The Christmas Wish List: The perfect feel-good festive read to settle down with this winter

by Heidi Swain

'The queen of feel-good' Woman & Home

***The sparkling Christmas novel from the Sunday Times bestselling author Heidi Swain!***

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.
 
 Praise for HEIDI SWAIN:

'Full of Heidi’s trademark gentle charm. Lock the door, pour some mulled wine and settle into this wonderful Christmas treat!' Milly Johnson

'More Christmassy than a week in Lapland - we loved it!' heat magazine

'Sprinkled with Christmas sparkle' Trisha Ashley

'Give yourself a Christmas treat and curl up with this magical book!' Sue Moorcroft, author of The Little Village Christmas

'A real Christmas cracker of a read!' Penny Parkes, author of Practice Makes Perfect

'Cosy, Christmassy and deeply satisfying! Another wonderful read!' Mandy Baggot, author of One Christmas Kiss in Notting Hill

• ISBN10: 1471185680
• ISBN13: 9781471185687
• Publish Date: 3 October 2019
• Publish Status: Active
• Out of Print: 7 December 2022
• Publish Country: GB
• Imprint: Simon & Schuster Ltd
• Format: Paperback (B-Format (198x129 mm))
• Pages: 432
• Language: English

Reviews

[Emma (SCR)]

This review was originally posted on Star Crossed Reviews I received this book for free for a Blog Tour in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.Thank you to Simon and Schuester for my copy of this book. I am a huge fan of Heidi's writing and I especially love her Christmas stories so I just had to read this book!

I love Wynbridge so I was so excited to return. I love the village and at Christmas time it's beyond magical! The decorations, the events in the build-up it's the perfect place to be to get your Christmas Spirit back. This makes it perfect for Dolly's plan.

Dolly is best friends with Hattie. Dolly and Hattie have been friends for many years and have been there for each other over the years. Now Hattie is leaving the country and Dolly wants her to have one more traditional Christmas.

I loved Dolly. She is so selfless. She has spent her life teaching at the local school and even when she retired she continued to volunteer at the school. Dolly also knows when to speak her mind and when to give a gentle nudge. She is extremely wise.

Hattie was a difficult character to like at first. She is extremely frustrating. There were so many times that I wanted to slap her. Luckily as the book progresses we see how Hattie has become this person and why. It's mainly down to her boyfriend Jonathan. Jonathan is a manipulative person. He has moulded Hattie into who he wants her to be. He has made her so reliant on him that she doubted she could do anything. Hattie is so submissive at the beginning. She doesn't have any of her own opinions or thoughts.

When Hattie goes to visit Dolly she meets Beamish. From the minute we meet Beamish I knew he was someone special. He's easy to love, easy to talk to. He's a happy go lucky kinda guy who is always on hand to help anyone. If you can't tell I fell hook, line and sinker for Beamish.

This was a lovely story that will restore anyone's Christmas spirit and will bring a little tear or two to your eye. I'm going to miss these characters and I hope we get to return to Wynbridge to check on them in the future.