Oh my gods, Mandy has done it again, another amazing delightful and heartfelt Christmas story that just melts your heart, I just fell in love with and completely got lost in. She has such a way with words that her style of writing is truly magical which draws you in from the very first page.

I loved all of the characters,  getting to know each of them and seeing how they each developed throughout the story. Absolutely loved the Christmas theme throughout.

Two of my favourite parts to the story, of which there was many would have to be:-

1) the long text that Ray sends to Emily near the end of the story, literally bought tears to my eyes, was just so heartfelt and emotional all at the same time. I truly did feel for Ray in that moment, must have been so hard for him, having gone through what he did. I'm not saying anymore as would not want to reveal any spoilers to the story.

2) I absolutely adored the song that the class of year 6 children sing 'Can't we have a Carvery' that really did send me into giggles.

There are so many wonderful moments and laugh out loud scenes, that it is impossible not to fall in love with this book.

Mandy Baggot is one of my all time favourite authors and so I highly recommend this book and all her other books as must reads.

The cover and description was so cute but I just couldn't get completely into this one. Emily was whiny and pathetic. I was hoping for a fun Christmas romance that would get me longing for the cold weather season. Instead I received a story that took too long to get mildly interesting.

5 stars!! This is the first book I read by this author and it will not be the last! I truly loved it!! One Christmas Star was a very sweet romance. We see a stressed out teacher and a falling from grace pop star befriend each other and eventually fall in love. Both Emily and Ray have had a troubled past. They are both in their lives at a point where happiness is something they don't feel. Slowly this feeling returned to them as they got to know each other better. I liked that it was a slow paced romance. The author took the time to set up each of their storylines before Emily and Ray met. Once they did it, which was a very cute and funny scene, it was obvious they had chemistry.
This book is filled with wonderful characters besides Emily and Ray. We got to know them very well and how each played an important role in Emily and Ray's lives.
Overall, this was a great story!! Highly recommended! An added bonus where they songs that were included as part of the Christmas play that Emily and Ray are putting together.
Thank you to the publisher for the ARC provided through NetGalley for a review.

One Christmas Star is the fourteenth novel by British author Mandy Baggot. Primary school teacher Emily Parker is not looking forward to the Christmas holidays. Her best friend Jonah has moved in with his boyfriend Allan. Her spare room sits empty as does her heart. And her relationship with her parents is virtually nonexistent.

Emily’s main focus currently is to impress her head teacher in hopes of being considered for deputy lead teacher when the person holding that position retires after the first of the year. When her head teacher puts Emily in the position of being in charge of the Christmas extravaganza, Emily needs to write the script and original songs. The biggest problem is that Emily feels she has no musical talent.

Ray Stone understands the ups and downs of the music business. Recently at a high, Ray is now at his lowest. His ex-girlfriend Ida is bashing him in the media. Having not managed his earnings well, Ray is now at a point where he is tossed from his apartment. Recording is not going well, and, perhaps even worse, Ray needs surgery on his vocal chords.
When Emily and her class find a hungover Ray sleeping in the school shed protecting an injured hedgehog, the story takes off. Putting these two very different people in such proximity brings forth a funny, touching, heartwarming story that brings clarity to the true meaning of Christmas. This is a wonderfully constructed story. I did enjoy this book very much and I do recommend it!

An absolutely dreamy book that encapsulates everything about Christmas for me...community, love and some gorgeous wintery scenes in London. I loved Emily's character and spending Christmas with her Year Six class, whilst Ray was a simply swoon-worthy hero!

5 sparkling stars to this gorgeous read from the undisputed Queen of festive fiction!

Christmas reading at its best. Two people who, under normal circumstances would never meet. But when Emily’s friend walks out and Ray, singer-songwriter with nowhere to go and media on his tail, get together sparks fly. An interesting inclusive take on the usual school Christmas offerings with lots of fun and high jinks from the year 6 kids to add both humour and back story

I have read several Mandy Baggot’s novels and loved them all and One Christmas star is no exception.
Emily Parker is a teacher, her best friend and flat mate has moved out, she has been given the responsibility to oversee the Christmas play and she is still getting over the loss of the love of her life Simon.
Ray Stone is a singer-songwriter. He has been all over the media that he has abused his girlfriend, his vocal cords are shattered, and he is due for an operation. So, to drowns his sorrows, he ends up drunk with a hedgehog in a shed in Stretton Park school.
He is discovered by Emily and her year six pupils. He tells her of his predicament, and he has nowhere to go so he ends up at his flat. She tells him about the Christmas play, and he agrees to help her with the music and that’s where their relationship evolves.
This is another lovely, warm festive read by Mandy Baggot, not only because of the two main characters but, because of the children characters in it and the devising of the play. The author cleverly wrote what Christmas means for different religions. I found it also quite funny in parts and I may have got a bit emotional at the ending 4 stars from me.

Mandy Baggot never fails to deliver an outstanding, feel good, heart warming - romance filled story.. I loved it! The characters are worlds apart on paper but they definitely bring out the best in each other; they honestly make the nicest pairing. Romance never goes smoothly but I was so happy that they faced their separate issues and they still wanted the best for each other.

With some hilarious additional characters (of the adult and child variety!),. some genius comedic moments, this book will have you laughing your socks off.

With the most amazing festive atmosphere being created, I'm almost ready to get my Christmas Tree out now!

I highly recommend this superb festive, feel good smasher"

Yet another amazing book from Mandy Baggott. I was drawn in from the start of this book. I loved getting to know the characters, the twists and turns. This book leaves you feeling happy. Although I was sad when the story ended I just wanted it to carry on. Throughly recommend this book to everyone.

I have read and enjoyed all of Mandy's books but i struggled with this one, it was very slow moving and i did'nt like the main 2 characters.

One Christmas Star by Mandy Baggot a four-star read for you to wish upon. This was okay for the most part, it was a little slow at times, but overall a great story. The thing that made this story was the children and that was odd for me as I’m not a huge lover of children generally, but these kids just warmed me. They made up for the moments I wanted to make Emily stand up for herself. But even when I wanted to tell her, I also warmed to her, the story has some dark moments, but they are done well and well balanced within the story. Enjoy this on a winter afternoon while counting down the days till your Christmas as it’s a coming.

A Quiet slow read
Humour and emotions were woven between the pages
This was emotional read filled with laughter and romance

A slow burner of a book, with loads of character depth which helps with this kind of book. Both Emily and Ray were interesting characters and you really began to care about them. a really nice read, but also dealt with some hard subject areas. My only criticism would be it tended to go on abit , which sometimes interrupted the flow but I was so invested in these two that I wanted to finish it

Having read none of her previous books, I didn’t realise how long this would be. I went in assuming it would be a fast read, like a hallmark movie in book form. The story was good, but I felt like it was too long. This would make a cute Hallmark movie though!

Emily Parker has all the tidings of a not so Merry Christmas.

Her best friend has just moved out, she’s been delegated to run the school’s Christmas musical, and is still healing from a tragic loss.

Star musician, Ray Stone, has fallen from fan and media grace.

Fresh out of a failed relationship and advised by his physician to give his voice a break, Ray amps up his drinking to avoid his sorrows.

When he is found hung over in a school shed by Emily’s grade six students, Emily has to act fast to keep him from being discovered.

Ray and Emily begin a fledgling friendship; she offers him a place to stay and he helps her by revamping classic Christmas songs for the school musical.

Slowly, cautiously and ever so genuinely, these two broken souls rebuild trust through each other and find that their hearts, once sealed off, are still open to love.

Mandy does a splendid job of addressing some serious issues with a beautiful balance of finesse and wit. Emily’s students in the story line added authenticity and humour – they were so wonderfully relatable.

One Christmas Star is an enjoyable, lighthearted romance that will surely warm your heart.

Thank you to NetGalley and Aria for the read of Mandy Baggot’s, One Christmas Star.

Opinions expressed in my reviews are my very own.

This is the first book I have read by Mandy Baggot and I thoroughly enjoyed this Christmas themed story.

The main characters Emily and Ray aren't looking forward to Christmas for a number of reasons but find themselves facing a variety of challenges during the run up to the festive season. I enjoyed seeing how Emily and Ray evolve, and how their past impacts on their hopes and dreams.

However, it was the Year 6 children being taught by Emily who made this story for me - having worked in a Primary school during a variety of Christmas productions - the development of the show gave this story true Christmas magic.

Thank you to NetGalley and Aria for an uncorrected proof copy in return for an honest review.

This was a sweet festive read. It took a while to get into it and connect with Emily and Ray but once I did I found the story enjoyable overall. I liked the addition of Emily’s school life to the story and the kids in her class who added a fun flavour to the story. Ray’s history with his ex was also interesting and handled well. Worth a read.

A slow burner, but perfect for the winter months. Great characterisation and lovely writing, gives a really great novel that deserves to be read!

Mandy, you’ve done it again!
Mandy Baggot is the absolute queen of the festive story.
I absolutely fell in love with this book and the characters.
We are introduced to schoolteacher Emily Parker and her reasons and need for a new flatmate.
I liked Emily’s dress sense, and I imagined that wardrobe bulging with all her vintage finds.
I warmed to songwriter Ray from the start, he was getting seriously bad press and I felt there was more to it than he was telling his agent.
A ‘hedgehog issue’ creates a chance meeting with Emily at her school, and the kids recognised Ray straight away.
Getting to know Emily’s Year 6 pupils was such fun, and some of the things they said were very funny to a grown-up.
I loved the new lyrics to the familiar Christmas songs, and I was singing along. Mandy, I think you’re onto a winner there!
Initially I thought Emily was a weak character, but she was actually incredibly strong. She had overpowering people in her life including her posh, well-to-do parents, Mrs Clarke the headteacher, and her ex-flatmate Jonah and his partner Allan. I loved Allan aka two Ls!
Note to self - I need to visit a cheese restaurant :)
That piano scene in the posh restaurant gave me goosebumps.
I really adore Mandy Baggot books, but this one feels that bit more extra special and magical. I loved it.
The cover design is gorgeous.
Her other Christmas books are definitely worth a try if you enjoy this one.
Her books set in Corfu will take you through the Summer season with a smile.
Thanks to Mandy Baggot, Aria, Head of Zeus and NetGalley for the early review copy in which I give my honest opinion.

A quiet slow read about two damaged souls who have been hurt by people and life. Emily was a primary school teacher and Ray was a down on his luck musician. Both met when Ray saw an injured hedgehog and ending up in the school she'd. Slowly and steadily, the two move toward each other till love and trust blosommed.

Mandy Baggot has done a great job in writing a complete story which had domestic violence weaved into it. Humor and emotions made their presence felt at moments when needed. Emily was a timid silent soul, I wished she would speak up, find her backbone. But I do know sometimes life could make you speechless and scared.

This was a very slow read where each scene added to them getting to know each other, where they communicated their feelings. All of it felt authentic. Emily with her school children added an extra flavor to the story as it was cute toread their conversations. Children can make the heaviest heart feel lighter, even if they are fictional characters. Ray had a past with trauma in his personal life. It was nice to see him slowly coming out of it.

This was light emotional, fun read filled with laughter, children, and romance.