This feature is in association with NetGalley. Apologies for the bauble on the graphic when it’s no longer Christmas. I did finish the book a couple of weeks ago but writing up the review was one of the things that didn’t get done in time.

Coming Home to Mistletoe Cottage by Celia Anderson

Many thanks to NetGalley and to Harper Collins UK for letting me see an advance reader’s copy of Coming Home to Mistletoe Cottage.

I’ve never read anything by Celia Anderson before and I do have another one of hers on my TBR pile. I wanted to read this one first, though, as Christmas is one of my favourite times of the year and I like to read the Christmas stories. 

The story itself didn’t disappoint at all. I loved the setting, I loved the cottage, I loved the kitchen and the baking, and only wished there was a scratch-and-sniff function so I could smell what the main character was also smelling.

Unfortunately, I didn’t like many of the characters. Apart from Den. And Blondie the dog. But I didn’t find any of the others at all likeable. Every one of these was selfish and unpleasant, including the children. Even Hope seemed a bit snappy to me. I found the rift between Magda and her so-called best friend a bit weak, and I thought they resolved things far too easily.

The book is very well-written, though, and it does evoke the feel, the taste and the smells of Christmas. I’m glad I read it and I will certainly read more by this author.

Four stars.

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