After my review of my first book of 2019 I'm now going back in time with the first of several reviews of books read in December 2018 ...
IT MUST HAVE BEEN THE MISTLETOE by JUDY ASTLEY.
Thea’s parents decide to host a big family Christmas in a house by the sea… even though they are, in fact, about to split up. Thea herself is newly single - her sister and brother are both settled, with children, homes and a future. But Thea’s boyfriend has ditched her in favour of his pedigree dogs, and Thea can’t decide whether or not she minds.
There will be copious food and drink, holly and mistletoe, lots of bracing walks and a wintry barbecue on the beach. If it seems an odd way to celebrate the final break-up of a marriage and the Moving On to new partners, no-one is saying so. But then no-one had anticipated that the new partners might actually turn up to complicate the sleeping arrangements.
As Cornwall experiences the biggest snowstorm in living memory, the festive atmosphere comes under some strain. Will Thea manage to find some happiness for herself? Will the mistletoe work its magic on them all?
- Back Cover Blurb
'It's Christmaaas!' bellowed Noddy Holder from the radio on Thea's kitchen window ledge as she opened the back door to let her brother Jimi in.
- First Sentence; Chapter One (Highlight for spoilers)
'..... I'm up to here in entertainment politics with the parents too. We're having a Yule celebration instead of a nativity play but there at three mothers who I'm sure have been training up there infants for the Mary and Jesus roles for years.'
- Memorable Moment; Page 30
SOURCE ... A Charity shop buy.
READ FOR A CHALLENGE? ... Yes.
- Book 5 read for the 2018 Christmas Spirit Challenge; Christmas Tree level (5 to 6 books or more) achieved.
MY THOUGHTS ... Of all the Christmas themed books I've read over recent years with its tree-decorating, carol singing, snow, snowmen and the playing of board games It Must Have Been The Mistletoe has more festive content than I've come to expect. However ...
Largely predictable and, well, all a tad twee but ...
A nice, feel good story that with its three generations of family members (mother and father; Mike and Anna, their eldest daughter; the 30 something and newly single Thea, Thea's siblings, Emily and Jimi with their respective partners and children) was guaranteed to hold my interest.
Written with a great deal of warmth; the change in relationship between Mike and Anna beautifully and sensitively handled, the family dynamics believable ...
Essentially its ideal Christmas reading.
Other books read for the challenge
Candy Cane Level (1 book read)
1. Saviours Day
1. Saviours Day
Mistletoe Level (2 to 4 books read)
2. Murder on Christmas Eve
2. Murder on Christmas Eve
10 comments:
This sounds like a sweet holiday story. I didn't get to as many Christmas-y reads as I had hoped this past year. Maybe I should aim for a Christmas in July.
Sounds like a cute one for the holidays! I actually have some Christmas themed books on my to-read list that I might still check out this Winter. :)
-Lauren
www.shootingstarsmag.net
This sounds like the perfect book for the busy holidays. Nothing wrong with sappy and predictable every so often.
Maybe not my cup of tea, but congratulations on completing the challenge. I guess the holiday books are pretty much wrapped up until next year.
This does sound like a lovely book to read at holiday time!
Greetings Tracy. I do hope you had a festive season for Christmas, and had a merry New Year. This sounds like a pleasant book to read. I live amongst most of my Family, so could relate to the piece. Blessings to you my Friend. Love love, Andrew.
Tracy,
I appreciated what you said about how
this book includes three generations
of family members and also what you
said about the warmth with which the
book is written. I will keep it in mind.
Raven
thank you for review of the book.
have a great day
Sounds like one that would be desired for the Christmas feel good season.
sherry @ fundinmental
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