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One Winter at the French Chalet by Mandy Baggot #Review

  We are travelling to France for Mandy Baggot's latest romcom, One Winter at the French Chalet which was published by Boldwood Books on October 4th. Things aren’t going well for travel writer Orla Bradbee. With Christmas fast approaching, her boss is insisting Orla must travel to a rural village in France to interview a man who doesn’t speak. But with trouble at home – her teenage sister Erin is in a ‘situationship’ with a man online – Orla’s only plan is to take Erin with her. Get the interview done, find out more about this online Romeo and still be back in time for Christmas dinner. Easy, right? Saint-Chambéry is a picturesque French village nestled in the snow-capped mountains, but Jacques Barbier – gorgeous and brooding, yet a man of few words – makes it clear that Orla is wasting her time here. Orla can’t deny that Jacques intrigues and infuriates her, but what is the mysterious Frenchman hiding exactly? And can she get close enough to uncover his secrets with

'Tis the (damn) Season by Fiona Gibson #Review

 

Festive reads continue with Fiona Gibson's 'Tis the (damn) Season, published by Boldwood Books. 


This year, their families can deck the bloody halls themselves...

Old friends Shelley, Lena and Pearl have reached their limit with the festive preparation that has always fallen to them, and five days before Christmas, they’ve booked a mini break… without their families. Up until Christmas Eve, they’ll be sipping prosecco in the Highlands while their kids wrap bacon around 100 chipolatas and their partners brave the supermarkets.

It’s exactly what they need… until they’re snowed in. Facing the prospect of Christmas 500 miles from home, each woman is forced to confront her real reasons for needing to escape: the fiance with the obnoxious family; the son’s new girlfriend who is taking over their home; the family who take their mother for granted all year round…

Will the friends make it home before Christmas day? And if they do, can they really go back to their old lives?

This Christmas, forget Elf on the Shelf, get ready for Mums on the Run in the hilarious and heartwarming new novel from Fiona Gibson.


 My Thoughts

This is a festive romcom with lots of heart and humour. Three friends decide to leave their lives behind, just for a few days and find some home truths waiting for them in Scotland. They all need time away and the north of Scotland offers them a complete break from everyday life.Shelley is beginning to realise that her family have been taking her for granted, especially her husband, Joel, whose main concern seems to be himself. Trying to create Christmas for a selfish spouse and two self absorbed teenagers means the joys of Christmas are beginning to pale. Pearl has been struggling to move on after the sudden death of her partner. Her grown up son has moved his demanding girlfriend into the flat so Pearl is anxious for a few days away. The third of the friends, Lena is happily engaged but not looking forward to Christmas with his superior and overbearing parents.  

    The events in Scotland and at home in London are full of humour, all character driven. You see different models of family and appreciate the strain that enforced jollity can put on people. Friendships old and new are renewed and forged. Unable to return home because of heavy snow, the three friends have plenty of time to work out what they need to change in their lives. In all it is a jolly goof festive read. 

In short: new beginnings and restarts  

 

About the Author


 

Fiona Gibson writes bestselling and brilliantly funny novels about the craziness and messiness of family life.

You can follow Fiona here: Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Instagram

Purchase links 

Thanks to Fiona Gibson, Boldwood Books and Rachel of Rachel's Random Resources for a copy of the book and a place on the tour.

 

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