Christmas at the Gingerbread Cafe
Rebecca Raisin
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Carina UK (Harlequin)
Date of Publication: November 12th 2013
ASIN: B00GBZ3YD8
Number of pages: 52
Word Count: 17, 750
Cover Artist: Carina UK
Book Description:
Christmas is the season the Gingerbread Café was made for…but owner Lily couldn’t be feeling less merry if she tried. She’s spent another year dreaming of being whisked away on a sleigh-ride for two, but she’s facing festive season alone – again. And, just to give her another reason to feel anything other than candy-cane perky, a new shop across the road has opened… Not only is it selling baked goods, but the owner, with his seriously charming smile, has every girl in town swooning.
But Lily isn’t about to let her business crumble — the Gingerbread Café is the heart of the community, and she’s going to fight for it! This could be the Christmas that maybe, just maybe, all her dreams – even the someone-to-decorate-the-Christmas-tree-with ones – really do come true!
My review:
In need of a good book but struggling to find the time to read in the lead up to Christmas? Problem solved.
I don’t usually read novellas. I like to get my teeth into lengthy novels of 80k+ and really invest myself in the characters. When the opportunity came up to read Christmas at the Gingerbread Cafe though, I couldn’t resist. I was in the mood for some romantic pre-Christmas reading and this novella definitely ticks that box.
Lily is immediately likeable. She’s just the right balance of feisty and funny. When Damon arrives in town and sets up shop opposite, Lily’s determination to fight for her business is strong. So strong, in fact, that a number of very amusing scenes follow as she takes on Damon in a humourous version of what could almost be described as Small Town Retailer Survivor.
Damon is nothing short of delicious. A sense of humour, a hard working attitude and a sensitivity belied by a past that he keeps quiet about, much to Lily’s frustration.
It was an absolute pleasure reading about Lily and Damon, and watching them fall in love with one another. There’s a great support cast in Lily’s friend and co-worker. The plot kept you wanting to read more and the questions around Damon’s past are cleverly interwoven providing just the right amount of mystery and conflict.
Overall, a very enjoyable read. And you never know, I might become a convert of novellas if this is the standard I can expect.
Giveaway
5 eBook copies of Christmas at the Gingerbread Cafe
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About the Author:
Rebecca Raisin is a true bibliophile.
This love of books morphed into the desire to write them. She’s been widely published in various short story anthologies, and in fiction magazines, and is now focusing on writing romance. The only downfall about writing about gorgeous men who have brains as well as brawn, is falling in love with them – just as well they’re fictional. Rebecca aims to write characters you can see yourself being friends with. People with big hearts who care about relationships, and most importantly, believe in true love.
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Belinda Williams 