Here is a gorgeous, uplifting festive read from Jo Thomas. Countdown to Christmas was published by Transworkd Digital on 14th September.
Chloë can't wait for Christmas . . . to be over!
Her son Ruben is staying with his dad this year and Chloe is
planning to ignore the holidays all together. Her only nod to the season is the
advent calendar Ruben left her, to help count down the days till he's home
again.
But then, a voicemail from Berry and Brandy, Heir Hunters,
changes everything…
In Québec, Canada, there's a plot of land Chloë may be entitled
to. Surely, it's a scam. Or could it be just the escape she needs right now?
They're offering to pay for her flights . . . and Ruben's latest note in the
advent calendar tells her to 'say yes!'
So with 22 days until Christmas, Chloë finds herself on a
plane to Canada
And suddenly, her new countdown to Christmas involves a log
cabin in the middle of a snowy forest, a community that's worried for its
future, a gruff lumberjack who gives her butterflies and a lot of pancakes with
maple syrup . . .
This Christmas is full of surprises!
My Thoughts
If you are looking for a festive read which will get you in the mood for Christmas and remind you of all that you appreciate about it, you will love this book. It is warm hearted and hopeful, full of good cheer. Chloe finds herself far from home and missing her son. His present to her turns out to be a wonderful catalyst for the whole community and the chance to focus on small things which can be the most meaningful. Chloe has spent her whole adult life trying to keep everything the same and so, she believes, it will protect her son this way. She just wants safety and security for him. The thing is, as she realises, he is growing up and change is inevitable.
This story is full of romance, with starry skies and longing looks. There are plenty of colourful characters but even better are the animals who live alongside them. The setting is beautiful and couldn’t complement the season better. The contrast between Chloe’s everyday life and Canada could not be more stark.One seems to be in black and white, the other in colour, glistening and appealing to the senses. Food plays a huge part in the story with some rather delicious recipes supplied.
In short: a delicious concoction of festive romance
About the Author
JO THOMAS worked for many years as a reporter and producer,
including time at Radio 4's Woman's Hour and Radio 2's The Steve Wright Show.
Jo's debut novel,The Oyster Catcher, was a runaway bestseller and won both
the RNA Joan Hessayon Award and the Festival of Romance Best eBook Award. Her
recent book Escape to the French Farmhouse was a #1 bestselling eBook and in every
one of her novels Jo loves to explore new countries and discover the food
produced there, both of which she thoroughly enjoys researching. Jo lives in Pembrokeshire with her husband and three
children, where cooking and gathering around the kitchen table are a hugely important
and fun part of their family life.
You can read my review of Jo's The Honey Farm on the Hill here
Coming Home to Winter Island here Escape to the French Farmhouse here and Finding Love at the Christmas Market here, Celebrations at the Chateau here Retreat to the Spanish Sun here and Summer at the Ice Cream Cafe here
Thanks to Jo Thomas, Transworld and Anne Cater of Random Things Tours for a copy of the book and a place on the event.
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