A fantastic festive feel good story. Just right for curling up with on a cold winter afternoon. Lots of Christmas spirit but also friends, swimming, art and romance. I have not read the other books in the series but this did not matter in the slightest. Thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend it .

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

This is book five in the series but, it certainly can be read on its own, if you’ve not read the previous books as this one is set in a different area of Cornwall and has new characters, although the bus and Charlie do have a small part in the book.

The story is about Meredith, who doesn’t like Christmas as this time of year brings sad
memories, and she’s feeling a bit afloat.

She meets Finn, who’s reality and the reason he’s there becomes clear throughout the story. He along with her friends try to help Meredith get her direction back and start enjoying Christmas again.

The friendship of Finn and Meredith, was lovely to see. I loved her adorable dog Crumble.

I liked how Finn and Meredith were linked for 10 years, as she collected the slate paintings left at the beach, unknowing that he was the one who was leaving them, until the right moment came for them to meet and fall in love.

I absolutely adored this book, and there is a lot to love about this rather Christmassy tale.

There are small things like the references Emma makes every time she talks to the choir she leads that made me smile, as they are linked, but I'll leave it you to work out what I'm going on about. Then there are big romantic gestures, directions the story goes in that enhances it but were rather unexpected, and a wonderful awakening of the Christmas spirit in Meredith.

For fans of The Cornish Cream Tea series, like I am, be aware this is set just down the coast from Porthgolow, in another small Cornish town, and there is only a small cameo from Charlie. It is in fact a whole new story, which does feature cream Tea hampers, but from the shop Meredith works in Cornish Keepsakes and not from the Cornish Cream Tea Bus. Despite being the fifth book in the series it does as a result work completely as a standalone novel. However I would have loved to see more from the characters I was expecting.

But that is my only slight disappointment with the book, and once I checked the blurb, and realised that it was clearly separate, I stopped thinking about that, and moved onto just thoroughly enjoying this new book instead.

Everything else was utter brilliance, I loved the interactions between Meredith and Finn, I loved Anisha, Meredith's best friend, and the massive all town Christmas plans they come up with. Despite Meredith normally doing her best to avoid all things Christmas. And Finn is gorgeous and has the gift of the gab, plus he loves Christmas and even offers to be Meredith's reindeer for some VIP hamper delivering.

I loved seeing how both of them developed over the course of the book, and indeed the Christmassy level of the book ramp up as it proceeded.

This is a lovely warm and cozy book, that kept me on my toes, packs in a large amount of story and development, plus Christmas, and left me feeling emotional but very much smiling and happy too.

If you love books set in Cornwall, featuring Christmas, small beagle puppies, handsome men, a large amount of Christmas music and a whole lotta festive feeling then this is a fabulous book and highly recommended for you.

Thank you to Harper Collins and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

Struggled a bit with this one I’m afraid. I don’t like leaving negative reviews, but I just couldn’t get into the story, so sorry

This is book #5 in the Cornish Cream Tea series. Whilst part of a series, it can easily be read as a standalone book. Whilst it does focus on Meredith's story, we are treated to a quick visit from Charlie and the Bus from the previous books in the series.

This is a wonderfully festive read and one which put me well and truly in the festive spirit! Meredith isn't a fan of Christmas due to it reminding her of sadder times. When she has to deliver Christmas Hampers as part of her job to the village, an unexpected helper, in the form of newcomer Finn, makes her reluctantly embrace her festive side!

I loved this book and found myself settling into Meredith's story very quickly! Meredith is a lovely sweet character, but to be honest I can totally understand her dislike of Christmas for similar reasons. I loved the development of her character as the book moved on and this was obviously helped by the mysterious Finn who always seemed to be in the right place at the right time! I enjoyed their friendship and thought the two characters worked really well together, bringing out the best and complimenting each other. The book was filled with lots of lovely characters and they all added their own special something to the story.

The location for this book was enchanting and made me want to be there! As I read I found myself transported to the harbour wall looking at the Christmas lights in the village and smelling the fish and chips, and imagining tasting all the goodies mentioned throughout (apart from the gingerbread...I'll pass on that one!) The storyline for me flowed really well a d I enjoyed the build up to Meredith and Finn's friendship early in the story. It is a festive romance and as we know, the course of true love never runs smoothly and there are some stops and starts in their relationship. Meredith and Finn's story warmed my heart though and I found myself with a dappy happy smile on my face and a big festive sparkle in my heart!

Grab yourself a blanket and a big hot cup of something to settle down and escape to the cold Corbish coastline! This was a fabulous Christmas read which I would definitely recommend!

I am a crazed Cressida superfan so any time there is a book release by her it feels like Christmas to me! Book 5 in the Cornish Cream Tea series is titled Christmas Carols and a Cornish Cream Tea and has a festive cover to swoon over and will make the prefect stocking filler this Christmas.
Our heroine this time is Meredith who lives in a Cornish village working in a Cornish gift shop and is less than a fan of Christmas due to memories that she carries with her of a past Christmas. But as the shop is gearing up for the season Meredith can’t escape the festivities but can the help of the delightful newcome Finn get Meredith to begin to embrace the festive spirit and create new heartwarming feelings for Christmas?

Cressida really does have a skill at creating idyllic villages with endearing characters and this book is no exception. Meredith touched my heart and I loved following her every step of the way as she slowly began to open her heart and embrace the festivities. Finn was also such a loveable gentleman who brought a touch of romance to this sweet storyline.
There is only a brief mention of Charlie and our much loved Cream Tea Bus which some may find surprising but before you get a chance to be disappointed you are swept up in this festive romance with a wonderful community and friendship that keeps the series fresh and exciting. I hope future books in the series will see our characters merge together as they compliment each other. Easily read as a standalone so do not feel like you have to go back and read the first books in the series however you are COMPLETELY missing out on a fabulous series if you don’t!
This book has certainly got me in the Christmas spirits with its gift making, carol singing and gingerbread making all tied up in a bow, definitely another cracker by this author.

Set in Cornwall, but not in Porthgolow, the latest of Cressida McLaughlin's Cornish Cream Tea series features all new characters although some of the regulars get the odd mention.
This book focus's on Meredith, who has an aversion to Christmas due to a tragedy which occurred on Christmas Eve in her past.
Then there's Finn who isn't trying to escape his last but run away from the future which his parents have mapped out for him. Can Meredith and Finn help each other?
An enjoyable story to put you in the mood for Christmas.

Having read many of Cressida’s books over the last few years I was excited to settle down with this new release.

Although part of a series I really do feel this can be read easily as a stand alone story.

Snuggling up on the sofa with a hot choc is the perfect way to read this Cornwall based feel good story. It definitely kept me warm and cosy while reading about Merediths sea swimming exploits!

A romance grows between Finn and Meredith and helps our leads move on from their grief.

My favourite element has to be the beautifully painted stones that Meredith find at her beach cove, these remind me of our fabulous #norfolkrocks

A nice Christmas romance.
Meredith is a Christmas Grinch after her father died, until she meets Finn a very handsome stranger who helps her overcome her hatred of Christmas and helps her enjoy everything around her.
Set in a lovely Cornish village and very atmospheric.
Just what you want to read before Christmas.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Posted to Goodreads

Just what you need to get into the Christmas mood. Set in Cornwall, in the sort of place where lots of us would love to live, it is a story about coping with grief, or not, in Meredith’s case. She puts up a good front but really doesn’t enjoy the festive season. Until along comes Finn. There are lots of lovely characters, including Crumble and Smudge, in this book, some seen in the previous books, all intertwined nicely giving you the feel of a real community who are trying to keep small, local businesses going and making something magical happen. It is a bit predictable but then you want a happy ending in a book like this. This is a stand-alone read but I’m glad I’ve read the previous books by this author. Makes even Scrooge feel a warm glow. Thoroughly recommend it

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I’m afraid this didn’t grab my interest.

At first I thought it would be right up my street, considering my love for festive happily-ever-after books, but this feel short for me. I can see there’s been many positive reviews, so it’s nothing against the book as such, it just didn’t work for me. I didn’t find the main character endearing or exciting, and the plot points weren’t grabbing me enough to particularly care about finishing it sadly.

I’ve read almost all of Cressida’s books and enjoyed all of them including the Cornish cream tea bus series. This book doesn’t belong to that series although some of characters made an appearance. A Christmas book about someone who dislikes Christmas but works in the Christmas industry is unusual enough to stand out in a crowded market for this kind of fiction. What makes this book stand out is the way the characters and situations are realistic and relatable due to the engaging way they are written. A winner of a Christmas story which is highly recommended.

Love, love, love this book! not only does it tick all the boxes for girl meets boy, dislikes boy (or does she), finds out boys secrets but it also encapsulates Christmas in music, warmth, food and breathtaking scenery (although I don't think I will be sea swimming in December!).
This book is so much more than a Christmassy romance, although you get that in spades but you also get lovely little moments that rush Christmas straight to the forefront of your mind as you find yourself hearing the Carol of the Bells as you read about the choir and tasting the items so lovingly described in the hampers.
A definite feel good book- great to gift to all the softies in your life!

This was a wonderful heartwarming book. I loved all the characters and the love story about Meredith and Finn was wonderful. I did love the idea of handing out hampers to locals. I liked how the story unfolded and the people who lived in the homes that Meredith had loved from her younger days - surprising to her. Reading about Meredith's trials with gingerbread made me want to make some.

This book has really got me into the Christmas spirit! I enjoyed reading about Meredith and Fin and their Christmas journey!

This is the 5th book in a series and although it can work as a stand alone, I would have prefered to have read previous stories first as then I may have understood the characters better. It's a great Christmas book with hints of sadness but I recommend that you get yourself copies of the Cornish Cream Tea Series and dig into them first as it will increase the pleasure in reading this next installment.

Thanks to netgalley for the advanced ebook to review.
After finishing this book I felt like I'd been enveloped in a warm hug. It really hits you in the festive feels, with a well written story, tinged with sadness, but that holds so much humour and joy. There are fabulous characters to fall in love with (I'd very much like my own Finn please!)
This is my first book by Cressida - but I certainly hope it won't be my last! This is the 5th book in the Cornish cream tea series - but it works fantastically well as a stand alone. I loved it.

Love the Christmas feeling in autumn and this book certainly makes you want it to be Christmas! Loved being on Cornwall, with Finn & Meredith! A fabulous read by the fire.

A wonderfully uplifting Christmas read.

I loved the developing friendship and relationship of Finn and Meredith, they both compliment each other and bring out the best in the other, add in the adorable Crumble and you have a winner.

I thought the start of this book was a little slow, however I think that may of been because I kept waiting for Charlie and the Cornish cream tea bus to appear. This was a completely stand alone story with a lovely, albeit small cameo from the bus and Charlie.

I really liked the idea of Finn and Meredith being connected for 10 years as she collected his slate paintings, waiting for the right moment for them to meet and fall in love without even knowing the other existed yet.

Meredith hates Christmas and all that it symbolises love, hope, dreams, family and presents. This is due to something that happened years ago, but has had a profound affect on her. She now finds love in her job, her pets, swimming and one very close friend. One morning she sees this sex on legs guy on her beach , where she swims daily and enjoys the solitude, Not today it seems.and this unnerved her. With Christmas approaching at speed, not putting her mouth into gear before she speaks. She not only ends up helping her friend with the towns Christmas extravaganza, delivering Christmas hampers, a solo spot in the choir all with the help of a rather gorgeous guy. This Christmas is not at all what she expected.