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A Christmas Wish on a Carousel
When Cara Mia Shaw makes a desperate wish one night, while riding on a carousel at a Christmas market, little does she know her small, but safe world is about to spin off its axis.
Befriending a fascinating returnee to the village, an elderly woman called Perdita with a jaunty pink beret and the wisdom of a life well lived, might set Cara on a different, albeit harder, course, if she’s brave enough to listen. Art was always her passion, after all, even if fate seemed to have other ideas.
And then there’s the new man in her life, who her friends think is perfect for her because they set her up with decent, reliable Greg in the first place. Cara’s been hurt enough times to know the difference between a good man and a feckless one. Until Wilfred comes along – moody, sarcastic, and scattered – just to complicate matters and meddle with Cara’s resolve, to the horror of almost everyone around her. But is either man ultimately meant for her, anyway? And will she self-sabotage as usual, or gamble everything this time, including her heart?
It might take the highs and lows of friendship, the risk of a forbidden romance, and a Pomeranian called Loki – not to mention some much-needed Christmas magic – before Cara finally realises the wish she made that night on the carousel might just be about to come true.
Befriending a fascinating returnee to the village, an elderly woman called Perdita with a jaunty pink beret and the wisdom of a life well lived, might set Cara on a different, albeit harder, course, if she’s brave enough to listen. Art was always her passion, after all, even if fate seemed to have other ideas.
And then there’s the new man in her life, who her friends think is perfect for her because they set her up with decent, reliable Greg in the first place. Cara’s been hurt enough times to know the difference between a good man and a feckless one. Until Wilfred comes along – moody, sarcastic, and scattered – just to complicate matters and meddle with Cara’s resolve, to the horror of almost everyone around her. But is either man ultimately meant for her, anyway? And will she self-sabotage as usual, or gamble everything this time, including her heart?
It might take the highs and lows of friendship, the risk of a forbidden romance, and a Pomeranian called Loki – not to mention some much-needed Christmas magic – before Cara finally realises the wish she made that night on the carousel might just be about to come true.
- GenresChristmas
390 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 4, 2021
17 people are currently reading
79 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
October 15, 2021
If there’s one thing that I like doing it’s discovering new authors. Lottie Cardew is certainly a new author for me. I read the synopsis for ‘A Christmas Wish On A Carousel’ and it certainly sounded like the sort of read I needed at that moment in time- a fun, light hearted romance. Well it was certainly that and so much more. I did enjoy reading ‘A Christmas Wish On A Carousel’ but more about that in a bit.
It took me next to no time to get into this story. In fact by the time I got to the end of the first chapter I knew that I was onto a winner and that I would find it difficult to put the book to one side for any length of time. I must be psychic because that’s exactly what happened. Part of the reason why I liked this book so much was the fact that I loved the lead character of Cara so much that I had to keep reading to see how the story panned out for her. Cara is a lovely young lady, who is willing to help those who need it. As I worked my way through the story, I couldn’t turn the pages quickly enough. I also loved the character of Perdita, who is a feisty older lady with a lot of wisdom and life experience. I became so wrapped up in the story that I lost all track of time and just how quickly I was getting through the story. All too quickly I reached the end of the story and I had to say farewell to Cara and the other characters. I found ‘A Christmas Wish On A Carousel’ to be a charming and delightful read, which gripped me from start to finish.
‘A Christmas Wish On A Carousel’ is extremely well written. I had real trouble believing that this was the author’s debut novel as the writing is so polished and so confident. The author certainly knows how to grab your attention and draw you into the story. For me, the story hit the ground running and maintained a fairly gentle pace throughout, which suited the story. Lottie creates some adorable characters and she describes them so vividly that they seem just as real as you and I. I felt as though I was part of the story and that’s thanks to Lottie’s very vivid and realistic storytelling.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘A Christmas Wish On A Carousel’ and I would recommend it to other readers. I look forward to reading much more of Lottie’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
It took me next to no time to get into this story. In fact by the time I got to the end of the first chapter I knew that I was onto a winner and that I would find it difficult to put the book to one side for any length of time. I must be psychic because that’s exactly what happened. Part of the reason why I liked this book so much was the fact that I loved the lead character of Cara so much that I had to keep reading to see how the story panned out for her. Cara is a lovely young lady, who is willing to help those who need it. As I worked my way through the story, I couldn’t turn the pages quickly enough. I also loved the character of Perdita, who is a feisty older lady with a lot of wisdom and life experience. I became so wrapped up in the story that I lost all track of time and just how quickly I was getting through the story. All too quickly I reached the end of the story and I had to say farewell to Cara and the other characters. I found ‘A Christmas Wish On A Carousel’ to be a charming and delightful read, which gripped me from start to finish.
‘A Christmas Wish On A Carousel’ is extremely well written. I had real trouble believing that this was the author’s debut novel as the writing is so polished and so confident. The author certainly knows how to grab your attention and draw you into the story. For me, the story hit the ground running and maintained a fairly gentle pace throughout, which suited the story. Lottie creates some adorable characters and she describes them so vividly that they seem just as real as you and I. I felt as though I was part of the story and that’s thanks to Lottie’s very vivid and realistic storytelling.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘A Christmas Wish On A Carousel’ and I would recommend it to other readers. I look forward to reading much more of Lottie’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
October 15, 2021
Perfect time of year for a fun , sweet, light hearted , christmassy romance book ! A book to warm your heart when it is heading to winter !
In this book we meet Cara Mia Shaw , and I instantly warmed to her and thoroughly loved reading about her and going through this time with her . Not only does the book feature romance we also get to see the friendship between Cara and Perdita blossoming right before your eyes , the may be different but they definitely work together! All the characters featured in the book add some more depth too it and you end up feeling invested in their lives.
The storyline is one that makes you have questions running through you mind as you are reading it, and that'd one of the things I love about the book how much it engages the reader. It is an absolutely fantastic book to read with plenty of Christmas magic sprinkled in it! I have definitely found myself a new author to adore!
In this book we meet Cara Mia Shaw , and I instantly warmed to her and thoroughly loved reading about her and going through this time with her . Not only does the book feature romance we also get to see the friendship between Cara and Perdita blossoming right before your eyes , the may be different but they definitely work together! All the characters featured in the book add some more depth too it and you end up feeling invested in their lives.
The storyline is one that makes you have questions running through you mind as you are reading it, and that'd one of the things I love about the book how much it engages the reader. It is an absolutely fantastic book to read with plenty of Christmas magic sprinkled in it! I have definitely found myself a new author to adore!
October 11, 2021
Review to follow for blog tour
October 12, 2021
This book was absolutely beautiful – everything I wanted it to be, and then a little more. But I knew I was going to love it from the very beginning, as Cara wanders around a Christmas market that no longer has quite the magic she remembers – until she stumbles across an old-fashioned carousel, bringing back memories of her father and her happy childhood, and when she rides makes a heartfelt wish that she doesn’t entirely believe will ever come true.
Much of the story has the overall feel of a conventional romantic comedy – a loveable heroine, her unconventional living arrangements and her relationship with her landlady, her day job at the cafe, her meddling but supportive friends, and a love triangle where she needs to choose between the perfect match (well, maybe) favoured by her friends or the rather more dangerous and exciting Wilf. The voice of the book is Cara’s – and I adored her from the outset, with her gentleness, her sadness and all her insecurities, coupled with a wry sense of humour than never failed to make me smile.
And then, in a quiet corner of the cafe, she stumbles across Perdita – a fragile old lady who wears a striking pink beret, taking a break in Pebblestow amid all the happy memories of her earlier life – and the pair become friends as she shares details about her life and the wisdom she’s learned. Cara has some difficult decisions to make – about her future, whether she should stay with the familiar or finally follow her dreams, and whether one of her new relationships will bring her happiness – until she realises that everything hinges on that wish she made on the carousel, and the whole story gains a real sparkle of Christmas magic.
There was so much I loved about this book – the strong supporting cast (including Loki, the characterful Pomeranian), the strong friendships, the acceptability of being “different”, Cara’s own reflections and quieter moments, the exceptionally good use of dialogue, the sheer originality of the story and, most certainly, the way it’s told. The whole story has immense warmth and heart, engaging at a deep emotional level – and although it’s always infused with a gentle and perfectly judged humour, there were points when it moved me to tears. The romantic content is just wonderful – strong and believable, and I really yearned for them to find happiness – and that surprise over the story’s moments of real magic filled my heart with sheer delight.
This is such a difficult book to review – I so desperately don’t want to spoil it for others by reducing it to “a story” when its sheer beauty lies in the unexpected, the way it all unfolds and the way it makes you feel. Welcome to the world, Lottie Cardew – so many readers are going to love your books every bit as much as I did.
Much of the story has the overall feel of a conventional romantic comedy – a loveable heroine, her unconventional living arrangements and her relationship with her landlady, her day job at the cafe, her meddling but supportive friends, and a love triangle where she needs to choose between the perfect match (well, maybe) favoured by her friends or the rather more dangerous and exciting Wilf. The voice of the book is Cara’s – and I adored her from the outset, with her gentleness, her sadness and all her insecurities, coupled with a wry sense of humour than never failed to make me smile.
And then, in a quiet corner of the cafe, she stumbles across Perdita – a fragile old lady who wears a striking pink beret, taking a break in Pebblestow amid all the happy memories of her earlier life – and the pair become friends as she shares details about her life and the wisdom she’s learned. Cara has some difficult decisions to make – about her future, whether she should stay with the familiar or finally follow her dreams, and whether one of her new relationships will bring her happiness – until she realises that everything hinges on that wish she made on the carousel, and the whole story gains a real sparkle of Christmas magic.
There was so much I loved about this book – the strong supporting cast (including Loki, the characterful Pomeranian), the strong friendships, the acceptability of being “different”, Cara’s own reflections and quieter moments, the exceptionally good use of dialogue, the sheer originality of the story and, most certainly, the way it’s told. The whole story has immense warmth and heart, engaging at a deep emotional level – and although it’s always infused with a gentle and perfectly judged humour, there were points when it moved me to tears. The romantic content is just wonderful – strong and believable, and I really yearned for them to find happiness – and that surprise over the story’s moments of real magic filled my heart with sheer delight.
This is such a difficult book to review – I so desperately don’t want to spoil it for others by reducing it to “a story” when its sheer beauty lies in the unexpected, the way it all unfolds and the way it makes you feel. Welcome to the world, Lottie Cardew – so many readers are going to love your books every bit as much as I did.
October 15, 2021
This book was so magical, we start this in the middle of a Christmas Market and it bought happy memories of Lincoln Christmas Market flooding back to me, all the unique stalls, the happy and high spirits, the meat sandwiches and then the fairground… that’s where the magic really happened!
I got so drawn into this book and really felt for Cara, clearly she struggled with her confidence and like many of us, hides in the shadows a bit. But after her past it’s not really a surprise that she prefers to keep to herself and not let men get too close. Her joy and happy relationship with JoJo’s Pomeranian, Loki, always put a smile on my face though as I could just imagine the little fluff ball running up to her!
When she starts seeing Greg I couldn’t help but feel like her heart really wasn’t in it and hoped that she’d see the light before things progressed too much. However, for her friends Sally and Nurita (can I mention Sally’s mince pies here… 🤤🤤🤤) Greg should be the perfect man, good job, stability, his own place yada yada. But if your hearts not in it, your hearts not in it…
On the opposite side of the fence (or we could say garden) we have Wilf, JoJo’s half brother who has just moved back from Canada. I loved listening into their walks with Loki and it seemed that they really connected in a way that was different to both of them.
There was a massive element of will they won’t they and I honestly couldn’t tell which was it was going to go until the very end. I think Wilf’s present was the clincher for me and was the moment that a lot of things slotted into place - a truly magical read and I absolutely loved the way this book ended. Will definitely be keeping my eyes peeled for more of Lottie’s work in the future!
I got so drawn into this book and really felt for Cara, clearly she struggled with her confidence and like many of us, hides in the shadows a bit. But after her past it’s not really a surprise that she prefers to keep to herself and not let men get too close. Her joy and happy relationship with JoJo’s Pomeranian, Loki, always put a smile on my face though as I could just imagine the little fluff ball running up to her!
When she starts seeing Greg I couldn’t help but feel like her heart really wasn’t in it and hoped that she’d see the light before things progressed too much. However, for her friends Sally and Nurita (can I mention Sally’s mince pies here… 🤤🤤🤤) Greg should be the perfect man, good job, stability, his own place yada yada. But if your hearts not in it, your hearts not in it…
On the opposite side of the fence (or we could say garden) we have Wilf, JoJo’s half brother who has just moved back from Canada. I loved listening into their walks with Loki and it seemed that they really connected in a way that was different to both of them.
There was a massive element of will they won’t they and I honestly couldn’t tell which was it was going to go until the very end. I think Wilf’s present was the clincher for me and was the moment that a lot of things slotted into place - a truly magical read and I absolutely loved the way this book ended. Will definitely be keeping my eyes peeled for more of Lottie’s work in the future!
October 17, 2021
I’m a complete slave to beautiful covers and discovering new authors and this gorgeous, festive story completely lived up to my expectations and beyond.
As an adult I often spend time thinking about things that the magic seems to have faded or that no longer hold their charm and that’s exactly what happens to Cara whilst she is wondering around the Christmas market. Sitting on an old carousel she makes a wish – but wishes don’t come true …do they?
I was smitten by Cara and the community/village almost immediately and I just wanted to completely escape uninterrupted into her story. I loved not being able to tell which love interest she would choose. She’s such a sweet and thoughtful character and I just wanted her to take a leap of faith and invest in herself. I wanted happiness for her.
The town is charming and I loved the festive feel the Christmas market gave me. The inhabitants really brought the whole setting and story to life and added a lot of comedy value too. Add in a little touch of magic and this whole book is a delightful, heart-warming experience.
This is a beautiful Christmas romance with a wonderful sense of community and some mixed emotions along the way. I cannot wait to read more by Lottie Cardew.
As an adult I often spend time thinking about things that the magic seems to have faded or that no longer hold their charm and that’s exactly what happens to Cara whilst she is wondering around the Christmas market. Sitting on an old carousel she makes a wish – but wishes don’t come true …do they?
I was smitten by Cara and the community/village almost immediately and I just wanted to completely escape uninterrupted into her story. I loved not being able to tell which love interest she would choose. She’s such a sweet and thoughtful character and I just wanted her to take a leap of faith and invest in herself. I wanted happiness for her.
The town is charming and I loved the festive feel the Christmas market gave me. The inhabitants really brought the whole setting and story to life and added a lot of comedy value too. Add in a little touch of magic and this whole book is a delightful, heart-warming experience.
This is a beautiful Christmas romance with a wonderful sense of community and some mixed emotions along the way. I cannot wait to read more by Lottie Cardew.
October 13, 2021
This has a real feeling of magic about the story with a few hints of a fairy tale, I felt. Lottie however is down to earth and at times, has low expectations about her life. When she makes a wish at the beginning, she takes a big step out of her comfort zone. As the story unfolds, you find out more about her insecurities and how she has come to be where she is. You also see what she often doesn't - that there are lots of people who love her and want what is best. Some of those friendships are complicated however, as are the new friendships she strikes up in the story.
Lottie certainly develops as a person as the story unfolds and she begins to re-evaluate her talents and her ambitions. This is a lovely, gentle story, just right for Christmas. You don't know for most of the story what her actual wish was. You just know you hope it comes true as she is such a likeable and accepting person. Can she take a chance and come to terms with the deaths of her parents? You certainly hope so.
In short: An endearing story with a sprinkle of magic
Thanks to the author for a copy of the book
Lottie certainly develops as a person as the story unfolds and she begins to re-evaluate her talents and her ambitions. This is a lovely, gentle story, just right for Christmas. You don't know for most of the story what her actual wish was. You just know you hope it comes true as she is such a likeable and accepting person. Can she take a chance and come to terms with the deaths of her parents? You certainly hope so.
In short: An endearing story with a sprinkle of magic
Thanks to the author for a copy of the book
August 1, 2021
Charming romance with a hint of magic. In the lead up to Christmas, Cara makes a wish on a carousel. While she waits to see if it will come true, she has to deal with an erratic employer, matching-making friends who won't take no for an answer, a little old lady with some interesting life advice, and a cute dog named Loki. Oh, and then there's Wilf...
A Christmas Wish on a Carousel will be published on 4 October 2021.
Advance copy supplied by author.
A Christmas Wish on a Carousel will be published on 4 October 2021.
Advance copy supplied by author.
October 11, 2021
A Christmas Wish on a Carousel - Lottie Cardew
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily
When Cara Mia Shaw makes a desperate wish one night, while riding on a carousel at a Christmas market, little does she know her small, but safe world is about to spin off its axis.
Befriending a fascinating returnee to the village, an elderly woman called Perdita with a jaunty pink beret and the wisdom of a life well lived, might set Cara on a different, albeit harder, course, if she’s brave enough to listen. Art was always her passion, after all, even if fate seemed to have other ideas.
Such a lovely and charming book. We follow Cara, who has never been able to follow her dreams as she takes a chance and makes a big Christmas wish. Is this Christmas finally going to be her time to shine?
This could easily have been a cheesy romance, but Lottie managed to write it in such a heartfelt way. This book will make you feel so many emotions; there are times that it will make you laugh and times where you will want to cry. Overall this is a thoroughly satisfying book to read.
Rating 4/5
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily
When Cara Mia Shaw makes a desperate wish one night, while riding on a carousel at a Christmas market, little does she know her small, but safe world is about to spin off its axis.
Befriending a fascinating returnee to the village, an elderly woman called Perdita with a jaunty pink beret and the wisdom of a life well lived, might set Cara on a different, albeit harder, course, if she’s brave enough to listen. Art was always her passion, after all, even if fate seemed to have other ideas.
Such a lovely and charming book. We follow Cara, who has never been able to follow her dreams as she takes a chance and makes a big Christmas wish. Is this Christmas finally going to be her time to shine?
This could easily have been a cheesy romance, but Lottie managed to write it in such a heartfelt way. This book will make you feel so many emotions; there are times that it will make you laugh and times where you will want to cry. Overall this is a thoroughly satisfying book to read.
Rating 4/5
October 18, 2021
Oh my goodness! This book you guys!!! It was absolutely perfect! It was so so so good!!! I felt so many emotions. I laughed and yep, I cried! I don’t want to give anything away so I am not going into this story. Just trust me if you love a sweet romance sprinkled with a little bit of magic...this is your book! It is a pretty quick read especially if you are like me and you find it super hard to put it down! I am very impressed by Lottie Cardew and I look forward to reading more of her books!!!
October 17, 2021
First book I've read by Lottie & can't wait to read more of them. This was such a beautiful book, very well written with adorable characters.
Christmassy reads are always a win with me, this was beautiful, heartwarming & utterly charming.
Full of friendship, romance & a sprinkle of magic , this was the perfect escapism to curl up with on a chilly autumn afternoon.
Many thanks to Rachel's Random Resources for my tour spot & gifted copy.
𝗜 𝗴𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗮 5 ⭐ 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴
Christmassy reads are always a win with me, this was beautiful, heartwarming & utterly charming.
Full of friendship, romance & a sprinkle of magic , this was the perfect escapism to curl up with on a chilly autumn afternoon.
Many thanks to Rachel's Random Resources for my tour spot & gifted copy.
𝗜 𝗴𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗮 5 ⭐ 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴
October 11, 2021
I would just like to say a big thank you to Rachel’s Random Resources for very kindly forwarding me an arc copy of this book, for my Kindle, in return for my honest review.
When Cara takes a ride one night on a carousel at a Christmas market, she makes a wish and desperately wants it to come true.
I absolutely loved everything about this book and following Cara’s journey made a wonderful story.
It was quite an emotional read and one that had me laughing and crying and I found myself turning the pages faster and faster so that I could find out was going to happen next.
This book was written in such a beautiful, heartfelt and emotional way and I really enjoyed every second of it!!
When Cara takes a ride one night on a carousel at a Christmas market, she makes a wish and desperately wants it to come true.
I absolutely loved everything about this book and following Cara’s journey made a wonderful story.
It was quite an emotional read and one that had me laughing and crying and I found myself turning the pages faster and faster so that I could find out was going to happen next.
This book was written in such a beautiful, heartfelt and emotional way and I really enjoyed every second of it!!
September 19, 2021
For me, Lottie Cardew has managed to write something that is wonderfully charming.
The story follows Cara. A women, who for various reasons hasn't ever been able to follow her dreams, with a mother and father who are sadly no longer alive so she has had to grow up fast from a fairly young age.
These circumstances have just never allowed her to do the things that she loves.
Could this Christmas finally be her time to shine?
What we have is a romantic comedy with real heart.
I loved Cara. As a protagonist I found her brave, forgiving and resilient.
In my opinion, her one outstanding problem is that she always puts others ahead of herself. An admirable quality in a person however it meant that Cara's own happiness was pushed aside in favour of seeing other people smile.
As Cara found herself in a sort of love triangle, emotions ran high and tough decisions were having to made.
What could have been a cheesy love story was made into something realistic and heartfelt by the author.
Lottie used a clever combination of witty dialogue, intriguing backstories and quirky characters (Loki the dog gets an honourable mention). Throw in a touch of magic and you've got a the perfect piece of escapism and when put together, this concoction made for something quite exceptional and I guess pretty magical too.
There is a vast array of emotions contained within this book. I smiled, I laughed and I'll admit there were times where my heart broke and not just for Cara. However, despite all of the ups and downs I was left completely satisfied by the time I turned the last page.
The story follows Cara. A women, who for various reasons hasn't ever been able to follow her dreams, with a mother and father who are sadly no longer alive so she has had to grow up fast from a fairly young age.
These circumstances have just never allowed her to do the things that she loves.
Could this Christmas finally be her time to shine?
What we have is a romantic comedy with real heart.
I loved Cara. As a protagonist I found her brave, forgiving and resilient.
In my opinion, her one outstanding problem is that she always puts others ahead of herself. An admirable quality in a person however it meant that Cara's own happiness was pushed aside in favour of seeing other people smile.
As Cara found herself in a sort of love triangle, emotions ran high and tough decisions were having to made.
What could have been a cheesy love story was made into something realistic and heartfelt by the author.
Lottie used a clever combination of witty dialogue, intriguing backstories and quirky characters (Loki the dog gets an honourable mention). Throw in a touch of magic and you've got a the perfect piece of escapism and when put together, this concoction made for something quite exceptional and I guess pretty magical too.
There is a vast array of emotions contained within this book. I smiled, I laughed and I'll admit there were times where my heart broke and not just for Cara. However, despite all of the ups and downs I was left completely satisfied by the time I turned the last page.
October 25, 2021
As the winter night’s draw in, everyone needs some cosy, feel-good festive reads on their reading list. And A Christmas Wish on a Carousel is a perfect choice. Romance, fun and a sprinkling of Christmas magic, this is a lovely book.
Cara is such a likeable character. She has a complicated and tragic story that gradually emerges. While she has lots in her life that she likes, she is a bit lost and lonely. She makes a wish while riding a carousel at a Christmas market and suddenly her quiet, predictable life is in a bit of a spin.
Cara finds herself faced with two potential love interests. Lovely Greg, who is perfect on paper and potential husband material, or gorgeous, unpredictable and off limits Wilf.
And then there is Perdita, an enigmatic old lady visiting the village who befriends Cara and offers her words of advise and wisdom that encourage her to be braver and spread her wings.
This is a great book with complicated and interesting characters, fizzy dialogue and a little dog with a big personality!
If you are looking for a festive read that doesn’t smother you in tinsel and is a bit less predictable than your average holiday romance novel I definitely recommend this book.
Cara is such a likeable character. She has a complicated and tragic story that gradually emerges. While she has lots in her life that she likes, she is a bit lost and lonely. She makes a wish while riding a carousel at a Christmas market and suddenly her quiet, predictable life is in a bit of a spin.
Cara finds herself faced with two potential love interests. Lovely Greg, who is perfect on paper and potential husband material, or gorgeous, unpredictable and off limits Wilf.
And then there is Perdita, an enigmatic old lady visiting the village who befriends Cara and offers her words of advise and wisdom that encourage her to be braver and spread her wings.
This is a great book with complicated and interesting characters, fizzy dialogue and a little dog with a big personality!
If you are looking for a festive read that doesn’t smother you in tinsel and is a bit less predictable than your average holiday romance novel I definitely recommend this book.
January 28, 2022
Cara is at the Christmas Market one night with her friends and finds herself drawn to the carousel. After the guy running it persuades her to have a go, she makes a wish that she doesn’t expect to come true in a million years…..
Her love life is fine, her friends have just set her up with Greg – a nice and reliable guy but there’s no instant attraction. And then Wilf comes along, a moody, handsome but forbidden guy, with all the things that she shouldn’t be feeling. But luckily for her she’s recently befriended a quirky and wonderful old lady called Perdita, whose just returned to Pebblestow. She imparts lots of wonderful knowledge on Cara, but she has to make her own decisions. Will either man be the one for her? And will there be just a touch of Christmas magic?
I absolutely adored this and the ending for me completely sealed my 5 star review. I couldn’t stop myself from grinning and may have had a tear or two! You will find yourself fully invested in the characters. Cara is a sweetheart who has had a rough time, and actually at one point I was really angry with her friends for being so mean!! Greg is nice and a gentleman, but….well, I’ll let you decide for yourselves. Wilf, drove me nuts at times but I couldn’t help but love him. But my absolute favourite was obviously Perdita. She is a fantastic, quirky, wise, and wonderful character. I literally loved everything about her and kind of wish she’s appear in my life too!
The story and setting will get you right in the festive mood. Snow globes, Christmas markets, chilly walks, twinkly lights, mince pies, parties, Christmas shopping and more – you will be wishing for December without a doubt! This really is the perfect story to curl up with under your blanket, with your candles and hot chocolate (or wine!) and completely lose yourself.
So if you’re looking for a festive, heartwarming, wonderful story which will make you laugh and give you the perfect dose of Christmas magic then you have to check this out. Highly recommended by me!
Her love life is fine, her friends have just set her up with Greg – a nice and reliable guy but there’s no instant attraction. And then Wilf comes along, a moody, handsome but forbidden guy, with all the things that she shouldn’t be feeling. But luckily for her she’s recently befriended a quirky and wonderful old lady called Perdita, whose just returned to Pebblestow. She imparts lots of wonderful knowledge on Cara, but she has to make her own decisions. Will either man be the one for her? And will there be just a touch of Christmas magic?
I absolutely adored this and the ending for me completely sealed my 5 star review. I couldn’t stop myself from grinning and may have had a tear or two! You will find yourself fully invested in the characters. Cara is a sweetheart who has had a rough time, and actually at one point I was really angry with her friends for being so mean!! Greg is nice and a gentleman, but….well, I’ll let you decide for yourselves. Wilf, drove me nuts at times but I couldn’t help but love him. But my absolute favourite was obviously Perdita. She is a fantastic, quirky, wise, and wonderful character. I literally loved everything about her and kind of wish she’s appear in my life too!
The story and setting will get you right in the festive mood. Snow globes, Christmas markets, chilly walks, twinkly lights, mince pies, parties, Christmas shopping and more – you will be wishing for December without a doubt! This really is the perfect story to curl up with under your blanket, with your candles and hot chocolate (or wine!) and completely lose yourself.
So if you’re looking for a festive, heartwarming, wonderful story which will make you laugh and give you the perfect dose of Christmas magic then you have to check this out. Highly recommended by me!
November 23, 2021
What things would I wish for in a Christmas romance novel?
A female lead character who has had troubles in her past and is afraid to let herself love – Cara is someone I took to heart immediately.
A gruff male lead who the female lead takes a dislike to, yet is still strangely attracted to – ahem, I give you Wilf for this category.
A bit of a love triangle causing confusion for the lead character: which man is right for her – would it be her boss’s brother or steady reliable Greg?
An unusual quirky character who is wise and warm – elderly Perdita with her pink beret certainly fits the bill.
Wonderfully supportive friends who have the main character’s best interests at heart although they sometimes go about things the wrong way – Sallie and Nushrat were so lovely.
Mystery surrounding some characters – Cara, Wilf, Perdita and Jojo all had elements in their past (and present) which were intriguing.
A small village setting – Pebblestow certainly sounded like a wonderful little community and I really hope the author plans to revisit it in future books.
A hint of festive magic – well I’m going to let you discover that for yourself…
Romantic scenes to melt the hardest of hearts – oh yes!
Snow!
A gorgeous heart-warming ending – which I’m obviously not going to reveal here…
I got all these things and more in A Christmas Wish on a Carousel and I adored it! This is definitely one to cosy up by the fire with and lose yourself in this Christmas. It’s romantic, charming and touching – a warm hug of a book.
A female lead character who has had troubles in her past and is afraid to let herself love – Cara is someone I took to heart immediately.
A gruff male lead who the female lead takes a dislike to, yet is still strangely attracted to – ahem, I give you Wilf for this category.
A bit of a love triangle causing confusion for the lead character: which man is right for her – would it be her boss’s brother or steady reliable Greg?
An unusual quirky character who is wise and warm – elderly Perdita with her pink beret certainly fits the bill.
Wonderfully supportive friends who have the main character’s best interests at heart although they sometimes go about things the wrong way – Sallie and Nushrat were so lovely.
Mystery surrounding some characters – Cara, Wilf, Perdita and Jojo all had elements in their past (and present) which were intriguing.
A small village setting – Pebblestow certainly sounded like a wonderful little community and I really hope the author plans to revisit it in future books.
A hint of festive magic – well I’m going to let you discover that for yourself…
Romantic scenes to melt the hardest of hearts – oh yes!
Snow!
A gorgeous heart-warming ending – which I’m obviously not going to reveal here…
I got all these things and more in A Christmas Wish on a Carousel and I adored it! This is definitely one to cosy up by the fire with and lose yourself in this Christmas. It’s romantic, charming and touching – a warm hug of a book.
November 2, 2021
This was a real Christmas romance and was full of the festive spirit. A really enjoyable and engaging heartwarming romance which had me hooked from start to finish. This romantic comedy really did have the feel good factor and left me feeling uplifted. Both the characters and the setting were brought to life by the authors descriptive narrative and made me feel immersed in the storyline. The story begins with Cara Mia Shaw making a Christmas wish whilst on a carousel at a Christmas market. The characters are all likeable and relatable and I loved the interactions between Cara and Perdita. I enjoyed the forbidden romance element of the story and how Cara had to choose between dependable Greg, and the man who actually makes her swoon, but seems wrong for her, Wilfred. With the added festive magic, Cara’s wish might actually come true. This was a lovely read.
January 5, 2022
Uplifting Christmas tale
I loved the characters of Cara and Wilf. Cara being lost and her clothing being symbolic of her lack of self worth. Wilf, I loved his character and his sexiness came off the page. I really enjoyed the storyline and it didn’t have too many of the same tropes as other stories despite at first you can see where it is going.
Really looking forward to reading some other novels by the author.
I loved the characters of Cara and Wilf. Cara being lost and her clothing being symbolic of her lack of self worth. Wilf, I loved his character and his sexiness came off the page. I really enjoyed the storyline and it didn’t have too many of the same tropes as other stories despite at first you can see where it is going.
Really looking forward to reading some other novels by the author.
July 17, 2022
An easy to read unique and sweet festive story with a sprinkling of magic.
I've never read anything quite like this. This is so refreshingly different, but familiar too. I loved the diverse cast of characters. The people and places are so richly described. I feel like I could visit Pebblestow.
The twists and turns keep you reading on and are anything but predicable.
I'm so glad I read this. I suggest you stop reading this review and pick up a copy of your own.
I've never read anything quite like this. This is so refreshingly different, but familiar too. I loved the diverse cast of characters. The people and places are so richly described. I feel like I could visit Pebblestow.
The twists and turns keep you reading on and are anything but predicable.
I'm so glad I read this. I suggest you stop reading this review and pick up a copy of your own.
December 11, 2022
Utterly gorgeous. Up there with my favourite reads of the year. Lottie Cardew is a storytelling talent. The unique characters and their relationships with each other, the unconventional romance, the mental health rep, the magic and the language were pure perfection. I downloaded her next book onto my Kindle just a couple of chapters in. Definitely an author for whom the term 'watch this space' was invented!
November 29, 2021
This book was all about Cara and her life present and past and how it affects how she behaves and interacts with her friends. Almost dreamlike in the telling, at times I thought it might be a dream or a fairytale. A sad, sensitively written but ultimately uplifting read.
November 16, 2022
Tremendous
What a fantastically written book. Such a clever idea as well, I was totally engrossed from start to finish. An absolute belter.
What a fantastically written book. Such a clever idea as well, I was totally engrossed from start to finish. An absolute belter.
October 29, 2021
I wasn’t sure what I was expecting when I started reading this, but I was hooked immediately. The story is told first person by Cara who is just lovely and is written in such a way that it is super easy to lose track of time while reading. The story starts at a Christmas market in the start of December and continues through December, but it is so lovely and heartwarming that I think it can be read any time of the year and is bound to make you smile. It’s about friendship, love and finding oneself and being accepted for being different and it has just the right amount of magic! I am not into science fiction or stories that I would not be able to believe, but this story had just the right amount of magic to it to make me feel all warm and tingly and for me to love it.
What to expect:
✅ pure uplifting, heartwarming rom-com
✅ likeable and relatable main character Cara… she loves crafts like crocheting and books!
✅ main character Cara seems a little lost and still trying to figure out her life, not just her love life
✅ good friends, trying to set Cara up with all the best intentions
✅ small village setting with a cute little café owned by Cara’s friend where Cara works
✅ a lovely old lady, Perdita, with whom Cara ends up having a very special heartwarming friendship despite the huge age gap. I wish I had a Pereira in my life!
✅ Loki, a fun Pomeranian that seems like quite the handful!
✅ a love triangle… two guys to pick between
I can’t wait to see what else Lottie Cardew will write!
What to expect:
✅ pure uplifting, heartwarming rom-com
✅ likeable and relatable main character Cara… she loves crafts like crocheting and books!
✅ main character Cara seems a little lost and still trying to figure out her life, not just her love life
✅ good friends, trying to set Cara up with all the best intentions
✅ small village setting with a cute little café owned by Cara’s friend where Cara works
✅ a lovely old lady, Perdita, with whom Cara ends up having a very special heartwarming friendship despite the huge age gap. I wish I had a Pereira in my life!
✅ Loki, a fun Pomeranian that seems like quite the handful!
✅ a love triangle… two guys to pick between
I can’t wait to see what else Lottie Cardew will write!
May 2, 2025
"A Christmas Wish on a Carousel" by Lottie Cardew is a heartwarming holiday romance that captures the magic of Christmas. Set in a cozy, picturesque town, the story follows a young woman named Holly who returns home for the holidays, hoping to find peace and happiness. Amidst the festive decorations and the charm of a carousel, Holly meets someone who changes her life forever. The book is filled with love, joy, and the spirit of Christmas, making it a perfect read for those looking for a lighthearted, feel-good story with a touch of holiday magic.
December 18, 2021
Be careful what you wish for…
Cara Shaw is not what you would call a woman who has ‘made it’ in life. What once started as a job as a nanny for the Pembrokes, now evolved to living at their place in an annexe and doing the odd tasks for her boss JoJo. It’s not because her life is a failure, but her past marked her and now she is known by her friends for self – sabotaging every positive turn. when one night she takes a ride on a carousel and makes a wish, she doesn’t know how that new people will appear, from an elderly woman wearing a pink beret named Perdita (the woman, not the beret) to Greg, a man who her friends think is perfect for Cara, but who doesn’t ignite any fireworks. And then there is moody, enigmatic Wilf, brother of JoJo, who is not only totally off limits, but is carrying his own cross… With Perdita’s good advice, what course will Cara take with her life? And will that wish on the carousel come true, If Cara dares to take that frightening last step?
When I started to read this story, I couldn’t understand Cara… she is a young woman, and her life should be peaking right now. Instead she is living with the Pembrokes, and isn’t even working as a nanny for them. And then I’m not talking about her love life… But the more we got to know her, the more became clearer for me. And where I initially didn’t understand her, I felt sorry for how her life turned out to be.
And when she meets Greg, pushed by her friends, I understood why she would settle for someone like him, when there are absolutely no sparks flying around. I’m not saying that Greg is a bad man, but just not the right man for Cara.
So when Perdita enters the picture, I loved her immediately, even if she has a bit of a mystery around her character. Cara and Perdita quickly befriend each other, and I was truly happy when Perdita was able to let Cara “see the light”. Perdita is also able for Cara opening up more and see her own potential. She is that unexpected friend, but that kind of friend that everyone needs in their life. And Wilf… it’s obvious he is burdened, and tries to keep everyone at distance. And even Cara, even if the attraction is too obvious, and in his case sparks DO fly around! Often Cara and Wilf clash, but you can only fight the attraction until a certain point. And when that point has been reached… No words are needed!
When Wilf’s dark secret is out (and JoJo’s too), I thought “That’s it?”. Not that I diminish it it’s a difficult thing to cope and live with, but maybe in my optimistic view of people, I thought that people would be more accepting and not so judgemental like some in Wilf’s past did… I found this not just a romance, but it goes so much deeper. It’s about seeing yourself, and believing in yourself too. Slowly Cara is finding her place again, and learns what she truly wants from her life and who she wants in it (thanks to Perdita with the letter – trick!). The story is also about difficulties people have to endure and how hard it can be to start all over, full of hope. But no matter what struggles you have in life, the right people by your side are not afraid to stand by your side and make the sometimes difficult journey together. Because the good things waiting for you are so much more rewarding.
The story took a little bit before I found myself completely submerged into it. But like the story itself, it was rewarding to persevere those initial harder chapters. The author grasped perfectly how life can turn around, for the worse, but definitely also for the better. With trusting people by your side, and even with some magical help, life can be beautiful, if you just dare…
Cara Shaw is not what you would call a woman who has ‘made it’ in life. What once started as a job as a nanny for the Pembrokes, now evolved to living at their place in an annexe and doing the odd tasks for her boss JoJo. It’s not because her life is a failure, but her past marked her and now she is known by her friends for self – sabotaging every positive turn. when one night she takes a ride on a carousel and makes a wish, she doesn’t know how that new people will appear, from an elderly woman wearing a pink beret named Perdita (the woman, not the beret) to Greg, a man who her friends think is perfect for Cara, but who doesn’t ignite any fireworks. And then there is moody, enigmatic Wilf, brother of JoJo, who is not only totally off limits, but is carrying his own cross… With Perdita’s good advice, what course will Cara take with her life? And will that wish on the carousel come true, If Cara dares to take that frightening last step?
When I started to read this story, I couldn’t understand Cara… she is a young woman, and her life should be peaking right now. Instead she is living with the Pembrokes, and isn’t even working as a nanny for them. And then I’m not talking about her love life… But the more we got to know her, the more became clearer for me. And where I initially didn’t understand her, I felt sorry for how her life turned out to be.
And when she meets Greg, pushed by her friends, I understood why she would settle for someone like him, when there are absolutely no sparks flying around. I’m not saying that Greg is a bad man, but just not the right man for Cara.
So when Perdita enters the picture, I loved her immediately, even if she has a bit of a mystery around her character. Cara and Perdita quickly befriend each other, and I was truly happy when Perdita was able to let Cara “see the light”. Perdita is also able for Cara opening up more and see her own potential. She is that unexpected friend, but that kind of friend that everyone needs in their life. And Wilf… it’s obvious he is burdened, and tries to keep everyone at distance. And even Cara, even if the attraction is too obvious, and in his case sparks DO fly around! Often Cara and Wilf clash, but you can only fight the attraction until a certain point. And when that point has been reached… No words are needed!
When Wilf’s dark secret is out (and JoJo’s too), I thought “That’s it?”. Not that I diminish it it’s a difficult thing to cope and live with, but maybe in my optimistic view of people, I thought that people would be more accepting and not so judgemental like some in Wilf’s past did… I found this not just a romance, but it goes so much deeper. It’s about seeing yourself, and believing in yourself too. Slowly Cara is finding her place again, and learns what she truly wants from her life and who she wants in it (thanks to Perdita with the letter – trick!). The story is also about difficulties people have to endure and how hard it can be to start all over, full of hope. But no matter what struggles you have in life, the right people by your side are not afraid to stand by your side and make the sometimes difficult journey together. Because the good things waiting for you are so much more rewarding.
The story took a little bit before I found myself completely submerged into it. But like the story itself, it was rewarding to persevere those initial harder chapters. The author grasped perfectly how life can turn around, for the worse, but definitely also for the better. With trusting people by your side, and even with some magical help, life can be beautiful, if you just dare…
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