Pages: 273
Released On: 22/09/2026
Jacob introduces ever tastier treats to the Sugar and Spice cafe’s menu as the Christmas Spirit knits her magic into the lives of those finding this Christmas tough.
Florence is struggling to make ends meet and afford the present she knows her son wants for Christmas. Her ex-husband flaunting his new girlfriend and their baby isn’t helping her mood.
Widower Jude feels a failure as a father to his two young children after the tragic death of his wife. The move to Winstanton was meant to make life easier. Can he learn to carve out time to build new friendships and give himself the chance to grieve?
Rachel’s boss has given the promotion he promised her to the man twenty years her junior, whom she trained. She’s fed up with being taken for granted, and the lack of sympathy from her husband and teenage children.
Retired David feels Grinch-like as his son expects him to look after his grandchildren all the time, without taking his life into consideration. He used to love Christmas, but this year it has lost its sparkle.
Can the warm welcome at the Sugar and Spice café help them find their Christmas spirit?
*****
Thanks to Rachel’s Random Resources for the gifted copy of this title in return for an honest review and spot on the book tour.
I love The Christmas Spirit series. I haven’t read them all but I will do, but the ones I have read are wonderful. And whilst they are a series, you can read them independently of each other.
I did find at first there were a few too many subplots to keep on top of. But having said that, I really enjoyed every one of them and they soon found their way.
She’s depicted Scotland at Christmas perfectly, it’s captured the feeling of the season well and I was right there with the characters wandering around the Christmas market – perfect for reading just after the absurd heatwaves. I’d love to visit this community, it just feels so warming and uplifting.
She doesn’t make Christmas sickly sweet. She includes characters who are going through issues: financial problems, single parenthood, bereavement, work complications – all things that the average reader goes through. It shows that Christmas doesn’t have to be perfect to be perfect.
The Sugar and Spice Café has been depicted so well that you can practically smell the coffee and taste the cakes.
There are some characters from the previous books which helps give it that sense of familiarity, but she’s also introduced some new ones to keep it fresh.
I’ve read Christmas books that are full on 100% Santa Claus, and I’ve read ones that just so happen to have a story set at Christmas time. This is definitely the former. It’s not one for gently integrating you into the season. It’s unapologetically Christmas and for me, that’s a bit positive. This series is a great way to get you excited about the upcoming festivities, even if it might still seem too far away (not for me – I am a 365-day Mrs Claus).
