Published By: Nowell Publishing
Pages: 348
Released On: 06/11/2026
Mabel Clutterbuck reluctantly returns to the seaside town she grew up in to be closer to her ailing mother. However, the old woman’s fading memories keep confusing Mabel with her sister Clara – the sister who sacrificed everything to care for their mother before recently disappearing without trace.
Determined to breathe new life into the old shop Clara used for her crafting endeavours, Mabel transforms it into Mrs Clutterbuck’s Christmas Emporium, a magical haven filled with vintage decorations, festive treasures, and a little bit of wonder.
The true magic, however, lies in Mabel’s Lucky Dip Gift Boxes. Carefully chosen for the hidden heartaches of the customers who buy them, each one brings comfort, hope, and unexpected joy. Not everyone in Merrycombe Bay is convinced, though, especially the formidable ladies of the local WI!
As Christmas approaches, an unexpected romantic encounter gives Mabel a glimpse of a future she never thought possible. And while she helps others find happiness, she begins to heal the parts of herself she thought would remain broken.
But beneath the sparkle of fairy lights and festive cheer, old wounds refuse to stay buried. Why did Clara leave Merrycombe Bay? And if she returns, will Mabel lose everything she’s finally found – including the future she never thought she deserved?
*****
Thanks to Rachel’s Random Resources for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review and spot on the book tour.
I mean, this grabbed my attention for a couple of reasons. Firstly because it was a Christmas book (and I am a big Christmas fan), secondly because the cover looked beautiful, and if I’m honest, because I found the name Clutterbuck rather pleasing.
This is the epitome of a magicl festive book. It’s heartwarming and uplifting but stays the right side of sickly sweet. It’s full of everything – family secrets, relationships, love, second chances, family, unexpected romances, and what it means to be kind to those you love and those who were once strangers. It touches on some difficult topics too but it doesn’t stray into the OTT territory.
I believe Nicola May has published several books prior to this so I will definitely be seeking them out on the strength of this one.
It doesn’t really get Christmassy until about 40% of the way through, and as a winter an Christmas gremlin who is Mrs Claus 365 days a year, I’d have preferred it to be more festive earlier on, but what is there is lovely.
I read it in just two sittings. Half one evening in bed and the rest upon waking in the morning. It was so effortless to read it just zooms by.
Mabel is a wonderful character, full of life and she leaps off the page and I could see her so vividly. She’s so natural and brilliant, she felt like a close friend. And the chemistry between her and her love interest (I won’t spoil it now) was magical, and I loved seeing these characters in their 50s and 60s being main characters who still want to love and have adventures instead of just being the side characters.
It was so magical and warming and wonderful. It really moved me and I was addicted and I highly recommend this to anyone who just wants a book to make you feel good, loved, warm, hopeful, joyful, and festive. It was just a delightful book to read.
