It's always a pleasure to read one of Sue Moorcroft's books and I was so pleased to receive a beautiful hardback copy of her latest book, A Christmas Gift. Like many Christmas books, although set around the festive season, it could easily be enjoyed at any time of the year. For me, this was a welcome return to the village of Middledip, the setting for many of Sue Moorcroft's other books. I was delighted to spot a few familiar faces in the passing, particularly Ratty (yes, he is still my favourite Sue Moorcroft hero!).

This is the story of Joe and Georgine and how their lives come together one Christmas. Joe was a neglected child, living with an alcoholic mother and abusive step father. My heart went out to the poor child he used to be. Many years ago now I was a primary teacher and taught several children like him. It can be heartbreaking to see potential which may not be fulfilled and also the way they can be treated by other children. Fortunately for Joe, he had an ally in Georgine who always stood by him.

Georgine had a privileged childhood which came crashing down because of something she did. She feels tremendous guilt for how this affected her entire family but she was just a young woman, not even out her teens, and she couldn't have known what would happen. Because of her experience, she has a terror of being in debt and has recently split with her partner, a decision which hasn't stopped the debt collectors arriving at her door. Money is a constant struggle but despite this, she takes in her sister when she in need. Her compassion shows too in her relationship with her father who has had several strokes.

The two meet when Georgine is producing a Christmas play at the college where she works. Joe is introduced as a friend of the principal of the college and is helping out with tech support. The whole background of putting on the show, encouraging the students and letting everyone have their chance to shine, was a great way of the characters working together and really getting to know each other. In Georgine and Joe's relationship there is a bit of role reversal from their earlier days and a sense of both overcoming adversity.

Joe is such a fascinating character. He seems to have several different persona but they are all different aspects of the same man and all go to make him what he truly is. Amongst other things he is a benefactor, but this is quietly and humbly done. I was outraged on his behalf when a journalist revealed the so called truth about him in the tabloid the Daily Snoop. These kind of exposés infuriate me. Whether they contain a grain or truth or not, they immediately blacken someone's reputation and it's hard for a public figure to put things right without it seeming to cover up. I do acknowledge that sometimes there is truth in the stories but do wish some journalists would have more integrity and less sensationalism.

I always finish a Sue Moorcroft book with a warm feeling, a happy glow inside and this book was no different. I really enjoyed the story of Georgine and Joe overcoming all kinds of obstacles in their lives and I look forward to visiting Middledip again. I do wish it was a real place as I feel I'd know my way around and be meeting up with old friends!

Georgine French is an events director at a relatively newly created secondary school focused on the performing arts She loves all things theatrical, and while family financial difficulties put an end to her degree, this position is tailor-made for her. Organized, upbeat and enthusiastic, the 17 through 19 year olds that she manages all find a source of inspiration and confidence in her presence. But not all is rosy – a breakup with her ex left debt collectors at her door, and her struggles to pay off large bills that he had run up in their name leaves her understandably unsettled. With him unwilling to take his responsibilities in hand, and the sudden appearance of her younger sister, guilting her into letting her stay as her own money management issues caused her relationship to break down, things are chaotic at home.

Joe Blackthorn is a new volunteer employee at Acting Instrumental, handed off to Georgine to orient (read babysit) by her very unusual, yet best boss ever, Oggie. Quiet and almost monosyllabic, she’s finding it hard to see just what Joe would bring to the school, but ever in need of a helping hand she ropes him into her organization scheme, watching rehearsals, talking to students, you name it. But Joe has a secret – years earlier he and Georgine were friends in school – while he was navigating a severely dysfunctional home life, poverty and some minor criminal and gang activity, she was the popular posh girl – with everything his council estate friends envied and thus wanted to destroy.

With trust issues the size of Scafell Pike and secrets (and shames) that could sink the Titanic – Joe’s double, no triple, identities, Georgine’s guilt and belief that her youthful indiscretions were the result of her family’s sudden change of circumstance, and the willingness of her sister and her ex to play on those guilts thus pushing her further into inflexible demands, the road these two have to travel is laden with pitfalls. But Joe’s determination to find and nurture talent, preparing these wide-eyed young artistic types for the pitfalls and bumps in the road is his main objective – all while ignoring a rift in the band he’d been in for the past decades, and his separation of identities, jobs and even homes. Surprisingly the story tackles multiple issues from secrets and responsibilities to the past and present informing your future, a bit of romance for Georgine and Joe, and some truly lovely moments with the Christmas show – the story was a read in one sitting sort of book, that brought the true meaning of what is important: family, friends and trust, to the forefront.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review first appeared at <a href=” https://wp.me/p3OmRo-a8L /” > <a> I am, Indeed </a>

Another great book by Sue Moorcroft. A Christmas Gift was an enjoyable read that I struggled to put down. Well written and left me wanting more.

Review: I would like to thank Avon for asking me to review and be apart of the blog tour for A Christmas Gift.

Christmas is really not Christmas without a story by Sue Moorcroft! Sue has a beautifully way with words that create fictional places you want to visit again and again and characters that become best friends. 

I fell hopelessly in love with our hero Joe. Handsome and generous and with many talents can there really be anything bad about him? 

Within the back drop of Middledip I found myself in the mids of a festive show, teenage hormones and a romance waiting to be played out, however there is history that threaten to ruin a perfect Christmas. A Christmas Gift is everything you want for a cosy read beside the fire.

I loved this read it really is one not to be missed this Christmas.

Thank you NetGalley for ARC in exchange for my honest review

A Christmas Gift is a heavier story than most cozies with some more deeper issues addressed, but it does touch on the true spirit of the season...love, family and and community spirit. If you are interested in a more realistic story as opposed to fluff, you’ll love this book.

A sweet Christmas romance from the master of heartwarming stories, Sue Moorcroft. I highly recommend this one but make sure you have tissues handy!

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

So now that we are in November, and Halloween is out the way, the deluge of Christmassy books can begin.

And one way to start the festive season is to start with the brilliant Sue Moorcroft. This book is a Christmassy delight that has thrills, spills and entertainment in abundance.

I was hooked by Georgine and Joe's story from the very first page. Both of them have a past that still haunts them, but is this a rag to riches or riches to rags type of story? Georgine is dealing with debt incurred by her ex boyfriend and has debt collectors banging on her door. While Joe has some secrets he's not super willing to share.

But at work they have the humongous task of staging the Christmas show and puts their all into making it the best show ever.

This is a warm uplifting book that will put you in the festive spirit. But be advised this is not a fluffy read, it discusses debt, second chances and the problems with family. There is depth to this story that will you engrossed all the way through.

Georgine loves her job at the local school. She has some financial worries and is being harassed by her ex.
Joe Blackthorn in many things - famous musician, rich business owner, incognito teaching assistant and once upon a time, a neglected child living below the poverty line. He has left his old life of squalor behind and is living a good life now, but Georgine is a blast from the past for him. The fact that he's keeping his true identity (indentities?) secret cause problems for him.

The story is fun and interesting and it also weaves in quite a lot of information about poverty and how easy it is to lose everything and slip down from comfort to struggling to live. It was a very thought provoking read.

A lovely book and not nearly as slushy and sentimental as I was expecting. Many subjects are touched on, including modern morals, the benefits and otherwise of modern technology, different generations, caring for others and non-mainstream education. This is all wrapped up in romance and friendship, families and Christmas, and triumphing over adversity. A heart-warming read.

Really enjoyed this book, great storyline and good characters, I’ve read a few Christmas books this year and this one is one of my favourites

There's always something exciting about reading a Christmas story and although it's only October this is one of those lovely Sue Moorcroft stories which is perfect reading for the forthcoming festive season... which will be here before we know it !

Georgine loves the festive season but this year, after a break up with her boyfriend, she is struggling to make ends meet and so, to help take her mind of her financial worries, she puts all her efforts into producing the Christmas show at, Acting Instrumental, the local performing arts college where she works as events director. However, Georgine is unprepared for the effect that her handsome new assistant, Joe Blackthorn, has on her, but, as she is about to discover, sometimes events from the past can't be kept buried forever.

The author writes her lovely stories with a cast of wonderful characters who stay with you long after you have finished reading of their adventures. I really enjoyed getting to know Georgine, as she is a feisty and determined heroine, and, of course, the added inclusion of a handsome hero, with something of a dark past, made reading the story all the more interesting! The added snippets of what goes on behind the scenes as the Acting Instrumental students get ready for their Christmas performance adds a lovely light touch which counteracts some of the darker elements of the story.

There is no doubt that the quaint village of Middledip with its snow covered streets and festive tree will get you right into the Christmas spirit with a story which is made all the more festive by being wrapped up in the most delightful cover. A Christmas Gift is a wonderful seasonal story about the possibilities of love and friendship, of being able to put the past behind you and move forward into a new future.

Christmas isn’t Christmas without a book by Sue Moorcroft!

I adore Christmas-themed novels and start reading them as soon as summer starts to fade. The cover and blurb really appealed to me, and I wasn’t disappointed.

Georgine’s boyfriend has left her, and left behind his crippling debts for her to sort out and worry over. She works at a local performing arts college, a job she adores, so keeps herself busy organising their Christmas show. Then Joe Blackthorn is introduced as the new member of staff, and then as her assistant. All good so far – then she realises that she knows him from somewhere. What’s he doing back in the area with a different name?

A lovely, heartwarming read to get you in the mood for Christmas!

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for an advance reader copy in return for an honest review.

Georgine France’s life used to be a bed of roses, until her family fell from grace when her father has lost his construction firm, her mother left and she had to leave university and find a job. And recently, her ex – boyfriend has left her, leaving debts and bailiffs for her to deal with. She works as an event director at Middledip’s performing arts college Acting Instrumental and she loves her job, so she completely immerses herself into the organization of this event, trying to forget about her financial problems. Joe Blackthorn has just returned to the village to be Georgine’s new assistant. Nobody knows that he was someone else in the past, the child of two alcoholics, living in the wrong part of the village, often hungry and dirty. Also nobody knows that he’s a drummer of one of the most successful British bands, now back home to lick his wounds after a falling out with the band. He never supposed to meet Georgine in Acting Instumental – his old crush that he hurt when they were teenagers. Is he going to make her life even more complicated?

The characters were easy to like and they really felt so close to life and I liked how challenging their lives were and how deep the problems were. Both Georgine and Joe had unhappy pasts and they really knew some struggles, both in mental and financial aspect. I really connected with them and I fell for them, and their problems hit me truly hard. They were both so brilliantly passionate about things they loved.

There came a moment when the story started to be more of Joe than of Georgine, though I didn’t have any problem with this. I liked Joe and I’m sure I’d feel comfortable in his presence, just like Georgine did. Jeez, I must pay so much attention when writing this name, to spell it right, it’s really annoying. The name itself too. It happens sometimes, that I don’t like the main character’s name, and it was the case here but no worries, it didn’t affect my feelings towards her. Maybe I’ll just call her G. I appreciate the fact that the author touched upon some more serious issues but sometimes the way she wrote about them felt too patronizing, there was too much stressing on them and it made them feel not too natural. And it was also somehow not too real that so many of the characters suddenly had the same kind of problem with money. But hats off to Sue Moorcroft for touching upon such things as poverty and bailiffs at all, it isn’t a common theme in women’s fiction.
To be absolutely honest, the descriptions of the show and preparations were not my cup of tea and I’ve voluntarily skipped most of them – in my opinion, even if they were a part of G’s life, they were not so significant nor too important for the plot. I simply wanted more of Joe and G’s stories, they were much more interesting and had so many layers.

“A Christmas Gift”, although not too Christmassy, it succeeded in putting me in the festive mood. It was a warm, uplifting story about second chances, friendship, families, some harsh truths and living in poverty, but also about neglect and abuse. This is a book that has it all: bouncy, full of life characters, some romance, tons of troubles, humour and sadness. Sue Moorcroft’s writing style is so lovely and full of passion and compassion and she handles each of her topics with the same attention. There is depth to this story so please don’t expect only a fluffy Christmas romance, because there is much more to it, and I’m sure you’re going to enjoy this fact as much as I did.

This is a wonderful Christmas story with smashing characters.
The story has a real feel good factor ideal for this time of the year.

Sunday Times bestselling author Sue Moorcroft is back with another festive blockbuster that is simply irresistible: A Christmas Gift! Heartwarming, believable and witty, A Christmas Gift is the ideal book to lose yourself into and curl up with on a cold winter afternoon.

The last couple of years have not exactly been a walk in the park for Georgine France. There was a time when she had thought that her life had been pretty rosy, having met and fallen in love with successful, handsome and well off Aidan. However, Georgine had soon learnt that her boyfriend wasn’t the Prince Charming she had thought him to be as he had accumulated eye-watering and spine-chilling debts and left Georgine to face the music and the bailiffs beating a path to her door. Making the pennies stretch has become something of a specialty for Georgine – especially as she is also expected to bail out her family members as well. There was a time when she had had dreams of making it in the show-business, however, when she had been forced to put her dreams of stardom on hold, Georgine had settled for working at a performing arts college, a job which she has grown to love and is absolutely passionate about.

With Christmas coming up, Georgine is rushed off her feet with organizing the annual show at the school. The hours might be long and tiring and the stress levels sky high, but Georgine wouldn’t have it any other way. She adores her job and is fond of her colleagues, especially her boss, Oggie, who seeing how busy she is with the show and her million and one commitments at the school, has come up with the perfect solution: an assistant in the shape of sexy, mysterious and brooding Joe Blackthorne. While she is happy to finally have some help, Georgine cannot shake off this feeling that there is more to Joe than meets the eye, but what is he hiding? While Joe is friendly and charming with every single person at the school, he seems to be rather distant and abrupt with Georgine. Why does Joe want to keep her at arm’s length? Does he have a shocking secret he simply does not want her to know about?

As the two of them begin to spend more and more time together, Georgine and Joe soon find themselves drawn to each other, but with so much going on in her life and having already been burnt twice by her previous love, is Georgine ready to take a leap of faith and put her heart on the line again? Or will she run a mile when she finds out the truth about Joe?

With her past catching up with her in the most unexpected of ways, this Christmas looks set to be an eventful one for Georgine, but will a Yuletide miracle give her the perfect Christmas gift that will make all of her dreams come true?

Sue Moorcroft has done it again and penned another outstanding read that once I started reading, I simply could not put down. In A Christmas Gift, Sue Moorcroft has written a tale of hope, courage, second chances and survival featuring a strong, resourceful and believable heroine readers will cheer for and empathize with. Despite all the obstacles standing in her way, Georgine was a fantastic heroine and she was so well drawn, that I am sure readers everywhere will relate to her.

A first class read that will have readers laughing and crying in equal measures, with A Christmas Gift, the always fantastic Sue Moorcroft has got another winner on her her hands!

Oh my gosh, Sue Moorcroft never disappoints!!

Relatable? ✅
Festive? ✅
Cosy? ✅
Practically perfect in every single way? ✅

Sorry, Mary Poppins! Sue Moorcroft has stolen your crown!

I won't delve into the bits and bobs about the storyline in fear of unintentional spoilers, especially as a lot of the storylines intricate detail is entwined with other parts of the book which need to be found out, in my opinion, by the readers very own eyes.

The theme which runs throughout the storyline is no doubt one which will end up resonating with readers of all ages. Both of the main characters, Georgine and Joe, have pasts they would rather never bring up again but, due to their present actions and thoughts, it doesn't take either of them long to realise that they need to be the 'bigger person' where their pasts are concerned and show it who's boss. Easier said than done, obviously, but watching these two characters, who are like chalk and cheese, embark on a journey of self discovery and self awareness was quite tender to read.

I don't think that this book could have had a better title if it tried! Why? Because, hand on heart, reading 'A Christmas Gift' was like receiving my own gift. A gift which hugged me from the inside and warmed me up like a hot water bottle. A gift which had me smiling like Wallace from 'Wallace and Gromit'. I honestly couldn't have wished for more in one book.

I loved how festive the entire storyline was, even if I did read it in October but, most importantly, I loved how Sue Moorcroft's words reached deep within and made me feel as though she was telling the story to me, and me only.

A enchanting, poignant, and beautifully written; Sue Moorcroft has delivered a novel which is both heartwarming and emotive, absolutely flawlessly. A truly lovely, lovely read

The Blurb :
Georgine loves Christmas. The festive season always brings the little village of Middledip to life. But since her ex-boyfriend walked out, leaving her with crippling debts, Georgine’s struggled to make ends meet.
To keep her mind off her worries, she throws herself into organising the Christmas show at the local school. And when handsome Joe Blackthorn becomes her assistant, Georgine’s grateful for the help. But there’s something about Joe she can’t quite put her finger on. Could there be more to him than meets the eye?
Georgine’s past is going to catch up with her in ways she never expected. But can the help of friends new and old make this a Christmas to remember after all?

My Thoughts :
I just love Sue Moorcroft and was so pleased to be returning to Middledip for another festive treat.
Although it is not overly Christmasy it will still put you in the mood for this time of year.
We meet Georgine France, who works as an event director at Middledip’s performing arts college. She loves Christmas and is throwing herself into conducting this years Christmas show as a distraction from her ex boyfriend who has left her with lots of debts and debt collectors knocking at her door.
Enter Joe Blackthorn, who has returned to the village and is going to be Georgine’s new assistant. She doesnt know Joe but Joe seems to know her, what is he hiding and will it ruin their friendship when Georgine finds out who he really is!.
Both are likeable charactors with a lot of history and past stories to be told.
Sue Moorcroft once again brings this village and charactors to life, with plently going on and a few surprises along the way, this is one book you will not want to miss.

Another year, another Christmas Middledip story to involve myself in. This year we meet Georgine, a drama and dance coordinator at an Expressive Arts college called Acting Instrumental. Her life is falling apart after her boyfriend upped an left her whilst leaving behind a trail of debt and destruction. Her father is unwell and she's struggling to keep her head above board. Work is also manic (but enjoyable) but more chaos ensues when the mysterious Joe starts working at Acting Instrumental.

Having known each other as children Georgine and Joe soon realize that life has altered dramatically for the both of them. Joe in particular is keen to keep a number of secrets, including that of his true identity. But can Georgine depend on him when the going really does get tough?

What I love about these book is that Sue Moorcroft always brings in real life issues. This time we are following the theme of debt and child abuse. It does give an extra element to the book.

I did find reading this a little slow but as always I'm glad that I persevered. A good wee read overall.

Whilst I did enjoy this festive read, I didn’t love it. A pleasant enough read but not one of my favourites this year. Thank you to NetGalley, Avon Books and the author for the chance to review.

Great christmas read. Set around Georgine who is getting the christmas production ready. Old friends meet again, but things are now so dfferent in their lives.