Published By: Pan
Pages: 384
Released On: 22/10/2026
Gwen has lived at Christmas Tree Farm for many years. It’s where she’s built a life, a business and a place to call home. But after her beloved husband Paddy dies, it’s time to downsize and move on.
But when nine-year-old Willow, a distant relative of Paddy’s, arrives on her doorstep in urgent need of a place to stay, everything changes. And now, with the purchase of her new property falling through, Gwen needs to make some money, and fast.
With the help of Willow, his mum’s friend Horse, and Lara the social worker, she reopens her business selling Christmas trees for one last season. But with the mega-corporate Christmas Tree World as new neighbours, can her tranquil offering tempt the customers in?
This will be her last Christmas at her beloved farm. But endings can become beginnings, and could love, friendship and a sense of belonging flourish here . . . ?
*****
Thanks to NetGalley and Pan for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.
There’s not much better than a Jo Thomas Christmas book. If my maths is right (which I admit it isn’t usually) this is my 11th of her books and each is as delightful as the last.
It’s a lot more serious than I was expecting. I know that even happily-ever-after type books have difficult moments and this really does. It’s not always the cosy, warming, uplifting, festive book that you might have expected but she really balances it well I think and it sort of shows the real meaning of Christmas – to help others.
Gwen and I might be different generations and in different circumstances, but there was something about her that made me feel like I really understood her. Willow was a delightful little boy and my heart went out to him. His friend Horse is delightful, but Gwen’s friend Gareth I really didn’t like. I want to say his heart was in the right place but I found him very self-centred.
It’ll make you cry. Not in an upsetting way, in a beautiful, uplifting, everything will be okay kind of way.
The whole location, the farmhouse with the aga and the land etc. was so idyllic, especially in the winter with the snow and whatnot, oh it sounded so perfect.
Having finished it, I would say that the Christmas part is actually quite background. Yes the Christmas tree farm is important to the plot, but for me the story is more about family and friends and community, and it just so happens to be set at Christmas. I thought I would mind this because I love Christmas, but Jo has written such delightful characters that I was fully absorbed in their story and didn’t really mind when it was set.
It wasn’t my favourite book of hers – that’s still A Recipe For Christmas – but it had everything I was looking for in a Jo Thomas Christmas book. It’s got family, friendship, community, food, and no matter the serious topics, it’s still uplifting and heartwarming.
Books By Your Bedside 