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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!
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.
The whole country has gone Bake Off crazy and that Christassy mug is very sweet!
ReplyDeleteI love the mug- They are so cute!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a good book for Christmas treats, and the cup is very cute.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway.
I love Sue Watson and the mug is gorgeous xx what a lovely giveaway xx
ReplyDeleteI would like to win because I could use a good laugh!
ReplyDeleteThese items are pretty, cool, and adorable.
ReplyDeleteThe mug is so pretty and I love cookbooks!
ReplyDeletebecause the mug's cute
ReplyDeleteBecause I love that mug. It's so cute :)
ReplyDeleteThe Christmas mug is unusual and I'd love to read the book.
ReplyDeleteThe book sounds like just the thing I would love to read and the mug is so cute! It would put me in the mood for Christmas as soon as I saw it!
ReplyDeleteI love new books!
ReplyDeletethe mug is so cute :)
ReplyDeleteI love reading Christmas books
ReplyDeletebecause that's an awesome mug!!
ReplyDeleteIt would be nice to be cosy with hot chocolate in one hand and a great book in the other!
ReplyDeleteThe Christmas mug is perfect for the cold winter nights! I would also love to read this book too!
ReplyDeletelove the mug, its super cute
ReplyDeleteI love Christmas reads & the mug is lovely.
ReplyDeletei love the combo of the book and mug! Perfect for a winters day!
ReplyDeletelove that mug!
ReplyDeletethe mug is so cute.
ReplyDeleteI think there's something really enjoyable about drinking form a nice mug.
ReplyDeleteI would love to drink my favourite tea from this super sweet mug!
ReplyDeleteI haven't found a pretty Christmas theme mug until now :-)
ReplyDeleteI love mugs!
ReplyDeleteWell, I love it because I need some good winter books for the cold weather!
ReplyDeleteI love and have a collection of Christmas mugs!
ReplyDeletethe mug is too cute
ReplyDeleteThe book will be a wonderful Christmas read and the cover is adorable. And I love coffee mugs!
ReplyDeleteI collect mugs ( one of the things I collect, lol) and this one is sooooo cute!! :)
ReplyDeleteI enjoy Christmas books :)
ReplyDeleteI love baking and christmas looks a great read x
ReplyDeleteI love reading holiday related books and the mug is great, too!
ReplyDeleteThe mug is cute.
ReplyDeleteLove Christmas stuff :)
ReplyDeleteI like the sound of this book and the mug is wonderful :)
ReplyDeleteThis would be a wonderful gift. The books looks great and I love the mug.
ReplyDeletetwinkle at optonline dot net
The book :)
ReplyDeleteI like Sue Watson's writting. Also the mug is gorgeous.
ReplyDeletewould love the book and the Mug is just the cutest!
ReplyDeleteThe mug is adorable. And I would love a festive read for Christmas.
ReplyDeleteI love Christmas mug!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely cause of the christmas mug! I would really really really love to have it!
ReplyDeleteBecause I love all things Chritsmas!
ReplyDeleteI love books and coffee
ReplyDeleteBecause the book sounds like it will be lots of fun to read, and the mug is simply adorable!
ReplyDeleteI want to win this prize package because I love books stressing the true meaning of Christmas and this mug is just too cute!
ReplyDeleteReading new book and new nmug with tea or coffee - what could be better :)
ReplyDeleteI'd like to win because I love baking and that mug looks fabulous!
ReplyDeletelove the mug
ReplyDeleteI would love to win as this sounds like a fun read!
ReplyDeleteI've read and LOVED Sue's new book. That mug is GORGEOUS! You know my fave mugs in the house are those I've received from you <3
ReplyDeleteI love both items.
ReplyDeleteBecause of this cute mug
ReplyDeletelove xmas
ReplyDeletei really really love that mug!!!
ReplyDeleteThe mug looks lovely
ReplyDeletea nice cup of tea whilst reading a good book - perfect
ReplyDeleteBecause I love everything Christmas. It makes me feel so happy inside <3
ReplyDeleteIt looks a thoroughly enjoyable book
ReplyDeleteThe book sounds cute and I love the mug.
ReplyDeleteMegan @ reading away the days
I love a good Christmas read and they're hard to find.
ReplyDeleteI need a new Christmas mug after my old one broke!
ReplyDeleteI love books
ReplyDeleteI've never had a Christmas mug
ReplyDeleteI enjoy baking and that mug is unique.
ReplyDelete