Tuesday 22 November 2016

Book Review - Mince Pies and Mistletoe at the Christmas Market by Heidi Swain

Amazon UK
Title: Mince Pies and Mistletoe at the Christmas Market
Author: Heidi Swain
Format reviewed: Paperback
Source: Purchased
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Publication Date: 17th November 2016
Rating: 5 Stars


Christmas has arrived in the town of Wynbridge and it promises mince pies, mistletoe and a whole host of seasonal joy.

 Ruby has finished with university and is heading home for the holidays to save up for her trip around the world in January. Against her father’s wishes, she takes on a stall at the local market, and sets about making it the best Christmas market stall ever. There’ll be bunting and mistletoe and maybe even a bit of mulled wine.

 But with a new retail park just opened on their doorstep, the market is under threat. So together with all the other stallholders, Ruby devises a plan to make sure that Wynbridge is the first port of call for everyone’s Christmas shopping needs.

 The only thing standing in her way is Ruby’s ex, Steve. It’s pretty hard to concentrate on saving the world when he works on the stall opposite, especially when she realises that her feelings for him are still there…

This Christmas make time for some winter sparkle – and see who might be under the mistletoe this year… 

I am so disappointed that this book had to finish, I was enjoying it that much. It was such a pleasure to return to Wynbridge, to catch up with old friends from previous books, as well as being completely absorbed in this new story. 

If you haven't read any of Heidi Swain's previous books, besides the fact you are missing out, it may please you to know that they all works as stand alones and this no exception. It features completely new characters, new families and a whole new focus, while also allowing you to see what is currently going on with residents of the town that have featured in previous books. 

The writing is vivid and paints a brilliant picture of the story, and I could see the market square very clearly, along with all the other stall holders. I loved what Ruby was selling on her stall, and she is a breath of fresh air, in her return to the town, not that she is planning on staying long. 

Ruby's market stall is opposite her ex-boyfriend's so they are in close contact a lot, but just how over each other are they really? I was undecided for a bit of the book as to what would happen between the pair of them, but that wasn't the storyline that really had me guessing. 

That goes to just what exactly Ruby's dad is up to, as he really isn't acting himself, and no matter what Ruby does, she seems to be in his bad books. As more information about her dad is unveiled, I kept gasping, asI really couldn't believe the turns the story was taking, and had to keep reading to find out more!

This was a story that was full of the joys of not only Christmas, but also of a struggle to revitalise a market and the holiday in the town, where most custom is going to the new out of town retail park. I love a book where a community bands together for a common goal, and really liked the ideas Ruby was suggesting to bring a bit of oomph back into the old tired and tested town Christmas traditions. 

Lizzie and Jemma from the Cherry Tree Cafe, are the ones providing the wares for the market stall, and I loved the descriptions of the various crafts on sale, and the bakes that Jemma kept making, made me very hungry and in need of a sugar fix. 

I loved every moment of Mince Pies and Mistletoe at the Christmas Market, and with every book, I am more and more convinced that Heidi Swain is becoming a drop everything and just read the new book author for me. I am so enjoying her books, and this was a top addition to her catalogue. 

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