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Karácsonyi lakoma és más történetek
Idén minden kívánságod teljesül!
Mondj igent a boldogságra!
A Francia kaland, a Tökéletes megoldás és számos egyéb nemzetközi bestseller szerzője e kötetében lélekemelő, romantikus és szórakoztató történetekkel ünnepli a karácsonyt.
Mit tegyünk, ha szenteste egy behavazott skót kisvárosban ragadunk egy jóképű idegennel…?
Mi a teendő, ha a karácsonyt a családunkkal akartuk volna ünnepelni, de egy szobafoglalási zűr végül egy sármos férfival hoz össze…?
Mi történne, ha egyszer az életben hagynánk, hogy a sors vezesse a kezünket, egyenesen a boldogságig…?
Katie Fforde bájos humorral és – nem mellesleg – ínycsiklandó étkekkel teli kötete szép karácsonyi ajándék mindenkinek, aki hisz a szeretet és a barátság erejében, az újrakezdésben vagy a folytatásban, és abban, hogy ha odafigyelünk egymásra, tényleg megtörténhet a csoda…, és akár még szerelembe is eshetünk.
Mondj igent a boldogságra!
A Francia kaland, a Tökéletes megoldás és számos egyéb nemzetközi bestseller szerzője e kötetében lélekemelő, romantikus és szórakoztató történetekkel ünnepli a karácsonyt.
Mit tegyünk, ha szenteste egy behavazott skót kisvárosban ragadunk egy jóképű idegennel…?
Mi a teendő, ha a karácsonyt a családunkkal akartuk volna ünnepelni, de egy szobafoglalási zűr végül egy sármos férfival hoz össze…?
Mi történne, ha egyszer az életben hagynánk, hogy a sors vezesse a kezünket, egyenesen a boldogságig…?
Katie Fforde bájos humorral és – nem mellesleg – ínycsiklandó étkekkel teli kötete szép karácsonyi ajándék mindenkinek, aki hisz a szeretet és a barátság erejében, az újrakezdésben vagy a folytatásban, és abban, hogy ha odafigyelünk egymásra, tényleg megtörténhet a csoda…, és akár még szerelembe is eshetünk.
350 pages, Paperback
First published December 4, 2014
41 people are currently reading
950 people want to read
About the author
Katie Fforde
96 books2,310 followersCatherine Rose Gordon-Cumming was born 27 September 1952 in England, UK, the daughter of Shirley Barbara Laub and Michael Willoughby Gordon-Cumming. Her grandfather was Sir William Gordon-Cumming. Her sister is fellow writer Jane Gordon-Cumming. Katie married Desmond Fforde, cousin of the also writer Jasper Fforde. She has three children: Guy, Francis and Briony and didn't start writing until after the birth of her third child. She has previously worked both as a cleaning lady and in a health food cafe.
Published since 1995, her romance novels are set in modern-day England. She is the founder of the "Katie Fforde Bursary" for writers who have yet to secure a publishing contract. Katie was elected the twenty-fifteenth Chairman (2009-2011) of the Romantic Novelists' Association. She is delighted to have been chosen as Chair of the Romantic Novelists' Association and says, "Catherine Jones was a wonderful chair and she's a very tough act to follow. However, I've been a member of the RNA for more years than I can actually remember and will have its very best interests at the core of everything I do."
Katie lives in Stroud, Gloucestershire, England with her husband, some of her three children and many pets. Recently her old hobbies of ironing and housework have given way to singing, Flamenco dancing and husky racing. She claims this keeps her fit. The writers she likes herself is also in the romantic genre, like Kate Saunders.
Published since 1995, her romance novels are set in modern-day England. She is the founder of the "Katie Fforde Bursary" for writers who have yet to secure a publishing contract. Katie was elected the twenty-fifteenth Chairman (2009-2011) of the Romantic Novelists' Association. She is delighted to have been chosen as Chair of the Romantic Novelists' Association and says, "Catherine Jones was a wonderful chair and she's a very tough act to follow. However, I've been a member of the RNA for more years than I can actually remember and will have its very best interests at the core of everything I do."
Katie lives in Stroud, Gloucestershire, England with her husband, some of her three children and many pets. Recently her old hobbies of ironing and housework have given way to singing, Flamenco dancing and husky racing. She claims this keeps her fit. The writers she likes herself is also in the romantic genre, like Kate Saunders.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 132 reviews
December 26, 2014
4 Seasonal Stars!
Katie Fforde offers the perfect, stories to sit back and relax with at any time of the year, but I find her Christmas stories always have a little of the magic and sparkle of the season contained in them that makes it hard for this reader to resist the opportunity to read them.
A Christmas Feast is no exception, and as a collection of short stories, it is perfect for the potentially busy reader to dip into over the festive season.
I really enjoyed all of the Christmassy tales contained in this collection, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone looking for something that is easy to pick up and put down over the festive season, but still wants something enjoyable to read, when a spare ten of fifteen minutes can be found!
ARC generously provided via Netgalley, in exchange for the above honest review.
Katie Fforde offers the perfect, stories to sit back and relax with at any time of the year, but I find her Christmas stories always have a little of the magic and sparkle of the season contained in them that makes it hard for this reader to resist the opportunity to read them.
A Christmas Feast is no exception, and as a collection of short stories, it is perfect for the potentially busy reader to dip into over the festive season.
I really enjoyed all of the Christmassy tales contained in this collection, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone looking for something that is easy to pick up and put down over the festive season, but still wants something enjoyable to read, when a spare ten of fifteen minutes can be found!
ARC generously provided via Netgalley, in exchange for the above honest review.
November 4, 2019
This was a great book with 12 lovely short stories. Not all of them were Christmas themed, but all of them had cute little romances in it. Some stories were better than others, my favorite was From Scotland with Love.
My ratings for each stories:
Christmas Shopping ★★★★
Run for Cover ★★★★
Love in the Afternoon ★★★
You're the One ★★★★.5
The Undercover Cook ★★★★.5
From Scotland with Love ★★★★★
Staying Away at Christmas ★★★★.5
A Christmas Feast ★★★★.5
Pink Fizz and Macaroons ★★★★
The Holiday of a Marriage ★★★
Breakfast with Mr Gillyflower ★★★★
A Magazine Christmas ★★★
My ratings for each stories:
Christmas Shopping ★★★★
Run for Cover ★★★★
Love in the Afternoon ★★★
You're the One ★★★★.5
The Undercover Cook ★★★★.5
From Scotland with Love ★★★★★
Staying Away at Christmas ★★★★.5
A Christmas Feast ★★★★.5
Pink Fizz and Macaroons ★★★★
The Holiday of a Marriage ★★★
Breakfast with Mr Gillyflower ★★★★
A Magazine Christmas ★★★
November 30, 2015
5 Words: Christmas, family, love, children, generosity.
This was quite a sweet read.
I had already read one of these short stories before (in my Christmas-readathon last year) but as a collection I think this worked very well and I didn't mind that I'd read one. Each story stood out on its own, with very distinct characters and storylines.
Nice that there was an excerpt of the next book at the end, but I think I'd have rather it had been another short story!
I received a copy of this for free via NetGalley for review purposes.
This was quite a sweet read.
I had already read one of these short stories before (in my Christmas-readathon last year) but as a collection I think this worked very well and I didn't mind that I'd read one. Each story stood out on its own, with very distinct characters and storylines.
Nice that there was an excerpt of the next book at the end, but I think I'd have rather it had been another short story!
I received a copy of this for free via NetGalley for review purposes.
December 29, 2021
Listened to in audio format.
I am a great fan of Katie Fforde but until this year I had never read her christmas novellas. I read Katie's christmas novella for this year Candlelight at Christmas which I really enjoyed. When I heard a collection of short stories was due to be released I had to order it.
Yes, some of the stories in A Christmas Feast were unrealistic. Such as the woman who bumped into a stranger in a supermarket and then invited him to Christmas dinner.
The best stories were Katie's previously published novellas:
From Scotland With Love
Staying away at Christmas
Undercover Cook
and A Christmas Feast.
These 4 short stories were worth fives stars on their own. I hope Katie develops From Scotland With Love and A Christmas Feast into full length books. Both had great storylines with wonderful background characters.
I am a great fan of Katie Fforde but until this year I had never read her christmas novellas. I read Katie's christmas novella for this year Candlelight at Christmas which I really enjoyed. When I heard a collection of short stories was due to be released I had to order it.
Yes, some of the stories in A Christmas Feast were unrealistic. Such as the woman who bumped into a stranger in a supermarket and then invited him to Christmas dinner.
The best stories were Katie's previously published novellas:
From Scotland With Love
Staying away at Christmas
Undercover Cook
and A Christmas Feast.
These 4 short stories were worth fives stars on their own. I hope Katie develops From Scotland With Love and A Christmas Feast into full length books. Both had great storylines with wonderful background characters.
December 31, 2015
I can't finish this, it's horrible.
July 17, 2017
Mein Leseexemplar habe ich vom Verlag durch Netgalley erhalten.
Ich hatte gehofft, mit diesem Buch in Weihnachtsstimmung zu kommen. Ich dachte, das ganze Buch bestünde aus einer Geschichte, aber es stellte sich heraus, dass das Buch mehrere Kurzgeschichten erhält. Das wäre an sich nicht schlimm gewesen, doch die einzelnen Kurzgeschichten waren alle sehr mau.
Jede Kurzgeschichte spielt zur Weihnachtszeit und es werden immer irgendwelche leckeren Sachen gegessen (das Buch ist auch wie ein Menü aufgebaut: Vorspeise - Hauptgericht - Dessert und solche Sachen), aber da endet das Gute auch schon.
Jegliche Kurzgeschichte ist eine Liebesgeschichte, auch hier wieder: an sich nicht schlimm, ich hab ja mit einer süßen, fluffigen, weihnachtlichen Liebesgeschichte gerechnet. Aber manche Geschichten hatte ich in drei Minuten durchgelesen, das ist kaum genug Zeit, um die Charaktere kennenzulernen und dass sie sich nachvollziehbar ineinander verlieben! Das war vielleicht größtenfalls der Anfang einer Kurzgeschichte, aber nicht die Kurzgeschichte selbst. Es geschieht alles so schnell, auf einmal haben sie sich ineinander verguckt und planen gleich die Hochzeit! Man merkt nicht einmal, wie sie sich näherkommen und langsam Gefühle füreinander entwickeln.
Dasselbe lässt sich auch für die vier etwas längeren Kurzgeschichten sagen, für die ich aber auch nur maximal 30 Minuten gebraucht habe. Bei einer Geschichte hat das Liebespaar vielleicht zehn Worte miteinander gewechselt, der Typ wird als unausstehlich dargestellt und am Ende der Kurzgeschichte sind die beiden ein glückliches Pärchen.
Am besten hat mir Liebesgrüße aus Schottland gefallen, hauptsächlich, weil es in Schottland gespielt hat und der Typ ein Autor war. Außerdem konnte man dort die Anziehung zwischen den Figuren noch am ehesten spüren.
Ich hatte gehofft, mit diesem Buch in Weihnachtsstimmung zu kommen. Ich dachte, das ganze Buch bestünde aus einer Geschichte, aber es stellte sich heraus, dass das Buch mehrere Kurzgeschichten erhält. Das wäre an sich nicht schlimm gewesen, doch die einzelnen Kurzgeschichten waren alle sehr mau.
Jede Kurzgeschichte spielt zur Weihnachtszeit und es werden immer irgendwelche leckeren Sachen gegessen (das Buch ist auch wie ein Menü aufgebaut: Vorspeise - Hauptgericht - Dessert und solche Sachen), aber da endet das Gute auch schon.
Jegliche Kurzgeschichte ist eine Liebesgeschichte, auch hier wieder: an sich nicht schlimm, ich hab ja mit einer süßen, fluffigen, weihnachtlichen Liebesgeschichte gerechnet. Aber manche Geschichten hatte ich in drei Minuten durchgelesen, das ist kaum genug Zeit, um die Charaktere kennenzulernen und dass sie sich nachvollziehbar ineinander verlieben! Das war vielleicht größtenfalls der Anfang einer Kurzgeschichte, aber nicht die Kurzgeschichte selbst. Es geschieht alles so schnell, auf einmal haben sie sich ineinander verguckt und planen gleich die Hochzeit! Man merkt nicht einmal, wie sie sich näherkommen und langsam Gefühle füreinander entwickeln.
Dasselbe lässt sich auch für die vier etwas längeren Kurzgeschichten sagen, für die ich aber auch nur maximal 30 Minuten gebraucht habe. Bei einer Geschichte hat das Liebespaar vielleicht zehn Worte miteinander gewechselt, der Typ wird als unausstehlich dargestellt und am Ende der Kurzgeschichte sind die beiden ein glückliches Pärchen.
Am besten hat mir Liebesgrüße aus Schottland gefallen, hauptsächlich, weil es in Schottland gespielt hat und der Typ ein Autor war. Außerdem konnte man dort die Anziehung zwischen den Figuren noch am ehesten spüren.
November 30, 2015
4.5 Christmas stars!
This was a wonderful collection of short holiday stories. This is exactly the kind of stories I so enjoy reading during the Christmas season. Each short story, some shorter than others, were complete but also were so good that you were left wishing for a little more time with characters. These are just right for when you are very busy but still want to read. Most of these were very satisfying. It was super close to a 5 star rating:)
I highly recommend to those who enjoy a little Christmas romance, have fun with a British setting, and who like short stories.
This was a wonderful collection of short holiday stories. This is exactly the kind of stories I so enjoy reading during the Christmas season. Each short story, some shorter than others, were complete but also were so good that you were left wishing for a little more time with characters. These are just right for when you are very busy but still want to read. Most of these were very satisfying. It was super close to a 5 star rating:)
I highly recommend to those who enjoy a little Christmas romance, have fun with a British setting, and who like short stories.
December 24, 2018
This was a brilliant book so easy to pick up and put down and perfect for Christmas. Full of short stories and each one is different and easy to read and full of romance and holidays well worth a read as so good
November 15, 2014
You know how you get a selection box at Christmas, with all those favourite chocolates or sweets in, that you can certainly polish off before new year? What if you could get one which was full of stories from one of your favourite authors? Well if Katie Fforde is one of your favourites then this is the book for you.
This book contains everything you need for the Christmas Feast. Of course you have fizz and small eats and you are delighted with four short stories, when I say short they are short, the sort that feature in a magazine. Of course they all have the lovely women that Katie Fforde creates and there is plenty of Christmas cheer to be had for all. It shows you there is no such thing as a perfect Christmas.
As you sit down for your starter, you are invited to read a longer short story - The Undercover Cook. It can be bought separately but you have it in this book too. Emily a journalist has gone undercover to find out what it is really like working with famous chef Theo Milton. She enjoys strangely the cooking but it could be perhaps that the chef is enjoying her - but does he know the real Emily?
Another of Fforde's short stories, From Scotland with Love takes us into the mains. We need something warm and substantial if we are going out into the snow in Scotland with a grumpy author and a dog about to have puppies.
Staying Away at Christmas is the perfect palate cleanser with the cheeseboard course. Two families thrown together at Christmas because of a double booking. It looks like they are all going to have learned some new Christmas traditions.
Pudding is always one of my favourite course and this year it is with a new short story A Christmas Feast. Imogen moves into her new house just before Christmas and thinks that she will have a perfect quiet time on her own. However, it seems that the Village has other ideas and she ends up having to entertain the village 'witch', Miss Wentworth on Christmas Day. It also seems that Miss Wentworth's nephew decides to spend Christmas with her. It is going to make an interesting Christmas.
If you have room for Coffee and Chocolates, and quite frankly who doesn't at Christmas this book ends with some more of the magazine style short stories.
Yes this book is a compilation of a lot of Katie Fforde's shorter stories, but so what. It does contain a sneak preview of her new novel out in 2015, but I have not taken the plunge and read any of that as I otherwise I would be wanting to read it all! This book with it's contents is all packaged together and makes an excellent gift either to introduce someone to her work or as a gift for yourself. It is not exclusively on kindle either you can hold a real paperback copy too! And that can be wrapped up and placed under the tree.
This book contains everything you need for the Christmas Feast. Of course you have fizz and small eats and you are delighted with four short stories, when I say short they are short, the sort that feature in a magazine. Of course they all have the lovely women that Katie Fforde creates and there is plenty of Christmas cheer to be had for all. It shows you there is no such thing as a perfect Christmas.
As you sit down for your starter, you are invited to read a longer short story - The Undercover Cook. It can be bought separately but you have it in this book too. Emily a journalist has gone undercover to find out what it is really like working with famous chef Theo Milton. She enjoys strangely the cooking but it could be perhaps that the chef is enjoying her - but does he know the real Emily?
Another of Fforde's short stories, From Scotland with Love takes us into the mains. We need something warm and substantial if we are going out into the snow in Scotland with a grumpy author and a dog about to have puppies.
Staying Away at Christmas is the perfect palate cleanser with the cheeseboard course. Two families thrown together at Christmas because of a double booking. It looks like they are all going to have learned some new Christmas traditions.
Pudding is always one of my favourite course and this year it is with a new short story A Christmas Feast. Imogen moves into her new house just before Christmas and thinks that she will have a perfect quiet time on her own. However, it seems that the Village has other ideas and she ends up having to entertain the village 'witch', Miss Wentworth on Christmas Day. It also seems that Miss Wentworth's nephew decides to spend Christmas with her. It is going to make an interesting Christmas.
If you have room for Coffee and Chocolates, and quite frankly who doesn't at Christmas this book ends with some more of the magazine style short stories.
Yes this book is a compilation of a lot of Katie Fforde's shorter stories, but so what. It does contain a sneak preview of her new novel out in 2015, but I have not taken the plunge and read any of that as I otherwise I would be wanting to read it all! This book with it's contents is all packaged together and makes an excellent gift either to introduce someone to her work or as a gift for yourself. It is not exclusively on kindle either you can hold a real paperback copy too! And that can be wrapped up and placed under the tree.
December 5, 2014
This is a heart-warming selection of short stories which manage not to step over the line into slushy sentimentality. All have food somewhere as an important ingredient but above all they have love at their heart - not just romantic love. There are a mixture of short reads - about five minutes - and some longer reads which take forty to fifty minutes so there is something here for however much or little time you have to spare.
I particularly liked the title story 'A Christmas Feast' and the story set in Scotland in a snow storm - 'From Scotland with Love'. All the stories are well written and will add a little sparkle and Christmas cheer to your life whether you're reading them at Christmas or at any other time of the year.
The collection includes a preview of the author's new novel to be published in 2015. I have found the standard of this author's books a little mixed in the past but this collection is in my opinion one of the best she has ever written. I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley for review purposes.
I particularly liked the title story 'A Christmas Feast' and the story set in Scotland in a snow storm - 'From Scotland with Love'. All the stories are well written and will add a little sparkle and Christmas cheer to your life whether you're reading them at Christmas or at any other time of the year.
The collection includes a preview of the author's new novel to be published in 2015. I have found the standard of this author's books a little mixed in the past but this collection is in my opinion one of the best she has ever written. I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley for review purposes.
January 1, 2015
Well Katie is my top author and I count the days down till her books come out so when this came on the shelves I had to read it but this may be my shortest review .
To describe this book with out giving any spoilers away is hard but I would say that it a chirstmas stocking with never ending gifts that's keeps giving once you finish one short story another fantastic one replaces it and you never want to put it down.
I wish that more authors and publishers that this road as I'm very old school I miss out on so many short stories that are only made for ebooks if they followed Katie Fforde and put them in a book then us old school would run out and buy them !!!!!!
I looking forward too the new book and I'm counting down the days xxxxx
To describe this book with out giving any spoilers away is hard but I would say that it a chirstmas stocking with never ending gifts that's keeps giving once you finish one short story another fantastic one replaces it and you never want to put it down.
I wish that more authors and publishers that this road as I'm very old school I miss out on so many short stories that are only made for ebooks if they followed Katie Fforde and put them in a book then us old school would run out and buy them !!!!!!
I looking forward too the new book and I'm counting down the days xxxxx
December 20, 2017
I love how the author decided to arrange the stories in this collection like it's a full-course dinner menu. It starts with shorter stories - champagne and canapes, followed by my favorite - a starter story. Then goes the biggest main dish, finished with a cheeseboard, a dessert, chocolate truffles and coffee, that in the end you realize were a mistake and you could do without them. Another thing I loved about the book, all stories (well, almost) were somehow connected to food.
Food aside, the plots were very naive and sometimes even for Christmas a bit unbelievable.
Food aside, the plots were very naive and sometimes even for Christmas a bit unbelievable.
October 25, 2019
I've read all of Katie's books and have loved every one. This compilation of various stories has not let me down. Imagine curling up on the sofa by a roaring fire on a cold and windy day, with a gorgeous mug of your favourite coffee and you are really going to enjoy this wonderful book.
December 27, 2019
Es fällt mir echt nicht super einfach, dem Buch nur 2 Sterne zu geben, nachdem es ja einige echt gute Bewertungen hat. Aber nein, das war absolut nicht meins!
Mein größtes Problem: das Bild von Frauen / Beziehungen, das hier in einigen Geschichten vermittelt wurde ging gar nicht. Also das war teilweise echt unter aller Sau (sorry für den Ausdruck) und natürlich kann man in Kurzgeschichten nicht alles erläutern und erklären, aber dann sollte man sich manche Aussagen auch einfach verkneifen. Zusätzlich muss ich leider sagen (was aber ein ganz persönliches Empfinden ist, das niemanden beeinflussen muss), dass mir kein einziger der 12 Love Interests auch nur ansatzweise sympathisch oder interessant erschien, was ein Lesevergnügen natürlich auch erschwert. Und dritter und letzter Kritikpunkt: Rechtschreibung. Hier hat die Übersetzung/das Korrektorat leider keinen sehr guten Job gemacht, insbesondere was das Zusammen-/Auseinanderschreiben von Wörtern angeht.
2 Sterne dafür, dass die eine oder andere Geschichte eine ganz süße Idee hatte und das Buch niedlich aufgemacht ist ;)
Mein größtes Problem: das Bild von Frauen / Beziehungen, das hier in einigen Geschichten vermittelt wurde ging gar nicht. Also das war teilweise echt unter aller Sau (sorry für den Ausdruck) und natürlich kann man in Kurzgeschichten nicht alles erläutern und erklären, aber dann sollte man sich manche Aussagen auch einfach verkneifen. Zusätzlich muss ich leider sagen (was aber ein ganz persönliches Empfinden ist, das niemanden beeinflussen muss), dass mir kein einziger der 12 Love Interests auch nur ansatzweise sympathisch oder interessant erschien, was ein Lesevergnügen natürlich auch erschwert. Und dritter und letzter Kritikpunkt: Rechtschreibung. Hier hat die Übersetzung/das Korrektorat leider keinen sehr guten Job gemacht, insbesondere was das Zusammen-/Auseinanderschreiben von Wörtern angeht.
2 Sterne dafür, dass die eine oder andere Geschichte eine ganz süße Idee hatte und das Buch niedlich aufgemacht ist ;)
January 2, 2021
4⭐️/5⭐️
I don’t usually read short stories, but this book caught my eye at my local bookshop called “The Dusty Bookshelf”. Definitely want to read more books by Katie Fforde. This collection of short stories all involve romance around the Christmas holidays. Almost finished this book for my reading goal in 2020, but that’s okay.
I don’t usually read short stories, but this book caught my eye at my local bookshop called “The Dusty Bookshelf”. Definitely want to read more books by Katie Fforde. This collection of short stories all involve romance around the Christmas holidays. Almost finished this book for my reading goal in 2020, but that’s okay.
December 12, 2019
Perfect festive reading
December 28, 2020
I liked the stories 'From Scotland with love' and 'Staying Away at Christmas', which were longer.
But not so much the other ones. Some were way too short for my liking.
But not so much the other ones. Some were way too short for my liking.
January 2, 2023
no because who invites some random stranger round their house on Christmas to cook some food just bcus you bumped your trolley into his?!??!?!?!?!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 26, 2023
I’m really not great with short stories so just think it’s not the right type of book for me.
July 31, 2015
(review copy)
Posted in full http://www.reviewedthebook.co.uk/2015...
A Christmas Feast: and other stories is a gorgeous collection of Katie Fforde’s short stories, along with one completely new one in A Christmas Feast. I’d only read a couple of these before and so I was looking forward to catching up with the rest which are of course written in Katie’s typical delightful way. I absolutely loved the clever format to this book, splitting it into sections that make up the perfect Christmas feast. There’s Champagne and Canapés, Starter, Main Course, Cheeseboard, Dessert and Coffee and Chocolate Truffles, all wonderfully named and so fitting with the content. A Christmas Feast is the best kind of read for the festive season, where you might get chance to sneak in a story or two amongst the madness, or maybe even make your escape for a few hours and devour it in one go. Either way, it’s a satisfying, feel-good read.
Each story was well drawn and developed well enough to make the reader care for the characters they’ll only know over the space of a few pages. Most of the stories are bitesize though we do get a longer one in A Christmas Feast. Each of them have such character that made them so enjoyable. Christmas Shopping was a sweet start to the collection, with a warm feel to the story that was actually my favourite of the whole collection. Run for Cover was quite witty and put an easy smile on my face. Love in the Afternoon had me craving food, badly and You’re the One was just really cute. The Undercover Cook was probably the only one I struggled to connect with instantly but throughout its longer length, I soon discovered the interesting characters and storyline which were developed well. In From Scotland with Love, I was completely charmed by Griselda, the dog, who was the star of the show and had the cutest story. Staying Away at Christmas was the short story that made me feel really festive with all its delightful little Christmassy touches and this was followed up by A Christmas Feast, which built up my festive spirit even more. A Christmas Feast was my close second favourite story. I loved the message it portrayed and it was an uplifting tale of reconnecting with family and making new friends. Pink Fizz and Macaroons had my mouth watering – full of cakes and cupcakes, mmm! The Holiday of a Marriage seemed to be about compromise and the need to inject some life into a marriage. Breakfast with Mr Gillyflower was another one of my favourites, featuring a garden so beautifully described by Katie I could see it grow right in front of my eyes. The final story, A Magazine Christmas, highlighted the importance of putting yourself first and feeling good about yourself.
There wasn’t a story I didn’t like in A Christmas Feast and I think this book is the best kind of relaxing read, one to sit back with and enjoy, chocolates and wine beside you maybe. Each story brings something a little different and though they are romantic, we see relationships between family and friends too which are all touchingly wrote by Katie. Sparkly and cheerful, A Christmas Feast is a book for everyone to enjoy and one that could be read year after year to bring a smile to your face.
December 19, 2014
Christmas is a wonderful time of year, of course, but a busy one, and if you’re an avid reader like me, you can end up feeling a little bereft come the New Year: what happened to the time to yourself you dreamt of when you would curl up and get lost in a romance novel? This short-story collection is the perfect answer – offering quick-grab romance stories on a Christmas theme.
The author suggests in her foreword:
‘[T]he point of A Christmas Feast is that it’s full of little treats – stories you might have time to read while you’re waiting for the mince pies to brown or for the bath to run.’
Of course, I’ve devoured this ‘feast’ pre-Christmas, but I do think the book would lend itself well to offering a little escape here and there over the holiday season. The style is easy to read, and the stories easy to dip in and out of. Some are longer; some are like a magazine story.
I really like the feel of the writing: it’s not frivolous and silly, but warm and witty with the odd touch of poignancy. The stories just the right picks for the season. I especially enjoyed one that is centred on two strangers getting snowed in together in the wilds of Scotland. There’s quite a cast of characters through the collection, but I liked them all. I was intrigued by the professions the author incorporates – the publisher’s PR girl trying to handle a difficult author; the charity-shop worker dealing with what on first glance seems to be a very grumpy man; the newspaper reporter working undercover in a hotel kitchen. My absolute favourite story involves a rather uptight woman learning from a passionate Italian man how one should really eat – cue mouth-watering descriptions!
For me, the most wonderful part of the book is the theming. The stories have been pulled together to offer a Christmas feast to the reader, and so they are organised as courses:
Champagne and canapés
Starter
Main course
Dessert
Coffee and chocolate truffles
That alone feels delightfully indulgent.
A lovely book to pick up as a gift for a female friend or relative this Christmas – or, better yet, a gift to yourself. Think of it as your sanity saver for the holidays!
The author suggests in her foreword:
‘[T]he point of A Christmas Feast is that it’s full of little treats – stories you might have time to read while you’re waiting for the mince pies to brown or for the bath to run.’
Of course, I’ve devoured this ‘feast’ pre-Christmas, but I do think the book would lend itself well to offering a little escape here and there over the holiday season. The style is easy to read, and the stories easy to dip in and out of. Some are longer; some are like a magazine story.
I really like the feel of the writing: it’s not frivolous and silly, but warm and witty with the odd touch of poignancy. The stories just the right picks for the season. I especially enjoyed one that is centred on two strangers getting snowed in together in the wilds of Scotland. There’s quite a cast of characters through the collection, but I liked them all. I was intrigued by the professions the author incorporates – the publisher’s PR girl trying to handle a difficult author; the charity-shop worker dealing with what on first glance seems to be a very grumpy man; the newspaper reporter working undercover in a hotel kitchen. My absolute favourite story involves a rather uptight woman learning from a passionate Italian man how one should really eat – cue mouth-watering descriptions!
For me, the most wonderful part of the book is the theming. The stories have been pulled together to offer a Christmas feast to the reader, and so they are organised as courses:
Champagne and canapés
Starter
Main course
Dessert
Coffee and chocolate truffles
That alone feels delightfully indulgent.
A lovely book to pick up as a gift for a female friend or relative this Christmas – or, better yet, a gift to yourself. Think of it as your sanity saver for the holidays!
November 6, 2015
This is a lovely collection of festive & food related short stories.
HEALTH WARNING - Do not read while hungry, & lock away all your food before reading this book, otherwise you may have doubled in size by the time you get to the end of it. There are lots of tasty treats packed into this book.
I've read a couple of other novels by Katie Fforde, which I really enjoyed, & this did not disappoint.
My favourite short stories in this collection are as follows:
Run for Cover - Funny little story set in a charity shop.
You're the One - Romance with a good twist at the end.
The Undercover Cook - A satisfying story.
Staying Away at Christmas - A lovely festive family romance.
A Christmas Feast - An enjoyable festive tale of a community coming together, with a little romance & a soppy ending.
The Holiday of a Marriage – Quite a serious tone to this story, but enjoyable.
A magazine Christmas – Another satisfying read.
I would like to thank the publisher, Random House UK, Cornerstone for allowing me a copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
HEALTH WARNING - Do not read while hungry, & lock away all your food before reading this book, otherwise you may have doubled in size by the time you get to the end of it. There are lots of tasty treats packed into this book.
I've read a couple of other novels by Katie Fforde, which I really enjoyed, & this did not disappoint.
My favourite short stories in this collection are as follows:
Run for Cover - Funny little story set in a charity shop.
You're the One - Romance with a good twist at the end.
The Undercover Cook - A satisfying story.
Staying Away at Christmas - A lovely festive family romance.
A Christmas Feast - An enjoyable festive tale of a community coming together, with a little romance & a soppy ending.
The Holiday of a Marriage – Quite a serious tone to this story, but enjoyable.
A magazine Christmas – Another satisfying read.
I would like to thank the publisher, Random House UK, Cornerstone for allowing me a copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 2, 2015
Firstly thank you to Cornerstone Digital for approving me for a copy of this title via NetGalley.
This is a collection of Katie Fforde’s short stories with one longer story entitled A Christmas Feast.
A Christmas Feast is all about flautist and music teacher Imogen and her fresh start in her new home just before Christmas.
This is the third of Katie’s Christmassy shorts that I’ve read and enjoyed. Imogen is a well-developed character who appears to be loving and kind and also determined to achieve her goals. She is the main character and narrator throughout. Although she has her family and new carol singing friends the only other significant characters are her elderly neighbour and her nephew. I enjoyed this close knit group of characters and felt that the story allowed you to get to know Imogen really well.
You can read my reviews of From Scotland With Love and Staying Away At Christmas by clicking on the links.
I love the idea of this collection of short stories. The layout is that of a true Christmas feast with stories being served as courses meaning you can dip in and out of the stories as you fancy – a great idea for in between the madness this Christmas!
This is a collection of Katie Fforde’s short stories with one longer story entitled A Christmas Feast.
A Christmas Feast is all about flautist and music teacher Imogen and her fresh start in her new home just before Christmas.
This is the third of Katie’s Christmassy shorts that I’ve read and enjoyed. Imogen is a well-developed character who appears to be loving and kind and also determined to achieve her goals. She is the main character and narrator throughout. Although she has her family and new carol singing friends the only other significant characters are her elderly neighbour and her nephew. I enjoyed this close knit group of characters and felt that the story allowed you to get to know Imogen really well.
You can read my reviews of From Scotland With Love and Staying Away At Christmas by clicking on the links.
I love the idea of this collection of short stories. The layout is that of a true Christmas feast with stories being served as courses meaning you can dip in and out of the stories as you fancy – a great idea for in between the madness this Christmas!
December 14, 2014
A lovely collection of short stories which have been put into one volume for a festive read! Each story is a short read- sometimes perfect for that little spell where you take a breather in the preparations and sit down for a cuppa. I'd read some of them previously- but enjoyed rereading them and left me wanting to read her new book which comes out next year. There is an excerpt from it at the end of the book.
They are all happy ever after type stories with a lovely Christmas slant- a really enjoyable read.
Katie is one of my favourite authors - so this was a real treat.
Many thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for the chance to read this one.
They are all happy ever after type stories with a lovely Christmas slant- a really enjoyable read.
Katie is one of my favourite authors - so this was a real treat.
Many thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for the chance to read this one.
December 13, 2015
This selection of short stories is laid out in 'courses' from starters to dessert. I found the constant happy endings actually made it all feel rather like pudding. However, at the end of the year, when the days are short and chilly, it's nice to have something light to read. I would have enjoyed a few darker stories, though, for contrast, instead of the man and the girl predictably getting it together. Some of the best food is contrasted with a little salt, lemon or vinegar.
It's a nice read if you're looking for something seasonal and light-hearted. I wasn't best pleased, however, to find that the final 7% was a trailer for another book.
It's a nice read if you're looking for something seasonal and light-hearted. I wasn't best pleased, however, to find that the final 7% was a trailer for another book.
October 27, 2016
I tried to read this, you'd think with a book of short stories, from an author I used to really enjoy, would give me at least a couple stories that were good reading. NO!! I could not finish. May go back later, when I really have NOTHING else to read. These aren't short stories, they are cut off stories, have-plotted and written-stories...what a waste of time (reading and writing) and paper.
March 30, 2023
Very, very, very fluffy. The slightly longer stories were quite OK, the short ones, well, those were too short really to make me care for the characters even a little. In fact, I've already forgotten them.
Serves me right, I should have read one of my old favourites instead ... ;)
Serves me right, I should have read one of my old favourites instead ... ;)
Read
December 9, 2014Review tomorrow
December 26, 2023
Love Katie Fforde Her stories are so charming. This collection of short romantic stories were just perfect and with a Christmas setting, made for a wonderful holiday read
December 16, 2021
Ein Schneesturm, der einen dazu zwingt länger bei einem griesgrämigen Autor zu blieben und eine überraschende Wendung bringt. Eine Köchin die sich als Praktikantin ausgibt oder ein Stardirigent der seine Oma über Weihnachten besucht. In diesem Buch warten einige Geschichten darauf winterliche Stimmung zu verbreiten.
In diesem Buch wartet nicht nur eine, sondern gleich 4 längere und ein paar kleinere darauf gelesen zu werden. Wer nur kurz ein bisschen lesen will findet hier Gelegenheit dazu. Wie im Klappentext beschrieben eignen sich die Geschichten dazu eine kurze Zeit zu überbrücken. Ich lese Bücher lieber in einem Stück. Die Idee, das Buch wie ein Essen zu gestalten und der rote Faden mit dem Kochen fand ich gut.
Die kleinen Geschichten am Anfang und Ende konnten mich nicht überzeugen. Die Seiten reichen einfach nicht, um ein Gefühl für die Personen zu bekommen. Es ging alles einfach schnell und es wurde möglichst viel Geschichte auf wenige Seiten gequetscht. Die Protagonisten kennen sich kaum, oder hassen sich sogar und ein paar Seiten später ist es die große Liebe. Es war einfach zu kurz um realistisch und unterhaltsam zu sein. Vor allem am Anfang waren mir die Personen auch einfach nicht sympathisch, so dass ich diese „Vorspeisen“ meist mit einem Augenrollen beendete.
Die längeren Geschichten fand ich besser. und hätten sogar 3,5 -4 Stene bekommen. Noch besser wäre es gewesen die kleinen Geschichten weg zu lassen und den anderen mehr Platz zu geben.
Da das Buch sonst nur mit dem schönen Cover punkten kann, wird es bald ein neues Zuhause in einem Bücherschrank finden.
In diesem Buch wartet nicht nur eine, sondern gleich 4 längere und ein paar kleinere darauf gelesen zu werden. Wer nur kurz ein bisschen lesen will findet hier Gelegenheit dazu. Wie im Klappentext beschrieben eignen sich die Geschichten dazu eine kurze Zeit zu überbrücken. Ich lese Bücher lieber in einem Stück. Die Idee, das Buch wie ein Essen zu gestalten und der rote Faden mit dem Kochen fand ich gut.
Die kleinen Geschichten am Anfang und Ende konnten mich nicht überzeugen. Die Seiten reichen einfach nicht, um ein Gefühl für die Personen zu bekommen. Es ging alles einfach schnell und es wurde möglichst viel Geschichte auf wenige Seiten gequetscht. Die Protagonisten kennen sich kaum, oder hassen sich sogar und ein paar Seiten später ist es die große Liebe. Es war einfach zu kurz um realistisch und unterhaltsam zu sein. Vor allem am Anfang waren mir die Personen auch einfach nicht sympathisch, so dass ich diese „Vorspeisen“ meist mit einem Augenrollen beendete.
Die längeren Geschichten fand ich besser. und hätten sogar 3,5 -4 Stene bekommen. Noch besser wäre es gewesen die kleinen Geschichten weg zu lassen und den anderen mehr Platz zu geben.
Da das Buch sonst nur mit dem schönen Cover punkten kann, wird es bald ein neues Zuhause in einem Bücherschrank finden.
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