This was brilliant. Poor Lydia has lost her mum and is sent to live with someone she doesn't know and who, it appears, doesn't really want her there. She learns a lot about family and friendships while she is there and how they make life better. She starts the book alone and missing her mum, but by the end she has a group of people around her who love her. She also discovers some family secrets along the way and learns how to have fun. This is a great read with a really heartwarming message.

Wow, wow, wow. This book was incredibly heart warming, magical and it felt so unique.

I adored the historical fiction element to the story, set in 1814, the story feels more like a winter magic novel rather than Christmas, but it still gave all the vibes. Lydia has lost her mum and has been taken in by a distant family member, who promises to take care of her, IF she can pass a test that only a real lady could pass. This turns out to be quite the challenge for Lydia.
Obviously Lydia misses her mum and the book deals very gently, but with absolute strength and a message that could help anyone dealing with grief.

Throw in some midwinter magic and a mystery to solve and you're in for a fab time within these pages. The mystery was compelling, the characters loveable and the atmosphere enchanting. Buy this one for the reader in your life to bring some winter magic into your life, regardless of their age!

Thank you NetGalley and Hodder Children's Books for this eCopy to review

Imagine arriving at a grand estate with nothing but a small dog and a heart full of hope. That’s precisely how our journey begins with Lydia Marmalade in The Christmas Wish-tastrophe, a delightful holiday novel by Cariad Lloyd.

Lydia finds herself at Lady Partridge's mansion, determined to turn it into her new home despite her humble beginnings, accompanied by her sausage dog, Colin, Lydia navigates through a series of whimsical and heartfelt adventures that bring the true spirit of Christmas to life.

Lydia is very endearing. Her resilience, coupled with her optimistic outlook, makes her instantly likable. Colin, her loyal companion, adds a touch of charm and lightheartedness. Lady Partridge, with her stern exterior and hidden kindness, serves as a perfect foil to Lydia’s sunny disposition.

I enjoyed how Lydia found a home and family in the most unexpected places, with plenty of love and magic to go around the Christmas spirit is beautifully portrayed.

Lloyd’s writing is full of humour and her descriptions are vivid, making you feel as though you’re right there with Lydia and Colin, and their new friends experiencing the joys and challenges of their adventure.

The Christmas Wish-tastrophe is a delightful read that encapsulates the magic of Christmas. It’s a story about hope, resilience, and the importance of community and kindness. Perfect for cosying up by the fire with a hot cup of cocoa, this book is sure to become a holiday favourite.

This was an enjoyable Christmas read and a bit different to other middle-grade festive stories in that its historical too. These little historical details really added to the story and I giggled away to myself over the mishaps caused by the mischievous Bel, who is a winter sprite. I think young readers would love this!

**Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read an advanced e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own **

4.5 stars

I know this book is aimed at young children, but I have had it on my wishlist for ages because it just looked so much fun!

I don't know if there will be any picture in the finished copy (my digital copy didn't), so I'll have to take a look at the finished copy to see, as I assume there will be and I can't way to see how they accentuate the story.

I didn't realise this was in a historical setting. It's set in the 1800s, but it matters not. The excitement and thrill of the story would fit in any time period, but by setting it in a historical period it means you get that historical element. It can be hard for an adult to identify with a main character who is a child, especially a child in the 1800s, but Lydia is fantastic and was very easy to get along with.

It is pure escapism. For children and adults alike. It's fun and big hearted, action packed by relaxing. There's happiness, sadness and magic, and it makes for a gorgeous and quick read.

It wasn't what I was expecting. I'm not sure what I was expecting to be honest, but I assumed it would be a modern story with kids wishing for things for Christmas but that wasn't right. There's magic and fantasy and adventure yes, but there's history and it's a lot deeper than I expected from a festive kids book.

It's a combination of genres. It's a kids book, slightly festive, historical, adventure, magical, mystery; it's full of intrigue and entertainment and positivity.

I believe Cariad has only written one book prior to this, and that was a non-fiction on how to cope with grief. And whilst it wasn't perfect form a literary point of view, it was clear to me that her talents are not just in comedy, and I do hope this is a career path she continues to explore as I think she's got great potential.

A delightful Christmas tale with just the right amount of magic.
I loved this book from start to finish and I can highly recommend it. I think this book will make a perfect addition to any library, school or child's reading collection; I know I'll certainly be buying it!
In my opinion, this story has just the right amount sadness, happiness, emotion and magical mystery in it to keep children and adults alike interested. I have to confess it even managed to bring a tear to my eyes at one point.
Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this advance copy and a huge well done to Cariad Lloyd.

A Christmas gem, I couldn’t get enough of Cariad Lloyd’s Christmas Wish-tastrophe. Full of heart, this is a beautiful story of friendship and belonging with the perfect mix of mystery, magic and characters you’ll want to put in your pocket and keep with you forever.
An absolute joy of a book that I can’t wait to press into the hands of children and gift-giving adults this Christmas. Perfect for fans of Matt Haig’s A Boy Called Christmas series.

What a truly delightful start to my Christmas reading for this year.. It is a mix of mystery, magic in a very Jane Austen setting. After her mother's death, Lydia is sent to live with Lady Partridge, who is less than happy to have this new ward. But why does she not like Lydia and did she really not know Lydia's mother? As the mysteries begin to mount, our heroine, as well as her dog, Colin, face a very uncertain future; which is not aided by the help of a Winter Sprite. This is one of those fantastic stories that leaves you with a warm glow and a real sense of the Christmas spirit. I absolutely loved it.

The Christmas Wish-tastrophe is a big-hearted children's fantasy adventure story.

Cariad Lloyd has created a wonderful Victorian period tale- in a world of technology, fast paced app clicking and many issue-led children's books, it is sometimes refreshing to read a book that is simply a piece of traditional escapism.

Lydia Marmalade is orphaned and finds herself ( with her sausage dog Colin) under the care of the aloof and grumpy Lady Partridge at Peppomberley Manor- complete with butler, cook , stable boy and a world of the upstairs /downstairs ( rich and humble) Lydia truest fit in but things don't go to plan.

It is shortly after her arrival at Peppomberley on St Nicholas' Day that Lydia learns of a magical way to make wishes come true- her desire is to be close to her mum again....and soon the fun begins as Bel the Sprite enters Lydia's world and things don't go to plan!

A gemstone theft, a Christmas tree on fire and a mystery to solve Lydia and her new friends endeavour to learn the truth about the past

Comical and action packed this is a great book for 7-11 year olds ...fast paced and dilemmas abound for Lydia .There is a message in the story- acceptance of true simple love and belonging - and a perfect ending to this festive winter read.

Ideal as a great bedtime read or a class story for KS2

An animated /film version would be a great Christmas Day viewing in 2025!!