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The Gift of Christmas Yet to Come: St Nicholas Bay Series
Surrounded by friends she has had since childhood, with a job she loves, as a special-needs teacher at the primary school in beautiful St Nicholas Bay, Kate Harris has it all ... well, almost. As Christmas rolls round once again, she longs for a child of her own to share it with.
In a town where Christmas is big business all year round, it turns out Santa Claus isn't the only one with mysterious powers. When a psychic reveals that the answer to her future will come in red and white, Kate follows this sign. It leads her to disastrous dating agencies and demoralising dead-ends until, finally, the answer seems to be revealed.
Her search for the missing piece of her family might end happily but has it made her blind to another kind of love?
In a town where Christmas is big business all year round, it turns out Santa Claus isn't the only one with mysterious powers. When a psychic reveals that the answer to her future will come in red and white, Kate follows this sign. It leads her to disastrous dating agencies and demoralising dead-ends until, finally, the answer seems to be revealed.
Her search for the missing piece of her family might end happily but has it made her blind to another kind of love?
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First published November 17, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
March 10, 2020
A feel good read of someone who decides that she needs to become a mother. Kate is willing to bypass the boyfriend to get a child, and her support system is in place. She is back home as a special needs teacher and her school gang to support her. Their old teacher, psychic Bones dies, and she is left not knowing what her future is going to be.
Red and White says a message from beyond, and one of her friends consider it to be a sign that her school sweetheart in the red and white uniform is the answer, another finds a red and white logo of a dating website, while Kate herself falls in love with Charlie from the Adoption magazine.
The quest for a child is deeply touching.
Red and White says a message from beyond, and one of her friends consider it to be a sign that her school sweetheart in the red and white uniform is the answer, another finds a red and white logo of a dating website, while Kate herself falls in love with Charlie from the Adoption magazine.
The quest for a child is deeply touching.
March 19, 2022
The gift of Christmas
This book was so unpredictable. I loved trying to guess who would end up with who but didn't think it would be will & ?. I was shocked as i thought the others were right& will was going back to louisa. Thank god he didnt. I now hope there is a second book so we can see what happens next.
This book was so unpredictable. I loved trying to guess who would end up with who but didn't think it would be will & ?. I was shocked as i thought the others were right& will was going back to louisa. Thank god he didnt. I now hope there is a second book so we can see what happens next.
July 21, 2022
The Gift Of Christmas Yet to Come
A very Special little story this time from Jo Bartlett. A very happy ever after story. I can recommend any of Jo Bartlett’s books to read. This is definitely a Christmas Book to be read any time.
A very Special little story this time from Jo Bartlett. A very happy ever after story. I can recommend any of Jo Bartlett’s books to read. This is definitely a Christmas Book to be read any time.
February 9, 2023
A nice feel good story
This is a lovely easy to read story, a feel good chick lit with wonderful characters, you know exactly what’s going to happen and you want it to! If you’re having a tough time this book may help you smile.
This is a lovely easy to read story, a feel good chick lit with wonderful characters, you know exactly what’s going to happen and you want it to! If you’re having a tough time this book may help you smile.
January 27, 2018
Crimbo romance
Lovely book was willing for the ending to be what it was wish I'd read it before Christmas as made you feel sentimental
Lovely book was willing for the ending to be what it was wish I'd read it before Christmas as made you feel sentimental
February 10, 2018
Family doesn't soley mean blood relations, thank you book. Louder for those in the back.
March 26, 2019
Great story
Absolutely fantastic couldn't put the book down loved the simplicity of the story I got so much pleasure from it
Absolutely fantastic couldn't put the book down loved the simplicity of the story I got so much pleasure from it
August 11, 2019
Feel good read
Excellent book deal fee stood story makes you feel reallyfestive feel you really know the characters has everything children snow and a very happy ending
Excellent book deal fee stood story makes you feel reallyfestive feel you really know the characters has everything children snow and a very happy ending
December 5, 2020
Nice book , easy read
Easy reading, predictable ending but enjoyable nonetheless. Nice touch with the process with the decision to adopt his a medium.
Easy reading, predictable ending but enjoyable nonetheless. Nice touch with the process with the decision to adopt his a medium.
July 26, 2022
Very enjoyable read
I loved this story of Kate and the gang, I really enjoyed the ending especially with little Charlie and of course Will.
I loved this story of Kate and the gang, I really enjoyed the ending especially with little Charlie and of course Will.
October 12, 2022
Great read
Such a heartwarming Christmas read really enjoyed this definitely recommend you to have a look in to reading this x
Such a heartwarming Christmas read really enjoyed this definitely recommend you to have a look in to reading this x
March 2, 2024
Great read
Loved it jo is a great author I love all her books plu
s she covers such a range of subjects
Loved it jo is a great author I love all her books plu
s she covers such a range of subjects
December 3, 2024
It was a sweet Quick Read....... Wasnt much to it... a good Hallmarky kind of book.
December 3, 2016
I read the first book in the St Nicholas Bay series back in September, my review of Somebody Else's Boy can be read here. This was a book that I very much loved, and so when I was offered the opportunity to read The Gift of Christmas Yet to Come, I jumped at the chance, knowing that I would love it... and I did.
The Gift of Christmas Yet to Come is a novella, so a quick read, perfect for this busy time of year. The story focusses upon Kate, a special needs teacher at the local primary school and her close knit bunch of friends, who have all known each other since their early school days together. Now in her early thirties, and single, Kate begins to question her role in life and her need to become a mother. I liked Kate from the moment I met her, and my heart ached for the fact that she so desperately wanted a child of her own. I won't say any more about this, as I don't want to spoil the plot, but all I will say is that you will be rooting for Kate and for her to be happy.
The other characters in the book are also well written and huge fun. Her friend, Meg, I particularly loved with her quick wit and blunt way of sharing her feelings. You'd want her as your own friend. For me though, my heart was well and truly with Will, Kate's oldest friend and the man she could truly rely on in life. The fact he could calm her by simply singing a song from her childhood, melted my heart.
The Gift of Christmas Yet to Come is a delicious bite sized chunk of a book, that is a perfect Christmas read. It makes you feel happy and that all is well with the world. I do hope that we revisit these wonderful characters and learn more about what they get up to in book 2 of the St Nicholas Bay series. I really do love this wonderful and charming world that the author has created.
The Gift of Christmas Yet to Come is published by Accent Press. With tanks to the author who provides a review copy.
The Gift of Christmas Yet to Come is a novella, so a quick read, perfect for this busy time of year. The story focusses upon Kate, a special needs teacher at the local primary school and her close knit bunch of friends, who have all known each other since their early school days together. Now in her early thirties, and single, Kate begins to question her role in life and her need to become a mother. I liked Kate from the moment I met her, and my heart ached for the fact that she so desperately wanted a child of her own. I won't say any more about this, as I don't want to spoil the plot, but all I will say is that you will be rooting for Kate and for her to be happy.
The other characters in the book are also well written and huge fun. Her friend, Meg, I particularly loved with her quick wit and blunt way of sharing her feelings. You'd want her as your own friend. For me though, my heart was well and truly with Will, Kate's oldest friend and the man she could truly rely on in life. The fact he could calm her by simply singing a song from her childhood, melted my heart.
The Gift of Christmas Yet to Come is a delicious bite sized chunk of a book, that is a perfect Christmas read. It makes you feel happy and that all is well with the world. I do hope that we revisit these wonderful characters and learn more about what they get up to in book 2 of the St Nicholas Bay series. I really do love this wonderful and charming world that the author has created.
The Gift of Christmas Yet to Come is published by Accent Press. With tanks to the author who provides a review copy.
December 12, 2016
This is such a delightful, heart warming festive read with a special, precious storyline.
I loved returning back to St Nicholas Bay, we meet some new characters this time as well as revisiting old ones. St Nicholas Bay is a fictional village on the coast of the south of England. Legend has it that Charles Dickens wrote part of a Christmas Carol in St Nicholas Bay so many of the village premises and businesses hold an affinity to the places and characters taken from this festive classic.
The story focuses on a year in Kate’s life. Kate is a special needs teacher at the local primary school. Kate is desperate for a baby and is fed up of waiting for the right man and the right moment and is making plans for a sperm donor. A chance glance at an article in an old local paper has given Kate inspiration for a different route into motherhood.
We follow Kate on her journey to becoming a parent with some laughs and smiles and some sad and tense moments along the way. Kate has a close knit friendship with 3 friends from her childhood in the village. One of these friends is Will, who is slowly getting his life back together following the breakup of his marriage. However, will his new life take him away from the quartet and the village? I loved this bond of friendship the quartet had. They all had different stories with their lives but were there to support each other.
A truly lovely read that is a gift in itself with it’s heart warming storyline. Jo Bartlett’s novels are becoming a firm favourite of mine. 5/5*
I loved returning back to St Nicholas Bay, we meet some new characters this time as well as revisiting old ones. St Nicholas Bay is a fictional village on the coast of the south of England. Legend has it that Charles Dickens wrote part of a Christmas Carol in St Nicholas Bay so many of the village premises and businesses hold an affinity to the places and characters taken from this festive classic.
The story focuses on a year in Kate’s life. Kate is a special needs teacher at the local primary school. Kate is desperate for a baby and is fed up of waiting for the right man and the right moment and is making plans for a sperm donor. A chance glance at an article in an old local paper has given Kate inspiration for a different route into motherhood.
We follow Kate on her journey to becoming a parent with some laughs and smiles and some sad and tense moments along the way. Kate has a close knit friendship with 3 friends from her childhood in the village. One of these friends is Will, who is slowly getting his life back together following the breakup of his marriage. However, will his new life take him away from the quartet and the village? I loved this bond of friendship the quartet had. They all had different stories with their lives but were there to support each other.
A truly lovely read that is a gift in itself with it’s heart warming storyline. Jo Bartlett’s novels are becoming a firm favourite of mine. 5/5*
May 5, 2015
I absolutely loved this book and want to move to St Nicholas Bay right now! Jo Bartlett creates a cast of interesting and believable friends from school who've graviated back to their hometown which is beautifully described. I'm not a fan of over-the-top descriptions of scenery but this writer has it absolutely spot on, providing just the right level of detail where I can picture it vividly without it detracting from the story.
The story itself is a great premise and I found myself gripped all the way through, curious to see how heroine Kate's major life-changing decision would pan out. Spread across a whole year, starting and ending at Christmas, The Gift of Christmas Yet To Come explores friendship and family and what happens when elements change.
As it's a novella, I was able to read this quite quickly which is perfect for this time of year when there are so many other demands on one's time. I've started the same novel at Christmas three years in a row and never got beyond half way so I think, for me, Christmas novellas are the way forward and I can't recommend this one enough. Fun, thoughtful, and with a warm and fuzzy feeling. Love it. Can't wait to read more by this author.
The story itself is a great premise and I found myself gripped all the way through, curious to see how heroine Kate's major life-changing decision would pan out. Spread across a whole year, starting and ending at Christmas, The Gift of Christmas Yet To Come explores friendship and family and what happens when elements change.
As it's a novella, I was able to read this quite quickly which is perfect for this time of year when there are so many other demands on one's time. I've started the same novel at Christmas three years in a row and never got beyond half way so I think, for me, Christmas novellas are the way forward and I can't recommend this one enough. Fun, thoughtful, and with a warm and fuzzy feeling. Love it. Can't wait to read more by this author.
December 14, 2016
I always think novellas are a great choice for Christmas, when you need to fit your reading around collecting the turkey, the frantic shopping trips and tweaking the decorations – and this one was absolutely perfect. Jo Bartlett writes quite beautifully, and I was immediately drawn into the group of friends at its centre (I wish I could be an Old St Nicker too!). The story is just gorgeous – the ticking of the biological clock, perfect friendships, some points where you worry the story might not play out quite as you hope it will, warm and believable romance, a touch of the supernatural, lovely touches of humour, the perfect setting – and I loved every moment. I’m quite blown away by how the author could pack so much into 116 pages, and leave me with a Christmassy glow and a smile on my face. A magical Christmas read, and highly recommended to all. I can’t wait for my next visit to St Nicholas Bay.
December 20, 2014
I first came to this author's writing from reading "Winter Tales", a collection of short stories published for charity by a group of writers who call themselves The Write Romantics". I really enjoyed her style of writing and when I saw that she had published this novella, I didn't hesitate to buy it.
This may be a short(ish) story but it doesn't feel rushed at all. The four main characters are engaging and have a wonderful enduring friendship that I felt quite envious of. The supernatural element was quite subtle and fitted into the story without being silly.
The author has a very easy to read style and although the story is set around a serious subject, the dialogue is often very funny.
If you feel like curling up with a warm hearted story with a romantic feel then I can recommend this.
This may be a short(ish) story but it doesn't feel rushed at all. The four main characters are engaging and have a wonderful enduring friendship that I felt quite envious of. The supernatural element was quite subtle and fitted into the story without being silly.
The author has a very easy to read style and although the story is set around a serious subject, the dialogue is often very funny.
If you feel like curling up with a warm hearted story with a romantic feel then I can recommend this.
February 11, 2015
I read this in the run-up to Christmas, but I do think Jo Bartlett's novella can be read at any time given that the story spans a whole year. For me, the "will she? won't she?" romance element worked really well and kept me turning the pages to get to the happy ending. I liked the fact that Kate isn't a stereotypical heroine. Read this delightful story and you'll see what I mean! Highly recommended.
December 17, 2014
tear jerker
This book was amazing and brought tears to my eyes. To think she could have done anything else, but wanted to adopt this special little boy and was willing to give up on deserving love just goes to show what an amazing mother she'll be. I loved it
This book was amazing and brought tears to my eyes. To think she could have done anything else, but wanted to adopt this special little boy and was willing to give up on deserving love just goes to show what an amazing mother she'll be. I loved it
March 30, 2015
My only real criticism of this charming novella was that I wanted more! There's easily enough material here to fill an entire novel, so I can't wait for Bartlett's debut full length piece, available later this year.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews