Mini Reviews #24: Christmas Far from Home

Did I let myself be influenced by the title of a certain Spider-Man movie when deciding to combine these books into a Mini Reviews-post? Maybe. But honestly, what else do you expect me to do when these books have such a “clear” common denominator? And after all: who can’t relate to occasionally feeling as if they’re spending Christmas far from home?

I was offered an ARC by Book Sirens in exchange for a review. All opinions are strictly my own.

The Perfect Christmas Gift

The story

Can neighbours become more than just good friends this Christmas?

Bella Moore is excitedly counting down the days to Christmas. That is until she arrives home one evening to find her boyfriend leaving her for another woman. Completely heartbroken, Bella is left wondering if Christmas can still be the same this year.

Next door, Bella’s neighbour Nick is facing his first Christmas as a single dad and doubting whether he can make it the magical time his son Freddie deserves.

Determined to fix both Christmas and their broken hearts, Bella comes up with an idea: a Christmas giving tree for the whole village, where the community can unite and secretly give each other the Christmas presents they truly need.

As Bella becomes chief elf, taking donations and delivering gifts with much-needed help from Nick and Freddie, the two neighbours grow closer and start seeing each other in a whole new light.

But when Nick’s estranged wife returns just before Christmas, is their budding romance over before it’s begun? Or will love be Nick and Bella’s perfect gift this Christmas?

The opinion

Katie Ginger and I have a great relationship that is entirely based on her not knowing I exist, and me going for her latest Christmas book every single year. Oh – and me never being disappointed in her style, the plots she chooses, or the way she transforms those into captivating and utterly cosy stories. And guess what: she did it again with The Perfect Christmas Gift! After all, sometimes, home is a person rather than a place – and Christmas is definitely not the time of year for that to be pulled away from under your feet. (Goodreads, TheStoryGraph)

The Post Box at the North Pole

The story

Sasha Hansley hates Christmas. As a child, it was her favourite time of year, but ever since the tragic death of her mother, it has completely lost its magic.

But when she gets an unexpected phone call from her eccentric estranged father, she’s forced to dust off her snow boots.

He has been running a Lapland style Christmas village in Norway and after suffering a heart attack, he is on strict doctor’s orders to slow down. Eager to reconnect with her dad, Sasha books the next flight out there. Only she has never actually been on a plane before, let alone to the Arctic Circle.

Met at the runway by drop-dead-gorgeous Taavi Salvesen, they sleigh ride through the snow with the Northern Lights guiding their way.

When Sasha uncovers sacks of unopened Santa mail – letters that children and adults from all over the world write to Santa every year – she realises that she can send a little bit of magic out into the world by replying to some of them.

With Taavi on hand to help, will Sasha rediscover her own excitement for Christmas and find love among the letters?

The opinion

I don’t know why, but to me “Jaimie Admans” reads as: let’s make people travel for Christmas. She does it great, always, and The Post Box at the North Pole is no exception to that rule. You know how there’s a certain comfort to some author’s writing? Because you just know that, no matter what else, they won’t let you down? Well, most often, I only have that with author’s Christmas oeuvre or their “every other day of the year”-work. Jaimie Admans, though? She does them both – and she does them perfectly for any Sunday afternoon reading-craving! (Goodreads, TheStoryGraph)

The Great Christmas Escape

The story

Sara’s life has been in a bit of a rut. Lately, her job as a photographer has just meant taking photos of happy couples and families all day before returning to her empty flat. And while she normally loves Christmas with her family, this year a part of her just wants to run away. So when her ex-husband Fin gets in touch with a wild idea – a joint work trip to New Zealand – she knows it’s crazy… but she says yes!

A celebrated travel blogger, Fin has made a career out of following his bliss. As much as he loves Sara, the steady family life she’s always wanted is not one he can give her. This trip together is his one chance to win her back. But can he convert her to his impulsive lifestyle? There’s only one way to find out.

As the two explore the stunning sights and thrills of New Zealand, they’re about to discover there’s so much more to each other than they ever realised…

The opinion

More than anything, the holidays are always a great period for me, to discover new authors to fall in love with. And after all, every once in a while, you need a Christmas book that is just that little bit different from what you would usually read. With The Great Christmas Escape, you get exactly that – with a good amount of added fluff. Luckily, it’s the good kind of fluff: the type that fills your heart – and kind of makes you want to immediately pack your bags and hop on the first plane to New Zealand. You know – the usual stuff 🙂 (Goodreads, TheStoryGraph)

-Saar