A Recipe for Christmas by Jo Thomas #Review

 

‘It just wouldn’t be Christmas without Jo’s book in your stocking!’

Jill Mansell

I couldn't have put it better myself! Jo Thomas' latest festive novel, A Recipe for Christmas,  was published by Penguin on October 10th. 

 

Take one woman longing for the perfect Christmas…

All Clara has ever wanted is Christmas surrounded by loved ones, full of warmth and delicious food. So, when her new boyfriend asks her to move to Switzerland, she can't help but say yes! After all, what could be more perfect than Christmas in the Alps?

Add a dash of surprise

She quickly signs up for a chocolate-making course, imagining a workshop like something out of a festive advert. Instead, it's chocolate-making bootcamp! And her boyfriend isn't all he seemed either.

And enjoy a magical festive treat!

Despite it all, Clara begins to make friends – including the aloof but intriguing Gabriel. With all of the ingredients at her fingertips, will she finally be able to whisk up her Christmas dream?

The most heartwarming Christmas novel of 2024 from the bestselling author of escapist fiction, full of travel, romance and chocolate!

Praise for Jo Thomas

 

“Delicious and delightful - Jo sweeps you away to a better place with every book, which are always filled with warmth, love and a big spoonful of happiness”

Veronica Henry

 

 “If you love a rugged hero, a heroine you can relate to, a warm romantic story and a bit of armchair travel, Countdown to Christmas is for you!”

Katie Fforde on Countdown to Christmas

 

“As heartwarming as a crackling log fire, as magical as a starry Canadian sky”

Phillipa Ashley on Countdown to Christmas

 

“Relatable and romantic.”

My Weekly

 

“A perfect read to get you in the mood for the festivities”

Chat

 

“Full of holiday cheer”

Candis

 

 My Thoughts

Here we have a perfect escapist read for the festive season. Set in snowy Switzerland, it is full of the flavours and colours of the season. Clara has taken a leap of faith when she has left her steady job and moved to Switzerland with someone she hardly knows. For the reader, that sets off alarm bells but Clara is determined to have a fresh syart. Her passion and drive to learn how to make beautiful chocolate items takes over, even if it appears trivial to some people.

    Clara stands out as a misfit when she first joins the chocolate school and friendships are hard to make but become central to her life. There is humour in the story and you find out quite a bit about her new friends, proving you can not always go by appearances. With romance blooming, you find yourself willing Clara on to make the right choices. This is a heartwarming story which will have you reaching for the Christmas mugs and the hot chocolate!

In short: new starts and new friendships

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 book Escape to the French Farmhouse was a #1 bestselling eBook.

 

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, Summer at the Ice Cream Cafe   here

  

You can follow Jo here:  Twitter   |  Website   |  Facebook

Book link: Amazon UK

 

  

Thanks to Jo Thomas, Penguin and Anne Cater of Random Things Tours for a copy of the book and a place on the tour. 

Check out the rest of the tour!