Published By: HarperCollins
Pages: 384
Released On: 24/10/2024
In a village by the sea, where wintry skies bring a dusting of sparkling snow, somebody is opening an unexpected gift…
When Sophie receives a surprise package, she’s intrigued to find a beautifully bound book inside.
Sophie is desperate to discover the mystery sender, and her hunt draws to the enigmatic Harry. The subject of much gossip since his return from London, Harry keeps to himself in his crumbling manor house.
But they are both about to learn that the best stories can take on a life of their own.
*****
Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.
Christmas + books…that makes for a good book already. I’d like there to be a real secret bookshop, it sounds wonderful.
I think this is the first of my books by Cressida but it definitely won’t be my last. You can be sure that I will be looking up her other work now.
Sophie is our main character. She’s had a rough upbringing that has seeped into her adulthood. She’s protective but with rough edges, distrusting of herself and others, unwilling to get close. I liked her a lot. And then we have Harry, the mysterious, grumpy new Lord of the manor who seems intent on making enemies of everyone, but he’s clearly not all he appears. And he loves book so you know, and instant fie star. They work brilliantly off of each other, like two coins of the same coin.
There are a lot of other characters – friends, relatives, colleagues, neighbour, strangers, pets…and there’s a goal who wears Christmas jumpers, so you know, what else do you need?!
The setting of Mistingham in Norfolk sounded idyllic, the perfect village to live in at Christmas and I’d like to move in please.
I read this in the middle of September and whilst for most people, that’s still summer, possibly autumn, I am a Christmas nut all year round and so I’d already done some present shopping that week, baked some festive cookies, watched the Muppets Christmas Carol, and was curled up under a thick blanket wishing for winter. And so this book went perfectly.
At risk of sounding a bit weird, I had to mention that she uses the word ‘plethora’ about 30% in, which is my second favourite word (‘panache’ is my first), and I’m always childishly excited when I see it in a book.
I mean, it’s not a spoiler to say that you pretty much know how it’s going to end, the same as all of the, what I call happily-ever-after type stories. And some people may question why I read it then if I know how it’ll end, but I like that. Sure I love a good thriller, historical novel, full of twists and surprises, but I also really enjoy a genteel, cosy, uplifting romcom that I know will leave me smiling.
I read it in less than a day, it was so easy reading and lovely that I just lost myself in the village, the characters, and the romance. It ends well and I’m satisfied but there is a part of me hoping that this won’t be the end of what we see in Mistingham, that maybe she has more up her sleeves.
It is everything you want from a book, it’s warming, cosy, nostalgic, joyful, happy. It is impossible not to feel a glow when reading it.
Books By Your Bedside 