Member Reviews
This was lovely! I adored this story, Esme was adorable and I very much enjoyed this story. It gave me lots of cosy feelings and was perfect for this season.
This was a fun holiday read especially for those in the food industry!
The main character Esme was easy to relate to but for me the star of the book was her best friend Mark as he had a fabulous personality!. I did thoroughly enjoy Esme’s vlogs and laughed out loud a few times.The slow burn building romance between Esme and Joe was tactfully done and the ex-boyfriend Leo was one that you love to hate! Overall it’s a sweet, clean holiday read!
Loved this book from the start! I always enjoy books that change the characters throughout so it feels like you get an insight into all of them properly. Book was very well written and quite hilarious. Will definitely be reading more of Katie’s books in the future
I can't believe this is the first book I've read by Katie Ginger, but after reading it I know it won't be the last. I feel really inspired after reading it. Maybe it was the fact that I could relate to Esme with her blog and cookbook, or the fact that Christmas is approaching and I just want to be in the kitchen making all of the things that Esme makes in this book. Whatever it was I feel happy and excited to keep plodding on with my own projects. The way Katie wrote Esme's journey was very realistic to today's era of social media and goals that a lot of us have, and being there for Esme encouraged me to always keep going no matter what I face good or bad. You've got to do what you love and not give up. This also means I cannot give up on a dream of one day owning a cottage with a real fire and decorating it in tons of lights and making homemade delicious hot chocolate every Christmas. It sounded like heaven.
One of the things that I also enjoyed about this story was how Katie went into the points of views of various characters even if it was just a chapter. At first I have to admit to not wanting to hear horrible Leo's point of view because it made me feel like that meant he was going to be a big part of the story and that Esme could go back to him, which I really didn't want. However, the more I read about him, the more I actually enjoyed seeing him get what he deserved. It made for a rather refreshing take on what happens to the cheater not just the cheated. That may sound really mean, but I don't hold people like that in very high regard so it was just kind of nice to read.
All in all, this was a delightful read, full to the brim with festive joy and love. I highly recommend it.
First of all, how incredibly gorgeous is Katie's cover and how much do you just want to dive into it? I absolutely love it, just as much as I loved the way Katie described the cosy and quaint Mistletoe Cottage in the story. The cottage was just the most perfect and idyllic setting for a warm, festive read with so much heart.
Second of all, I could relate to Esme on so many levels and really felt for her when her boss didn't believe her and her boyfriend broke up with her. Said, ex boyrfriend, Leo was incredibly frustrating and manipulative and as much as I knew it hurt Esme at first, I was so happy that she was able to get back to her roots and be around people that loved her and in a place that inspired her to truly go after the life she wanted. I loved that her Mum and Dad were so open and a little out there, they were so funny and rather refreshing. I also adored Esme's sister and little boy, they really pulled at your heartstrings and I loved their moments together cooking and crafting. Throw in Esme's amazing friends and it made the perfect ingredients to aid in getting through a tough time. Her friends were an absolute delight and made my heart so happy with their supportive ways and tactics to cheer Esme up. I wanted so badly to join in with their chocolate cake eating and wine drinking evenings around the cosy log fire.
I thoroughly enjoyed being a long for Esme's cooking channel and cookbook journey. Though it wasn't always easy, it was wonderful to be a part of the ups and downs as that made her so much more relatable. Navigating the world of social media and blogs can be such a difficult and trying thing, so it was lovely to be with her to celebrate the small victories and encourage her when things didn't go so smoothly and people weren't always so kind. As for Esme's recipes, they were incredibly delicious and mouthwatering and through the entire story she had me feeling super inspired to get in the kitchen and bake. I have a list now and am ready for the Christmas baking to commence.
Joe was an extremely endearing character and my heart tore in two over what he had experienced and how much he was struggling. I loved that Esme coming into his life gave him some hope and light and that she gave him that little boost of confidence to get some answers and finally get some closure; closure that he desperately needed in order to be happy. That was a very special moment for him and one that touched my heart.
'Snowflakes at Mistletoe Cottage' is another beautiful read from the wonderful Katie Ginger and I highly recommend you add it to your festive TBR pile today!!
Such a fun book! After one horrible day in which Esme's perfect London life goes up in flames, she finds herself back in her small hometown with her wacky parents and no immediate means of getting her life back on track. Luckily she's not the only one back home, trying to piece together a new life.
Esme and Joe's romance felt realistic. There wasn't angst just for angst's sake, but there were difficult emotions that they both had to work through. The supporting characters, while not all fully fleshed out, were lots of fun and just the kind of friends we all need. Esme's ex was an idiot who figured things out too late, which was so satisfying. All in all, this is a fun, heartfelt holiday read. The only thing keeping it from being 5 stars for me was the lack of recipes. Lots of tasty sounding food throughout the book and not a single recipe for me to pretend like I might actually attempt to make.
*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I received an ARC of this book through netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I did enjoy this book. It was a little different spin on the big city vs the small hometown. When the big city job and boyfriend don't pan out, what's next? Go back to your home roots! The main character, Eseme is funny and down to earth. I found myself laughing out loud at some of her mishaps while filming her cooking show. Of course, this is a Christmas love story, so there is the handsome, special man who helps Eseme find her way back to her old life and the path to her new life during the holiday season.
Cute story, good holiday read, I would recommend it!
I really really enjoyed this book! It was a true winter warmer and perfect for cuddling up against the weather and dark evenings! Without giving away spoilers there were some fabulous bits that made me chuckle out loud. The story is very well written, you're completely absorbed by the characters. This book has a little bit of everything in it and a whole lot of feel good fact!
It was a delight to read! More please!!
A cute, romantic Christmas tale with some really great characters!
Esme has officially the worst day ever and has to move from bustling London and her metropolitan life back to her childhood village of Sandchester: a place where very little happens and everyone knows everyone. Unemployed, single and homeless- what will she do now?
Snowflakes at Mistletoe Cottage is a great novel for this time of year. You root for Esme and Joe right from the start but I appreciated that Joe was slightly more complex than the standard bad boy character. Esme's determination was great too - a real girl power model!
I understand where other reviewers are coming from when they say the ending is abrupt but I liked that it was a real world version rather than rushing ahead into "and they lived happily ever after".
I got real "The Holiday" vibes from Esme's cottage, loved her first life blog and kind of want her hair, friends and her mum! We also get a two for one deal on characters we love to hate! Bargain!
Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to discover this heartwarming story.
A lovely story of relationships, romance, cooking and Christmas. Really enjoyed this story but felt it ended too abruptly. Things took a turn for the better for Esme and ended. Perhaps an epilogue was called for
Sometimes the worst day of your life can give you a push in a new direction. . With the help of her friends, can Esme forge ahead into the future? Her new life offers so many possibilities, including reconnecting with an old boyfriend, and a new career path.
Snowflakes at Mistletoe Cottage by Katie Ginger is a sweet Christmas romance that I really enjoyed. Esme loses her job, boyfriend, and apartment all in one day and returns home. Esme works hard to rebuild her life, and reconnects with Joe, her crush from the past. This book is wonderful, and it warms your heart, after what Esme and Joe have been through. I recommend this book, and I look forward to reading more books by this author.
I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and the publisher. Thank you.
When Esme gets fired from her job and dumped by her boyfriend, on the same disastrous day, she returns home to her family and the little village she grew up in. Encouraged by her friends, she starts her own food blog and starts her own journey armed with her grandmother’s recipe book and her passion for cooking.
A chance meeting with the ‘cool boy’ whom she had a massive crush on in high school distracts her from her broken heart. But Joe is also struggling with the past. Will they find a way to each other and heal?
Oh my goodness. The quirky characters and laugh out loud situations in this novel was the stuff of dreams. I am now moving to my own little cottage and starting a blog....
This was a cute and cozy Christmas read. Nice setting and fun characters. Kind of wish it was longer so the reader can learn more about Esme's family and friends as well as her background.
A feel good Christmas read.
Esme has a great life doing what she loves, living in London with a fabulous relationship, apartment, great friends and the chance to keep her beloved grandmother’s recipes alive. The only hitch in this life is the ‘star’ of the show she ‘styles ‘ food for, and the star’s mistreatment of staffers, her unapologetic nastiness and now, the outright theft of Esme’s favorite cake recipe. It wasn’t the first time that she’d had a recipe ‘stolen’ but this was the icing on the cake – and Esme went to the show’s producer to complain. With no back-up and being simply “staff” Esme was fired and aririves home in an emotional state, only to find that her boyfriend of 5 years wants her out of their apartment, now.
Heading back home with no prospects, far from London and with little money is the first in a long series of challenges for Esme- but with some help from her parents, solid love from her friends, and the realization that her relationship with Leo is solidly over now that he’s moved his new girlfriend (and boss) into his apartment, Esme has to start doing something. From reconnecting with a school-mate who now does real estate in town, to trying to start a blog and vlog about cooking, all while trying to stay warm in a little run-down cottage without central heating, Esme is up against it.
From the friendships to her crazy family, there is no shortage of support or advice for Esme, and when she finally takes the move to make her own way doing what she loves and playing about with the family cookbook while bringing her own unique style – unpolished, homey comfort food with a touch of “deal with the mistakes as they come” sort of attitude, Esme and her friends are heartfelt, engaging and utterly delightful – the perfect “lead in” to the holiday season with plenty of ideas for the feast, some fun ‘try it just for giggles’ sort of food, the friends who are always on your side and the parents who, while being a bit over the top are nothing but supportive and on your side – if occasionally scary and vaguely threatening (in the case of Esme’s mum). Grab this for a story that will demand you curl up with tea and biscuits and read through to the last page!
I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Review first appeared at <a href=” https://wp.me/p3OmRo-ayX /”> <a> I am, Indeed </a>
This book has a perfect premise, something with promise. Our leading lady is an excellent cook, whose recipes are used to showcase another woman on TV. The last straw comes when there is a conflict about ownership. Our brooding hero is back at her hometown, and he has his problems to work through. Esme heads back home to sort out the mess of her life.
The actual bonding between the two and the conversations they have as well as the rise of fame of Esme as she works out the kinks of the kind of life she wants was interesting and held my attention. She begins with bogging and moves on from there. Each time she needs a push though and did not always put the work in before moving to the next idea. Overall that picture was painted pretty vividly. There were two discrepancies in the narrative that bothered me. One was Esme's mother's character. She kept being described one way, but I saw a few pieces of evidence to support the claims and another was in the very beginning. These small, insignificant details bothered me in the story, but otherwise, I would recommend this to readers of the genre. It is the kind of book to kick back with a hot chocolate and read about lots of baking/foods.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.
Brilliant story it makes me want to carry on blogging about books and stuff.
Love the ending so happy it wasn't a tipical slushy ending
What a lovely holiday read! I enjoyed Katie Ginger's "Snowflakes at Mistletoe Cottage" so much. The novel kept me interested in the story line and I loved having different perspectives throughout. Esme's struggles and resilience was wonderful to follow and the setting at Christmas was the icing on the cake.
I was looking for a fun Christmas book to start getting me in the Christmas spirit and unfortunately this didn’t do that for me. The writing was not my taste and I found myself skimming through the book.
This book is about a food technician on tv show sacked because she accused the star presenter of stealing her recipes (which she did) then she goes to the flat she shares with and he breaks off the relationship she and tells her to pack up her stuff & leave. She returned home as she has no job & no where to go as the tv company have black listed her and she decides to set up a blog. And it’s about her friends and family rallying round and what goes wrong in between.
The synopsis drew me to this book and I loved it!
Twists, turns, happy, sad and it was humorous too. Positively hysterical at times giving a warm fuzzy feel like a old warm fluffy cardigan . Lovely madcap end.
I enjoyed the characters they all had there individual quirky personalities and some were down right hilarious.
However at some parts the book jumped all over the place for no reason and seemed out of place, with the rest of the story but this was redeemed at the end when it all came together.