I thought this was going to be a predictable festive read but I was wrong. I did enjoy the story though and would have loved for there to be a little more at the end as I felt it finished too soon.

There were likeable and relatable characters and I found myself hoping that both Kate and Daniel re find their love of Christmas. I liked that the story was written from two peoples perspective and will certainly be looking out for other books from this author again in the future.

'Twenty-four days to go until Christmas Day and she had a plan. She was determined, every day in the lead up to Christmas this year, they would do something Christmassy. It would be a mini celebration of life, the universe, and everything. Miracles happened, but not often. It helped if you could give things a nudge in the right direction. She was determined that was what she was going to do.'

Christmas is just around the corner, but single mum Kate is feeling anything but festive. Still reeling from being widowed just a few short years ago, she and her young son Jack are feeling the pinch as she struggles to cope with life on the breadline. As Christmas approaches, her worries are only growing, especially when she begins to fear for her job - what will happen if the rumours about redundancies are true? Kate is truly struggling, and is desperate for a miracle. So, when she realises that she can't afford an advent calendar for her son, she decides to take a DIY approach, and plan one festive mission for each day, hoping to bring them both a bit magic for each day of the Christmas season. But she soon realises that her mission could take her down some unexpected paths, and that it might not just be her own life that is changed forever...

Now, this is definitely not your traditional Christmas read. It is brutal in its honesty, and doesn't shy away from any of the issues that it covers, ranging from poverty and loneliness to mental health and learning disabilities. Each of the issues covered in this book is shown in its true and difficult reality, and in that sense it is very much not what you would expect from the cover, or even the synopsis!

Initially, the focus is very much on Kate and her son Jack, and her difficulties in balancing her experiences of poverty with her sons desire for a true Christmas experience. Watching Kate struggle with her finances was heartbreaking, and one scene in particular really stood out to me - early on in the book, Kate's son requests an advent calendar, and Kate has the awful realisation that she can't afford one: 'she had twelve pounds and twenty pence to last her until Friday and it was only Monday. At least four pounds of that was going to be needed to keep the gas and electricity on in the little flat; another four pounds for the bus, and then the rest for suppers all week.' Poverty such as this is so so common now, but is also incredibly alien to those of us that are lucky to have enough. Kate already feels guilty that her son is missing out on a father, and so seeing her devastation at not even being able to give him an advent calendar was truly a shock to the system. I've never before appreciated how expensive this time of year can be, and I was left feeling very humble and grateful for how lucky I am this festive season.

However, I did begin to struggle with Kate's storyline when her son's school began to question whether he might have some kind of learning difference. Now, I understand that the special education provision in the UK has its problems, and the process that is used to understand the needs of the child is perhaps not the best. But, I really wasn't a fan of the negative way in which schools, teachers, and the education system in general was presented. It is well known that schools are experiencing funding issues, and so I was really surprised to see that this book took such a negative approach towards state funded schools while glorifying private education - it just didn't fit with the rest of the book, and I was really disappointed to see how the school was almost demonised when all they were trying to do was make sure that Jack had access to the support he needed to learn and flourish. It felt to me very much like the author forced this element of the story in to try and fit with her own agenda, but personally it just felt like a very ignorant approach towards what is a very underfunded and under appreciated education system.

Now, along with Kate, there is also a second narrator, Daniel, who has his own reasons to dread this Christmas, as it is the first one since the death of his sister Zoe, who died from complications associated with her having Downs Syndrome. He is now completely without family, and is struggling to cope with his sense of loneliness and isolation. To help, he volunteers for a CrisisLine for those in need of support, and as Christmas approaches, his and Kate's paths begin to cross, and their stories become more and more intertwined as the novel progresses.

Personally, I found Daniel's story to be incredibly moving. Christmas is perhaps one of the worst times of the year to feel alone - everything is so geared towards family and friends getting together and making new memories, so when you're on you're own at Christmas, it can feel lonelier than ever. Seeing how even in the worst of times Daniel was driven to help others was truly inspiring, and something that I feel really embodied the spirit of Christmas.

All in all, while this novel is challenging, in my opinion is worth it. Yes, it is a bit heavier than what you would normally expect from a Christmas book, but ultimately it is still a very worthwhile and important read, that will make you truly appreciate everything you have this Christmas time. However, while I felt that the bulk of the book was a firmly four star read, I did drop a star due to how Kate handled her son's experiences with a potential diagnosis - I felt it was a very entitled and arrogant view to take (calling educational psychologists who have trained for years to do their best to help children an 'execution squad' is just one example of the narrow-minded perspective Kate exemplifies), and it personally did lessen my enjoyment of the book.

A dark, stark and emotional Christmas story, but nonetheless, extremely fascinating. This book was always going to be a winner for me with it's Christmas-themed synopsis that sounded a little different from the other books in the genre.

'25 Days 'til Christmas' by Poppy Alexander made perfect reading for me as someone who enjoys the odd Christmas novel. Single mother, Kate Potter, is trying to do right by her son, Jack. She is living on the breadline, even though she has a job selling Christmas trees, and their poky little flat is always freezing cold. She lost her husband, Tom - a soldier in Afghanistan until four years ago - and she has not yet come to terms with his passing.

Chartered surveyor Daniel has recently lost his Down's Syndrome sister, Zoe, and is consumed with grief. He and Zoe used to buy their tree from Kate, so he and Kate know each other in passing, and a lonely Daniel feels an emotional connection, referring to her as The Christmas Tree Girl. Lonely Kate doesn't think she's ready for romance, but she needs more than she currently has, and her son Jack needs a Christmas to remember. Kate is due a Christmas miracle, and so begins Kate's advent countdown to the best Christmas ever.

Set in the Set in Bristol in the run-up to Christmas, this was a wonderful standalone read that brought no disappointments. The opening chapters drew me into the story and captured my attention immediately. Poppy Alexander's writing style is very natural, with a good steady pace and she has done a sterling job of marrying a traditional Christmassy book with several current, poignant and hard hitting topics: exploring loss, austerity, loneliness, poverty, and supporting local businesses. This is a heartrending tale, lifted by a strong sense of community, and seeing Kate's woes gradually diminishing. Whilst this is not in any way escapist or an amusing story, it is still tremendously engaging and delightful to read.

A fabulous Christmastime read that I am delighted to recommend.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel, at my request, from Orion via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

When I first read the description of the book, I couldn’t wait to read it. However, it wasn’t a nice, romantic novel that I was expecting. In fact, it was quite dark in places. Covering a range of topics such as loss and poverty, it wasn’t the sort of story that I was expecting.
I’ve given it three stars, as although it wasn’t what I was expecting, it was still a good read.

25 days in December is the perfect, heartwarming festive read which I absolutely loved reading and didn’t want to end!

The story follows Kate and Daniel as they try and prepare for the Christmas season which they are finding hard due to individual circumstances. I really enjoyed following them throughout the book with all the near misses the two of them have until they finally meet. I felt this story let’s the reader into the characters personal lives as we get a fly on the wall, intimate view of them which made me feel that I knew them personally.

This book touches on some quite hard subjects which I wasn’t expecting and this leads to some emotional scenes. The author cleverly manages to show the two sides of Christmas, the magical side but also the difficulties some families can face. This really made me think and ensured that I kept thinking about it long after I finished reading it.

The book is divided into the 25 days of Christmas which makes it very easy to read and put down if you wish. I liked Poppy’s advent calendar idea of doing something festive each day instead of a traditional calender. I’d love to do that in future years.

Overall I thought this was an absorbing, beautifully written and plotted book which is just perfect for this time of year. It would make a great book club read as I think there is lots to discuss.

Huge thanks to Alainna from Orion for inviting me onto the blog tour and for my copy of this book via Netgalley.

A few years ago, Kate's husband went away as per usual with the army but this time he didn't return home.
Since then, life has been one struggle after another but she is determined to make Christmas special for her little boy, Jack. With the use of an advent calendar, Kate has promised to do something Christmassy everyday.
When Daniel enters Kate's life, they both recognise something in each other,
As December throws a myriad of curveballs Kate's way and just when she thinks she has hit rock bottom, Christmas delivers.
I thoroughly enjoyed this and was rooting for Kate and Jack. She really is a wonderful character.

Well this book is like an advent calendar of joy to read, it is seasonal, heartwarming and 100% perfect!
What I loved about it was the realness of it which accentuated the love stories at its' heart, the poverty which Kate suffers through despite her best efforts to work as hard as she can, the life which Daniel is sleep walking through after losing his sister...all of it is so familiar and yet given a sprinkling of Christmas magic!
The reality is that Christmas is a harder time for most of than we let on, and often we go to the brink of bankruptcy to pay for what the magazines and shops will tell us is 'the ideal' Christmas.

What this book makes you aware of is that a)you aren't the only one feeling the pressure of the season, other people are rejecting conspicuous consumerism and focussing on the people around them. This will be the best Christmas because you are together and that is enough. Poppy throws a spotlight on this in the representation of the small shops on the 'Christmas Steps' where the independent shopkeepers are facing being turfed out of their buildings by ridiculous raises in rent. Added to this is the charity campaign being run by Kate and Pat, workers for Portman's company, an organisation that values money more than its employees. Their boss on whose good side they have to stay if they want a job come the new year, is to raise 1000 pounds for a local charity. They decide on The Apple Cafe, a grassroots organisation which trains up people with learning difficulties and/or physical difficulties which makes employment even more challenging than those without these barriers.

Beth, a girl with Down's Syndrome and Will with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome really excel at making cakes, meringues and brownies, but without footfall and publicity, it looks like the cafe will not be around much longer either.

Kate and her son Jack are facing Christmas without Tom, husband and father who died in Army service. another Christmas with little money to spend on frivolities and little goodwill about the season.Enter fairy godmother , Seema, Kate's best friend who seizes the opportunity to drag Kate back to herself and creates a 25 day list of goals where she can finally surface from the grief which is wearing her to her bones. Her focus on her son, Jack, means she has little energy left over for herself, what she has goes into working a thankless job for an ungrateful boss who dangles her job in front of her knowing she and Jack cannot survive without this income.

I defy anyone to read the exchanges between Kate and her boss and Kate and the school board without grinding your teeth and wanting to throw something. Kate is struggling so hard and literally no one is prepared to see her or give her a break at all. And yet, Christmas is the time for miracles, and as Kate creates a calendar for her son, and starts tackling Seema's goals, reading this book becomes like watching a poinsettia bloom. As she finds herself and Daniel begins to start living again by centimetres at first and then inches, you see how they keep meeting and then being pulled apart.

Willing them and the causes they are supporting on is the reader, by now totally invested and engaged in what will happen, if ever there was a season of magic then Christmas must surely be it!
This is as Christmassy as an Elf sitting in a rocking chair, by a roaring fire, next to a Christmas tree drinking egg nog and watching 'It's A Wonderful Life'

It's life affirming, beautiful and so lovely that it is going to become a seasonal re-read for this reader and if you don;t find yourself whooping with joy, tears brimming in your eyes at least 5 times whilst reading '25 Days In December', then I will eat my -Christmas-hat!

25 Days in December by Poppy Alexander is such a wonderful feelgood story. It gave me all the best heart-warming vibes but it had so much more going on.
Kate has been bringing up her young son by herself for four years now since the tragic death of her soldier husband, Tom. She's struggled as a single parent, juggling work with school times and trying to balance the bills. She's also still finding herself living in a fug of despair since her sadness began. At this time of year Kate tries her best to be positive for 6 year old Jack but this year she plans to inject a little more festive spirit into their lives throughout December leading up to Christmas, a bit like an inspirational mindfulness advent.
Daniel too is finding this festive season in particular difficult, it's the first Christmas since the death of his beloved sister who he spent most of his life caring for. One of Daniel and his sister, Zoe, favourite things to do was to pick a real Christmas tree together. The memory of this act was bitter sweet but he always remembers how kindly the Christmas Tree Girl treated Zoe. Daniel always had a smile for the young woman who worked at the department store selling Christmas trees and he's now wondering if she's out in the cold again this year selling those trees?
Selling the Christmas trees once again came down to Kate dressed up as warmly as she could in her festive gear she too couldn't help thinking about the charming young man with his sister and wondered if they will return to the store again this year?
25 Days in December is such a beautifully written love story that is so sad and tragic in places but it's filled with charming, tender moments that fill your heart with warmth and joy. I adored this story, my heart ached for both Kate and Daniel, I felt the whole hopefulness of new beginnings and cherished the warmth emanated throughout.

Read and reviewed in exchange for a free copy from NetGalley. I really enjoyed this, although found it possibly a bit too long. The storyline was enjoyable and easy to read, yet it still came with a few shocks. Daniel, Kate and Jack were lovely characters, and supporting characters were great as well. Whilst this isn't a sort of book I read that often, I'd definitely like to read more.

I really enjoyed this book. It was brilliantly written with a great cast of characters that kept me turning the pages. Perfect read to escape from day to day life.

25 days til Christmas Poppy Alexander




A Christmas roller coaster of a book ! 4 stars

I was lucky to receive this to review from Net Galley and then invited to take part in the blog tour.


The story is about Kate. Kate is a widow and lives in a small cold flat with her young son Jack. Kate has worked for several years for Portman brothers and at Christmas time she is made to stand outside the shop dressed as an elf and sell Christmas trees
Over the years she has seen Daniel who has come along with his sister to buy a tree. This year however Daniel is alone having lost his sister.

The story deals with some really difficult topics in a really sensitive way loss,disability, grief, and family issues are all dealt with. It has a real Christmas feel to the book and in some ways reminded me of the theme of It's a Wonderful Life. I loved the countdown to Christmas and also seeing how Kate and Daniel overcome their fears and sadness to be able to enjoy Christmas once more.
I really liked Kate as a character she was feisty, tenacious and a great Mum to Jack.

I loved that book gives a real sense of hope to anyone who may not enjoy Christmas for a whole host of reasons and even when all the odds are against you there is still kindness and hope out there.
Not your usual Christmas read but I think this will be enjoyed by many.

Lovely story, main characters were well rounded and I believed in them. Was a perfect Christmas read.

After my kindle started dying on me I managed to get my brand new one just in time to read this for Christmas! And it was the perfect Christmas read. Well written with great characters that I could really connect to. I found myself totally invested in them getting their own happy ending. Lovely setting, storyline and gave me all the festive feels. Would love to read another by Poppy Alexander!

Excellent book! Loved the characters and it was a great storyline. I would highly recommend this book.

As Christmas is fast approaching I'm wondering how many festive reads I can devour before the big day but I'm so glad that I made time to read this beautiful story. 25 Days 'till Christmas took me on a rollercoaster of emotions and I'm still reeling from my journey. This book addressed so many difficult themes head on in such a delicate and tasteful manner. The balance between the dark and light aspects to the story were pitch perfect meaning the book never took on a morose feel, even if some issues were difficult to take in.

Kate was a wonderful character, her fierce protection towards Jack was heart melting. Quietly observing her work out every last penny to make sure she could care for her little 'Monkey Boy' moved me greatly and I loved the campaign to make Christmas special again after an extremely tough four years for the pair. Cue a homemade advent calendar and a daily Christmas activity list and you have the recipe for making festive cheer. But Christmas is not all snowball fights and nativity plays and this story wasn't afraid to show snippets of a tougher run up to the big day.

There's so many great people in the character line up to this story that I would be hard pushed for time to mention them all. But Daniel is another pivotal piece of the puzzle with a story filled with grief and loneliness. The tender chemistry between Daniel and Kate was a joy to watch come alive and I found myself reading on in a frustrated frenzy at the will they, won't they get their much needed happy ever after.

This book is a carefully crafted story of bittersweet love and hope at Christmas time. I loved every minute of my time spent in Bristol with Kate, Jack and Daniel and urge you all to add this book to your festive reading pile this Christmas.

Oh Poppy Alexander what a gorgeous book you have written and one that will very much touch every reader who takes the opportunity to read this wonderful story. 25 Days 'til Christmas is full of Christmas spirit, charm and fun but above all else it has such an important message that will affect you deeply and remind you of the true meaning of Christmas. A meaning that can be very much forgotten at this time of year amidst the mad rush to get everything prepared and all the presents and extras bought on time. This is a timely reminder that Christmas is not an easy time for everyone and this can be for a variety of reasons and with the two main characters Kate and Daniel the author has certainly put an emphasis on this aspect of Christmas.

This didn't come across as a story of doom and gloom given the situation Kate and Daniel find themselves in. Instead the further we delve into the book it becomes a story of positivity, friendship, love and of helping others when we see signs of vulnerability or loss. When we see someone struggling at a time of year when there is so much excess and people go totally overboard it was just so lovely and heart-warming to see a story stripped back to basics. It forgoes all the extras that to be honest are really not needed and goes back to the simple things of years gone by that people remember from their childhoods. In doing so it gives the reader food for thought as to how they should approach Christmas and how we should always remember how lucky we are and to treasure every memory both old and the new ones to come.

I haven't finished all my Christmas reading yet but I'm going to go out on a limb and say 25 Days 'til Christmas is my favourite Christmas read of 2018. I just don't think there is any story that will beat it, simply for the vibe and feelings mixed up in a timely story and for the characters that really are not all perfect. They are struggling with emotions and real life situations and although at times my heart broke at what I was reading and it may seem strange to say this but I am glad life wasn't all plain sailing for them because I don't think it is for anybody in real life. Quite often Christmas books are all sweetness and light with such an emphasis on romance and all the food and presents and excitement of Christmas.

Here as Kate and Daniel share their story and subsequent journey with us I found everything to be so realistic, so true to life and I could identify with every aspect of their experiences. Yes we all enjoy a light and fluffy read at this time of year but Poppy Alexander has achieved a fantastic balance between exploring more serious issues and also experiencing the fun aspects of Christmas. Without question Kate and Daniel have really found a place in my heart and I truly think 25 days 'til Christmas is a book I would return to time and time again every year in the run up to the festive period.

Kate is a single mother, although not by choice, raising her young son Jack alone. For four years now since the loss of her soldier husband Tom in Afghanistan she is merely existing, battling through each day to have enough money to provide the basics for herself and Jack. They live in a cramped apartment above a laundrette and Kate works at a local department store Portman Brothers. She is on the basic wage and as Christmas is fast approaching she is dreading trying to get enough money together to provide Jack with a Christmas that he deserves.

Each year she is forced to be the Christmas Girl who stands outside the store in all weathers selling the Christmas trees. There is no way she can get out of it as her boss Mr.Wilkins has a hold over her and the threat of losing her job, given she is on a rolling contract, keeps her going when things get extremely tough. Mr. Wilkins was a complete creep of a character and his demands on Kate were unnecessary and unlawful. I really wished she had the courage to stand up to him and to get other co-workers and the powers-that-be to see what was going on and do something about it. He was sinister and cruel and I hoped it got the comeuppance he very much deserved.

It's clear from the outset that Kate is struggling both personally and professionally but still she soldiers on for the sake of Jack. She is buried deep under the weight of grief and responsibilities. She feels she exists in a state of poverty and fatigue and joy is very much absent. Yes that's exactly what her daily life is like she is very much on the bread line and constantly stressing and worrying about where she will find the money to feed the electricity meter not to mention how to buy a simple cup of coffee. As an extra means of earning some money Kate crafts jewellery but this really doesn't bring in much and the opportunities are few and far between.

Seema is a fellow mum at the school Jack attends and I thought she was an amazing supporting character. She could see that Kate found life difficult yet she didn't want to embarrass her by stepping on her toes and offering some form of help that may needed to be paid back and in doing so she may have damaged the little bit of pride that Kate had left. Together the pair come up with a fantastic idea to make the run up to Christmas and the day itself special for Jack. The plan is to be called Jack and Kate's Christmas Miracle and it is similar to an Advent calendar. Each day in the countdown to Christmas Kate and Jack will do something special. It needn’t be large or extravagant but something simple and affect which will try and help bring the Christmas sparkle back into their lives.

Kate knows she will never ever forget Tom but he would not want her to be living the way she is. What follows is a glorious, magical journey that evokes strong feelings within the reader as the mother and son embark on experiences they will never forget. That's not to say everything is plain sailing for them and things are a bed of roses. No the author keeps throwing endless challenges at Kate and really she is put through the mill time and time again.

I did think the storyline surrounding Jack and his school was so wrong on the schools part, I myself am a teacher and if we carried on the way the teachers and authorities did in this book then we wouldn't be long left in our jobs. The way in which Jack was dealt with and the manner in which Kate was treated was unjust, unfair and unnecessary and I would hope this wouldn't happen in real life. Of course Kate wavers but to everybody else she puts on a brave face and soldiers on. She battles with her feelings that she is a major failure as a mum but really with regard to all aspects of her life, I felt now was the time to stand up for herself, to not take any more crap from anybody and to say what she feels regardless of the consequences. Who knows if she adapted this new attitude good things may come her way both on a romantic and professional front?

As for Daniel he is a lost soul similar to Kate although his loss is more recent as it's only ten months on from the death of his beloved sister Zoe from heart problems. Zoe had special needs but was full of warmth and wit and Daniel misses her terribly. He is all alone in the world as his parents are gone too. Now his anchor, his reason for keeping going, the person whose every need he tended too has left him he doesn't know what to do with himself. As he passes to work as a chartered surveyor he encounters the Christmas Tree girl. He hasn't the courage to speak to her but he can see the sadness behind her eyes and he feels a kinship with her. Daniel feels frozen at a point in time since Zoe's death. He can't imagine moving forwards nor does he want to and the loneliness consumes him a little more each day.

Volunteering on a crisis helpline at every available opportunity makes him think he is doing his bit for society that he can help people. But really Daniel is the one who is crying out for help, for friendship, for acceptance and love. As a tentative friendship is struck between Daniel and Kate, the reader can see a softening almost like a melting of hearts which slowly become open and ready to accept help, support and advice. Daniel finds a focus and his caring and kind nature emerges as he sees Kate is similar to him and maybe they can help each other. It was such a joy to see how things developed the more the story progressed. Nothing was far fetched or rushed or too over the top. Instead Daniel performs little acts of charity when it comes to helping Kate complete her Christmas challenge. It was so just lovely to witness this unfold and in the process one hoped some happiness could be found for one and all. That's not to say there were plenty of traumas, upset and angst in the later quarter of the book. It was full of tension and at one point my heart really was in my mouth and I had my fingers crossed that a certain thing did not come to fruition.

25 Days 'til Christmas is simply a book you must read this Christmas. Get it as a gift for somebody or even give yourself a treat. It reminds us all of the true meaning of Christmas. It has such a lovely refreshing meaning and sentiment behind it and it will bring a smile to your face and a tear to your eye. There is something for everybody in this book and I was so glad I happened across it because I would have been gutted to let such a wonderful, magical feel good book slip through my fingers. Hopefully there is much more like this to come from Poppy Alexander in the future.

Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for 25 DAYS ‘TIL CHRISTMAS. This is another Christmas novel that I really enjoyed this year (I have lost count of how many I have already read so far, and they are all really good!). 25 DAYS ‘TIL CHRISTMAS is romantic, heart-warming, and completely captivating. It is a story of love, friendship, and family with likable and entertaining characters and an evocative atmosphere.

Kate and Daniel don’t know each other but they meet every year during the Christmas period when he goes to buy a Christmas tree at the store she works. Daniel only knows Kate as the Christmas Tree Girl while Kate remembers Daniel as the man who arrives with a woman on a wheelchair. Only this year is alone. While Kate, a single mother to a six-year-old boy, is struggling with her job, problems at her son’s school, and making ends meet, Daniel is dealing with his loss and spending his first Christmas alone.

Kate is a strong and resourceful character. She is raising a child alone, she hates her job and her lascivious boss, she struggles financially, and she has to deal with problems at her son’s school. Nevertheless, she manages to make the Christmas period special both for Jack and for her by creating an advent calendar full of fun Christmassy activities to do everyday. Daniel is too good to be true. He is sweet and kind, he volunteers, and he’s always ready to help other people. His relationship with Kate sometimes borders to stalking, but in a cute and sweet way, and I really liked this character.

The author created a captivating and enjoyable novel with well-crafted characters. There is romance, there are emotional moments, there are funny and entertaining moments. There are Christmas trees, lights, decoration, snow, and even Christmas miracles. 25 DAYS ‘TIL CHRISTMAS is the right novel to read and get you in a good and festive mood and I’d like to thank Alex and Orion for providing me with an early copy of the book.

Kate Thompson hates Christmas, since her husband was killed four years ago during his service abroad as a soldier. However, her son Jack is desperate to have a lovely Christmas, with a tree and presents. Kate, struggling financially and emotionally, doesn't know what to do and how to do this. She's stuck at a low paid job, now she must also sell Christmas trees dressed as an elf and freezing and is not sure what the future is going to bring. Her friend comes up with an idea of doing a special advent calendar with a festive activity to do together for every day in the countdown to Christmas.
Daniel is not looking towards Christmas after the death of his sister. He used to buy Christmas trees from Kate and he knows only as Christmas tree girl. They start to bump into each other more and more and soon realises there is much more to Kate than meets the eye. But Kate's life is really complicated - can she cope? Will she cope? Can somebody help her?

Kate was a great leading character - there were so many challenges on her way, her life was so demanding and yet she more than often put others above herself. Struggling with money, with being a single mum, she was a realistic, genuine character. It was beautiful and also heart - breaking to see how much she tried to organize the unforgettable Christmas for her son and how far she's go to guard him. The idea of Kate creating the advent calendar for Jack and making the time so special for her and her little boy was brilliant. The Christmassy things that they were supposed to do in the countdown to Christmas were so nice and so different to everything that we're used to, and now I really feel like preparing something like this for my family.

The pace in this story was just spot on, and there were many things happening, and the book itself brings together threads of different characters. The chapters are more or less a countdown to Christmas - it is a second book in the last weeks that I've read written this way, though they were both absolutely different in style and voice but this way worked great in both of them. I loved how it shows that Christmas is not only about commerce and presents but about what it really is that counts - family, friendship, helping each other, appreciating what we have. It was a real rollercoaster journey, full of ups and downs, filled with feelings and emotions. It tugs at all the right heart - strings, it's this kind of book that'll make you smile and cry, that is poignant and uplifting. The author has in such a gentle, subtle way dealt with so many tough and heavy issues and there was the overwhelming festive spirit. She has touched upon different things, some of which I don't often read about, and it was truly great, thought - provoking and eye - opening. Poppy Alexander is for sure an author to have on your radar, I'm already waiting for her next offering. Highly recommended!

Unlike the majority of festive fiction, Poppy Alexander's novel is not escapist fantasy or humorous fare, it is dark and gritty, an authentic picture of Britain with people feeling the cold winds of austerity, with the repercussions of the harsh economic and political climate. Set in Bristol, Kate Potter is a single mother, with a son, Jack, trying to do her best for him, living in a cold and small flat, facing desperate poverty even though she works hard. She lost her beloved soldier husband, Tom, in Afghanistan four years ago and she just isn't over his loss. She is working her minimum wage job, selling Christmas trees outside, but her employers are threatening her with the loss of her job and pushing more and more responsibilities on her over burdened shoulders. Daniel is a chartered surveyor who has lost his Down's Syndrome sister, Zoe, earlier this year and is overwhelmed by grief. He and Zoe used to buy their tree from Kate, and a lonely Daniel feels an emotional connection, referring to her as The Christmas Tree Girl, understanding intuitively that Kate too has experienced loss.

In Kate's efforts to get more into the Christmas spirit, she plans a series of festive events in the countdown to Christmas for Jack, putting notes in an Advent calender for him. Kate's dream is to begin a business selling the jewellery that she makes herself, but this seems unattainable in her current circumstances. To assuage his grief, Daniel fills his hours working as a volunteer manning the phones at Crisisline, and finds himself drawn to help the independent retail businesses based at the Christmas Steps area of the city, under threat of losing their livelihoods with the rising rent and rates. Kate's employers have tasked Kate to head a charity effort to raise £1000 for the Apple cafe that supports young people with disabilities. Daniel and Zoe were regulars at the cafe, and he too supports the cafe. Daniel and Kate find their paths crossing but obstacles litter their path to a festive romance. As Kate finds herself being crushed by the unrelenting mind boggling problems that assail her, will a Christmas miracle rescue her and Jack?

This is a festive read that more accurately reflects the reality of so many people trying to survive and endure Christmas in the harsh climate of foodbank Britain of today. Poppy Alexander writes of a much needed Christmas miracle for Kate, slowly finding herself moving on from her grief and loss, to once again engage in life, opening her heart to others and letting them into her life, renewing her capacity to once again love again. This is heartbreaking fare, lifted by the strong sense of community, and seeing Kate's travails eventually begin to lift. This is lovely Christmas fare, grounded by the daily struggles of so many ordinary people, sacrificing so much to try and provide a wonderful festive season for their friends and family. Whilst this is not escapist or humorous fare, it is hugely engaging and it makes a change to have characters like Kate and Daniel, doing the best they can when the last thing they feel like doing is celebrating Christmas. Many thanks to Orion for an ARC.

‘What is your Christmas wish this year?’ – when I saw that question on the back of a postcard, I racked my brain trying to think of something dazzling, when in fact my ACTUAL Christmas wish seemed a bit selfish as I would love my body to be pain free on Christmas Day. If only. I asked my 5 year old the same question and her answer was ‘to actually meet Father Christmas’. I know – why do kids have the best answers to everything? So, with Christmas on my mind, meeting a main character who would like nothing more than to go to sleep on Christmas Eve and wake up on the 26th, was definitely a wake up call.

Why did Kate dislike Christmas? She sold Christmas trees for a living (well, kinda). In hindsight, maybe that’s why she wasn’t exactly feeling jovial. Of course the real reason comes out eventually and my goodness I felt like I was winded. How on earth must Kate and her little boy, Jack, feel? Not only that, the other main character in the book, Daniel, was trying to keep is head above water on an emotional level, as he tried to find his new purpose in life after losing his reason to live so to speak.

With my heartstrings being tugged on with some great force from the get go, I had absolutely no idea how I was going to get through the rest of the book. I’m not complaining at all, don’t get me wrong! The author was very generous with her writing as this storyline was certainly one that just kept on giving! It was as though I was opening my own little advent calendar every time I turned the page!!

I’m trying very hard not to spill any spoilers in my review, and yes it’s bloody difficult as all I want to do is shout about the storyline. Especially little Jacks situation. All I will say on that front is that I am sure a lot of readers will be able to relate to the unfortunate situation the poor boy and Kate got put in. It was tough to read and just like Kate, my ‘mama bear’ instinct came out, even though he wasn’t my child nor real. I thought that Poppy Alexander was brilliant in writing that particular theme into her storyline in a way that is going to shock people.

I did feel for Kate big time – would that woman ever catch a break? I wanted to give her a big cuddle and help her, but alas I couldn’t.

I adored the festivities throughout the story as they helped to highlight the fact that everyone celebrates Christmas in their own ways, and that the meaning of Christmas is different with every person you ask. Not everyone has money to spend on gifts at Christmas, yet they create memories in other ways and, on the other hand, some people can afford to splash out at Christmas – either way, as long as the important people in your life are happy, why should anyone judge someone else on how much or how little they spend, who they spend it with, or whether they actually celebrate the day or not?

As the book neared the end, a massive lump formed in my throat because it really was magical book to read. I tried my best not to cry but I was so overcome with emotion for Daniel, Kate, Jack, and Noel, the tears just kept on falling.

’25 Days til Christmas’ is a beautiful, beautiful story which had my heart under its Christmas tree from the very beginning. I loved how every little detail in the book was an important part of the storyline. I loved being a part of the magic and the incredible hidden messages throughout. I loved being able to laugh one minute, turn into a lion the next minute, and then bawl like a baby the next. I have been on a journey with ’25 Days til Christmas’ and I absolutely LOVED every single moment of it.

Honestly, wow – this is the creme de la creme of Christmas books and definitely one of my top books of the year. I don’t think I can find enough adjectives to describe how much I adored this book, so I urge you all to grab yourself a copy now and just trust me when I say that this is a definite must read.

Wholeheartedly one of the best books I think I have ever read, ’25 Days til Christmas’ puts the jingle back in ‘Jingle Bells’ and will light up more hearts than the lights on the Christmas tree in NYC. Stunning!!!!