Published By: HarperCollins
Pages: 128
Released On: 30/10/2025
A single Christmas can change everything…
This Christmas, Malcolm is determined to give his dearest friend Rev Ruth the perfect festive lunch – a heartfelt thank-you for her boundless generosity.
But when Ruth’s kind spirit turns their quiet meal into a community feast, Malcolm’s dreams – and nerves – begin to unravel.
As snow begins to fall, tensions rise with the arrival of more unexpected guests…
But new beginnings often come wrapped in chaos. If Malcolm can find the courage to open his heart, he might find the most magical Christmas gift of all…
*****
Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.
Oh I love Sally’s books – I think I’ve read them all! And my absolute favourite is The Book of Beginnings, so I was really excited to read this novella. If I’m honest, it wasn’t necessarily a story I thought needed to be told, I didn’t feel there was any unfinished business from The Book of Beginnings, and yet now I’ve read this, it seems so obvious that we needed more.
Oh it’s only 100-odd page and I’d have loved for it to have been more. It gave me everything I wanted, but when it comes to Sally’s writing, I will always want more.
I read this in October with Christmas music on (I know, I know), and I was all curled up under a fleecy blanket, and it really felt like Christmas was upon us, and Sally’s short book was the spark that pulled all those elements together; the snow, the food, the presents, the carols, the love – it had everything needed for the perfect Christmas.
We meet a lot of familiar friends from the first book, and then we’re introduced to a few new ones which was great. Some have bigger roles than others obviously, but they all have interesting stories and they work well to support Malcolm’s story.
Sally has shown how Christmas can be bittersweet and difficult. We’re all wrapped up in the celebrations, the food and the presents, our family and friends; but what about those who are alone? Those who can’t afford Christmas? Refugees or those away from their family? She’s not made it too sad or preachy, she’s just told it how it is, and it was so warming to see it all come together.
Oh and it has such a beautiful cover!
The Christmas Day chapter was probably one of the best chapters of any book I’ve read. It really is perfect and drew a tear or two from me.
Books By Your Bedside 