Published By: Black & White Publishing
Pages: 400
Released On: 12/10/2023
You’re never too old to believe . . .
After losing her job, boyfriend and flat just a few weeks before Christmas, Ellie Lancaster makes some resolutions:
1. Exact revenge on ex.
2. Be unboring.
3. Find a job.
With 1 complete, Ellie manages to tick off 2 and 3 simultaneously by accepting a mysterious archiving job on a tiny Scottish Island that doesn’t seem to exist on any map.
In the new year, her equally new bosses – celebrity baker Clementine Jones and her straight-laced twin brother Cole – introduce Ellie to the archives: a vast network of underground caverns, filled with scrolls dating back centuries, each addressed to the same person, in a multitude of languages: Dear Father Christmas . . .
Despite the strangeness of it all, Ellie quickly falls in love with the island and her life there – but life is never simple, and just as she and Cole seem to be overcoming their mutual distrust, Ellie makes a fourth resolution – one that threatens everything she’s come to hold dear. As the big day itself draws near, she has one chance to put things right and bring about her own Christmas miracle . . .
*****
Thanks to NetGalley and Black & White Publishing for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.
It doesn’t immediately shout ‘festive book’ at you. It feels very fantastical and magical, but not necessarily Christmassy at first. Considering I like my Christmas books to be full-on Christmas right from the off, I was worried I might find this one hard to enjoy, but I absolutely loved it.
I was expecting the light-hearted festive lovey-dovey rom-com that I know and love, but this has so many layers to it. It’s really profound and thought-provoking, and looks at the difficulties raised by the festive season as well as the joys.
It is such a sweet book, it instantly put a smile on my face and it just felt like a great big hug. It is so full of heart. I found myself sobbing at various points. It’s got to be one of the most beautiful books I’ve ever had the pleasure to read.
If my research is correct, this is Ceri’s debut fiction book, and what a way to start. This gives me such hope for future works she brings out.
There isn’t a huge cast of characters, but I’ve picked out a few that I think are worth a mention.
Ellie: Our main protagonist – I loved her from the off. She’s a family woman, caring, smart, passionate, and my love for her only grew throughout the story. I admired her and felt every moment of her story alongside her.
Aiden: Another archiver – I wasn’t sure of him at first, he annoyed me, I felt he was always complaining, was a bit selfish, and a bit egotistical. But he grew in maturity throughout the story and becomes a good friend for the reader.
Clementine: Employer – She is a lovely, upbeat, positive, fantastic, motherly figure, who cares very much for her family, friends and home, and she loves to bake (a woman after my own heart). She was an excellently written character.
Mr Jones: Employer – A surly, strict, pessimistic man who appears the opposite of Clementine, and feels like he’s building a barrier between himself and his own family and his employees. But he very quickly wormed his way into my heart and I couldn’t help but love him.
Uncle Joe: Pre-existing archiver – He is a quiet, mysterious, enigmatic character, and whilst he often stayed in the background, he soon came out of his shell and every scene made me want to know more about him.
I can’t say too much about the plot as it’s very mysterious and it’s better that you go in blind, but believe me when I say that I recommend this to everyone who wants a festive tale with a heart.
I felt bereft when I finished it, unwilling to let them go. It felt like a series that I just wanted to dip back into and continue their lives. And whilst it doesn’t call for a sequel, how I hope there will be.
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