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See the Stars by Eleanor Ray #Review

  See the Stars by Eleanor Ray will be  published on February 5th 2026 by Piatkus .  Do you ever feel that life isn't going to plan?   When Alice Thorington collapses in the street after a particularly hellish day at work, she must finally admit to herself that her outwardly happy life - steady relationship, well-paid job, beautiful flat in the city - isn't everything she'd hoped it would be. Burnt out by long hours and living a life that doesn't fulfil her dreams, Alice returns home to Yorkshire.  Her childhood home brings complicated family dynamics, a rediscovery of her passion for stargazing and two new friends: Berti, a boy who finds it easier to count the stars than interact with people, and Matt, her brother's best friend and Alice's teenage crush. With each of them facing their own struggles, can the stars that meant so much to Alice in her past help them to find their way in the present?  Filled with heart and warmth, this uplifting novel...

You Make It Feel Like Christmas by Louise Marley #Review

 

 Another festive read you might want to consider is You make it feel like Christmas by Louise Marley. 

The only thing preventing Beth’s perfect family Christmas? Her family!

Television presenter Agatha Holly has built her career on telling viewers how to have the perfect Christmas. A Holly Jolly Christmas has been screened every December for twenty years and her entire family are involved, including her daughter Beth—the unwilling star of a thousand memes and gifs. But Beth has finally had enough of public ridicule. All she’s ever wanted is a traditional family Christmas away from the television cameras. If she can’t persuade her family to change, should she consider celebrating Christmas without them?

My Thoughts

This is a tale of two families and in particular, two pairs of siblings. It is an entertaining look at how Christmas can be packaged up and how the effects of being under the media spotlight can be harmful. Despite her family's marketing of their Christmas, Beth has hated the ridicule she has suffered but at the same time, longed for a traditional warm and cosy, unspoilt family Christmas. Other members of her family have become driven to keep the family programme alive. Meanwhile, brothers Aiden and Nick have struggled to communicate since the death of their parents. You discover that not all the assumptions you may make about them are true.

    There are lots of romcom moments in this story with some wry dialogue and over the top happenings.  What shines through however, is family affection and friendship. You also get to see all the Christmas trimmings- log fires, Christmas trees, snowy hillsides, holly and mistletoe and to bathe in some of the feelgood episodes which are created. You get the message loud and clear that it is People who make Christmas, not things.

In short: A fun festive read.

 

About the Author

 


Louise Marley writes murder mysteries and romantic comedies. She is lucky enough to live in a village where there is a famous library and TWO ruined castles. (Her husband still thinks they moved there by accident).

Her first published novel was Smoke Gets in Your Eyes, which was a finalist in Poolbeg's 'Write a Bestseller' competition. She has also written articles for the Irish press and short stories for women's magazines such as Take a Break and My Weekly. Previously, Louise worked as a civilian administrative officer for the police.

Louise's books have spent a total of 7 months in the Amazon Top 100 (UK). Three of her books have been #1 bestsellers in Romantic Suspense and Smoke Gets in Your Eyes was #1 in Romance.

You can follow Louise here: Website  |  Amazon Author Page UK 

  |  Amazon Author Page US  |  Twitter   |  Blog  |  Facebook 

  |  Facebook (page) |  Instagram   |  Goodreads    |  Pinterest

Book links:  Amazon UK  |  Amazon US

Thanks to Louise Marley and Rachel of Rachel's Random Resources  for a copy of the book and a place on the tour. 


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