Ok, first of all, can we please take a moment to admire that cover? It is probably my favourite cosy Christmas cover so far this year, and completely representative of the story inside.

Overall, I thought this one was moderately Christmassy. I mean, it's Christmas time and the Cosy Kettle is decorated, and there were loads of mince pies, but there was just some kind of Christmas spark missing for me. Similarly, I thought the characters were fun, but again something was just a bit flat. I did love the setting though!

I think one of the things that made it hard for me to connect with this one was that I just feel like the storylines about heart broken young women wanting to change themselves (into their sisters) is a bit overdone for me. Becca was so down on herself, and while I understand this is probably meant to make her approachable and relatable, it was just too much for me. I also found it quite repetitive (maybe it was a tiny bit too long?). My favourite parts were definitely the bits where Becca was enjoying herself - for instance shopping and getting her hair done with her book club friends.

This was really kind of "eh" for me, and I gave it 2.5/5 stars.

xo Bron
***

A Christmas Wish and a Cranberry Kiss at the Cosy Kettle by Liz Eeles
Out now from Bookouture
Thanks so much to Bookouture for providing a free copy for review (via NetGalley)

Ok, it's only the first week of November, but I have contender for my favourite Christmas read of the year. This was such a lovely and festive story!

I have to admit I have a particular soft spot for Christmas books with a UK setting, and this one was done so perfectly - the little references to places (and foods!) really made it feel like England to me.
I also really enjoyed all of the references to Christmassy pop culture - especially the Christmas movie references.


I loved that the focus was as much on the family relationships as on Eloise and Cara's respective romances. The whole family dynamic was very sweet - although we don't see a whole lot of them throughout the book the parents reminded me a bit of the parents in Gavin and Stacey.

Another thing I really liked about It Won't be Christmas Without You was that it is pretty short. I know that might sound a bit weird, but when it comes to these sweet, cosy, Christmassy books I do like something that I can read in just a sitting or two.

I was interested to see the author, Beth Reekles, also wrote The Kissing Booth, which was adapted to a movie by Netflix. I really enjoyed the writing, and now I'm keen to check out her backlist.

Overall, I thought this was quite delightful, and I'd definitely recommend it if you're after a quick, cute festive read!

xo Bron

***
It Won't be Christmas Without You by Beth Reekles
Out now from Harper Collins
Source: Free ebook from Harper Collins via NetGalley

 Ok, so the synopsis doesn't sound especially festive, but just look at that cover!
Lack of Christmassiness aside, this was a nice book. I wasn't mad about some elements of the writing - for instance the chapters often finished with a line leading to the next chapter - like "I wouldn't have believed what would happen next", which I didn't love.

The  story itself was actually just the kind of thing I like to read - a main character finding herself (literally and figuratively) in a new place with a quirky-ish cast of supporting characters. It also features one of my favourite tropes - unlikely friends brought together by a common interest (in this case book club), with the narrative revolving around their friendships and how they support each other.

Just because they were kind of unexpected (although I should have read enough books about women's friendships to always expect these) I think it is worth giving a content warning for infant loss and also terminal illness.

I gave this one 2 out of 5 stars - having taken a half star off because of it not being Christmassy. To be honest, its entirely possible I might have given it 3 stars if I had not had the expectation that it would be more festive, but who can tell? 
In short, this is a sweet story, but if you're after a Christmas cosy I'd skip it.

xo Bron  

***
Christmas Every Day by Beth Moran
Out now from Boldwood Books
Source: free ebook provided for review by Boldwood Books via NetGalley
Themes: Finding yourself, relationships, family, friendship, infant loss, terminal illness
  

 
Twenty-seven-year-old Holly Devine has just had her heart well and truly broken. Hurt by the two people she loves the most, she flees to her eccentric Aunt Clara’s cosy cottage to hide away over the winter season. But kind, impulsive Aunt Clara has other ideas… She’s not about to see her favourite niece wallowing in sadness during the most wonderful time of the year. So, with the help of her close circle of friends and plenty of gin, she creates a handmade advent calendar for Holly.

Every day in December, Holly opens a new door and has a different task to complete. She soon finds herself asking out a complete stranger – gorgeous, cheeky pub landlord, Finn Jackson. But as handsome Finn gets involved in her festive challenges, Holly’s determination to avoid romance is put to the test. Still, Finn’s far too carefree and single for true love, isn’t he?

As Holly begins to embrace each day – a complete makeover, building the biggest snowman she’s ever seen, singing in a karaoke contest – Finn is there adding fun and laughter to every moment. Holly starts to realise that she can become the person she’s always wanted to be…

But a secret from Finn’s past threatens to turn Holly’s Christmas upside down and makes her question everything she has experienced in the last few weeks. Will Finn open up to Holly in time to show her how he really feels? And will she complete the advent calendar challenges and fall in love this Christmas?

Ok, we know that Christmassy stories - whether in books or on the screen - are filled with tropes and 'advent calendar activities' is one of my favourites! I really thought this was a very sweet story - with a few steamy scenes too. I enjoyed the alternating perspectives - they switch between Holly and Finn. I also really enjoy quirky characters and a snowy setting, both of which this book definitely delivered on.

I think this one does a really good job with the 'background' characters - as well as enjoying Aunt Clara's and her WI friends, I liked seeing the relationships of some of Holly and Finn's friends grow.

I gave this three and a half shining Christmas stars, and a generous helping of Aunt Clara's homemade gin!

xo Bron

***
The Christmas Countdown by Donna Ashcroft
Out now from Bookouture
Source: free ebook provided for review by Bookouture via NetGalley
Themes: Christmas, heartbreak, finding yourself, relationships
 

Of note, I have both Wrapped Up IN Christmas  AND Wrapped Up FOR Christmas on my list, as well as Christmas Cow Bells (in case anyone was wondering what was the deal with the cows on the cover!).

I think I'm going to start with The Christmas Countdown by Donna Ashcroft:


Twenty-seven-year-old Holly Devine has just had her heart well and truly broken. Hurt by the two people she loves the most, she flees to her eccentric Aunt Clara’s cosy cottage to hide away over the winter season. But kind, impulsive Aunt Clara has other ideas… She’s not about to see her favourite niece wallowing in sadness during the most wonderful time of the year. So, with the help of her close circle of friends and plenty of gin, she creates a handmade advent calendar for Holly.
Every day in December, Holly opens a new door and has a different task to complete. She soon finds herself asking out a complete stranger – gorgeous, cheeky pub landlord, Finn Jackson. But as handsome Finn gets involved in her festive challenges, Holly’s determination to avoid romance is put to the test. Still, Finn’s far too carefree and single for true love, isn’t he?
As Holly begins to embrace each day – a complete makeover, building the biggest snowman she’s ever seen, singing in a karaoke contest – Finn is there adding fun and laughter to every moment. Holly starts to realise that she can become the person she’s always wanted to be…
But a secret from Finn’s past threatens to turn Holly’s Christmas upside down and makes her question everything she has experienced in the last few weeks. Will Finn open up to Holly in time to show her how he really feels? And will she complete the advent calendar challenges and fall in love this Christmas?

The Christmas Countdown is out now from Bookouture, who kindly provided me with an ecopy (via NetGalley). Pop back next week to see what I thought!

xo Bron

I just loved this - I think the twist at the very start of the book, where the heir notices the 'wrong' sister, sets up for a different kind of story than I expected. I loved that it put both young women out of their comfort zones, and we see them having to adapt quickly to deal with the challenges they are facing.

Without giving away any spoilers, I really liked reading about both the situation the girls end up in - the brutality of the prison, and also the political issues that Nomi finds herself in the middle of in the palace.

Like I said above, I don't know how it took me so long to read this one, and I'm hoping to get to the sequel (Queen of Ruin) sooner rather than later!
 

xo Bron
 ***
Grace and Fury by Tracy Banghart
Out now from Hachette
On Goodreads
Source: Free e-copy provided by  Hachette (via NetGalley)
Category: Fantasy, dystopia, feminism, politics

Jenny Hale's new release this year is called It Started with Christmas. I love the covers on her books - they are some of my favourites! Here's the overview from Jenny's website: