First off I don't really class this as a Christmas story despite the cover. As the book spans a year in this families life. Its told from the perspectives of Beth, Daniel, Lou.. This book is different to a lot I read. Most end with a happily ever after. This is what happens after. Its a more realistic take on relationships. They take work, life throws you curve balls. Its how you deal with them that matters. Change can be a good thing. Good pace of story, kept me turning the page to see how it all ended.

Brilliant book. Not the usual Christmas story, where everyone is happy and you can predict the plot. Strongly recommend it.

I have read all of Julia Williams previous books and have loved them, but for the first time, I couldn't get into this book, and couldn't finish it. Really disappointed.

The cover initially drew me to request this book for review. I love Christmas books and so I plunged right in. Although it wasn't fully based at Christmas I did still enjoy the book.

Told from the perspective author Beth, her Headmaster husband Daniel and her sister Lou the book seems to focus on the idea of consequences and valuing what you have in your life.

Beth with her perfect life soon finds life isn't so perfect when she finds out her father is having an affair and when she herself finds herself tempted by her old college boyfriend Jack. With her life so mixed up will she be tempted to stray? Will Daniel's odd and paranoid behaviour drive her away? I did find Beth a likeable character but at the same time I wanted to shake her and shout 'don't do it'. I also loved how the each new section of the book had an extract from Beth's children's book as it ultimately related to what was going on in the book.

Daniel, Beth's husband, is also experiencing changing times. His bully of a father has re-entered his life after years of absence. How will Daniel deal with his father's sudden interest in his family and can he forgive him for a difficult past? Daniel's behaviour in the book I feel is justified but I did just want things to turn out for him especially when his son, Sam, moved out in order to live with his granddad.

Lou was the character that I liked the most. Lou seems to be the 'blacksheep' of the family. Her refusal to settle down and live a normal life has made her the butt of family jokes for years. However, when you read Lou's real story it shows how no one should truly be judged on initial appearances. I found Lou to be the most complex of the characters in the book and I was really rooting for her to get her happy ending.

This is a story of family and learning from your actions and I did enjoy this book. If your are into heartwarming books then this is the one for you.

Daniel and Beth have a good marriage with two children. Christmas is spent with her parents, brother and sister. Ged is a jack the lad who never stays with the same girl twice, what happens when his latest girlfriend gets pregnant. Her sister Lou just can't seem to find the 'right one' and often settles for second best. Beth's mum and dad suddenly separate in the new year and her dad finds a new love after 30 years + of marriage. This leads Beth to question what she wants in life and when an ex-lover comes on the scene she finds herself wondering what if. Throw in the mix a couple of teenagers full of angst and Beth's life is about to get quite difficult. A book about family, loyalty and love. A down to earth book without too many cliches.

Nicely written and engaging rework of the classic. Beth, Daniel, and Lou are all very likeable and their problems quite easy to relate to. THis made for a relaxing, if unsurprising read- and don't think of it as just a Christmas story. It shouldn't be pigeonholed but rather something to read any time of the year. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. I'd like to read more from Williams, who has a nice way of telling a story.

It's a wonderful life by Julia Williams is a women's fiction and general fiction (adult) read.
Christmas with the family. Cosy, relaxing…and a total nightmare?

Driving home for Christmas, Beth has everything she wants. The kids and the house, the career and the husband. So why is it that when the New Year comes, she can’t stop thinking about her old college boyfriend?

Her husband Daniel is tasked with bringing a struggling school up to scratch, but when family life catches up to him, can he be a good father and a good teacher at the same time?

Beth’s sister Lou has just been dumped…again. Single and childless, she can’t help but be jealous of her sibling’s success. But is the grass really always greener?
This was a good read with good characters. Little slow. I read it. 4*. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book from netgalley.