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The Christmas Stocking and Other Stories
Delve inside this CHRISTMAS STOCKING choc-full of perfectly themed, never-before-published seasonal short stories perfect for anyone who loves romance, humour and happy-ever-after endings. By the Sunday Times Number One bestselling author, Katie Fforde.
'A lovely, warm read to sink your teeth into' Heat
'Delicious - gorgeous humour and the lightest of touches' Sunday Times
'A perfect match for an afternoon curled up on the sofa!' Sun
THE CHRISTMAS STOCKING: Romy is all set to join her boyfriend and his family in France for Christmas, though truth be told she isn’t looking forward to it very much. And then she meets Felix – and her plans for the big day suddenly become a lot more interesting.
CANDLELIGHT AT CHRISTMAS: It was meant to be the perfect Christmas – surrounded by friends and family in their beautiful home in the country. But then the lights go out, and Fenella knows she will have to work very hard to keep everyone happy …
THE CHRISTMAS FAIRY: It’s Christmas Eve in Crinan, and a young man is on his own with only his nephew and niece for company. Then Ella arrives. Dressed as a fairy, she is determined to wave her wand and give them all the best Christmas ever.
And many more!
Guaranteed to make this your happiest Christmas ever!
'A lovely, warm read to sink your teeth into' Heat
'Delicious - gorgeous humour and the lightest of touches' Sunday Times
'A perfect match for an afternoon curled up on the sofa!' Sun
THE CHRISTMAS STOCKING: Romy is all set to join her boyfriend and his family in France for Christmas, though truth be told she isn’t looking forward to it very much. And then she meets Felix – and her plans for the big day suddenly become a lot more interesting.
CANDLELIGHT AT CHRISTMAS: It was meant to be the perfect Christmas – surrounded by friends and family in their beautiful home in the country. But then the lights go out, and Fenella knows she will have to work very hard to keep everyone happy …
THE CHRISTMAS FAIRY: It’s Christmas Eve in Crinan, and a young man is on his own with only his nephew and niece for company. Then Ella arrives. Dressed as a fairy, she is determined to wave her wand and give them all the best Christmas ever.
And many more!
Guaranteed to make this your happiest Christmas ever!
417 pages, Paperback
First published November 2, 2017
111 people are currently reading
861 people want to read
About the author
Katie Fforde
96 books2,312 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 185 reviews
December 24, 2018
Book Reviewed by Stacey on www.whisperingstories.com
The Christmas Stocking is a festive book by Katie Fforde featuring six short stories. Beginning with the title story, in which Romy is having nothing but bad luck, from crashing her car to her plane being cancelled so she can’t join her boyfriend in France for Christmas. Instead, she gets to spend it with a stranger who bought all her Christmas decorations that she had handmade.
I really enjoyed this story, even if it was really far-fetched and you knew from the beginning where the plot was taking you. I think I might have been creeped out having to spend Christmas with someone I didn’t know, in a house with bats in the attic which was situated in the middle of a woods.
We then move onto A Dream Christmas. This for me was the standout story in the book. I just really enjoyed it. It was so sparkly and festive as newlyweds Ginny and Ben start to enjoy their honeymoon on Christmas day after their Christmas Eve Wedding. Once the pressure of the wedding was over, Ginny starts to wonder if her life is going the way she wants it too. But with a little magic, she might just see how perfect her life really is.
I’m not going to write a review of every story, but alongside these two fab reads is – Candlelight at Christmas, A Christmas in Disguise, Dogs are for Christmas and The Christmas Fairy.
I normally tend to stay away from short story books due to most having one stand out story, a few good ones and at least one that should have been left out. However, whilst I did find that one story which was superior to all the others, none were bad and all were enjoyable.
A lovely Christmas festive read that you can pick and choose which story to read when. Only two of the stories have been published before and all are heart-warming and will have you feeling all jolly and Christmassy inside.
The Christmas Stocking is a festive book by Katie Fforde featuring six short stories. Beginning with the title story, in which Romy is having nothing but bad luck, from crashing her car to her plane being cancelled so she can’t join her boyfriend in France for Christmas. Instead, she gets to spend it with a stranger who bought all her Christmas decorations that she had handmade.
I really enjoyed this story, even if it was really far-fetched and you knew from the beginning where the plot was taking you. I think I might have been creeped out having to spend Christmas with someone I didn’t know, in a house with bats in the attic which was situated in the middle of a woods.
We then move onto A Dream Christmas. This for me was the standout story in the book. I just really enjoyed it. It was so sparkly and festive as newlyweds Ginny and Ben start to enjoy their honeymoon on Christmas day after their Christmas Eve Wedding. Once the pressure of the wedding was over, Ginny starts to wonder if her life is going the way she wants it too. But with a little magic, she might just see how perfect her life really is.
I’m not going to write a review of every story, but alongside these two fab reads is – Candlelight at Christmas, A Christmas in Disguise, Dogs are for Christmas and The Christmas Fairy.
I normally tend to stay away from short story books due to most having one stand out story, a few good ones and at least one that should have been left out. However, whilst I did find that one story which was superior to all the others, none were bad and all were enjoyable.
A lovely Christmas festive read that you can pick and choose which story to read when. Only two of the stories have been published before and all are heart-warming and will have you feeling all jolly and Christmassy inside.
December 23, 2017
Dit boek gaf me echt het ultieme kerstgevoel!
Sommige boeken van deze auteur vind ik erg leuk, andere wat minder. Ik durfde dus een bundel met verhalen wel aan, want dan zit er vast wel wat leuks tussen.
En ik zag dit boek toen ik met Rowie in Amsterdam bij de Waterstones was. Ik hou echt enorm van de kerstperiode maar ik wist toen al dat ik veel zou moeten werken, dus ik dacht dat een extra hulpje om in de kerststemming te komen misschien wel handig zou zijn. Uiteindelijk ben ik erg veel thuis geweest omdat ik mijn rug verzwikt had, en dat was enorm balen, dus dat hielp ook niet echt met de kerstmood (: Gelukkig gaat het nu beter en ben ik mede door dit boek wel in de kerstmood!
Ik vond een enkel verhaal wat minder leuk maar nog steeds erg leuk, er was dus maar 1 4* verhaal eigenlijk. Want wat Katie in dit boek enorm goed gedaan heeft, is dat ik van ieder verhaal (tussen de 50 en 90 blz) het idee had de personages echt heel goed te kennen. Dat vind ik voor korte verhalen erg knap.
Daarnaast was ieder verhaal op een hele eigen en andere manier dan de andere kerstig, en dat vond ik erg leuk.
Ik hou dus heel erg van dit boek, en wie weet herlees ik hem nog een andere december :)
Sommige boeken van deze auteur vind ik erg leuk, andere wat minder. Ik durfde dus een bundel met verhalen wel aan, want dan zit er vast wel wat leuks tussen.
En ik zag dit boek toen ik met Rowie in Amsterdam bij de Waterstones was. Ik hou echt enorm van de kerstperiode maar ik wist toen al dat ik veel zou moeten werken, dus ik dacht dat een extra hulpje om in de kerststemming te komen misschien wel handig zou zijn. Uiteindelijk ben ik erg veel thuis geweest omdat ik mijn rug verzwikt had, en dat was enorm balen, dus dat hielp ook niet echt met de kerstmood (: Gelukkig gaat het nu beter en ben ik mede door dit boek wel in de kerstmood!
Ik vond een enkel verhaal wat minder leuk maar nog steeds erg leuk, er was dus maar 1 4* verhaal eigenlijk. Want wat Katie in dit boek enorm goed gedaan heeft, is dat ik van ieder verhaal (tussen de 50 en 90 blz) het idee had de personages echt heel goed te kennen. Dat vind ik voor korte verhalen erg knap.
Daarnaast was ieder verhaal op een hele eigen en andere manier dan de andere kerstig, en dat vond ik erg leuk.
Ik hou dus heel erg van dit boek, en wie weet herlees ik hem nog een andere december :)
December 12, 2020
"Weihnachtszauber im Cottage" - der Name ist bei diesem Buch absolut Programm. Es beinhaltet sechs Kurzgeschichten, die jeweils ca. 60 Seiten umfassen, und ist vollgepackt mit wohlig warmen, herzzerreißenden und kitschig romantischen Geschichten rund um Liebe, Veränderungen, Familie und das alles natürlich zur schönsten Zeit des Jahres.
Die Geschichten sind sehr unterschiedlich. Es gibt eine schicksalshafte Begegnung auf dem Weihnachtsmarkt, eine winterliche Hochzeitsreise wie im Märchen, zwei verspielte Hunde, die für Chaos und eine neue Liebe sorgen, eine äußerst lustige Verwechslungskomödie und wie aus einem Weihnachten voller Pannen ein einmalig schönes Weihnachtsfest wird.
Einerseits mag der eine oder andere jetzt denken, dass 60 Seiten für eine einzige Geschichte zu kurz sind, jedoch schafft die Autorin Katie Fforde mit ihrem Schreibstil, den Charakteren trotzdem Leben einzuhauchen. Die Handlungen inklusive Plott twists, die wie in vielen Romanen natürlich teilweise sehr vorhersehbar sind, wirken trotzdem nachvollziehbar und verständlich. Das muss man mit wenigen Seiten erstmal schaffen. Der Schreibstil ist stimmungsvoll und trotzdem nicht überladen. Die Geschichten haben jede für sich eine ganz eigene Message und beinhalten sehr viel ländlichen Charme. Ich habe nach dem Lesen das dringende Bedürfnis es mir am Feuer in einem der beschriebenen Cottage-Häuser gemütlich zu machen und mich einschneien zu lassen um ein paar gemütliche und ruhige Tage zu verbringen.
Für mich war jede der Geschichten ein reines Fest und bei mir kam sofort Weihnachtsstimmung auf, die ich vor dem Buch leider noch nicht wirklich hatte.
Dadurch, dass die Kapitel eben kurz gehalten sind, war das Buch ideal für unterwegs und hat mir die eine oder andere Bahnfahrt auf Arbeit sehr versüßt. Ich war danach sofort gut gelaunt und habe mich jedes Mal sehr auf die nächste Geschichte gefreut.
FAZIT: Ein weihnachtlich, romantisches Buch, zu dem ich auch im nächsten Jahr gerne noch einmal greifen werde.
* Ich habe das Buch als Rezensionsexemplar vom Lübbe Verlag zugeschickt bekommen. Vielen herzlichen Dank an das Team der Blogger Jury.
Die Geschichten sind sehr unterschiedlich. Es gibt eine schicksalshafte Begegnung auf dem Weihnachtsmarkt, eine winterliche Hochzeitsreise wie im Märchen, zwei verspielte Hunde, die für Chaos und eine neue Liebe sorgen, eine äußerst lustige Verwechslungskomödie und wie aus einem Weihnachten voller Pannen ein einmalig schönes Weihnachtsfest wird.
Einerseits mag der eine oder andere jetzt denken, dass 60 Seiten für eine einzige Geschichte zu kurz sind, jedoch schafft die Autorin Katie Fforde mit ihrem Schreibstil, den Charakteren trotzdem Leben einzuhauchen. Die Handlungen inklusive Plott twists, die wie in vielen Romanen natürlich teilweise sehr vorhersehbar sind, wirken trotzdem nachvollziehbar und verständlich. Das muss man mit wenigen Seiten erstmal schaffen. Der Schreibstil ist stimmungsvoll und trotzdem nicht überladen. Die Geschichten haben jede für sich eine ganz eigene Message und beinhalten sehr viel ländlichen Charme. Ich habe nach dem Lesen das dringende Bedürfnis es mir am Feuer in einem der beschriebenen Cottage-Häuser gemütlich zu machen und mich einschneien zu lassen um ein paar gemütliche und ruhige Tage zu verbringen.
Für mich war jede der Geschichten ein reines Fest und bei mir kam sofort Weihnachtsstimmung auf, die ich vor dem Buch leider noch nicht wirklich hatte.
Dadurch, dass die Kapitel eben kurz gehalten sind, war das Buch ideal für unterwegs und hat mir die eine oder andere Bahnfahrt auf Arbeit sehr versüßt. Ich war danach sofort gut gelaunt und habe mich jedes Mal sehr auf die nächste Geschichte gefreut.
FAZIT: Ein weihnachtlich, romantisches Buch, zu dem ich auch im nächsten Jahr gerne noch einmal greifen werde.
* Ich habe das Buch als Rezensionsexemplar vom Lübbe Verlag zugeschickt bekommen. Vielen herzlichen Dank an das Team der Blogger Jury.
December 15, 2024
Nämä kuusi joulutarinaa yllättivät, oli kuin lukisi satuja. Jonkin tarinan koirat olivat minulle liikaa hyppiessään ja riehuessaan, mutta useimmissa ne jäivät kuitenkin jouluisen tilanteen taustalle.
December 26, 2018
The Christmas Stocking
1/5
I just kept expecting Felix to lure Romy to his house and then kill her ... like what person follows a stranger out into the woods and then stays there for 3 days? They also were both pretty awful to their respective partners, which obviously turned out to have been horrible before they ever even met up. I truly didn’t like the characters or the story.
A Dream Christmas
3/5
It took me a little while to fully start enjoying this, so I guess I should be thankful they’re not extremely short stories. I quite liked the “secret butler” scenes and in time, Ginny and Ben became more likeable, especially in their denial of what had happened to them. It wasn’t a perfect story, but much better than the first one.
Candlelight at Christmas
4/5
So far the best one for me. I truly liked Fenella from the start. She just has this warm personality that draws you in. Her friends and children were lovely and sometimes really funny. It felt like I was truly at this Christmas Day/party/dinner bonanza. Meggie was also such a lovely character to read about. I feel like she could be the lead of a novel and I wouldn’t tire of her. Étienne is also adorable. Often French characters in English stories tend to be very over the top, but he wasn’t at all, which I really appreciated. The anthology is slowly improving for me.
Dogs Are For Christmas
2/5
This gets an extra point for the dogs. But other than that it wasn’t really for me. Perhaps I’m just not into the romantic stories. Maybe I’m just not into the whole meeting someone else while being in a relationship and then portraying the respective partners as horrible. I did enjoy Mac and her “no filter” way of speaking. Tris and Izzy were a treat. It’s not even that I didn’t like Fitz or Stella as characters. I just didn’t like the premise of the story very much.
A Christmas in Disguise
2/5
The story was cute, sure. But apparently I really have a problem with the romantic Christmas stories. Overall, it just felt like the story wasn’t really going anywhere. I wasn’t dying to know if Jo would manage to keep the disguise up. I don’t know. It wasn’t horrible, but I didn’t love it either.
The Christmas Fairy
5/5
I absolutely loved this. So Christmassy and lovely and warm. Ella was an amazing protagonist and I enjoyed every character in this. This is the perfect example of a great Christmas story to me. I even loved that the ending was so open and short. Definitely my favourite in this book.
Average rating: about 3
Overall, I disliked some of the stories, mostly because for me, the recurring theme just wasn’t my cup of tea. They also sort of felt like any story that just happened to take place around Christmas. My favourites however, really embodied the feeling of Christmas, which is what I look for in a good Christmas story. Overall the best Christmas book I read this year and a pretty good variety of stories.
1/5
I just kept expecting Felix to lure Romy to his house and then kill her ... like what person follows a stranger out into the woods and then stays there for 3 days? They also were both pretty awful to their respective partners, which obviously turned out to have been horrible before they ever even met up. I truly didn’t like the characters or the story.
A Dream Christmas
3/5
It took me a little while to fully start enjoying this, so I guess I should be thankful they’re not extremely short stories. I quite liked the “secret butler” scenes and in time, Ginny and Ben became more likeable, especially in their denial of what had happened to them. It wasn’t a perfect story, but much better than the first one.
Candlelight at Christmas
4/5
So far the best one for me. I truly liked Fenella from the start. She just has this warm personality that draws you in. Her friends and children were lovely and sometimes really funny. It felt like I was truly at this Christmas Day/party/dinner bonanza. Meggie was also such a lovely character to read about. I feel like she could be the lead of a novel and I wouldn’t tire of her. Étienne is also adorable. Often French characters in English stories tend to be very over the top, but he wasn’t at all, which I really appreciated. The anthology is slowly improving for me.
Dogs Are For Christmas
2/5
This gets an extra point for the dogs. But other than that it wasn’t really for me. Perhaps I’m just not into the romantic stories. Maybe I’m just not into the whole meeting someone else while being in a relationship and then portraying the respective partners as horrible. I did enjoy Mac and her “no filter” way of speaking. Tris and Izzy were a treat. It’s not even that I didn’t like Fitz or Stella as characters. I just didn’t like the premise of the story very much.
A Christmas in Disguise
2/5
The story was cute, sure. But apparently I really have a problem with the romantic Christmas stories. Overall, it just felt like the story wasn’t really going anywhere. I wasn’t dying to know if Jo would manage to keep the disguise up. I don’t know. It wasn’t horrible, but I didn’t love it either.
The Christmas Fairy
5/5
I absolutely loved this. So Christmassy and lovely and warm. Ella was an amazing protagonist and I enjoyed every character in this. This is the perfect example of a great Christmas story to me. I even loved that the ending was so open and short. Definitely my favourite in this book.
Average rating: about 3
Overall, I disliked some of the stories, mostly because for me, the recurring theme just wasn’t my cup of tea. They also sort of felt like any story that just happened to take place around Christmas. My favourites however, really embodied the feeling of Christmas, which is what I look for in a good Christmas story. Overall the best Christmas book I read this year and a pretty good variety of stories.
December 19, 2019
Das Buch "Weihnachtszauber im Cottage" beinhaltet 6 romantische Geschichten.
Die Geschichten sind sehr unterschiedlich, doch sie haben alle den ganz besonderen Zauber und sind unheimlich romantisch.
Da die verschiedenen Stories ca. 50/60 Seiten entsprechen, konnte ich das Buch sehr gut unterwegs lesen oder in meinen Freistunden.
Das Cover ist richtig schön und kuschelig.
Es hat mich gleich angesprochen und verzaubert.
Der Schreibstil ist toll und sehr gut zu lesen.
Ich habe erst ein paar Seiten gebraucht um mich von dem Schreibstil verzaubern zu lassen.
Doch wenn man einmal Versunken ist kann man gar nicht aufhören zu lesen.
Es hat unglaublichen Spaß gemacht all die vielschichtigen Stories zu lesen und die verschiedenen Charaktere kennenzulernen.
Mir hat wirklich jede einzelne Geschichte unglaublich gut gefallen.
Man kann die romantische, wärme Vorweihnachtszeit durch die Seiten spüren.
Wirklich schöne warmherzige Geschichten und großartige, individuelle Charaktere.
Es macht einfach Lust auf die Weihnachtszeit und verzaubert einen komplett.
Ich habe geweint, gelacht und war in der wundervollen Weihnachtsumgebung versunken.
Perfektes Buch für die kalte Vorweihnachtszeit.
Geschichten mit sehr viel Charme, dem ganz besonderem Weihnachtszauber und dem romantischen Landhausfeeling.
Ein tolles Buch mit verschiedenen herzlichen Geschichten, mit liebevollem Weihnachtskitsch und großartigen Charakteren.
Die Geschichten sind sehr unterschiedlich, doch sie haben alle den ganz besonderen Zauber und sind unheimlich romantisch.
Da die verschiedenen Stories ca. 50/60 Seiten entsprechen, konnte ich das Buch sehr gut unterwegs lesen oder in meinen Freistunden.
Das Cover ist richtig schön und kuschelig.
Es hat mich gleich angesprochen und verzaubert.
Der Schreibstil ist toll und sehr gut zu lesen.
Ich habe erst ein paar Seiten gebraucht um mich von dem Schreibstil verzaubern zu lassen.
Doch wenn man einmal Versunken ist kann man gar nicht aufhören zu lesen.
Es hat unglaublichen Spaß gemacht all die vielschichtigen Stories zu lesen und die verschiedenen Charaktere kennenzulernen.
Mir hat wirklich jede einzelne Geschichte unglaublich gut gefallen.
Man kann die romantische, wärme Vorweihnachtszeit durch die Seiten spüren.
Wirklich schöne warmherzige Geschichten und großartige, individuelle Charaktere.
Es macht einfach Lust auf die Weihnachtszeit und verzaubert einen komplett.
Ich habe geweint, gelacht und war in der wundervollen Weihnachtsumgebung versunken.
Perfektes Buch für die kalte Vorweihnachtszeit.
Geschichten mit sehr viel Charme, dem ganz besonderem Weihnachtszauber und dem romantischen Landhausfeeling.
Ein tolles Buch mit verschiedenen herzlichen Geschichten, mit liebevollem Weihnachtskitsch und großartigen Charakteren.
December 30, 2021
Listened to in audio format.
I listened to Katie Fforde's A Christmas Feast and other stories last year which I enjoyed. I was rather reluctant to buy this collection because I thought I may already own the stories. When The Christmas Stocking was released I was pleased I had only read a Candlelight at Christmas, I was happy to listen to it again.
My favourite stories were A Dream Christmas which had a supernatural feel. The Christmas Stocking and Dogs are for Christmas - I loved Isodolde and Tristan the doggies.
As always with Katie Fforde the stories had great characters, and left me with a warm festive glow. I listened to these stories over 2 afternoons with a blanket over me ahh bliss. I look forward to Katie's 2018 festive offering.
I listened to Katie Fforde's A Christmas Feast and other stories last year which I enjoyed. I was rather reluctant to buy this collection because I thought I may already own the stories. When The Christmas Stocking was released I was pleased I had only read a Candlelight at Christmas, I was happy to listen to it again.
My favourite stories were A Dream Christmas which had a supernatural feel. The Christmas Stocking and Dogs are for Christmas - I loved Isodolde and Tristan the doggies.
As always with Katie Fforde the stories had great characters, and left me with a warm festive glow. I listened to these stories over 2 afternoons with a blanket over me ahh bliss. I look forward to Katie's 2018 festive offering.
November 7, 2017
This is a lovely collection of short christmas stories- only two have been published before. These stories are ideal to settle down to read with a nice mug of hot chocolate when making your Christmas list or taking a break from shopping. I loved Katie's books- so it was a real treat to have some shorter stories to read with a Christmas theme. It's my favourite time of year. This collection will have you reaching for the mince pies and finding a radio station playing those Christmas songs.
December 7, 2018
Oh, Katie... Katie?? That was just awful. Ridiculous storylines that would never happen in real life. Story #2 was SO awful that taking their cars instead of flying on magic carpets, seemed a bad choice. What age group was this aimed at? SO MANY TIMES I thought 'No girl in her right mind would EVER do that.
December 26, 2018
I knew Katie Fforde wasn‘t for me before going in, yet I had hopes that mere christmas storys might soften the blow of chiclit-wishful-thinking-hea-utopia - alas, no. The short story format made everything even more unrealistic and I could not deal with the fluff, sorry. Just no.
However, it was fun buddy-reading it with Lenya and crying over how much we didn‘t enjoy the set-ups.
However, it was fun buddy-reading it with Lenya and crying over how much we didn‘t enjoy the set-ups.
November 16, 2020
4.5 Stars, rounded up.
Man oh man
I’ve found a book of short stories where I loved every story! Fact!
And it is a book of Christmas short stories that are *actually* Christmasy. If you have ever read a book of Christmas short stories you know that is not always the case. I’ve often felt had. This book, however, truly delivered Christmas.
There were also several stories I was so sad they ended. One in particular: Candlelight at Christmas ~ I would have loved to read it as a full novel. Brilliant cast of characters. It could totally fill up 300+ pages.
Then we have A Dream Christmas! Blimey! Exceptional mixture of Christmas and an old-timey Ghost story.
Hey, Katie Fforde you have a new fan! Thank you!
Man oh man
I’ve found a book of short stories where I loved every story! Fact!
And it is a book of Christmas short stories that are *actually* Christmasy. If you have ever read a book of Christmas short stories you know that is not always the case. I’ve often felt had. This book, however, truly delivered Christmas.
There were also several stories I was so sad they ended. One in particular: Candlelight at Christmas ~ I would have loved to read it as a full novel. Brilliant cast of characters. It could totally fill up 300+ pages.
Then we have A Dream Christmas! Blimey! Exceptional mixture of Christmas and an old-timey Ghost story.
Hey, Katie Fforde you have a new fan! Thank you!
January 6, 2020
This was a cute short story collection containing romantic Christmassy stories to read around the Christmas period.
They are very cute and made me smile.
They also had very happy endings.
This was my first experience with Katie Fforde and I look forwards to reading more from this author!
They are very cute and made me smile.
They also had very happy endings.
This was my first experience with Katie Fforde and I look forwards to reading more from this author!
December 22, 2024
Just adorable and filled me with a cosy and festive feeling!!
October 25, 2017
The Christmas Stocking and other stories is the second collection of festive themed short stories from Katie Fforde following on from publication of A Christmas Feast back in 2014. This new collection features six stories only two of which have been published before or featured in magazines. Those two being A Christmas in Disguise and Candlelight at Christmas. I have read and reviewed both of these before and out of the two I would say A Christmas in Disguise is the better one. Short stories really divide readers, you either love them or hate them and rarely fall in between with your opinion. I'm on the side that loves them because I feel they are perfect to dip in and out of at a time of year when you are always rushed off your feet amidst frantic preparations for Christmas. I think the stories provide the perfect opportunity to grab a few minutes to yourself and curl up and enjoy a wonderful tale without the added pressure of knowing it is a long book and one in which you will have to keep track of so many characters and plot-lines. What sets short stories apart from normal length books is that they always have a twist towards the end and that is what I look forward to the most when I am reading. I raced through this collection one afternoon and overall enjoyed the characters I met but felt some stories were stronger than others.
In the Christmas Stocking we met Romy who is selling her hand-crafted Christmas decorations at a Cotsworlds market. She is frozen standing there but thinking of the flight she has to catch to spend Christmas with her boyfriend Gus and his parents in France. Like a ray of sunshine Felix steps up to the stall and buys everything she has left. Relief for Romy that she can get out of the cold but also the thoughts that her trip is drawing ever closer don't bode well as Christmas with a man she wonders how she could be attracted to is not really top of her priorities. Through one thing and another Romy ends up bringing the decorations to Felix's house deep in the woods and she becomes stranded there. It almost felt like the pair were cut off from the world, all contact and communication was gone and it meant the pair could get to know each other despite each having a partner of their own. The story was short and sweet but perhaps not the best in this collection. I got the message towards the end how it related to the title but for me it was missing that special magic moment of revelation and surprise. The events do change Romy's life and maybe the Christmas magic did come into play.
A Dream Christmas certainly lived up to its title and could best be described as a fairytale for grown ups as strange things start to happen to Ginny and Ben on their honeymoon. Their wedding had taken place on Christmas Eve and although your wedding day is meant to be one of the happiest days of your life, Ginny can't say that is the case for her. Ginny was a person who gave into the pressures of others most noticeably her mother instead of just standing up for what she wanted. Now the wedding is over she is at the stage where she questions whether she wanted any of it all even Ben. But someone out there knows just a little magic and a few special touches will bring everything back into focus for Ginny and maker her stop questioning herself. To some, elements of this story may have seemed over the top but somehow it just worked here. The reader needs to suspend their disbelief and go with the love and enjoy the beauty and message within the story.
As previously mentioned I had read both Candlelight at Christmas and A Christmas in Disguise so I skipped these two stories. Candlelight at Christmas sees the return of Rupert and Fenella who featured in the full length book Recipe for Love. They are supposed to be organising the perfect Christmas in their home until a phone call announcing the imminent arrival of her ghastly parents in law scuppers all their plans. Can a smooth Christmas ensue? A Christmas in Disguise follows Jo as she attempts to do a favour for a friend leading to some unexpected events and a little white lie or two. Will Jo be able to fulfil her promise without discovery? Can she produce the most mouthwatering, tantalising Christmas feast on a par with the usual fair Andi is capable of producing? Will a bargain lead to her downfall or will Katie Fforde produce a twist that all short stories deserve? If you buy this collection you'll discover all the answers.
Dogs are for Christmas and The Christmas Fairy were without doubt my favourite stories in this collection. In my eyes having dogs in a story means you are straight away onto a winner. On Christmas morning as Stella is walking up to the top of the common to scatter her Dad's ashes and those of his beloved dog Geoffrey she encounters a pair of boisterous pups Tris and Izzy followed by their harassed looking owner Fitz. Little does Stella know that this brief encounter will change her entire plans for Christmas and maybe her outlook on life. Stella is a bit lost after the death of her father. Combined with that she is on a break from boyfriend Piers and looking to spend Christmas alone in her father's cottage to take stock and see what her next move should be. Adorable but naughty pups Tris and Izzy put paid to her plans and soon she finds herself with guests for Christmas dinner. I did think woah would you really take in people on the most special day of the year although you had literally only met them that morning? But as the story developed and the main idea and message behind it became more evident, I loved how the strands began to come together and made the message and spirit of Christmas shine through. Fitz's mother Mac, although now in a care home, was a lot smarter than one would give her credit for. That little twinkle in her eye might have meant mischief but in the most beneficial way to all.
The Christmas Fairy ended this book in the most perfect way. Ella stands at the door of a cottage In Cairn, Scotland hoping to make the Christmas wishes of a family come true. She has the most unusual of jobs which she has created to keep her going in between searching for acting jobs. For Ella is the Christmas Fairy, not one who sits and surveys all at the top Of the tree. No she fulfils all your Christmas wishes to such high standards you wonder why you never had an Ella in your life before. Through one thing and another she is needed to help out Uncle Brent to make Christmas just as it always had been for Judith, Mia and Bill. I loved every minute of this story and Ella's enthusiasm for everything she does was just so infectious. She thought of every little detail and everyone's needs were catered for. She certainly used her 'fairy magic' to the best of her ability leaving no stone unturned. Ella had such heart and soul. She was kind and genuine that the reader hoped some magic would work it's way into her life and that she would find the ending she deserved. In this story it was brilliant to see the reappearance of Rebecca, Emily and Alasdair who had featured in the full length book A Summer at Sea. Again another book I loved. It's fun to spot characters you have read about before.
Overall, I really enjoyed The Christmas Stocking and other stories and yes it would be an ideal gift for someone to find in their stocking on Christmas morning. The sneak peek of Katie's new novel A Country Escape at the very end has more than whetted my appetite for its publication in February 2018.
In the Christmas Stocking we met Romy who is selling her hand-crafted Christmas decorations at a Cotsworlds market. She is frozen standing there but thinking of the flight she has to catch to spend Christmas with her boyfriend Gus and his parents in France. Like a ray of sunshine Felix steps up to the stall and buys everything she has left. Relief for Romy that she can get out of the cold but also the thoughts that her trip is drawing ever closer don't bode well as Christmas with a man she wonders how she could be attracted to is not really top of her priorities. Through one thing and another Romy ends up bringing the decorations to Felix's house deep in the woods and she becomes stranded there. It almost felt like the pair were cut off from the world, all contact and communication was gone and it meant the pair could get to know each other despite each having a partner of their own. The story was short and sweet but perhaps not the best in this collection. I got the message towards the end how it related to the title but for me it was missing that special magic moment of revelation and surprise. The events do change Romy's life and maybe the Christmas magic did come into play.
A Dream Christmas certainly lived up to its title and could best be described as a fairytale for grown ups as strange things start to happen to Ginny and Ben on their honeymoon. Their wedding had taken place on Christmas Eve and although your wedding day is meant to be one of the happiest days of your life, Ginny can't say that is the case for her. Ginny was a person who gave into the pressures of others most noticeably her mother instead of just standing up for what she wanted. Now the wedding is over she is at the stage where she questions whether she wanted any of it all even Ben. But someone out there knows just a little magic and a few special touches will bring everything back into focus for Ginny and maker her stop questioning herself. To some, elements of this story may have seemed over the top but somehow it just worked here. The reader needs to suspend their disbelief and go with the love and enjoy the beauty and message within the story.
As previously mentioned I had read both Candlelight at Christmas and A Christmas in Disguise so I skipped these two stories. Candlelight at Christmas sees the return of Rupert and Fenella who featured in the full length book Recipe for Love. They are supposed to be organising the perfect Christmas in their home until a phone call announcing the imminent arrival of her ghastly parents in law scuppers all their plans. Can a smooth Christmas ensue? A Christmas in Disguise follows Jo as she attempts to do a favour for a friend leading to some unexpected events and a little white lie or two. Will Jo be able to fulfil her promise without discovery? Can she produce the most mouthwatering, tantalising Christmas feast on a par with the usual fair Andi is capable of producing? Will a bargain lead to her downfall or will Katie Fforde produce a twist that all short stories deserve? If you buy this collection you'll discover all the answers.
Dogs are for Christmas and The Christmas Fairy were without doubt my favourite stories in this collection. In my eyes having dogs in a story means you are straight away onto a winner. On Christmas morning as Stella is walking up to the top of the common to scatter her Dad's ashes and those of his beloved dog Geoffrey she encounters a pair of boisterous pups Tris and Izzy followed by their harassed looking owner Fitz. Little does Stella know that this brief encounter will change her entire plans for Christmas and maybe her outlook on life. Stella is a bit lost after the death of her father. Combined with that she is on a break from boyfriend Piers and looking to spend Christmas alone in her father's cottage to take stock and see what her next move should be. Adorable but naughty pups Tris and Izzy put paid to her plans and soon she finds herself with guests for Christmas dinner. I did think woah would you really take in people on the most special day of the year although you had literally only met them that morning? But as the story developed and the main idea and message behind it became more evident, I loved how the strands began to come together and made the message and spirit of Christmas shine through. Fitz's mother Mac, although now in a care home, was a lot smarter than one would give her credit for. That little twinkle in her eye might have meant mischief but in the most beneficial way to all.
The Christmas Fairy ended this book in the most perfect way. Ella stands at the door of a cottage In Cairn, Scotland hoping to make the Christmas wishes of a family come true. She has the most unusual of jobs which she has created to keep her going in between searching for acting jobs. For Ella is the Christmas Fairy, not one who sits and surveys all at the top Of the tree. No she fulfils all your Christmas wishes to such high standards you wonder why you never had an Ella in your life before. Through one thing and another she is needed to help out Uncle Brent to make Christmas just as it always had been for Judith, Mia and Bill. I loved every minute of this story and Ella's enthusiasm for everything she does was just so infectious. She thought of every little detail and everyone's needs were catered for. She certainly used her 'fairy magic' to the best of her ability leaving no stone unturned. Ella had such heart and soul. She was kind and genuine that the reader hoped some magic would work it's way into her life and that she would find the ending she deserved. In this story it was brilliant to see the reappearance of Rebecca, Emily and Alasdair who had featured in the full length book A Summer at Sea. Again another book I loved. It's fun to spot characters you have read about before.
Overall, I really enjoyed The Christmas Stocking and other stories and yes it would be an ideal gift for someone to find in their stocking on Christmas morning. The sneak peek of Katie's new novel A Country Escape at the very end has more than whetted my appetite for its publication in February 2018.
September 13, 2018
It was enjoyable, but felt less well structured and researched than Fforde's full length novels. I really enjoyed the update story about Fenella and Rupert though, they have always been my favourite Fforde characters.
December 18, 2017
A fun collection of sweet, festive stories.
December 1, 2019
A medley of Christmas stories makes very festive reading
December 27, 2018
This book is a collection of six Christmassy short stories, perfect to read around Christmas, preferably while curled up in a warm blanket, drinking hot tea and eating cookies.
The Christmas Stocking: Romy is selling her handmade Christmas decorations at a Cotswold market on a cold Christmas Eve. She's supposed to fly to her boyfriend's family early the next day, although she's not looking forward to it very much, not least because she doesn't fit in with her boyfriend's family. A handsome biker turns up at the market, and - much to Romy's surprise - buys all of her decorations. It goes without saying that Romy agrees to help him install all the decorations at his isolated but beautiful home in the woods. Due to the weather, her flight is cancelled, and she has to spend Christmas with this attractive stranger...
A Dream Christmas: Ginny and Ben have gotten married on Christmas Eve. However, what was supposed to be the most beautiful day of their lives, turned out to be nothing but strenuous. Ginny hopes that at least their honeymoon would turn out to be amazing and make up for the disappointing wedding day. In the end, it turns out to be more magical than what she's expected.
Candlelight at Christmas: Rupert and Fenella live in a stately old house, together with their children. This year, they're gonna host a big party for Christmas, which would be great, if it wasn't for Rupert's stuck-up parents, Lord and Lady Gainsborough. And a whole bunch of little children, among which two are teething. Luckily, there's the lovely teenage girl Zoe, who agreed to help out Rupert and Fenella on Christmas.
Dogs are for Christmas: Stella's father has recently passed away, and she decides to spend Christmas at his house in the country to find out if she wants to move there for good. Although she wanted to spend the holidays all by herself, she meets Fitz and his two jolly but ill-mannered dogs, and they set to celebrate Christmas Eve together, along with Fitz's aged mother. Everything works out perfectly well, thus they decide to spend Christmas together as well. However, they have two surprise visitors, Fitz's girlfriend and Stella's boyfriend...
A Christmas in Disguise: Andi works for the rich and stuck-up Caroline, who wants her to work on Christmas Day. However, it's very important for Andi to spend time with her family, especially since she wants to meet her new nephew. Thus she asks Jo a huge favor, i.e. to cook Caroline's Christmas dinner, pretending she was Andi. Jo only reluctantly says yes. At Caroline's, she meets a handsome guy, which does more than make up for her trouble.
The Christmas Fairy: Ella has gotten a job as a Christmas fairy. As such, she goes up to Scotland, and wants to make Brent's and his nephew's and two nieces' Christmas perfect. Especially the children's well-being is in the middle of her efforts. Hired by their mum Jenny, Ella knows that their parents had an emergency and can't spend Christmas with their children. Although Brent isn't happy with Jenny and her hiring a Christmas fairy, he soon starts to appreciate Ella a lot. And vice versa...
I'm glad I picked this book. It's becoming a little tradition of mine to read one kitschy Christmas book every year, and I love it. Although I wasn't that impressed by Katie Fforde's pretty blunt writing style, I still liked the warmth of the stories, and enjoyed reading them.
The Christmas Stocking: Romy is selling her handmade Christmas decorations at a Cotswold market on a cold Christmas Eve. She's supposed to fly to her boyfriend's family early the next day, although she's not looking forward to it very much, not least because she doesn't fit in with her boyfriend's family. A handsome biker turns up at the market, and - much to Romy's surprise - buys all of her decorations. It goes without saying that Romy agrees to help him install all the decorations at his isolated but beautiful home in the woods. Due to the weather, her flight is cancelled, and she has to spend Christmas with this attractive stranger...
A Dream Christmas: Ginny and Ben have gotten married on Christmas Eve. However, what was supposed to be the most beautiful day of their lives, turned out to be nothing but strenuous. Ginny hopes that at least their honeymoon would turn out to be amazing and make up for the disappointing wedding day. In the end, it turns out to be more magical than what she's expected.
Candlelight at Christmas: Rupert and Fenella live in a stately old house, together with their children. This year, they're gonna host a big party for Christmas, which would be great, if it wasn't for Rupert's stuck-up parents, Lord and Lady Gainsborough. And a whole bunch of little children, among which two are teething. Luckily, there's the lovely teenage girl Zoe, who agreed to help out Rupert and Fenella on Christmas.
Dogs are for Christmas: Stella's father has recently passed away, and she decides to spend Christmas at his house in the country to find out if she wants to move there for good. Although she wanted to spend the holidays all by herself, she meets Fitz and his two jolly but ill-mannered dogs, and they set to celebrate Christmas Eve together, along with Fitz's aged mother. Everything works out perfectly well, thus they decide to spend Christmas together as well. However, they have two surprise visitors, Fitz's girlfriend and Stella's boyfriend...
A Christmas in Disguise: Andi works for the rich and stuck-up Caroline, who wants her to work on Christmas Day. However, it's very important for Andi to spend time with her family, especially since she wants to meet her new nephew. Thus she asks Jo a huge favor, i.e. to cook Caroline's Christmas dinner, pretending she was Andi. Jo only reluctantly says yes. At Caroline's, she meets a handsome guy, which does more than make up for her trouble.
The Christmas Fairy: Ella has gotten a job as a Christmas fairy. As such, she goes up to Scotland, and wants to make Brent's and his nephew's and two nieces' Christmas perfect. Especially the children's well-being is in the middle of her efforts. Hired by their mum Jenny, Ella knows that their parents had an emergency and can't spend Christmas with their children. Although Brent isn't happy with Jenny and her hiring a Christmas fairy, he soon starts to appreciate Ella a lot. And vice versa...
I'm glad I picked this book. It's becoming a little tradition of mine to read one kitschy Christmas book every year, and I love it. Although I wasn't that impressed by Katie Fforde's pretty blunt writing style, I still liked the warmth of the stories, and enjoyed reading them.
November 21, 2017
The six stories which make up the whole of the book have a delightful seasonal theme and feature an array of people, and animals, who very quickly make an emotional impact. I really enjoyed reading the stories and each one, when finished, left me with a smile on my face and a lovely warm glow inside. As with any short story collection, there are some which stand out more than others and my two particular favourites are The Christmas Stocking and A Dream Christmas. I could have happily read on for much longer than their sixty or so pages, and was, in a way, disappointed when the stories ended, only because I had grown to love the characters and wanted to read more of their story.
Each story is perfectly proportioned to help you while away a quiet hour or so and whilst, its worth mentioning that two of the stories have been previously published in magazines I hadn't read them, so it didn't affect my enjoyment at all, but other readers may need to be aware of that.
If you are familiar with this author's work, you will instantly recognise her trademarks of lovely character definition and fine attention to detail which is so reminiscent of her writing. And for those who can't wait until her next novel is due, there is a sneak peek of A Country Escape, which is coming in February 2018.
Each story is perfectly proportioned to help you while away a quiet hour or so and whilst, its worth mentioning that two of the stories have been previously published in magazines I hadn't read them, so it didn't affect my enjoyment at all, but other readers may need to be aware of that.
If you are familiar with this author's work, you will instantly recognise her trademarks of lovely character definition and fine attention to detail which is so reminiscent of her writing. And for those who can't wait until her next novel is due, there is a sneak peek of A Country Escape, which is coming in February 2018.
December 20, 2020
"Guaranteed to make this your happiest Christmas ever!" Really? That's a bit much from a chick-lit book.
DNF at page 6, which is very unusual for me. I usually read at least a chapter or two before saying this is not good enough. But, in this case, at page 4, she talks about men, who buy something for their wives or girlfriends on the 23rd December believing this is "their Christmas shopping done early". So men are uncaring and stupid, a good set-up for a romance book. At page 5 she describes handcrafted gifts for the sisters of her boyfriend before... at page 6, la piece-de-resistance: "She would buy presents for the husbands at the duty-free shop. Alcohol was always acceptable." Well... this only shows how caring and bright women are, doesn't it?
DNF at page 6, which is very unusual for me. I usually read at least a chapter or two before saying this is not good enough. But, in this case, at page 4, she talks about men, who buy something for their wives or girlfriends on the 23rd December believing this is "their Christmas shopping done early". So men are uncaring and stupid, a good set-up for a romance book. At page 5 she describes handcrafted gifts for the sisters of her boyfriend before... at page 6, la piece-de-resistance: "She would buy presents for the husbands at the duty-free shop. Alcohol was always acceptable." Well... this only shows how caring and bright women are, doesn't it?
December 28, 2024
Not a bad selection of Christmas short stories.
They were extremely fluffy and unrealistic but sometimes some people need the escapism. They were a little too extreme with me. With a reoccurring theme of boy meets girl. Both have partners that are then portrayed as horrible people they fall in love the end. Felt like hallmark was scraping the barrel for the Christmas films in all honestly.
The Christmas fairy was probably the best out of the bunch.
It's not made me want to rush to read another of their books
They were extremely fluffy and unrealistic but sometimes some people need the escapism. They were a little too extreme with me. With a reoccurring theme of boy meets girl. Both have partners that are then portrayed as horrible people they fall in love the end. Felt like hallmark was scraping the barrel for the Christmas films in all honestly.
The Christmas fairy was probably the best out of the bunch.
It's not made me want to rush to read another of their books
December 20, 2020
I liked this collection of Christmas short stories well enough. Actually, I liked every story except the first one, the name-giving Christmas Stocking (and ok, the one with the stand-in-cook wasn't a burner either). This one was too cheesy and too unrealistic, with the other ones, it was more magical, the unexplainable coincidences didn't annoy me at all there. And it was nice to get a glimpse at characters from other stories as well :)
November 30, 2018
Really cheesy predictable stories all with a Christmas theme. Absolutely brill. Quick easy read ideal for the run up to Christmas.
January 6, 2021
A selection of sweet short stories with a hint of romance in them.
December 28, 2022
Wow 🤩 this was just so delightful and magical and cozy! I loved all the stories and have definitely put this author on my radar when I need a bit of comfort!
November 23, 2025
I adore everything that Katie Fforde writes. These short stories are little bites of Christmas delights.
January 20, 2024
I thought these stories were quite good. Nice Christmassy reads 😊
November 22, 2025
Ei nyt oikein iskenyt tuo varattujen kipuilu huonoissa parisuhteussa, typerät ja ilkeät sivuhenkilöt ja jatkuva ulkonäön arvostelu (etenkään teiniin kohdistuva)...
December 23, 2018
An anthology of six Christmas short stories/novellas by Katie Fforde.
I don’t intend to review each novella separately. Suffice it to say that there are rock stars and members of the British aristocracy, power cuts, heavy snowfall, cancelled flights, absent parents, Christmas Fairies (as a profession), chefs, actors, babysitters, Frenchmen, dogs, a ghostly honeymoon, new beginnings and lots of Christmas romance whether in London or Scotland, town or country.
If you like Katie Fforde I’m sure you will like this collection. If you’ve never read Katie Fforde before then picture a quintessential fantasy English Christmas with family and snow and dogs and crises which all miraculously get averted. With glamorous and yet friendly people who help out and pitch in. Where dogs are always adored and everyone has an abundance of candles and oodles of artistic talent.
Anyway, I loved it.
I don’t intend to review each novella separately. Suffice it to say that there are rock stars and members of the British aristocracy, power cuts, heavy snowfall, cancelled flights, absent parents, Christmas Fairies (as a profession), chefs, actors, babysitters, Frenchmen, dogs, a ghostly honeymoon, new beginnings and lots of Christmas romance whether in London or Scotland, town or country.
If you like Katie Fforde I’m sure you will like this collection. If you’ve never read Katie Fforde before then picture a quintessential fantasy English Christmas with family and snow and dogs and crises which all miraculously get averted. With glamorous and yet friendly people who help out and pitch in. Where dogs are always adored and everyone has an abundance of candles and oodles of artistic talent.
Anyway, I loved it.
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