Coco Pinchard's Must-Have Toy Story by Robert Bryndza

Coco Pinchard's Must-Have Toy Story (Coco Pinchard, #5)

by Robert Bryndza

'I love the fact that Robert Bryndza can turn his hand to both crime thrillers and comedy! If you haven't discovered Coco Pinchard yet, then this is the perfect introduction!' Joanne Robertson, My Chestnut Reading Tree

Coco Pinchard's Must-Have Toy Story is the second, stand-alone prequel novella to Robert Bryndza's smash-hit Coco Pinchard series. A sparkling feel-good Christmas comedy, which asks the question - how far would you go to get your child the must-have Christmas toy?

It's December 1992, and children are going crazy for the Tracy Island toy - almost as crazy as the parents! Christmas day is fast approaching and Coco Pinchard is desperately trying to track one down for her four-year-old son Rosencrantz.

Throw into the mix a horrible boss, a lazy husband, and the prospect of her in-laws arriving for the festivities, and Coco wishes she could cancel Christmas and sail off to a desert island somewhere - preferably with the gorgeous-yet-unattainable Tom from work.

But retail therapy is at hand! Coco's faithful friends Chris and Marika rally round, and even her mother-in-law Ethel tries to help in her own eccentric way.

From dodgy dealings in a motorway lay-by, to extreme shopping in Hamley's with a Sylvanian Families fanatic, to having a go at the Blue Peter make-your-own Tracy Island, Coco tries everything in the hope that Rosencrantz will open his must-have toy on Christmas morning.

What everyone's saying about Coco Pinchard's Must-have Toy Story:

'From blackmail to Black Friday-like mayhem, I highly recommend this witty and hilarious lovely Christmas tale' La Chouette Blog

'Robert Bryndza has a wicked sense of humour, a truly amazing talent for writing comedy and creates over-the-top (but totally believable) characters that will have you in stitches!' Billiwiz, Amazon Reader

'A perfect light and easy read for the stressful holidays, complete with the timeless message on the importance of family and friends (and Tracy Island, of course).' Julayn Adams's Book Reviews

'I had tears of laughter running down my face lots of times reading it. It's AMAZING! So many laughs-BRILLIANT!' Julie Haigh, Amazon reader

Reviewed by zooloo1983 on

5 of 5 stars

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So I do not know just yet about getting the must-have toy, but after this, I am dreading it! lol. This novella reminded me of Arnie’s film Jingle all the way! I could perfect envisage the pandemonium in the shops. It is brutal!!! It is also quite nostalgic, especially as I may never know the “thrill” of this, with internet shopping, it just is not the same!

The escapades that Coco gets up to, all to get a Tracy Island is hilarious! To be honest I would want a Tracy Island too!


Aside from the manic tribulations, we meet Marika for the first time, and the start of the trio being friends!

Another book where Ethel steals the show…and the front cover of the newspaper! In a layby on the way to Dover, I wish I knew which one as a current resident of Dover I want to go and find it! So two books and my hometown and my new hometown are mentioned!

Like all books in this series, I have chuckled a lot! All these books are on point and written beautifully and the dialogue is spot on. I really can not believe that my time on this tour is over! I have a serious hangover from Coco, but the saving grace is around the rumour mill is that might be another Coco book in the works OMG!!!!


If you have not read any of these books in the series, you really do need to change this straight away and check out these books. You need Coco in your life, you need her friends and family, and most importantly you need Ethel in your life! This series is full of trial and tribulations, a LOT of laughter, love and Coco! But they are most definitely a feel-good book and will provide so much joy in your life.

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 14 November, 2018: Finished reading
  • 14 November, 2018: Reviewed