A countdown to Christmas with a few bumps.

Synopsis

Join us for Christmas in the Cotswolds in this perfect festive escape, from the bestselling Lucy Coleman.

Imogen Tolliman never knew her mother. And when an accident robs Immi of her father too, she goes to live with her grandfather, Tollie, in his picturesque lock-keeper’s cottage by the Aysbury marina. 

Tollie is the star of the Santa Ahoy Special each Christmas – a festive boat ride along the canal that enthralls both children and adults alike. And as Immi grows up, she starts to appreciate the magical community she is lucky enough to live in. 

When Immi meets Gray Adams, she instantly realises he’s someone special. And as their relationship gets serious, they start to plan for the Christmas to beat all Christmases.  

But as the day approaches, and the romantic snow showers turn into blizzards, their dream of a Christmas to remember, looks set to be one they’ll never forget – for all the wrong reasons. Can they salvage the festivities, or will old secrets that are finally uncovered turn Immi’s life upside down forever?

Let Lucy Coleman transport you away to a dreamy Cotswolds Christmas full of snowflakes and secrets, log fires, mistletoe, friends and much-loved traditions. Perfect for all fans of Trisha Ashley, Holly Martin and Sue Moorcroft. 

My review

Imogen never knew her mother and lost her father too. But luckily for her, she could grow up with her grandfather. And even if it wasn’t always easy, she enjoyed living in the lock – keeper’s cottage by the Aysbury marina.

Immi knows she is lucky. The community is very close, ready to help each other out, she found the man of her dreams in Gray Adams.
And it’s almost Christmas! And this year it’s going to be a great Christmas!

But the closer Christmas is coming, more insecurities are coming Immi’s way. Will she and Gray be able to have the life they dream of? Gray has to look after his mother and his job is suddenly not so busy as it should be…

And when a bigger secret is coming out, can they all salvage Christmas? Or is this going to be the worst Christmas ever?

When I started reading this story, I was a bit confused. Initially I thought this would be how Immi and Gray would meet and fall in love, and meanwhile of course having some minor problems to solve.
But it was quickly clear, that all the falling in love already took place.

Yet this didn’t diminish the liking of the story! Falling in love and getting together is often the easiest part.

It’s obvious that Immi and Gray truly love each other and would do anything for each other. Yet often life gets in the way…
Gray finds himself struggling with his job and has to take care of his mother. So he is forced to ride over and back each week just to see Immi.

This bothers Immi. Not meaning that she doesn’t understand what Gray is doing, it’s just that she misses Gray so much during the week and the weekend are just too short to spend time with the man you love.
But they both are trying to make the best of it and are trying to find a way to plan their future together.

Immi is also living in a place where the people are really there for each other. That’s something I always enjoying reading about… a real community, with helping hands when needed.
Even the most introvert person in this story opens up and becomes a real member.

Also when a big secret comes out, concerning Immi, the love that everyone has for her just jumps out of the book!
And the author does not just make it easy by saying that after a day or so everything is solved, but puts reality in it by showing that sometimes giving time to process it all is how it really is in real life.

All the characters show real emotions, happy ones, sad ones, and do not act all crazy. The way they handle things would be exactly how I would behave (kind of 😀) if I were to be in the same situation.

This story concerns a rather short period in Immi’s and Gray’s life, yet it manages to make me escape my own reality and live in theirs for a while.

And even if they are having struggles, the magic around Christmas, the amazing people and real feelings is the perfect recipe for starting to dream about Christmas!