I was a bit apprehensive about reading this book, mainly because it is August and I am still enjoying my summer reads. However, although the novel is based in the winter months and there is snow and the mention of Christmas it was a perfect summer read. It was lighthearted, humorous in places, romantic and picturesque.

I immediately feel in love with Jane and was routing for her to let her hair down and find love. Although the novel was predominately a love story it wasn't cheesy or contained lots of steamy love scenes which I was glad about. It was beautifully written, captivated me and was heartwarming. I loved the side story of Thomas and Marit which was an unexpected bonus especially when the truth behind their love affair and the letters came to light.

This will definitely be a book I recommend and although I enjoyed reading it now I can imagine how cosy and atmospheric it would be to read it sitting by the fire in the winter.

Thank you Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for a copy of this charming book.

This was a lovely read, the main characters were identifiable and I really hoped they would get a happy ever after. The ending was a little sad in part, but felt uplifting and I was left feeling cosy inside! Would have loved to read this at Christmas.

An enjoyable light holiday read which leaves you feeling warm and excited for Christmas.

The description of Norway is wonderful, from scenery to fragrances of rooms. A big perk for some one like me who loves Christmas.

Sadly the story line is predictable and focuses more on the love story than the war hero story. The main character can be described at best as a weak woman who needs a man, or her friend to tell her how to live.

That aside, it still is a perfect Christmas story read and I'd happily recommend it to anyone who is looking to chill with hot chocolate and binge on a Christmas love story.

A Gift in December has us following Jane, a journalist at the the top of her professional game. Unfortunately she is at the bottom of her personal game as her boyfriend has dumped her via email because of her hard earned achievements. Jane would like nothing more than to stay in her flat and eat ice cream until she feels better,but her boss has other plans for her. She decides to send Jane to Norway with a spot on a press tour for the cutting ceremony of the Trafalgar Christmas tree. Jane is joined by quite an eclectic mix of people and one in particular catches her journalistic eye.

Thomas was just a boy of 19 when he was tasked with saving the king of Norway. On a top secret mission he meets a woman that he never seems to be able to forget. Thomas enlists Jane’s help to track down missing letters from this woman as well as the person in question if at all possible. But nothing goes as planned for Jane. Whilst trying to do her Christmas story she gets sidetracked by the group’s resident lothario, gets a professional stabbing in the back, suffers personal humiliation and almost misses out on true love.

This story was a very cute read that will fill you with warm fuzzies throughout. It will be an amazing Christmas read as it transports you to a truly magical place. The descriptions were amazing and I really felt like I could see Norway. The characters were a mixed bag and they all had their sweet and redeeming qualities. After reading this book I now want to go to the country and gobble up even more of their history and culture! A very pleasant surprise.

With thanks to Netgalley and Hodder and Stoughton for this ARC in exchange for an open and honest review.

IA Gift In December was a heart warming festive romance with an historical twist. After a failed romance acclaimed journalist Jane brook was sent to Norway to cover the ceremony to choose the Queen of the forest. Along with her photographer Ben, Jane was to write about the ceremony and it's journey to London to stand in Trafalgar Square. Norways gift to the British people for their help in the war.

On the press trip were fellow journalists Sandra and Nick, three bloggers and ex journalist now TV survival expert star Philip Donnelly. In charge of PR on the trip was Natasha who was bossy and wanted everything to run on time

Although Philip was a notorious womaniser, Jane felt herself flirting with him.. Before going away Jane`s pregnant best friend Margot urged her to left her hair down and have a one stand with someone on the trip.

Accompanying the press pack was Thomas, an elderly gentleman who helped the king escape Norway to London. Thomas explained as a young soldier he met a woman called Marit who had also helped in the escape. The night before the king left Norway Thomas and Marit spend the night together. Marit continued to write Thomas, after the war he returned to Norway to find Marit but she had disappeared.

Thomas hid Marit`s letter in the chimney of the disused house were they spend their illicit night together. Thomas went on to marry his childhood sweetheart and they had two children and grandchldren. Thomas asked Jane to go to the disused house to find Marit letters and bring them back.

Jane and Philip go on a hunt for Thomas and Merit`s love letters.

I have been reading this book in the August 🌞 but my imagination has been in Norway. I have always loved the run-up to Christmas and after reading A Christmas gift in December, I am counting how many sleeps to the big day.

I enjoyed the descriptions of the hotel in the forest and wished I was there. The Queen of the Forest ceremony sounded wonderfully magical and showed the true meaning of christmas.

Although I enjoyed Jane `s flirtation with Philip, the lovely story between Thomas and Marit was the best part. Marit was an amazing woman and the - twist at the end was perfect for her. I also liked Natasha the PR girl who was actually quite fun under her frosty exterior.

I highly recommend this light hearted romcom.

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A Gift in December by Jenny Gladwell. This was a nice romance with a touch of history in it. A very easy, enjoyable read which made me want to stay in those amazing Norwegian hotels and go to see the Christmas tree in Trafalgar square. I always think that a book which has that impact is a worthwhile read indeed. A little predictable but that’s not always a bad thing! The characters were well defined with distinctive personalities coming through the stereotypes. That was well done

A really good read When Jane a journalist goes to Norway to do a story about a Christmas tree and also to have a break she really doesn't think it is important but while she is there she meets Thomas and she uncovers a story which happened during the war The story starts out as a possible romance but it turns out to be so much more than that and its very much at the heart of the book Lovely story telling beautiful setting and a bit of Christmas magic make for a really nostalgic read loved it

A Gift in December is one of those books you start reading and end up with a warm cosy feeling as you become immersed in the story.

Heartbroken journalist Jane is sent to Norway to cover the Queen of the Forest, the tree that is donated to the people of London each year. A week of luxury hotels, festive celebrations and snowy forests could be just what she needs to get over her broken heart. Plus she gets to write a great story for her paper and spend some time in the company of the gorgeous Phillip Donnelly.

However during the trip, Jane discovers hidden war-time letters between a young soldier and a mysterious girl and a final plea that was never answered. Can Jane find the perfect ending for the soldier and maybe a happy ending of her own?

Beautifully written, this book will entertain to the very last page. Thank you to NetGalley, Hodder and Stoughton and the author for the chance to review.

What a lovely story this was and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. A trip to Norway, with a diverse bunch of media people, exclusive hotels and experiences, plus a mystery from the past, all made for a really good read.

Jane is sent on the trip to Norway by her editor to witness the choosing of the Queen of the Forest; Norway's gift to London as a thank you for the help given in World War II. This isn't Jane's idea of a top journalistic assignment though. I did like Jane, I felt she needed a bit of a hug, she made some stupid mistakes, don't we all, but had a really good heart.

All the characters are well written and definitely have their own personalities, which made it an interesting read. All different and all blend well to give an authentic feel, for a mixed group of people, thrown together.

The storyline flows well and I did like the twist at the end, It was a little predictable at times but it didn't detract from the story. If you want a nice story to curl up with then this one is a good choice.

I love Christmas books! There is something so warmly evocative about them. This book takes us to Norway, the land of snow, reindeer, fjords, starlit skies and romance. It’s like a mug of cocoa on a snowy night.

Jane, a journalist, is sent to Norway to cover the cutting down of the Christmas tree to stand in Trafalgar Square. Having just broken up with her partner, she hopes it will help her broken heart.

This is a gentle, fairly predictable romance. The sub-plot of the love letters between Thomas and Marit during WW2 is more interesting, but would have made the better main story.

All in all, it's a gentle read, ideal for holidays or dull winter evenings.

I loved this book and even though I read it in August it still evoked the spirit of Christmas. It really is a lovely story , and whilst there were no great surprises, I was drawn right in there with the characters, When Christmas comes around if you’re looking for a charming feel good winter read look no further.

A Gift in December is a lightweight easy to read romantic tale set mainly in Norway. Jane, a prize winning journalist is broken hearted following an ill fated love affair and isn’t really in the festive spirit when her boss asks her to write an article about the Queen of the forest. This is the name given to the Christmas tree donated by Norway every year in recognition of the help London gave to the country during the war. She isn’t really in the mood for an all expenses paid trip to witness the selection and cutting down of said tree but isn’t given any choice in the matter. Alongside fellow photographer Ben, the party also includes various bloggers, a PR guru and the z list celebrity Philip. All the ingredients are there to make this a typical romantic read. Ben is the strong silent type whilst Philip is devilishly handsome and a womaniser to boot. Maybe Jane will find love amidst the backdrop of a snowy, festive Norway or perhaps a quick fling will mend her broken heart??? The mystery element to this tale is added by way of Thomas, an elderly Norwegian known for his heroics in helping the king escape the country during the war. I think the author writes well in terms of depicting the beautiful Norwegian landscape, making the reader wish they too could experience the sumptuous hotels, the delicious food etc but for me the characters are sketchily drawn and a bit cliched. I found Jane quite irritating! The mystery surrounding Thomas love interest, which Jane finds intriguing, is all too easily resolved for my liking and the happy ending is all too obvious. This is pure escapism, so as a reader you know what to expect and if you have a few hours to while away there are worse things you could read. Unfortunately this was just a bit too cheesy but I may have had more positive things to say had I read it nearer Christmas!! A huge thanks to the author and publisher and Netgalley for allowing me to read ahead of publication.

What a fabulous read - makes you want to go somewhere snowy. I loved this book and warmed to the characters immediately. I particularly like the back story and it adds a great dimension to a feel good novel.

I really enjoyed this story, quite light-hearted to start with, but with added depth just over a third in with the additional story developing of the wartime drama of the King of Norway's escape to London during the war, and the people who helped him.

Jane is a journalist who recently broke a big story and so is on a high career-wise at the moment, but it's heading towards Christmas and she has also recently split with her partner and so is very down. She is persuaded to go to Norway on an all-expenses paid trip to do a lighter piece on how the Norwegian people donate a Christmas tree to London every year for their help in the war. There are a variety of people on the 'jolly', younger bloggers and a bit of a Z-list (slimy!) lothario hoping to restart his journalistic career amongst them, along with Jane and Ben, the photographer from her paper.

One of the people on the trip is a quieter elderly gentleman, Thomas, who turns out to have been involved with helping the King escape during the war. He is looking for the girl (Marit) who helped them, and whom he corresponded with for a while but then lost touch. This is the interesting history bit of the book, which I really enjoyed, a bit of intrigue going on too and a few secrets.

The book definitely got better and better as it went on and I couldn't put it down towards the end, just wanting to know what happened. The story of Thomas and Marit was really interesting. In the end everything was solved and Jane got her story (albeit with a few mishaps along the way) and the guy - but which one?! Really lovely story, although slightly sad towards the end, but with a real Christmas feel in all the snow and cold. Just lovely.

This is an easy read, perfect for a cold December evening with a warming fire and a glass of something delicious.

It is not a complicated story and the characters behave in exactly the way you’d expect them to. However, the image of Norway in November is beautifully described and the writing is good.

I like my books with a little more substance- I’d rather this had been a book about Thomas and Marit with a little Jane and romance (no spoilers here!) thrown in but it was the other way round. That said, this book is an excellent example of a simple romantic story and I’m certain it will do very well in the festive period.

I enjoyed this story and will be purchasing a copy for my nana at Christmas as I’m sure it will appeal to her tastes.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for my copy of this book.

I was drawn in to this book by the mention of wartime letters and, indeed, the book begins with an episode in wartime Norway when a young soldier and a local girl are helping the king to evade the Nazis. There were some interesting characters in the book, including the now aged soldier, but it rapidly turned into a rather predictable romance and I guessed very early on who Jane would end up with. Definitely feel-good and well written but a bit formulaic. Nonetheless, I think many will enjoy it.

3.5 stars

A sparkling and heart warming Christmas gift of a read! Perfect for those winter months had ahead. A great story with lovely characters and a genuine heartfelt love at the centre of it all.

Bruised after the end of her latest relationship, Jane is sent to Norway to cover the story of the cutting down of the Christmas Tree. This is the tree given to us every year for the help we gave Norway in WW2.
One of the group is the soldier who helped the King of Norway escape. His story catches the imagination of Jane. Who was the young girl who helped him and what happened to her after the end of the war?
Jane finds herself attracted to adventurer Philip Donnelly but will he win her heart? Or will someone else help ease her heartache?
A book to curl up with in front of a roaring fire at Christmas.

This is a lovely story about the Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square. It’s a gift from Norway and we learn where it’s from and why. There is also the story of a Norwegian hero and a journalist who sorts out her life and finds love. It’s a book that makes one feel happy.