I’ve been getting festive reading this christmas book by Carole Matthews.
Here’s the synopsis…
Can the imperfect family really have the perfect Christmas?
Juliet Joyce adores Christmas. She loves the presents, the tree, the turkey, the tinsel, everything. Already the festive spirit is upon her, which is just as well as this Christmas things are starting to get out of hand.
Her son Tom is out of work and bringing home a slew of unsuitable partners; pregnant daughter Chloe and her little boy have moved back in; Juliet’s father, Frank, is getting over a heartbreak of his own and Rita, her eccentric mother, is behaving more erratically each day. And has the chaos got too much for Juliet’s husband Rick?
With the big day fast approaching, Juliet hopes that she can stop everything spiralling out of control, because the only thing she wants is her family all around her and her home to be filled WITH LOVE AT CHRISTMAS.
I wasn’t sure about this book at first, mainly because I wasn’t sure it was aimed at my age group. The first few pages didn’t really have me gripped as it all felt very predictable. However after working my way through the first chapter I found myself hooked. Carole Matthews shows her experience in this quality book.
Juliet is a great character, she is such a normal mum, rushing around after her family and making no time for herself. All the character’s are very real. It’s nice reading a book about everyday events that really could and do happen in real life. The story is touching, sad and also very funny at times. For the time that you are reading it, you feel like part of the family.
The book isn’t about the perfect christmas, infact every thing that could go wrong does. However the book did remind me of what is important at this time of year, christmas is about family, friends and giving. Not just giving presents but opening up to those who need you.
I managed to finish the book in just a couple of days which is quite an achievement for me. I think this is because the book is so fast paced with so many different events stuffed into its 432 pages. It almost comes to an end too quickly and your left wanting more. as this is the second book Matthew’s has written about the family I am hoping there will be more to come. As the story concludes many more seem to be beginning.
If you want a cheerful christmas read, that you’d lend to your mum once your done then this is a great, easy to read book.
With Love at Christmas is Published by Sphere
You can get your copy on Amazon here
If you like this review take a look at some of my others, just click on the images below to read what I thought…
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