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jo_bookworm's review against another edition
4.0
The first thing to note is that this publication has two short stories which have previously been published around Christmas time. However they are short stories and so wonderfully written that it will do you no harm in reading them all over again - just like I have!
Candlelight at Christmas (previously published) - featuring characters from Recipe in Love (which I still have not read) shows how Christmas can be as much fun, even if you have the in-laws from hell, too many guests and suddenly no electricity to cook the turkey!
A Christmas in Disguise (previously published) - can Jo really pull of not just being someone else but also cooking a Christmas Dinner and pretending to be a girlfriend all in one day!
The Christmas Stocking - Romy is busy selling decorations and gifts on her stall at the market. The weather has taken a turn for the worse and the cold is really starting to bite Romy.
When a mysterious man brings her a hot drink to warm her up, so begins an unlikely friendship which is intensified by it being Christmas Eve the next day, the snow, the music studio all in the depth of the woods. Romy's Christmas this years is going to be very different from what she planned.
A Dream Christmas - getting married on Christmas Eve is a dream for many (me included) and when Ginny and Ben finally make it out of their wedding reception and have some time for themselves.
When the taxi drops them at Withycome Lodge, the housekeeper's cottage it seems to be in the middle of nowhere almost a dream.....log fires, warming baths, snow and an unseen member of staff mean this is going to be the honeymoon that everyone dreams of.
Or is it?
Dogs are for Christmas - Stella goes for a walk early Christmas morning to the Dog Walker's Christmas Tree where people come to remember their treasured pets that are no longer around. She wants to put her dad's dogs ashes there. Her dad's beloved dog, died a few days after its owner.
Stella did not think she would suddenly have company so early and especially not from two exuberant misbehaving dogs, Tris and Izzy and an apologetic dog sitter, Fitz.
Perhaps Stella's Christmas is going to be full of dogs after all.
The Christmas Fairy - everyone needs one surely? Ella is sent to help Brent look after his two nieces and nephew when their parents have to make a mad dash to France to look after sick relatives. Ella as the fairy is there to make sure everything is going okay and occupy them all in the depths of Scotland and so they don't miss their parents too much.
Trouble is Ella seems to be sprinkling a bit of fairy dust very close to home. Perhaps she will get her Christmas wish too.
This is a collection of wonderful stories which can be read time and time again. Perfect for getting into the Christmas Spirit whatever the month or the weather! In fact I think they would make great Christmas Eve afternoon stories, curled up in the front of the log fire. A hot toddy, a mince-pie warm oozing with Brandy Butter, the tin of Roses open with wrappers left about in gay abandon like coloured snowflakes. Indulge it may be the only time you can in what can be a busy time!
This also includes a preview of Katie Fforde's new novel, out in 2018. As with such things when they appear in books I do not read them, as the frustration of not being able to continue the story is incalculable!
Candlelight at Christmas (previously published) - featuring characters from Recipe in Love (which I still have not read) shows how Christmas can be as much fun, even if you have the in-laws from hell, too many guests and suddenly no electricity to cook the turkey!
A Christmas in Disguise (previously published) - can Jo really pull of not just being someone else but also cooking a Christmas Dinner and pretending to be a girlfriend all in one day!
The Christmas Stocking - Romy is busy selling decorations and gifts on her stall at the market. The weather has taken a turn for the worse and the cold is really starting to bite Romy.
When a mysterious man brings her a hot drink to warm her up, so begins an unlikely friendship which is intensified by it being Christmas Eve the next day, the snow, the music studio all in the depth of the woods. Romy's Christmas this years is going to be very different from what she planned.
A Dream Christmas - getting married on Christmas Eve is a dream for many (me included) and when Ginny and Ben finally make it out of their wedding reception and have some time for themselves.
When the taxi drops them at Withycome Lodge, the housekeeper's cottage it seems to be in the middle of nowhere almost a dream.....log fires, warming baths, snow and an unseen member of staff mean this is going to be the honeymoon that everyone dreams of.
Or is it?
Dogs are for Christmas - Stella goes for a walk early Christmas morning to the Dog Walker's Christmas Tree where people come to remember their treasured pets that are no longer around. She wants to put her dad's dogs ashes there. Her dad's beloved dog, died a few days after its owner.
Stella did not think she would suddenly have company so early and especially not from two exuberant misbehaving dogs, Tris and Izzy and an apologetic dog sitter, Fitz.
Perhaps Stella's Christmas is going to be full of dogs after all.
The Christmas Fairy - everyone needs one surely? Ella is sent to help Brent look after his two nieces and nephew when their parents have to make a mad dash to France to look after sick relatives. Ella as the fairy is there to make sure everything is going okay and occupy them all in the depths of Scotland and so they don't miss their parents too much.
Trouble is Ella seems to be sprinkling a bit of fairy dust very close to home. Perhaps she will get her Christmas wish too.
This is a collection of wonderful stories which can be read time and time again. Perfect for getting into the Christmas Spirit whatever the month or the weather! In fact I think they would make great Christmas Eve afternoon stories, curled up in the front of the log fire. A hot toddy, a mince-pie warm oozing with Brandy Butter, the tin of Roses open with wrappers left about in gay abandon like coloured snowflakes. Indulge it may be the only time you can in what can be a busy time!
This also includes a preview of Katie Fforde's new novel, out in 2018. As with such things when they appear in books I do not read them, as the frustration of not being able to continue the story is incalculable!
char9222's review
3.0
There's six very different short stories in this book, and I'll split up my review.
The 1st story was just as expected (which might be nice for some people), but to me, it wasn't all that gripping and exciting... Maybe not the best story to start with.
The 2nd story was way better! I love the paranormal element, and the setting was just complete with deep snow, fires, a nice ghost, and such :D.
The 3rd story was sooo cute! Both the babies and Étienne & Maggie. I really did ship them from the moment he arrived; and the story was just gripping in some way, even if it "still" is just about a Christmas dinner.
The 4th story was a lot like the first story; not my cup of tea. Though, the grandma was very fun!
The 5th story was fun and quirky, and I love how I as a reader was on the tip of my chair and just hoping for Jo to not get caught.
The 6th story was a bit bland though cute enough - but, even if it was the last, I'm having trouble remembering what it was about (I do remember.... better than the 1st and 4th, at least).
If I had to rate the stories in order from the best to the worst, it would be like this: 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th, 4th and 1st.
The 1st story was just as expected (which might be nice for some people), but to me, it wasn't all that gripping and exciting... Maybe not the best story to start with.
The 2nd story was way better! I love the paranormal element, and the setting was just complete with deep snow, fires, a nice ghost, and such :D.
The 3rd story was sooo cute! Both the babies and Étienne & Maggie. I really did ship them from the moment he arrived; and the story was just gripping in some way, even if it "still" is just about a Christmas dinner.
The 4th story was a lot like the first story; not my cup of tea. Though, the grandma was very fun!
The 5th story was fun and quirky, and I love how I as a reader was on the tip of my chair and just hoping for Jo to not get caught.
The 6th story was a bit bland though cute enough - but, even if it was the last, I'm having trouble remembering what it was about (I do remember.... better than the 1st and 4th, at least).
If I had to rate the stories in order from the best to the worst, it would be like this: 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th, 4th and 1st.
alexandraskinner's review
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
5 lovely easy to read short stories. All of them follow a similar base plot / story line, ending with a happy love story ending. Nice short book to get in the mood for Christmas with lovely festive themes (food, family, romance etc)
klou1985's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
amythereader's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
carysann19's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
ambernmart's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
rubycristinmarks's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.25
ash_readss's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5