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Candlelight at Christmas
Welcome back some familiar characters and treat yourself to some extra romance with this exclusive, straight-to-digital short story from the Sunday Times No. 1 Bestseller.
Fenella and Rupert are organising the perfect Christmas, surrounded by their friends in their beautiful Somerby house.
Until Fenella gets a phone call from her ghastly parents-in-law asking if they can join them for the holiday. Fenella couldn't possibly refuse and besides, it could be worse.
But when they arrive and the house is suddenly plunged in darkness thanks to a power cut, Fenella knows she has her work cut out to keep everyone happy and pull off the perfect Christmas feast.
Plus the first chance to read the opening chapter of Katie's novel, A Secret Garden.
Fenella and Rupert are organising the perfect Christmas, surrounded by their friends in their beautiful Somerby house.
Until Fenella gets a phone call from her ghastly parents-in-law asking if they can join them for the holiday. Fenella couldn't possibly refuse and besides, it could be worse.
But when they arrive and the house is suddenly plunged in darkness thanks to a power cut, Fenella knows she has her work cut out to keep everyone happy and pull off the perfect Christmas feast.
Plus the first chance to read the opening chapter of Katie's novel, A Secret Garden.
ebook
First published November 24, 2016
66 people are currently reading
510 people want to read
About the author
Katie Fforde
97 books2,324 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 45 reviews
December 12, 2016
5 Words: Perfect length for mulled wine.
I have enjoyed Katie Flynn's previous Christmas shorts, so when I saw this my expectations were rather high. Unfortunately, this led to disappointment for me.
This is a very simple novella. While I was reading it felt like 90% dialogue (although in reality it was probably 75%) and it seems to be a tiny snippet on the end of a much larger story arc.
For such a short offering, over a so few days, the plot felt very jumpy. The relationships between the characters felt very forced, particularly between Etienne and Meggie.
I think I would have enjoyed this more if there had been more description within the story, it seemed to be assumed that the reader already knew of the wider arc. I don't think this can be read as a standalone.
I have enjoyed Katie Flynn's previous Christmas shorts, so when I saw this my expectations were rather high. Unfortunately, this led to disappointment for me.
This is a very simple novella. While I was reading it felt like 90% dialogue (although in reality it was probably 75%) and it seems to be a tiny snippet on the end of a much larger story arc.
For such a short offering, over a so few days, the plot felt very jumpy. The relationships between the characters felt very forced, particularly between Etienne and Meggie.
I think I would have enjoyed this more if there had been more description within the story, it seemed to be assumed that the reader already knew of the wider arc. I don't think this can be read as a standalone.
November 26, 2016
It seems to be practically an annual tradition now, that Katie Fforde will release a Christmas short story, and this year is of course no exception. In fact I think I loved this one more than some of the previous ones, purely because I recognised the setting and some of the characters instantly from Recipe for Love.
There is a welcome return to Somerby, where Fenella and Rupert are having a massive friends and family Christmas celebration this year, complete with in-laws, assorted children, and couple of even more unexpected guests.
As the amount of people having Christmas day grows, Fenella is getting a bit more stressed, so once Christmas Day finally arrives, the power cut doesn't help matters.
I loved the solutions as to how they cope with no power over Christmas, and really enjoyed a snapshot look at how Zoe and Gideon were getting on with life, years after we first met them. There is also a very promising and tender romance, between two of the younger extra guests, which was very sweet to read.
All in all a lovely short story that won't take too long to read, but will fill your heart with the joy of Christmas.
Thank you to Netgalley and Cornerstone Digital for my copy of this story that I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
There is a welcome return to Somerby, where Fenella and Rupert are having a massive friends and family Christmas celebration this year, complete with in-laws, assorted children, and couple of even more unexpected guests.
As the amount of people having Christmas day grows, Fenella is getting a bit more stressed, so once Christmas Day finally arrives, the power cut doesn't help matters.
I loved the solutions as to how they cope with no power over Christmas, and really enjoyed a snapshot look at how Zoe and Gideon were getting on with life, years after we first met them. There is also a very promising and tender romance, between two of the younger extra guests, which was very sweet to read.
All in all a lovely short story that won't take too long to read, but will fill your heart with the joy of Christmas.
Thank you to Netgalley and Cornerstone Digital for my copy of this story that I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
November 19, 2019
This was a pretty good short story about a family doing what they can at Christmas and handling difficult situations when the power goes off. Be sure to check out this Christmas story at your local library and wherever ebooks are sold.
December 2, 2024
Candlelight at Christmas by Katie Fforde is a cozy festive romance, but its heavy reliance on holiday clichés and sentimentality may feel overly saccharine. While Fforde’s vivid settings and charming characters shine, the predictable plot and lack of depth might leave some readers wanting more. A short, cheerful read best suited for fans of feel-good holiday stories.
November 28, 2016
Katie Fforde has long been a firm favourite author of mine. Alongside Jill Mansell she was the first author I moved on to reading once I had devoured all Maeve Binchy's books that were in my local library. I suppose Katie was amongst my first proper grown up reads once I had reached that stage in my love of reading. Katie's books are always light, easy, enjoyable reads that often centre around a certain career or profession and this sets her books apart from all the rest. The last few years as well as a full length novel she has also published a Christmas novella and it's something I've come to look forward to as being a slight guilty pleasure to enjoy an added story from Katie whilst waiting for her next full length book. Short stories are perfect for the busy Christmas season as they are quick to read yet hold your attention just long enough. They provide a few restful minutes escape from all the hustle and bustle and frantic preparation that inevitably come with this time of year. This is certainly highlighted in this story as the characters find Christmas on top of them with still lots to do and plenty of people to please.
Candlelight at Christmas is this year's festive treat from Katie and it mentions in the blurb that we will see the return of some familiar characters. I’ll admit when I quickly glanced through the blurb I couldn't exactly remember who said characters were and that's purely because when you read so many books each year that characters can often be forgotten and it is nothing to do with the how I felt about the book they featured in previously. I did a search and discovered we had met Rupert and Fenella in Recipe for Love published back in 2012. Within a few pages of this new story it all came flooding back to me and I was pleased to reacquaint myself with the Gainsborough's and their extended family and friends and to check in with how they would be spending Christmas.
The story opens at Somerby house the day before Christmas when Rupert has just announced to his wife that his parents will be spending Christmas with the family as their plans had fallen through last minute. Needless to say Fenella is not best pleased as she had hoped for a quiet Christmas with Rupert and her girls, Glory and Simmy, and her friends Hugo and Sarah, Zoe and Gideon. These characters had featured in Recipe for Love but for those who haven't read that book you'll get a brief back story and we see how they are in the present. Many people can relate to Fenella's predicament when your in laws aren't the nicest people and you had Christmas all planned out and now you find you have to be hostess and entertainer extraordinaire to a couple who are eternally ungrateful. Yet Fenella's caring nature and her love for Rupert shine through and she is determined Christmas will go just as she had planned even with the added extra input from her in laws.
Even though this story was very short and quite often it can be difficult to get to know characters in such a short space of time or for a warm atmosphere to be built up, Katie is an expert at the short story and I feel she achieved a lot within the few pages. This is tricky to do but the Christmas atmosphere and the whole themes of Christmas as a time for giving and embracing time with family shone through the pages and really did give you that warm, festive feeling inside that a reader always hopes to gain from a Christmas book.
I could easily visualise Somerby house and all the guests busy settling in and preparing for the big day. Although Rupert's parents proved to be just as obnoxious and ungrateful as I presumed that they would be and I suppose not everything can be plain sailing. Two new characters Meggie and Etienne were introduced and proved to be lovely additions to the story. What I wouldn't give to find Etienne waiting for me under the tree on Christmas morning. As for Meggie in a way she had a slightly sad angle to her part in the story but if it wasn't for Rupert and Fenella she wouldn’t have had her chance to shine. There were a few twists and turns and surprises before we reached the end and they all fitted in well with the overall story making Candlelight at Christmas a simply gorgeous read and reassuring me any writing from Katie Fforde is not to be missed.
At the time of writing it's only just over a £1 and definitely worth the money. If you like this story I would highly recommend A Christmas Feast and other stories published last year. It's a collection of Katie's short stories and it proved to be an utter delight when I read it on my Christmas holidays last year. Each story is so different yet does what a short story should do which is to always leave you wanting more. One story I would definitely advise you to read is From Scotland with Love. It's simply brilliant . Meanwhile I'll be waiting patiently for February to roll around so I can get my hands on Katie's next book A Secret Garden.
Candlelight at Christmas is this year's festive treat from Katie and it mentions in the blurb that we will see the return of some familiar characters. I’ll admit when I quickly glanced through the blurb I couldn't exactly remember who said characters were and that's purely because when you read so many books each year that characters can often be forgotten and it is nothing to do with the how I felt about the book they featured in previously. I did a search and discovered we had met Rupert and Fenella in Recipe for Love published back in 2012. Within a few pages of this new story it all came flooding back to me and I was pleased to reacquaint myself with the Gainsborough's and their extended family and friends and to check in with how they would be spending Christmas.
The story opens at Somerby house the day before Christmas when Rupert has just announced to his wife that his parents will be spending Christmas with the family as their plans had fallen through last minute. Needless to say Fenella is not best pleased as she had hoped for a quiet Christmas with Rupert and her girls, Glory and Simmy, and her friends Hugo and Sarah, Zoe and Gideon. These characters had featured in Recipe for Love but for those who haven't read that book you'll get a brief back story and we see how they are in the present. Many people can relate to Fenella's predicament when your in laws aren't the nicest people and you had Christmas all planned out and now you find you have to be hostess and entertainer extraordinaire to a couple who are eternally ungrateful. Yet Fenella's caring nature and her love for Rupert shine through and she is determined Christmas will go just as she had planned even with the added extra input from her in laws.
Even though this story was very short and quite often it can be difficult to get to know characters in such a short space of time or for a warm atmosphere to be built up, Katie is an expert at the short story and I feel she achieved a lot within the few pages. This is tricky to do but the Christmas atmosphere and the whole themes of Christmas as a time for giving and embracing time with family shone through the pages and really did give you that warm, festive feeling inside that a reader always hopes to gain from a Christmas book.
I could easily visualise Somerby house and all the guests busy settling in and preparing for the big day. Although Rupert's parents proved to be just as obnoxious and ungrateful as I presumed that they would be and I suppose not everything can be plain sailing. Two new characters Meggie and Etienne were introduced and proved to be lovely additions to the story. What I wouldn't give to find Etienne waiting for me under the tree on Christmas morning. As for Meggie in a way she had a slightly sad angle to her part in the story but if it wasn't for Rupert and Fenella she wouldn’t have had her chance to shine. There were a few twists and turns and surprises before we reached the end and they all fitted in well with the overall story making Candlelight at Christmas a simply gorgeous read and reassuring me any writing from Katie Fforde is not to be missed.
At the time of writing it's only just over a £1 and definitely worth the money. If you like this story I would highly recommend A Christmas Feast and other stories published last year. It's a collection of Katie's short stories and it proved to be an utter delight when I read it on my Christmas holidays last year. Each story is so different yet does what a short story should do which is to always leave you wanting more. One story I would definitely advise you to read is From Scotland with Love. It's simply brilliant . Meanwhile I'll be waiting patiently for February to roll around so I can get my hands on Katie's next book A Secret Garden.
December 4, 2016
If you are a fan of Katie's novels then you may well recognise the characters in this short story, just for Christmas. If you do not recognise the characters, then no matter it means you can then go and catch up on them in one of Katie's previous novels Recipe for Love, which is exactly what I am going to do!
Fenella is aiming for the perfect Christmas, surrounded by the important people in her life,her close family and friends.
What she was not aiming for was having her critical old-fashioned parents in law and an unexpected power cut to deal with whilst still trying to maintain the facade of a perfect Christmas.
In such a small contained way, Katie has set the scene at Somerby House and given us enough about the characters to feel empathy or absolute frustration with in very few words. That is the key to this authors ability to create such wonderful stories.
If you want Christmas stories but you don't have time for a chunky paperback to while away the hours then this is the book for you, as is her other Christmas short stories.
Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the opportunity to read this novel.
Available now on kindle with an exclusive extract from her forthcoming 2017 novel too.
Fenella is aiming for the perfect Christmas, surrounded by the important people in her life,her close family and friends.
What she was not aiming for was having her critical old-fashioned parents in law and an unexpected power cut to deal with whilst still trying to maintain the facade of a perfect Christmas.
In such a small contained way, Katie has set the scene at Somerby House and given us enough about the characters to feel empathy or absolute frustration with in very few words. That is the key to this authors ability to create such wonderful stories.
If you want Christmas stories but you don't have time for a chunky paperback to while away the hours then this is the book for you, as is her other Christmas short stories.
Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the opportunity to read this novel.
Available now on kindle with an exclusive extract from her forthcoming 2017 novel too.
December 14, 2016
Ah, there's no Christmas without Katie Fforde's short story! And this time it is a very exceptional one as it introduces us to characters that we already know from "Recipe for Love", which was a great joy for me.
There are - for so a short story - many characters in this novella. Many. And the amount of people seems to grow all the time. We are at Fenella and Rupert's who are having friends and family with the assorted children over Christmas, then we have a nanny for the children, then we have friends from work and we also have a very unexpected and not so heartily welcomed visit from the in - laws. And there is also a power cut on the day itself.
However, for me, the problem with short stories is that they're... yes, short, and as soon as one thing begins it already finishes, and it leaves me wanting more and feeling that it's just under - developed, and it was like this this time as well. Also, I had a feeling that it is one long dialogue, and when usually I don't have a problem when a book is so dynamic this time I've missed some more descriptions. The plot is full to the brims, there is all the time something happening but because of the length of the story we can't focus on anything in particular. I also had a problem with the "relationship" between Meggie and Etienne, which just seemed too forced and unbelievable.
Even though the novella is about characters from previous books it can of course be read as a stand - alone. It is written in this unmistakeable Katie Fforde's writing style, warm and full of respect to her characters. It is full of festive spirit and truly it is about simmering down, clearing your mind for a moment or two, to focus on this what's really important in our lives: family and friends and about forgetting the stress and enjoying this important time at Christmas. It's light, easy and uplifting, perfect to read under the Christmas tree.
Copy provided by the publisher in return for an honest review.
December 2, 2016
With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an open and honest review.
I have read Katie Fforde's full length novels in the past but never one of her christmas novellas. I enjoyed it so much I have ordered a collection of Katie's short stories.
Fenella her husband Rupert and two daughters are planning a quiet Xmas at home with their friends. However on Christmas Eve Fenella receives a phone call from her in laws asking to spend christmas with them. Then Gideon one of the guests ask to bring a young man called Etienne too. Etienne is from France and has no family to stay with in England.
With a house full of kids and the in laws Rupert employs Meggie the daughter of a friend to be a nanny. Meggie is quite pleased because she was due to spend christmas day with her awful stepmother who constantly puts her down and destroys her confidence.
Etienne and Meggie get on very well and see the beginnings of a romance. On Christmas day there is a powerful hence the name Candlelight at Christmas. To add to the party Fenella invites another 6 people who have no electricity in the holiday cottage down the road.
I am sentimental about christmas so this this book.had everything. Family, friends and various waifs and stray gathering for christmas. A christmas puppy and a surprise pregnancy.
A perfect novella to put you in the book for christmas.
I have read Katie Fforde's full length novels in the past but never one of her christmas novellas. I enjoyed it so much I have ordered a collection of Katie's short stories.
Fenella her husband Rupert and two daughters are planning a quiet Xmas at home with their friends. However on Christmas Eve Fenella receives a phone call from her in laws asking to spend christmas with them. Then Gideon one of the guests ask to bring a young man called Etienne too. Etienne is from France and has no family to stay with in England.
With a house full of kids and the in laws Rupert employs Meggie the daughter of a friend to be a nanny. Meggie is quite pleased because she was due to spend christmas day with her awful stepmother who constantly puts her down and destroys her confidence.
Etienne and Meggie get on very well and see the beginnings of a romance. On Christmas day there is a powerful hence the name Candlelight at Christmas. To add to the party Fenella invites another 6 people who have no electricity in the holiday cottage down the road.
I am sentimental about christmas so this this book.had everything. Family, friends and various waifs and stray gathering for christmas. A christmas puppy and a surprise pregnancy.
A perfect novella to put you in the book for christmas.
January 1, 2017
This is clearly a holiday novella featuring couples from previous books - irritatingly they don't appear to be listed as a series so I can't actually go and read the full-length novels.
I think if you had read the full-length novels you would probably get more out of this novella but it is perfectly possible to read this as a stand-alone.
Fenella and Rupert and their two young daughters plan to spend Christmas with two sets of friends at their rundown stately home, Somerby. However, due to a series of problems/ co-incidences they end up hosting Rupert's snobbish parents, a random Frenchman, a teenage girl from the village and a family of six from the holiday cottage down the lane.
This is the sort of cosy, Christmas novella that I love. Impossibly talented friends and family coming together, having a wonderful Christmas and overcoming adversity, with a romance thrown in.
I don't appear to have read (or at least reviewed) a Katie Fforde book previously but I will definitely try to track down Fenella and Rupert's story to see how it all began.
I received a free copy of this novella from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
I think if you had read the full-length novels you would probably get more out of this novella but it is perfectly possible to read this as a stand-alone.
Fenella and Rupert and their two young daughters plan to spend Christmas with two sets of friends at their rundown stately home, Somerby. However, due to a series of problems/ co-incidences they end up hosting Rupert's snobbish parents, a random Frenchman, a teenage girl from the village and a family of six from the holiday cottage down the lane.
This is the sort of cosy, Christmas novella that I love. Impossibly talented friends and family coming together, having a wonderful Christmas and overcoming adversity, with a romance thrown in.
I don't appear to have read (or at least reviewed) a Katie Fforde book previously but I will definitely try to track down Fenella and Rupert's story to see how it all began.
I received a free copy of this novella from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
December 1, 2016
There are several things that make it feel like Christmas for me; putting up the tree, baking Christmas goodies, visiting Chatsworth House and reading a Katie Fforde short story.
I've been a huge fan of Katie's books since I first picked up The Rose Revived about 6 years ago. I've now read all of her books and they have a special shelf of their own that keeps expanding!
I love Katie's Christmas themed digital short stories and Candlelight at Christmas was no exception. It was a double treat to see some old favourite characters return as well and to be able to find out what they're up to now.
A short easy read, Candlelight at Christmas is set at the 'big house' Somerby which featured in Katie's full length novel Recipe for Love and we see the return of Fenella, Rupert, Zoe and Gideon. It's a lovely little story focused on the everyday run ins with in laws, looking after babies and of course it wouldn't be Katie Fforde if it didn't have some romance.
As warm and comfy as a hot chocolate in front of a winters fire.
I've been a huge fan of Katie's books since I first picked up The Rose Revived about 6 years ago. I've now read all of her books and they have a special shelf of their own that keeps expanding!
I love Katie's Christmas themed digital short stories and Candlelight at Christmas was no exception. It was a double treat to see some old favourite characters return as well and to be able to find out what they're up to now.
A short easy read, Candlelight at Christmas is set at the 'big house' Somerby which featured in Katie's full length novel Recipe for Love and we see the return of Fenella, Rupert, Zoe and Gideon. It's a lovely little story focused on the everyday run ins with in laws, looking after babies and of course it wouldn't be Katie Fforde if it didn't have some romance.
As warm and comfy as a hot chocolate in front of a winters fire.
December 13, 2016
A Christmas Treat
A lovely Christmas story, a real Christmas treat of a book! A short story and a worthwhile read. Definitely recommend.
A lovely Christmas story, a real Christmas treat of a book! A short story and a worthwhile read. Definitely recommend.
December 29, 2024
Candlelight at Christmas is a charming, romantic short story set during the festive season, featuring familiar characters from Katie Fforde’s other novels.
Why did I decide to read this book?
I wanted something quick, light, and festive to get me into the holiday spirit. Katie Fforde's books always deliver smooth romance and happy endings, so I knew this story would be a perfect choice for the season.
What did I like about the book?
It’s a short and delightful read, filled with festive joy and warmth. The story weaves together themes of new love, rekindled relationships, friendship, and family dynamics—including the inevitable chaos of holiday gatherings. It perfectly captures the cozy, heartwarming atmosphere of the holiday season.
Would I recommend this book?
Yes! If you enjoy quick, easy-to-read holiday romances packed with festive cheer, Candlelight at Christmas is the perfect pick for you.
Why did I decide to read this book?
I wanted something quick, light, and festive to get me into the holiday spirit. Katie Fforde's books always deliver smooth romance and happy endings, so I knew this story would be a perfect choice for the season.
What did I like about the book?
It’s a short and delightful read, filled with festive joy and warmth. The story weaves together themes of new love, rekindled relationships, friendship, and family dynamics—including the inevitable chaos of holiday gatherings. It perfectly captures the cozy, heartwarming atmosphere of the holiday season.
Would I recommend this book?
Yes! If you enjoy quick, easy-to-read holiday romances packed with festive cheer, Candlelight at Christmas is the perfect pick for you.
November 27, 2017
Candlelight at Christmas by Katie Fforde is really a short story. When I want to read something light (ie chick lit) Fforde is my go to author. I have never been disappointed.
"Fenella and Rupert are organising the perfect Christmas, surrounded by their friends in their beautiful Somerby house.
Until Fenella gets a phone call from her ghastly parents-in-law asking if they can join them for the holiday. Fenella couldn't possibly refuse and besides, it could be worse.
But when they arrive and the house is suddenly plunged in darkness thanks to a power cut, Fenella knows she has her work cut out to keep everyone happy and pull off the perfect Christmas feast."
An interesting family story with a romance thrown in.
Four stars
"Fenella and Rupert are organising the perfect Christmas, surrounded by their friends in their beautiful Somerby house.
Until Fenella gets a phone call from her ghastly parents-in-law asking if they can join them for the holiday. Fenella couldn't possibly refuse and besides, it could be worse.
But when they arrive and the house is suddenly plunged in darkness thanks to a power cut, Fenella knows she has her work cut out to keep everyone happy and pull off the perfect Christmas feast."
An interesting family story with a romance thrown in.
Four stars
April 10, 2020
It was a book I wouldn’t normally go for. Never read anything by this author. I don’t know if I would again, this book was a short e book version, . I found myself kind of enjoying the story but it got boring in places and I skipped over pages. On the Christmas Day chapter 3 pages in the chapter taken up about a power cut. The author sure has a good imagination to fill 3 pages about a power cut. Kind of boring.... avoid this book if you want any action in your reading material .. re thinking about reading any others by her, will move on to others authors. Do the same if you don’t want to read a chicklit kind of romance book that got boring very quickly.
December 6, 2016
This is a very short story for the Christmas market and follows pretty much the formula that we know and love from Katie. Because of its brevity there is no real time to develop the characters or the plot.There is a super-quick resolution to all issues. Life is a little more complicated but that is what we are trying to escape from here.
It a middle-class Christmas , cosy and enclosed in its own bubble. It does what is says on the box marked 'Do not open before December the 25th'.
It a middle-class Christmas , cosy and enclosed in its own bubble. It does what is says on the box marked 'Do not open before December the 25th'.
December 9, 2017
As others have mentioned this story has too many characters shoved into it. If you've read Katie's other books you may recognize some of them, but then new characters are introduced. As a result there is very little time spent on everyone's stories and updates. It got a bit confusing at times.
December 3, 2024
This story is okay, but nothing spectacular.
The characters didn't feel fully fleshed out, and Etienne in particular felt like a caricature of a sexy Frenchman.
It had some cute moments, but it didn't make me desperate to read on.
Such a shame because I usually love Katie's stories
The characters didn't feel fully fleshed out, and Etienne in particular felt like a caricature of a sexy Frenchman.
It had some cute moments, but it didn't make me desperate to read on.
Such a shame because I usually love Katie's stories
December 2, 2016
I did enjoy this short story. Nice to see characters from a previous book brought back to life. It didn't however light the sparks in me like previous novels or novellas from Katie.
December 12, 2017
3,7 stars
January 3, 2018
A fun, light read, perfect for the lead up to Christmas
September 23, 2018
Erg leuk om weer personages uit haar vorige boeken terug te zien! Leuk verhaal, veelste kort en ik hoop echt dat er nog een heel boek komt met alle deze 'oude' personages!
April 10, 2020
Avoid this book, got boring very quickly. Wouldn’t read anything else by this author.
November 16, 2020
Short Xmas story. Predictable, quite cloying. I feel compelled to read at least a few of these this time of year.
January 3, 2024
light comfortable story
A wonderful short story just right to read over Christmas. Some familiar characters for those who’ve ready other Katie Fforde books and a few new ones.
A wonderful short story just right to read over Christmas. Some familiar characters for those who’ve ready other Katie Fforde books and a few new ones.
December 31, 2025
Sweet little short story. Perfect to finish off the festive period
February 19, 2017
Reviews can also be found on my blog Escapades of a Bookworm
This was a brilliant festive read that lets you look back on some of your favourite characters, and see what they are getting up this festive time.
There are a couple of new characters to keep you on your toes and I hope that we will l see them in a future story as there is so much more to explore. Pretty please?
I loved the solutions to the extra guests and how to cook a Christmas dinner when you have no electricity. Some of the things that happen are so ingenious.
This is filled with Christmas spirit and if you can only sneak away from the family for a short while then this Christmas read is pretty perfect.
This was a brilliant festive read that lets you look back on some of your favourite characters, and see what they are getting up this festive time.
There are a couple of new characters to keep you on your toes and I hope that we will l see them in a future story as there is so much more to explore. Pretty please?
I loved the solutions to the extra guests and how to cook a Christmas dinner when you have no electricity. Some of the things that happen are so ingenious.
This is filled with Christmas spirit and if you can only sneak away from the family for a short while then this Christmas read is pretty perfect.
December 29, 2016
Lovely Christmas story to make you smile
December 10, 2016
Having read Katie Fforde's novels before and enjoyed them, I thought it time to try one of her famous Christmas novellas. Although a stand-alone, this clearly features couples from a previous book - this may enhance reading, but in no way detracts from it. However, if you had read the full-length novel, you may get more from this novella; but it is perfectly possible to read it without having read the full length novel associated with these characters.
The story is very short and, given this, it is often difficult to get to know characters in such a short space of time. However, Katie Fford is a master writer and she achieves much within these few pages. - a difficult thing to do, but the Christmas atmosphere presented, a time for giving and embracing family (for better or worse) combined with the increase in stress levels, shine through these pages and succeed in giving you that warm, festive feeling that one looks for from a Christmas book/novella.
Candlelight at Christmas is set at the 'big house' Somerby, which featured in Fford’s full length novel, Recipe for Love. It's a sweet little story, focused on the everyday - dealing with uninvited guests, family dramas and of course, it wouldn't be Katie Fforde if it didn't have a little romance. All up, a satisfying novella for this Christmas period.
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release
The story is very short and, given this, it is often difficult to get to know characters in such a short space of time. However, Katie Fford is a master writer and she achieves much within these few pages. - a difficult thing to do, but the Christmas atmosphere presented, a time for giving and embracing family (for better or worse) combined with the increase in stress levels, shine through these pages and succeed in giving you that warm, festive feeling that one looks for from a Christmas book/novella.
Candlelight at Christmas is set at the 'big house' Somerby, which featured in Fford’s full length novel, Recipe for Love. It's a sweet little story, focused on the everyday - dealing with uninvited guests, family dramas and of course, it wouldn't be Katie Fforde if it didn't have a little romance. All up, a satisfying novella for this Christmas period.
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release
January 1, 2017
Chaos at Christmas.
I was after a bit of Festive reading for December and this little story certainly provided that, but I hadn't realised that these characters would be old friends if I'd previously read A Recipe for Love, and I think that would have made a huge difference. It wasn't that it didn't hold its own as a short story, but there's something really special about reconnecting with characters from previous books.
My goodness, I have to hand it to Fenella, she seems to be able to cope with whatever Christmas throws at her. She already has two young children and is prepared for Christmas with two other couples, plus babies, but then she welcomes her (awful) in-laws to join them.. AND the family staying in the cottage that she's keeping an eye on for a friend, and by the end I'd lost count of the number of guests she was hosting! OK, one of her guests is a chef and that helps, but even so.....oh, and I forgot the teenager who is there to help with the children, and a Frenchman who is home alone over Christmas.....I'd have been out the door and down the local pub!
On the downside, this is only 65 pages (if it were in print, which it's not) and I didn't really have time to get to know the characters very well. I think I'd chose a full length book another time, but that's just a personal preference.
Merry Christmas.
I was after a bit of Festive reading for December and this little story certainly provided that, but I hadn't realised that these characters would be old friends if I'd previously read A Recipe for Love, and I think that would have made a huge difference. It wasn't that it didn't hold its own as a short story, but there's something really special about reconnecting with characters from previous books.
My goodness, I have to hand it to Fenella, she seems to be able to cope with whatever Christmas throws at her. She already has two young children and is prepared for Christmas with two other couples, plus babies, but then she welcomes her (awful) in-laws to join them.. AND the family staying in the cottage that she's keeping an eye on for a friend, and by the end I'd lost count of the number of guests she was hosting! OK, one of her guests is a chef and that helps, but even so.....oh, and I forgot the teenager who is there to help with the children, and a Frenchman who is home alone over Christmas.....I'd have been out the door and down the local pub!
On the downside, this is only 65 pages (if it were in print, which it's not) and I didn't really have time to get to know the characters very well. I think I'd chose a full length book another time, but that's just a personal preference.
Merry Christmas.
November 9, 2018
MoMo’s Book Diary recommends this as a fun 5 star read.
Katie Fforde brings us a perfectly sentimental Christmas novella. This novella, released as a digital short story, is a festive stand-alone book featuring characters from a previous novel, Recipe for Love, published in 2012.
Rupert and Fenella Gainsborough have planned an idyllic family Christmas at Somerby House. Things don’t go to plan and they welcome some unexpected guests. Fenella's caring nature shines as she makes sure everyone in the house has a fabulous Christmas. There were twists, turns and a few surprises making Candlelight at Christmas a gorgeous Christmas read.
Thank you to Cornerstone Digital and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this novella.
The perfect short story to warm your heart and put you in the festive mood.
Katie Fforde brings us a perfectly sentimental Christmas novella. This novella, released as a digital short story, is a festive stand-alone book featuring characters from a previous novel, Recipe for Love, published in 2012.
Rupert and Fenella Gainsborough have planned an idyllic family Christmas at Somerby House. Things don’t go to plan and they welcome some unexpected guests. Fenella's caring nature shines as she makes sure everyone in the house has a fabulous Christmas. There were twists, turns and a few surprises making Candlelight at Christmas a gorgeous Christmas read.
Thank you to Cornerstone Digital and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this novella.
The perfect short story to warm your heart and put you in the festive mood.
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