The Christmas Wish List - Heidi Swain

About the book… 

After being let go from her job in a swanky hotel just weeks before Christmas, Hattie is feeling lost. Even more so when her high-flying boyfriend announces he’s landed his dream job in Abu Dhabi and asks her to move with him. Luckily, Hattie’s long-time friend Dolly is on hand to help and invites Hattie to spend one last holiday in the small, festive town of Wynbridge, determined to give her a Christmas to remember . . .

Upon Hattie’s arrival, holiday preparations are in full swing. But for Hattie, whose Christmas cheer has long since run out, it’ll take more than mince pies and mistletoe to open her heart to the season once more. Relishing the task of reigniting Hattie’s Christmas spirit, Dolly suggests they create a wish list of all the things the season can offer, and with the helpful hands of Wynbridge’s resident handyman, Beamish, Hattie finds her frosty exterior is starting to thaw.

As Wynbridge prepares for its most spectacular Christmas yet, will Hattie leave snowy England behind for life in a sunnier clime, or will she in fact realise that her heart’s desire lies much closer to home?

The Christmas Wish List is the perfect read this Christmas, promising snowfall, warm fires and breath-taking seasonal romance. Perfect for fans of Carole Matthews and Cathy Bramley.

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About the author… 

Heidi Swain is the Sunday Times Top Ten best-selling author of SLEIGH RIDES AND SILVER BELLS AT THE CHRISTMAS FAIR. Her other titles include The Cherry Tree Café, Summer at Skylark Farm, Mince Pies and Mistletoe at the Christmas Market, Coming Home to Cuckoo Cottage, Snowflakes and Cinnamon Swirls at the Winter Wonderland, Poppy's Recipe for Life, The Christmas Wish List and The Secret Seaside Escape. 

Heidi lives in beautiful south Norfolk with her family and a mischievous cat called Storm. She is passionate about gardening, the countryside, collecting vintage paraphernalia and reading. Her tbr pile is always out of control!

Contact Links: 

Heidi loves to chat with her readers and you can get in touch via 
her website heidiswain.co.uk/ or 
Twitter @Heidi_Swain

My thoughts…

From the moment The Christmas Wish List arrived through my door I wanted to shout about it.  It is an addictive Christmas read that took me back to my childhood, reminding me of the anticipation of waiting for Christmas to come, all the beautiful decorations and lights that sparkles all the way to the big day.  The activities, smells and tastes that heighten your senses had me giddy with excitement.

The Christmas Wish List revolves around Hattie, we meet her as she is made redundant from a job she loves, she lives and works in a posh hotel and has made it her life to give the guests the best experience and service she can, being on hand to cater to their every need.  It's a shock and has her reeling, she's knocked further sideways when Jonathan her boyfriend announces he is taking a job in Dubai and wants her to move in with him and go with him.

Hattie is in turmoil and can't think straight so accepts an invitation from a dear, old, elderly, friend Dolly to spend one last Christmas in Wynbridge before she leaves for `Dubai.

Oh, I so want to move to Wynbridge, the town and Dolly wrap themselves around Hattie giving her the time and space to question past decisions made and current ones to be made.  Hattie is estranged from her family, has just lost her long standing job, doesn't like Christmas and appears to have a strong-minded boyfriend that delivers his thoughts and ideas which then seem to become her thoughts and ideas.

Oh we all want a Dolly in our lives, she encourages and pushes Hattie along to join in every aspect of life in the small town, even bamboozling her into a job, helping in the local primary school.  Hattie doesn't 'do' Christmas anymore, she used to love it but not anymore. Dolly and a reluctant Hattie write a Christmas Wish List, she really doesn't want to but Dolly is determined to show her all the things she used to love.

Imagine every wonderful sparkly, shiny, magical thing about Christmas and that is what you get as you read this book, my senses were on high alert I could smell the delicious aromas of food, drink and just Christmas all around me as I read this book.  It's a book that is about remembering the simple things in life, the joy of seeing others excitement and pleasure.  Spending time with family and friends. As the pages turned, it was like unwrapping the many layers of outdoor clothing to reveal the warmth and glow in Hattie that had been buried for so long.  She immerses herself in the Wish List for Dolly, it may, probably will be the last time she gets to spend time with her, but the reality is Dolly's Christmas Wish List is the best tonic for Hattie. She has the time and experiences thrust upon her to allow her own thoughts and feelings to surface, she's able to think about what is important in life and sets on a path to forgiveness and fresh starts.

I'm off to New York at the end of the month and writing my Christmas Wish List raised my excitement levels through the roof, I itching to get on the plane and go there and then.  I'm taking my List with me and I am determined to tick off all the Christmassy things I've planned to do and a few more I couldn't fit in and intend to tweet them as they happen so you can all share the magic of Christmas in New York and all thanks to the gorgeous Heidi Swain for the idea xx.