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stormyharper's review
4.0
I really did like this walk first Christmas book I've read it's about out a girl who is getting blackmailed by her ex who is a drunk his name is Harvey he has some pictures of her naked and he's doing everything he can to blackmail her to come back to him but Sam won't like that happened what do you find out what's going on he helps her Harvey keeps on telling her that he's going to send the pictures to her dad who is an ex copper this book is just basically about how they help her to get out of this situation and how her and Sam start falling in love with each other she also makes hats off
aliciagriggs's review
4.0
I needed a book to read that didn't require efforts as I've been really ill with covid this week. I couldn't pick up a book for a couple of days but when I could I needed something effortless and fun. This ticked the box and was actually a great read. Not only did this book make me want it to be Christmas sooner, but it also tackled some difficult and important topics, such as women being threatened by exes and the potential dangers of naughty photographs. Enjoyed this book.
boosmummy's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this seasonal book. Ava is a bespoke hat maker and is struggling to make a living. Her friends boss Sam enters her life and commissions Ava to make a hat for his mum before she starts chemo, a promise to make the hat leads to a special christmas for both of them.
melinda1962's review against another edition
5.0
What a beautiful story about family, friends and relationships.
lucycatten's review
4.0
I love Sue Moorcroft’s books and I also love Christmas so I was absolutely thrilled to get my hands on an advanced copy of her latest creation. Just check out that beautiful cover. Pretty irresistible right? But things are not as cosy as they may at first appear…
In this story Sue Moorcroft shows herself yet again to be a master at drawing and exploring the different kinds of relationships between people. Here we are thrust in between mother and son, aunt and nephew, mother and daughter, father and daughter as well as getting involved in a whole host of friendships and work relationships with varying degrees of trust and sympathy. Each character is realistically and sympathetically portrayed so that their relationships too are wholly believable and in no way clichéd. You can’t help but be there with Ava, every step of the way.
The story is undoubtedly satisfying – when you finish it, you’ll probably realise there’s a smile on your face and you’re feeling nicely warm and fuzzy – it’s that kind of read. It’s probably only on reflection that you’ll realise that Moorcroft has actually managed to get you thinking about some pretty heavy subjects – rape and the strains of serious illness both on the patient and those around them for example, in addition to shining a light on the extremely topical subject of Revenge Porn. She shows just how easily this situation can come about and how incredibly difficult it can be to deal with it in a way that doesn’t cause further hurt somewhere along the line. Obviously heavily researched and carefully planned, that part of the storyline is very sympathetically written.
Talking of research, I would never have believed I could get so caught up in the subject of hat making! Ava is a couture milliner and makes bespoke hats for private clients. I became fascinated with the descriptions of the materials she was using, the little decorations she added and the process she went through to find the perfect hat for each customer, make it and then to fit it. The descriptions were so rich I could clearly see the hats in all the different colours and textures. Incredible writing.
I devoured the book in two sittings – highly recommended - and at 99p for the kindle pre-order, it’s an absolute bargain. Go on, treat yourself!
In this story Sue Moorcroft shows herself yet again to be a master at drawing and exploring the different kinds of relationships between people. Here we are thrust in between mother and son, aunt and nephew, mother and daughter, father and daughter as well as getting involved in a whole host of friendships and work relationships with varying degrees of trust and sympathy. Each character is realistically and sympathetically portrayed so that their relationships too are wholly believable and in no way clichéd. You can’t help but be there with Ava, every step of the way.
The story is undoubtedly satisfying – when you finish it, you’ll probably realise there’s a smile on your face and you’re feeling nicely warm and fuzzy – it’s that kind of read. It’s probably only on reflection that you’ll realise that Moorcroft has actually managed to get you thinking about some pretty heavy subjects – rape and the strains of serious illness both on the patient and those around them for example, in addition to shining a light on the extremely topical subject of Revenge Porn. She shows just how easily this situation can come about and how incredibly difficult it can be to deal with it in a way that doesn’t cause further hurt somewhere along the line. Obviously heavily researched and carefully planned, that part of the storyline is very sympathetically written.
Talking of research, I would never have believed I could get so caught up in the subject of hat making! Ava is a couture milliner and makes bespoke hats for private clients. I became fascinated with the descriptions of the materials she was using, the little decorations she added and the process she went through to find the perfect hat for each customer, make it and then to fit it. The descriptions were so rich I could clearly see the hats in all the different colours and textures. Incredible writing.
I devoured the book in two sittings – highly recommended - and at 99p for the kindle pre-order, it’s an absolute bargain. Go on, treat yourself!
btpbookclub's review
4.0
Well, its nearly Christmas so I decided to dive into this story. The cover is beautiful! Now I must admit this is not your average romantic, uplifting Christmas story. This is a story that is very different. It contains the subject of cancer within and contains blackmail throughout the first half of the story which does make it a bit of a downer to read and enjoy.
However, it is also a one of a kind story that includes main character Ava, a couture millinery (hat maker) which I have never read about before! While we are talking about characters I must say that I fell in love with Sam from the beginning what a gentleman! But… I had a strong dislike for Harvey.
If you’re looking for a happy, uplifting, excited for Christmas book this is not it. However, it is still a good read which is why I awarded four stars. It is written well and easy to read. I would recommend you all check this book out. I will be reading more by Sue in the future.
However, it is also a one of a kind story that includes main character Ava, a couture millinery (hat maker) which I have never read about before! While we are talking about characters I must say that I fell in love with Sam from the beginning what a gentleman! But… I had a strong dislike for Harvey.
If you’re looking for a happy, uplifting, excited for Christmas book this is not it. However, it is still a good read which is why I awarded four stars. It is written well and easy to read. I would recommend you all check this book out. I will be reading more by Sue in the future.
merlesstorys's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
portybelle's review
5.0
There are so many Christmas books published every year and it can be difficult to decide which to read. I hope to help with this week's Christmas book review which is a real cracker if you pardon the pun! I've read a few Sue Moorcroft books and love her style of writing, her knack for creating characters you warm to and her ability to look at deep issues within the context of a romantic novel.
This book takes place over the run up to Christmas and we first meet the main character, Ava Bliss, shivering and downhearted after spending an unsuccessful day at Camden Market. She is a bespoke milliner and had taken some of her creations to the market hoping to make a bit money for Christmas. She's really struggling for money as although she's a really talented hat-maker, her hats are rather expensive. She's a very proud women and does not want to tell her parents, who have retired to France, that she is finding it difficult to make ends meet. To make matters worse, she is being harassed by ex-boyfriend Harvey who doesn't want to accept their relationship is over and is threatening to upload some rather revealing photos of Ava to social media. At a party with some friends she meets Sam Jermyn, owner of a public relations agency. Over the course of the next few weeks, Ava's life is turned upside down by Sam.
The Christmas Promise is very topical as it looks at the negatives of social media as well as the way its power can be harnessed for good. Poor Ava was horrified at the thought of the photos of her being seen by those she cares about, particularly her ex-policeman father. This is something we hear a lot about in the media these days. It's so easy to say or do something you then regret but it's so difficult to stop things spreading in a world of instant communication via Twitter and Facebook. The smallest of things can be misconstrued, taken out of context and blown out of proportion. It made me angry to read of the guilt and shame that Ava felt when she thought of the photos. It hadn't been her wisest move perhaps to allow them to be taken but she didn't deserve to have her life made a misery by someone she thought she could trust. When, inevitably, some people did get to know of the photos existence, I had to say 'hooray' for Ava's wonderful Dad as his reaction which was not at all what she expected.
Sam was just a wonderful character - I think I'm a little in love with him myself. As well as being totally gorgeous, he is a very principled man. Not perhaps what you might expect from someone whose job involves creating publicity for footballers and WAGs. The love he feels for his mum was clear and touching. Ava promises to create a hat in time for Christmas for his mum who is undergoing treatment for cancer. I thought that Sue Moorcroft wrote very sensitively about this issue, with the fears, worries and hopes of those facing cancer and their families seeming very real. The bond between Sam and his mum was clear and more than once I had a lump in my throat reading their scenes.
Like many Christmas books, although the story takes place around Christmas it is a book which could easily be read any time of the year. In fact, Ava isn't the biggest fan of Christmas at all and her feelings will no doubt resonate with others who don't think this is the most wonderful time of the year. For me though, this book has all the elements I like to see in a Christmas book. Being with family and friends and appreciating the time you spend together is shown as so much more important than getting and giving lots of presents. Against all the odds, and with more than a few wobbles on the way, Ava has a wonderful Christmas in a book which gave me a warm feeling inside and left me with a smile on my face. At only 99p for Kindle at the time of writing, if you are only going to buy one Christmas book this year, I suggest you try this one.
This book takes place over the run up to Christmas and we first meet the main character, Ava Bliss, shivering and downhearted after spending an unsuccessful day at Camden Market. She is a bespoke milliner and had taken some of her creations to the market hoping to make a bit money for Christmas. She's really struggling for money as although she's a really talented hat-maker, her hats are rather expensive. She's a very proud women and does not want to tell her parents, who have retired to France, that she is finding it difficult to make ends meet. To make matters worse, she is being harassed by ex-boyfriend Harvey who doesn't want to accept their relationship is over and is threatening to upload some rather revealing photos of Ava to social media. At a party with some friends she meets Sam Jermyn, owner of a public relations agency. Over the course of the next few weeks, Ava's life is turned upside down by Sam.
The Christmas Promise is very topical as it looks at the negatives of social media as well as the way its power can be harnessed for good. Poor Ava was horrified at the thought of the photos of her being seen by those she cares about, particularly her ex-policeman father. This is something we hear a lot about in the media these days. It's so easy to say or do something you then regret but it's so difficult to stop things spreading in a world of instant communication via Twitter and Facebook. The smallest of things can be misconstrued, taken out of context and blown out of proportion. It made me angry to read of the guilt and shame that Ava felt when she thought of the photos. It hadn't been her wisest move perhaps to allow them to be taken but she didn't deserve to have her life made a misery by someone she thought she could trust. When, inevitably, some people did get to know of the photos existence, I had to say 'hooray' for Ava's wonderful Dad as his reaction which was not at all what she expected.
Sam was just a wonderful character - I think I'm a little in love with him myself. As well as being totally gorgeous, he is a very principled man. Not perhaps what you might expect from someone whose job involves creating publicity for footballers and WAGs. The love he feels for his mum was clear and touching. Ava promises to create a hat in time for Christmas for his mum who is undergoing treatment for cancer. I thought that Sue Moorcroft wrote very sensitively about this issue, with the fears, worries and hopes of those facing cancer and their families seeming very real. The bond between Sam and his mum was clear and more than once I had a lump in my throat reading their scenes.
Like many Christmas books, although the story takes place around Christmas it is a book which could easily be read any time of the year. In fact, Ava isn't the biggest fan of Christmas at all and her feelings will no doubt resonate with others who don't think this is the most wonderful time of the year. For me though, this book has all the elements I like to see in a Christmas book. Being with family and friends and appreciating the time you spend together is shown as so much more important than getting and giving lots of presents. Against all the odds, and with more than a few wobbles on the way, Ava has a wonderful Christmas in a book which gave me a warm feeling inside and left me with a smile on my face. At only 99p for Kindle at the time of writing, if you are only going to buy one Christmas book this year, I suggest you try this one.
sarah1001's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
mushmysteriesandmore's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Ava is a milliner, or hat-maker to put it in layman's terms. She makes beautiful bespoke hats but business is slow and she's struggling to make ends meet. Her best friend/landlady takes her along to a work party where she meets the handsome and charming Sam. He commissions her to make a special hat for his mum who is battling cancer. When his mother meets Ava she thinks Ava and Sam are dating and Sam is too kind to dash her hopes during her health battle and Ava agrees to fake date him for a while, at least over Christmas.
However, in the sidelines are her best friend who has a crush on Sam and Ava's bullying ex who is threatening to publicly shame her with some explicit snaps they took when dating. Ava's shame is all too familiar and highlights the real-life struggle some people suffer at the hands of an abusive ex.
This was a beautiful love story, despite the cruel nature of some of the underlying themes, but as a true Christmas romance, Ava and Sam get their HEA and a happy Christmas.
However, in the sidelines are her best friend who has a crush on Sam and Ava's bullying ex who is threatening to publicly shame her with some explicit snaps they took when dating. Ava's shame is all too familiar and highlights the real-life struggle some people suffer at the hands of an abusive ex.
This was a beautiful love story, despite the cruel nature of some of the underlying themes, but as a true Christmas romance, Ava and Sam get their HEA and a happy Christmas.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Stalking, Emotional abuse, Cancer, and Bullying
Minor: Rape