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Left at Number 17: A Warm, Sharp and Very British Christmas Comedy Novella About Neighbours, Chaos and Second Chances
A warm, funny British Christmas novella with a moment that stops you, holds you, and stays with you long after the last page. A perfect evening (or two) of festive escape.
“Warm, witty and unexpectedly moving — the perfect festive read.”
From the bestselling author of Do They Know It’s Christmas Yet? comes a warm, sharply funny festive story about neighbours, second chances, and one very expensive padded envelope.
If anyone on Laurel Drive dared to feel festive on the first Monday in December, a small red card through the letterbox reminded them there were new Christmas rules.
Dennis at Number 17 — facing his first Christmas as a widower — has turned his driveway into a nightly “Parcel Hub”: queue tickets, passwords, mugs of tea, and a sense of order. For him, running Christmas like a system isn’t just neighbourly; it’s a way to keep people together when life has taken something away.
It almost works… until Christmas Eve, when Michael jumps the queue with a panicked lie about a proposal and discovers the parcel he desperately needs is missing.
A chancer courier has pocketed his tiny padded envelope.
What follows is a night of frosty detours, market-stall mishaps, a faltering Mini with antlers, and one woman who made a bad choice — roughly the size of Dennis’s own, once upon a time.
Readers describe Left at Number 17 as beautifully funny, deeply warm, and quietly devastating in the best way — a Christmas story that makes you laugh, then gets you right in the heart. Perfect for fans
Richard Curtis — warm, witty British Christmas storytelling with real emotional punch.
Nick Hornby — sharp humour, flawed characters you root for, and everyday chaos turned meaningful.
Beth O’Leary — modern, uplifting fiction full of heart, found family, and quiet redemption.
Jenny Colgan — cosy, comforting British escapism that feels like a hug and a biscuit tin.
Matt Haig — stories that blend festive wonder with humanity, hope, and that one moment that stays with you.
Sophie Kinsella — light, clever, character-driven comedy with heart (and the occasional spiralling disaster).
About the author
James Crookes is a bestselling comedy author and long-running UK radio presenter/producer. He is known for writing sharp, heartfelt festive fiction and for making people laugh at breakfast. He lives in Sheffield, England, with his family, fifteen pairs of reading glasses, and a sincere belief that wine solves at least 40% of modern problems.
“Warm, witty and unexpectedly moving — the perfect festive read.”
From the bestselling author of Do They Know It’s Christmas Yet? comes a warm, sharply funny festive story about neighbours, second chances, and one very expensive padded envelope.
If anyone on Laurel Drive dared to feel festive on the first Monday in December, a small red card through the letterbox reminded them there were new Christmas rules.
Dennis at Number 17 — facing his first Christmas as a widower — has turned his driveway into a nightly “Parcel Hub”: queue tickets, passwords, mugs of tea, and a sense of order. For him, running Christmas like a system isn’t just neighbourly; it’s a way to keep people together when life has taken something away.
It almost works… until Christmas Eve, when Michael jumps the queue with a panicked lie about a proposal and discovers the parcel he desperately needs is missing.
A chancer courier has pocketed his tiny padded envelope.
What follows is a night of frosty detours, market-stall mishaps, a faltering Mini with antlers, and one woman who made a bad choice — roughly the size of Dennis’s own, once upon a time.
Readers describe Left at Number 17 as beautifully funny, deeply warm, and quietly devastating in the best way — a Christmas story that makes you laugh, then gets you right in the heart. Perfect for fans
Richard Curtis — warm, witty British Christmas storytelling with real emotional punch.
Nick Hornby — sharp humour, flawed characters you root for, and everyday chaos turned meaningful.
Beth O’Leary — modern, uplifting fiction full of heart, found family, and quiet redemption.
Jenny Colgan — cosy, comforting British escapism that feels like a hug and a biscuit tin.
Matt Haig — stories that blend festive wonder with humanity, hope, and that one moment that stays with you.
Sophie Kinsella — light, clever, character-driven comedy with heart (and the occasional spiralling disaster).
About the author
James Crookes is a bestselling comedy author and long-running UK radio presenter/producer. He is known for writing sharp, heartfelt festive fiction and for making people laugh at breakfast. He lives in Sheffield, England, with his family, fifteen pairs of reading glasses, and a sincere belief that wine solves at least 40% of modern problems.
172 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 1, 2025
63 people are currently reading
21 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
December 6, 2025
I’ve read all of James Crookes’ books and found them to be laugh-out-loud funny. This one not so much. The story was okay but got lost in the similes/metaphors/personification on every other line. I would have preferred a bit of sarcastic humour and just plain old storytelling just like his other books. Pretty disappointing and can only give it 3⭐️
If anyone on Laurel Drive dared to feel festive on the first Monday in December, a small red card through the letterbox reminded them there were new Christmas rules.
Dennis at Number 17 — facing his first Christmas as a widower — has turned his driveway into a nightly “Parcel Hub”: queue tickets, passwords, mugs of tea, and a sense of order. For him, running Christmas like a system isn’t just neighbourly; it’s a way to keep people together when life has taken something away.
It almost works… until Christmas Eve, when Michael jumps the queue with a panicked lie about a proposal and discovers the parcel he desperately needs is missing.
A chancer courier has pocketed his tiny padded envelope.
What follows is a night of frosty detours, market-stall mishaps, a faltering Mini with antlers, and one woman who made a bad choice — roughly the size of Dennis’s own, once upon a time.
If anyone on Laurel Drive dared to feel festive on the first Monday in December, a small red card through the letterbox reminded them there were new Christmas rules.
Dennis at Number 17 — facing his first Christmas as a widower — has turned his driveway into a nightly “Parcel Hub”: queue tickets, passwords, mugs of tea, and a sense of order. For him, running Christmas like a system isn’t just neighbourly; it’s a way to keep people together when life has taken something away.
It almost works… until Christmas Eve, when Michael jumps the queue with a panicked lie about a proposal and discovers the parcel he desperately needs is missing.
A chancer courier has pocketed his tiny padded envelope.
What follows is a night of frosty detours, market-stall mishaps, a faltering Mini with antlers, and one woman who made a bad choice — roughly the size of Dennis’s own, once upon a time.
December 18, 2025
A lovely, funny, heartfelt Christmas story
I have read the Do They Know its Christmas series of books and I saw this come up on James Crookes Facebook page and thought I'd give it a look.
It really is a lovely book.
It's amazing what can happen with the magic of Christmas. Dennis has organised a delivery depot at his house gor the residents of Laurel Drive. No-one asked him to do it. But every night he stands in his drive with his check list. Everyone queues and waits for their turn. Michael doesn't want to wait, he has a deadline, he needs to collect the turkey, call his boss and land a client. But first he has to get his parcel. What could possibly go wrong? Michael is about to have his most adventurous Christmas eve ever. A story about loved ones who have gone and friendships formed. Plus a naughty fox. One emotional ride.
I have read the Do They Know its Christmas series of books and I saw this come up on James Crookes Facebook page and thought I'd give it a look.
It really is a lovely book.
It's amazing what can happen with the magic of Christmas. Dennis has organised a delivery depot at his house gor the residents of Laurel Drive. No-one asked him to do it. But every night he stands in his drive with his check list. Everyone queues and waits for their turn. Michael doesn't want to wait, he has a deadline, he needs to collect the turkey, call his boss and land a client. But first he has to get his parcel. What could possibly go wrong? Michael is about to have his most adventurous Christmas eve ever. A story about loved ones who have gone and friendships formed. Plus a naughty fox. One emotional ride.
December 9, 2025
great fun rollercoaster short Christmas drama from the author who bought us do they know it's Christmas yet and the following sequels. really enjoyed this, funny, heartwarming fun
December 8, 2025
Xmas in Suburbia
Gentle, bittersweet, Xmas disaster that isn't. Full of love and compassion, laugh out loud one minute, heart breaking the next. A timely reminder of the true spirit of Xmas.
Gentle, bittersweet, Xmas disaster that isn't. Full of love and compassion, laugh out loud one minute, heart breaking the next. A timely reminder of the true spirit of Xmas.
December 7, 2025
This guy always makes me laugh out loud x lovely characters, great story x
December 7, 2025
I love all the do they know it's Christmas books .... So when James wrote this I ordered it immediately and honestly.... It didn't disappoint. You'll laugh, cry and feel festive. I don't want to give anything away except to say "oh Dennis" 🥹
December 3, 2025
Another great read from James Crookes.
Another great read from James Crookes.
Thanks for the laughs again.
I look forward to your next one.
Can't wait
Another great read from James Crookes.
Thanks for the laughs again.
I look forward to your next one.
Can't wait
December 7, 2025
I concur with Joanne. I gave an extra star because I so love his other books and don’t want him to stop writing, just have more of his usual style. I was really looking forward to this as an early Christmas present to myself but I sadly only found it mildly amusing. The other ‘yet’ books made me laugh so much they annoyed my husband (I read in bed and woke him up) but this one was more internal chuckles. If I hadn’t read the other books, I may have liked it more but as I have, this just didn’t hit the usual mark. Still can’t wait for book 4 though.
December 11, 2025
James Crookes is now the king of heart warming Christmas comedy capers.
Whilst this one did not feature our beloved characters from his previous trilogy it didn’t disappoint. Ended up really caring about these characters and wouldn’t mind to hear from them again.
Some laugh out loud moments but really just about the kindness of every day people
Whilst this one did not feature our beloved characters from his previous trilogy it didn’t disappoint. Ended up really caring about these characters and wouldn’t mind to hear from them again.
Some laugh out loud moments but really just about the kindness of every day people
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews