The Perfect Christmas Village

The Christmas season is my favourite time of the year but as each year seems to get busier, it becomes a struggle to capture that festive feeling, so escaping into a Christmassy book is my remedy to that. Holly Cross is your quintessential, cutesy, English village where the whole community comes together to create a spectacular Christmas, worthy of a Hallmark Rom-Com. Until Grinch-like Sam comes along and refuses to get involved he hates Christmas. Cue the happy go lucky Blythe who tries her best to encourage him to join in. You know exactly where you are going with this but it's a fun, light read all the same. This book ticked all the boxes needed: a light-hearted, easy read, perfect for when time is tight and there is a lot going on in real life; full of festive imagery and escapism, including all the requisite build up to the big switch on that makes me feel as if I'm taking part and not missing out; finally, a fun, festive romance (although Blythe is pretty pushy at times!).
Bella Osborne has done another amazing job at creating a world to escape into with The Perfect Christmas Village - how I'd love to live in Holly Cross. If you enjoy films like Deck the Halls, Christmas with the Kranks and anything festive by Richard Curtis, you'll love this.

Heartwarming. A beautiful, easy-read book absolutely perfect given the season.

"The mystery story is cute and has feel good atmosphere."

"The story is slow burning and engaging."

"It feels like Christmas is very commercial and has a good versus bad story beneath it."

"The over-the-top decorations and best village focus of the story is a distraction to a confusing story."

"The story should be a movie, but it would be pitched at adults, as teenagers won't read this and feel excited."

"I found it a mixed read, and found my enthusiasm to read it went up, and down."

"The slapstick humour and humour is too obvious."

Key words by students in their review discussion:
#cute
#feel good
#cheerful
#romantic comedy
#humour
#surprising

Harrytown Catholic High School held a reading club with a selection of students focused on this text.