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His Last Christmas Gift by Debra Borchert #Review

    His Last Christmas Gift by Debra Borchert will take you to a different country and season. It was published by Le Vin Press on 1st November 2025. Widowed, fired, and 50, Claire is one hot mess. This later in life romance hits like a snowball packed with grief and hope and mystery and the kind of second-chance that says, “I didn’t think I’d ever feel this again, and now I’m terrified, but… Hi.” Romance that’s frost melting off a windowpane. It’s “I forgot my heart could do this.” It’s love doesn’t have an expiration date. Twinkly lights, mulled wine and flaming crêpes so immerse you in Christmas markets—you’ll book a flight to France before the fares go up. A book club fiction favourite, Claire’s journey of self-discovery is perfect for fans of women’s fiction and stories about strong women over 50 navigating reinvention with inspiration, humour, with a delicious frosting of romance. “Give yourself the gift of a lush, romantic, French adventure and be swept away ...

The Sandycove Sunset Swimmers by Sian O'Gorman #Review #Publication

 

We are returning to Sandycove for Sian O'Gorman's latest novel: The Sandycove Sunset Swimmers which is published today by Boldwood on May 8th.

Can learning to say 'yes' change your life?

When Cat Jones is given the opportunity of a lifetime to present one of Ireland’s most popular live daytime shows, alongside TV royalty David Fitzgerald she isn’t sure she is ready for the challenge.

But after being pushed by her mother’s friend Lorraine to say 'yes' to everything for a month, she reluctantly agrees.

What follows is a whirlwind of opportunities where Catis forced outside her comfort zone with varying degrees of success.

Once she accepts the challenge to take the plunge with the eclectic sea swimming tribe The Forty Footers’in Dublin Bay, she never looks back. She is warmly welcomed into their lives, and learns to find reserves of strength she never knew existed which helps her deal with a toxic ex, and a growing attraction for a handsome TV executive.

With best friends, Becca and Sinead also in need of a re-boot, can Cat empower them to choose 'risk and adventure' or will they go back to their old, safe lives?

Say 'yes' and your whole life will open up in wonderful ways

My Thoughts

There is such a variety of characters and situations in this story that, as a read, it seems to fly by. At its centre is Cat who is persuaded to spend a month not refusing opportunities but saying yes. As she soon finds out, her life seems to open out as she tries new things and meet new people. She discovers a real love for swimming in the sea and finds it is something that helps her to relax and to take time out to think. 

    There is a rich seam of humour which runs through the story. Cat’s job as a TV presenter has plenty of scope for this and the antics of a certain celebrity chef certainly raise a smile. I enjoyed the slow burn romance but most of all the friendships which are highlighted and the uplifting family relationships which are on show. 

In short: heartwarming fiction full of humour and friendship 


About the Author

 










Sian O’Gorman
was born in Galway and now lives just along the coast from Dublin. She works as a radio producer alongside writing contemporary women’s fiction inspired by friend and family relationships.

 

You can follow Sian here:  Instagram  |  Twitter |  Facebook      

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Book links: Amazon UK

You can read my review of Life After You here and Life's What You Make It  here and The Sandycove Supper Club here.

Thanks to Sian O'Gorman, Boldwood Books and Rachel of Rachel's Random Resources  for a copy of the book amd a place on the tour. 

Check out the rest of the tour!


 


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