What an amazing book - Poppy Alexander has managed to deal with a whole host of tough issues, while surrounding it with this most magical Christmas book that for the most part is incredibly uplifting, and utterly enchanting to read.

I loved the idea of Kate making Christmas special again for her and Jack by doing one Christmassy thing a day for the whole of December, and it doubling up as a low cost advent calendar. For as a single mum, Kate is struggling big time with finances and with the whole manner of other things going on in her life, she is an inspirational character for so many.

There is so much I would love to say about this simply wonderful plot but yet I think it really would be one of those books to come into fresh with no knowledge like I did and simply lets the words carry you away to Kate and Jack's lives and also meeting Daniel and what he has been through, and discovering the ups and downs of the book for yourself.

A fair amount of the meatier topics don't become as apparent until quite a way into the book but I believe they are writen and dealt with in a suitable manner, and highlights all sorts of things, some of which I rarely see in fiction, so are certainly eye opening.

On the face of it it is a mother and son trying to feel more festive and I loved all the activities that were planned, and Jack is a lovely little boy. There are some true acts of kindness in this book, some selfless helping, and just some absolutely wonderful characters (as well as at least a couple I really disliked).

As each chapter more or less is focused on another of the days in the countdown to Christmas, if you are a book lover without much time, I think you could easily read each day of the book, at one a day in your own countdown to Christmas - as a little Christmas treat to yourself.

Or you can do what I did and sit and devour it, I found the tube journeys I was taking to and from the theatre the day I read most of this, flew past and I'm glad my subconscious seemed to know where I was.

This is the first book I have read by the author and it certainly won't be the last. I can 't wait to see what the comes up with next.

Thank you to Netgalley and Orion for this copy of the book which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

I've not heard of this author before but the front cover drew me in so I thought I'd give it a read.

Kate Potter used to love Christmas. A few years ago she would have been wrapping her presents in September and baking mince pies on Halloween, counting down to the countdown to Christmas. But a few years ago, everything was different. That was before Kate's husband went away with the army and didn't come home. Now she can hardly stand December at all.

Kate's lonely. She doesn't think she's ready for romance, but she needs more than this, and her son Jack needs a Christmas to remember. What Kate needs is a Christmas miracle, and if there isn't one on its way, she'll just have to make her own.

So begins Kate's advent countdown to the best Christmas ever.

She has it all planned out, but you can't plan for the unexpected, and when the path of the loneliest woman in town crosses with that of the loneliest man, she just might find a way to save Christmas for all of them...

This isn't your usual heart-warming Christmas story... whilst there are some heart-warming moments, it also features some hard-hitting subjects.

Christmas is about more than just the presents, and not everyone has a happy Christmas.
It teaches the importance of helping others, and friendship.

An enjoyable festive read with a rollercoaster of emotions.

Thank-You Netgalley for my ARC.

Unlike the majority of festive fiction, Poppy Alexander's novel is not escapist fantasy or humorous fare, it is dark and gritty, an authentic picture of Britain with people feeling the cold winds of austerity, with the repercussions of the harsh economic and political climate. Set in Bristol, Kate Potter is a single mother, with a son, Jack, trying to do her best for him, living in a cold and small flat, facing desperate poverty even though she works hard. She lost her beloved soldier husband, Tom, in Afghanistan four years ago and she just isn't over his loss. She is working her minimum wage job, selling Christmas trees outside, but her employers are threatening her with the loss of her job and pushing more and more responsibilities on her over burdened shoulders. Daniel is a chartered surveyor who has lost his Down's Syndrome sister, Zoe, earlier this year and is overwhelmed by grief. He and Zoe used to buy their tree from Kate, and a lonely Daniel feels an emotional connection, referring to her as The Christmas Tree Girl, understanding intuitively that Kate too has experienced loss.

In Kate's efforts to get more into the Christmas spirit, she plans a series of festive events in the countdown to Christmas for Jack, putting notes in an Advent calender for him. Kate's dream is to begin a business selling the jewellery that she makes herself, but this seems unattainable in her current circumstances. To assuage his grief, Daniel fills his hours working as a volunteer manning the phones at Crisisline, and finds himself drawn to help the independent retail businesses based at the Christmas Steps area of the city, under threat of losing their livelihoods with the rising rent and rates. Kate's employers have tasked Kate to head a charity effort to raise £1000 for the Apple cafe that supports young people with disabilities. Daniel and Zoe were regulars at the cafe, and he too supports the cafe. Daniel and Kate find their paths crossing but obstacles litter their path to a festive romance. As Kate finds herself being crushed by the unrelenting mind boggling problems that assail her, will a Christmas miracle rescue her and Jack?

This is a festive read that more accurately reflects the reality of so many people trying to survive and endure Christmas in the harsh climate of foodbank Britain of today. Poppy Alexander writes of a much needed Christmas miracle for Kate, slowly finding herself moving on from her grief and loss, to once again engage in life, opening her heart to others and letting them into her life, renewing her capacity to once again love again. This is heartbreaking fare, lifted by the strong sense of community, and seeing Kate's travails eventually begin to lift. This is lovely Christmas fare, grounded by the daily struggles of so many ordinary people, sacrificing so much to try and provide a wonderful festive season for their friends and family. Whilst this is not escapist or humorous fare, it is hugely engaging and it makes a change to have characters like Kate and Daniel, doing the best they can when the last thing they feel like doing is celebrating Christmas. Many thanks to Orion for an ARC.