alisona's review

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funny lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

lennofspades's review against another edition

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3.0

This was a book I've started reading before Christmas time, but only had the time finish today. In here we follow Meredith who works at cosy gift shop. She's good at what she does, but she just hates the holidays. And since Christmas is just around the corner, everyone in town seems to want one of their shop's seasonal hampers, so she has to fake some festive cheer. Then comes Finn, a tourist, who seems to enjoy the season so much that he wishes it could be Christmas all year long. Meredith just couldn't handle him until she realizes she's starting to be hopeful about this year's holidays.

Christmas Carols and a Cornish Cream Tea is a very festive novel that just sets the Christmas vibe with its Cornish setting. I enjoyed it a bit, but I did find the pacing a little too slow for my liking.

jo_bookworm's review against another edition

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4.0

Meredith is not a fan of Christmas, and does her utmost to avoid for the last ten years. However her new job in a Cornish gift shop means that she has no choice but to embrace the festive season.

When her boss wants to give hampers to the great and good of Porthglow, Meredith finds herself suddenly thrust into the festive season. Coupled with helping her best friend Anisha to create a last minute Christmas spectacular for Porthglow, Meredith cannot help become swept away.

Then enters Finn, as Meredith emerges from her cold water swimming, she meets Finn. And he seems to keep popping up everywhere around the little village and volunteers to help deliver the hampers. Finn embraces the true Christmas spirit and is determined for Meredith to see what Christmas can really be like, but he is not telling all and seems to be keeping something hidden.

This booked is packed full of Christmas, Cornish coastlines, Cold Water swimming, Carols, Charm and plenty of Curiosity to keep the reader guessing about whether; the festive hampers will be a success; the blossoming relationship between Finn and Meredith and who really owns the house on the cliff, that Meredith has dreamed about for a long time.

This is not a follow on from the previous Cornish Cream Tea novels, but some familiar faces do appear, but no matter if this is your first encounter with this authors work. It is an excellent Christmas read to get you in the spirit full of light, life and love. Perfect!

baileysbear's review against another edition

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5.0

Thanks to netgalley for the advanced ebook to review.
After finishing this book I felt like I'd been enveloped in a warm hug. It really hits you in the festive feels, with a well written story, tinged with sadness, but that holds so much humour and joy. There are fabulous characters to fall in love with (I'd very much like my own Finn please!)
This is my first book by Cressida - but I certainly hope it won't be my last! This is the 5th book in the Cornish cream tea series - but it works fantastically well as a stand alone. I loved it.

eddddd_9378's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

kirstyreviewsbooks's review against another edition

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4.0

Christmas Carols and a Cornish Cream Tea by Cressida McLaughlin

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Random Things Tours and I am leaving this review voluntarily

All Meredith Verren has ever wanted is to escape the holiday season without having to wear a Christmas jumper. Her new job at the cosy gift shop in a picturesque Cornish tourist spot is making it impossible for her to maintain her scrooge-like manner.

With their seasonal hampers on everyone’s wish list, Meredith must paste on a smile and fake some holiday cheer. Then she meets handsome new arrival, Finn, who wishes it could be Christmas every day and wants her to feel the same way too.

Can she embrace the holly and the ivy before the decorations are packed away for another year?

I have read and enjoyed the first four book in this series so I jumped at the opportunity to read this book. Whilst part of The Cornish Cream Tea series, this book introduces Meredith and a new town with a range of new characters - we are even treated to an appearance by Charlie and Gertie. This is a wonderful festive read that could most definitely be read as a stand-alone, although I recommend that you read the previous books first to get the full enjoyment of this series.

After reading this book, I am now definitely in the mood to put up my Christmas decorations and this will not fail to put you in the festive mood. I cannot wait to see what Cressida does with this series next as I am not quite ready to leave Cornwall.

Rating 4/5

bookshappythoughts's review against another edition

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funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

4.0

π˜Ύπ™π™§π™žπ™¨π™©π™’π™–π™¨ π˜Ύπ™–π™§π™€π™‘π™¨ 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙖 π˜Ύπ™€π™§π™£π™žπ™¨π™ π˜Ύπ™§π™šπ™–π™’ π™π™šπ™–
By Cressida McLaughlin

Aw, what a lovely festive read!
Dare I say Christmas is fast approaching! πŸŽ„
So when my lovely friend @lous.littlelibrary
asked if I'd like to do a buddy read. we knew this was the perfect choice. 

Meridith sees herself as a modern-day scrooge, but her job in a Cornish gift shop selling Christmas hampers makes it difficult to move away from the twinkly lights and warm scent of gingerbread, as she prepares to settle at home along with her dog and cat she happens to meet a newcomer to the area Finn. He is full of Christmas spirit, and he works his best at turning Merediths heart into one that beats along to jiggle bells πŸ”” ❀️ 

πŸŽ„ Heartwarming 
🎁 Full of Christmas cheer 
❀️ Love & Family
πŸͺ Likeable characters
✨️ Will they, won't they theme

devonbookworm's review

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funny lighthearted medium-paced

3.25

sarahallez's review

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emotional lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

amy353's review against another edition

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lighthearted slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0