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Blythe doesn’t like it when a fellow agent records more sales than her. She is determined to be the Real Estate Agent of the Month and, in a desperate attempt, manages to sell a house to Sam Ashton (by hiding certain truths). While Sam loves the house, he doesn’t like Christmas. I have read a number of Bella Osborne books now and when I saw her latest, The Perfect Christmas Village, I couldn’t resist.
We have a side little mystery about the former owner of Sam's cottage, Murray, who passed away. That was an interesting and surprising turn of events, which I didn't hate, but I wish we could have gotten to know him a little more. My favourite character has to be Turpin the feral cat. Murray was slowly getting him used to being around him when he passed. Blythe has promised to continue feeding him even though he lives in Sam's garden. Once he decides to live indoors he takes to sleeping in woks, pillowcases - while Sam's head is still on the pillow. He doesn't let Sam come down the stairs at one point or out of the utility room. From angelic children to sassy cats, Bella Osborne has squeezed them all in. It’s fair to say they fit perfectly and give the story the most wonderful feel of community. I'm getting in my Christmas reading groove now! I loved this one. I know I say that about a lot of Christmas-themed books but what can I say I love Christmas!
Undoubtedly, this book is all about community. Although the HCCC is quite intense about their Christmas decorations, the fervour they approach this time of year is reflected in the love they have for each other in the community. This is reflected in Blythe’s attempts to integrate Sam into the village, even though her efforts sometimes don’t hit the mark. There is no negativity, nothing malicious in the area and this is what helps to make it such a great Christmas read. It’s nice to see how Blythe tries to slowly break down Sam’s disdain for Christmas. But when she learns the reason why, she is more understanding of him. As a huge cat lover, I really liked Turpin and how he brings Blythe and Sam together all the time. In addition, the humor with bits of risqué comments thrown in, made me laugh out loud. I just loved this book which came at a time when I really needed a good laugh. I enjoyed reading the book. I love the sense of community it evokes. To be honest Blythe frustrated me a little with her competitive nature, naivety and determination to prove herself to her Dad but her honesty and kindness won me out in the end.
With a father involved in the property business who seems to find her a constant disappointment, it means a great deal to Blythe to be recognised as Estate Agent of the Year in the village of Holly Cross – even if it means selling a house that’s not even on the market, and hoping everything can be put right later. The house belonged to her friend Murray, recently passed away – and the (at first) delighted buyer is Sam, who had been a particularly difficult client to please until she showed him the house of his dreams. This book felt different to a typical Christmas story because it takes place over several months. With summer temperatures, it is difficult to imagine prepping for Christmas decorations, but the residents of Holly Cross think differently. Christmas has put the little village of Holly Cross on the map and the local community take decorating the village incredibly seriously. And it’s expected that any new-comers will jump on board too.When Sam’s dislike of the festive season meets with disapproval from his neighbours in Holly Cross, it falls to Blythe, the estate agent who sold Sam the house (maybe a little dishonestly) to sort out the situation. It’s never too early for a Christmas book! This latest read from one of my favourite authors was a true delight. We meet estate agent, Blythe, who is trying to beat her fellow colleagues to be estate agent of the month! When Sam comes to the agency, Blythe thinks she’s found him the perfect home…but neglects to tell him that the little village of Holly Cross is the most Christmassy place in the country! Not a problem you think, but Sam hates the festive session with a passion! Blythe is a real estate agent in competition with a coworker to make the most sales for the month of May. She has only 2 days to win and she'll do anything she can to make the sale, even if it means lying through her teeth. In steps Sam, who is anti-Christmas, but gets bamboozled into buying a house in the most popular Christmas village in the country. I really liked Blythe, and I felt for her every time she got insecure, and felt like she had to prove herself I really cheered for her when she finally stood up for herself with her dad, I had this huge grin on my face because I was so pleased for her! I actually really loved Sam, his grinchyness reminded me a little of my husband who is not as keen on Christmas as I am, but he's not Sam's level of Grinch lol But it did just endear him to me that little bit more.
I always enjoy a Bella Osborne story, they are some of my favourite reads. As I’m a big fan of Christmas as well as Bella’s books this is the best pre-Christmas present I could get and I can you you that when I opened my present there was nothing disappointing inside at all. It was a magical festive read, with some grumpy/sunshine energy and someone who dislikes Christmas (how ?!) being won over by the most Christmassy village and a bit of romance, yeah he was never going to stay a non-fan! Blythe lives in the village of Holly Cross, succeeding in work she needs to sell just one more house to top the monthly sales chart. To do so she doesn’t tell Sam the whole truth about the cottage in Holly Cross or the villages passion for Christmas, and later finds out that he hates Christmas. This doesn’t go down well in the village, and they all expect Blythe to turn this around in time for the festive season. My thanks to Aria & Aries and NetGalley for the DRC of “The Perfect Christmas Village”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. Darcy (Caitlin Thompson) has been best friends with Brandon (James Henri-Thomas) ever since they were children, often running to his when her parents would start arguing. Now many years later they are still best friends with Brandon putting up with Darcy's obsession for having the perfect Christmas, some thing she never had as a child which has led to her being exhaustingly demanding when it comes to Christmas. But a series of strange events leads to Darcy being transported in to her idea of what a perfect Christmas village is, where Christmas is every day, her parents are happily married and she is dating Tom (Robbie Silverman), a work colleague in her real life. The question Darcy faces is whether or not what she thinks is perfect is really as great as she hoped? A heart warming cosy read, perfect for curling up with a hot chocolate and losing yourself in the spirit of Christmas.
TOP TEN MAUREEN O'HARA MOVIES
Blythe's potential client Sam Ashton, who is relocating from London and has very specific ideas of what he expects from a property, is also unaware of her deception, when he falls in love with the cottage she shows him, around the village green of Holly Cross, unaware that this is her last ditch attempt to bag that all important end-of-month sale. He is even more annoyed when he discovers too late, that despite him making it clear to Blythe just how much he dislikes the festive season, the cottage is located in one of the most Christmassy villages in the country, which regularly participates in a national Christmas competition, with each and every inhabitant being expected to take part in proceedings. Even more unfortunately for Sam, the previous owner of the property, an elderly gentleman called Murray, was one of the most staunch supporters of the HCCC (Holly Cross Christmas Committee), putting his own cottage up as a front and centre exhibit. So Sam is up against it almost from the very moment in September, when the sale finally completes and he moves in. I do love the setting and the enthusiasm they have for Christmas. There’s quite a lot of competitiveness and almost military-style planning to set up the annual event. The stakes are higher this time due to the contest. M she plays a fully developed character with many interactions with the rest of the cast. And, once you get used to her appearance, you realize that Marlo is really quite good. Let's face it and give her credit, this month she turns 85 and she can still give an honest, natural, and interesting performance, which ultimately becomes rather endearing. Sam's arrival puts Holly Cross's chance to win the title of Britain's Most Perfect Christmas Village now in jeopardy, and the villagers are soon up in arms. Meanwhile, Sam is in his own personal hell surrounded by fairy lights and everyone is looking to Blythe to fix things.
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