A beautiful cover and an unexpectedly touching and emotional story. Not what I was expecting from a festive read but it didn't put me off. The connection between the characters was great and I really related to Cara. Perfect.

A wonderful story of how it you allow yourself to be open to the power of music it can open so many experiences a few scary but mainly wonderful.

That lovely cover rather made me expect a standard light romance set in the Christmas season – but this book is something very different, something I really wasn’t expecting, and it only made me enjoy it all the more. It starts with a long distance collaboration. The record company decide they’ve found a great idea for a Christmas single – an intriguing song from a rather notorious star of the world of Latin music, a serious musician from Bristol, bring them together and see whether any magic happens. The early signs aren’t too promising – they’re such very different people – but Cara hears something in Javi’s song, adds her own twist to it, he decides he likes it, and we have the beginnings of a story.

I’ll admit I didn’t settle into the story straight away – Cara’s quite difficult to warm to, Javi seems a bit of a stereotype, and the strong musical focus did worry me a little. I don’t know how familiar you are with the dembow rhythm of reggaetón or the distinction between cumbia and salsa – no, me neither, but I was willing to learn. But there were two things that really hooked me into the story. I became quite fascinated by the development of their song – and I was really impressed by the way the author captured and conveyed the creative musical process and engaged me with the music itself, something that must have been so difficult to achieve through words on a page. And then there was that spark between the characters – it was evident from their first exchange of emails, and I was so intrigued to see how it developed.

You soon realise that both Cara and Javi are considerably more than the ill-matched simple characters they at first appear to be. Cara’s been very much damaged by life’s experiences – with some real issues, well handled by the author, both physical and mental. And Javi’s certainly not just the party animal you expect – his relationships are messy, there’s real sadness behind the brash front, and at his core there’s a softness that slowly becomes very evident.

I loved their first real encounter – August in London, an out-of-season created scene as the backdrop to their video to accompany the single, dancing in the snow in front of the large Christmas tree. But then the action moves to Miami, then Mexico, before a longer stay in Colombia and the opportunity to spend the noche de las velitas with Javi’s family in Baranquilla. Although I’ve seen a lot of South America, I’ve never visited Colombia – and the author brings it to life so perfectly, with particularly vivid descriptions of all the open squares, ornate churches and the multiplicity of statues in Baranquilla itself, and a wonderful overnight stay in Tayrona National Park (and yes, the large lizards might just have put me off admiring the mountain view a little too).

But what really made this book for me was the exceptional chemistry between the two main characters – there’s always an attraction, on both sides, and they slowly move beyond the verbal sparring, both gradually unfolding and revealing their inner selves. The romance is quite beautifully written and developed – there’s an emotional depth I really wasn’t expecting, and it’s one of those relationships that makes you ache inside, knowing that it’s unlikely to last and that these two damaged people just can’t possibly have any real future together.

And then, when all the excitement comes to an end, it really is Christmas… I’ll tell you no more, but it was emotional and uplifting and everything I wanted it to be. If you’re looking for a conventional Christmas read, you won’t find it here – but I really loved the fact that it was a little (maybe I should make that “very”) different. I thoroughly enjoyed this one… and I’ll be looking forward to seeing what Leonie Mack does next.

(Review copied to Amazon UK, but link not yet available)

This book really got me into the festive spirit and left me feeling all warm and fuzzy inside!

Javi and Cara couldn't be more opposite but the chemistry is between them is incredible - Cara is very serious and reserved but a very serious musician where as Javi is very much a free spirit in her eyes. They are forced together to record a Christmas single and whilst they both just want to get it done and over with, whilst on the press tour to promote it they begin to get closer. I wasn't sure that I liked Cara as a character initially, but this story is very much one of growth for her and I really warmed to her as she began to come out of her comfort zone with Javi and the promo tour.

I loved the duel cultures but found a lot of the Spanish words that had no translations difficult to follow especially when it came to conversations between the main characters - apart from that I did enjoy the story the setting and the characters.

4 stars

* Thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the advanced copy in exchange for this review

My Christmas Number One centres around Cara - an amputee popstar from Bristol - who's partnered up with Javi, a Columbian singer known for his sexiness, countless relationships with women he collaborates with, plus a failed marriage and fatherhood. The pair are an unlikely duo to combine - Cara is a very stoic and serious musician, whereas Javi is frivolous and fun - but their record label binds them together in the August heat to record and promote a Christmas single.

The relationship between the two characters is really not believable - there's excessive flirtation that is placed throughout every few pages as if to reiterate that the pair will fall in love, and the connection they do make seems forced and fake. The constant use of Spanish words, with no translations, can make things difficult to follow especially when it comes to conversations between the main characters

I loved the contrasting descriptions of traditional Christmases in Columbia compared to England, but that's where my praise for this book ends. There was little to no plot to follow, with points such as the appearance of Javi's daughter and his ex-wife seemingly added just to add some drama and excitement to an otherwise dull 'will-they-won't-they' pair.

This was a nice read, quick, happy and light, it just didn’t quite bring the magic I was expecting from a Christmas read, the connection between main characters seemed lacking, just no spark. It’s a Christmas read I want a sparkle at least, nice enough just not magic sadly.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

I thought this was an OK book... I’m not much into music so I wasn’t captivated by the story or anything. The Main Characters were again OK, but I didn’t leave the book thinking about it after.

What a lovely book started a bit slow but then your hook characters are strong clara love for music was fab I could here the songs I enjoy the plot you could tell what was going to happen but that did not put me off the chemistry so strong a wonderful plot loved the writing style a good book

I wasn't sure about this as I started reading but it improved and was pleased that I hadn't given up. The characters were great and so was the storyline. As this is a debut novel by Leonie Mack I am sure her future books will grab me quicker as she improves. Her writing was good and I am giving this 4 stars.

My Christmas Number One by Leonie Mack
Publisher: Boldwood Books
Genre: Romance | Women's Fiction
Release Date: September 10, 2020
❄️❄️❄️❄️
When I first started reading this I wasn’t so sure I was going to like. It starts off a little slow and it took a little bit to get started. It turned out that I loved it!

The chemistry is incredible. There’s so much flirtation and real hesitation and uncertainty.

The scenes with the music were so vivid, I felt like I was there and could hear the music and feel the energy.

I also loved the Christmas theme. Hearing about how the holidays are celebrated in Colombia and England made me feel very sentimental for the upcoming holiday season.

I enjoyed the characters and the family dynamic. They made the story special.

I'm so grateful to Leonie Mack, Boldwood Books, and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this ARC ebook in exchange for my honest review.

I read and advanced copy of My Christmas Number One by, Leonie Mack. This is the first book I have read by Leonie Mack and i liked it. Cara is a musician that was in an accident. Javi the complete opposite of Cara, but they are forced to record a Christmas single together. Will Cara have a Christmas she will never forget? I loved the characters in this book.

This was just ok for me. Cara wavered from being a wet dishrag to oddly and uncomfortably assertive about the worst things. And Javi was cringe inducing at the end. The story was good in theory but was not executed well. The song lyrics included were laughably bad.

Thank you Netgalley and Boldwood Books for access to this arc.

I tried but this one and I are not going to be besties. I couldn't connect to either lead character and it was clear fairly early that this was going to be a darker book than the cartoon cover would indicate. DNF

I greatly enjoyed this book, thank you for giving me a preview copy. The plot was interesting and fast paced and I sympathised with the characters. This is the first novel I have read by this author but I hope it will not be the last!

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. I know it is only August and Christmas is a way off but I really enjoyed this feel good book and the different characters. Recommend to others.

A sweet, Christmas love story. Very cute! Loved this one!

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

I really wanted to love this book, but I didn't really connect with it. It didn't have the warmth/cosiness that I expect from Christmas women's fic- had it been centred around something else, I think I would have enjoyed it more.

A fun story of two very different musicians. Humour is involved with the introduction of a father and many interesting characters make up the twists in this tale. A good relaxing read.

This story is about 2 musical artists from very different genres who are brought together by their record company to produce a Christmas single that will hopefully be beneficial to both their careers. I loved the idea for this story. It took me a while to get into this but once the characters had developed I started to enjoy it more. It does tackle some serious issues alongside a more lighthearted love/hate will they/wont they relationship between Cara and Javi. A good debut with a beautiful Christmas cover.

A new Christmas story! This story focuses on two musicians that have very different personalities, but are put together to write and perform a Christmas song. Christmas is a difficult time for both of them., but they must work and travel together to perform their new song.

I enjoyed the romance and plot of this story. The characters were kind and endearing, and there was emotional depth to the plot of the story. I felt like the pacing was a bit slow for me, and at times, did not hold my interest, or did not feel very "Christmassy" (compared to other Christmas books I've read in the past), but it was still a good read.

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.