A Very Special Christmas: The gift of a second chance in this festive romance from the multi-million copy bestseller

by Anna Jacobs

Abigail Beadle has given two decades of her life to caring for her late father and preserving the family home, Ashgrove House in Wiltshire. When her loathed stepmother, Edwina, dies, Abigail is glad to be released from her bullying. She will also be able to look after the house properly, perhaps have a real Christmas at home, without Edwina's stranglehold on the finances.
But her stepmother left behind a will that casts doubt on Abigail's inheritance and raises the possibility that she will have to leave the home she loves so much. It is not until Lucas Chadwick, the man she loved when she was young, returns to the village that Abigail begins to believe her life might be able to start at last ...

Genres: Christmas, Fiction

318 pages, Paperback

Published October 20, 2022

About the author

Anna Jacobs has 87 novels published as of April 2019. She writes historical sagas and modern novels alternately, and in the past has written historical romances and fantasy novels (the latter as Shannah Jay).

She's addicted to story-telling and writes three novels a year. You can find a list of books and series on her website at www.annajacobs.com

Anna reads 3 novels a week. Happy reading, everyone.

Reviews

[LenaRibka]

DNF at 40%

I am not a target audience for this book.



If you like romance with a fairy tale atmosphere you'll enjoy it. I thought I would manage it up to the end - at least as an exception for the advent time - but then good ghosts made an appearance and I knew, I am in the wrong genre book.

[d.g.chance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gold star 🌟 And

Wow wow done it again ,this really is a magical happy story and the ghosts are a !lovely touch I haven't been able to put it down now miserable as I've finished it ,thank you Anna merry Christmas best wishes for 2022 A.chance

[Margaret Galbraith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another really good Christmas novel. “A Very Special Christmas* is a warm, gentle holiday story that leans into everything readers expect from Anna Jacobs: kindness, family bonds, and the quiet magic of second chances. Set against a festive backdrop, the novel focuses less on glittery Christmas spectacle and more on emotional healing and connections.

Abigail is the main character and she has been domineered by her wicked stepmother (I know it’s a cliche). She’s a bit frumpy and has not been able to blossom into the young woman she should be until the stepmother dies. She then has to fight for what truly belongs to her, will she win in the end?

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobook. A really lovely listen. A seasonal vibe, cosy and uplifting. Excellently narrated. Highly recommended.

[Annabella Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very special christmas

A beautiful written book, as soon as any of your books fall into my kindle, I sit reading, just reading your book..Love all your book always waiting for the next one, that was a beautiful story. Yes love wins through every time..

[Rita | Cantinho Literário · Rating 3 out of 5]

2,5 - 3*

Achei bem fraquinho. O enredo é (demasiado) simples, acabando por toda a história girar em torno de: Abigail vai ou não herdar a casa do pai. É tudo muito previsível, inclusive a parte romântica.
Já li melhor da autora, por isso continuo com vontade de ler mais, mas este ficou aquém.

[jill dunklin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very special Christmas by Anna Jacobs

I enjoyed this book very much. The ghosts made me laugh! Will recommend this book to my family and friends. I give this book 5 stars.

[Sharon Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg Anna you have done it again , what a fabulous book Abigail was such a lovely person who had a lot of shall I say miserable years because of terrible evil stepmother , but she has the lovely housekeeper Dot who has always looked out for Abigail and helped her in her daily life , i had to laugh when the ghosts come into also looking after Abigail and then wow the book just took off .loved this book cant wait to read more of Anna's books

[Meg Hill · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this while I had flu and genuinely thought I was delirious when some random ghosts popped up and nobody seemed to bat an eye lid.

The book is ill-written, makes as much sense as a Tory government and is batshit bonkers - and not in a good way. It reminds me of the sort of writing you see in primary school children.

[mois reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucas and Abigail

Anna has done it again she never fails to impress poor Abigail has really suffered at her step mothers hands I really loved this book

[Emma Kirkley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well. I wanted an easy read to get me back in the swing of reading and that is exactly what I got.

Having said that I was disappointed with a couple of parts that didn't seem to have a relevance to the story. The book guy (James?) I thought he might have become the love interest but it just died a death and speaking of death... I was after a Christmas romance, I'm not sure why there was a trio of ghosts that appeared. I mean the book didn't rely on them really, it just all seemed a bit silly.

It was a cute Christmas read but wasn't really for me.

[Kathy E · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another lovely story from the pen of Anna Jacobs, who never fails to amaze, there is always a little twist to Anna's stories to keep you interested. The character's in this book all gel together well. I recommend it as a five star read. I do not like giving the plot of the book away, you must read it.

[Diana Warren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely a different story

This was such a gentle book, very different from the harrowing stories we usually get from Anna. I really enjoyed the story and it had such a happy ending.
The main character Abigail was a really lovely girl and to watch her fortunes change was very interesting. And I loved the unseen characters.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a wonderfully written story. So why the 4 stars?? I struggled with what ere this story was written in. Apart from that the story was gripping and it had enough twists and turns to keep the pages turning, finishing with a proper ending.

Don't be deceived into thinking this is a Christmas book!

[Lynn Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely story of a bullied stepdaughter Abigail. Having looked after her father until his death, his wife Edwina makes her like miserable and tries to Rob her of her family's ancestral and grand home by writing her out of her will before she dies. It involves love, ghosts and a Christmas which promises to be full of surprises. Definitely a book to curl up with of a winters night.

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A seasonal light read - with ghosts! I didn't expect that - I'm sure they could have answered a few questions, too - what was the combination? what was in the wardrobe in the attic?

I do have another book written by Ms Jacobs - still to see if her style is for me

[Cyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

I normally do not go into paranormal books, but this was tender and sweet. I enjoyed every minute

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good story with great characters, some quirky ones too.
A typical Anna Jacobs book , heart warming. ❤️

[Elisabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

It reads like a fairy tale. (Cinderella comes to mind) Perfect for these Corona times of lock downs. A win for good over evil. Nice escapism!

[Pauline Haney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another enjoyable read to escape into 🤩

[wendy angela palmer-hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful

2nd time of reading this super book Anna Jacobs does it for me every time, what ever time scale she writes in I just love books.

[Ruth Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alo ely cosy read

[Thaddeus Chan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice and enjoyable love (not young love) story to read while sipping your cup of steaming tea and eating your glazed (heart-attack) doughnut. It has a happy ending. It really is a 'special' book. (:

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always love reading Anna Jacobs books so was pleased to have a special Christmas themed book to read this month.

[Sarah Hayes · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely cozy story with a very easy to read writing style.
A perfect second chance romance for the Christmas period

[Frances · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable story

[Linda Leedham · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a very good book, but one I nearly didn’t finish as it was too close to home dealing with a loved one’s estate, which brought back very recent memories,

[Margaret Baseley · Rating 5 out of 5]

really enjoyed reading this book.x

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

1st book I've read by this author. Premise was good but a bit long winded in places

[Janet Linacre · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bit repetitive for my liking , and rather slow !