This book was a giant, warm, festive hug! Right from the get go, I instantly fell in love with the story and I couldn’t put it down.

I love a good festive read near Christmas and this one ticked all my boxes. It was a sure fire, worthy 5 stars and one I’d love to read again and again in the future Christmases to come. It was so lovely!

Following the heartwarming story of Meredith and her battles against Christmas, she tentatively learns to start letting go of her past hatred of the season and to see her coming out of her shell more and more as the story went in was lovely to read. Meeting Fin and his integration into the story was wonderful too, and I really loved the set up and relationship between them.

Delivering Christmassy hampers around the Cornish town of Port Krakadow, arranging the Christmas pageant and carols galore, it’s bound to have you in the festive spirit. I could also taste the gingerbread and smell the mulled wine coming from the pages!

I loved the authors writing style and I really enjoyed this book. Couldn’t recommend it enough !!

So I must start by saying that this book is part of a series, but it can certainly be read as a stand alone. The story is set in idyllic Cornwall and this is where we meet Meredith and Finn, a new arrival to the area. With Christmas just around the corner, Meredith is tasked with the delivery of Christmas hampers as part of her job. As someone who tries to avoid everything festive, she knows she is going to find this a hard task. Finn is a bit of a mystery, after a couple of chance meet ups, he turns up at Meredith's place of work offering his services to help her deliver the hampers. So you have to read it to find out why Meredith doesn't like Christmas and just what is Finn all about.

Christmas Carols and a Cornish Cream Tea by Cressida McLaughlin

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Random Things Tours and I am leaving this review voluntarily

All Meredith Verren has ever wanted is to escape the holiday season without having to wear a Christmas jumper. Her new job at the cosy gift shop in a picturesque Cornish tourist spot is making it impossible for her to maintain her scrooge-like manner.

With their seasonal hampers on everyone’s wish list, Meredith must paste on a smile and fake some holiday cheer. Then she meets handsome new arrival, Finn, who wishes it could be Christmas every day and wants her to feel the same way too.

Can she embrace the holly and the ivy before the decorations are packed away for another year?

I have read and enjoyed the first four book in this series so I jumped at the opportunity to read this book. Whilst part of The Cornish Cream Tea series, this book introduces Meredith and a new town with a range of new characters - we are even treated to an appearance by Charlie and Gertie. This is a wonderful festive read that could most definitely be read as a stand-alone, although I recommend that you read the previous books first to get the full enjoyment of this series.

After reading this book, I am now definitely in the mood to put up my Christmas decorations and this will not fail to put you in the festive mood. I cannot wait to see what Cressida does with this series next as I am not quite ready to leave Cornwall.

Rating 4/5

I enjoyed this romance set in a Cornish seaside village. Didn’t appreciate sea swimming in December - made me cold just thinking about it. Got me in the mind set for Christmas

Cressida McLaughlin has enchanted me with this story as she sprinkled Christmas magic to those that needed it the most.

I haven’t read any of the previous Cornish Cream Tea books by Cressida McLaughlin and I didn’t feel at all disadvantaged. This book read perfectly as a standalone but I have to admit though it has made me want to revisit Cornwall with the author’s wonderful words of warmth and comfort.

Meredith hates the festive season and she struggles to let herself embrace all that it offers. She tends to hide away till the New Year when life starts to get back to normal. We don’t get to hear the reason of her anxiety at Christmas for a good while and it’s only the charm of a handsome stranger that slowly helps Meredith to open up.

Finn is currently on holiday in the Cornish coastal town that is Meredith’s home. Finn is handsome and very charming but he also holds a mysterious air about him.

As these two strangers meet a friendship blossoms and they find themselves learning about each others vulnerabilities gaining an inner strength they thought they didn’t hold.

I just loved how this story enveloped me in a cosy warmth and had me feeling hopeful, nostalgic and loved. Seeing the sights of the Christmas festivities felt magical and I could see how the community pulling together lifted the mood all around. The characters are written with warmth and are very likeable, I was championing them throughout. Cressida McLaughlin certainly knows how to please her readers, I just know I will be investing my time and money in her other stories.

I must admit, I was a latecomer to the Cornish Cream Tea stories, for me, that just shows that this is series which can be read as standalone stories, or in conjunction with other books.
Meredith is a wonderful lead character, and I immediately found myself hoping that she would find her happy ending. When the reasoning behind her lack of Christmas spirit comes to light, it’s hard not to feel anything but sympathy for her. I adore Christmas, but I could easily see how the joy that I find, may evade others. Whilst she is compared to a Scrooge or Grinch, her heart is actually filled with kindness, she has a positive effect on those around her.
Finn is a larger-than-life personality type. Initially very annoying, but his joy is infectious, and it becomes almost impossible to ignore. There is a wonderful chemistry between him and Meredith, but can two complete opposites really attract each other?
Having read only one other book in this series, I understand that Port Karadow is a new location, so we met a whole host of new characters. There was a brief cameo from Charlie of the Cream Tea Bus, but everyone else was shiny and new! By far, my favourite supporting characters were Anisha and Laurie. Both brought a warmth to the book which certainly added to the lovely festive feeling.
For me, I felt that the characters were perfectly developed and incredibly well rounded. I had a good feel for each of them and will look forward to seeing who is mentioned in future books.
One common thread, in recent books which I have read, is the trend of wild swimming. This exercise regime plays a pivotal role in the overall story. I would love to try it, as it always sounds so wonderful. Alas, it will have to wait until I have slimmed down dramatically.
This is a wonderful festive read which will remind even the grinchiest scrooge about the joys of the season of goodwill.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.
I found the book a little difficult to get into at first, but once I got into it, I really enjoyed this festive tale from this little Cornish Village.
In fact, I read most of it to the soundtrack of "Carol of the Bells', my favourite Christmas carol, in my head. And when I wasn't reading it, I had to remind myself that it wasn't actually Christmas yet, not even December, as the story had me fully immersed and living the build up to Christmas along with Meredith, Finn and all the supporting characters.
The perfect read to get anyone in the spirit of Christmas, especially if read in December with plenty of log fires and cups of hot chocolate to experience the exciting lead up to the big day itself.
I haven't read any of Cressida McLaughlin's books before and although it is part of the Cornish Cream Tea series, this book can be read as a stand-alone without issue.
Reading about the author at the back of the book, I was delighted and surprised to read that she is a fellow UEA alumni and living in my home city of Norwich. She rights so eloquently about this little seaside Cornish village that I really thought the author lived in that area instead of Norfolk! i will definitely be seeking out more of her books and finding out more about Charlie and her Cornish Cream Tea Bus.

This is the fifth book in the Cornish Cream Tea Bus series from this author. As with all the books in this series, this one is set in a lovely little Cornish seaside town, but this time in Port Karadow rather than the usual Porthgolow. As well as having a new setting, this story has mainly all new characters, except that the Cornish Cream Tea Bus and its owner do make a brief appearance. This book has a glorious cover that combines a Christmas feel with the beauty of the seaside location described in its pages.

The story centres on Meredith, who, following a tragedy ten years previously, tries to avoid Christmas and its festivities as much as possible. This year finds her working for a gift company in Port Karadow that sells a range of Cornish-themed items, including hampers that can be tailored to any occasion, including, of course, Christmas. With her job including designing new products that will help promote the company, ignoring Christmas is more difficult than usual. On her daily swim one morning, Meredith bumps into Finn, a stranger who seems interested in the usually deserted cove she knows so well. As they gradually get to know each other, will Finn be able to break through Meredith’s resistance and instil her with some Christmas cheer?

I have followed this series of books from the start, and really enjoyed this new addition. It truly is a heart-warming festive romance. Even though I have loved getting to know the setting and people in the series so far, I was charmed by the new setting and characters in this book. Meredith and Finn are both complex and interesting players, each taking the time to save the other. There are, of course, many supporting characters as well, all likeable with lots going on in their own lives. The main story line concerning Meredith and Finn is accompanied by interconnecting subplots, one of the main ones which I loved concerning the town’s Christmas pageant - enough to make even Scrooge feel Christmassy. I would always recommend this series of books as a whole, but this particular one would be a welcome addition to anyone’s Christmas stocking.

A truly festive Christmassy book to get stuck into in the coming weeks. Although part of a series of Cornish Cream Tea books it does more than stand alone, although it was lovely to see Charlie and her Cream Tea bus make a brief appearance. Good and well drawn set of characters and I found myself warming to the peripheral ones more than the main one of Meredith who seem to wallow in her own misery somewhat and over think things but not allow others to have issues. Luckily she has some excellent people looking out for her her. This book is certainly an overkill in Christmas spirit but so warm-hearted as well that the reader can't fail but to become involved.

This is an enjoyable and very festive read that is sure to build excitement for our own coming festivities. I found Meredith, the lead character, to be very likeable, down to earth and, even though she initially hates Christmas I had every hope and conviction that she would change her mind. How could she not with so many jolly Christmas activities going on around her in the little Cornish village where she lives and works in a gift shop called Cornish Keepsakes? With a great dollop of community spirit, gingerbread, Christmas lights and carols it would be hard for even the grumpiest Scrooge to resist! When she meets the gorgeous Finn on the beach a slow romance develops. I found the first half of the book to be quite slow but maybe that's just me being impatient for the romance to progress a bit faster. Things did move up a notch in the latter part of the book and everything was tied up nicely with a satisfying ending. My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Another great book from this author. Everyone of her books that I’ve read I’ve enjoyed and his one was just as good but, with a festive theme. I loved the characters and the descriptions of the place in Cornwall. This book was such a relaxing read I felt warm and cozy just reading it. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Thanks to HarperCollins UK and Netgalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for a review.

This is the 5th book in the series but can definitely be read as a standalone. Although there are mentions of previous characters and places this book is full of new characters and set in a different (neighbouring) part of Cornwall to the last books.

What a lovely festive read it is. Meredith hates Christmas with a passion (can't tell you why, that would spoil the book). Can she come to embrace the season? Read it and find out, it's the perfect start to your Christmas reading.

Although part of a series this book can be read as a standalone story. Although Meredith dislikes Christmas, can newcomer Finn change her mind? Full of festive cheer to cheer you up. Just what everyone needs.

If you have a wet, soggy afternoon to fill then this is the book for you. Sit down and start reading and the hours will fly by. I loved this book. The main character, Meredith, doesn’t like Christmas one bit and the start of the story hints that there is a reason for this. But no spoilers in this review! Just a heart filled recommendation to buy it and get reading - and maybe have some tissues and some chocolates to help you over the emotional ride. I promise you wont regret buying this book, its one you will pass on to friends.

This is a lovely, warm book and worth reading for the wonderful tear-jerker of an ending.
The main character, Meredith, lives in the small Cornish coastal town of Port Karadow. She enjoys daily sea swims and her job at Cornish Keepsakes. One thing she doesn't enjoy though is Christmas. Finding herself swept along with carol concerts and her best friend's organisation of a grand Christmas lights pageant, Meredith starts to come to terms with her reason for disliking the festive season. Helped by meeting handsome Finn, who has his own secrets, we see Meredith gradually emerge into the sparkle and cheer of the season.
The story is fairly slow moving but the characters are great and the Christmas theme and spirit is endearing.
A trip to Cornwall for Christmas - yes please.

I received an advanced copy of this book through NetGalley for an early review. Christmas carols and a Cornish cream tea is the fifth book in the Cornish cream tea series, this is the first book I have read in the series, it can be read as a stand-alone, however I plan to buy the rest of the series due to how much I enjoyed this book.

Meredith has avoided the Christmas season in a grinch like manner for the last 10 years, her new job in a Cornish gift shop makes this an extremely difficult task. Christmas loving Finn throws another spanner in the works when he starts appearing in random places and interfering with her life.

Cressida McLaughlin has written a beautiful novel that is the perfect start to the Christmas season!

Christmas Carols and a Cornish Cream Tea is a fabulous festive read. It follows the story of Meredith who pretty much hates Christmas. However her job at Cornish Keepsakes, a cosy gift shop, means she can’t escape it. With their seasonal hampers on everyone’s wish list, Meredith finds herself pasting on a smile as she aims to bring some Christmas cheer to the local residents. Then she meets Finn who tries to get her to embrace all things festive.

I really enjoyed this book. It has some wonderful characters and the novel kept me entertained from start to finish. I would rate it 4.5 stars. Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Collins UK and the author for the chance to review.

I’m such a sucker for a festive book as well as anything set in Cornwall so how could I resist this one?

In Christmas Carols and a Cornish Cream Tea main character Meredith isn’t a fan of Christmas even though she works for a place that sells gifts! I immediately enjoyed the setting of the story. Meredith is a sea swimmer no matter the weather and loves to escape to a secluded cove where she can find peace and quiet.

Finn was a very welcome addition as soon as Meredith met him on the beach. The chemistry between the two was great but Meredith wasn’t so easily sold and I loved that about her. She really gave Finn hell throughout the book and she really wanted to make sure he was for real.

This book is full of fantastic secondary characters and it all really had a lovely community feeling about it. I couldn’t get enough of this book and pretty much read it in 1 go.

I didn't know it was the 5th book in the series. But it can be read as a standalone as I did.
It's a lovely Christmas story, the perfect feel good book for the festive season.

Thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins UK for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a lovely seasonal novel. There are no surprises but it is enjoyable from start to finish. Meredith doesn’t like Christmas, and has avoided it for 10 years. Then Finn arrives in her life…. The Cornish setting adds to the story, and descriptions of Meredith’s job and planning for the Christmas parade are a joy to read. I haven’t read any books by this author before so was really pleased to find there are more for me to read!