Review: 'How to Stuff Up Christmas' by Rosie Blake (2015)

Tis the season to be jolly. Unless you've found an intimate picture of another woman on your fiance's phone... 
Eve is heartbroken after discovering her fiance is cheating on her. Being surrounded by the joys of Christmas is more than Eve can bear, so she chooses to avoid the festivities by spending Christmas alone on a houseboat in Pangbourne. Eve gets an unexpected seasonal surprise when handsome local vet Greg comes to her rescue one day, and continues to visit Eve's boat on a mission to transform her from Kitchen Disaster Zone to Culinary Queen. 
But where does Greg keep disappearing to? What does Eve's best friend Daisy know that she isn't telling? And why is there an angry goose stalking Eve's boat?
I've been looking forward to picking up Rosie Blake's festive latest releae 'How to Stuff Up Christmas' for several weeks now. I read her debut novel 'How to Get a (Love) Life' in 2014 (click here to read my review) and thoroughly enjoyed it. Rosie's writing style is so easy to read and really funny and I was really excited when I heard Corvus would be releasing this festive novel in November 2015. I straight away loved both the book description and the cover (if that doesn't make you feel all festive and Christmassy, I don't know what will!) and already had a good feeling this would turn out to be a Christmas read I would thoroughly enjoy!
Eve has been going through the motions since she and her ex-fiancee Liam broke up after she discovered he was cheating on her. Last year at Christmas she couldn't have been happier, but this year the only thing she wants is to just get away from it all. Despite protests from her family, Eve decides to spend the whole month of December, just her and her dog Marmite, on a houseboat in Pangbourne, where she will also do a pottery course. Pangbourne has a few surprises waiting for Eve, though, in the form of handsome local vet Greg and an angry goose who doesn't want to leave her alone. Will Eve manage to find some peace and quiet during the festive lead-up to Christmas or does life have different things in store for her...?
This book certainly lived up to the pretty high expectations I had and I don't think Rosie Blake will ever disappoint me. Her incredibly fun and easy-to-fall-into writing style already grabbed me from the first few pages and I still had that smile on my face when I finished the novel. This book is a great title to pick up when you're looking for a fun and festive read, because if the story doesn't make you feel like Christmas, the delicious recipes included in the novel certainly will! Next to that, it's also quite a quick read with a good length (just over 300 pages), an entertaining storyline and a well-drawn group of characters.
Protagonist Eve is someone many female readers will be able to relate to; haven't we all been disappointed by men and wishing we could get over it with a snap of our fingers? Eve is dealing with quite the break-up and she decides to spend her Christmas alone. I easily warmed to Eve and also loved the secondary characters, such as handsome vet Greg, Eve's best friend Daisy, and the incredibly cute and funny Marmite, Eve's dog. I did feel like the story had a bit of a slow phase in the middle of the book, but the pace picked up again, luckily. Overall, I thought 'How to Stuff Up Christmas' is a simply stunning, hilarious and heart-warming festive read; a novel that will make you go into the holiday season with a smile on your face!

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.

Review: 'One Wish in Manhattan' by Mandy Baggot (2015)

The temperature is dropping, snow is on its way and Hayley Walker is heading for New York with one wish on her mind…to start over. 
With her nine year-old daughter Angel, Hayley is ready for an adventure. From hot chocolates and horse-drawn carriage rides in Central Park, to ice-skating at the Rockefeller Centre, and Christmas shopping on 5th Avenue – they soon fall in love with the city that never sleeps. 
But there’s more to New York than the bright twinkly lights and breathtaking skyscrapers. Angel has a Christmas wish of her own – to find her real dad. 
While Hayley tries to fufil her daughter’s wish, she crosses paths with Billionaire Oliver Drummond. Restless and bored with fast living, there’s something intriguing about him that has Hayley hooked. 
Determined to make her daughter’s dream come true, can Hayley dare to think her own dreams might turn into reality – could A New York Christmas turn into a New York Forever?
Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without some lovely Bookouture Christmas reads to lead us into the festive holiday season! I'm really excited to start this year's December, which is completely filled with only Christmas reads here at A Spoonful of Happy Endings, with Mandy Baggot's 'One Wish in Manhattan'! I had the pleasure of reading Mandy's 'Truly, Madly, Greekly' earlier this year and thoroughly enjoyed this summer chick lit read and am quite curious to check out 'One Wish in Manhattan.' The novel has one of my favourite Christmas book covers of the year, so fingers crossed the inside story will match that (and I have a good feeling it will)!
Ten years ago, Hayley Walker had a one-night-stand with an artist named Michel during a trip to New York. Now, she finds herself going back to New York together with her 9-year-old daughter Angel, whose only Christmas wish it is to finally meet her father. Hayley has given up her job and spent her last bit of money to get her and Angel to the other side of the world, but she knows the smile on Angel's face when she sees her father for the first time will be worth it. Question is, though, where will she be able to find Michel? On her search she crosses paths with rich business man Oliver Drummond, whom she can't help but be intrigued by. Hayley will do whatever it takes to get her daughter the Christmas of her dreams, but who knows what this Christmas in Manhattan will bring...
What a fantastic read! Gosh, I loved everything about this novel; don't hesitate to immediately pick this up if you are looking for your next Christmas/chick lit read! Obviously New York City is a wonderful setting for a Christmas read, and one that has been used a lot, but Mandy Baggot has really managed to create a stunning new festive read that left me with a big smile on my face. One of the absolute strengths of this book are the characters. Hayley is a lovely heroine, whom I was definitely rooting her, and I straight away fell in love with both the handsome Oliver (a playboy billionaire with issues, I just couldn't help myself!) and Hayley's daughter Angel, who is just the cutest thing. Next to these 3, however, there are a lot of other fabulous characters who each brought their own special something to the story, such as Hayley's brother Dean and his partner Vern and Oliver's mother Cynthia. 
The story is told from the perspective of both Hayley and Oliver, which provides the reader with an insight into both their minds and feelings. The novel is quite long and not too fast-paced, but I didn't mind because I just enjoyed the story and characters a lot. The book really got me in a Christmas mood and has everything I could possibly wish for in a festive read: a lovely dose of romance, family, emotions, and laughter. Overall, 'One Wish in Manhattan' is a wonderfully touching, sparkling, festive read that left me with a big smile on my face; I loved all of it and once again, well done to Mandy Baggot for creating a fantastic read!

Rating:10/10

  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.

Cover Reveal: 'Mistletoe & Mayhem' by Catherine Ferguson!

I'm really excited to be part of a wonderful cover reveal today! A festive-themed cover reveal, that is, namely for Catherine Ferguson's upcoming novel 'Mistletoe and Mayhem'! 
I got the chance to read Catherine Ferguson's Christmas-themed novel 'Humbugs and Heartstrings' last year and really enjoyed it (click here to read my review). This year, she is once again treating us to a lovely holiday read and I already can't wait to pick it up (it will be available from October 15th)!
So, here is the lovely and colourful cover!

Lola Plumpton can’t believe her luck. Christmas is coming and her gorgeous boyfriend, Nathan, has offered up his swanky apartment to host the Plumpton family’s festive celebrations. It looks set to be a Christmas to remember. And it is – but for all the wrong reasons. As the 25th December draws closer, Lola unexpectedly finds herself missing some key components: 1. A job (but who needs one of those anyway, when you’ve got the ultimate family Christmas to prepare for?) 2. Money (no job equals no money, it turns out.) 3. A boyfriend (yup, Nathan the hunk has said adios to Lola – and in the *most* embarrassing way possible…) 4. Somewhere to host her fabulous family Christmas (because of course, no Nathan means no des res apartment.) Lola’s at a loss about what to do. But one way or another, she’s going to make this the best Christmas her family’s ever had… If that doesn't get you in a Christmas mood, I don't know what will! Like I said, I can't wait to get my hands on a copy of this book; let the Christmas reading begin! :)

Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads

Excerpt: 'A Christmas Decision' by Sophie King!

I'm really excited to have a special Christmas exclusive for all of you today! The past year I've been lucky enough to have had the chance to read and review several of author Sophie King's novels; books which I always thoroughly enjoy. Sophie has also released a collection of three Christmas stories, perfect to get into the festive holiday spirit. Thanks to the lovely people at Corazon Books, I've got an excerpt from one of these short stories for all of you today, namely from 'A Christmas Decision'!

Excerpt: 'A Christmas Decision'
‘It’s natural to have nerves, love,’ says Gran as I open another bottle. Usually, I’m a couple-of- glasses-at-the-weekend kind of girl but today is different. This is the day before Christmas Eve. It also happens to be the evening before my wedding.
What kind of man suggests getting married at this time of the year? My kind of man, that’s who. Andrew’s sense of romance and his – let’s face it – childishness is what drew me to him in the first place. Other men are simply boring besides my strapping six foot four, broad-chested hero who swept me off my feet (literally) when I almost got caught in the doors of a tube train on the way to work one sunny July morning.
When Andrew got down on his knee, barely two months later, the sensible side of me said ‘Don’t be daft. It’s far too soon.’ Yet for once in my life, I did something that wasn’t sensible. I heard myself say ‘Yes’.
And now, here I am, about to pledge my troth to a man whom I hadn’t even known last Christmas. Am I right to let my heart rule my head? Or am I making the biggest mistake of my life? And – this is the killer question – why is marriage and commitment so complicated now? After all, in my parents’ day and in my grandparents’, they just went ahead and got on with it.
I glance across at my grandmother who’s come down all the way from Skye for the wedding. Gran and I have always had a special bond even though we live so far apart. When I was a child, my dad used to put me on a train up north to stay with her and we’d spend long days walking the hills, collecting different types of heather. As a special treat, we’d take the boat out with Calum, the local fisherman, to spot seals and then make our way back to Gran’s cosy cottage to make scotch pancakes for tea. As we ate them, dripping with honey, I would stare at the black and white photograph of my grandfather – long dead – on the mantelpiece. ‘He’d have loved you,’ my grandmother often said. But whenever I asked her to tell me stories about him, she would simply smile wistfully and say ‘Another day, love. I’m a bit tired now.’ Then she’d draw me to her and we’d have a cuddle.
That’s what I want to do right now. Of course, I’m too big to sit on Gran’s knee but somehow I find myself sitting at her feet next to the Christmas tree while she pats my shoulder. ‘There, there. Like I said, it’s natural to have nerves.’ I raise my head and look into her blue eyes; the same colour as mine. Mum’s were exactly that shade too, apparently, but of course I can’t remember now. ‘Were you nervous when you married Granddad?’ I ask.
There’s a strange silence. Instantly, I know I shouldn’t have asked. After all, if Gran hadn’t wanted to talk about granddad when I was little, she’s hardly likely to do so now. But wait. She’s getting up and walking across the room to shut the door. (Very independent is my gran.) Then she hobbles back and takes her seat next to me again.
‘Lizzie, there’s something I’ve been wanting to tell you for a long time,’ she says, looking across at the wall as if talking to someone else. Someone who isn’t there. ‘You’re old enough now. And if you’re really having doubts about your young man, my story might help you make up your mind.’
Everything happened so fast nowadays, thought Grace as she stood on the platform, waiting to see Johnny off. Despite his steamed-up glasses and sticking out ears, he looked almost handsome in his uniform as he leaned out of the window trying to touch her hand. Desperately, she tried to do the same but the crowds in between them were too dense. Everyone wanted to say goodbye to their sweethearts before this awful war tore them apart. Perhaps that was why so many of the other girls had a ring on their left hands, just like hers.
‘I know we haven’t been stepping out for long,’ Johnny had said the night before when he’d gone down on one knee by the back gate after taking off his glasses. ‘But thanks to Mr Hitler, we don’t know what’s going to happen from one day to the next. And it would make me so happy knowing that you were here, waiting for me.’
Gracie had had to lean on the gate for support. Johnny’s words had fair taken her breath away. She liked him well enough but not like that. To be honest, it had been his very tall friend Mac whom she’d fallen for at the Christmas dance last month. But Johnny – who was barely her height – had approached her first and she hadn’t liked to say no. It wasn’t fair to reject one of those poor lads who were going off to fight for them all.
So she’d allowed him to buy her a drink and then take her to the flicks the following Saturday even though the film had to end early because there was another raid. ‘I really like being with you,’ Johnny had whispered as they’d sat together in the air raid shelter.
‘It’s comforting, isn’t it?,’ she’d whispered back. And then, a few weeks later, came the proposal. The one she couldn’t turn down because Johnny was going off to war and needed all the encouragement he could get.
‘You will write, won’t you?’ She heard his voice call out above the noise of the train and the other couples around them.
‘Of course,’ she called back. Could he hear her? She hoped so. The train was moving now; roaring as if keen to reach the battlefields. Johnny’s smiling face grew further and further away until it was gone and the train was now a speck on the horizon of an uncertain future.
‘I’ve done the right thing for now,’ Gracie told herself, twisting her tiny solitaire diamond which felt so strange on her finger. But when this awful war was over and he was back safe (God-willing), she’d have to summon up the courage to tell Johnny that as much as she cared for him, she couldn’t marry him.
Yet as the letters came back and forth from the frontline, she began to wonder if she’d underestimated her too-short suitor. ‘Your young man’s a keen writer,’ remarked her mother one winter’s evening as Grace sat by the candle with the black-out curtains fully closed. Gracie smiled as she covered up Johnny’s latest poem, written in a hasty scrawl on a scrap of paper. It wasn’t easy to find something to write on: that much he’d told her. He’d also told her lots of other things too – too personal to tell anyone else! Who would have believed that someone like shy Johnny could be so bold and dashing on paper?
Click here to get your own copy of 'A Christmas Decision' on Amazon.co.uk; between the 9th and the 15th of December you can get the short story collection for FREE, so be sure to download it as soon as possible! :) 

Be sure to also check out Sophie King's new release 'Do You Take This Man?', now available on Amazon.co.uk!