Christmas Cakes and Mistletoe Nights

by Carole Matthews

Indulge in this lovely, cake-filled novel of romance and friendship. Christmas Cakes and Mistletoe Nights is Top Three Sunday Times bestselling Carole Matthews at her heart-warming best!

Fay and Danny are madly in love and it's all Fay's ever dreamed of. But she left everything - including the delightful cake shop she used to run - to be with Danny on his cosy canal boat The Dreamcatcher. And as she soon finds out, making delicious cakes on the water isn't always smooth sailing!

Then Fay gets a call from her friends, a call that sends her back to her friends and the Cake Shop in the Garden. It will be hard being away from Danny but their relationship is strong enough to survive . . . isn't it?

Fay soon falls happily back in love with her passion for baking - especially now she's on dry land again! - and starts to wonder if she ever should have left. With Christmas around the corner, Fay is determined that her friends will have a very merry time, but does that mean even more time away from Danny? Can Fay really get everything she ever wanted in Christmas Cakes & Mistletoe Nights.

Genres: Christmas, Romance, Chick Lit, Fiction, Holiday, Womens Fiction, Slice Of Life

315 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 29, 2017

About the author

Carole Matthews is an international bestselling author of hugely successful romantic comedy novels. Her unique sense of humour has won her legions of fans and critical acclaim all over the world.

A Minor Indiscretion and A Compromising Position both reached the Top 5 in the Sunday Times bestseller chart in the UK. You Drive Me Crazy reached number 8 in the original fiction charts. The novel Welcome To The Real World was shortlisted for RNA romantic novel of the year 2007.

In 2006 Carole co-edited - with writer Sarah Mlynowski - two new editions of the hugely popular Girls' Night In charity series called Girls' Night Out - one for the USA and one for Canada. All proceeds go to War Child.

Carole has presented on television and is a regular radio guest. When she’s not writing novels, television or film scripts she manages to find time to trek in the Himalayas, rollerblade in Central Park, take tea in China and snooze in her garden shed in Milton Keynes which is near London, England.

Reviews

[Amanda B · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars - lovely and light Christmas read!

[Karen Mace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, Love, Love this book!! I adored Cake Shop in the Garden, so was extremely happy to find out that there was a chance to catch up with the characters Fay and Danny! And it has been a delight from start to finish to read the latest chapter in their story!

Fay is such a wonderful character with a heart of gold, and no matter how badly people around her treat her, she will always come out smiling and trying to find the best in people. She's a better woman than me! Whilst her and Danny are enjoying life together on The Dreamcatcher, she gets a call from 'home', that makes her rush home to be with the friends she sees as family and to help out when times are tough.

And while she is back she soon realises how much she has missed everyone, and her life in the cafe so the temptation to stay for longer is hard! And the reappearance of her sister brings back bad memories of how she was treated - can someone ever change?

Loved the cast of characters, especially Rainbow who was so bubbly and funny! I just hope there'll be more visits back to The Cake Shop in the Garden in the near future!!

[Agi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don't shake your head at me but it was a real surprise for me to see that "Christmas Cakes and Mistletoe Nights" is a continuation of Fay and Danny's from "The Cake Shop in the Garden" adventures - it being a Carole Matthews' book I didn't take the trouble to read a synopsis, as with many other auto - buy authors, and already knowing it's going to be a fabulous, festive read.

Fay and Danny, deeply in love, are enjoying their nomadic life on the canal boat but when they get a call from Lija that Stan is not good, Fay rushes home to look after him, and also to help Lija, who's now running the Cake Shop. Of course Fay's sister Edie also makes an appearance - what is she planning this time? And there are, again, troubles coming The Cake Shop way and the characters are facing really difficult times.

It was great to be back with Fay Merryweather and Danny Wilde and all their friends and relatives. I adored seeing them together, the sparkle was still there and you could see those two are made for each other, that they found each other. Fay, as before, puts everyone before herself but I noticed - with satisfaction - that she's also grown a backbone, that she's able to stay her ground and I felt like giving her a standing ovation and shouting you go, girl! There was also a new character Rainbow, helping in the cafe, and she was as colourful as her name. I think she added tons of humour and warmth to the story and while sometimes I couldn't stand her blabbering, I appreciated the way she has lightened the atmosphere up. Lija and her foul mouth had made me smile more than once, I loved her directness! Altogether, the characters were - as usually - brilliantly and beautifully written, they had a great depth to themselves, they had personalities and the way they acted and reacted was realistic and so close to life. Their lives are not bed of roses and probably this is what makes them so close to your heart - that they struggle, that not everything is handed to them on a plate, just like in a normal life. Lija's one - liners and sharp comments were an absolute highlights, and Rainbow, being Rainbow, so bubbly, bright and always happy just gave the book this little element of so much needed relax. Because the story touches upon so many heavy and difficult issues, guys - however, it's not depressing or too overwhelming, or no, not to worry - and the author writes about them with so much intuition and understanding.

The title may be a little misleading, as the story only brushes a little on Christmas but the plot is so full of other things and happenings that I didn't even feel disappointment - and so the book can be read with no regards to a season. As already mentioned, this newest release is a follow - up to "The Cake Shop in the Garden" and I think it could be read as a stand alone - just. I'd rather advise to read the books in the right order because even though "Christmas Cakes and Mistletoe Nights" gives us a brief re - telling of what's happened before, it's really brief and to fully enjoy the book you should really start with the "Cake Shop".

Altogether, it was a lovely, heart - warming story about friendship, friends pulling together, family bonds and love. Of course there wouldn't be a Cake Shop without some great cakes, and the descriptions of Lija and Fay's incredible creations were gorgeous and so vivid, and I can bet anything they'll make your mouth water - they did it with me. The story was so comforting, just like your favourite reading place and a hot chocolate. It was warm and uplifting and so true to life and genuine. And it is Ms Matthews's 30th book, so it's for sure a reason to celebrate!

Copy provided by the publisher in return for an honest review.

[~Sofia~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Love Love Love Fay and the wonderful cast of characters that come along for the ride!

This is a wonderful cosy christmas story that will continue the journey with Fay, Danny, Lija and the adorable Stan. As we delve ever deeper into their storylines you will not be disappointed. If you loved the first book as much as I did then you will certainly enjoy the second instalment. It’s funny, emotional and warm hearted. Matthews writes novels that really warm your heart and make you feel happy and hungry. The cakes! The Food! Bon Appetit!

[Nessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love Carole Matthews books and this one didn't disappoint.

Having previously read and loved her book The Cake Shop in the Garden, I was so excited to read this her new book as it meant I got to be reacquainted with all of the wonderful characters esp Fay and Danny again.

Thoroughly enjoyable read from start to finish. Couldn't put it down and didn't want the story to end.

[Rachel Gilbey · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is always a treat to sit down and read a new Christmas Carole Matthews book, and within pages I knew I was in for another wonderful book from one of my all time favourite authors.

If you are a fan of Carole Matthews, then you will recognise Fay and Danny instantly from The Cake Shop in the Garden, but if you haven't read it, then don't panic, this can easily be read as a standalone too. In fact took me a short while to really remember the characters, and was so pleased to be able to spend more time with them all.

This starts at what looks to be a nice gentle book, picking up after the other left off, with everything seemingly going well and being all hunky dory with Fay and Danny. But after one phone call everything changes and the course of the book changes and turns into a completely riveting read.

There is a brand new main character who is like a breath of fresh air, a non stop bundle of energy who never stops talking. She rambles on about all manner of topics, often including what her nan says and her enthusiasm for all things Christmas know no bounds.

I loved the thought of Rainbow, going over to Stan who is 93, and making him watch Muppet's Christmas Carol in fluffy socks! And that is just one example of the the way she brings a huge ray of sunshine into this book.

Lija is as prickly as ever, seems pleased to see Fay but is the character who probably goes the the wringer the most in this book - as she is hiding something important from when we last saw her, and the weather means the house and cafe is at threat.

There is even the return of Fay's not so lovely sister, and she is the nightmare I recall her to be from the first boko, although I did almost feel sorry for her at times.

This is definitely a book that will make you hungry for cake, as you hear about all the delicious tasty treats being baked in the cafe.

Plenty of action in this book and I was almost in tears of happiness towards the ending. I do hope though that there will be another book featuring these characters in the future as I would love to know how they get on after the last page!

A delightful story that has left me smiling and had me devouring the pages every space second I had.

Thank you to Millie Seaward at Sphere for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

[Nicola Clough · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carole never fails to disappoint at all with her books and this one was excellent and had you hooked from the first page and full of romance and families and friends and having enjoyed the first book I was looking forward to what would happen next. I also hope abut her book follows on as well as feel there is more to come. Fay and Danny are in love and left to travel in their canal boat and day gets a phone call to say her elderly neighbour to where she lived has been taken ill she knows she has to travel back to look after him and Danny promises he will be back in time for Christmas. Once she's back she gets into helping out at the cafe again and knows something is wrong with the owner but can she support her and help her. Danny comes back and she's so pleased to be with him again but can't get financially survive with helping out at the cafe. Also her boat she has is falling further into disrepair. Fay has a sister she's never got on with and she turns up and can't get make things up and be happy together or are they just to different also can Danny and Fay be happy and move forward or do things stand in the way. A great read

[Leonie · Rating 2 out of 5]

What I've learned from this novel: if you have a problem, drink alcohol. Lots of it.

[Sandy Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this as a stand alone which worked for me, I finished it only to realise that it's a continuation of the Cake Shop in the Garden so I'll probably go back and read that. I did enjoy the book, and whilst it is set at Christmas, it can be read at a any time as Christmas is not really front and central to the gentle storyline. I loved the characters particularly Stan, Lija and Rainbow the latter giving comic relief. It felt like I should know them but I still got to enjoy and know them well. The real beauty of the book was the strength of found family and the descriptions of the food made for Lija's cafe.. Overall it's a breezy, feelgood, fun, sweet, but not overly so, light, fluffy, romance set at Christmas. Just what I needed and like to read in the run up to Christmas. Great stuff

[Shirley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fabulous book, I was so excited to read Christmas Cakes and Mistletoe Nights, I so love Danny and Stan, lovely characters and a gorgeous, cosy book, perfect for Christmas 🎄

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

December 24, 2018

My full book review is now up on Word Revel.

_________

December 21, 2018

Actual rating: 3.5 stars

Initial thoughts: I love a good Christmas story — yes, even with a huge dose of romance — around this time of the year. On that front Christmas Cakes and Mistletoe Nights delivered for the sweetness amidst the hardships the characters faced. I adored Lija and Stan, though they were secondary characters. Rounded up with Fay and Danny, the main characters, as well as Rainbow, this book was a joy to curl up with.

However, the writing style did leave a bit to be desired, with tired phrases of, "I let out a breath I didn't know I'd been holding" and variations like, "I put down the kettle, that I hadn't even realised I was still holding[...]" These always trip me up, no matter how much I've been enjoying a book. I would've liked it more if the prose had been tighter to balance the pace of the plot, which was rather drawn out in the first half before it finally unfolded in the second half of the book.
_________

Note: I received a finished copy from a local distributor in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

[Fiona MacDonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't even realise when I picked this up that it was a sequel to the wonderful 'the cake shop in the garden' that I adored this year when I read it! I snaffled this up in one sitting. We once again join Fay, Danny, Stan and Lija as they continue to work hard, love hard and support each other through troubled times at the cafe in the garden. I desperately hope for another in the series, because I can't stand leaving these characters behind.

[Kristia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just what I needed whilst getting over a cold. I know it's April and I didn't intend to read this but it was next to my bed and I needed something warm hearted to uplift me - nothing does this better than Christmas.

A wonderful story by Carole Matthews and lovely to pick up with favourites from the last book and a couple of new characters, one who certainly made me smile.
Some bumps and drama along the way, but still filled with love, not just between Fay and Danny but their love for their family of friends.

[Clare · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listened to in audio format.

Christmas Cakes and Mistletoe Nights is the follow up book to The Cake Shop In The Garden.

At the end of Cake Shop in The Garden Faye Merryweather had gone to live with Danny Wilde on his boat The Dreamcatcher.

Danny and Faye had been living a nomadic lifestyle touring the canals when Faye received a phone call from her friend an ex employee Lija. Her friend 93 year old Stan was poorly and Lija could not cope on her own.

Worried about her friend she went straight back to Milton Keynes to see Stan. Faye was told that Stan had pneumonia and his doctor wanted him to go hospital. Stan was scared so she nursed him at home. Faye explained that she would have to stay until the end of Christmas and Danny said he would bring The Dreamcatcher back home.

Meanwhile Lija's cake shop business was doing well with the help of teenager Rainbow. Unfortunately Faye's canal boat The Maid of Merryweather was a wreck. lija was very unwell and pale and explained she was pregnant, her boyfriend Mog had moved on.

Disaster strikes when the canal floods and the water destroys the house. Lija is like family and Danny realises he will have to get a decent job to fund the repairs to the house and canal boat. Danny had a high flying career in London but did not like what he had become. He contemplates going back but Faye worries she might lose him.

I only read The Cake Shop in the garden a couple of weeks ago so the characters were fresh in my mind. You can read this as a standalone but The Cake shop will give you a better understand of the story. I loved Rainbow the new addition to the family, ditzy but hardworking with a heart of gold. I am glad that Faye's sister Eddie got her comeuppance and was told some home truths.

I loved the descriptions of the Christmas Cakes in the cafe, they sounded yummy. I also liked the hen night organised by Eddie and Rainbow. A night in a night in a posh hotel wearing glittery make-up watching a Bridget Jones DVD.

I hope Carole Matthews next story will be about Faye, Danny and their little family.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sooooooo I said a while ago I wasn't sure if I'd get this book while it was only out in hardback because it doesn't fit so well on my shelves! BUT I couldn't not get it and it dropped right down in price.... and I mean it's not Christmas without a new Christmas chicklit book!

I LOVE Carole Matthews books and I adored "The Cake Shop in the Garden" when it came out. So when I realised this was another book with Fay in I couldn't resist, plus it's set at Christmas and it features lots of cake! What could be better? ;) 

So in "Christmas Cakes and Mistletoe Nights" we catch up again with Fay as she travels the canals of Britain with Danny. However, a phone call from Lija calls Fay home to what used to be her cake shop. Poor Stan is ill and Lija and Fay, along with new employee Rainbow slowly see him better. But that's not the only drama happening at the Cake Shop this Christmas! Throw in a baby, Fay's sister and a major downpour, this Christmas is definitely one that Fay will remember!

I absolutely adored this book! I couldn't stop reading it. The only thing is, I wish I'd read "The Cake Shop in the Garden" again before picking this up as I had a little trouble remembering some things, but Carole Matthews does a fantastic job of catching you up with the story as you read, so in fact this could be easily read separate from "The Cake Shop in the Garden"! :D 

The characters are all just as loveable as I remembered them to be... Where can I go to meet Danny?! ;) And new character Rainbow is just brilliant. She'll probably annoy you a lot to begin with but she definitely grew on me through the book! And her nan sounds brilliant! I want to meet her! 

This is a great little story which I loved to bits and it really got me in the Christmas spirit... and made me want to make lots of cake! :D If you love a Chicklit book and are looking for a new one this Christmas then Christmas Cakes and Mistletoe Nights is a must! :) 

[Ali Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carole Matthews never fails.tp deliver and this book was no exception. I had really enjoyed The Cake Shop in the Garden and was thrilled that this was the follow up to see how all the characters got on. All were really likeable and the story flowed well. It was a lovely festive read, no major disasters, dreadful illnesses and nobody died - just a good old fashioned fun read. AND it makes me want to live on a canal boat too.

[Justkeepreading · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was so nice to return to the characters from the cake shop in the garden. I really hope this isn’t the last we see of them. I would really love another book involving them all. Lovely book with a wonderful Christmassy feel.

[Zoë · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmas love story

Ah or as rainbow would say squeeee. I loved this bookend what a cosy feel good Christmas read. I would recommend this to everyone.

[Sharah McConville · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the next installment of Fay Merryweather's story. I hope there's more to come!

[Lainy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Time taken to read - 4 days in and out

Pages - 392

Publisher - Sphere

Source - Bought

Blurb from Goodreads

Indulge in this wonderful, cake-filled novel of romance and friendship. Christmas Cakes and Mistletoe Nights is Sunday Times bestselling Carole Matthews doing what she does best!

Fay and Danny are madly in love and it's all Fay's ever dreamed of. But she left everything - including the delightful cake shop she used to run - to be with Danny on his cosy canal boat The Dreamcatcher. And as she soon finds out, making delicious cakes on the water isn't always smooth sailing!

Then Fay gets a call from her friends, a call that sends her back to her friends and the Cake Shop in the Garden. It will be hard being away from Danny but their relationship is strong enough to survive . . . isn't it?

Fay soon falls happily back in love with her passion for baking - especially now she's on dry land again! - and starts to wonder if she ever should have left. With Christmas around the corner, Fay is determined that her friends will have a very merry time, but does that mean even more time away from Danny? Can Fay really get everything she ever wanted in Christmas Cakes & Mistletoe Nights.



My Review

Fay and Danny are living the dream, Fay left an uphappy relationship for the younger Danny and they are now sailing on his boat, getting work where able. When an old friend of Fay's takes unwell she head back to her old home and business now owned by Lija. Lija is a fire cracker, she suffers no fools, has a mouth like a fishwife and a new helper called Rainbow who is her polar opposite. Fay slides into their routine, helping out in the cafe whilst looking out for their old friend, she needs the money, they need the help and Danny should be back when able.

This is one of those stories, relationships and family are pretty much the whole story with some cakes and dramas thrown in. Fay still has a huge gripe with her sister who is selfish, rude, flashy with cash whilst Fay is strapped and lots of resentment from when her mother died. Fay loves her sister so when she shows up for Christmas, attitude and all Fay welcomes her with open arms. We have drama's, love, anger, relationships and two fabulous characters in Rainbow and Lija. Rainbow just loves everything and is so over the top sugar and happiness in comparison to Lija, zero tolerance for mupppetry, sentiments or users. I loved it and the two are so starky different they just work.

From a family point of view I really loathed the sister but would have liked a bit more meat on her story. A good read, nice enough for December with plenty of chuckles along the way, 3.5/5 for me this time. I would read this author again!

[Ria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Danny and Fay are crazy in love and after her sister sells the family house and cake shop she takes off for a life on the canal though she misses her friends who have become like family to her and mourns the life she also left behind.
But then one call changes everything, she rushes back to the little cake shop and she is thrust back into her old routine.
Though happy to be back the couple and also her friends face many obstacles if they are all to work to save the cafe from sinking.
Troubles and dramas abound amidst the chaos and surely their relationship can get by...?
This was wonderful, I couldn't put it down and thought this was easily a stand alone I admit while reading I DID buy the preceding novel and am already hoping there will be a sequel to THIS one too.
The characters were wonderful I just fell in love with them and really cared what happened to them and frequently laughed out loud especially at Lija, she was epic.
I am desperate to know what happens next and catch up with some more Danny and Fay adventures as I feel sure their story isn't done yet.
Wonderful, I couldn't put it down.

[Kelly Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christmas Cakes & Mistletoe Nights is the sequel to Cake Shop in the Garden by Carole Matthews. I haven’t read the first book and was able to get stuck into this one. All it did was leave me intrigued to how Fay and Danny’s story started.

This book is full of festive fun which have to be experienced whilst battling against many obstacles.

Fay and Danny have been traveling the waters of Britain on his canal boat but Fay returns home after a phone call from her friend, leaving Danny behind. Once home she realises how difficult things have been for her friends and gets stuck back into her old life. All that’s missing is Danny.

Fay is a wonderful character with a heart of gold and who puts everybody before herself. She is supported by a great bunch of other characters with such contrasting personalities. Returning from the first book alongside Fay are Danny, Lija, Stan and Edie. I think my favourite might be the new member of Fay’s ‘family’, Rainbow, she sounds like the perfect tonic and she brings such joy to the room. What I loved about them all is despite them all being so different is how well the fit together to form their own family.

Despite all the obstacles that Fay and the gang have to face on her return, they do so with much resilience and despite everything they find a way to pull through.

I found myself smiling throughout this book, and especially at the end. I know need to get my hands on the first installment.

[Nori Fitchett · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is a sweet festive love story though it’s most likely for an older demographic than I inhabit. Lija is the best character!!!!!

[Beverley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved it all, a great Christmas story and catching up with Fay from The cake shop in the Garden

[Jennifer Bibby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cakes, canal boats and Christmas - what's not to love?!

[Zoe Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gorgeous book once again.

Fay, Danny, Lija, Stan, Edie and now Rainbow have become like old friends. I love this book and I love these characters. A gorgeous festive story with a sprinkling of cake, pregnancy, weddings and romance thrown in.

One of my favourite books by Carole Matthews. I'd highly recommend this book for a light, festive read to curl up with a nice mug of tea and a good slice of cake.

[Jessica (Jess Hearts Books) · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a lovely book to kick start my Christmas reading with! It was so great to be back with Fay and her perfectly imperfect mismatched family over Christmastime. This book was a heartwarming and cosy read about family, friendship and of course baking! I loved how this book shows that you don't have to have lots of money to have a lovely Christmas, just those that you love around you. These characters are my favourite that Carole Matthews has ever written (especially lovely Stan!) and I really hope we revisit them again in the future.

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this follow up to The Cake Shop in the Garden - didn't want to put it down. Enjoyed meeting up with all the old characters and finding out what has happened to them. I don't want to post any spoilers but this is a fantastic feel good story. Hope there is another installment.

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very easy read, however I would have liked more of a story rather than ‘everyday life’.

[Sharon Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

absolutely lovely series of books. has that easy to pick up and put down at any time feel to it and lovely characters hopefully more to follow. would recommend this book.