I was hooked on this story straight from the start. It's a great feel-good Christmassy novel which is full of Christmas treats. When I read a book with a Christmas title and Christmas in the description then I would actually like a big involvement of the holiday - and this is exactly what this book had.

This book follows main characters Joe and Clara as they embark on a relationship journey to prove the other one wrong. Joe wants to prove to Clara that men can be trusted and Clara wants to prove to Joe that Christmas is a magical and enjoyable time. Of course, there are some sad parts to the story (what typical Christmas novel wouldn't have a bit of sadness?) but most of the way it is happy and upbeat.

I found myself really loving Clara's character - because even though she was knocked down by her fiancé, she refuses to remain beaten. She just gets back up and dusts herself down and I really admire that. I wish I was like that in those situations! Joe is slightly different, he is heartbroken and his character shows that but you can't help but relate and love him with what he's going through - he still comes across as strong.

Although both of their stories are equally heartbreaking but in different ways, you don't feel put down with the book and the story continues to unfold in an upbeat and uplifting way. This book is definitely filled with Christmas magic and will certainly get you into the festive spirit!

Overall, an enjoyable and easy Christmas read. Thank you to Netgalley and to the publisher for a chance to read this novel, which I have reviewed honestly.

*Book provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

I was intrigued by the sound of this book from the start, the title is great and the cover as well; they fit they story perfectly.

Clara O’Connell works at Manchester youth club together with her boss Deirdre. Clara loves Christmas and does everything to keep up the atmosphere. She is heartbroken, because her ex cheated on her and she is not interested in men at all at the moment.

Joe Smith, has gone through a lot in his past, losing the love of his life. It has changed him. Now, he is back home volunteering at the youth club. He doesn’t have positive memories connected to Christmas, so it’s a really hard time of the year for him.

Joe and Clara meet at the club. Together they do everything for funding it and keep it running. Clara realises fast that Joe hates Christmas and he sees how her past has affected her as well. The come up with little “dates” for him to show her that not all men are jerks and in return she tries to make him love Christmas again.

Like this they spend a lot of time together and open up to each other. They even share their deepest secretes with each other and it was great to see them grow closer and closer. It was like seeing their chemistry build up, in a very beautiful way. Connected to all these Christmassy happenings and other eventful moments, the storyline was strong and addictive.

Both characters grow in this book and it’s so nice to see. This countdown gives the story a wonderful flow and Katey Lovell’s writing is so passionate and sweet. I absolutely adored this festive read!

Rating: 4.5/5

Really enjoyed this festive read.
The story of Clara, who loves Christmas and Joe, who deosn't. They end up working together at a community centre, and here ensues a series of non-dates and christmas gifts in order to convince Clara that not all men are rats and to convince Joe that christmas is great!

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas, after reading easily the most festive book I've read so far this year! This is just the sort of book I have been hoping to read, to make me think Christmas may be coming!

It's not just that its clearly a festive read that has greatly pleased me, but it spoke to me on another level and has brought back so memories of my own time going to my local youth club, and then for a few years being a youth worker for the younger children, helping out, before on a Sunday night attending the club for my own age group.

Ok my group was a bit different to this one but just from the scenes being described I found myself thinking of various people in my past, and events that were very similar. I just understood the main setting so well and was rooting for a Christmas miracle for The Club on the Corner.

Now the Christmas Countdown was fantastic, both Clara and Joe are hoping to get different things out of their countdown. Joe is hoping to show Clara that men can be trusted, and that not every man is a nightmare. Clara is hoping to remind Joe just how magical the Christmas season is.

To do this every other day Clara gives Joe a gift to conjure up some festive feeling and on the other days Joe takes Clara out as friends to different Christmassy places and activities. All the while they are seeing each other continually at the youth club too.

If you are the sort that likes to only read a short bit of book each day perhaps before bed, then start this just before December, and then each day just read 1 chapter, the next day of the countdown - each chapter is day from either Joe or Clara's point of view. You could turn this into a advent calendar of a delightful book!

Of course if you are like me and get completely hooked early on, then spreading out my enjoyment was never going to be an option, as I couldn't get enough of this book. The story just hit all the right notes for me, and the Christmas gifts and activities are spot on.

Both Joe and Clara are also trying to heal from events in their pasts, and it was interesting to see just what was making them tick, once they opened up to each other.

This is a beautifully written piece of pure enjoyment of a book, and has cemented in my mind just how talented Katey Lovell is. I adored this, and wonder if I will read another this year that makes me feel this festive - I'm actually confused that it isn't December already!

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Harper Impulse for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

This is a wonderful read to accompany the countdown to Christmas. A super sprinkling of festive fun cleverly interwoven with a charitable message and characters you couldn't help rooting for. A lovely winter read!

Clara O'Connell works at a Manchester youth club with the formidable Deirdre, as Christmas approaches they're fighting hard for funding to keep the club going and a new volunteer, Joe, steps in to help supervise the club evenings. Clara can sense Joe's humbug approach to Christmas and Joe scoffs at Clara's irrepressible but infectious Christmas spirit and out of this a challenge is born; a countdown to Christmas that neither one is going to forget.

A Christmas stocking jam-packed with treats, this book is the ultimate in festive feel-good! You can't help but adore the feisty but kind Clara, her determination to help others and her hilarious drunken antics. Joe is perfect, written with such a balance of vulnerability and strength that gets under your skin. Both of their stories are heartbreaking, but importantly the book unfolds the twists and emotions in an uplifting approach, almost as a rebirth for the characters. No festive downers here, HALLELUJAH!
From the beautiful cover to the plot and the countdown gifts you can't help but get captured by the season of goodwill, mulled wine & mince pies!
(Warning, have a handy stock of the above before opening to avoid festive FOMO)



Thank you so much to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to review this book honestly.

A truly magical Christmasy story. Beautifully warm and romantic. One you need to curl up with this winter