Really enjoyable read. Good characters and a Good story. Well worth a read. Think others will enjoy.

Unashamedly festive and fluffy, this romance is cheesier than a Christmas cheeseboard and just as warming as a thick and gloopy hot chocolate. Sweet and cosy.

3.5

I really loved the idea of Joe and Clara's Christmas Countdown, bringing the Christmas spirit back into Joes life.

The story was entertaining and heart-warming. I like how Joe and Clara connected over Christmas traditions and enjoyed the festive season. Still I expected some more festivity during their Countdown, though the advent calender walk through the town was a wonderful idea.

The love story wasn't too rushed and I liked that both were able to talk about their feeling and there wasn't any drama or misunderstandings involved. The romance was very heart-warming and I enjoyed the two together.

The writing style was enjoyable to read and I am looking forward to read more books by Katey Lovell.

A heart warming story.

One should read it a chapter a day on the 24 days leading up to Christmas, but I had to read it in one sitting.

It's the story of Clara, who loves Christmas, and Joe, who doesn't love it. Still, they both meet every day to make the Christmas countdown something special. Clara showing Joe what she loves about this festive time the most and Joe soon falls in step.

Another gorgeous cover,very eye catching. A heartwarming holiday book sprinkled with holiday magic,fairy lights and tea throughout. Clara absolutely loves Christmas to her it's the most magical time of the year. Joe on the other hand would rather avoid it at all costs and I can't say I'd blame him either after all it only holds sad memories for him. Clara devises a month long plan to make him see Christmas in a positive way again. Does it work? Well you'll have to read it and find out.
The Boys and Girls Club has a program every year that the finance director isn't sure will be able to put on this year because they are already scraping the bottom of the barrel with lack of funds. You know how it is with these volunteer organizations there are a few so hard working individuals that put their whole life into running and fundraising and they are so under appreciated. That is how it is for the staff here Deirdre,Clara and Jo. I can really appreciate all the hard work they put into the fundraising and how much they care about the underprivileged youth who desperately need the center to stay open but it won't if a Christmas miracle doesn't happen. A magical and fun book!
Pub Date 13 Oct 2017
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, HarperImpulse for a review copy in exchange for my honest review.

Loved this, was really the perfect Christmas book. It was an Advent book. Good characters and not too cheesy. Hope the book does well every Christmas.

A warm and fuzzy Christmas romance. The characters are all a thoroughly pleasant bunch, the storyline concerning itself with healing and the magic of Christmas with the idea of a countdown being an appealing one. It's a heartwarming, romantic tale with a dose of light hearted humour. For me, however, it lacked a good dose of realism. Escapist, however,it is!

Sat and read this over the christmas period. It was light hearted and fun and i really enjoyed it.

Gloriously satisfying and sweet, like enjoying a whole Christmas Yule log to yourself...!! I adored this fab festive read - I loved loved loved the protagonists (I want to be BFFs with Clara), but the supporting cast were all gems as well. I can definitely see this lovely little book being re-read for many, many a Christmas to come!

You’ll remember I reviewed The Singalong Society for Singletons (review here) and raved about Three Men and A Maybe (read here ), and knew that Katey Lovell was sealed in my head as someone who’s Christmas reads were to look out for, thanks to sparkly, magical, warm settings that enveloped me like a warm blanket. And so to this-Joe and Clara’s Countdown, a book that did the same in terms of glitter and magic, but didn’t quite hold my attention in terms of drama or lead characters, which was a pity.

So we come into this book knowing that both Joe and Clara have issues, Clara has been cheated on and Joe has had something in his past we need to find out about plus issues with stress. I liked both characters, plus loved that Joe didn’t like Christmas while Clara loved it. And so Clara is charged with changing Joe’s opinion of Christmas. So far, so yay! It was a very descriptive book, which I’m not normally a fan of, but so magical, dreamy and faraway in terms of Christmassyness, that I was kept interested and smiling as we followed Clara’s journey to convince Joe of the majesty of Christmas. And this book had it all in terms of the festive season, people would be hard done by to not find themselves warming at all the traditions, some I knew, others I didn’t, as Clara and Joe manned Christmas at The Club Around The Corner, a youth club in bad need of funding, with the brilliantly forward Deirdre.

To be honest I missed any sense of urgency surrounding the plight of the club, and missed finding out a little bit more about the kids, which would have helped me feel for it a bit more. This seemed to be my problem throughout actually, as although I wanted to delve into Joe’s past, I didn’t feel any sort of a ‘will they, won’t they’. Instead I found myself wondering what was taking them so long, and even when their reasons were revealed, I just didn’t connect with them, and I think that was my problem.

I loved the references that were right up my alley, with X factor and Simon Cowell mentioned, Take That, Foo Fighters, Blink 182, Morecambe and Wise Christmas special, Gameboys and Morrissey having me nod along! All in all I think people who like light romance with some beautiful Christmas description. Conversely the people who generally skip descriptiveness, might not enjoy this as for me I was more invested in the magic of Christmas as opposed to Clara or Joe and their story or relationship. Saying that I am still a huge fan of the author, and will definitely look out her next book and hopefully it will strike the same chord as the two previous to this.

Thanks so much to Harper Impulse and Netgalley for the book in return for an honest review.

Rating: 3.5/5

Joe comes to do some volunteer work at the Club on the Corner a youth club run by Deirdre and youth worker Clara.
Despite her recent break up with Dean, Clara is determined to make the most of Christmas, she absolutely loves it. Joe would rather forget about it, it’s a time that holds painful memories for him.
Clara and Joe set themselves a Christmas countdown challenge that sees both of their feelings change.
Set against the backdrop of the Club on the Corner this is a real feel-good book with charm, wit and some really touching moments. I really enjoyed it.

The Club on the Corner sounds like an amazing youth group and I loved Clara and Deidre's passion for it. Although this is just a fictional club, I know there are so many like it around the country and this makes the story even more special. This story is beautifully written, emotional, funny and to top it off - Christmassy! I loved Clara and Joe's 'Christmas Countdown' and their activities sounded so exciting - it really got me in the festive mood! This book will leave you smiling from ear to ear and feeling all fuzzy inside. I hope there's a sequel!

Perfect, if you like your festive reads with a touch of realism. Christmastime is supposed to be fun but what if life gets in the way and makes it a time to endure rather than enjoy?
Joe lost someone he loved at Christmas time and now he just goes through the motions until the festive season is over. Clara is unlucky in love but having Christmas to look forward to helps her keep going. When she and Joe are thrown together helping Manchester's youth and trying to keep their youth centre viable Clara can't resist trying to restore the magic of Christmas for Joe by giving him a personalised advent calendar of special events. Joe sets out to make Clara see not all men are deceitful and a lovely, gentle Christmas story unfolds, which demonstrates the real meaning of Christmas.
I received a copy of this book from Harper Impulse via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Oh this was just a big christmas hug wrapped up in a book! I love reading books about real people at christmas time. People who have families to support, people who have to keep working throughout the holiday season, people who work hard but play hard. And so I loved reading this book. Clara works hard and Joe provides the perfect excuse for her to start enjoying life outside of work as well and I just loved this mix.

Of course a Christmas book should make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside, but this book just feels like that extra tight squeeze as you're reading it because these characters are just so lovely. Not only are they trying to support each other in the run up to christmas, but they are also supporting their other friends and the local community too and I just think it is important to highlight how rarely we get to see this in a book, I loved that aspect!

The storyline surrounds these characters giving each other gifts and taking each other on outings in the run up to christmas and i am sure that this author had so much fun thinking of the gifts they were going to give and the things they were going to do. I won't spoil anything but there are some really amusing gifts as well as some really really touching ones and so each new chapter brought he promise of a new gift for me as a reader, as well as for these characters.

Obviously, from what I've already said, I loved these characters and they were a great vehicle for this story. I defy anyone not to fancy Joe and Clara is just so easy to identify with. I spent the whole book championing both of them and really wishing that they would get the happy ending that they deserved. This book is about more than Christmas and I think it would be great to read at any time of year, but if you can be reading it close to the countdown days, as the book progresses, then I would really recommend doing that. I loved this read and it is definitely one that should be added to you festive TBR immediately!

My next Christmas read is Joe & Clara's Christmas Countdown by Katey Lovell. This is set very firmly in the festive season with the exception of the prologue. Clara works in a local youth centre in Manchester which provides vital services for the young people in the area. As with many such services, the centre is struggling for funds and volunteers. However, new volunteer Joe looks like he could be the answer to some of their problems and in centre manager Deirdre's view, he could also be the perfect man for Clara! Clara has had her heart broken by footballer and ex-fiancee Dean and has sworn off men. She is, however, a massive fan of Christmas. The festive season for Joe though brings back sad memories of a tragedy which happened just before Christmas 8 years ago. They make a pact and agree on a Christmas Countdown: Clara will give Joe gifts to try to remind him that Christmas can be magical and Joe will take Clara out, as a friend, to remind her that she can enjoy the company of men. Each chapter covers one day and alternates between the points of view of Joe and Clara.

Can I just say first how much I love that cover? It's simple yet eye-catching and effective. And I also really enjoyed the story in between. You may well feel you know exactly how the story will end but sometimes that isn't a bad thing. The joy of reading is wondering what path the author will lead you along to get to that point. Joe and Clara were both really interesting characters. They were both caring and compassionate people who deserved to have happiness in their own lives but, as becomes understandable as you read, they both have very good reasons for being wary of love. Throughout the story the author brings current social issues into the story too with mention of families needing to access foodbanks, under-funding of important services, and she shows the importance of places for young people to go and have positive influences especially in less affluent areas. That perhaps sounds like it might be a bit preachy and heavy going but it isn't really, just a natural part of the story given the importance of the Youth Club and the young people who use it.

Joe & Clara's Christmas Countdown is a very sweet story which shows the magic of Christmas working in the lives of these two people. It is one of these books which will leave you with a contented sigh at the end and one to add to your Christmas reading list.

If you have ever worked or volunteered for a nonprofit organization you understand how every dollar must be stretched. Tensions are strung tight when trying to make ends meet or organizing special events. There are always a select few people who work tirelessly for the cause and the people they serve. Clara is young, idealistic and dedicated to the boys and girls club as she seeks funding to keep it running.
One young man who enjoyed all the club offered is Joe, who returns as an adult volunteer to make sure his younger sister and others have the same opportunities and safe place he appreciated. Meeting Clara is an unexpected bonus. He never expects he could fall in love.
Besides the kids and club, Clara's enthusiasm for Christmas is over the top. When she discovers Joe, a pastor's son, is not excited about the holidays, they strike a bargain to trade gifts and experiences.

Timely, refreshing, and heartwarming, this book reminds us that everyone has something troubling in their past. It takes courage to face our troubles and keep our faith that times will get better.

Such a fabulous Christmassy story that will leave you feeling very festive indeed!

This is the story of Clara and Joe. Clara loves Christmas and Joe does not and so she sets out to show him how wonderful Christmas can be

This is the first book I have read by Katie Lovell and it will definitely not be the last.

Joe and Clara's Christmas countdown is a cute christmassy read that I couldn't put down.
The chapters are either from Clara's or Joes viewpoint and cover a different day in the run up to Christmas sooooo I suppose if you weren't as big a reader as me you could use it as an alternative to a chocolate advent calendar by reading it day by day but I don't know if you'd be able to stop yourself from reading on!!!!
Clara works at the club on the corner with Deidre, the club on the corner is a youth club that seems to open everyday to the kids in the local area. Deidre has worked there years and is the manager but doesn't have much hope for any funding for the next year so fears they will have to close down. We join Clara and Deidre at the start of December, this is Clara's favourite time of the year and can't get enough of Christmas. Joe is the vicars son and has come to volunteer as they are short of hands but can't afford to employ anyone. Joe has volunteered because he wants to try and forget about Christmas and feels if he keeps busy he'll forget about the reason why he hates Christmas. When Clara hears he doesn't like Christmas she comes up with a plan with him to get him in the Christmas spirit.
This was an enjoyable read, immensely christmassy and is set in Manchester so was a plus for me as I have been to many of the places mentioned so I felt more involved.
I would like to thank Netgalley and Harpercollins uk and Harperimpulse for this ARC I received in exchange for an honest review.

I loved the Cafe in Fir Tree Park, unfortunately this one didn't grab me the same way. I liked the characters, Joe and Clara very much. I felt that the Christmas Countdown dragged out as it was a little bit boring in places and I found myself skipping pages on my kindle. I generally read a book similar to this in a day or two, but this one took me nearly a week.
Thanks to NetGalley, Katey Lovell and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.