Emma and Lise were inseparable as teenagers but are now no longer in each others’ lives. They had a big argument during their year living in Paris and haven’t spoken since.
Now Lise has returned to Bath, divorced with a daughter and is hoping that her former friend who runs her family’s café is willing to see her.
Told with dual timelines of Paris and now, the story takes its satisfyingly sweet time to reveal what caused their falling out, and displays an emotionally charged example of a close friendship. But the big secret was too easy to pick too early.
After leaving her well-paid job at a magazine, Holly becomes a freelance journalist and her first article is on a luxury hotel run by her boyfriend, Pierre, in a small town outside of New York. While wandering around the woods surrounding the town she stumbles first on a beautiful isolated cabin and then on its grumpy owner. Mitch has been living on his own for years, away from everything and everyone, but when he meets Holly he thinks that it’s about time things start to change. As both Holly and Mitch embark on a new chapter in their lives, their paths keep crossing, but it won’t be easy for Holly to get Mitch out of his misery.
This novel has everything to give you a Christmas feeling: snow, lots of Christmas trees, decoration, and a small-town atmosphere that fits perfectly in the story. The characters are entertaining and likable and the plot is heartwarming, cosy and festive. If you are looking for a read to get you in the Christmas spirit, this one should definitely be on your list. (NP)
