I’m delighted to be sharing my thoughts about Christmas for Beginners by Carole Matthews today.
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Christmas is fast approaching at the new Hope Farm. Owner Molly Baker has been convinced to organise an open day to raise some much-needed funds ahead of the New Year, but the nativity tableau is proving challenging. With anti-social sheep, awkward alpacas and a seriously sequined Santa Claus to assemble, Molly is feeling overwhelmed, and in desperate need of some Christmas spirit . . .
Despite the chaos of the farm getting in the way of her event planning, Molly is looking forward to spending the holidays with boyfriend Shelby and his son, Lucas, hopeful that a happy family Christmas is exactly what they need to draw them all together. But while she is busy making plans on the farm, Shelby, it seems, has ideas of his own.
As the nativity draws near, the team are working hard to pull off a spectacular festive fete – and make sure the animals and humans remain on their best behaviour.
Will this Christmas be merry and bright… or is there more than one surprise in store for Molly and Hope Farm?
Book Review
It was great to be back at Hope Farm again with Molly and Lucas. Before I go any further, I’m going to tell you I LOVED this story and I felt so sad to be leaving at the turning of the last page. I could live in this world!
You don’t have to read Happiness for Beginners to make sense of Christmas for Beginners because Carole Matthews builds the backstory in from the beginning. You’ll soon get to know Molly, Lucas, Bev and Shelby. I love Molly. She’s a woman who takes action for others although that often means putting herself last. She was definitely the one in the middle in this story.
I loved hearing about the new additions to Hope Farm and of course the quirky animals that are still there. And the new Mayor, Matt Eastman – swoon! When Molly first meets him, oh, so funny! Shelby is noticeable by his absence with his acting commitments. Still generous to a fault though.
As much as I loved the moments of laughter, my heart ached several times. Life doesn’t run smoothly for several of the characters … this author sure knows how to hook in your emotions. A couple of things didn’t work out how I thought they would and tested my loyalties. I thought I knew which way we were heading and then bam! something happens to change it all. Poppy’s situation was heart-breaking and I was so hoping for a good resolution for her and her mum. Lucas’ poem on Christmas Day brought me to tears. And the ending had me sobbing. Perfection.
This is a story that will entertain you. You’ll be taken out of the world around you and immersed in a world where the pandemic doesn’t exist and life wraps around you with all the colours of emotions and a feeling that eventually, all is right with the world.
Highly recommended!
Carole Matthews is the Sunday Times bestselling author of thirty-two novels, including the Top Ten bestsellers Let’s Meet on Platform 8, A Whiff of Scandal, For Better, For Worse, A Minor Indiscretion, With or Without You, The Cake Shop in the Garden, Paper Hearts and Summer Kisses, A Cottage by the Sea, The Chocolate Lovers’ Club, The Chocolate Lovers’ Christmas, The Chocolate Lovers’ Wedding, Million Love Songs and her current novel, Christmas Cakes & Mistletoe Nights. Carole has also been awarded the RNA Outstanding Achievement Award. Her novels dazzle and delight readers all over the world.
For all the latest news from Carole, visit www.carolematthews.com, follow Carole on Twitter (@carolematthews) and Instagram (matthews.carole) or join the thousands of readers who have become Carole’s friend on Facebook (carolematthewsbooks).