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The Family Christmas Survival Guide
Two parents. Three children. Terrifying in-laws. It’s Christmas. How bad could it possibly be?
It’s Christmastime, there’s no need to be afraid. Or is there? Ben and Sally’s youngest, Jake, wants to become the next Gordon Ramsay and is cooking his ‘famous’ fish curry. Eldest, Alfie, is turning sixteen and wants to have sex with his girlfriend, and middle child, Liv, is attracting the attention of a boy. But worst of all, Sally’s parents are coming to stay.
Sally’s dad, Clive, is a bit racist and being an ex-boxer, likes to surprise Ben with the occasional punch, and her mum, Fiona, likes to complain about everything. All Ben wants is to have a nice Christmas with his family, just like the good old days, but it soon becomes clear that just isn’t going to happen.
Featuring a hilarious cast of extras including two gay neighbours, an annoyed donkey, a randy Greek waiter, and a barman with a complicated food ordering system. This is one Christmas you’ll never forget!
From Jon Rance, comes the festive follow-up to The Summer Holidays Survival Guide. A comedy novella about one man, one family, trying to survive Christmas the only way they know how - together.
It’s Christmastime, there’s no need to be afraid. Or is there? Ben and Sally’s youngest, Jake, wants to become the next Gordon Ramsay and is cooking his ‘famous’ fish curry. Eldest, Alfie, is turning sixteen and wants to have sex with his girlfriend, and middle child, Liv, is attracting the attention of a boy. But worst of all, Sally’s parents are coming to stay.
Sally’s dad, Clive, is a bit racist and being an ex-boxer, likes to surprise Ben with the occasional punch, and her mum, Fiona, likes to complain about everything. All Ben wants is to have a nice Christmas with his family, just like the good old days, but it soon becomes clear that just isn’t going to happen.
Featuring a hilarious cast of extras including two gay neighbours, an annoyed donkey, a randy Greek waiter, and a barman with a complicated food ordering system. This is one Christmas you’ll never forget!
From Jon Rance, comes the festive follow-up to The Summer Holidays Survival Guide. A comedy novella about one man, one family, trying to survive Christmas the only way they know how - together.
125 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 11, 2018
20 people are currently reading
10 people want to read
About the author
Jon Rance
26 books95 followersJon Rance is the author of seven novels: the Kindle top ten bestseller, This Thirtysomething Life, Happy Endings (both published by Hodder and Stoughton), This Family Life, Sunday Dinners, Dan And Nat Got Married, About Us, and The Summer Holidays Survival Guide. He's also the author of the Christmas novella, A Notting Hill Christmas.
Jon studied English Literature at Middlesex University, London, before going travelling and meeting his American wife in Australia. Jon loves comedy (especially sitcoms), the films of Richard Curtis, travelling and tea. He just turned forty, which is a terrifying time, so his books might get a bit edgier and possibly angrier as a result.
Jon writes dramatic, romantic, comedy fiction similar to the work of Mike Gayle, Matt Dunn, Nick Spalding and David Nicholls.
You can email him at: jonrance@yahoo.com
Please visit his website: www.jonrance.co.uk
Follow him on Twitter: @JRance75
Jon studied English Literature at Middlesex University, London, before going travelling and meeting his American wife in Australia. Jon loves comedy (especially sitcoms), the films of Richard Curtis, travelling and tea. He just turned forty, which is a terrifying time, so his books might get a bit edgier and possibly angrier as a result.
Jon writes dramatic, romantic, comedy fiction similar to the work of Mike Gayle, Matt Dunn, Nick Spalding and David Nicholls.
You can email him at: jonrance@yahoo.com
Please visit his website: www.jonrance.co.uk
Follow him on Twitter: @JRance75
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
November 16, 2018
Another fun filled comedy from Jon Rance. You always know you're going to have a good time with his books and this was no exception. Bring on the next!
December 17, 2025
I absolutely loved this.
Very relatable and shows most Christmases are not very different.
A real festive treat!
Very relatable and shows most Christmases are not very different.
A real festive treat!
November 12, 2023
Fun holiday read
I was looking for a fun, holiday comedy without it being a romance. Do you know how hard that is to find?? This was a funny adult family holiday novella! Could definitely picture this as a movie for sure! There were some spelling and editing errors, but the story was fun and relatable and helped me get in the holiday spirit!
I was looking for a fun, holiday comedy without it being a romance. Do you know how hard that is to find?? This was a funny adult family holiday novella! Could definitely picture this as a movie for sure! There were some spelling and editing errors, but the story was fun and relatable and helped me get in the holiday spirit!
January 18, 2019
Great read
A great follow on from the summer holiday survival guide makes you realise your life isn’t as messed up as you first thought!
A great follow on from the summer holiday survival guide makes you realise your life isn’t as messed up as you first thought!
December 13, 2022
LOVE
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and loved the first one too. Genuinely laughed out loud at the funny parts! Would love a third book
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and loved the first one too. Genuinely laughed out loud at the funny parts! Would love a third book
December 16, 2022
3.5 stars.
November 11, 2024
Light and funny
I loved how easy and relatable the characters were. Funny and poignant. I read over tw
o days. A nice and light read.
I loved how easy and relatable the characters were. Funny and poignant. I read over tw
o days. A nice and light read.
December 1, 2025
I laughed a lot! Too smutty to recommend but I loved the characters.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews