I love these type of light, feel-good, romantic stories when the holidays begin rolling around. It's a simple premise that is well-executed. The characters were lovely and I really liked Joe. His conflict with the band was not my favorite, but I liked their scenes in general. I wish the conflict between him and the band was more substantial, but as it is not the purpose of the book it was fine. Their is plenty of chemistry between Joe and Georgine. I liked Georgine's story though you don't really go too in depth into it. The main focus is the romance and it's very sweet. All in all, if you are looking for a sweet, frothy holiday romance then this would be a great book to try out.

This is a first for me by this author and certainly won't be my last... I just couldn't put it down!!

Georgine once knew what it was like to have it all but when her life was turned upside down, by her ex-boyfriend walking out and leaving her with crippling debts, she's struggled to make ends meet, but she learns to adjust and cope. Throwing herself into the Christmas show at the local school where she works, she hopes to forget about the mess her ex has left her in.

What she didn't count on was her new assistant, handsome Joe Blackthorn. 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?

With Georgine's past and Joe's secrets... will everything go to plan?

Can the help of friends new and old make this a Christmas to remember after all?

A great story about recognising your past and your pain but not being defined by it, and the value of friendships.

Thank-You Netgalley for my ARC.

A CHRISTMAS GIFT by Sue Moorcroft is the gift that keeps on giving. With relatable, likeable characters and real-life worries and drama to contend with, this story just got me in the heart and I couldn't put it down.

Georgine once knew what it was like to have it all but when her life turned upside down, she learned to adjust and cope. Throwing herself into the Christmas show at the school where she works, she hopes to forget about the mess her ex has left her in and her family problems which have arrived at her doorstep but she didn't count on her new assistant Joe. Just who exactly is he? And what is he running from?

Tackling serious issues of debt, loss, and poverty in a sensitive way, A CHRISTMAS GIFT by Sue Moorcroft is more than just a feel-good story. It's depth and emotion really shine through on each page and I didn't want to put it down.
​
A CHRISTMAS GIFT is a story about recognising your past and your pain but not being defined by it, and the value of friendship glows happily throughout. This is a must-read for not just Christmas fans but all readers who enjoy a well-thought-out story with that extra spark of magic woven throughout.

Just the right amount of Christmas cheer in this book to make it a warm fuzzy read without being overly sentimental.
I enjoyed the interaction between the two main characters, Georgine an arts events organiser in a school, and Joe, an old friend from school who has changed beyond recognition. But the secrets that Joe is hiding threaten to tear both his professional and personal life into shreds, and the Christmas Extravaganza that Georgine, Joe and the students from the school have been working on is threatened.
This is an inspiring read portraying the best and worst in people;, best read on a cold rainy day with a cup of hot chocolate, a cosy room and a pack of biscuits

Welcome to a Middledip Christmas! Yes, it’s ‘that’ time of year again and we can rejoice with the release of the latest novel from Amazon and Sunday Times best-selling author, Sue Moorcroft. And, even better, for long-standing fans, she’s taken us back to Middledip! Don’t worry if you’re new to reading this author, by the time you’ve finished reading this book, you’ll be dying to check her back catalogue to discover more of this enchanting village she has created.

So, what do we have here? Well, I’ll start by stating that you won’t get too much about the story itself from me, as I don’t believe in giving too much away (you’ll find that on other reviews), I prefer to concentrate on other things.

A wee snippet of story – Georgine France isn’t having the best of times since her boyfriend walked out on her, leaving her to deal with his debts, and when her sister comes to stay after splitting with her husband for reasons she doesn’t quite reveal, the prospect of producing the Christmas Play for the Performing Arts College she works for, suddenly turns into more work than she’d like. Throw in a blast from the past in the form of the enigmatic Joe Blackthorn, who has more than a few secrets of his own to sort through and you’ve got the enthralling tale of the year!

Sue is a (and I hope she’ll pardon me the choice of word) mistress of emotion, and she takes us through the wringer here, to be sure (Georgine’s father is not in the best of health either). All the main characters are beautifully rounded and, as is always the case with Sue’s novels, she has some of the best secondary characters that could be written. I always feel like I’ve been introduced to a new family by the time I’ve finished reading a Sue Moorcroft story, and that is just the same here.

If you’re looking for just a great Christmas romance, then you’ve found what you’re looking for. If you’re searching for a new author, then I envy you the many Sue Moorcroft novels you’re undoubtedly about to start off on. You’re in for a treat either way.

My thanks to both Avon and Netgalley for providing me with a review copy which has been reviewed honestly.

A Christmas Gift by Sue Moorcroft a four-star read that will make you wish upon a Christmas dream. I’m a fan of Christmas fiction, I think its as I’m not such a huge fan of the event itself and like it to be polished and tidy instead, instead of sweaty and crazy like it normally is. This author has a great way with words, she will suck you in and you will be loving Christmas as much as Georgina, whom you will adore as a character, she has such gumption and spark I want to hug her and get her a hot chocolate and just make it all better, I loved her story and how the author goes about telling it. This was a true story of the nice bots of Christmas, the getting together and pulling together, it just makes it all the more special.

Mix Christmas, romance, wonderful charachters and a great story line....A Christmas Gift by Sue Moorcroft has it all. Georgine and Joe learn that the past doesn't have to define our future, even if it catches up with us and threatens the present. A great Christmas romance with heart. The only thing I found a little odd in this book, was the name of the school where Georgine works.

The town of Middledip is very lucky as it has both Georgine and Joe working on the Christmas show! Both of them have secrets (neither serious) and both are dealing with oh sigh problems. Georgine's dad went bankrupt, she pulled herself together, and then her rotten boyfriend left her with a pile of debt. Joe's a rockstar in hiding after a breakup with his band. You know these two are going to get together, after some ups and downs, and Moorcroft does it in style. Thanks to net galley for the ARC. This is a cheery book to get you in the spirit!

A pleasant read warm hearted Geogine is at the heart of the story and as she meets up with a friend from her past the story is one of betrayals, relationship's, family and friends which all come together at Christmas with a nice festive feel think this book will appeal to most age groups enjoyable book

Georgine has had a run of bad luck and is hoping against all hope that something good is at last going to happen in her life. She is the events director in the local performing arts college called Acting Instrumental, a job she is dedicated to and really loves. She is currently organising the Christmas extravaganza which at least takes her mind off the painful breakup of her last relationship. She has lots of worries and her back story is one of a fall from grace, once privileged but now struggling to keep everything together. It’s a sad story and it has blighted her adult life.
Joe Blackthorn is a voluntary helper who has just joined the college temporarily and is assigned to Georgine as her assistant. He is a long-time friend of the college principal and has lots of experience with and knowledge of musical performance. He is the ideal helper for Georgine at the exceedingly busy time and they hit it off straight away. His back story is the direct opposite of Georgine’s. His family life as a child was very challenging. His family were poor and neglectful, his parents were both alcoholic. Luckily for him his life changed and now he is really wealthy but his career has come to a full stop. Joe has decisions to make.
Both Georgine and Joe have secrets that they are closely guarding. Gradually they learn to trust each other and confide in each other. but still keep back their most important secret, unable to find the right time to unburden themselves. As the story unfolds into a tender romance, their pasts come back to haunt them and their happiness is put on the line.
This novel is very well informed and the storytelling is exquisite. As the promise of a heartwarming Christmas romance materialises, so disaster strikes. I loved the characters of Georgine and Joe. They were made for each other, two lovely people who gave so much and lived such worthy lives. The supporting characters were also well created and skilfully developed to advance the story on. I did not like the rogues, though it took a time for me to find out who they were. As the two stories merged, so the pace of the novel increased even more. It was teasingly exciting and the festive activities were interesting and very enjoyable.
I received a copy of this novel through my membership of NetGalley and from publisher Avon in return for an honest review. Thank you most sincerely for my copy. I have never read any other books by Sue Moorcroft, but that will change now because I really enjoyed this one. Luckily there is a large back catalogue from which I can choose what I would like to read.

Utterly unputdownable, compulsive reading, that had me turning the pages as fast as I could read them. I have a feeling Georgine and Joe's stories will live with me for quite a while.

These are real characters, they had gritty backgrounds, where things have been tough in their earlier years. Joe and Georgine knew each other at school briefly but when they meet again, Georgine doesn't recognise him initially.

For one of them there is a rags to riches story waiting in the wings, for the other it was more riches to rags. Between them and their family the book tackles a fair few issues, including debt, in a way that draws you and and makes you want to reach out and help these people as though they weren't fictional characters.


Although there are a variety of serious topics, this also had great moments of light heartedness, and I loved everything to do with Acting Instrumental where Georgine works.

Seeing how they put together a Christmas show, is very interesting and seeing it all from behind the scenes, for a show that has similar themes to those running through the book.

I wouldn't say I got a festive feeling from this, but I did get a fabulous story to read, set in Middledip and Bettsborough, where odd familiar faces from Sue Moorcroft's previous books were popping up, and putting in a cameo or too. Although not overly festive, there was a good sense of the run up to Christmas, from people that are not necessarily having the easiest time of things, and gives a more realistic view of Christmas than the "typical film Christmas".

There are so many good things I would love to say about this book, which held my interest throughout, threw in some surprises, back stories that was fascinating, assorted scenes with action, and many other fabulous aspects - but I don't want to give anything way.

I suggest that you take a chance and read this yourself, whether you are a fan of the author, in which case you may agree with me that this is one of her best, or new to the author, read this book, it is simply superb.

Thank you to Avon and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

A lovely feel good factor story that I really enjoyed reading: from rags to riches and vice verse and the meeting in between.
Based around a drama/music college and their Christmas show with a rock star thrown in for good measure.
Tears in my eyes at the end.

I loved it. It is a heartwarming story with very loveable characters. Georgine and Joe used to be friends at school, but later they lost sight of each other after a row. Now they meet again as adults and they both feel the sparks between them. But they both have 'issues' from the past and in the present as well. I rooted for Georgine all the way long so I was happy about the ending of the story. The plot has lots of twists and turns to keep the readers interested. The setting is also very interesting, a higher education college for students of performing arts in the middle if preparations for the Christmas show.
I recommend ti for readers who like feel-good readings and romances.

As an avid reader of books by Sue Moorcroft, as well as a lover of Christmas fiction, I have been looking forward with great anticipation to her new Christmas story. As I had expected, this book was easy to read, grabbing my attention right from the start and holding it to the last page. In common with most of Sue Moorcroft's books, this one has a really inviting cover, in this case making the reader think instantly of Christmas.



As with many of Sue's previous books, this story is set in the Cambridgeshire village of Middledip, much of the action taking place in its performing arts college. Georgine France, who has lived in Middledip all her life, is events director at the college and is currently run off her feet organising the annual Christmas production. Principal of the college, Norman Ogden, surprises her with the introduction of a new member of staff, Joe Blackthorn, who is going to assist her with this task. However, it turns out that he may not be quite what he seems at the start. He seems familiar to Georgine, and as the story progresses surprising details of his past and present life come to light. To add to Georgine's load, she has financial troubles preying on her mind, as well as having to keep an eye on younger sister Blair and ailing father Randall. All in all, a busy and stressful festive season for her.



Although this story plunged me into an area I am unfamiliar with, from staging a musical production to the world of rock music, I absolutely loved it. Through Sue Moorcroft's skillful story telling, I became totally absorbed in the tale, actually finding myself nervous that anything might go wrong on the night and worried about the outcome of troubles experienced by the main characters. Above all, though, it made me feel Christmassy, surely the best recommendation for a book published at this time of year.

I love a good Christmas feel good book and this book did not disappoint.

Set in a lovely village near Cambridge with a lovely snowy backdrop. The lovely Georgine is taking centre stage in this story whose coordinating her performing arts students performance in the lead up to Christmas.

A lovely feel good story to make you smile and feel full of festive cheer in the lead up to Christmas

3.5 stars .

With a Christmas show pending and a new but old friend coming to town, goergine certainly will be busy.

A stranger turns up at the academy that Georgine works at, she is given the job to show joe the ropes. Unbeknown to Georgine, Joe isn’t as much a stranger as she first thought.

Not only is Georgine working towards the Christmas show taking place, she is tied to an Ex whom she would much rather forget. With her failing finance situation, will it be a peaceful Christmas for her?

Can a Christmas show, a little windfall and an unexpected visitor help Georgine have a wonderful Christmas?

Loved this book from start to finished, I was gripped. Secrets and mishaps kept me hooked. Well written and left you wondering what could happen next. Highly recommend

I love Christmas and Christmas books and A Christmas Gift was no exception. I found this book to be well written, I enjoyed the plot and the author's writing. I highly recommend this book. My thanks to Netgalley for my digital ARC. This is my unbiased review.

I’ve enjoyed books by this author and this one didn’t disappoint .I discovered this author through NetGalley books to review.. I enjoy reading about different towns she describes In her characters make the stories feel so real.
After a breakup with her live in boyfriend; Georgina moves forward to a town called Middledip. There she has to make ends meet because her ex boyfriend s debts left behind. Bill collectors driving her to no wits end,she tries to find comfort with helping organize a Christmas show in a academic arts music school.
There she meets new friends and a lost childhood classmate, who wins her heart in different ways especially a secret he has to keep from her.
Joe Blackthorn is the hero not only to all the students but for Georgine he seems to be there whenever she has a need to vent or resolve a crisis.
Her sister Blair’ moving n and with her own problems financial and personal, adds to Georgines worries but n the end: everyone is saved with the Christmas gift of love and who gives that special gift makes the reader cling n to the very end.

I love Sue Moorcroft's books and this one didn't disappoint..Georgine is the musical director of the local music school who are putting on a Christmas play. Her ex-boyfriend has left her with massive debts and she's struggling to cover all her bills. Joe Blackthorn is taken on as her assistant and she keeps thinking she's met him before. A real feel good book.

What a fantastic book. I really enjoyed this storyline, the characters were interesting, the story wasn't too Christmassy. It was a really good read