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Benson Family #2
A Proper Family Christmas
Annabel Buchanan has it all. A privileged life. Pots of cash. Looks and manners born of generations of fabulous breeding. At least, that's what she likes people to think. But Annabel's carefully created image is about to come crashing down.
With her beloved daughter Izzy in need of a kidney transplant, Annabel is desperate to find a suitable donor. That's how she comes to admit that before Annabel Buchanan there was Daisy Benson, given up for adoption by her teenage mum and dad.
Hoping her biological family will be able to help, Annabel traces the Bensons and is horrified by the embarrassing, chavvy bunch she discovers. They're definitely not her kind of people. And she is equally baffling to them.
But as Christmas approaches and Izzy's situation brings the Benson and the Buchanan families closer, will Annabel discover at last that blood is thicker than water?
With her beloved daughter Izzy in need of a kidney transplant, Annabel is desperate to find a suitable donor. That's how she comes to admit that before Annabel Buchanan there was Daisy Benson, given up for adoption by her teenage mum and dad.
Hoping her biological family will be able to help, Annabel traces the Bensons and is horrified by the embarrassing, chavvy bunch she discovers. They're definitely not her kind of people. And she is equally baffling to them.
But as Christmas approaches and Izzy's situation brings the Benson and the Buchanan families closer, will Annabel discover at last that blood is thicker than water?
400 pages, Paperback
First published November 6, 2014
24 people are currently reading
385 people want to read
About the author
Chrissie Manby
33 books240 followersThis author has also released books under the name Chris Manby
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
December 15, 2014
Having read and loved the first book in this series A Proper Family Holiday whilst I was on holiday earlier this year I was so excited to discover that there would be more to the Bensons story in A Proper Family Christmas. I love Christmas books and Christmas with the hilarious Benson family sounded perfect!
I was surprised when I started this book to find that it begins in May. The title and cover are pretty misleading to those looking for a Christmassy read as the book takes place from May to Valentine’s Day with only a small part of the book happening over Christmas. I have to admit that I was disappointed by this but soon got over it as I got into the story and found that despite the lack of festivity the book focuses on what’s at the heart of Christmas: family, love and generosity with the important message that no amount of money can buy health and happiness.
A Proper Family Christmas takes place before, during and after A Proper Family Holiday so you don’t necessarily have to read that first to enjoy this book. The two stories also have a completely different tone. A Proper Family Holiday was hilarious and perfect for relaxing on the beach with whereas A Proper Family Christmas was sadder and had me quite teary in places.
Another difference was that my favourite character from A Proper Family Holiday Chelsea had a much smaller role in this book and Ronnie who I loved in book one really annoyed me at times here, not because of her decisions which I could understand but because of her behavior.
A Proper Family Christmas was very different to what I was expecting but I still thoroughly enjoyed it although admittedly not quite as much as the first book. The Bensons have come to feel like old family friends and I’d love more books featuring this mad but loveable family in the future.
I was surprised when I started this book to find that it begins in May. The title and cover are pretty misleading to those looking for a Christmassy read as the book takes place from May to Valentine’s Day with only a small part of the book happening over Christmas. I have to admit that I was disappointed by this but soon got over it as I got into the story and found that despite the lack of festivity the book focuses on what’s at the heart of Christmas: family, love and generosity with the important message that no amount of money can buy health and happiness.
A Proper Family Christmas takes place before, during and after A Proper Family Holiday so you don’t necessarily have to read that first to enjoy this book. The two stories also have a completely different tone. A Proper Family Holiday was hilarious and perfect for relaxing on the beach with whereas A Proper Family Christmas was sadder and had me quite teary in places.
Another difference was that my favourite character from A Proper Family Holiday Chelsea had a much smaller role in this book and Ronnie who I loved in book one really annoyed me at times here, not because of her decisions which I could understand but because of her behavior.
A Proper Family Christmas was very different to what I was expecting but I still thoroughly enjoyed it although admittedly not quite as much as the first book. The Bensons have come to feel like old family friends and I’d love more books featuring this mad but loveable family in the future.
March 3, 2020
Second installment of the benson family brill
December 31, 2016
The reviews on the back of this book describing it as "Hilarious" are not something I'd exactly agree with. Insofar as it's about a teenage girl awaiting a kidney transplant and her mother who is going through the emotional turmoil of meeting her birth parents as she was adopted. Not exactly issues that generate a laugh a minute! It was very sweet and I was interested to know how it would end but it's probably not one I'd really recommend.
November 24, 2014
For a more detailed review, please check out my review below:
Debra's Book Cafe
Debs :-)
Debra's Book Cafe
Debs :-)
January 19, 2017
Enjoyed This Book Although It Wasn't As Christmas Based As If Expected
March 5, 2022
Not a festive or Christmassy book like it suggests, but it’s alright for a simple read.
August 30, 2016
Review to follow soon!
December 25, 2025
Annabel has it all, money, looks and most importantly, her family. But when her daughter Izzy needs a kidney transplant - Annabel has to face the truth, despite letting everyone think she is from generational wealth and class, she was actually adopted. Searching for a live kidney donor, she decides she has to contact her birth parents in the hope they will assist. But Annabel is horrified when she realises her family are ‘chavvy’ - enter the Benson family...
The Pro's:
1) It really does feel like a ‘real’ family (the Bensons). The ups and downs, the mishaps etc - albeit exaggerated
2) The addition of Annabel to the mix to stir things up and it shows how it affects each family member
3) I like books that make you think what you would do in certain situations like this one
4) I liked the character arcs of some of the characters
The Con's:
1) I’ve always been a fan of Chrissie’s books but the writing style is not 100% my favourite. They tend to be 3rd POV and not descriptive enough to immerse me into the story itself (but I still really enjoy the stories)
2) There is a lot of mentions of farting and burping lol
The Quotes:
1) If men had to get pregnant, the human race would die out in a single generation
2) Think about what you want to be and go for it. Don’t limit yourself because, trust me, plenty of other people will try to do that.
The Summary:
A Proper Family Christmas is the 2nd book in the Benson Family series. It follows on from the ending of the first book where adoption is mentioned and Annabel is the Bensons first daughter. I was a fan of the 1st book and I’m a fan of the 2nd. It feels like real family issues and characters (but exaggerated). It gives you a ‘what if’ question and honestly I would not have a clue what to do in that situation and I thought it made it clear in the book how hard the dilemma was. I liked the book but it isn’t my favourite writing style overall personally.
Summed up in one sentence?:
A proper family Christmas (lol)
I rated the book 3.5 but rounded down as it feels more like a 3 star than a 4.
The Pro's:
1) It really does feel like a ‘real’ family (the Bensons). The ups and downs, the mishaps etc - albeit exaggerated
2) The addition of Annabel to the mix to stir things up and it shows how it affects each family member
3) I like books that make you think what you would do in certain situations like this one
4) I liked the character arcs of some of the characters
The Con's:
1) I’ve always been a fan of Chrissie’s books but the writing style is not 100% my favourite. They tend to be 3rd POV and not descriptive enough to immerse me into the story itself (but I still really enjoy the stories)
2) There is a lot of mentions of farting and burping lol
The Quotes:
1) If men had to get pregnant, the human race would die out in a single generation
2) Think about what you want to be and go for it. Don’t limit yourself because, trust me, plenty of other people will try to do that.
The Summary:
A Proper Family Christmas is the 2nd book in the Benson Family series. It follows on from the ending of the first book where adoption is mentioned and Annabel is the Bensons first daughter. I was a fan of the 1st book and I’m a fan of the 2nd. It feels like real family issues and characters (but exaggerated). It gives you a ‘what if’ question and honestly I would not have a clue what to do in that situation and I thought it made it clear in the book how hard the dilemma was. I liked the book but it isn’t my favourite writing style overall personally.
Summed up in one sentence?:
A proper family Christmas (lol)
I rated the book 3.5 but rounded down as it feels more like a 3 star than a 4.
November 21, 2014
Chrissie Manby is such a big name in chick - lit and yet "A Proper Family Christmas" is only the second book written by her that I've read! I myself can't believe in it, where were I the whole time? This book is a sequel to "A Proper Family Holidays" and I hoped that having not read this one won't be problem, and well, it wasn't. Apart of some small flashbacks to the holidays, which also didn't make me confused at all, this book can absolutely be read as a stand - alone novel.
The Buchanans live in a great house and lead a life that a lot of people would like to have - no financial problems, holidays in exotic places, designer clothes... No worries at all, till one day the teenage daughter Izzy finds herself very dangerously ill. Neither Annabel, nor Richard, nor money can help in this situation, all they can do is wait or... find Annabel's biological family, as she's adopted. While her birth mother has left her details in every possible adoption organization, it's not hard to track them down and so the first meeting is organized... Are the two families going to find something in common? Are they going to accept each other in their lives? And finally, can the Bensons help, do they want to help?
One could think, Annabel with her poshness, money, big mansion, Aston Martin and other things that only big money can buy would be unlikeable, arrogant and unpleasant but no, absolutely not! She was a wonderful character, and yes, she was rich, but I had a feeling that she took all this richness with a pinch of salt, she was for sure a woman having both feet on the ground. The whole book was in fact full of fantastic characters, actually one character was better than the other one, and what's most important, they felt so realistic that it almost hurt, they behaved, spoke and reacted like normal people. Larger than life, popping out of the pages, they all felt like the best friends, and all that happened to them could happen to us too. They were complex, they were developing through the whole book, they were changing and they evoked all kind of emotions in me. They were all maturing throughout the story, but in my eyes it was Izzy who matured most, from spoiled, blasé, sophisticated teenager to wise, sound young girl appreciating health and life altogether.
I can't say that I had my favourites, I loved them all equally, maybe more, maybe less, but LOVED them. Well, Ronnie was the most controversial one and while I could understand her fears from the beginning (and I don't only mean Annabel's request, but the whole situation with new sister), she still behaved as if she was the only one who knows everything, as if she has the right to judge and decide. Chelsea couldn't be more different to Ronnie and she, although she was the only one voice of reason and having a common sense in the story, was also likeable and normal and had her own demons. All the children were brilliantly portrayed and behaved according to their age, and the little Jack, with Dr. Who obsession, was for sure a star of every scene that he entered. So lovely, understanding and empathetic boy.
And oh my, the plot of the book is incredible! I guess that when reading such books it's impossible not to put yourself in the characters' situations, and so I was all the time thinking, what would I do? The answer is very simple, I would do exactly the same what Annabel did. Her intentions were neither clear nor innocent, yet I haven't condemned her in any way. And, in my eyes, both the two main sub - plots, ie. transplantation and adoption were treated with a lot of subtlety, respect and the author didn't judge the characters, she let them made their own decisions without forcing us to take sides.
And well, I did like Annabel's family more. I don't know, call me prejudiced, snob, whatever, but I guess that I personally would think the same what Annabel thought about the Bensons. Maybe my feelings would be different if I read the "Holidays", I can't tell now, but after reading this book I really had my reservations and it really makes me wonder: would Annabel AT ALL consider contacting her biological family if she doesn't need them so desperately or not? Would she give them a chance? Perhaps I should ask if the Bensons would give Annabel a chance but like I said, Annabel is my pet in the book.
The story flaws effortlessly, there was not a single flat moment, it's full of twists and turns and it doesn't slow down for a second. The chapters are very short, and while I really am for short chapters, I had a feeling that some of them were too short, that they ended before they started, and each of them was told from a different character's point of view. It really suited the book and I personally enjoyed it immensely, I liked to know what they all think about the same situation and about themselves. As usual in such situations those are the children that behave like adults and the adults that behave like children and it was not an exception here. This book touches some really important issues, such as health, adoption and I think also the class differences, and it's so, so easy to see one of the family as the common one and the second as the privileged, but thanks to those different point of views we get different perspectives and Chrissie Manby gives us a chance to feel for every character, to understand their views and to empathise or disagree with them. It made me laugh out loud and then cry in the next moment, the author can change between those two like a Formula 1 driver, first she makes you laugh and then she hits you straight in the face with the seriousness of the situation.
I really can't express how much I loved this book. It tugged at all my heartstrings, it made me laugh, and it made me cry. It is a wise, heartbreaking story with a right amount of humour to it. Izzy's health issues are a big part of the book, but brought to us with lightness and the difficult medical descriptions and told in a very approachable, clear way, and were for sure well researched. Then the adoption issues, which the author approaches with a lot of feeling and in a sensitive way, probably because she herself - as I have learnt in the acknowledgements - was adopted, so I am sure she wrote from the bottom of her heart. "A Proper Family Christmas" is absolutely one of the best reads this year. I have enjoyed every single page of this book and, you know this feeling, when finishing a book makes you both happy and sad? Happy because you've read a great story, and sad, because it came to an end? It was this kind of book. I urge you to read this book, and I myself am going to buy "A Proper Family Holidays" right now.
Copy received from publisher in exchange for a review.
The Buchanans live in a great house and lead a life that a lot of people would like to have - no financial problems, holidays in exotic places, designer clothes... No worries at all, till one day the teenage daughter Izzy finds herself very dangerously ill. Neither Annabel, nor Richard, nor money can help in this situation, all they can do is wait or... find Annabel's biological family, as she's adopted. While her birth mother has left her details in every possible adoption organization, it's not hard to track them down and so the first meeting is organized... Are the two families going to find something in common? Are they going to accept each other in their lives? And finally, can the Bensons help, do they want to help?
One could think, Annabel with her poshness, money, big mansion, Aston Martin and other things that only big money can buy would be unlikeable, arrogant and unpleasant but no, absolutely not! She was a wonderful character, and yes, she was rich, but I had a feeling that she took all this richness with a pinch of salt, she was for sure a woman having both feet on the ground. The whole book was in fact full of fantastic characters, actually one character was better than the other one, and what's most important, they felt so realistic that it almost hurt, they behaved, spoke and reacted like normal people. Larger than life, popping out of the pages, they all felt like the best friends, and all that happened to them could happen to us too. They were complex, they were developing through the whole book, they were changing and they evoked all kind of emotions in me. They were all maturing throughout the story, but in my eyes it was Izzy who matured most, from spoiled, blasé, sophisticated teenager to wise, sound young girl appreciating health and life altogether.
I can't say that I had my favourites, I loved them all equally, maybe more, maybe less, but LOVED them. Well, Ronnie was the most controversial one and while I could understand her fears from the beginning (and I don't only mean Annabel's request, but the whole situation with new sister), she still behaved as if she was the only one who knows everything, as if she has the right to judge and decide. Chelsea couldn't be more different to Ronnie and she, although she was the only one voice of reason and having a common sense in the story, was also likeable and normal and had her own demons. All the children were brilliantly portrayed and behaved according to their age, and the little Jack, with Dr. Who obsession, was for sure a star of every scene that he entered. So lovely, understanding and empathetic boy.
And oh my, the plot of the book is incredible! I guess that when reading such books it's impossible not to put yourself in the characters' situations, and so I was all the time thinking, what would I do? The answer is very simple, I would do exactly the same what Annabel did. Her intentions were neither clear nor innocent, yet I haven't condemned her in any way. And, in my eyes, both the two main sub - plots, ie. transplantation and adoption were treated with a lot of subtlety, respect and the author didn't judge the characters, she let them made their own decisions without forcing us to take sides.
And well, I did like Annabel's family more. I don't know, call me prejudiced, snob, whatever, but I guess that I personally would think the same what Annabel thought about the Bensons. Maybe my feelings would be different if I read the "Holidays", I can't tell now, but after reading this book I really had my reservations and it really makes me wonder: would Annabel AT ALL consider contacting her biological family if she doesn't need them so desperately or not? Would she give them a chance? Perhaps I should ask if the Bensons would give Annabel a chance but like I said, Annabel is my pet in the book.
The story flaws effortlessly, there was not a single flat moment, it's full of twists and turns and it doesn't slow down for a second. The chapters are very short, and while I really am for short chapters, I had a feeling that some of them were too short, that they ended before they started, and each of them was told from a different character's point of view. It really suited the book and I personally enjoyed it immensely, I liked to know what they all think about the same situation and about themselves. As usual in such situations those are the children that behave like adults and the adults that behave like children and it was not an exception here. This book touches some really important issues, such as health, adoption and I think also the class differences, and it's so, so easy to see one of the family as the common one and the second as the privileged, but thanks to those different point of views we get different perspectives and Chrissie Manby gives us a chance to feel for every character, to understand their views and to empathise or disagree with them. It made me laugh out loud and then cry in the next moment, the author can change between those two like a Formula 1 driver, first she makes you laugh and then she hits you straight in the face with the seriousness of the situation.
I really can't express how much I loved this book. It tugged at all my heartstrings, it made me laugh, and it made me cry. It is a wise, heartbreaking story with a right amount of humour to it. Izzy's health issues are a big part of the book, but brought to us with lightness and the difficult medical descriptions and told in a very approachable, clear way, and were for sure well researched. Then the adoption issues, which the author approaches with a lot of feeling and in a sensitive way, probably because she herself - as I have learnt in the acknowledgements - was adopted, so I am sure she wrote from the bottom of her heart. "A Proper Family Christmas" is absolutely one of the best reads this year. I have enjoyed every single page of this book and, you know this feeling, when finishing a book makes you both happy and sad? Happy because you've read a great story, and sad, because it came to an end? It was this kind of book. I urge you to read this book, and I myself am going to buy "A Proper Family Holidays" right now.
Copy received from publisher in exchange for a review.
December 6, 2017
I was saving this book specifically for the holiday season as I had full faith in the Benson family and they delivered!
I will be honest in that I struggled to get into the story initially as we are introduced to the new characters Annabel, Richard and Izzy. However once the Bensons were in the picture, it was an easy ride.
My favourite part of the last book was Chelsea and Jacks bond and it was really heartwarming to see that return. Sophie really grew on me this time round too. Unlike a lot of 'christmas' themed books, the holiday season was consistent and a backdrop throughout the whole book rather than just at the end.
I think the book does a very good job of narrating a sensitive issue like adoption without sounding preachy, it definitely has me ready for the holidays this year.
❤️ moment: While Ronnie is totally unreasonable most of the time, her long speech given to Annabel after she tried to buy her kidney was hilarious. It was just never ending dialogue and I lost my breath a few times reading it.
Any changes? I think the book would have fared better if it was structured in a different order, perhaps introducing Annabel/Izzy and the kidney storyline later in the book. Maybe even hiding their motives to visit to build suspense.
I will be honest in that I struggled to get into the story initially as we are introduced to the new characters Annabel, Richard and Izzy. However once the Bensons were in the picture, it was an easy ride.
My favourite part of the last book was Chelsea and Jacks bond and it was really heartwarming to see that return. Sophie really grew on me this time round too. Unlike a lot of 'christmas' themed books, the holiday season was consistent and a backdrop throughout the whole book rather than just at the end.
I think the book does a very good job of narrating a sensitive issue like adoption without sounding preachy, it definitely has me ready for the holidays this year.
❤️ moment: While Ronnie is totally unreasonable most of the time, her long speech given to Annabel after she tried to buy her kidney was hilarious. It was just never ending dialogue and I lost my breath a few times reading it.
Any changes? I think the book would have fared better if it was structured in a different order, perhaps introducing Annabel/Izzy and the kidney storyline later in the book. Maybe even hiding their motives to visit to build suspense.
December 25, 2017
This is a book that I received from thebookmatchmaker last year for christmas but am just now getting around to reading. This is the second book in the series but I didn’t have a problem starting with this one, although now I want to read the rest of the books in the series along with all of Chrissie Manby’s books!
The story revolves around two families the Buchanans, a wealthy family with a very sick daughter and the Bensons a middle class family. They couldn’t be more different but as it turns out they have something or someone in common. When Annabel Buchanan’s daughter needs a kidney Annabel must search for her birth mother to find a donor. Dealing with her newfound family is a lot more than she was prepared for and they butt heads quite a bit nearly ruining their chances to find a donor.
This was a heartwarming story with lots of drama and suspense. I would love to read the rest of the books in the series but they are apparently hard to find in the states. If you have never tried thebookmatchmaker you should give it a go as I loved their pick for me!
4.5⭐️’s
The story revolves around two families the Buchanans, a wealthy family with a very sick daughter and the Bensons a middle class family. They couldn’t be more different but as it turns out they have something or someone in common. When Annabel Buchanan’s daughter needs a kidney Annabel must search for her birth mother to find a donor. Dealing with her newfound family is a lot more than she was prepared for and they butt heads quite a bit nearly ruining their chances to find a donor.
This was a heartwarming story with lots of drama and suspense. I would love to read the rest of the books in the series but they are apparently hard to find in the states. If you have never tried thebookmatchmaker you should give it a go as I loved their pick for me!
4.5⭐️’s
September 18, 2019
My first book by Chrissie Manby, I bought this book because i wanted to be open to other genres and I have to say i did not regret buying this book at all. The plot was fantastically written and there were parts which made me laugh, it also had some parts made me tear up especially the epilogue. I also love how Sophie and Izzy's relationship from being bitchy to one another on their first meeting until becoming best friends by the end of the year. My only concern was that the ending felt a bit to rush for me where they were able to find a donor for Izzy' kidney transplant on christmas because somebody dies in an accident. To me it was a bit typical and I felt like the situation was being force to fit in with the season of the book which was during Christmas. Another concern was that annabel and jaqui weren't able to resolve or even talk more over how they felt even in the ending of the book. In short, there was no closure between the two. Sorry, but it just felt like that to me. Though I enjoyed reading it,over all I would give this book a 3.5 out of 5.
January 3, 2021
First, I’d like to say that this novel is NOT a Christmas book. The festive cover and the title are misleading and that’s a recurring marketing gimmick from publishers that really annoys me. Christmas starts being mentioned in the last 20% of the book and then it’s basically just one or two chapters. It is NOT the core theme of the novel, so please stop misleading your readers.
Besides, the novel is actually really good. Very well written, with deep topics and well thought-out characters. It’s about family secrets, adoption, sacrifices, adolescence and drugs among other big dramatic themes. It deserves to be properly advertised as such, not as some light feel-good Christmas chick lit.
Besides, the novel is actually really good. Very well written, with deep topics and well thought-out characters. It’s about family secrets, adoption, sacrifices, adolescence and drugs among other big dramatic themes. It deserves to be properly advertised as such, not as some light feel-good Christmas chick lit.
May 24, 2018
Annabel is adopted but has never looked for her birth family. Then her daughter needs a kidney transplant. None of the immediate family can give her one which is when they find the birth family. Annabel's family is rich and the Bensons are basically trailer trash (or chavs in England). This is a sweet story without going overboard, about the fact that family is family. They all end up getting along but not without a few speed bumps on the way.
June 28, 2017
I read this book because of the prequel which was quite funny - A good light read. This follow-up was amusing and interesting characters are well drawn but somehow did not have the impact of the First book. It does have me sufficiently interested to carry on to the next instalment, but not straight away.
November 4, 2018
I finished this book in 2 days time. A good book to read. Interesting characters & a beautiful storyline. Short and easy to read chapters. The story just flows beautifully and I can't seem to stop turning the pages to find out what happened next. Not so much on Family Christmas, but more on family forgiveness and reconciliation. I truly enjoyed this book!
December 6, 2019
I have to say, I really disliked a lot of the characters in this book and struggled to relate to Annabel, Ronnie and Jacquie who all drove me mad in different ways. However, the book ended beautifully and I was left with a warm fuzzy feeling, which everyone should have upon finishing a Christmas book!
August 5, 2020
I'm really enjoying this series. The book starts at Christmas and ends at Christmas but there is a whole year in between so don't be concerned about what time of year you read it.
It was nice to reconnect with the characters from the first book and I love the new characters too. Can't wait for the next proper family installment.
It was nice to reconnect with the characters from the first book and I love the new characters too. Can't wait for the next proper family installment.
May 16, 2017
Loved this series so far. You like one of the sisters then you hate her then you like her (Ronnie).
I love Jack and Great grandad Bill. They both make me laugh.
A good book full of laughs, a little tear along the way. Throughly enjoyed this book and would recommend the series to anyone.
I love Jack and Great grandad Bill. They both make me laugh.
A good book full of laughs, a little tear along the way. Throughly enjoyed this book and would recommend the series to anyone.
December 20, 2018
I was disappointed with this book and I usually love Chrissie Manby. For me there were no laugh loud loud moments and I didn't like any of the characters. I don't think I will read any more of this series.
November 27, 2017
It’s very heart warming, i really loved it
January 22, 2018
A good feelgood family book
December 31, 2019
Easy, enjoyable read but needs some serious editing. Also not a Xmas book
March 22, 2017
Dit is deel twee over de familie Benson. Ook dit is een geweldig boek om te lezen. Hoewel de insteek iets anders is dan deel een. Dit boek gaat voor een groot deel ook over Annabel en haar dochter Izzy. Toch is het leuk om te lezen wat er na die vakantie (waar deel een over gaat) gebeurt in het leven van de zussen Ronnie en Chelsea. Zometeen in deel drie beginnen.
June 5, 2015
MY SYNOPSIS
Imagine This: You are part of London’s Yummy-Mummy nation. Which means you’d definitely be part of London’s affluent. Your house is Downton Abbey standards, your vacations are glamorous and your Christmases are well… very grande.
If only your teenage daughter would realize what class entails and would stop dressing like a ho. If only your teenage daughter’s mind isn’t preoccupied with going to the hottest parties, staying online all the time slagging you off to her followers, and dating boys already in college. Boys with bad reputations.
But that’s fine, you’d do all you can to protect your daughter and keep advising her to stay off drugs and alcohol. Until during once concert, your daughter goes against your advice in the hopes of becoming highly ecstatic.
Now she needs a kidney. And sadly, you and your husband are no match to donate. You have no option but to trace your biological mother who gave you away when you were young.
Turns out, your biological family are huge, loud, and very not… proper not-the-kind-of-people you’d want yourself or your daughter to be associated with. But it’s alright, all you need to do is to convince them you really want to be part of the big, happy, working class picture, so you could nick a kidney.
Meanwhile Christmas is approaching. And although there’s nothing to look up to this year, you are praying for a Christmas miracle. A proper family kidney not a poorer family’s Christmas.
Annabel Buchanan’s sometimes tragic, sometimes hilarious and always sensational Christmas summarised for your delight.
MY REVIEW
I loved, loved this book! There’s certainly no way you should miss reading it this Christmas like I did last year (L)
Chrissie Manby is fab! One thing about family books. You cannot help but put your
family into situations in the story and see how you would react if it were happening to you. You cannot help but make a running commentary as you read noting who’s being too much of a bitch and who’s just plain crazy. That is to say, the storyline is so relatable! I mean, who wouldn’t want to find themselves hunting for a kidney when they could be making (hectic) Christmas preparations!── ★
You would love the two main women placed side by side. Annabel Buchanan who is uptight, considers herself not-a-snob but within is such a snob, who chairs committees and loves to keep appearances but is so sweet at heart—even if sometimes she’s faking it. Ronnie Benson, who’s proud of her family and wouldn’t want to have them any other way though sometimes she wishes she could have a more upscale kitchen and pay the bills with less working hours, who’s harsh on the outside and is quick to voice her opinions despite them being not sweet at all. A star to these main characters. You’d find yourself judging the two, wishing you had the perfect personality trait that is a merge of both extremes, and just simply siding with one over the other. But mind you, Ronnie isn’t afraid to show you the finger if you do not choose her side.── ★★★
Other characters are just brilliant. There’s Richard, Annabel’s husband who loves to hang out in his own cellar and look forward to weekends alone with his wife when his daughter away. There’s Mark, Ronnie’s husband whose cellar is down at a pub’s and considers the perfect weekend as one away from the family drinking with his wife’s dad and her granddad. There’s Sophie, Ronnie’s Goth daughter who’s at the age where texting boyfriends and finding her family embarrassing are her highlights. There’s Izzy, Annabel’s privileged daughter who’s about to die and has suddenly become a machine for popping out Hallmark stuff and fortune-cookie shit about carpe-diem-ing. There’s Jack the little boy of Ronnie who’s at the age where Doctor Who and Minecraft seem like the best conversation starters during family dinners. There’s Granddad Bill, who burps popular rhymes and songs (and makes you wonder how [crazy] you'd be if senility sets in). Trust me, lots of fun characters I could go on and on about.── ★★★★
You would love the voice in which this novel is told. I loved it. Very Mary-Alice-Desperate-Housewives-y; funny and nice to listen to—in this case, read.── ★★★★★
You should go purchase Chrissie Manby’s A Proper Family Christmas now because chances are by Christmas she might have released a fab book everyone would be raving about and you’d feel left out.
I recommend this book to anyone who wants something that would remind them of their very happy Desperate Housewives days. Anyone who wants a family read to cosy up to. Anyone who wants something funny. Or anyone looking for something warm and appropriate for the holidays.
Imagine This: You are part of London’s Yummy-Mummy nation. Which means you’d definitely be part of London’s affluent. Your house is Downton Abbey standards, your vacations are glamorous and your Christmases are well… very grande.
If only your teenage daughter would realize what class entails and would stop dressing like a ho. If only your teenage daughter’s mind isn’t preoccupied with going to the hottest parties, staying online all the time slagging you off to her followers, and dating boys already in college. Boys with bad reputations.
But that’s fine, you’d do all you can to protect your daughter and keep advising her to stay off drugs and alcohol. Until during once concert, your daughter goes against your advice in the hopes of becoming highly ecstatic.
Now she needs a kidney. And sadly, you and your husband are no match to donate. You have no option but to trace your biological mother who gave you away when you were young.
Turns out, your biological family are huge, loud, and very not… proper not-the-kind-of-people you’d want yourself or your daughter to be associated with. But it’s alright, all you need to do is to convince them you really want to be part of the big, happy, working class picture, so you could nick a kidney.
Meanwhile Christmas is approaching. And although there’s nothing to look up to this year, you are praying for a Christmas miracle. A proper family kidney not a poorer family’s Christmas.
Annabel Buchanan’s sometimes tragic, sometimes hilarious and always sensational Christmas summarised for your delight.
MY REVIEW
I loved, loved this book! There’s certainly no way you should miss reading it this Christmas like I did last year (L)
Chrissie Manby is fab! One thing about family books. You cannot help but put your
family into situations in the story and see how you would react if it were happening to you. You cannot help but make a running commentary as you read noting who’s being too much of a bitch and who’s just plain crazy. That is to say, the storyline is so relatable! I mean, who wouldn’t want to find themselves hunting for a kidney when they could be making (hectic) Christmas preparations!── ★
You would love the two main women placed side by side. Annabel Buchanan who is uptight, considers herself not-a-snob but within is such a snob, who chairs committees and loves to keep appearances but is so sweet at heart—even if sometimes she’s faking it. Ronnie Benson, who’s proud of her family and wouldn’t want to have them any other way though sometimes she wishes she could have a more upscale kitchen and pay the bills with less working hours, who’s harsh on the outside and is quick to voice her opinions despite them being not sweet at all. A star to these main characters. You’d find yourself judging the two, wishing you had the perfect personality trait that is a merge of both extremes, and just simply siding with one over the other. But mind you, Ronnie isn’t afraid to show you the finger if you do not choose her side.── ★★★
Other characters are just brilliant. There’s Richard, Annabel’s husband who loves to hang out in his own cellar and look forward to weekends alone with his wife when his daughter away. There’s Mark, Ronnie’s husband whose cellar is down at a pub’s and considers the perfect weekend as one away from the family drinking with his wife’s dad and her granddad. There’s Sophie, Ronnie’s Goth daughter who’s at the age where texting boyfriends and finding her family embarrassing are her highlights. There’s Izzy, Annabel’s privileged daughter who’s about to die and has suddenly become a machine for popping out Hallmark stuff and fortune-cookie shit about carpe-diem-ing. There’s Jack the little boy of Ronnie who’s at the age where Doctor Who and Minecraft seem like the best conversation starters during family dinners. There’s Granddad Bill, who burps popular rhymes and songs (and makes you wonder how [crazy] you'd be if senility sets in). Trust me, lots of fun characters I could go on and on about.── ★★★★
You would love the voice in which this novel is told. I loved it. Very Mary-Alice-Desperate-Housewives-y; funny and nice to listen to—in this case, read.── ★★★★★
You should go purchase Chrissie Manby’s A Proper Family Christmas now because chances are by Christmas she might have released a fab book everyone would be raving about and you’d feel left out.
I recommend this book to anyone who wants something that would remind them of their very happy Desperate Housewives days. Anyone who wants a family read to cosy up to. Anyone who wants something funny. Or anyone looking for something warm and appropriate for the holidays.
December 29, 2014
The story begins with Annabel Buchanan showing some of the visitors to the annual village fete around her manor house. Not because she wants to, nor because she needs the money - it's a free tour but because she feels she should! She really does personify a stereotypical spoilt, rich, bored, stay at home kept woman. On the surface she has it all, the property, clothes, holidays and pots of money. But all that collapses when her teenage daughter goes to a music festival with some friends and ends up hospitalised.
A can of worms is opened when Annabel who was adopted at birth decides to trace her birth family, because she feels that only they can help Izzy her daughter to once again lead a normal life. She approaches them with half a story and hopes to take what she wants and run. It's fair to say that A Proper Family Christmas is a book with hidden depths. I formed opinions about the characters early on, the descriptions were so vivid and life like and the scenario's so very real. My opinions changed many times as the characters evolved. This book is so accurate we all form opinions based on first impressions but often the impression we give to strangers is a facade. Chrissie peels away the layers of Annabel and her rich friends, her adoptive mother, birth parents, grand-parent and sisters. Breaking down barriers and exposing the true characters.
I picked this book up expecting an uplifting, xmas themed book that I'd smile and ooh and ahh my way through whilst eating and drinking my body weight in chocolates and wine. Oh how wrong I was. It begins way before christmas and yes, it does end with a fuzzy, warm feeling but not before we tackle some hard hitting subjects head on - adoption, serious illness, teenagers, drugs, bulimia, dementia, perceptions and ideas about what is right/wrong from a family who just has enough, surviving more on love and family to a family that seemingly has everything but finds some things cost way more than money could buy.
Wow, I don't know how Chrissie managed it but the feelings and thoughts of everyone affected by each of the scenario's was covered in a sensitive but real way. It was a breath of fresh air to get the truth, not just what I call the 'public face'. What this book demonstrates in a huge way is that family, love and support has a bigger impact, providing greater support than any amount of money and superficial friendships ever could.
I particularly loved Annabel's transformation more than any of the others. She set out to use her birth family for her own ends, smooching and smoozing her way into their lives - wanting to take, only giving them what she had to, yet not realising they weren't quite buying her story and an overheard conversation puts paid to any headway she'd made. She had nothing but kindness and love shown to her yet still continued in her blinkered way but when the chips really were down they all rally to help each other, putting aside their own issues and feelings as only a family can and does - it is this that made the story so real for me.
A lovely book that's more about people, family and relationships than anything else. The Christmas setting prompts the feeling of goodwill and friendship. Christmas to most of us means, family, friendship, generosity and kindness - goodwill to all and Chrissie wraps up this story in the twinkle and bows of christmas - demonstrating that nothing is impossible with family and friends sharing the journey with you.
I look forward to reading more from Chris Manby in the future because this author delivers exactly what it says on the tin plus a lot more besides - thank you
A can of worms is opened when Annabel who was adopted at birth decides to trace her birth family, because she feels that only they can help Izzy her daughter to once again lead a normal life. She approaches them with half a story and hopes to take what she wants and run. It's fair to say that A Proper Family Christmas is a book with hidden depths. I formed opinions about the characters early on, the descriptions were so vivid and life like and the scenario's so very real. My opinions changed many times as the characters evolved. This book is so accurate we all form opinions based on first impressions but often the impression we give to strangers is a facade. Chrissie peels away the layers of Annabel and her rich friends, her adoptive mother, birth parents, grand-parent and sisters. Breaking down barriers and exposing the true characters.
I picked this book up expecting an uplifting, xmas themed book that I'd smile and ooh and ahh my way through whilst eating and drinking my body weight in chocolates and wine. Oh how wrong I was. It begins way before christmas and yes, it does end with a fuzzy, warm feeling but not before we tackle some hard hitting subjects head on - adoption, serious illness, teenagers, drugs, bulimia, dementia, perceptions and ideas about what is right/wrong from a family who just has enough, surviving more on love and family to a family that seemingly has everything but finds some things cost way more than money could buy.
Wow, I don't know how Chrissie managed it but the feelings and thoughts of everyone affected by each of the scenario's was covered in a sensitive but real way. It was a breath of fresh air to get the truth, not just what I call the 'public face'. What this book demonstrates in a huge way is that family, love and support has a bigger impact, providing greater support than any amount of money and superficial friendships ever could.
I particularly loved Annabel's transformation more than any of the others. She set out to use her birth family for her own ends, smooching and smoozing her way into their lives - wanting to take, only giving them what she had to, yet not realising they weren't quite buying her story and an overheard conversation puts paid to any headway she'd made. She had nothing but kindness and love shown to her yet still continued in her blinkered way but when the chips really were down they all rally to help each other, putting aside their own issues and feelings as only a family can and does - it is this that made the story so real for me.
A lovely book that's more about people, family and relationships than anything else. The Christmas setting prompts the feeling of goodwill and friendship. Christmas to most of us means, family, friendship, generosity and kindness - goodwill to all and Chrissie wraps up this story in the twinkle and bows of christmas - demonstrating that nothing is impossible with family and friends sharing the journey with you.
I look forward to reading more from Chris Manby in the future because this author delivers exactly what it says on the tin plus a lot more besides - thank you
January 8, 2017
It was ok but for me a book i would only read once and parts of it you could see what was coming a mile off.
February 13, 2015
If you’re a regular reader of my reviews, you will know that Chrissie Manby has long been one of my favourite Chick Lit authors, since her Girl Meets Ape early days, and I always look forward to her new reads with relish, especially since she’s recently started a new series about a family called the Benson’s. We were introduced to them in A Proper Family Holiday, and their saga continues in A Proper Family Christmas.
whatiloved
I have to confess I was a little bit surprised and disappointed with A Proper Family Christmas, although there will be more on that below, but I did, however, love being back with the Benson’s. They Benson’s are just your most typical English family. If you look up the words “British” and “family” you’d find a picture of the Bensons. No word of a lie, they’d be there. I LOVE THEM SO MUCH. And so, with the introduction of the Buchanan’s, I was a bit wary, because let me tell you, the Buchanans are Posh with a capital P. The kind of posh Posh strives to be (Victoria Beckham, to the unitiated).
I found the Buchanan’s really hard to like, but on the flip side, there was still the most awesome goings on with the Bensons. Because wherever they go, trouble follows, and it was somewhat amusing to see that Annabel Buchanan is actually a Benson. It’s literally the most unbelievable thing, ever. Because she’s so not a Benson. I did eventually warm to the Buchanan’s – mostly Izzy, who was delightful, but for the most part I thought they were quite snobbish, which made me sad.
thenotsogood
So here’s my problem with A Proper Family Christmas: It just didn’t have the same, fun feel of A Proper Family Holiday. The adoption stuff should have been left out completely – the Buchanans should have been ditched, because I would have genuinely liked to have seen a Benson family Christmas, without all the misery and drama that comes along with rediscovering your adopted daughter and her sick child. I just wasn’t a fan, I just wanted to read more Benson family stuff, not misery, especially not for a Christmas book. It just seemed to lack the awesome sauce from the first book, the lightness, it was too heavy for me. And while it should have been great to see the two families from opposites sides of the class marker come together, it was just awkward because, as I said, the Buchanans were snobs, and only wanted to know the Benson’s because of Izzy’s illness. It wasn’t motivated by anything other than what the Benson’s could provide and that made me sad.
verdict
I didn’t love A Proper Family Christmas as much as I loved A Proper Family Holiday, it was just too depressing for me to love and much less funny. It was fantastic to be back with the Benson family again, they are a delight, and I would be honoured to be part of their clan, unlike Annabel Buchanan. It could have been interesting, but it just fell a bit too flat for me.
whatiloved
I have to confess I was a little bit surprised and disappointed with A Proper Family Christmas, although there will be more on that below, but I did, however, love being back with the Benson’s. They Benson’s are just your most typical English family. If you look up the words “British” and “family” you’d find a picture of the Bensons. No word of a lie, they’d be there. I LOVE THEM SO MUCH. And so, with the introduction of the Buchanan’s, I was a bit wary, because let me tell you, the Buchanans are Posh with a capital P. The kind of posh Posh strives to be (Victoria Beckham, to the unitiated).
I found the Buchanan’s really hard to like, but on the flip side, there was still the most awesome goings on with the Bensons. Because wherever they go, trouble follows, and it was somewhat amusing to see that Annabel Buchanan is actually a Benson. It’s literally the most unbelievable thing, ever. Because she’s so not a Benson. I did eventually warm to the Buchanan’s – mostly Izzy, who was delightful, but for the most part I thought they were quite snobbish, which made me sad.
thenotsogood
So here’s my problem with A Proper Family Christmas: It just didn’t have the same, fun feel of A Proper Family Holiday. The adoption stuff should have been left out completely – the Buchanans should have been ditched, because I would have genuinely liked to have seen a Benson family Christmas, without all the misery and drama that comes along with rediscovering your adopted daughter and her sick child. I just wasn’t a fan, I just wanted to read more Benson family stuff, not misery, especially not for a Christmas book. It just seemed to lack the awesome sauce from the first book, the lightness, it was too heavy for me. And while it should have been great to see the two families from opposites sides of the class marker come together, it was just awkward because, as I said, the Buchanans were snobs, and only wanted to know the Benson’s because of Izzy’s illness. It wasn’t motivated by anything other than what the Benson’s could provide and that made me sad.
verdict
I didn’t love A Proper Family Christmas as much as I loved A Proper Family Holiday, it was just too depressing for me to love and much less funny. It was fantastic to be back with the Benson family again, they are a delight, and I would be honoured to be part of their clan, unlike Annabel Buchanan. It could have been interesting, but it just fell a bit too flat for me.
November 17, 2014
If this lovely book were a wine, it would certainly be a succulent, bold Châteauneuf-du-Pape, containing such an abundance of ‘moveable parts’, each with well defined personality & all capable of challenging for a lead role. There is an air of Southern France to the heartbreaking truthfulness too – in a 98% manner. The missing ingredients delivered always so thoughtfully and at prime time.
Like fine wine, Chrissie’s books seem to only get better & A Proper Family Christmas is a good illustration of this, having the Manby thought, construction and fine weave, with careful attention to detail with some wonderful stand up characters, but there is another level here that – just when you are settling in for a good laugh, - plucks you back, nipping you sharply on the shins.
There is a very personal story woven into these pages, already apparent in A Proper Family Holiday, that will play havoc with your sensibilities, leaving you winded when you least expected it, before tipping you playfully back into the fragrance of a good ‘soupe au pistou’ where flavour, warmth & human goodness propel the story steamily forwards.
In short a most moving read, romantic, delicately humane, socially touching narrative that is a must read.
I will say no more – A table !
Like fine wine, Chrissie’s books seem to only get better & A Proper Family Christmas is a good illustration of this, having the Manby thought, construction and fine weave, with careful attention to detail with some wonderful stand up characters, but there is another level here that – just when you are settling in for a good laugh, - plucks you back, nipping you sharply on the shins.
There is a very personal story woven into these pages, already apparent in A Proper Family Holiday, that will play havoc with your sensibilities, leaving you winded when you least expected it, before tipping you playfully back into the fragrance of a good ‘soupe au pistou’ where flavour, warmth & human goodness propel the story steamily forwards.
In short a most moving read, romantic, delicately humane, socially touching narrative that is a must read.
I will say no more – A table !
November 22, 2014
I had been looking forward to reading this ever since I had finished A Proper Family Holiday earlier in the year, and I have to say this did not disappoint.
It can be read as a stand alone novel, as there is enough past references to make it easy to follow.
We meet the Buchanans, Amanada, Richard and Izzy and get to see how they fit in with our old friends the Bensons.
I really don't want to say much about the story, but don't expect 400 pages of Christmas. It is about the months in the run up to Christmas and about families, and serious illness, as well as plenty of light hearted moments.
I firmly believe this is Chrissie Manby's best book to date, and I felt that her writing had grown a bit in maturity reading this as well, and look forward to her next book (which I am hoping is another in this series).
It can be read as a stand alone novel, as there is enough past references to make it easy to follow.
We meet the Buchanans, Amanada, Richard and Izzy and get to see how they fit in with our old friends the Bensons.
I really don't want to say much about the story, but don't expect 400 pages of Christmas. It is about the months in the run up to Christmas and about families, and serious illness, as well as plenty of light hearted moments.
I firmly believe this is Chrissie Manby's best book to date, and I felt that her writing had grown a bit in maturity reading this as well, and look forward to her next book (which I am hoping is another in this series).
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