I have been unable to read this book due to formatting of the copy I was provided, therefore, I can't provide a review.

I must firstly apologise for the amount of time it has taken me to provide a review of this book, my health was rather bad for quite some time, something that had me in hospital on numerous occasions and simply didnt leave me with the time I once had to do what I love most.

Unfortunately that does mean I have missed the archive date for many of these books, so It would feel unjust throwing any review together without being able to pay attention to each novel properly.

However, I am now back to reading as before and look forward to sharing my honest reviews as always going forward. I thank you f0r the patience and understanding throughout x

Lovely feel good book to read. It was a joy to read. Lovely characters. Great plot. The book was charming. Very well written. I’d definitely recommend this book. Idyllic location that set the tone of the book to perfection. Perfect seasonal book to get you in the mood for the festive season.

After a decade away, Freya returns to her village at Christmas after the death of her mother. She’s homeless, jobless and friendless until she meets an old school friend.. Finn.

Feeling less than festive and needing a distraction, Freya and Finn set a “12 days of Christmas” food challenge, where Freya has to cook a recipe for each of the 12 days according to the song.

This was such a cute, cosy, heartwarming read, perfect for Christmas but not too fluffy either. The writing flowed well and it was easy to read, the characters were great and I loved the village.

I would recommend!

3.75 stars

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Not only is this book filled with loss, love, friendships, forgiveness but will have your mouth watering at the delights of the food The character depth was amazing!

The 12 Days of Christmas by Poppy Alexander

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Orion Publishing and I am leaving this review voluntarily

The most magical time of the year... For the first time in ten years, Freya is back in the little village of Middlemass for Christmas. The streets might be twinkling with fairy lights, but after the recent loss of her mother, she's never felt less festive.

Forced to sleep under the same roof as her handsome neighbour Finn, Freya realises she's going to need a distraction—fast! So she sets herself a challenge: to cook the '12 Days of Christmas'. Her delicious food soon brings the villagers together, and as each day passes, old friendships are renewed, memories stirred and there's even the flickering of romance...

This was a cute book I struggled to get through it. It was a clever idea with the 12 days of Christmas Food but at the same time Freya seems to have an aversion to the food she makes. Poppy has written how a community can come together when people are in a time of need, but this just was not the book for me.

Rating 3/5

A gorgeous festive read with lovely characters. Finn challenges Freya to cook the 12 days of Christmas and her dishes were inspired by the song of the same title. Something a little bit different.

After devastating news, Freya arrives back in Middlemass on Christmas Eve and is feeling a little bit lost and forlorn until she is rescued by Finn, who she remembers from the time when, as a teenager, she once had a bit of a crush on him. However, when her job with a top chef took her to the dizzy heights of Paris, Freya lost touch with all those people in Middlemass who had once meant so much to her. With nowhere else to go Freya agrees to stay with Finn for Christmas on the agreement that she cooks for him her unique version of the 12 days of Christmas.

What then follows is a lovely story which looks at the bonds of friendship and the importance of valuing those people around us. Whilst there is an undeniably festive feel to the story especially when Freya starts to cook her 12 days of Christmas meals, there is also the tender story of how Freya learns to cope with her tragic loss and shows that with friends around she can overcome anything The sumptuous descriptions of Freya's wonderful meals quite made my mouth water especially her meringue swans which were so lovingly described that they quite literally leapt off the page and onto my plate. For those so inclined, the author has provided the recipes to make your own 12 days of Christmas culinary delights.

With a pinch of sorrow, a cup of friendship, and a dash of romance all mixed together, The 12 Days of Christmas is a beautifully written festive story.

This book was such a cute read, it had the biggest feel-good vibes. Poppy Alexander included lots of recipes and cooking inspiration throughout the book, it really helped to connect to Freya, and it helped to get in the Christmassy mood! I really felt for Freya and the what she goes through, Finn really was her saviour. I really enjoyed seeing their friendship re-build and the chemistry between them was fantastic. If you’re looking for a cozy read this Christmas, I totally recommend this one.

Freya gets a text saying she needs to leave Paris now and come home and say goodbye to her beloved mum, who's dying for cancer.

This news blindside's Freya so when she returns to her little village and she bumps into Finn in a cafe she has no idea of the significance of his kindness.

Finn doesn't allow her to stay in her mum's old house is it cold and damp as there's no electricity or heating because no one has been living in the house.

As a way to distract herself from the sadness and the fact it's Christmas Eve she starts to cook. Her and Finn decide she should cook the 12 days of Christmas over the festive period as a form distraction.

In a short period of time they build a sid relationship and Finn has future plans for his business that Freya could be a part of time.

This isn't your normal Christmas read and that's actually just what I wanted to read. The sweet parts between Freya and Finn made my heart hurt and I cried at several points reading this books. The fact it deals with grief and loss is really interesting and important. I was sad when I reached the end!

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for letting me get this book. Again I'm sorry I waited till December to read it but it was worth the wait.

Heartwarming and such a pleasure to read, this really is a truly lovely story.

And just for a change it is set around the actual 12 days of Christmas (plus Christmas Eve), so although it does have Christmas theming, on the whole this could easily be read at any time of the year.

For this is the story of Freya who has rushed back to Middlemass, to see her dying mother, losing her big job in Paris as a result, and needs to decide just what she wants to do now, well after she gets through some of the hardest days of her life.

So although there is a big Christmas Day celebration it is in contrast to how Freya is feeling, and the resurrection of her acquaintance with Finn is rather well timed, as it is clear he remembers Freya and has has a habit of taking in waifs!

Knowing that Freya needs a distraction, he challenges her to cook the 12 days of Christmas, so a dish inspired by each of the days in the song, of which the birds are arguably a lot easier had me completely intrigued to see just what she would come up with each time. And the dishes were certainly inventive.

Foodies will love some of the food and descriptions mentioned, especially since Finn lives above and runs his own Deli and has a wonderful array of local produce for sale. Add in Freya's talents as a cook and there is a lot of food.

But there is also a lot of guilt from Freya that she has barely been home in 10 years, has let old friendships slide and is unsure if anyone will even remember her.

I thoroughly enjoyed this latest book by Poppy Alexander who has a real talent for writing incredibly readable books. I look forward to seeing what her next book will be.

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

I think I would have really enjoyed this one (I particularly like a book that includes its recipes!) unfortunately, the formatting of it made it difficult to read or enjoy.

Read and reviewed in exchange for a free copy from NetGalley. I've really enjoyed previous books by Poppy Alexander, and this was also an excellent read.

This was my first Christmas book of the year and it definitely helped with the Christmas spirit! This story is one that I wasn’t too sure on first - it took a few chapters to warm up and see where it could lead. I found Freya quite hard to like as a character but that did come easier as the book went on. I enjoyed the festive descriptions and the escapism that this book offers and the recipes sound delightful (even from a vegetarian!). Great book from Poppy and I’m sure this won’t be the last book that I read of hers! Thanks to Netgalley and Orion for the ARC!

I absolutely loved this book. It was just what I needed to read. I adored Finn and so glad there was a happy ending. Some parts made me cry as I really felt Freya’s grief. Beautiful story

THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS by POPPY ALEXANDER.

After ten years away, Freya finds herself back home for Christmas. It’s not a visit made in happy circumstances though, as Freya is there following the death of her mother.

As Freya struggles with her grief and loneliness, can reconnecting with her old school friend and neighbour Finn, help her to find her way.
Freya falls back on what she knows how to do best… cook!
Each day, her festive delights bring people in the village together.

Will Freya find her heart belongs in Middlemass? And will that include the lovely Finn?

There was nothing to dislike about this book. Cosy, warm, feel good, heartwarming, sweet, romantic and just all round festive loveliness.

The food descriptions were amazing, and I may have gained a few pounds just reading about all the lovely scoff!
Freya’s recipe’s are all at the back of the book, and well worth a try yourself.

A must for your festive reading pile.

Five tasty stars from me…
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

With thanks to #Netgalley and #Orion for an ARC of #TheTwelveDaysOfChristmas by #PoppyAlexander.

Who doesn’t love a Christmas book to get us in the mood and make us feel warm inside? Well this book did just that.

An easy read with wonderful characters.

Loved it

I love a Christmas book all year round but they seem extra special when read when it’s cold outside! Really enjoyed reading it. Well done.

Poppy Alexander’s first Christmas book, 25 Days ‘til Christmas, published back in 2018 has to be one of my favourite Christmas books ever. I have been eagerly awaiting this new story, The 12 Days of Christmas ever since I saw it pop up on pre-order on Amazon a few months ago. Well, let me say given I had such high expectations for this that it didn’t disappoint in the slightest and is definitely in contention for my Christmas book of 2021 (I say contention as at the time of writing I haven’t made a significant dent into my Christmas TBR for this year). This is a glorious feast of all things Christmas and if this doesn’t get you in the festive mood then nothing will. I loved every minute of it and it was so bittersweet to reach the end and it’s rare that I want to go back to the beginning and start a book again, given there are so many books waiting out there to be read, but that’s how I felt about this one. I know I will return to the wonderful story of Freya and her life changing experiences when fate means she has to return to the place that she has been avoiding for many years.

It’s Christmas Eve and Freya is wandering amongst the food stalls at the market in Portneath. Food is a soothing thought for her. It has been her passion for as long as she can remember and her working life in a Michelin starred restaurant in Paris for the last ten years has allowed her to indulge this even if chef Andre can be quite harsh. But Freya is not herself and even though it is the most magical time of the year she is trying to avoid an emotional breakdown. The reason for which doesn’t become apparent too soon and when it does I just felt total empathy with her as I had been in the situation in the past and the way she was written throughout the book well I felt those feelings, although I wasn’t as secretive as her.

I didn’t like that she didn’t come straight out and say what had happened to her when she meets Finn. I think he would have really understood her. But I suppose Freya had barriers up and let’s be honest she had so much emotional baggage both to do with her personal and professional life that really she was trying to avoid talking about anything that meant she would have to deal with her problems. She was evasive and didn’t let her emotions show all to easily. You hoped Finn would be the one who could get through to her and help her to express how she really felt but if you are afraid to feel emotions and hold back a lot then opening up is more than likely the thing you least feel like doing.

Right from the outset the descriptions of food and festive treats and drinks etc were just mind blowing. So much care and attention went into researching all the different types of food and I loved that there was an emphasis on local produce which only increased the sense of community spirit and everyone working together throughout the book. Everything was truly mouth-watering and as Freya ventures further into her cooking of the 12 days of Christmas your taste buds are tantalised even more. I have to say it was brilliant to reach the end and discover the recipes there in detail for anyone wishing to try them out. So much thought and attention to detail went into all aspects of this story and that’s what it makes it so special and an all-round excellent book. When Freya meets Finn, she remembers the times she used hang around with some of his pals alongside her best friend Hattie and feelings are stirring within her. But she says to herself that she has hurt so many people and her life is in ruins that really she is no good for anyone.

I really loved Finn, he was such a well developed character and I loved how he took Freya under his wing. It was all done with the best of intentions with never an ulterior motive underneath it all. Yes, he regrets not previously declaring his interest in her and now ten years have passed but he knows now is not the right time just yet to make a move or express his feelings. He senses Freya doesn’t need to be pushed unnecessarily. She needs time to heal and find acceptance and her place in her new world that is emerging. For Finn his business running an artisan deli is one of the most important things in his life and once again the descriptions of this deli were just brilliant and I loved once Freya set upon the idea of cooking the 12 days as a way of thanking Finn for letting her stay that she went and used products from the deli or local products. By doing all this cooking it was like Freya was telling her story as when herself and Finn ate together they had time to talk. I could picture them in that cosy flat above the deli with it cold outside and lights twinkling on the high street. It seemed like a refuge far from what troubles Freya and it was the place she needed to rest and recuperate as going back to Paris considering the way she left didn’t seem that much of an option.

Finn was so kind, caring and creative and his bid to show Freya that Portneath could offer a good life was just brilliant but still she kept one thing from him that I really did wish she could have been more open about. Finn really was giving Freya the tools to have a new start in life but she was so down and harsh on herself I don’t think she could see fully what he was trying to do nor was she is the right place to embrace what he was offering. But will Portneath work its magic or is Freya too deep into skirting around issues that need to be confronted?

There are just the right amount of supporting characters that really add to the overall fabulousness of this book. Finn’s brother Ciaran and his wife Martha that live with their children at Holly Tree Farm. Well, I hope they get a book all to themselves in the future. Diana, Freya’s godmother, was just amazing and so supportive and it was only halfway through that it clicked with me that she featured in Poppy’s previous book The Littlest Library so it was brilliant to see characters crossing over. The only character I really didn’t warm to was Hattie, Freya’s best friend. I thought her reaction to Freya’s return was just too over the top and giving her the cold shoulder the way she did, well she really didn’t deserve that. She just came across as being very jealous and unforgiving. Yes, she helped Freya get a job in the pudding factory but I felt then that she abandoned her and if she had given Freya time things would have been a lot clearer and perhaps forgiveness would have arisen sooner rather than later. All these people help Freya learn lots of life lessons and help make this book such a lovely, engaging and engrossing read.

Poppy Alexander has another winner on her hands with The 12 Days of Christmas. It’s a cracker of a read which provides the perfect slice of escapism which pulls you into the plot from the very beginning and leaves you entranced and even more excited for the most wonderful time of the year than perhaps you already are. The unique concept of cooking the 12 days of Christmas added that little bit of extra sparkle and magic to a genuinely lovely story with characters you root for, a setting which is filled with community spirit and friendship and least I not forget all the food and treats mentioned were so richly and vividly described that this book will leave you hungry. So just make sure you have something nice to nibble on beside you whilst you indulge in this magnificent story.

’Christmas was a golden time away from normal life, a magical hiatus where the world held its breath’. These words are perfect to sum up both how I feel about Christmas and how I felt about this book. It really did give me the break away from the real world that I needed. Please say in future books we will return to the villages of Portneath and Middlemass as Poppy Alexander has created a unique community with warm, lovable characters that I really do just want read more and more about them.

This book broke me. Just like I knew it would. Just like the littlest library
Poppy Alexander does it again
The characters are absolutely beautiful.
The book explores how people come together at a time in need and really shows you what love and life is actually about
Freya was a diamond of a character
This book was an easy read, devoured in a day and I truly loved it
Thank you for inviting me to be part of the tour