A really lovely cosy Christmas read. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I had my rescue dogs snuggled up on the sofa next to me with Christmas music playing in the background which just added to the joy of reading this book. The characters were all lovely and I really enjoyed all the different characters' storylines and how these intertwined. Highly recommend!

This book is a heartwarming festive read but is also amusing.
A wonderful book to read surrounded by the Christmas tree and some mince pies

Such a sweet tale! Perfect for the holiday season, and definitely got me in the Christmas spirit! As with all these types of story, they can be a little bit cliched, but a highly enjoyable read.

Oh my god! My heart! I just love books about animals and rescue stories, it's always so important to look into rescuing your next furry friend.

I just loved The Nine Lives of Christmas. Enjoyable and easy to read, as I am owned by three cats myself I was hooked into whether the cars would find their furever homes before Christmas. A great read that I could not put down.

In real life I am far more of a dog person than a cat person, but when it comes to fictional ones that don't bite or scratch, I'm all for a loveable cat too.

And wow in this book we get to see the stories of 9 rather special cats looking for new homes at Battersea, their rehomer Laura and of the humans that adopt these cats.

Each story is different and goes to show just what benefits having a cat in your life can really have. And this is certainly a book designed to tug at your heartstrings. I would have loved to reach into the pages and given Felicia and all the other cats a big cuddle.

And as for Laura this is as much a story of self discovery for her, as she starts to connect to new people, and at the same time she can see what the reader can see about her relationship, and starts to do things about it.

There was one visitor to Battersea who didn't leave with a cat, and given her opinions when discussing things with Laura, I couldn't believe the lengths she would go to to get a new Instagram accessory.

I've previously read Christmas at Battersea, a few years ago and based on what I recall from that, I can easily tell just how accurate and well researched this novel was. The way they make Christmas special there for the animals really rang true to me, and I loved seeing everything from the point of view of the rehoming team.

I thoroughly enjoyed this rather special novel, it was quick and easy to read, and packs a punch, and reminds everyone that a cat is more than just for Christmas, it really is for life. And that cats really do hold a special place in the hearts of many.

Thank you to Trapeze on Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

This was a wonderfully heartwarming but emotional book which was perfect for curling up with on a cold night.

I have to admit I’m not much of a cat person, I much prefer dogs, but I had heard a lot about the Battersea animal shelter and wanted to find out more about what they do. It was really interesting to find out what happens behind the scenes and all that is involved in looking after the animals. There was a lot more to it than I realised and I have a lot of respect for anyone who works there. Even I found myself falling in love with some of the cats, especially Felicia, and I loved how the author managed to convey the cats with their own little personality which made them seem very cute. It has definitely made me change my opinion of cats!

This story had a lot more going on than I thought there would be with lots of drama and a touch of romance which kept me absorbed in the book. Laura was a lovely main character, who obviously has a heart of gold but a rather miserable boyfriend who doesn’t understand her devotion to her job at Battersea. I disliked him instantly especially when you see him compared to the much more dynamic Aaron, a man she meets at Battersea and bonds with as they both love the same cat. I really wanted her to ditch her boyfriend and get with him as I thought she would be much happier. I wanted to keep reading to see how it would end for her.

The Nine Lives in the title is very clever as it refers to the supposed nine lives that cats are meant to have but also the nine people in the story whose lives are changed due to their adopting an animal. It was quite sad to read some of their stories and the reasons why the animals have come to the shelter in the first place.

This was a hugely enjoyable, warm read which I loved reading. It was very absorbing and found the book hard to put down as I felt so invested in the story. It would make a great gift for any animal lover this Christmas.

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

'The Nine Lives Of Christmas' is published by Orion books imprint, Trapeze, and is out on the 14th November in ebook format and audiobook, it is the purr-fect pre-Christmas treat (sorry,couldn't help myself!)

Who doesn't love a seasonal tale,especially one which supports such an amazing organisation?

Battersea Dog And Cats Home is a national institution which takes in,and rehomes, the abandoned, the unwanted and the mistreated animals of London.

Laura has set herself a double mission-rehome Felicia and persuade her boyfriend,Rob,to like cats.

This is easier said than done as Rob and cats aren't a match made in heaven, and with Felicia having FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus) Laura just might need a Christmas miracle.

What Laura doesn't realise, is that her mission to rehome cats and dogs(not just randomly, but matching animals with the right owner)is a distraction from creating a home for herself. Self care and learning to love herself is a goal her best friend Jaz has taken on for her own. Whilst Laura is setting about with her plans, she encounters Lucie,Mark,Casey and Trish,Wanda ,Carlos ,Rufus and Alan ,Jack ,Enid and Alison. Despite a wide range of characters intertewining through Laura's life, Florence juggles them with aplomb making each feel relevant, important and necessary rather than shoehorned in. And whilst reading, it really reinforces how a cat can become a central figure in a home and the importance of being a responsible cat owner. The dividends that are paid by a happy cat truly makes a house a home -this is from the proud owner of 2 tempramental kitties, or is that the other way around?

There is something special about Christmas time which really focus' people on setting goals,dreams and hopes-sometimes they are cruelly dashed and at others they are so lovingly realised.So read 'The Nine Lives Of Christmas' and see how Laura fares both in love, and at the cat's home.

Hilarious as well as heartwarming -pretty much most women can chalk up a similar experience at the makeup counter I am sure!-, I thoroughly recommend this seasonal read and I cannot wait to see what Florence McNicoll follows this book with!

Laura works for the cats in need of loving homes at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home in London. She loves her job and finds great satisfaction in pairing up the right adopter to the cat most suitable to their needs. This is the story of Laura matching up the personalities of nine cats from varying ages and pedigree to nine adopters who for one reason or another feel a little lost in the world and a cat will be the companion they need to comfort them right now and beyond.
We hear of the history of these nine individuals, why they are seeking the friendship of a furry friend and how the cats are very clever in choosing their perfect companion and forever home.
Away from the cats home Laura is discovering that her own partnership with boyfriend Rob might not be her perfect pairing and decisions of the heart have to be made.
I absolutely loved this story as a cat lover and owner of my very own rescue cat I was charmed and humbled by the stories around the daily life at Battersea Dogs and Cats Home. Battersea was opened in 1860 and it was one of the forefront charities in providing a rescue centre for small animals. The social interaction of animals and humans is so rewarding and can bring so much joy and can also help with the owners health and wellbeing. I feel very privileged to be able to promote this gorgeous book bringing attention to the valuable work that all animal rescue centres bring but in particular Battersea Dogs and Cats Home.
The Nine Lives of Christmas is a wonderfully uplifting story filled with hope and joy for the festive season and beyond. Cat lovers will lap it up and think it's just purrfect!

Oh my heart!!! If you’re not an animal lover already, then there is a high chance you will be by the end of the book!

Battersea Dogs and Cats Home is the setting for this story, and main character, Laura, is determined to find Mrs Grumpy Cat aka Felicia, a new home for Christmas. If Laura had her way, all of the animals would have a home with her but seeing as that wouldn’t be feasible, she intends to find homes for as many of the animals as she can.

This is such a special, special book. The fact that the author is trying to give rescue animals the attention that they deserve, so that they can find new homes, is such a selfless act. I mean, who wouldn’t go onto Battersea’s website after reading this? Or any other animal shelter?

They say that a pet is for life, not just for Christmas and, whilst that is certainly true, people need to remember that a lot of animals fit themselves without a special lap to fall asleep on during the cold months, and months after. Even grumpy ones like Felicia!

I fell in love with Felicia and the story! Her grumpy nature didn’t scare me at all and I had everything crossed that she would finally get her happy ending in a home where someone loves her. I am in awe of people like Laura who take care of animals as a job as, just like Laura says, the animals are like her family and not just a job.

‘The Nine Lives of Christmas’ is a heartwarming and emotive read, where the true essence of love gets sprinkled over the characters like fairy dust. If you find yourself with space in your home and space in your heart, maybe you might find what you’re looking for in a local rescue shelter.

Thought provoking, endearing, and an all round festive treat. Really enjoyed it.

Laura and Dan, her boyfriend, met at their workplace and fell in love. Laura eventually moves in with Dan in his plush, immaculate, modern flat, but is anxious at work and decides to search for a new job that she will really enjoy doing. Dan encourages her and as she is an animal lover she decides to apply to Battersea Dogs and Cats Home for a job. She is successful in her job application and can’t wait to learn the ropes.
She starts her training and is really happy there, eventually being promoted to the position of a cat rehomer. Her job involves both office work, (writing the blurb about the cats that are ready for rehoming, including a photograph), and looking after those cats ready to be viewed by members of the public. When they arrive she meets and greets the prospective adopters, interviews them and matches the person with the cats she believes are most suitable. She has one particular cat that she has fallen in love with herself. The cat is called Felicia. Dan dislikes cats and will not agree to adopt her favourite resident. He does not understand why Laura loves her job (and cats) so much and is so dedicated to her work. They really are as different as chalk and cheese. Still they say opposites attract and that is the case from them.
Christmas is fast approaching and Laura’s greatest wish is that Felicia finds her forever home before Christmas. In fact that December she unites and rehomes nine perfect pairs. This novel is about those nine ‘Purrfect Pairs’, as they become known as, and how the new adopters feel about their cats in the wake of their Christmas. They all have their own stories to tell. It is a heart-warming read and the new adopters have diverse and particular needs. There is no doubt that Laura is the right person for the job, she is kind, caring and full of compassion and empathy. Her character really appealed to me (and her job!). I love cats and have owned nine gorgeous cats myself during my lifetime, once three at a time. Cat ornaments and other paraphernalia adorn my house. Luckily my husband loves cats too!
The novel itself is far more substantial than the blurb would suggest. It deals with real issues like disability blues, loneliness and lack of confidence. I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of the novel which I received through my membership of NetGalley and from publisher Trapeze, all in return for an honest review. Thank you. All the opinions in my review are my own with no influence from other parties. It is going to go on my list as highly readable, heart-warming stories, based upon the real Battersea. It would make an excellent and cherished gift for you, family and friends. It’s a 4.5* review from me. It’s authoritative, great fun and sees a fledgling romance initiated. Just perfect to snuggle up with this Christmas.

This was an absolutely delightful read. The characters were instantly likeable, and the cat stories were so well thought out. My husband says I am a crazy cat lady, and we have our rescue cat Lenny, who is such a character and makes us laugh every day. A really well written book, which I couldn't put down. I am an avid reader and this is in my top 3 of the year!!

A delight of a book for any cat lover. Heartwarming and lovely to hear the tales of so many cats and their owners. The friendship and romance element tied it all together very nicely. Makes me want to go and look at our local cat shelter website. It’s too long since our last cat died. I suppose that’s the purpose of the book, so a great success.

Thanks to netgalley for an early copy in return for an honest review
This book wasn't what I thought it was going to be but really enjoyed it as an animal lover it did tug at the heart strings quite a bit
A nice light read