Publisher: 25th November 2021 by HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction
Pages: 372 pages
How I Read It: ARC book
Genre: romance, Christmas, contemporary
My Rating: 5 cups
Synopsis:
Can she spread Christmas cheer in Cornwall this year?
All Meredith Verren has ever wanted is to escape the holiday season without having to wear a Christmas jumper. Her new job at the cosy gift shop in a picturesque Cornish tourist spot is making it impossible for her to maintain her scrooge-like manner.
With their seasonal hampers on everyone’s wish list, Meredith must paste on a smile and fake some holiday cheer. Then she meets handsome new arrival, Finn, who wishes it could be Christmas every day and wants her to feel the same way too.
Can she embrace the holly and the ivy before the decorations are packed away for another year?
My Thoughts
If a trip to Cornwall at Christmas time is just what you are looking for to get in the Christmas spirit, then look no further than Christmas Carols and a Cornish Cream Tea. Cressida’s book is overflowing with all things Christmas and humbugs and grinches sure to find themselves swaying to all the festive cheer.
‘Her problem with Christmas was that there was so much of it. So many gifts and trinkets, sparkles and embellishments, that the meaning, the thoughtfulness, got lost amongst the sheer excess of it all. It was a celebration that Meredith thought had lost its soul, and over the years her dislike had turned into a genuine aversion.’
This tale surely has it all - carols, cooking, decorations, hampers, lights, parades, baking and celebrations for one and all! Cressida delivers bucket loads of everything we need to fire up and be ready for the big day. Add in some romance, village love with family and friends and this is a tale that can do no wrong.
‘I panicked! This is what Christmas does to you! There’s all this expectation, this stupid need to be bright and sparkly, to help people out and not have any weak moments, to say yes to everything because you know everyone’s stressed and you have to be as stressed as them or you’re not good enough.’
I love that it even digs a little deeper with Cressida addressing those that struggle at this time of year due perhaps to loss, grief or family separation. She allows both lead characters wonderful journeys where they are encouraged to pursue their dreams beyond this festive season. There is much more to this particular tale than just bright, shiny Christmas lights. This is, of course, part of The Cornish Cream Tea series, however, it is a complete new story in a different Cornish village - a definite standalone book.
‘… she’d had time to consider it this year, that you didn’t have to follow any rules for how you celebrated Christmas. You could have it exactly as you wanted.’
I adore books set in Cornwall and what could be better than to include Christmas! So make yourself a nice cuppa and settle in for all the festive feels! It even addresses a common discussion in our home:
‘What about your Dad and Die Hard? Is it a Christmas tradition that you try and make him watch it and he puts on It’s a Wonderful Life instead?’
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.
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