6 Christmassy books to read over the festive season
With just under a week until Christmas, there’s no better time to indulge in a snow-filled festive read full of friendship, family and yuletide sparkle. Here are six books to help get you into the seasonal spirit.
Meet Me Under The Mistletoe by Jenny Bayliss
A lavish winter wedding at a Kent castle is the backdrop for Jenny Bayliss’ wonderfully festive novel, which sees a group of friends reuniting for a week-long celebration. As personalities clash and old tensions bubble up, Nory Noel bumps into the castle’s gardener and her former rival, Isaac. All grown up, the two have more in common these days, but as they get to know each other afresh, Nory must decide what’s most important to her. A heart-warming read with lovely wintry vibes. (Pan)
Christmas Eve at Cranberry Cross by Kate Forster
When editorial assistant Eve Pilkins’ boss hits her with a huge deadline on Christmas day, Eve has to forget all her festive plans and travel to a house in the coldest part of England. Tasked with ensuring brooding author Edward Priest finishes his latest novel, Eve has quite a challenge on her hands. But she’s more than up to the task. If you’re a fan of Trisha Ashley’s Christmassy books, you’ll love Kate Forster’s cosy romance set in the English countryside. (Head of Zeus)
Driving Home For Christmas by Joanna Bolouri
For ten years, Kate and Ed have driven home to spend Christmas with their families. Yet this year everything is different. Because this year their relationship is over. But with three families to visit, the show must go on. Fake relationships are difficult at the best of times. Throw in turkeys, tiffs and the inevitable festive tantrums and it’s set to be a Christmas nobody will forget. A charming and realistic tale of love, families and mending broken hearts. (Quercus)
A Christmas Celebration by Heidi Swain
Heidi Swain has become a go-to author when it comes to fun and festive reads. A Christmas Celebration invites readers back to the the quaint English village of Wynbridge at Christmastime. Turning up unannounced at Wynthorpe Hall, Paige is very quickly pulled back into the local community. The arrival of two men in her life – eldery Albert and brooding Brodie – helps Paige to resolve the problems she was running away from. This can be read perfectly as a standalone but it’s wonderful being reminded of characters and places from previous books too. (Simon & Schuster)
Keeping A Christmas Promise by Jo Thomas
Another feel-good fiction author who never disappoints is Jo Thomas, whose uplifting yuletide story follows three friends as they embark on a bucket list adventure to Iceland in memory of a friend. When an avalanche leaves them stranded, the friends throw themselves into festivities with the locals. But will their wish to see the Northern Lights be granted? Filled with friendship, food and a sprinkling of romance, this has everything you could possibly want from a festive read. (Penguin)
The Christmas Postcards by Karen Swan
From a chocolate-box village in the picturesque Cotswolds to the majestic Himalayan foothills, Karen Swan’s latest Christmas novel offers something a little bit different from your average festive book. The loss of a child’s beloved toy sets in motion a correspondence between a woman whose marriage is on the rocks and a mysterious man thousands of miles away. This is a wonderfully escapist book about life, self-discovery and finding connection in the most unlikely of ways. (Pan)
