Very Katie-fforde-ish, but in a good way. I have a feeling I read this one already before, but couldn't tell for sure. ( )

I usually enjoy Ms. Ashley's books and a Christmas book should be a no-brainer, but this wasn't one of her best stories. There was a lot of drama with no real payoff and no sparks between the hero and heroine. It was fun to read about the village traditions for the holidays, but otherwise, it was kind of blah. ( )

Lizzy lives a mostly self-sufficient life in the idyllic village of Middlemoss in Lancashire with her son and mostly absent husband. She knows about her husband's affairs, and has been waiting until her son is old enough to go to university to end the marriage. However, before she can leave, a seemingly random accident occurs and Lizzy is widowed and left to sort everything, including her husbands unpaid bills, out. Supporting her are her friends in the Christmas Pudding Circle, her son Jasper, Nick the cookery writer and Ritch the soap actor. Always busy Lizzy is writing another book, pickling and preserving everything she can, coming up with new recipes to include in her book, helping out with the village play, playing matchmaker and avoiding the person who is trying to sabotage her life. Some funny bits such as this from page 365; 'Nick followed us down in the estate pick-up, with nine angels crammed in the back and Lucifer sitting beside him'.

This wasn't as good as the other title by this author that I've read, but it was an okay read. The copious amounts of Christmas mincemeat used in creative ways was very off-putting for someone who can't stand the stuff! ( )

A strange book, told in the first person, that combines chick-lit, surreal almost-humour, and crime in a village setting. Surprisingly enjoyable, once I got over the switches between past and present tense, and the ultra-chatty style. ( )

The story is told by Lizzy, who is married to Tom. They have an eighteen-year-old son who is soon to go to university. They live in a village where everyone is interested in everyone else’s business; Lizzy is particularly keen on cooking… and comfort eating when she’s feeling down. She also writes books about living in a village, with recipes and cooking hints.

There are various threads of the story, as is typical for this kind of village-based women’s fiction, including excerpts, at the start of each chapter, from one of Lizzy’s books reflecting events of the chapter concerned.

It works well, on the whole, but none of it really grabbed me. There wasn’t much about the magic of Christmas despite the title. There's a dramatic and unexpected incident fairly early in the book which left me feeling unmoved. Most of what happens in the final chapters was entirely predictable, although that's not necessarily a bad thing.

At the end there are a couple of recipes which look interesting, although I'd have liked a few more.

All in all, it was a good book to read during the run-up to Christmas, but it’s not one I’m likely to read again. ( )