Kiltie’s Advent Book Calendar – 9th Dec

A Christmas Cracker by Trisha Ashley; Avon Books

Page Count (e-book): 450

 

The Blurb:

This Christmas is about to go off with a bang!

Things can’t possibly get worse for Tabby. Framed for a crime she didn’t commit, she suddenly finds herself without a job. Then to make matters worse, Tabby’s boyfriend dumps her and gives her cat away to a shelter.

But rescue comes in the form of kindly Mercy. A master of saving waifs and strays, Mercy wants Tabby to breathe new flair into her ailing cracker business. Together, they’ll save Marwood’s Magical Christmas Crackers.

But someone has other ideas. Mercy’s nephew Randal thinks Tabby’s a fraudster. Stubborn, difficult and very attractive, her future depends upon winning him round. But it’s that time of the year when miracles really can happen. Standing under the mistletoe, Tabby’s Christmas is set to be one that she will never forget . .

 

My Review:

There is something about Trisha Ashley’s writing that finds you adoring her characters pretty much from the off and Tabby does just that. Her naivety lands her some very hot water, just as her life looked like it was finally taking a turn for the better, and you can’t help but feel sorry for her. When, however, her luck begin to change, you are rooting for her all the way and hoping that everything will come good in the end.

What I liked about this book was that, having read a few of Ms Ashley’s previous Christmas offerings, we are treated to little updates on the characters who went before. They slip in and out of the story and you get a lovely sense of continuity even though the main story focuses on brand new names.

Of course, every good story needs a bad guy… or two… or even three in this particular case. These are people whom we’d all take great pleasure in administering a darn good slap to if we were to have the misfortune to meet them in real life. Although I’m sure we’ve all known someone just like them somewhere along the line.

Overall, this is a totally credible story which makes it quite easy to immerse oneself in. I do confess, however, to feeling a little bit let down by the ending. It felt a little ‘rushed’ and turning the last page left me feeling a tad frustrated. I’m not saying it was a bad ending, but I think a couple more pages may have finished it a little better. 

All in all though, it’s a great book, totally enjoyable, and please don’t let what didn’t float my boat put you off reading it for yourself.

 

Available in e-book and paperback on Amazon