Christmas for Beginners by Carole Matthews
Published by Sphere
Publication Date 29 October 2020 Hardback & ebook
Genre: General Fiction/Romance
Book Description:
The BRAND NEW Christmas read from the bestselling author
The gloriously festive sequel to readers' favourite and Sunday Times bestselling novel Happiness for Beginners
SPEND THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR AT HOPE FARM . . .
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 Shelby and 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 Hope Farm?
A must-read festive tale from the queen of fun-filled and life-affirming fiction, Christmas for Beginners is the PERFECT winter treat!
The gloriously festive sequel to readers' favourite and Sunday Times bestselling novel Happiness for Beginners
SPEND THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR AT HOPE FARM . . .
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 Shelby and 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 Hope Farm?
A must-read festive tale from the queen of fun-filled and life-affirming fiction, Christmas for Beginners is the PERFECT winter treat!
My Thoughts:
The farmyard frolics turn decidedly festive in Carole's latest offering, Christmas for Beginners. Owner of Hope Farm Molly Baker and her support network of Bev and Alan have settled in well following the farm's relocation to pastures new (literally) but the issue of funding is never far from their minds. Gregarious Bev is on the case as ever and soon has the troops rallied for a Christmas Fayre event to be held at the farm. I mean, after the success of previous events what could possibly go wrong?
Molly's new romantic partner Shelby is significant by his absence - it's a wonder they are a couple at all as they are poles apart personality-wise but they do say opposites attract. Shelby's teenage son Lucas, has moved in to the plush new caravan with Molly, the two of them having a more parent/child relationship than either of them could hope for Lucas to have with his father - but there must be something in the air as Lucas is spending less time at home with Molly and more time at the poetry club in the village. But that's a good thing, right?
We are introduced to a wonderful selection of characters from throughout the local community from the dishy Mayor, who Bev has commandeered to switch on their Christmas lights, to the troubled parents of one of the students who attend Molly's classes at the farm, plus many others besides. There are also new resident animals on the farm who provide some hilarious moments - the old favourites are still going strong too thank goodness but if they keep trying to eat the cast of the nativity scene there could well be trouble!
This is a proper feel-good festive read, just what we need after the awful year we've had in the real world of 2020. It's not all starry-eyed happiness though, as Molly is left wondering if she's bitten off more than she can chew in taking on the role of Lucas's guardian in Shelby's continued absence. Help comes from an unexpected source in more ways than one and once more Carole leaves us with a warm glow of contentment as we turn the last page. Christmas can't get more Fluffy than this - can it?
Huge thanks to the publisher for granting me the opportunity to read this lovely book ahead of publication in exchange for my unbiased review.
About the Author:
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)
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