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Short Stories #3
A Christmas Wish
A special Christmas short story from Amanda a wonderful, warm festive treat from a bestselling author.
Poppy is trying to make sure her children have the perfect Christmas. The fields are sparkling with snow, the turkey is roasting, and the tree is groaning with presents. But Poppy's beloved husband is fighting in Afghanistan, and the kids are missing their Dad.
Can all their wishes come true without him? Or will they have the perfect Christmas after all?
150 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2013
122 people are currently reading
271 people want to read
About the author
Amanda Prowse
83 books1,944 followersPrevious Book: 'Swimming to Lundy', published th August 2024'.
Latest Book: 'This One Life', published 7th January 2025.
Next Book: 'Ever After' published 7th August 2025.
Amanda Prowse is an International Bestselling author whose thirty-two novels, two non-fiction titles and ten novellas have been published in dozens of languages around the world. Published by Lake Union, Amanda is the most prolific writer of bestselling contemporary fiction in the UK today; her titles also consistently score the highest online review approval ratings across several genres. Her books, including the chart topping No.1 titles 'What Have I Done?', 'Perfect Daughter', 'My Husband's Wife', 'The Girl in the Corner' and ‘The Things I Know’ have sold millions of copies across the globe.
A popular TV and radio personality, Amanda has appeared on numerous shows where her views on family and social issues strike a chord with viewers. She also makes countless guest appearances on BBC national and independent Radio stations including LBC, Times Radio and Talk FM, where she is well known for her insightful observations and her infectious humour. Described by the Daily Mail as ‘The queen of family drama’ Amanda’s novel, 'A Mother's Story' won the coveted Sainsbury's eBook of the year Award and she has had two books selected as World Book Night titles, 'Perfect Daughter' in 2016 and 'The Boy Between' in 2022.
Amanda is a huge supporter of libraries and having become a proud ambassador for The Reading Agency, works tirelessly to promote reading, especially in disadvantaged areas. Amanda's ambition is to create stories that keep people from turning the bedside lamp off at night, great characters that ensure you take every step with them and tales that fill your head so you can't possibly read another book until the memory fades...
Praise for Amanda Prowse:
'A powerful and emotional work of fiction' - Piers Morgan
'Deeply moving and emotional, Amanda Prowse handles her explosive subjects with delicate skill' - Daily Mail
'Uplifting and positive, but you will still need a box of tissues' - Hello!
'A gut-wrenching and absolutely brilliant read' - The Irish Sun
'You'll fall in love with this...' - Cosmopolitan
'Deeply moving and eye opening. Powerful and emotional drama that packs a real punch.' - Heat
'Magical' - Now magazine
Latest Book: 'This One Life', published 7th January 2025.
Next Book: 'Ever After' published 7th August 2025.
Amanda Prowse is an International Bestselling author whose thirty-two novels, two non-fiction titles and ten novellas have been published in dozens of languages around the world. Published by Lake Union, Amanda is the most prolific writer of bestselling contemporary fiction in the UK today; her titles also consistently score the highest online review approval ratings across several genres. Her books, including the chart topping No.1 titles 'What Have I Done?', 'Perfect Daughter', 'My Husband's Wife', 'The Girl in the Corner' and ‘The Things I Know’ have sold millions of copies across the globe.
A popular TV and radio personality, Amanda has appeared on numerous shows where her views on family and social issues strike a chord with viewers. She also makes countless guest appearances on BBC national and independent Radio stations including LBC, Times Radio and Talk FM, where she is well known for her insightful observations and her infectious humour. Described by the Daily Mail as ‘The queen of family drama’ Amanda’s novel, 'A Mother's Story' won the coveted Sainsbury's eBook of the year Award and she has had two books selected as World Book Night titles, 'Perfect Daughter' in 2016 and 'The Boy Between' in 2022.
Amanda is a huge supporter of libraries and having become a proud ambassador for The Reading Agency, works tirelessly to promote reading, especially in disadvantaged areas. Amanda's ambition is to create stories that keep people from turning the bedside lamp off at night, great characters that ensure you take every step with them and tales that fill your head so you can't possibly read another book until the memory fades...
Praise for Amanda Prowse:
'A powerful and emotional work of fiction' - Piers Morgan
'Deeply moving and emotional, Amanda Prowse handles her explosive subjects with delicate skill' - Daily Mail
'Uplifting and positive, but you will still need a box of tissues' - Hello!
'A gut-wrenching and absolutely brilliant read' - The Irish Sun
'You'll fall in love with this...' - Cosmopolitan
'Deeply moving and eye opening. Powerful and emotional drama that packs a real punch.' - Heat
'Magical' - Now magazine
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
June 14, 2021
A nice little Christmas short story to beat the rainy gloom. It has everything you would expect from a Christmas story: sweetness, moments of laughter and tears, happy endings, predictability. Don't expect much, and you'll not be disappointed.
January 1, 2022
I just wanted a short Christmas book because I didn't feel like I'd read anything REALLY Christmassy. So choosing a free book from the online library with the word Christmas in it seemed like the best bet.
It was oke.. Very short (I know it said that it's a short story). But Goodreads said 177 pages so let's go.
It ended up only being 62 pages and the rest turned out to be previews for FOUR other books the author wrote...
The ebook said that I had read 37% (!!!) of the whole book but that was the whole story. That's it.
Oke the first preview was about the protagonist but I'm not interested enough in her life (from the 62 pages I read about it) to actually start reading the book (or first chapter preview).
Good start to the 2022 reading year... Can only get beter, right? :)
It was oke.. Very short (I know it said that it's a short story). But Goodreads said 177 pages so let's go.
It ended up only being 62 pages and the rest turned out to be previews for FOUR other books the author wrote...
The ebook said that I had read 37% (!!!) of the whole book but that was the whole story. That's it.
Oke the first preview was about the protagonist but I'm not interested enough in her life (from the 62 pages I read about it) to actually start reading the book (or first chapter preview).
Good start to the 2022 reading year... Can only get beter, right? :)
August 25, 2019
A Christmas Wish by Amanda Prowse
I really enjoyed reading this Christmas story in the middle of the summer, but then I love Amanda Prowse’s writing. Yes, it was a little predictable, but I don’t think this took anything away from it’s charm and lovely characterisations.
Poppy’s husband Martin is away fighting in Afghanistan, and Poppy is finding things very hard. It doesn’t help that her daughter, Peg’s, teacher is so vile at parent’s evening. As Poppy and the 2 children prepare to make their way to their friend Claudia’s house for Christmas, Peg makes a special wish.
I really enjoyed reading this Christmas story in the middle of the summer, but then I love Amanda Prowse’s writing. Yes, it was a little predictable, but I don’t think this took anything away from it’s charm and lovely characterisations.
Poppy’s husband Martin is away fighting in Afghanistan, and Poppy is finding things very hard. It doesn’t help that her daughter, Peg’s, teacher is so vile at parent’s evening. As Poppy and the 2 children prepare to make their way to their friend Claudia’s house for Christmas, Peg makes a special wish.
December 22, 2024
A cute story but nothing much here to read it was shorter then short
December 17, 2019
A great short Christmas story from the Queen of emotional family drama, Amanda Prowse. Perfect length to read in one sitting with a cup of tea, a piece of cake and a nice fleecy blanket.
Poppy Day is trying to make her children's wishes come true and give them the best Christmas ever, even though their Dad is far away fighting in Afghanistan. However, on Christmas Eve, maybe there is magic in the air and her daughter's wish of "Daddy coming home" may come true if you truly believe?
I really enjoyed it and have now downloaded the rest of Amanda's short stories to see me through until Christmas Day.
Poppy Day is trying to make her children's wishes come true and give them the best Christmas ever, even though their Dad is far away fighting in Afghanistan. However, on Christmas Eve, maybe there is magic in the air and her daughter's wish of "Daddy coming home" may come true if you truly believe?
I really enjoyed it and have now downloaded the rest of Amanda's short stories to see me through until Christmas Day.
January 26, 2019
I didn't realise this little gem existed until tonight, although it was only a mini e-book I love the Poppy Day books & it was nice reading this, realising that although Miles died in the car explosion his mother was now the surrogate grandmother Poppys children had never had & were the grandchildren Claudia would never have.
January 9, 2024
Poppy missed her husband, Peg and Max missed their Dad and their world seemed to be falling down around them. Scholl was not going well and one of Peg's School chums told her there was no Santa. What else could go wrong? Peg was not even sure she believed in God. Would that all change on Christmas morn. Read this book and she how their beliefs change.
November 17, 2020
Christmas Homecoming
A lovely short story of a family Christmas. Family doesn't always have to be blood. Sometimes the family we choose means most and Christmas is a time for being with the people you love.
A lovely short story of a family Christmas. Family doesn't always have to be blood. Sometimes the family we choose means most and Christmas is a time for being with the people you love.
December 9, 2018
A Christmas short story. Loved it.
April 20, 2020
Love your books
January 7, 2021
Very enjoyable read.
Short and sweet, but definitely worthwhile. I was left feeling that I wanted more, which is always a good thing!
Short and sweet, but definitely worthwhile. I was left feeling that I wanted more, which is always a good thing!
November 5, 2022
A lovely short story full of the magic of Christmas 🥰 I just wish it had been longer. A great little read.
November 21, 2022
A short story, but filled with family, love, hope and grief. If only Pegs dad could come back from Afghanistan for Christmas. That’s what she wanted most except for maybe a Guinea Pig.
May 31, 2020
Read it before will you remember me?, and after Poppy Day. It is a perfect intro to Will you remember me? It is a sweet heart warming Christmas story.
January 1, 2014
This really was a wonderful little book. Another short story that I've really enjoyed, I love how the author managed to give me, as the reader, characters that you cared and felt for - emotionally, laughing with them, crying with them. Setting scenes, describing history/memories and still enabling the story line to flow seamlessly, without feeling too rushed, or not enough boring. So I thought it was lovely :) I have recommended it to family and friends, I know Christmas is over but I don't think it matters that much, I think it could be enjoyed all year round, but that's my opinion :)
This book is a sequel to Poppy Day, but I hadn't read that or any others in the No Greater Love series, and with this book I didn't feel like I needed to read it, I think this is set about 10 years later? I guess if you've read the book maybe certain things that were spoken about may have been different if I'd read it and obviously you would have a much better understanding of the characters. Poppy and Mart are their parents, but Mart is away in the army and he won't be home for Christmas this year. This is the main thing the book is set around, a sad reality that many families are going through, not just missing Christmas or Birthdays, but missing milestones in their children's lives - first words, learning to walk, losing their first tooth, learning how to ride a bike, first day at school for example.
That's why I think Pegs character helped to balance the sad situation the family was in, with her humour and wit.
In my little update (halfway through) I mentioned Peg, the cute little seemingly 'innocent and naive' but she is a little mischievous and her character was so real I literally was highlighting notes, some of the things she said or did and I was sending them to my Mum, because I kept seeing a lot of me in her (at that age.) The son Maxy (he was only 2/3 years old) but he was lead by his older sister! If you've already read this book - One part in particular captures it perfectly... Which is when Peg tells Max about the 'wrapped up Orange' or 'a bell' Again, it was so funny and I think it is because it is true! I know I've had that pulled on me when I was younger by my parents. When you can relate to characters, in this case taking me back to my childhood, it really helps.
Anyway, this is very deserving of 5 stars, I think I went though every emotion possible from tears of joy, to tears of sadness, tears from laughing and ultimately tears, and smiles, of happiness (I think I might be a bit of an emotional wreck!!)
Read it! :D x
(At the end of this story, there was the first chapter of each book from the No Greater Love series. Very smart because now I want to buy them!!)
This book is a sequel to Poppy Day, but I hadn't read that or any others in the No Greater Love series, and with this book I didn't feel like I needed to read it, I think this is set about 10 years later? I guess if you've read the book maybe certain things that were spoken about may have been different if I'd read it and obviously you would have a much better understanding of the characters. Poppy and Mart are their parents, but Mart is away in the army and he won't be home for Christmas this year. This is the main thing the book is set around, a sad reality that many families are going through, not just missing Christmas or Birthdays, but missing milestones in their children's lives - first words, learning to walk, losing their first tooth, learning how to ride a bike, first day at school for example.
That's why I think Pegs character helped to balance the sad situation the family was in, with her humour and wit.
In my little update (halfway through) I mentioned Peg, the cute little seemingly 'innocent and naive' but she is a little mischievous and her character was so real I literally was highlighting notes, some of the things she said or did and I was sending them to my Mum, because I kept seeing a lot of me in her (at that age.) The son Maxy (he was only 2/3 years old) but he was lead by his older sister! If you've already read this book - One part in particular captures it perfectly... Which is when Peg tells Max about the 'wrapped up Orange' or 'a bell' Again, it was so funny and I think it is because it is true! I know I've had that pulled on me when I was younger by my parents. When you can relate to characters, in this case taking me back to my childhood, it really helps.
Anyway, this is very deserving of 5 stars, I think I went though every emotion possible from tears of joy, to tears of sadness, tears from laughing and ultimately tears, and smiles, of happiness (I think I might be a bit of an emotional wreck!!)
Read it! :D x
(At the end of this story, there was the first chapter of each book from the No Greater Love series. Very smart because now I want to buy them!!)
November 4, 2019
This is a short novella, and I’m afraid a little predictable. Poppy’s husband is away with the army, and her daughter makes a wish … the book is called the Christmas Wish. It doesn’t take a genius to work out what happens.
It is filled with lots of Christmas joy, though, which is what I was after to try and get me in the Christmas spirit and apart from the predictability it was well-written and heartfelt.
I wish I’d known there were two other books about these characters as I may not have chosen to read this just yet and would have grouped it with its follow-ons maybe next year or next month if I have time, but never mind.
It served its purpose as a small Christmas filler book and was a pleasant enough read.
Thanks for reading! If you want to see more of my reviews visit www.pinkanddizzy.com
It is filled with lots of Christmas joy, though, which is what I was after to try and get me in the Christmas spirit and apart from the predictability it was well-written and heartfelt.
I wish I’d known there were two other books about these characters as I may not have chosen to read this just yet and would have grouped it with its follow-ons maybe next year or next month if I have time, but never mind.
It served its purpose as a small Christmas filler book and was a pleasant enough read.
Thanks for reading! If you want to see more of my reviews visit www.pinkanddizzy.com
January 3, 2014
A Christmas heartstring puller! Wonderful to revisit the character of Poppy in all her army wife/ mommy/ "girl done good" glory. Lots of subtle references to Poppy Day and Clover's Child, other titles in the No Greater Love series. I defy anyone not to shed a little tear at this one.
November 24, 2014
A very Christmassy feel good story!! Loved the characters and of course the very happy ending!!!
December 4, 2018
Short but sweet, as always beautifully written and just what one needs to read in December :)
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews