I thought I had found my favourite book last year from Lindsey Kelk with On A Night Like This but now I'm conflicted because The Christmas Wish is such a special book and has definitely hit the nail on the head when it comes to a new and fresh Christmas story.

The characters, the setting, the groundhog day story are just perfect and so brilliantly written. My favourite parts to the story were when she was with Dev and of course as her character developed and she realised her place in this life and family. Special mention to the wonderful Manny and her nan!! I adored them!

My only regret is that I didn't immediately put up my Christmas tree and read beside the twinkly lights! There's still time though as I feel once my copy arrives, and I am closer to Christmas this one will definitely be a re-read this year!

I am absolutely chuffed that Lindsey Kelk has written a new Christmas book this year! In this seasonal twist on Groundhog Day, Gwen goes home to Baslow Derbyshire for a family Christmas with her cousin/bff Manny, but something goes wrong and she keeps reliving Christmas morning over and over again, trying to figure out why? What starts out as a fun Christmas romp gradually delves a little deeper into every character and becomes a story about finding your own path in life, what makes you happy, and even made me think about my own choices. Emily Henry wrote a blurb that says "I'll read anything she writes!" And I heartily agree, this girl is magic, and this is another one of her beautiful, meaningful creations - loved it!

Lindsey Kelk is a guaranteed auto-buy author for me and it’s pure excitement when you hear that she’s got a new book out, let alone when it’s a Christmas book!

I was so excited to read this and absolutely raced through it practically as soon as the book hit my Netgalley shelf. It took me less than 24 to read this and then I just wanted to read it again, it was so so good.

Because I trust in Lindsey I hadn’t actually read the blurb of this so the first time Gwen woke up for a repeat of Christmas Day I was a little confused. I can’t imagine that’s anything compared to how Gwen would have felt though and I felt like she dealt with it quite well. Spending time with each member of her family was really eye opening and it was lovely to see these relationships grow but mostly to see Gwen develop as a character and react differently to situations after learning something new the previous day.

The highlights of the book for me were Gwen’s moments with Dev and topping the list had to be Chatsworth House - although the swimming pool was also rather intense! 🌶️❤️‍🔥

Such a fantastic book and I just urge you all to give it a read asap! I’ve already got my hardback in order 🤩

The Christmas Wish is a festive romance with a twist. We've all had a terrible Christmas Day and wish that we could do the day all over again. That's exactly what happens to Gwen, when she finds herself reliving the big day....again and again.... Why is this happening and what can she do to make it stop!

Once you get your head around the concept, The Christmas Wish is an entertaining read, with plenty of funny moments and a whole load of emotion thrown in for Gwen and her extended family.

A laugh out loud , snorting like a pig funny read. Gwen rejoins her family for Christmas hoping the masses if food and festival films will take her mind off being unceremoniously dumped by her boyfriend of four years. To compound her misery ,she has been suspended from her high flying law carreer after throwing a stapler at a valued client. She spends most of her time deflecting her retired solicitor dad's inquesition on what cases she's handling and when she will be made partner. He is living his life vicariously through Gwen,thinking she has reached the heights he aspired to. This doesn't make for an easy relationship with her fellow lawyer and sister. An uneasy Christmas lunch, riven with tensions, is followed by her mum's Christmas pudding which this year includes a new sixpence ,for the lucky recipient to wish upon. When Gwen finds herself waking up the following day to find it's Christmas day again, she realises it must be a consequence of someone's Christmas wish. As she lives a groundhog Christmas day over several days, she embarks on a sometimes hilarious, at times full of pathos , quest to discover who got the sixpence and made the wish. To add a piquant love interest, Gwen reconnects with her handsome next door neighbour Dev, the object of her teenage lust and realises she still loves him. This is the perfect antidote to these dark evenings, full of warmth, humour, deep insights and feel good prose. More please!

I absolutely adored On A Night Like This last year and was so excited to hear that Lindsey Kelk’s book for 2022 was going to be a Christmas Groundhog Day affair. Did it live up to my hopes and expectations? Absolutely and then some! It’s a wonderful novel that manages to be a romance, a family drama and a story of figuring out who you are and where you want to be. Oh and it’s absolutely laugh out loud funny!

Newly single Gwen Baker is hoping that a family Christmas, tucked away on the countryside with mountains of food, will be the perfect distraction for her. Her career is hanging by a thread and her heart is thoroughly broken. It seems everyone around her has their lives all sorted and she can’t help but wish her future was clearer. After what turns out to be an eventual Christmas Day, Gwen wakes to find its Christmas once again, and again, and again. Like Groundhog Day but with turkey. And family arguments. On repeat. As Gwen tries to figure her way out of her own Christmas hell, the only bright spot is Dev, the man who was once the boy next door. But how do you fall in love with someone who can’t remember you from one day to the next?

I absolutely adore Kelk’s writing, the way that she can balance so much warmth and heart with absolute gut busting humour is something else. I don’t think I’ve laughed so much at a book as I have at Gwen’s gift from her Dad! This is a very funny book indeed, but it’s also so much more. As Gwen begins to figure out what it is she wants from her own life, she also comes to realise that everyone else’s lives aren’t nearly as perfect as they seem.

At its heart this is a story of family, after all it’s a Christmas story and what is Christmas without family, however that may look. Through her different Christmas Days Gwen comes to learn as much about her own family members as she does herself, and there are some really tender and also difficult moments along the way. It was wonderful to read about her interactions with her family; I especially loved Manny and her Nan, both of whom were incredible characters.

It’s also a lovely slow burn romance, I mean what else could it be given the set up. Dev is a wonderful MMC and you can feel just how much he puts Gwen at ease and how much they enjoy each others company. It’s an unusual journey to a HEA, but I loved it.

It was brilliant reading all about Gwen’s different Christmas Days and never once does the story get dull or feel repetitive- such is the power of Kelk’s writing. If you want a feel good and very funny Christmas read look no further! I highly recommend it.

I always love Lindsey Kelk books and could'nt wait to start this one.

Gwen has split from her boyfrined and gone home for a family Christmas that becomes groundhog day.

I enjoyed the book and it was an easy read however I did find it a little slower than others by her.

It was still a fun entertaining Christmas read.

Imagine being trapped in Christmas day and having to keep reliving it! A funny, sweet story which will make you laugh out loud. Touches on subjects such as family expectations and relationships, and the importance of being happy in life.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

Gwen is working in a job, just to make what her father wished for her come true, as a lawyer in a big company in London.

But, after an incident at work, she’s made to take mandatory leave, now she’s thinking about the decisions she’s made in her life. Why is she doing a job she hates? Is it time to make some changes?

Coming home, we meet her family members, her father, who is wanting Gwen to carry on with his wishes, her sister who she doesn’t see much, and Gwen doesn’t much like who she’s married to, and has two children. Gwen also has a nana, and a cousin who doesn’t think he’s good enough as he was left by his own parents.

She starts to relive the same day over again, and takes this chance to make changes to the way her family live.

There were many different moments throughout the story, with some romance Dev, who lives next door to Gwen.

I recommend this book.

As soon I as I saw that Lindsey Kelk had written a new book, I could not wait to get my hands on it. Oh I was so right to feel that way. I'm going to go as far to say that this is my favourite yet! I did not think that the I heart series could be beaten but I just loved this story.
Set in Baslow Derbyshire you meet Gwen, she is visiting her family with her cousin Manny and then Groundhog Day begins for her. You can see that as every Christmas day begins, that even on the surface when you feel that everything ok, sometimes you have to dig a little deeper to really understand how people feel. As the days progress, you learn a little bit more about her family and the struggles that they face as individuals. However, Gwen is stuck reliving Christmas Day over and over again, what does she have to do to get out of the constant cycle.
The characters in the book are strong and there wasn't one I didn't like, even down to the neighbours. Lindsey Kelk's humour makes you laugh throughout and I didn't want the story to end. i just wanted to read what kind of Christmas Day Gwen was to have next. It was just the perfect read for Christmas and I have not been disappointed.
My only Christmas Wish would be that I could read this book for the first time again, it's a little bit special.

I absolutely ADORED this book. I knew I would anyway as I love Lindsey Kelk and her writing, humour, and unique storylines. This book was such an easy read and so heartwarming; I just couldn’t put it down! The characters were all so loveable and relatable, and it wasn’t a struggle to keep up with everybody’s storylines and the ever changing timeline.
Bravo Lindsey, you have smashed it once again.

It’s been a challenging year for Gwen Baker and the thought of heading home for a family Christmas is both a welcome and unwelcome idea. Her cousin Manny arrives in his trusty old Volvo to make the trip up north. He attempts to convince her that time with the family and Christmas is exactly what she needs before facing reality in the New Year.

Arriving home she enjoys a relatively peaceful Christmas Eve before being woken by her dad on Christmas morning. News that Father Christmas has been and that bacon putties will be ready in five minutes get her out of bed, What follows is a fantastic family Christmas, with an inappropriate gift from her dad, her Nan commenting on her outfits, her sister being, well her sister and the chaos that comes with Christmas.

Alongside this comes the unwelcome side of things, Manny getting upset about something Oliver said etc. Kickstarting a host of Christmas repeats that Gwen has to relive until each person has had their moment to unload troubles, ask for help, overcome grief, embrace life and even find love. Throughout it, all Gwen is on a personal journey to discover things about herself and her family.

But as she helps everyone with what they need this Christmas, will she be brave enough to go after what it is she wants in life?

Another wonderful novel by Lindsey Kelk perfect for getting you into the Christmas mood. Very enjoyable and heartwarming.

Lindsey Kelk is one of those auto-buy authors for me and I could not wait to see her take on a Christmas story.
And I am so happy to say that this did not disappoint. In fact, it may now be my favourite Lindsey Kelk book of all time.
I always love and appreciate Lindsey's pop culture references and there were some great ones in this. From Taylor Swift to Caramilk and so much more. I always feel like I know her main characters so well and Gwen was a great one to follow as she lived Christmas Day over and over again.
Seeing her attempt to help each of her family members' wishes come true was a lovely way to give us a real insight into her relationship with each of them.
Also, Dev made me wish that I had a next door neighbour/teenage crush, he was a real bright light for Gwen and me, each day that was repeated.
This is definitely the book to read this Christmas and I will be recommending it to everyone that I see or meet in the weeks leading up to Christmas Day.
It's heartwarming, joyful, entertaining and immensely relatable. And it's packed with the wit and warmth that I come to expect from Lindsey Kelk.
The Christmas Wish was just so good!
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A Christmas Wish is a fabulous modern fairy tale. A time slip story with lots of love, tears and laughter.

I chose to read an early arc of the book and have to admit completely forgot the premise was a time slip storyline. I just fancied a bit of seasonal cheer and the time slip concept was an added bonus.

The book is written in the first person as told by Gwen a hard working, high flying lawyer who has recently been dumped by her boyfriend and given leave from work in lieu of a disciplinary. “She” tells her story well with lots of humour so much so that I didn’t look for the unique selling point of the book it surprised & delighted me when it came.

The joys and horrors of a family Christmas laid bare and repeated again and again. It was a great tool to help Gwen find herself, learn to understand her lovable friends & family, warts and all. The interweaving of memories of teenage angst, love, family dramas, heartache, snowball fights, drunken escapades, kitchen table heart to hearts and ultimately peace & goodwill to all (except maybe the ex & brother in law) make for an excellent read.

The Christmas Wish by Lindsey Kelk
(Pub date: 10th Nov)

If you read one Christmas book this year… let it be this one. You will not be disappointed!

I devoured this book and loved everything about it, absolute 5 star read for me ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️!

Every year I wonder to myself what other people’s Christmases are like. What do they do? Is it fun? Is there any drama? This book literally fulfilled my nosiness!

I hadn’t read the blurb for this so didn’t realise the premise of the book(I like the element of surprise!). Once I clicked on what was happening I wasn’t sure initially how it would go, BUT, I ended up loving it, much to my delight. The family drama, the Christmas traditions, the food! And to top it off it was hilarious from start to finish, so many laugh out loud moments.

Lastly, I was so pleased that this actually took place over Christmas. Like actual Christmas! So many ‘Christmas’ books seem to start there and then it’s back to reality. I’m here for all the Christmas joy 🎄 give me what I’m paying for please! 😂 which this book does, with bells on!

Give yourself the gift of Christmas this year and read this, this Christmas 🎅

This book started really well. A few laugh out loud moments and things I could really relate to. At around the 25% point I began to lose interest and the book for me became repetitive. Unfortunately something was missing after that point. Although it was easy to read the storyline lacked somewhat.

A groundhog Christmas book that's lighthearted, romantic and funny.

I've never read the groundhog day trope in a Christmas novel yet, but I really enjoyed how this was done.

Gwen's life isn't turning out how she expected: she's recently single, suspended from work and ready to attend a Christmas gathering at her family's house. She doesn't have the best relationship with her sister, and is keeping the suspension hidden from her dad, who's insanely proud of her job.

The disasters that poor Gwen faces are very funny, with a few cringy moments sprinkled in. I enjoyed the romance in this, even though it wasn't the main plotline in this book.

I think the family relationships were well explored in this, and Kelk really makes you relate to what Christmas with your family is like.

This was an enjoyable read, and one that I'd recommend to pick up if you're looking for something easy and festive to enjoy.

-----
This review has been published to GoodReads (05/11/2022), and the link has been attached to this review.
I intend to post on TikTok about this prior to the release date.

Imagine having to relive the worst Christmas Day over and over again with no idea how to escape. This is Gwen’s experience when she goes home after the worst few months of her life. However, what is the worst Christmas for her becomes laugh out loud funny for us. There are some wonderful cringe moments, a wonderful nan, some lovely romance and some real thought provoking moments. I loved the whole family And how Gwen learned to really look at them in between reliving the turkey dinner over and over again. Fab-u-Lous.

4 Stars
One Liner: Funny and entertaining (but a bit slow)

Gwen has been in low spirits, no thanks to her newly single status and trouble at work. She is determined to enjoy Christmas with her family, but things get messy. It sure is not easy when her father wants to live his dreams through her lawyering career, and her sister Creys (and her sister’s husband Oliver) seem to make things worse. It doesn’t help that Gwen meets her childhood crush, Dev Jones.
Then Gwen wakes up the next day to repeat Christmas Day all over again. Someone made a wish, and it’s up to Gwen to find out and fulfill it. This turns out to be an eye-opener as Gwen realizes that there were many things she didn’t know about her family. Also, she wonders if she is living the best life when it no longer makes her happy. Can Gwen find what she wants for Christmas while helping her family truly come together as a unit?
The story comes from the first-person POV of Gwen Baker.

My Thoughts:
I’m glad I went into the prepared to read it more as Women’s Fiction than romance. Right expectations are important to enjoy the book.
The writing is easy to read and flows with natural humor. It is silly, quirky, and even eye-roll-inducing. But it is entertaining and lighthearted. Even those several pop culture references didn’t diminish the effect.
The characters are well-defined despite not being too layered. What we see is enough to understand their essence. Gwen has a few not-so-nice moments, but those make her human. After all, who hasn’t embarrassed themselves at one time or another? A bit of exaggeration is expected in fiction, so I don’t mind.
The Groundhog Day loop doesn’t start until close to 100 pages. I feel this is necessary to establish the characters and set the stage for the actual time loop. The reader goes into the main plot armed with the required information.
The book deals with varied themes like dysfunctional families, parental pressure, love, relationships, cheating, career struggles, workplace issues for women, etc. They blend with the plot, appear whenever necessary, and get resolved (sometimes easily, sometimes not).
The pacing is a bumper. Despite the humor and everything, the story dragged in some places. A couple of themes are handled with a weeny bit extra emphasis, but that’s no big deal when the book delivers on the nice Christmasy feeling and a happy ever after.
To summarize, The Christmas Wish is a lighthearted, humorous read with lots of family time and some romance (for icing).
Thank you, NetGalley, HarperFiction, and HarperCollins UK, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley

Note:
So, Dev Jones is half-Indian. His mom is Sunita, and they also have a teeny dog called Pari. Diverse- check. Brown character- check.
Unfortunately, Devendra could have easily been David or Dave, and it could have been the same. While I’m glad that there is no stereotyping, I don’t like Dev’s cultural roots being erased without a trace. I couldn’t even imagine him because everything about him is 100% British. Now, if a book had Irish, Scottish, Italian, or other characters, there would be something other than ‘his thick black hair’ to show cultural diversity.
Here, there’s nothing. Food, language, and music are connectors that keep the cultural element alive in second and third-generation immigrants. The book had ample opportunities to include a line or two to weave the Indianness without emphasizing or stereotyping the character. All it needed was a bit of research and some effort to make use of the diversity instead of ticking it off with physical descriptions and names. I haven’t docked points for this, but I would have added them if this was taken care of.