the joys of Christmas with.

Mistletoe and Murder Murder Most Unladylike Book 5 by Robin Stevens

In this next book, set at Christmas time in Cambridge, Daisy and Hazel are staying at a local Great aunt's of Daisy's to visit her brother as well as Alexander and George his friend at their school.

However, the boys dorm experience not only one murder, but two! As the girls team up with the boys, they uncover a longer suspect list than they first though and come to realise anyone isn't ruled out, those unexpected could still play a role as much as those close to home.

We see there is more students from outside England, the girls witnessing and feeling crushes on others, as well as some family surprises too along the way. The gift giving scene was fun and very realistic for them both!

A story with family legacy at the heart of it as well as jealousy and greed. Set to the scene of Christmas, devilishly good spread of seasonal foods and decorations whilst complex with murder but beautifully set in scenic Cambridge with a snowy setting for investigating to this is a Christmas mystery of a gift to us for solving and enjoying!

Christmas On The Little Cornish Isles The Driftwood Inn by Phillipa Ashley

Maisie has just returned home to her parents where she finds Australian Patrick in need of a job and her family's business having a lucky vacancy for this charming man who just may provide Maisie with some of the happiness she's dreamed of for years...

Yet, she has smarmy Hugo to contend with as well as her best friend losing a pregnancy and her father collapsing suddenly there's no shortage of down's this Christmas so far so hopefully when Patrick finally realises how he feels and acts on it, him surprising her at a bad time helps her to see not everything is a tragedy this Christmas time after all.

It was a really great book, the characters have heart and deeply care about each other. It was a heartwarming read and very realistic to me as we always have bad stuff happen too at Christmas unfortunately but it made me love this book more knowing we aren't alone there! It was a great book and I recommend you to read this one, it may not be festive season yet but Cornwall is great all year round!

Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!

The Snowman by Michael Morpurgo

 

In this retelling of the classic Raymond Briggs story, we see how Michael has adapted it into another version of the beloved story, still as moving as ever!

 

In this story, James has a stammer which leaves him feeling lonely and friendless in school. After building the classic snowman, he discovers the magic of friendship and Christmas as the snowman takes him on a magical journey to meet Father Christmas and the snowmans family in the North Pole.

Also in the book James has a grandmother who also witnessed the magic and partakes in a flight with the snowman which adds to the Christmas magic sharing it with others!

I really enjoyed venturing back into the childhood classic we all know and love it was a great spin on the traditional story and the addition of grandma as a character was funny sharing the magic even more making Christmas even more meaningful any one will adore this retelling.

 

Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!

 

 

 

 

 

The Cat Who Ate Christmas by Lil Chase & Thomas Docherty

Jingles the cat causes mayhem for his family in this delightful short children's book. Lily, Rose and Alex all look forward to Christmas but their crafty kitty knocks over the tree, scoffs the Christmas dinner and opens the presents! Naturally in turn, all the family are angry at his actions but still love him and so head off to buy him his favourite treats and track him down to bring him home again!

A short sweet book, with charming illustrations, everyone will fall in love with Jingles!

Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!

Some Kind Of Wonderful by Giovanna Fletcher

Lizzie and Ian have been a couple for ten years, but not yet or ever will they now be fiancé's and later married after a disastrous string of getaway's which always got Lizzie's hopes of a proposal up, Ian backs out and instead breaks up with Lizzie.

Set to rediscover herself after spending ten years with weak Ian she heads to her best friend Connie's and her mum's to heal her broken heart.

From a minor flat party in her undies to finding out her best mate has landed her dream job while her sister is getting married whilst also expecting her first child, Lizzie digs through her past and memories to find her true authentic self untainted by Ian from the years before. From making new friends like Natalie at her sister's wedding to trying out new activities whilst ending up in hilarious situations that'll make you ache with laughter, Lizzie is a modern day down the earth girl who'll steal your heart through her journey to herself.

Lizzie started as a weak character in my eyes as she was always wanting to go the norm with Ian whom seemed flaky and not bothered a lot about her in my opinion so when she left him behind I was super happy. This book proves to all girls that girl power is everything and never to forget who you are. Sure co promises may be made but not complete change as it works both ways in a respectful relationship that's happy and healthy. Here's to needing no man and appreciating yourself for all you are!

Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!

Father Christmas And Me by Matt Haig

Amelia lives in Elfhelm, a magic place hidden from humans thanks to Father Christmas saving her from a bad life in a workhouse along with her cat, Captain Soot.

When Father Vodol starts to cause trouble at Father Christmas's wedding, Amelia gets threatened by Vodol and along with starting her new elf school, she worries of what's to come.

There's bonding with pixie's and elves, breaking sleighs and riding reindeers. But there's danger ahead as Amelia learns of a threat to them all, an old evil enemy of their folk, living not too far away are the evil rabbits in Elfhelm. Unlike rabbits in the human world and they're ruled by the Easter bunny but they're not nice or to be celebrated!

Amelia, the elves and father and Mary Christmas have a battle on their hands to keep the peace and save Christmas...

Wow, what a book this was! It was truly different in a crazy creative way, evil Easter rabbits and Vodol alike Harry Potter's sounding Voldemort both enemies too this was a battle for Christmas which makes you laugh and worry at the same time. Amelia has faced all the bad things in her life and battles on strong even when the going gets tough again and it's great to have a strong young girl character in a book for children. I loved it and I'm not even a child, one for the family I feel this book can be.

Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!