Bookouture Christmas Book Review & Giveaway: Bella's Christmas Bake Off by Sue Watson

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Review by Tanya

Amy Lane’s husband breaks up their marriage and she is left to deal with the consequences. She does not take the break up well and ends up doing some very silly things in front of her pupils! However her great friend Sylvia takes her under her belt and makes her realise that she is not that bad off. During the start of her recovery she discovers that her old friend Bella, a famous television cook known especially for her Christmas specials, is using her mum’s recipes in her new book and passing them off as her own mum's. Bella and Amy were very close but something happened when they were 17 to break the friendship and it is a long way into the book before you discover why. 

Amy ends up going on Bella’s Christmas special and the meeting of the two characters after so many years was interesting. Part of me didn’t want to like Bella but something about her was vulnerable and that had me feeling for her. I loved the interaction of the two on set and how they contradicted each other. The other characters of Fliss and Crimson add to the tension and caused some giggles as well. The characters of Amy and Bella in the book are very interesting and I loved the way that they changed through the book as you got to know them better and as they opened up to each other.

This is a different and interesting story by Sue Watson that has the Christmas spirit, but I also feel like it can be read anytime. The story line is one that will be of interest to anyone that loves baking and cookery programmes and I loved that real television personalities are referred to in the book. Who doesn’t love the gorgeous Mary Berry? Plus the chapter titles themselves will bring a smile to your face.

I admit I did guess some of the story line, but this did not detract from the book in anyway. Bella's Christmas Bake Off is not an all loving Christmas book, but some of it is and it holds a strong message about the true meaning of Christmas and the importance of being honest to yourself and having good friends.

Giveaway

One very lucky reader of my blog will receive a digital copy of Bella's Christmas Bake Off together with a beautiful Winter Wonderland mug made by JillyJilly Design.

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I will contact the winner via e-mail. If I don't get a reply within 60 hours the prize will go to someone else. All of my giveaways are international, you can find the official rules here.