By Beth Moran
What struck me first about this novel was the title. I’m a sucker for a Christmas novel and the gorgeous cover for this book seemed to be perfect for me. But I have to admit I was a little disappointed that Christmas didnt feature as heavily as the title dictates.
However it still was a captivating read. We met Jenny, a flawed character (very refreshing to see) moving into her grandmothers house. Completely dilapidated Jenny sets to work on the property to make it home. We soon learn that she has escaped from a relationship with her former boss, who just so happens to be now marrying Jenny’s twin sister, having carried on with them both in secret. Jenny always seems to be left behind and although there is romance in the novel I also think it is a book about the protagonist finding herself once more.
Next door to Jenny is a very interesting character indeed. Mack. A handsome recluse who has a few secrets of his own – as usual I wont spoil them, you will just have to read it for yourself. But the twists and turns that Moran creates with Jenny and Mack’s relationship is really magically.
Jenny fights with Fisher who is obsessed with trying to obtain both her and Mac’s property’s – we don’t discover why until the end of the novel but it leads to a fishy encounter for Jenny and a few threats. But to the rescue comes Mack. Very Knight in shining armour there is always the promise of tea and cake to bring the two of them together.
A book club also gives Jenny lifelong friends that she has always wished for and all have very thrilling tales. So much so it would be brilliant for Moran to return to Sherwood Forest and tell thier tales too. It is definitely shouting out for a series to be written.
The only negative that I will mention is the real lack of Christmas spirit. The novel takes place over the course of a approximately a year and even with a Christmas themed wedding it doesn’t feature that heavily.
It would have also been thrilling to see more of a description about Sherwood Forest and perhaps more time spent within the woods to get a real feel for the smells and sights within it.
Overall I did really enjoy the novel and I would recommend it as the storyline was brilliant. The twists and turns were very clever and made for an exciting ending. Moran kept me on tenterhooks about Fishers involvement in Jenny’s property and also about the Beast in the forest but I will leave that one to linger in your imaginations Booklovers.
Rice’s Reliable Reviews 