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Residential-home caterer Connie has had one online-dating disaster too many. Hurt in the past and with her son to consider, now she's feeling hesitant. Then one of Connie's residents sets her up on a date at a beautiful German Christmas market - with the promise she'll take a mini-bus full of pensioners along with her...
Amongst the twinkling lights and smell of warm gingerbread in the old market square, Connie heads off on her date with a checklist of potential partner must-haves. Baker Henrich ticks all the boxes, but when Connie meets Henrich's rival William, she starts to wonder if ticking boxes is the answer.
Will Connie's wish for love this Christmas come true, and if so - with who?
Amongst the twinkling lights and smell of warm gingerbread in the old market square, Connie heads off on her date with a checklist of potential partner must-haves. Baker Henrich ticks all the boxes, but when Connie meets Henrich's rival William, she starts to wonder if ticking boxes is the answer.
Will Connie's wish for love this Christmas come true, and if so - with who?
258 pages, Paperback
First published September 24, 2020
504 people are currently reading
2128 people want to read
About the author
Jo Thomas
60 books532 followershttps://www.facebook.com/pg/JoThomasA...
Hello, I’m Jo Thomas. I write romances about food, love, family and fun and believe every story should have a happy ending. Welcome to my world.
Hello, I’m Jo Thomas. I write romances about food, love, family and fun and believe every story should have a happy ending. Welcome to my world.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 378 reviews
December 18, 2021
Actual rating: 3,5
If you know my reading taste you probably know that Jo Thomas is one of my favourite writers. Ever since I discovered her books my bookish life is somehow... richer.
Finding Love at the Christmas Market served it's purpose and made my life little bit more beautiful at time, and it also made me crave for speculaas and hot chocolate (even though our characters enjoyed gingerbread and hot wine).
Between the beautiful covers there is a Christmas fairytale that reminds of Hallmark movies.
What the author did best the time was how she created the perfect Christmas atmosphere that really transferred me as a reader there, to Christmas Market in Germany (and I still don't know where exactly the book takes place, and I don't know if the author never mentioned it or I just failed to realize) but it also made me reminisce about my Christmas spent in Budapest (which is my favourite city in the world, in case you didn't know).
Although the story was good and the writing was simply amazing, I somehow didn't connect with characters.
I could feel the chemistry between our main character Connie and the one she ended up with, but all the side characters, I just didn't care about, and for some that were important to Connie, I couldn't care less for.
I am sorry because of that, because I know it would make my reading experience so much better.
Overall, I enjoyed this Christmas story and I am looking forward to read Jo Thomas' other books I am behind with.
If you know my reading taste you probably know that Jo Thomas is one of my favourite writers. Ever since I discovered her books my bookish life is somehow... richer.
Finding Love at the Christmas Market served it's purpose and made my life little bit more beautiful at time, and it also made me crave for speculaas and hot chocolate (even though our characters enjoyed gingerbread and hot wine).
Between the beautiful covers there is a Christmas fairytale that reminds of Hallmark movies.
What the author did best the time was how she created the perfect Christmas atmosphere that really transferred me as a reader there, to Christmas Market in Germany (and I still don't know where exactly the book takes place, and I don't know if the author never mentioned it or I just failed to realize) but it also made me reminisce about my Christmas spent in Budapest (which is my favourite city in the world, in case you didn't know).
Although the story was good and the writing was simply amazing, I somehow didn't connect with characters.
I could feel the chemistry between our main character Connie and the one she ended up with, but all the side characters, I just didn't care about, and for some that were important to Connie, I couldn't care less for.
I am sorry because of that, because I know it would make my reading experience so much better.
Overall, I enjoyed this Christmas story and I am looking forward to read Jo Thomas' other books I am behind with.
November 20, 2020
EXCERPT: We reach the end of the narrow street and look out on the market square in front of us. It's like a Christmas card, just as I imagined. A quiet town, with tall half-timbered buildings all around, dark wood beams, tiny windows and very pointy red roofs. There are little chalet-type huts all the way around the square and even a carousel with painted horses and carriages. It's beautiful and so peaceful. It actually brings tears to my eyes. Maybe it's tiredness, but suddenly I'm gripped with fear. Part of me wants to turn around and head home. What if Heinrich is nothing like he is on Messenger? What if . . . what if he isn't like I've imagined him to be? What if this is one big mistake, like last time?
ABOUT 'FINDING LOVE AT THE CHRISTMAS MARKET': Residential-home caterer Connie has had one online-dating disaster too many. Hurt in the past and with her son to consider, now she's feeling hesitant. Then one of Connie's residents sets her up on a date at a beautiful German Christmas market - with the promise she'll take a mini-bus full of pensioners along with her...
Amongst the twinkling lights and smell of warm gingerbread in the old market square, Connie heads off on her date with a checklist of potential partner must-haves. Baker Henrich ticks all the boxes, but when Connie meets Henrich's rival William, she starts to wonder if ticking boxes is the answer.
Will Connie's wish for love this Christmas come true, and if so - with who?
MY THOUGHTS: A lovely simple romantic Christmas read, with no surprises. There were things I liked, and things I didn't . . .
There is a lot of dialogue at the beginning, so I found it very hard to get a sense of the characters. Information is doled out in little parcels throughout the story, but it would have been nice to have a little of it at the start.
The author portrays the old German town beautifully, capturing the atmosphere of the surroundings. Particularly enticing were her descriptions of the food! I could smell the spices, taste the hot chocolate made with real chocolate, not the powder! I was busily looking up recipes as I read. The final publication will have recipes included, but as I read an ARC, this section was blank.
I didn't feel that the author had the same dexterity when it came to the characters. None of the characters seemed particularly real to me. There was the potential for some delightful characters amongst Connie's group, unfortunately it wasn't developed. I couldn't connect with Connie at all. She seemed very immature thinking that after chatting online, and a brief meeting, that she would be engaged to be married. The two contenders for Connie's heart are as different as they could be, diametric opposites in fact even down to their appearance, which didn't work for me. I guessed the outcome from the start, which was more than a little disappointing. I would have liked a little more uncertainty in the outcome, some serious will she/won't she moments. Fritz, the deaf dog, had the biggest character of all
- he was definitely my favourite! This read was a little too sweet and predictable for this cynic.
If you are looking for a sweet, Christmas romance, this will swell your stocking.
⭐⭐⭐.2
#FindingLoveattheChristmasMarket #NetGalley
THE AUTHOR: Hello, I’m Jo Thomas. I write romances about food, love, family and fun and believe every story should have a happy ending. Welcome to my world.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Random House UK, Transworld Publishers, Corgi for providing a digital ARC of Finding Love at the Christmas Market by Jo Thomas for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system, please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram , and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
ABOUT 'FINDING LOVE AT THE CHRISTMAS MARKET': Residential-home caterer Connie has had one online-dating disaster too many. Hurt in the past and with her son to consider, now she's feeling hesitant. Then one of Connie's residents sets her up on a date at a beautiful German Christmas market - with the promise she'll take a mini-bus full of pensioners along with her...
Amongst the twinkling lights and smell of warm gingerbread in the old market square, Connie heads off on her date with a checklist of potential partner must-haves. Baker Henrich ticks all the boxes, but when Connie meets Henrich's rival William, she starts to wonder if ticking boxes is the answer.
Will Connie's wish for love this Christmas come true, and if so - with who?
MY THOUGHTS: A lovely simple romantic Christmas read, with no surprises. There were things I liked, and things I didn't . . .
There is a lot of dialogue at the beginning, so I found it very hard to get a sense of the characters. Information is doled out in little parcels throughout the story, but it would have been nice to have a little of it at the start.
The author portrays the old German town beautifully, capturing the atmosphere of the surroundings. Particularly enticing were her descriptions of the food! I could smell the spices, taste the hot chocolate made with real chocolate, not the powder! I was busily looking up recipes as I read. The final publication will have recipes included, but as I read an ARC, this section was blank.
I didn't feel that the author had the same dexterity when it came to the characters. None of the characters seemed particularly real to me. There was the potential for some delightful characters amongst Connie's group, unfortunately it wasn't developed. I couldn't connect with Connie at all. She seemed very immature thinking that after chatting online, and a brief meeting, that she would be engaged to be married. The two contenders for Connie's heart are as different as they could be, diametric opposites in fact even down to their appearance, which didn't work for me. I guessed the outcome from the start, which was more than a little disappointing. I would have liked a little more uncertainty in the outcome, some serious will she/won't she moments. Fritz, the deaf dog, had the biggest character of all
- he was definitely my favourite! This read was a little too sweet and predictable for this cynic.
If you are looking for a sweet, Christmas romance, this will swell your stocking.
⭐⭐⭐.2
#FindingLoveattheChristmasMarket #NetGalley
THE AUTHOR: Hello, I’m Jo Thomas. I write romances about food, love, family and fun and believe every story should have a happy ending. Welcome to my world.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Random House UK, Transworld Publishers, Corgi for providing a digital ARC of Finding Love at the Christmas Market by Jo Thomas for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system, please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram , and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
November 12, 2020
This is the perfect romantic novel to read at Christmas to warm your heart. It's not just about a middle aged single mother looking for and maybe finding love at Christmas but a whole group of elderly people who for various reasons hate Christmas, refinding the love and magic of Christmas.
Single mother Connie has come to know the group of elderly residents in the Lavender Hill retirement flats in England through her job delivering prepackaged meals to them. She also makes cakes for them and always has time to stop for a chat or a cup of tea. Sadly one of their much loved residents has died, requesting that her ashes be scattered at one of the Christmas markets she loved so much as a child and Connie is driving the whole group to Germany in a minibus.
Connie has her own reasons for going to Germany. She has met a lovely German man through on-line dating and has decided to meet him to see if he ticks all her boxes and could be the one she is looking for. He runs a large modern bakery in Germany and as Connie loves baking this could be a good fit for her and as her son who recently started University will be away snowboarding with his girlfriend over Christmas she hasn't been looking forward to Christmas on her own. Most of her group of elderly people also don't enjoy Christmas anymore and miss the warm family Christmases of their younger years.
After checking into their guesthouse in the old part of town Connie and the group find the most delightful Christmas market right outside their door but learn that this this may be its last year as the bigger, flashier market in the new town with fun park rides and modern music is now more popular. To have a future, the owner of the charming little bakery in the old town will need to win the prize money for baking the best cake. Connie's group decide to make this a great Christmas experience by listing all the things they love about Christmas and attempting to fit them all in.
The gorgeous cosy atmosphere of the market in the old town, with the spicy scents and taste of the food and drink for sale, really does bring back the memory of some wonderful Christmas markets I've visited in Europe. I loved the way the elderly visitors rekindled all their memories of happy Christmases spent with their families and wholeheartedly through themselves into every activity. Connie's love of baking also helps to reignite her love of Christmas when she gets to make gingerbread and may just help her to find love and a little bit of magic at the Christmas market.
With thanks to Random House and Netgalley for a copy to read
Single mother Connie has come to know the group of elderly residents in the Lavender Hill retirement flats in England through her job delivering prepackaged meals to them. She also makes cakes for them and always has time to stop for a chat or a cup of tea. Sadly one of their much loved residents has died, requesting that her ashes be scattered at one of the Christmas markets she loved so much as a child and Connie is driving the whole group to Germany in a minibus.
Connie has her own reasons for going to Germany. She has met a lovely German man through on-line dating and has decided to meet him to see if he ticks all her boxes and could be the one she is looking for. He runs a large modern bakery in Germany and as Connie loves baking this could be a good fit for her and as her son who recently started University will be away snowboarding with his girlfriend over Christmas she hasn't been looking forward to Christmas on her own. Most of her group of elderly people also don't enjoy Christmas anymore and miss the warm family Christmases of their younger years.
After checking into their guesthouse in the old part of town Connie and the group find the most delightful Christmas market right outside their door but learn that this this may be its last year as the bigger, flashier market in the new town with fun park rides and modern music is now more popular. To have a future, the owner of the charming little bakery in the old town will need to win the prize money for baking the best cake. Connie's group decide to make this a great Christmas experience by listing all the things they love about Christmas and attempting to fit them all in.
The gorgeous cosy atmosphere of the market in the old town, with the spicy scents and taste of the food and drink for sale, really does bring back the memory of some wonderful Christmas markets I've visited in Europe. I loved the way the elderly visitors rekindled all their memories of happy Christmases spent with their families and wholeheartedly through themselves into every activity. Connie's love of baking also helps to reignite her love of Christmas when she gets to make gingerbread and may just help her to find love and a little bit of magic at the Christmas market.
With thanks to Random House and Netgalley for a copy to read
September 30, 2020
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review."
This was my first experience with the author, and it was a good one. I would definitely read more of her work. Finding Love at the Christmas Market delivered a feel good and humorous Christmas story. It reminded so much of Hallmark Christmas movies.
In this warm-hearted story we meet Connie, who has been unsuccessful in finding love. She had given upon the whole idea after her last attempt left her penniless. However, when one of her senior citizen customers set up an online dating profile for her, she believes she may have found the one. So, to ensure Heinrich checks all her boxes, she sets out on a trip, along with her friends from the retirement home, to Germany. Then she meets Heinrich’s rival, William, who has her reconsidering her need for a list.
Connie displayed all the anxieties that came with meeting someone whom you have been corresponding with online for the first time. I found her annoying as her actions reeked of desperation and she behaved like a teenager. She didn’t behave like a forty something divorcee with a son was in college.
I instantly disliked Heinrich upon meeting him. Stuffy, boring, selfish and passionless. Everything aspect of his life had to be planned, even the intimate moments.William is the polar opposite. However, he is facing financial and family issues and was not looking for a relationship, but fate had other plans.
I loved how the senior citizens brought humour to the story with their antics and witty remarks. I loved the relationship which existed between them and Connie. They were like one big family.
I enjoyed the setting and the vivid descriptions of the market and the variety of baked goods. I now have a desire to experience Christmas in Germany. The author made it all sounds so delightful.
Unfortunately, the romance did not live up to my expectations. It was ok, but I hoped for more development, which would have made it believable.
Conclusion/Recommendation
Overall, Finding Love at the Christmas Market delivered a heart-warming Christmas story. Fans of festive reads would enjoy this delightful story.
This was my first experience with the author, and it was a good one. I would definitely read more of her work. Finding Love at the Christmas Market delivered a feel good and humorous Christmas story. It reminded so much of Hallmark Christmas movies.
In this warm-hearted story we meet Connie, who has been unsuccessful in finding love. She had given upon the whole idea after her last attempt left her penniless. However, when one of her senior citizen customers set up an online dating profile for her, she believes she may have found the one. So, to ensure Heinrich checks all her boxes, she sets out on a trip, along with her friends from the retirement home, to Germany. Then she meets Heinrich’s rival, William, who has her reconsidering her need for a list.
Connie displayed all the anxieties that came with meeting someone whom you have been corresponding with online for the first time. I found her annoying as her actions reeked of desperation and she behaved like a teenager. She didn’t behave like a forty something divorcee with a son was in college.
I instantly disliked Heinrich upon meeting him. Stuffy, boring, selfish and passionless. Everything aspect of his life had to be planned, even the intimate moments.William is the polar opposite. However, he is facing financial and family issues and was not looking for a relationship, but fate had other plans.
I loved how the senior citizens brought humour to the story with their antics and witty remarks. I loved the relationship which existed between them and Connie. They were like one big family.
I enjoyed the setting and the vivid descriptions of the market and the variety of baked goods. I now have a desire to experience Christmas in Germany. The author made it all sounds so delightful.
Unfortunately, the romance did not live up to my expectations. It was ok, but I hoped for more development, which would have made it believable.
Conclusion/Recommendation
Overall, Finding Love at the Christmas Market delivered a heart-warming Christmas story. Fans of festive reads would enjoy this delightful story.
August 24, 2020
Now that is what I call a Christmas book. I've just devoured this wonderful festive story, in 33 degree heat in Malta, and now want to go around wishing everyone a merry Christmas.
This is a book that just oozes festive feeling, and I love how it's also allowed a group of pensioners to rediscover their love of Christmas too.
Between two German Christmas markets, two very different German men, a deaf dog, Christmas jumpers, a donkey, gingerbread, singing, dancing and a big bake off between the two towns you have all the ingredients and more for a fabulous festive book.
I had such a great sense of place from this story, and I adored all the characters. This has all the heart and love I've come to expect from a Jo Thomas novel, and so much more besides.
This will easily be one of my favourite Christmas books of the year. I could have kept reading it for so much longer had i not run out of pages.
Read in one sitting over about 3 hours this transported me to the German Christmas markets, made me remember my own visit to them, and generally had me grinning like a loon throughout.
If you read one book this Christmas then make it this one!
Thank you to Transworld and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
This is a book that just oozes festive feeling, and I love how it's also allowed a group of pensioners to rediscover their love of Christmas too.
Between two German Christmas markets, two very different German men, a deaf dog, Christmas jumpers, a donkey, gingerbread, singing, dancing and a big bake off between the two towns you have all the ingredients and more for a fabulous festive book.
I had such a great sense of place from this story, and I adored all the characters. This has all the heart and love I've come to expect from a Jo Thomas novel, and so much more besides.
This will easily be one of my favourite Christmas books of the year. I could have kept reading it for so much longer had i not run out of pages.
Read in one sitting over about 3 hours this transported me to the German Christmas markets, made me remember my own visit to them, and generally had me grinning like a loon throughout.
If you read one book this Christmas then make it this one!
Thank you to Transworld and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
August 11, 2020
A brilliant book by author Jo Thomas. She never failed to make me happy. Her words in the book filled me with the goodness of love, and the descriptions transported me right into the middle of the German market.
Connie was unsuccessful in finding love. Supported by her elderly friends she decided to meet up the new love interest in Germany. All the seniors too joined her.
Worderfully warm characters, a sweet plait, this book was a light delightful read, just appropriate in the present times.
Jo Thomas' books are the best therapy to make me happy
Connie was unsuccessful in finding love. Supported by her elderly friends she decided to meet up the new love interest in Germany. All the seniors too joined her.
Worderfully warm characters, a sweet plait, this book was a light delightful read, just appropriate in the present times.
Jo Thomas' books are the best therapy to make me happy
November 25, 2025
Finding Love at the Christmas Market<\b>
3✨
3✨
December 27, 2023
Taaskord üks nunnu armastust täis jõuluraamat. Mu meelest oli see üks väga kiire lugemine ja lihtne ka. Samas aga ega ta väga eredat mälestust mulle ei jätnud ja no taaskord - lõpptulemus on nagunii teada.
Ma mõtlen, et isegi kui mulle peategelanna nimekirjade koostamine kohtamiseks veider tundub, siis tema jaoks oli see toimetulekumehhanism, sest ta oli varasemalt väga valusasti kõrvetada saanud. Küll aga ma on mul ka hea meel, et selle n-ö tõelise armastuse nimel oli ta siiski valmis oma nimekirjast mööda vaatama.
Ma olen märganud, et mul on täielik nõrkus raamatutes pensionäride vastu 😀 Siin ka kogu see kamp oli nii äge ja neist kõige vingem oli Pearl, kes olgugi et utsitas Conniet ühe mehega kohtuma, oli siiski vist esimene, kes aru sai, et Connie süda hoopis teises suunas kisub.
Siin raamatu lõpus olid retseptid! See on note mulle endale ka, et kui ma peaks tahtma küpsetada näiteks siin raamatus mainitud “tõelist” Saksa piparkooki - lebkuchen - siis siit saab retsepti.
Vahelduseks oli päris tore lugeda midagi, mille tegevus ei toimu ei Suurbritannias ega ka USAs, vaid selles siin hoopis Saksamaal.
Ma mõtlen, et isegi kui mulle peategelanna nimekirjade koostamine kohtamiseks veider tundub, siis tema jaoks oli see toimetulekumehhanism, sest ta oli varasemalt väga valusasti kõrvetada saanud. Küll aga ma on mul ka hea meel, et selle n-ö tõelise armastuse nimel oli ta siiski valmis oma nimekirjast mööda vaatama.
Ma olen märganud, et mul on täielik nõrkus raamatutes pensionäride vastu 😀 Siin ka kogu see kamp oli nii äge ja neist kõige vingem oli Pearl, kes olgugi et utsitas Conniet ühe mehega kohtuma, oli siiski vist esimene, kes aru sai, et Connie süda hoopis teises suunas kisub.
Siin raamatu lõpus olid retseptid! See on note mulle endale ka, et kui ma peaks tahtma küpsetada näiteks siin raamatus mainitud “tõelist” Saksa piparkooki - lebkuchen - siis siit saab retsepti.
Vahelduseks oli päris tore lugeda midagi, mille tegevus ei toimu ei Suurbritannias ega ka USAs, vaid selles siin hoopis Saksamaal.
November 2, 2020
This book follows the journey of Connie, a single mum, and her elderly friends to Germany to meet with a date.
Connie is hesitant about online dating after a few unforgettable disasters and decides to follow a check-list of potential partner must-haves so as to avoid any mistakes. Baker Henrich ticks all the boxes, but when Connie meets Henrich's rival William, she starts to wonder if ticking boxes is the answer.
This is a heartwarming story with such lovable characters. You can easily lose yourself in Connie’s journey and learn a lot of lessons about life. Sometimes everything that seems perfect might not actually be real and honest.
Life isn’t all about ticking the right boxes, it’s also about the unexpected events that we are unprepared for, which makes the journey more fun and worthwhile.
The description of the Christmas markets, twinkling lights, hot chocolate, the gingerbread and cakes, are all the elements to make it a great festive read.
Thank You to NetGalley and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers for this ARC!
Connie is hesitant about online dating after a few unforgettable disasters and decides to follow a check-list of potential partner must-haves so as to avoid any mistakes. Baker Henrich ticks all the boxes, but when Connie meets Henrich's rival William, she starts to wonder if ticking boxes is the answer.
This is a heartwarming story with such lovable characters. You can easily lose yourself in Connie’s journey and learn a lot of lessons about life. Sometimes everything that seems perfect might not actually be real and honest.
Life isn’t all about ticking the right boxes, it’s also about the unexpected events that we are unprepared for, which makes the journey more fun and worthwhile.
The description of the Christmas markets, twinkling lights, hot chocolate, the gingerbread and cakes, are all the elements to make it a great festive read.
Thank You to NetGalley and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers for this ARC!
July 12, 2021
Another Christmas in July read. A very heart warming story. Loved it.
August 19, 2020
What is your Christmas wish? Such a simple but poignant question. This is the question running throughout this book, the answers are so heartfelt and moving, and all revealing a beautiful Christmas memory of love and belonging.
One of the things I loved most about this book is that even though the main premise of the book is Connie and finding love again, it’s the beautiful friendships of all her ‘pensioner’ friends. Society and family have pushed them to get be side and told them they are too old and insignificant for anything, but through a little Christmas magic they discover they have so much life still in them, and they still know their own minds. Together they are a strong and formidable group. They even managed their own little romance too.
The descriptions of the markets were stunning and I really felt I was there joining in the festivities. The view from the bridge looking at Old Town and New Town, amongst the swirling snow was beautiful.
William and Connie were perfect for each other and the bakery, decorated in gingerbread hearts was beautifully described and reminded me of an image of a Christmas chocolate box. Christmas perfection.
One of the things I loved most about this book is that even though the main premise of the book is Connie and finding love again, it’s the beautiful friendships of all her ‘pensioner’ friends. Society and family have pushed them to get be side and told them they are too old and insignificant for anything, but through a little Christmas magic they discover they have so much life still in them, and they still know their own minds. Together they are a strong and formidable group. They even managed their own little romance too.
The descriptions of the markets were stunning and I really felt I was there joining in the festivities. The view from the bridge looking at Old Town and New Town, amongst the swirling snow was beautiful.
William and Connie were perfect for each other and the bakery, decorated in gingerbread hearts was beautifully described and reminded me of an image of a Christmas chocolate box. Christmas perfection.
September 24, 2020
Take a pinch of loneliness and add a dash of sadness. Mix with some German Christmas Market magic and stir in some sweet smelling gingerbread. The result is this feelgood book about a gentle romance set in a Winter Wonderland.
Yes, Connie is annoying at times, and we can all see how the plot will develop, but Jo creates some wonderful rounded characters that we love to love and hate, and who doesn't want a happy ending at Christmas?
Thank you Jo and Pigeonhole, you've put me in the Christmas mood.
Yes, Connie is annoying at times, and we can all see how the plot will develop, but Jo creates some wonderful rounded characters that we love to love and hate, and who doesn't want a happy ending at Christmas?
Thank you Jo and Pigeonhole, you've put me in the Christmas mood.
November 27, 2020
After becoming single Connie doesn’t want to take chances with her heart and starts her online dating search with a tick list of requirements, leading her to Germany.
Taking the group of pensioners she has made friends with through work, they embark on a Christmas visit to Germany. Connie and the group of pensioners throw themselves into the Christmas scene of the markets, the nativity, ice skating and fulfilling each of their own Christmas wishes.
Meeting Heinrich her online date in person is daunting for Connie as they embark on finding out if they are the perfect fit...until she meets William.
When you learn that life and love is not simply a check list that goes to plan, only then do you feel love. With the snow falling will Connie get her christmas wish.
Light, easy read, despite guessing the ending I did enjoy it.
Taking the group of pensioners she has made friends with through work, they embark on a Christmas visit to Germany. Connie and the group of pensioners throw themselves into the Christmas scene of the markets, the nativity, ice skating and fulfilling each of their own Christmas wishes.
Meeting Heinrich her online date in person is daunting for Connie as they embark on finding out if they are the perfect fit...until she meets William.
When you learn that life and love is not simply a check list that goes to plan, only then do you feel love. With the snow falling will Connie get her christmas wish.
Light, easy read, despite guessing the ending I did enjoy it.
November 15, 2020
I found this to be a delightful festive read with a touch of magical romance. A wonderful read full of interesting characters, I absolutely adored the pensioners so much , the author’s writing style was wonderful really made you feel like you were there. Overall, a wonderful festive read
December 9, 2021
I wanted Hallmark style cheesy Christmas romance. I got Hallmark style cheesy Christmas romance. Flat, unbelievable characters - who cares? I'm in a German bakery at a Christmas Market and having a blumming good time.
June 24, 2022
pwp but instead of porn without plot it's plot without plot
November 30, 2020
Three and a half stars.
Connie is a divorced single mother of a college-age son. She delivers sub-standard meals on wheels for her employer to the residents of a care home for the elderly, supplemented by her home baking. She has been dating half-heartedly but has been conned out of her life savings by a man who ghosted her. Then one of the residents signs her up to online dating and Connie has been messaging a man called Heinrich who lives in Germany.
When her son announces that he is spending Christmas with his new girlfriend and her family skiing, Connie agrees to drive the care home residents to Germany to scatter the ashes of one of their friends at a Christmas market, they suggest combining the trip with a visit to meet Heinrich.
This book was a slow burn for me. I requested an ARC when I was in a festive mood but then didn't really engage with the interfering old people and found Connie to be a rather unbelievable 41 year old woman, too naïve and keeping a checklist of admirable qualities in a date just because her son told her to! But once the group reached Germany and the charming Christmas market the book began to pick up pace.
Overall, I did enjoy reading this but I would definitely place this in the Hallmark Christmas movie category. No-one ends up alone or unhappy, everything is resolved with a little bit of Christmas cheer. Recommended to read while sitting in front of a log fire, eating mince pies and drinking hot chocolate. If that sounds like your worst nightmare I would suggest avoiding this book.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley.
Connie is a divorced single mother of a college-age son. She delivers sub-standard meals on wheels for her employer to the residents of a care home for the elderly, supplemented by her home baking. She has been dating half-heartedly but has been conned out of her life savings by a man who ghosted her. Then one of the residents signs her up to online dating and Connie has been messaging a man called Heinrich who lives in Germany.
When her son announces that he is spending Christmas with his new girlfriend and her family skiing, Connie agrees to drive the care home residents to Germany to scatter the ashes of one of their friends at a Christmas market, they suggest combining the trip with a visit to meet Heinrich.
This book was a slow burn for me. I requested an ARC when I was in a festive mood but then didn't really engage with the interfering old people and found Connie to be a rather unbelievable 41 year old woman, too naïve and keeping a checklist of admirable qualities in a date just because her son told her to! But once the group reached Germany and the charming Christmas market the book began to pick up pace.
Overall, I did enjoy reading this but I would definitely place this in the Hallmark Christmas movie category. No-one ends up alone or unhappy, everything is resolved with a little bit of Christmas cheer. Recommended to read while sitting in front of a log fire, eating mince pies and drinking hot chocolate. If that sounds like your worst nightmare I would suggest avoiding this book.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley.
January 8, 2023
3.9 ⭐
A minha querida amiga Rita recomentou-me este livro super mimoso e acho que com ele dou por terminado os livros do espírito natalício, mas acho que foi uma ótima forma de terminar com os livros temáticos de natal. Achei a história super fofa e muito encantadora e pronta para me encher novamente do espírito natalício. O que é que este livro tem:
1. PASSA-SE NA ALEMANHA!
É super interessante este ponto porque achei que super diferente o facto da Connie e os seus amigos irem todos juntos para fora do Reino Unido e fossem para uma cidade na Alemanha! Tornou o livro inovador e diferente, por não ser numa cidade assim que fosse muito usada.
2. A CONNIE VAI EM BUSCA DO AMOR!
E a melhor parte é que os amigos vão atrás! Connie anda a falar com este rapaz, o Heinrich, há meses através das aplicações de encontros e decidem finalmente encontrar-se. Ela e os amigos são vizinhos e recentemente perderam uma grande amiga que afirmava que os mercados de natal da cidade na Alemanha eram perfeitos e que transportavam as pessoas para momentos mágicos e felizes. Desta forma, os dois acontecimentos levaram a que os amigos fossem com ela para a Alemanha! Assim sabiam que ela estava bem, mas também conseguiam depositar as cinzas da amiga no local que ela gostaria.
3. OLD TOWN VS. NEW TOWN!
É aquele bocado de filme natalício que gostamos sempre de ver. Agora estamos a torcer por quem? A Connie e os amigos estão a passar a sua estadia de uma semana na Old Town, mas o Heinrich é da New Town! Ficamos logo a saber que existe uma grande tensão entre as duas, mas especial entre o Heinrich e o William.
4. HEINRICH VS. WILLIAM
Este confronto é real. Especialmente porque durante a época natalícia, que também corresponde ao final da estadia de Connie, temos a competição de pastelaria! O grande fundador adorava o espírito natalício e portanto tinha criado aquela competição de forma a conseguir ajudar as duas cidades. Basicamente, era uma forma de cada parte receber um rendimento anual que os ajudava bastante.
5. OS AMIGOS DA CONNIE!
Eles são fantásticos. Adorei-os desde o início. Acho que nunca vi pessoas tão partidas emocionalmente e a quererem tanto ter algo que os puxasse para cima. Acho que esta viagem ajudou-os imenso para conseguirmos ver mesmo o que a vida lhes tinha para oferecer.
6. HEINRICH.
Se ele tivesse engolido um pau de uma vassoura, acho que tinha ficado ainda mais in character. Confesso que por momentos achei que ele era totalmente um sociopata. Achei que era impossível ele querer avançar tão depressa, mesmo que estivessem a falar durante meses. Eles apenas se conheciam pessoalmente por uma semana (menos, porque só quando ela ia embora é que fez uma semana).
7. WILLIAM!
Adorei-o desde o primeiro momento e para mim sempre que aparecia e tínhamos momenos entre ele e a Connie senti que era tudo em slow motion, para apreciar ainda mais tudo o que acontecia em volta deles os dois. Até as mensagens sobre gingerbread era algo que eu estava sempre à espera de ver.
8. CONNIE.
Adorei o quanto ela gostava de fazer listas. Adorei o quanto isso era importante para ela e o quanto isso a ajudava a avançar na sua vida.
9. FOI TUDO NUMA SEMANA!
A história foi boa e achei-a muito fofa. Contudo, não posso deixar de salientar que tudo aconteceu durante uma semana em que basicamente a nossa Connie ia ter os seus encontros com o Heinrich e iria ponderar se a relação iria para algo mais, de forma a experimentar uma relação à distância. A história da Connie tomou um outro rumo e apesar de ter gostado mais dele, achei-o também um tanto rápido.
10. MERCADO DE NATAL!
A magia toda que estava neste local foi simplesmente maravilhoso. Foi lindo, lindo.
Acho que é um livro super amoros e fantástico para as épocas festivas.
A minha querida amiga Rita recomentou-me este livro super mimoso e acho que com ele dou por terminado os livros do espírito natalício, mas acho que foi uma ótima forma de terminar com os livros temáticos de natal. Achei a história super fofa e muito encantadora e pronta para me encher novamente do espírito natalício. O que é que este livro tem:
1. PASSA-SE NA ALEMANHA!
É super interessante este ponto porque achei que super diferente o facto da Connie e os seus amigos irem todos juntos para fora do Reino Unido e fossem para uma cidade na Alemanha! Tornou o livro inovador e diferente, por não ser numa cidade assim que fosse muito usada.
2. A CONNIE VAI EM BUSCA DO AMOR!
E a melhor parte é que os amigos vão atrás! Connie anda a falar com este rapaz, o Heinrich, há meses através das aplicações de encontros e decidem finalmente encontrar-se. Ela e os amigos são vizinhos e recentemente perderam uma grande amiga que afirmava que os mercados de natal da cidade na Alemanha eram perfeitos e que transportavam as pessoas para momentos mágicos e felizes. Desta forma, os dois acontecimentos levaram a que os amigos fossem com ela para a Alemanha! Assim sabiam que ela estava bem, mas também conseguiam depositar as cinzas da amiga no local que ela gostaria.
3. OLD TOWN VS. NEW TOWN!
É aquele bocado de filme natalício que gostamos sempre de ver. Agora estamos a torcer por quem? A Connie e os amigos estão a passar a sua estadia de uma semana na Old Town, mas o Heinrich é da New Town! Ficamos logo a saber que existe uma grande tensão entre as duas, mas especial entre o Heinrich e o William.
4. HEINRICH VS. WILLIAM
Este confronto é real. Especialmente porque durante a época natalícia, que também corresponde ao final da estadia de Connie, temos a competição de pastelaria! O grande fundador adorava o espírito natalício e portanto tinha criado aquela competição de forma a conseguir ajudar as duas cidades. Basicamente, era uma forma de cada parte receber um rendimento anual que os ajudava bastante.
5. OS AMIGOS DA CONNIE!
Eles são fantásticos. Adorei-os desde o início. Acho que nunca vi pessoas tão partidas emocionalmente e a quererem tanto ter algo que os puxasse para cima. Acho que esta viagem ajudou-os imenso para conseguirmos ver mesmo o que a vida lhes tinha para oferecer.
6. HEINRICH.
Se ele tivesse engolido um pau de uma vassoura, acho que tinha ficado ainda mais in character. Confesso que por momentos achei que ele era totalmente um sociopata. Achei que era impossível ele querer avançar tão depressa, mesmo que estivessem a falar durante meses. Eles apenas se conheciam pessoalmente por uma semana (menos, porque só quando ela ia embora é que fez uma semana).
7. WILLIAM!
Adorei-o desde o primeiro momento e para mim sempre que aparecia e tínhamos momenos entre ele e a Connie senti que era tudo em slow motion, para apreciar ainda mais tudo o que acontecia em volta deles os dois. Até as mensagens sobre gingerbread era algo que eu estava sempre à espera de ver.
8. CONNIE.
Adorei o quanto ela gostava de fazer listas. Adorei o quanto isso era importante para ela e o quanto isso a ajudava a avançar na sua vida.
9. FOI TUDO NUMA SEMANA!
A história foi boa e achei-a muito fofa. Contudo, não posso deixar de salientar que tudo aconteceu durante uma semana em que basicamente a nossa Connie ia ter os seus encontros com o Heinrich e iria ponderar se a relação iria para algo mais, de forma a experimentar uma relação à distância. A história da Connie tomou um outro rumo e apesar de ter gostado mais dele, achei-o também um tanto rápido.
10. MERCADO DE NATAL!
A magia toda que estava neste local foi simplesmente maravilhoso. Foi lindo, lindo.
Acho que é um livro super amoros e fantástico para as épocas festivas.
October 10, 2020
I read Finding Love at the Christmas Market by Jo Thomas in staves with other Pigeonholers as part of a group.
A caterer for residential flats, single Connie has suffered many on-line dating disasters and doesn't want another. One of her residents, Pearl organises a trip to a German Christmas market to scatter the ashes of a friend who has recently died and who regularly visited there. Connie, who has an ulterior motive, promises she'll drive a mini-bus full of pensioners over. She has an on-line German friend, Heinrich who might be 'the one', provided he ticks all the boxes on her checklist. But she hasn't bargained for the possibility of another potential beau lurking among the gingerbread and Stollen...
Finding Love at the Christmas Market was a wonderful, spellbinding cosy Christmas story. The writing style of Jo Thomas was right up my street and her descriptions of the Old and New Towns were a real treat. She portrayed the setting perfectly and I could easily imagine ice skating on the rink, tasting the scrumptious sounding gingerbread, and sampling a delectable hot chocolate or two. Pearl and her cronies from Lavender Hill residential flats were an absolute scream with their funnies, witticisms and reflections. This was an uplifting and enchanting read that was immensely enjoyable and the talented Jo Thomas created an escapist story full of nuanced characters that I cared for, resulting in me being completely riveted to the festive tale.
A magical and very worthwhile yuletide read.
A special thank you to Random House UK, Transworld Publishers/ Corgi, Jo Thomas, NetGalley and Pigeonhole for a complimentary copy of this novel at my request. This review is my unbiased opinion.
A caterer for residential flats, single Connie has suffered many on-line dating disasters and doesn't want another. One of her residents, Pearl organises a trip to a German Christmas market to scatter the ashes of a friend who has recently died and who regularly visited there. Connie, who has an ulterior motive, promises she'll drive a mini-bus full of pensioners over. She has an on-line German friend, Heinrich who might be 'the one', provided he ticks all the boxes on her checklist. But she hasn't bargained for the possibility of another potential beau lurking among the gingerbread and Stollen...
Finding Love at the Christmas Market was a wonderful, spellbinding cosy Christmas story. The writing style of Jo Thomas was right up my street and her descriptions of the Old and New Towns were a real treat. She portrayed the setting perfectly and I could easily imagine ice skating on the rink, tasting the scrumptious sounding gingerbread, and sampling a delectable hot chocolate or two. Pearl and her cronies from Lavender Hill residential flats were an absolute scream with their funnies, witticisms and reflections. This was an uplifting and enchanting read that was immensely enjoyable and the talented Jo Thomas created an escapist story full of nuanced characters that I cared for, resulting in me being completely riveted to the festive tale.
A magical and very worthwhile yuletide read.
A special thank you to Random House UK, Transworld Publishers/ Corgi, Jo Thomas, NetGalley and Pigeonhole for a complimentary copy of this novel at my request. This review is my unbiased opinion.
August 22, 2020
I love this author and this book was fantastic from the first page and the characters were brilliant along with the story plot. It’s full of romance and travelling and friendship and such a magical read and so warm and you will get sucked into the story straight away.
Connie who is a residential home caterer has had to many failed romances and decides she has to consider her son but one of the residents sets her up on a date at a German Christmas market but she has to promise to take a mini bus of pensioners with her. They head off in the mini bus and when they get there she has a check lists of what she wants in a partner and the market has twinkling lights and smells of gingerbread but she meets her date hendrich who rocks all the boxes but then she meets his rival William and she wonders if he ones tick all the boxes but who will she go for and will she come home with her residents single or will she choose the right person. Will they have fun in Germany and be happy coming home or will they come home and have to work things out and will it be to late or not.
Perfect read and worth far more than five stars.
Connie who is a residential home caterer has had to many failed romances and decides she has to consider her son but one of the residents sets her up on a date at a German Christmas market but she has to promise to take a mini bus of pensioners with her. They head off in the mini bus and when they get there she has a check lists of what she wants in a partner and the market has twinkling lights and smells of gingerbread but she meets her date hendrich who rocks all the boxes but then she meets his rival William and she wonders if he ones tick all the boxes but who will she go for and will she come home with her residents single or will she choose the right person. Will they have fun in Germany and be happy coming home or will they come home and have to work things out and will it be to late or not.
Perfect read and worth far more than five stars.
August 20, 2020
Another gorgeous love story from the author of Escape to the French Farmhouse. Jo Thomas's books always evoke the lovely sight and smells of their setting. Instead of lavender and new-mown hay, this time it's gingerbread, spices and twinkling shop lights in a small German town. When kind-hearted Connie takes a few elderly but sprightly friends for a 'down memory lane' Christmas break, she doesn't expect to have a choice of two handsome men to fall in love with. William and Heinrich are rival bakers. Heinrich has a modern factory bakery, while William's is a small, traditional one in the Old Town. Both are desperate to win the annual Christmas cake competition, which will give great kudos to their particular part of town. While the oldies each start ticking off their special Christmas wishes, Connie tries to sort out her love life. A lovely, heart-warming story full of Christmas cheer. Love a book with added recipes!
December 15, 2020
3.5
Exactly what I expected and wanted from a Christmas book: festive, predictable, light and a "everyone is happy" finale. Cute.
Exactly what I expected and wanted from a Christmas book: festive, predictable, light and a "everyone is happy" finale. Cute.
December 13, 2020
No doubt about it, there has been such a wealth of fabulous Christmas books published this year and from the ones that I have read there has not been one so far that I didn’t thoroughly enjoy. We need some festive cheer now more than ever after the year we have all endured and Jo Thomas provides this in spades in her new Christmas book Finding Love at the Christmas Market. This book just screams out make me into a Christmas film as soon as possible. It was just brilliant from start to finish and although I was sat on my sofa reading this, I truly felt like I was transported to a stunning Christmas market.
The descriptions throughout of every aspect of the markets were just fantastic and mouth-watering with so many delicious foods and fun activities on offer. The best way of describing this book is that it’s like a Christmas fairytale with a feeling of good versus evil as the Old Town battles to win the Christmas competition which they have not won for 10 years. This is an exciting and engrossing read with lots of Christmas sparkle, magic and delights with of course some romance added to the mixture for good measure.
Not one negative can I find about this book, not that I was really looking that hard as I was really enjoying reading about the escapades of Connie and the residents of the Lavender Hill retirement flats. Immediately we are thrown straight into the action as Connie is navigating her way down the motorway in a mini bus with the aim of catching a ferry to the continent, the final destination being a German Christmas market. The aim of what will turn out to be such a memorable trip is to scatter their friend Elsie’s ashes and Connie being the youngest and perhaps most steady is the chosen leader. She provides the meals to the residents on a daily basis run by a local catering company but really they are not up to much and Connie would one day love to have her own catering business rather than work for one.
The cast of characters we are introduced to in the first few chapters are hilarious and I could just picture them all crammed into the minibus eager to get going on this adventure that would be such a change for them all and which would bring such excitement. To be honest I don’t really think they knew what they were letting themselves in for but they were all along for the ride and would soon throw themselves at any new and unusual experience that came their way. Of which there were many. Pearl, Norman, Maeve, Alice, Ron, John, Diana and Graham make up the group alongside Connie but I will leave you to read for yourselves to discover more about their stories and their own personal reasons for going on the trip. But I will say recreating their own Christmas memories list at the markets was just such a wonderful added touch that brought such a smile to my face and of course plenty of well needed laughs too.
Connie has an ulterior motive for bringing her motley crew to the markets. For weeks she has been messaging a man whom she met on a dating website, she feels such a connection to Heinrich and really feels that he could be the one after having such a disastrous love life since her husband left her. Recipes and lists have kept her sane since the departure of her husband and she has written a checklist when it comes to men and so far Heinrich seems to be ticking all the criteria fairly well. She is desperate to meet him to see will the final pieces fall into place and whether her list will be completed once she sets eyes on him? That all consuming love she can feel is within her grasp.
She has five days to make all her dreams come true. To be honest I thought she rushed into things at such a frighteningly quick pace because she craved long term happiness so desperately. It was almost like she moulded things regarding Heinrich to suit her criteria even if there were warning signals that she was doing her utmost best to quash. I just didn’t buy that as soon as she met him that yes he was the one. I think she saw things that weren’t there because she was really worried about going back to the drawing board and starting from scratch again and really she didn’t go that little bit deeper and listen to her gut instincts when perhaps she should have.
Heinrich seemed way too good to be true. He carried out every little detail in relation to wooing Connie to perfection and he was determined that the New Town and his confectionary business would once again triumph in the annual competition and see the town emerge rich and victorious. Heinrich, in my mind, was blunt, refreshingly honest and truthful but this all came across as being arrogant. His actions had led to others suffering and I could sense he was desperate for love but was he doing the same as Connie and trying to change her to fit the perfect picture he had in his head and for what reasons was he really doing this? Through Connie trying to take control of her own life and find some happiness, she finds herself involved in a lot more than just finding love at the Christmas markets as a battle rages between old and new town.
New town has an alive, loud and bustling market with all the mod cons and attractions. It seemed very much like an outdoor Christmas themed amusement arcade and not really to the taste of Connie and the group. Old Town seemed much more up their alley and mine too with its timber framed buildings, cobbled streets, market square and chalet type huts selling all kinds of Christmas themed goods. That’s what really sets this book apart from some other Christmas themed books that are out there this year. The wealth of descriptions could have been overwhelming and killed the momentum of the book. Instead all the imagery I was reading about just added to my enjoyment of the book as a whole. I could picture everything so clearly and the food all sounded so tasty and just what you want to eat whilst strolling around market stalls or ice skating.
On the other side of the coin is the Old Town where the residents are struggling with their livelihoods as not many tourists visit their side of the town. They haven’t won the Christmas competition in years and baker William feels under enormous pressure that his creation this year will see Old Town emerge victorious. If not the consequences don’t even bear thinking about, both for William himself and the residents. I felt desperately sorry for William, he had such a weight on his shoulders not to mention his personal life wasn’t the best either. But I loved how Connie and himself eventually meet and the way their storyline developed was just pure perfection and so magical and this is where for me I felt like the good versus evil came into play. I loved also how the will they/won’t they amongst the main characters was just that the entire way through. You really didn’t know how things were going to pan out and that’s the way all books should be. I hate knowing too soon what the eventual outcome will be. I prefer the element of surprise and thankfully I found that here. As is mentioned in the book you can have all the right ingredients but if the alchemy isn’t right it’s a disaster. It was up to Connie to see whose alchemy she identified with the most.
Finding Love at the Christmas Market is definitely one of my reading highlights of this year. It gave me a much needed lift with lots of important messages to be taken from it. It’s a ray of light amongst the darkness of winter and reminds us that love can still be found when we think all is lost. That fun, laughter and companionship will see you through challenging and confusing times and provide plenty of laughs along the way. No one should forget the special and unique time that is Christmas that holds such a special place in the hearts of so many. If you need a pick me up or really just want to read a really good Christmas book that actually delivers on all things Christmas rather than pretends to, then do yourself a favour and read this wonderful book. As soon as you start, you’ll be dying to find out do all Connie’s Christmas wishes come true?
The descriptions throughout of every aspect of the markets were just fantastic and mouth-watering with so many delicious foods and fun activities on offer. The best way of describing this book is that it’s like a Christmas fairytale with a feeling of good versus evil as the Old Town battles to win the Christmas competition which they have not won for 10 years. This is an exciting and engrossing read with lots of Christmas sparkle, magic and delights with of course some romance added to the mixture for good measure.
Not one negative can I find about this book, not that I was really looking that hard as I was really enjoying reading about the escapades of Connie and the residents of the Lavender Hill retirement flats. Immediately we are thrown straight into the action as Connie is navigating her way down the motorway in a mini bus with the aim of catching a ferry to the continent, the final destination being a German Christmas market. The aim of what will turn out to be such a memorable trip is to scatter their friend Elsie’s ashes and Connie being the youngest and perhaps most steady is the chosen leader. She provides the meals to the residents on a daily basis run by a local catering company but really they are not up to much and Connie would one day love to have her own catering business rather than work for one.
The cast of characters we are introduced to in the first few chapters are hilarious and I could just picture them all crammed into the minibus eager to get going on this adventure that would be such a change for them all and which would bring such excitement. To be honest I don’t really think they knew what they were letting themselves in for but they were all along for the ride and would soon throw themselves at any new and unusual experience that came their way. Of which there were many. Pearl, Norman, Maeve, Alice, Ron, John, Diana and Graham make up the group alongside Connie but I will leave you to read for yourselves to discover more about their stories and their own personal reasons for going on the trip. But I will say recreating their own Christmas memories list at the markets was just such a wonderful added touch that brought such a smile to my face and of course plenty of well needed laughs too.
Connie has an ulterior motive for bringing her motley crew to the markets. For weeks she has been messaging a man whom she met on a dating website, she feels such a connection to Heinrich and really feels that he could be the one after having such a disastrous love life since her husband left her. Recipes and lists have kept her sane since the departure of her husband and she has written a checklist when it comes to men and so far Heinrich seems to be ticking all the criteria fairly well. She is desperate to meet him to see will the final pieces fall into place and whether her list will be completed once she sets eyes on him? That all consuming love she can feel is within her grasp.
She has five days to make all her dreams come true. To be honest I thought she rushed into things at such a frighteningly quick pace because she craved long term happiness so desperately. It was almost like she moulded things regarding Heinrich to suit her criteria even if there were warning signals that she was doing her utmost best to quash. I just didn’t buy that as soon as she met him that yes he was the one. I think she saw things that weren’t there because she was really worried about going back to the drawing board and starting from scratch again and really she didn’t go that little bit deeper and listen to her gut instincts when perhaps she should have.
Heinrich seemed way too good to be true. He carried out every little detail in relation to wooing Connie to perfection and he was determined that the New Town and his confectionary business would once again triumph in the annual competition and see the town emerge rich and victorious. Heinrich, in my mind, was blunt, refreshingly honest and truthful but this all came across as being arrogant. His actions had led to others suffering and I could sense he was desperate for love but was he doing the same as Connie and trying to change her to fit the perfect picture he had in his head and for what reasons was he really doing this? Through Connie trying to take control of her own life and find some happiness, she finds herself involved in a lot more than just finding love at the Christmas markets as a battle rages between old and new town.
New town has an alive, loud and bustling market with all the mod cons and attractions. It seemed very much like an outdoor Christmas themed amusement arcade and not really to the taste of Connie and the group. Old Town seemed much more up their alley and mine too with its timber framed buildings, cobbled streets, market square and chalet type huts selling all kinds of Christmas themed goods. That’s what really sets this book apart from some other Christmas themed books that are out there this year. The wealth of descriptions could have been overwhelming and killed the momentum of the book. Instead all the imagery I was reading about just added to my enjoyment of the book as a whole. I could picture everything so clearly and the food all sounded so tasty and just what you want to eat whilst strolling around market stalls or ice skating.
On the other side of the coin is the Old Town where the residents are struggling with their livelihoods as not many tourists visit their side of the town. They haven’t won the Christmas competition in years and baker William feels under enormous pressure that his creation this year will see Old Town emerge victorious. If not the consequences don’t even bear thinking about, both for William himself and the residents. I felt desperately sorry for William, he had such a weight on his shoulders not to mention his personal life wasn’t the best either. But I loved how Connie and himself eventually meet and the way their storyline developed was just pure perfection and so magical and this is where for me I felt like the good versus evil came into play. I loved also how the will they/won’t they amongst the main characters was just that the entire way through. You really didn’t know how things were going to pan out and that’s the way all books should be. I hate knowing too soon what the eventual outcome will be. I prefer the element of surprise and thankfully I found that here. As is mentioned in the book you can have all the right ingredients but if the alchemy isn’t right it’s a disaster. It was up to Connie to see whose alchemy she identified with the most.
Finding Love at the Christmas Market is definitely one of my reading highlights of this year. It gave me a much needed lift with lots of important messages to be taken from it. It’s a ray of light amongst the darkness of winter and reminds us that love can still be found when we think all is lost. That fun, laughter and companionship will see you through challenging and confusing times and provide plenty of laughs along the way. No one should forget the special and unique time that is Christmas that holds such a special place in the hearts of so many. If you need a pick me up or really just want to read a really good Christmas book that actually delivers on all things Christmas rather than pretends to, then do yourself a favour and read this wonderful book. As soon as you start, you’ll be dying to find out do all Connie’s Christmas wishes come true?
December 18, 2022
Author: Jo Thomas
Page counter: 335 pages
Published date: 24th September 2020
Genre: Romance Novel, Contemporary Romance, Christmas Story and Holiday Fiction
Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐
SYNOPSIS:
Connie has had one online- dating disaster too many. Hurt in the past and with her son to consider, she's feeling hesitant. Besides, she's far too busy working as a caterer in a residential home for any kind of romance. Until an elderly resident sets her up on a date at a beautiful Germany Christmas market- as long as she promises to take a minibus full of pensioners with her...
Amongst the twinkling lights and the smell of warm gingerbread in the old market square. Connie heads off on her date with a check list of potential partner must haves. Baker Heinrich seems perfect on paper, but when Connie meets Heinrich's rival William, she starts to wonder if ticking boxes is the answer.
MY THOUGHTS:
I really enjoyed this book it was very fast paced and my first romance chistmas book I've read, because of how fast paced it was always got you wanting to read on. I also liked the ending I kind of expected it half way through but that's okay. I've rated this book 4 out of 5 as there wasn't anything that Wowed me with the book.
Page counter: 335 pages
Published date: 24th September 2020
Genre: Romance Novel, Contemporary Romance, Christmas Story and Holiday Fiction
Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐
SYNOPSIS:
Connie has had one online- dating disaster too many. Hurt in the past and with her son to consider, she's feeling hesitant. Besides, she's far too busy working as a caterer in a residential home for any kind of romance. Until an elderly resident sets her up on a date at a beautiful Germany Christmas market- as long as she promises to take a minibus full of pensioners with her...
Amongst the twinkling lights and the smell of warm gingerbread in the old market square. Connie heads off on her date with a check list of potential partner must haves. Baker Heinrich seems perfect on paper, but when Connie meets Heinrich's rival William, she starts to wonder if ticking boxes is the answer.
MY THOUGHTS:
I really enjoyed this book it was very fast paced and my first romance chistmas book I've read, because of how fast paced it was always got you wanting to read on. I also liked the ending I kind of expected it half way through but that's okay. I've rated this book 4 out of 5 as there wasn't anything that Wowed me with the book.
September 21, 2020
Review to follow
December 27, 2020
I felt like I was at this amazing German Christmas Market - such vivid descriptions of the sights and smells. An enchanting story for this time of year
December 28, 2021
If you like a frothy Christmas read where the conflicts don't feel like conflicts and are easily explained away, then this is the book for you.
January 3, 2024
Would give it a 3.5 stars - a typical feel good Christmas book!
December 27, 2020
a lovely Christmas read, and reminding me of past river cruises
December 12, 2023
Muidu on väga tore ja sümpaatne raamat, annab küll jõulutunnet edasi, aga ma ei saa aru, kuidas nii vähese kokkupuutega kedagi armastama on võimalik hakata. See ilmselt tõmbas minu jaoks punkti maha.
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