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Christmas at the Log Fire Cabin

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Curl up by the fire this Christmas with the ebook bestseller Catherine Ferguson.

When Poppy’s boyfriend Martin proposes the week before Christmas, she doesn’t know what to do. It’s not that she doesn’t love him… it’s just that she has her doubts. But with the twelve days of Christmas to decide, time is running out.

Meanwhile, her best friend Taylor is desperate for the pair of them to fulfil their dream of setting up a dinner party catering company – and when an opportunity arises at a luxury log-fire cabin, the girls take their chance to impress. But they hadn’t bargained on the owner of the lodge being quite so attractive – and having quite such a sexy voice. As the twelve days tick on, will Poppy realise that Martin is the one for her? Or will it be love in the lodge when the new year comes?

402 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 2, 2017

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Catherine Ferguson

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 124 reviews
Profile Image for Carrie.
3,576 reviews1,698 followers
September 9, 2017
Poppy has been at her job for over a decade when she believes she will get the promotion that has opened up but is passed over for being a bit too timid. Poppy then gets the notion that she's going to make some changes in her life beginning with starting to get a catering business up and running but knows she shouldn't be in a rush to leave her current position as she does so.

In the meantime Poppy's boyfriend Martin proposes but she's just unsure of their lackluster relationship. She decides to put the decision on hold while Martin travels and she and her friend Taylor begin their catering business. Lucking into a catering job at a luxury log-fire cabin over the holidays Poppy hopes it's the beginning to her success.

Christmas at the Log-Fire Cabin by Catherine Ferguson was a bit of a tough one to rate for me when I finished reading this one. Quite honestly if I were to rate strictly on the relationship and romance aspect of this book it would have been a big fail and a lower rating in my opinion. The way that side of the book goes is just not one that I'm personally a huge fan of myself so I wasn't overly interested in that side of the story.

However, on the redeeming side of the story there were a lot of things in here that I did like about the book. Poppy's mother is featured quite a bit in the story and the author touched on the subject of hoarding with her characters which is out of the norm and was nice to see into that type of person and how it effects those around them. The lovely Christmas setting was also quite nice along with dealing with other family issues for the main character. I was also impressed with Poppy and her personal growth from the meek character that she was in the beginning. So with balancing out the positives and negatives for me in this one I decided on 3 stars as it was an OK read overall.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.wordpress....


Profile Image for Lisa Baillie .
310 reviews14 followers
September 25, 2017
Seen the cover of this book and instantly fell in love with it. Imagined it to be the perfect seasonal read this year. I am so glad to say I was not in the slightest disappointed at all. It was a lovely feel good festive read. Poppy was a darling. Deserved more in life than what she had. Follow her over the festive period. It was well written. Lovely characters and just a great story.
Profile Image for Hannah.
603 reviews118 followers
December 6, 2019
The story was a little slow moving and it was predictable with the characters. Harrison was very annoying and the others were just okay to me. I hope I like the next one a little more.
Profile Image for Leanne.
72 reviews12 followers
December 23, 2020
I wanted to love this book. I did not love this book.

The writing is passable. The grammar is fine. The sentences are well-composed. There are some nice images, particularly when it comes to cooking.

That's the "good." Onto the bad (i.e., the plot):

Profile Image for Liina.
308 reviews120 followers
December 17, 2017
Poppy's boyfriend proposes the week before Christmas, but she doesn't know what to do. She has twelve days to make up her mind as her boyfriend goes to Spain to visit his mom. Poppy works as a waitress in a hotel, but she's an excellent cook, and when an opportunity arises to cook for people at a luxurious log fire cabin, she accepts the offer with her friend's persuasion. With a great work opportunity comes a handsome lodge owner and Poppy has a serious decision to make. Will she choose to marry her boyfriend or the handsome owner?

I really enjoyed this Christmassy book, it gave me a proper festive feeling. I adored the characters and loved the setting and the story itself, I didn't want the book to end! It's an incredible feel good story and I'd definitely recommend it. 
Profile Image for Nicola Clough.
879 reviews41 followers
November 18, 2018
This book was brilliant from the first page it had so many twists and turns and full of Christmas and friendship and romance and families to. The characters are brilliant and the setting and plot are brilliant.
Poppy has her boyfriend who the week before Christmas proposes to her what does she do she does love him but has her doubts. He's going away for Christmas and it gives her time to think. Her best friend has always wanted poppy to open her catering company business and when someone rings and leaves a message which isn't for her will things change. Poppy rings him back to explain he left the message for the wrong person but little does she know he will end up asking her to cook for them at their log cabin over Christmas. Her best friend helps her and little did she know she would fall in love with the owner of the log cabin but she tries to act as if she isn't. Her mother has also been a hoarder and when she gets a phone call to say her house caught fire she rushes to check she is ok and while her mother stays with her she learns more about her father and she wants to find him. When her boyfriend turns up at the log cabin will she give him the answer he wants or will she end up falling for someone else.
Perfect book to read and think of Christmas. Worth more than five stars and can't wait now to buy the next follow on book.
Profile Image for Rachel Gilbey.
3,361 reviews570 followers
October 7, 2017

I loved this book, its got a good festive feel to it, there's a log fire cabin on a lake, a get together of assorted strangers, some fabulous Italian cooking, and a couple of storylines that take on slightly less frivolous topics.

But first I need to highlight something about Harrison, Poppy's boyfriend. He is a number cruncher, errs on the side of probability his all life, and instantly struck me as dull It is not often that I find myself rooting against a perfectly nice man, in a book but he was dull and it was obvious early on that Poppy should be able to do better. I mean I was slightly fixated on his rather unusual interest and then couldn't believe it wasn't completely made up once I looked into it!

Poppy is an excellent cook but is currently working as a waitress in a hotel where her bosses don't seem to appreciate her. I'd say that Harrison doesn't appear to appreciate her either. With some persuasion from best friend Erin she agrees to cater for a log fire cabin over Christmas, for a rather mixed family situation.

It just so happens there is a rather attractive man in the mix, and he may have a soft spot for Poppy, but she is due to be engaged after her 12 day cooling off period to Harrison ends. Quite a few chapters start with the 3 course menu that Poppy is due to make that day. All the food sounded delicious, but its not the focus of the book.

That is more to do with families, there are storylines involving characters not knowing their fathers, one involving a new relationship with step children involved, and there is also Poppy's mother who has a potentially dangerous problem that she needs to overcome.

I loved the scenes in the log fire cabin, it was such a cosy setting for a Christmas book, and the Christmas Poppy spent aged 12 with her father in a similar setting, was a great illustration of just what a great location it was.

Christmas at the Log Fire Cabin is a cosy wintery/festive story that is so much more than a Christmas book, I was laughing at times, open mouthed at others, while thoroughly enjoying the cast of characters that has been created. It is just a shame it had to end when it did, I was would love to see how various things develop in Poppy's life after the book has finished.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Avon for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
Profile Image for L..
274 reviews7 followers
November 15, 2020
Poppy è "felicemente" fidanzata con il pignolo e calcolatore Harryson, ha un discreto lavoro come cameriera in un hotel di città e qualche problemuccio con la mamma che soffre del disturbo da accumulo.
A un certo punto della sua vita, a causa di tanti piccoli eventi che si andranno a intersecare tra loro, si troverà costretta a guardare in faccia la realtà e chiedersi se è veramente felice. Ma soprattutto, a causa di un piccolo errore del carismatico Jed, la nostra Poppy si troverà affaccendata in un servizio di catering con i fiocchi in una bellissima baita che riporta alla mente non pochi ricordi e farà si che nella sua vita tutto cambi...

PUNTI A FAVORE

✔️ Cibo! L'aspetto della cucina e del menù è stato ben studiato e spiegato dall'autrice. Niente viene lasciato all'immaginazione e l'amore di Poppy per la cucina traspare da ogni battitura!

✔️ Jed. Ho adorato il loro motivo di incontro, l'ho trovato carino ed originale! Non il solito cliché, insomma 🤩 e poi Jed è semplicemente fantastico. Il tipo di personaggio maschile che vorresti si materializzasse accanto a te!

✔️ La narrazione è così intrigante e coinvolgente che il libro diventa ben presto un'ottima compagnia. Avevo infatti bisogno di una lettura "leggera" e spensierata che mi aiutasse a staccare un po' la mente e questo libro è stata un'ottima soluzione. Dopo giornate stressanti e colme di preoccupazioni, era piacevole dedicarsi alla lettura di qualche pagina...

PUNTI A SFAVORE

❌ Ma quanto mangiano e quanto spendono? Rileggendo la trama ho notato che si parla di un "ricco proprietario della baita" ma durante la lettura non avevo capito fosse così ricco! 😅 Quindi non ho fatto altro che chiedermi che senso avesse spendere tutti quei soldi per le vacanze natalizie! In ogni caso, diamine se mangiano 🤣

❌ Disturbo di accumolo. Come detto, la mamma di Poppy soffre di questo disturbo ma avrei preferito una maggiore attenzione ai dettagli. Quando si tratta certi argomenti è doveroso, a mio avviso, essere accorti. Forse sarebbe stato meglio dire semplicemente che la mamma era piuttosto triste di recente?

❌ Padre di Poppy. Questo aspetto l'ho trovato un po' forzato. Qui, contrariamente all'incontro con Jed, i cliché sono a portata di mano (fino alla fine).

Nel complesso si tratta di una bella storia, anche se forse l'atmosfera natalizia non si respiri come da programma. Fa riflettere su quanto sia importante NON accontentarsi e tirare il freno quando necessario! Se Poppy non lo avesse fatto ora si starebbe per sposare con l'odioso Harryson!
Profile Image for Jenni Moeller.
358 reviews
December 9, 2018
I enjoyed this one! The protagonist loves to cook and I do too so it was fun reading about the meals she was preparing. There was good character background, growth, and a fun Christmas story about mending relationships and moving forward from past hurts. I'll be reading more by this author.
360 reviews
February 2, 2019
This is the first book I've read by this author & will probably be the last.
The story is a nice easy read, but I thought the story was long drawn out & could have been shorter. There was a lot of irrelevent & repeated storyline. Not what I'd call a Merry Christmas read. A bit depressing really.
The characters were believable. But it was obvious to me, what would be the outcome between all the characters. So there were no surprises.
Profile Image for Romanticamente Fantasy.
7,976 reviews238 followers
August 23, 2021
Cassandra Gold - per RFS
.
Buongiorno care Fenici. La storia di oggi racconta di una vacanza da sogno, durante la quale una ragazzina, da sempre alla ricerca del suo vero papà, realizzerà i suoi desideri più profondi. Ma purtroppo i momenti felici terminano e fuori dalle gelide finestre, di un inverno innevato, si scorge solo la cruda realtà.

Il grande desiderio di Poppy da sempre è stato ritrovare suo padre. La vita però non sempre è clemente con noi. Sua madre, un insigne medico, avutala da giovane si era separata da lui, percorrendo la strada che aveva deciso per sé. La convivenza di Poppy con il suo patrigno non era mai stata serena, né per lei né per sua madre. L’unico incontro avuto con Alessandro, il suo vero padre, rimane il ricordo più bello, custodito nel suo cuore. A distanza di tanti anni ora che sua madre è separata e lei invece convive con Harrison, tutto questo sembra ormai relegato nel passato Ma si sa a volte la vita è strana e ci riserva incredibili sorprese. A sconvolgere la sua esistenza sarà un messaggio lasciato da Jed, un perfetto sconosciuto, nella sua segreteria. Nello stesso tempo la sua migliore amica l’aiuterà a realizzare il sogno di aprire una società di catering, lasciando lo squallido ruolo di cameriera nell’albergo dov’è tutt’ora impiegata. Poppy si troverà così proprio a casa di Jed, per preparare le cene del periodo natalizio e a riflettere sulla proposta di fidanzamento di Harrison. La sua vita così di colpo cambia, verrà coinvolta nella sua vorticosa famiglia, rimanendo inevitabilmente attratta da quel ragazzo così dolce e profondo. Cosa ne sarà del suo futuro? Deciderà di sposare Harrison o si farà coinvolgere dal bellissimo Jed? Avrà la forza di lasciare un impiego sicuro per inseguire i propri sogni? Riuscirà a ritrovare suo padre dopo tutti gli anni trascorsi da quel loro unico incontro?

Apparentemente un semplice romance, questo libro è molto di più. Una favola di Natale nella quale le speranze, i sogni e i desideri più profondi dei personaggi prendono forma, regalandoci momenti pieni di sentimento, passione e commozione. La famiglia nella quale Poppy si trova coinvolta per lavoro, diventa così il fulcro di tutte le vicende. Lei si muove in punta di piedi tra i vari intrecci e relazioni, aiutandoli con i suoi biscotti e le sue cioccolate calde. Le pietanze che cucina diventano il mezzo con il quale lei interviene, come una cura per i loro pensieri e frustrazioni, divenendo parte di quel contesto e trovando una parte anche per s stessa. Così da esterna dal coro, diventa parte di esso, amalgamando le sue vicende con le loro. Dalla sua tragedia personale trae lezioni di vita che hanno lo scopo di fungere da transfer nei momenti di crisi dei commensali, dai drammi adolescenziali dei più giovani, a quelli familiari dei più anziani. Il teatro di tutto questo, la Baita, costruita accanto al vecchio chalet, dove lei e suo padre ebbero il fantomatico fiabesco e unico incontro.

Molto coinvolgente e romanticissimo. Lo consiglio per ogni fascia d’età. Ben scritto e scorrevole, con descrizioni accattivanti. Le storie a tema natalizio, con tanta neve, sono la mia passione e questa non è da meno.

Vi lascio alla lettura.
Profile Image for Grass monster.
579 reviews17 followers
October 21, 2017
The Blurb :
When Poppy’s boyfriend Harrison proposes the week before Christmas and gives her twelve days to decide, she doesn’t know what to do. With the festive season in full swing, it’s make or break time for the couple and the clock is ticking…
Meanwhile, Poppy’s best friend Erin is desperate for the pair of them to fulfil their dream of setting up a dinner party catering company – and when an opportunity arises at a luxury log fire cabin, the girls take their chance to impress. But they hadn’t bargained on the owner of the cabin being quite so attractive – or having quite such a sexy voice.
As the twelve days tick on, will Poppy realise that Harrison is the one for her? Or will it be love in the lodge when the new year comes?

My Thoughts :
I just adore this cover, its so warming and Christmasy. It just shouts read me!.
We meet Poppy who works in a hotel as a waitress and hopes she will get the recent advertised promotion to restaurant manager. But it seems she has been overlooked. And when a wrong number phone call gives her an oppertunity to follow her dream and make more of herself she is offered the job of catering for Jed and his family over the Christmas period in a beautiful log fire cabin. Which she excepts along with best friend Taylor.
When Poppy’s boyfriend Harrison proposes she has second thoughts about saying yes and isnt sure shes ready for this leap. while Harrison goes to Spain to see his mum for Christmas they decide to have 12 day cooling off period, as this gives Poppy time to really think about what she really wants. As always in a festive book there has to be some romance and this comes in the form of Poppy realising she has feelings for Jed but does he feel the same?.
This is one festive read to put on your list, full of yummy food, family and laughs along the way its certainly one you must read in the festive season. Great effort from Catherine Ferguson once again.
Profile Image for Steffi.
3,280 reviews183 followers
November 25, 2019
3.5

"Christmas at the Log Fire Cabin" had me totally mesmerized by its cosy and beautiful cover. The blurb got me interested as well and I was looking forward to the book.

I got easily into the story and I really liked the characters, except Harrison, the boyfriend of the main character Poppy. He was totally getting on my nerves and I couldn't understand what Poppy saw in him.

I was looking forward to the setting in and around the Log Fire Cabin. It was really nice and cosy as well but I have to say I expected a little bit more. More romance, more cosiness and more Christmas.

The story was enjoyable and it was a cute festive read which could have had a bit more romance and Christmas.
Profile Image for Emma Altieri.
83 reviews2 followers
November 13, 2020
Recensione da 4 stelle e mezzo
Poppy è una donna come tante. Nella vita ha sofferto per la mancanza del suo vero padre che non l’ha più cercata, mentre sua madre, dopo l’abbandono del compagno, si è chiusa nel suo guscio dando sfogo a una mania di accumulo compulsivo. Lei però può contare sul suo ragazzo Harrison che, sebbene non sia capace di forti slanci, non le fa mai mancare il suo appoggio. Ma è sempre un bene accontentarsi? La sua migliore amica Erin pensa che dovrebbe dare una svolta alla sua vita, ma lei non ha mai avuto fiducia in sé stessa, ferita, a suo tempo, dalle parole del suo patrigno ‘troppo timida per poter combinare qualcosa di buono nella vita.”

Un giorno, però, un messaggio nella sua segreteria, lasciato per sbaglio, le offrirà la possibilità di cambiare tutto. Saprà Poppy afferrare al volo l’occasione oppure, come dice spesso Harrison, il rischio sarà troppo alto e rinuncerà? Lo scoprirete solo leggendo!

Ultimamente ho letto spesso romanzi con al loro interno delle ricette. Devo dire che, personalmente, rendono la lettura ancora più piacevole, offrendo anche spunti per creare qualcosa di buono.

Poppy è una donna come molte. Forte per certi versi, ma fragile per altri. È cosciente di questo, soprattutto quando si vede soffiare il lavoro che sognava da una vita proprio per colpa della sua timidezza e poca intraprendenza. È quello il punto di svolta.

La storia è molto carina, sicuramente originale. Ho trovato l’idea del messaggio in segreteria sbagliato come un espediente davvero particolare. La storia si fa leggere tutta in un soffio e ci regala atmosfere natalizie che in questo periodo vanno per la maggiore.

L’ambientazione è molto particolare e le descrizioni del contesto sono così ricercate che hanno fatto sì che mi ritrovassi catapultata sulle rive del lago, a sognare quell’atmosfera quasi magica.

Ho riso come una matta quando ho preso coscienza del personaggio di Harrison e del suo cognome poi l’ho odiato per il resto del romanzo.
È una storia come tante dove ritroviamo diverse realtà di tutti i giorni.

Poppy ci insegna a non accontentarci, a credere in noi stessi, a non mollare per avverare i nostri sogni e a non farci schiacciare dalla personalità di chi abbiamo accanto.

Troverete molti personaggi in questa storia e vi sfido a non appassionarvi alle loro vicende e adorarli dal primo all’ultimo.
Da leggere assolutamente, soprattutto ora che le feste si avvicinano.
Profile Image for Lesley.
323 reviews
December 9, 2017
Really enjoyed this, and it only took me so long to read because I was so busy.

Going to be looking for more by this author, as detailed at the end of the book.
Profile Image for Sarah Lee.
678 reviews6 followers
October 6, 2019
Another Christmas themed book, which I was looking forward to reading. Christmas at the Log Fire Cabin by Catherine Ferguson is a nice easy read. Quite good characters, a nice enough story. There could have been a little more Christmas description for me but ok, nonetheless. A nice cosy read.
6 reviews
December 29, 2018
Slow moving

Cute story but extremely slow moving. Could be condensed to half the chapters with out losing any effect at all
Profile Image for Judy Hardwick.
631 reviews7 followers
December 30, 2018
Great holiday book!

Enjoyed it so much. LOVED how the author developed characters with real lives all jumbled together in their Christmas gathering.
Profile Image for Lorna Marchant.
64 reviews
December 5, 2023
2.5 stars. Overall an easy read and finished within a week. However, there just wasn’t much to this book. Sold as a Christmas romance, I felt the story lacked in both of these areas. To summarise - I felt this book tried a bit too hard to establish characters (Harrison’s boring persona vs the ‘perfect’ Jed) and in doing so it all fell a bit flat. That said, I enjoyed the cooking imagery and was invested enough to read to the end - albeit incredibly predictable!
50 reviews
December 24, 2025
un libro coccola per Natale, letto a dicembre, nei giorni dell'avvento: è stato proprio un piacere. solo un piccolo difetto, il nominare Cristo un po' troppo... se no gli davo 5
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