Delighted to welcome Julia Roberts back to TWG today as I review her Christmas novella, ‘Christmas at Carol’s’, as part of a little blog tour. Julia’s book is published TODAY, happy publication day!! Huge thanks to Julia for personally asking me to be involved in her tour, as well as an ARC of her book. Here is my review:
An uplifting tale of people’s desire to help each other in the season of goodwill – a romantic comedy with a twist in the tale.
Carol fell in love with Wisteria Cottage the moment she laid eyes on it and moved in two weeks before Christmas hoping it would be start of a new more positive period in her life.
On her first night in her new home she discovers an old Christmas card to someone called Annie with a heart-breaking message inside from Jake.
Although she doesn’t know them, and despite being on a self-imposed dating break herself, Carol begins planning how she can bring them together, while her new neighbour, Sally, is attempting a bit of matchmaking of her own.
What does TWG think?
‘Christmas at Carol’s’ is perfect if you want a light-hearted, cosy, festive read to lose yourself in this Christmas. For such a short novel (it’s a novella), this story really does pack a punch.
Carol has decided to stand on her own two feet right before Christmas, in a house which requires a little bit more than elbow grease to shine brightly this festive season. Not only is Carol elbow deep in gloss and questionable paint colours, her new neighbour, Sally, seems to have taken her under her wing, whilst unfortunately trying to pair poor Carol up with her own turtle-dove. If that wasn’t enlightening enough, Carol’s new house seems to have a secret of its own. Who is Jake? Why is his heart-broken?
What a cosy little novel this is! If you’re not feeling Christmassy yet (and why should you with only a week until the day itself, ahem), I recommend you grab this novella, curl up on the sofa with a mince pie and a cuppa, and let the festivities in Julia Roberts novel, envelope you this Christmas.
Whilst this storyline didn’t blow me away as such, it did leave me wanting more despite keeping me thoroughly entertained from the very start. All of the characters seemed well developed, even in such a short space of time, and I am hoping that Carol will return in a full length novel at a later date, as I have a feeling that there is a lot more to her than we were able to discover.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Carol’s story, and I really do think that you will too.
A cosy, heart-warming and festive delight, perfect to lose yourself in this Christmas.
Huge thanks to the author.
The Writing Garnet 
Sounds great for a Christmas read. 🙂
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