This was a decent story overall, really enjoyed the villagers and setting. But to be honest it seemed too forced and fast with Belle and Nick breaking up with spouses/partners then immediately into each other. And with a child in the mix. The whole child bullying theme was a bit forced and weird too. I felt like everyone in the story was trying to force everyone else into romantic relationships. It’s ok to be single! Even in a romance novel.

A lovely insight to village life in the run up to Christmas, I challenge you to read this book and not want to move in! Based around the village school and one of it's teachers I enjoyed this story. It put me right in the mood for mulled wine and Christmas treats!

A real feel good Xmas story showing how a community can come together at that special time of year. The insight into bullying in young children and the problems within families gives an additional twist - all dealt with sympathetically. A good read.

This is a story that will pull at your heartstrings and I absolutely loved it! Christmas is a time of joy and family but sometimes we tend to forget those who struggle at that time of year. This story is all about giving and it will make you want to go out and make someone's life a little easier.

Bella is a school teacher and she loves anything to do with Christmas except this year her world gets turned upside down. With the love of her family and friends, she manages to get through every day and is especially excited at an idea she has for her village....a giving tree! Not only that, her neighbour, Nick and his son Freddie soon become an important part of her life. Maybe there is hope...even after heartbreak!!

Well written and I so enjoyed all the characters, even the bullies (I so wanted to kick them in the shins! lol). I thank NetGalley for letting me read an ARC of this book and I voluntarily wrote this review.

Cute Christmas romance wrapped up in a small village where everyone knows everyone else. Bella and Nick’s romance and chemistry are nicely written and well developed and the whole premise is a tried and tested method but there are too many things that seem rushed or not thought through for me.

Some characters actions seem far too serious for the consequences that happen as a result and some things just get a single mention and then disappear (looking at you, letter from Ewan). I loved the kid interactions with their teachers and the little group of teacher friends sassing the pantomime but ultimately I was a little bored.

The giving tree was a nice touch and gave the whole story a unique spin from the rest of the standard Christmas romance books but it just wasn’t enough to make me care. I love escapism and happy endings, but this just fell a bit flat and was a bit too removed from reality in order for things to work out.

If you've read any of my other recent book reviews, you'll already know that I start every one just like this, explaining that every book starts off with the full five stars and I'm always hopeful that they will still be firmly stuck in place by the time I finish the book, right? Well, as you can see, this book review is no different so far.

I'm gonna start reading with an open mind and I'll hopefully start feeling festive by the end of it.

The first couple of pages have been great, but I've found a mistake that should have been picked up in one of the early edits... not enough to knock a star off or anything, but the behaviour chart started at red and orange for naughtiness then went up through silver and gold to green and red again which my eagle-eyed pickiness couldn't help mentioning lol

Chapter 1 was great! Chapter 2 starts on the same page as chapter 1 finishes, so I'm thinking that's cos I've got such an ancient Kindle lol

Chapter 2 has me in tears... it takes a truly incredible book to get me crying, but after only two chapters is pretty-much unheard of as far as I remember. Get those tissues and hot chocolate ready when you get this book, 'cos I'm really needing both of those things right now.

That's twice in three chapters that I've been in tears. I don't think my glass of water will be a suitable beverage by the end of this incredible book... I might have to dig into the choccie biccies instead of a proper lunch too lol

Oh dear. The author has just used a couple of big brand names that I hope she has written permission to use otherwise it's the first star coming off, which I'm desperate not to happen, but it's happened with other books I've read so it wouldn't be fair not to do it with this book too... I've got a huge sense of fairness in me lol

I've just finished chapter 5 and it's a fantastic book, but my sense of fairness is taking centre stage right now, so the first (and hopefully only) star is very relutantly being removed after using another well-known brand name. As long as the story continues as fantastically as the first five, it'll be a thoroughly well-deserved four stars at the end of the book.

OMGosh! Where has the afternoon disappeared to? I last added to this review at the end of chapter 5 and I'm now about to start chapter 13! It takes a truly incredible book for me to totally lose track of eight chapters, but that's obviously what's happened with this book this afternoon - I stand firmly by what I said at the start of this review about it being a must-read book for everyone!

I've been totally engrossed in this book all day and I'm already at chapter 18 (aka 62%) and I honestly haven't got a clue where today has gone to so quickly! I can't recommend this book highly enough to everyone who wants an awesome read to while away a day without realising that they had been so engrossed in the authors words!

I'm 71% of the way through now and it's past my bed time, but I'll be back bright and early in the morning to finish off this review and hope I don't shed too many tears on the last page. It's been a long time since I felt so good about a Christmas novel but I'm sooo glad I took a chance on it!

Back again this morning and within 3 pages I'm drooling and wanting hot chocolate and all those high-sugar Christmas goodies lol I started the review in tears and now I'm drooling at the descriptions of the hot chocolate and food... I've just caught myself licking my lips too lol

The last few pages have been unexpected to say the least, but I'm relieved that Nick has done the right thing so far. Paige had no right to do what she did and I'm glad that Nick can see that now.

Oh.

My.

Gosh.

What a perfect ending and I'm on the verge of tears again. Those four stars are solidly stuck in place and literally the only reason I'm not giving it the full five is 'cos of the use of those big brand names - if the author had used fictitious names or gained written permission from those brands before the book was published then it would have been a very solid 5 stars throughout, but that really is the only reason. This is a must-read by everyone who wants to feel cosy and snuggly and get ready for Christmas early.

Thank you for allowing me to preview this book. A perfect read for the cosy evenings leading up to Christmas and for getting you into the Christmas spirit. Based round the lead up to Christmas in a primary school, this story explores the relationship between pupils, between staff and pupils, between staff, families, community spirit and good deeds, and of course, romance. Read this - and I can guarantee that as with Katie Ginger’s other books, you will enjoy it.

Oh what a treat, I started reading and was only interrupted by 7 hours of sleep, I feel asleep reading it and on waking found that apart from making a cuppa I couldnt do anything else apart from getting to the end, just couldnt put it down. Not read anything from this author before so now seeking out what I've missed out on.

The Perfect Christmas Gift by Katie Ginger


Can neighbours become more than just good friends this Christmas?
Bella Moore is excitedly counting down the days to Christmas. That is until she arrives home one evening to find her boyfriend leaving her for another woman. Completely heartbroken, Bella is left wondering if Christmas can still be the same this year.

Bella is a school teacher to a class of infants , and loves the magic of Christmas and everything that is brings.
But her boyfriend has other ideas and has been having an affair and leaves ,
She is kind of thrown together with her next door neighbour and his son , and they turn to the village to bring some Christmas cheer.
A charming love story , that makes you want to curl up in a cosy cottage upfront of a roaring fire whilst drinking hot chocolate. A perfect read in the run up to Christmas . Heartwarming.

The Perfect Christmas Gift is told in third person. It follows Bella Moore and Nick. Bella is excited for Christmas but discovers her boyfriend is leaving her for another woman. Bella’s neighbour Nick is having his first Christmas as a single dad to his son Freddie. Bella and Nick work together to make a magical Christmas, but Nick’s wife returns just before Christmas. This is a heartwarming Christmas story that everyone will enjoy to some level.