Kiltie’s Advent Book Calendar – 12th Dec

The Christmas Wish List by Heidi Swain; Simon & Schuster UK

Page Count (e-book) – 432

The Blurb:

After being let go from her job in a swanky hotel just weeks before Christmas, Hattie is feeling lost. Even more so when her high-flying boyfriend announces he’s landed his dream job in Abu Dhabi and asks her to move with him. Luckily, Hattie’s long-time friend Dolly is on hand to help and invites Hattie to spend one last holiday in the small, festive town of Wynbridge, determined to give her a Christmas to remember . . .
Upon Hattie’s arrival, holiday preparations are in full swing. But for Hattie, whose Christmas cheer has long since run out, it’ll take more than mince pies and mistletoe to open her heart to the season once more. Relishing the task of reigniting Hattie’s Christmas spirit, Dolly suggests they create a wish list of all the things the season can offer, and with the helpful hands of Wynbridge’s resident handyman, Beamish, Hattie finds her frosty exterior is starting to thaw.
As Wynbridge prepares for its most spectacular Christmas yet, will Hattie leave snowy England behind for life in a sunnier clime, or will she in fact realise that her heart’s desire lies much closer to home?

My Review:

When I began reading this book, I wasn’t too sure about it but, after a couple of chapters I really got into it and soon found myself looking forward to finding out what plans Dolly had lined up for Hattie. You see, the above mentioned wish list is not your normal kind of Christmas wish list – Dolly knows she needs to think outside the box if she wants to reignite Hattie’s currently non-existent feeling of festive cheer. She also wants to give Hattie some real Christmas memories to take to Abu Dhabi with her because, truth be told, it’s not really the first location that comes to mind when you are asked to think of places that embrace the feeling of Christmas – for a start off, there’s too much sand and sunshine…

For me, the joy of the book begins when Hattie arrives in Wynbridge and meets the fabulously named Beamish, the village handyman and Jack-of-all trades. From the start, the air positively tingles between them both and Hattie has to struggle to keep their friendship wholly platonic. Constantly reminding herself that she has an almost-fiance waiting for her back home usually does the trick but, as time passes, the waters become more muddied and Hattie begins to see so much of her life in a different light.

For the most part, this book is a great read and the chemistry between the characters is delightfully cute and wholesome but, there’s an underlying darkness which the reader begins to slowly pick up on as the pages are turned. This is, however, when all is said and done, supposed to be a jolly festive read and so, while the author brings an unpleasant subject to the table, we only briefly shake hands with it.

I regret to say, however, that I was dissatisfied with the manner in which the book finished but, in total fairness to the author, I can’t see any other way in which she could have brought it to a close. It felt rather sudden and, I confess, I do like a book to work up towards it finale.

To sum up, ‘The Christmas Wish List’ had a slightly dicky start, a pretty fabulous middle and a finish that may not work for everyone. 

Available in e-book and paperback on Amazon