Review: 'Christmas for One' by Amanda Prowse (2014)

As a child, Meg always dreamed of the perfect Christmas...
This year, she can make it come true for her own little boy. There will be turkey and all the trimmings, a glittering tree, and a stocking hung up by a roaring fire. Who cares if there's no devoted husband in the picture? She and Lucas will be just fine on their own.
But then a chance meeting with a stranger in New York unravels everything she's planned. Will Meg finally get everything she wished for? Or will she be alone this Christmas after all?
I was incredibly glad and excited when I was contacted about reviewing Amanda Prowse's latest novel, 'Christmas for One', which was released on the 2nd of November by Head of Zeus. I couldn't say 'yes' quick enough, since I read Amanda's novel 'Will You Remember Me?' earlier this year; a book which really touched me and one I really enjoyed (click here to read my review). I specifically liked the author's writing style, so I was already keeping my fingers crossed for another Amanda Prowse novel to end up in my mailbox. And then it turns out to be one with such a gorgeous cover; it's like a stunning Christmas gift I can't stop looking at. In short, I was really excited about 'Christmas for One' and couldn't wait to sit down with it!
Meg has never had the perfect Christmas she always wished for as a young girl. Now, she has her own son named Lucas and she wants to make sure he gets the Christmas she always wanted but never had. However, when she's on a business trip for her job at Plum Patisserie, Meg's life is unexpectedly turned upside down. While she's busy preparing the opening of their new store in New York, Meg meets a simply wonderful and handsome man who seems to be just as interested in her as she is in him. Meg and Ed spend a magical few days together, but then it's time for Meg to go back home. But she needs to make a decision: does Ed deserve a place in her and Lucas' life? Will this Christmas, after all those years, finally be the perfect one Meg has been hoping for...?
I was immediately grabbed by the story and its main protagonist, Meg, who was just lovely and I instantly liked her. I especially loved the fact that she works for Plum's Patisserie, a chain of French-inspired bakeries that sell the most delicious treats. The owners, Pru and Milly Plum, are actually characters from another Amanda Prowse novel, but you don't need to have read this other book in order to understand this one. Amanda Prowse has a great talent for painting the scene and her complete cast of characters just fit together perfectly and each of them added something to the story. 
I also loved the setting of the story, which is set partly in the UK and partly in New York City. The whole Christmas atmosphere made it all just that bit more magical, and I especially want to applaud the author's descriptions, because I could imagine everything so easily and perfectly in my head. The plotline was captivating and held my attention from start to finish, and I honestly just didn't want the novel to end. Amanda Prowse is a wonderful author with a distinctive voice and I already look forward to hopefully reading more of her work next year. 'Christmas for One' is a warm, simply stunning and delightful Christmas novel which I couldn't get enough of; the perfect gift for any women's fiction fan this Christmas!

Rating:9,5/10

  For more information about this book: Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads   Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a review copy in exchange for an honest review.