You've gotta love an 84 year old who runs, of all things, a gin shack! You don't need to have read the first book to thoroughly enjoy this one. Olive is terrific - I hope I've got her spunk at her age. A threat to her precious beach shack sets this book in motion. I'm strictly a martini drinker but I really enjoyed reading the various cocktail recipes involving gin that Olive and her cohorts dream up for a cocktail competition. Olive's son Richard, who has previously been sort of a snot, becomes a good guy none too soon in this installment. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. This is a quick, sprightly read that's a little different from the normal Christmas themed book- it's not about romance or second chances, it's about a group of olders banding together as the family they are to make things right. Try it.

Oh Olive, Olive, Olive. Please don't ever get old. I love the way you laugh in the face of adversity - and mobility scooters!

Yes, our intrepid octogenarian is back with a vengeance - and more fabulous gin recipes! This time she's getting ready for Christmas at the Gin Shack, including gin-themed weekends and a gin competition. But again there are obstacles; from the phantom bottom craft-itist (yes, you read that right), adversaries old and new, and old age itself.

It's heartwarming to see how the community of Westbrook Bay rallies around when there are problems. Also it is great to see how some characters from the first book have grown, proving that sometimes leopards can change their spots... or can they?

There are some wonderful laugh-out-loud moments, and Olive's unexpectedly colourful language makes me chuckle, but there are also some more serious moments, too. And nothing is more serious than gin!

This works well as a standalone novel if you haven't read the first one, but why wouldn't you want to read it? It's shaping up to be a great series, and I sincerely hope we haven't seen the last of Olive.

I was really excited when Rachel contacted me to be part of the blog tour for Christmas at the Gin Shack, because not only did I really enjoy the first one and was excited to read about all the lovely characters again - I also couldn't wait to hear if Olive had found the perfect G&T!

If you're looking for a book that has Christmas Spirit, cocktails, humour and mysterious drama, then Christmas at the Gin Shack is exactly what you're looking for. When someone mysteriously vandalises the sign to The Gin Shack and Olive suspects someone has been in her beach hut, her mind starts whirring as to who could be behind it all. Along the way there are a few more surprises but this just all adds to a wonderfully addictive story.

In this sequel, Olive and her gang enter into a Christmas Cocktail competition and some of the ones they come up with sound so delightful - especially the chocolate orange one - I'm a huge fan of chocolate orange! As well as this, I love the Christmas touches that are in the book - making it not overly Chrsitmassy. But I have to say that Olive sounds exactly like me and likes to go overboard at Christmas time - if you can't at Christmas then when can you?

With The Gin Shack on the Beach, I wasn't a huge lover of Olive's son Richard but in this second part of the series, I started warming to him and could see that he is really caring towards his mum. As well as Richard, a lot of characters from the first novel come into this one but don't worry if you plan to read this one but haven't read the first - it could easily be read as a standalone. Olive is by far my favourite character - she just has such a lovely, bubbly personality and I hope to be like her when I'm her age!

I'm not a big drinker myself and despite never drinking Gin, this book has you wanting to taste the mouth-wateringly described flavours that they have on offer at The Gin Shack - I for one didn't know that you could even get that much variety! The Gin Shack series is definitely an uplifting and lighthearted one. Again I believe that Catherine Miller is a great writer and certainly makes you believe that you're there next to Olive and her gang.

Overall, a really bubbly, humorous story with some lovely heartwarming moments and full of great characters. Thank you to the publisher for a chance to read this novel, which I have reviewed honestly.

This was laugh out loud funny and kept me engaged throughout the whole story. Olive is hilarious and I love reading about her escapades. This is a very good Christmas read and I highly recommend it if you want something lighthearted and fun to get you in the Christmas spirit.

The GIN SHACK is a little old place where we can get together
GIN SHACK, baby (a-GIN SHACK, baby)
GIN SHACK, baby, GIN SHACK 
GIN SHACK, (GIN, baby, that's where it's at) baby, GIN SHACK

Please say that I'm not the only one who changed the lyrics of B-52's song? I think I did it in my last review of the first book in the series as well, thinking about it! Speaking of which, whilst I believe that 'Christmas at the Gin Shack' can be read as a standalone, I would recommend you read the first book 'The Gin Shack on the Beach' beforehand, just so that you're clued up on the history behind certain friendships and banter. There is nothing worse than reading a book with humour in, only to find out that you haven't a clue what they're on about because the information is in the first book of the series. Plus, the first book in the series is a fab read, so either way you're going to be gaining!

We are back with Olive and the gang at the Gin Shack and unfortunately, things aren't as plain sailing as they would have liked. Whilst the Gin Shack has made itself known and routines are in place, a devastating even occurs and all the locals are quite shaken due to the what if's surrounding it. Not only that, Olive and the gang feel as though someone is out to bring the Gin Shack down and, to be honest, whoever they are, are quite brave for going up against Olive. Rather them than me!

Oh how I love Olive, how can anyone not?! She is such a sprightly, fiery and loveable character who is able to stick in your mind a long while after you have finished reading the book. & yes, I am speaking from experience. By the way, it's pretty clear that Catherine Miller's new novel is based on gin. Don't start thinking that you need to be a gin connoisseur to enjoy this storyline, because you don't. You may find that you become one by the end of the book, but you don't have to be one to begin with. Hell, you don't even need to like gin! Sorry Olive....I didn't mean to swear...

I'll admit, I'm not a massive fan of gin, but seeing as I have only had it with tonic, I'll be more than willing to try some of the flavours Olive and her gang concoct. Well, and the one I saw online - Bakewell tart gin anyone?

There is more to this storyline that meets the eye, I've got to say. Yes, it is fuelled by gin. And yes, it is also fuelled by the gin shack. BUT, there are quite a few serious topics going on around the gin which is highly likely to make you stop and think. I loved how the author was able to go from describing Olive's latest purchase and having me in hysterics at her antics, to taking the storyline down an emotional path more than once. Obviously I'm not going to go into detail, but the transition from hilarity to heart-warming was absolutely spot on. It was flawless, unexpected and gave the storyline a whole new dimension. Fantastic writing.

The only irk I have with the storyline is how I struggled to agree with all of the characters having a place in the book. I have to be honest, there was a character from the first book who had come back in this one and, whilst they had a place in the first book, I couldn't quite understand why they had come back in this one. Without being rude, I personally didn't see the point and I feel that the story would still have worked if they haven't been in it.

Aside from that, Catherine Miller has down Olive and the gang proud. I loved seeing how much each character had grown up since the previous book, especially her son Richard. My opinion of him changed greatly in 'Christmas at the Gin Shack' - he wasn't the numpty I thought he was. Far from it if I'm honest!

I hope we see more of Olive and the gang, I really don't want to have to say goodbye to some truly memorable, heart-warming and fantastic characters, because it would be such a travesty if so.

Full of giggles, smiles, unbelievable friendship and gin; 'Christmas at the Gin Shack' had me smiling until the very end. Definitely the perfect escapism, as well as the perfect book to snuggle up with.

Thanks HQ.

If you are looking for a Christmas book with Gin, Cocktails, Christmas spirit, laugh out loud moments, octogenarian antics, and a loveable cast of characters, then look no further than Christmas at the Gin Shack.

Despite not being a Gin drinker, I could taste the variou Christmas Gin based cocktails the gang were coming up with in an effort to win a cocktail competition. I really wanted to try the chocolate orange one, and some of the decorative touches on the others were fantastic.

This is an excellent sequel and it didn't even feel like I had been away from the Gin Shack. Within pages of starting this book it was like I was back with old friends and family and there were enough subtle hints at the story from the first book that I believe it would work as a standalone too.

Olive is 84 years young, and shows no signs of slowing down, in fact she goes to every effort to make sure she speeds right up. There is after all The Gin Shack to help run, her beach hut, a potential new nemesis for the Gin Shack, still the fame of being part of the Oakley West Trio, and that before she comes up with all manner of ways to make the most of Christmas to their advantage.

Richard who I struggled to like in the first book, has turned the corner and is a much nicer man nowadays, and spends a lot more time at the beach with his mum, and he has great ideas for the future. It is in part due to these ideas that I'm hoping there will be a third book in this series, as I need more from all of these characters.

It's a warm hearted, uplifting, enjoyably entertaining story that was a joy to read. It spread festive cheer as well as plenty of action, good times, rivalries, one nasty man, and a surprising change of heart for one character. I absolutely love spending time at The Gin Shack, which due to the age of the main character is such a refreshing change from most of the other books I read.

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