Alfie is a doorstep cat who has many families. He lives with Claire and Jonathan and their young children. Polly and Matt (and their young children and cat), and their children, Sylvie and Marcus (and Sylvie's daughter) and Harold (Marcus' father who also has a cat) are their neighbours and Franceska and Tomasz )and their teenage children) are former neighbours. All the families are very good friends with each other, thanks to Alfie. Alfie is the adopted "dad" to a cat named George.

Connie, Sylvie's daughter, is dating Franceska and Tomasz' son, Aleksy. They are doing a school project and decide to do something to help the local homeless shelter. After brainstorming with everyone, including the cats, they come up with idea of having a Christmas show and giving the proceeds to the homeless shelter. Plus they will ask for donations of clothing, etc. The neighbourhood pitches in and they have quiet a show planned. But someone starts sabotaging it but know one knows who. Alfie takes it upon himself to find out what's going on.

This is the seventh and latest in Alfie series and I liked it (I've read them all). Though it's part of a series, it works as a stand alone. It is written in first person perspective in Alfie's voice. We can see the conversations he has with other cats and now Pickles. Plus he understands the conversations of humans around him (rather than "blah blah blah blah blah Alfie blah blah blah). Though he can't talk back to them in their language, he does try to communicate in cat-talk and expressions.

Cat people already know cats are extremely intelligent and capable. It's the humans that don't always behave as they should. That is true in ALFIE THE CHRISTMAS CAT. If you've read any of this very entertaining series of titles, you'll know Alfie and his crew of cats...and Pickles, the pug...have to work hard to keep their humans safe and their town happy. When the humans plan a Christmas pageant to benefit the town's homeless, the cats are included....and Pickles, aka Rudolph...so are very cranky when it looks like someone is trying to stop the show. Their antics as they investigate are just as entertaining as ever and will give you a chuckle or two as they track down their villian and bring him to justice.

Another fantastic novel about Alfie and his family and friends, you can't go wrong with any of this series by Rachel Wells. I hope we have many more of these tales to come. This is a never want to put it down book and it is very hard to have to do so. I intend to read the whole series again very soon as they are so well presented and very enjoyable. Pity I can only give this 5 stars, I would love to give a great deal more. I really recommend this to everyone.

Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for this ARC in return for an honest review.

Alfie the Christmas Cat
Alfie the Cat Series - Book 7
Disclaimer - This is Not a Romance Genre Series
By Rachel Wells

Avon - November 2020

Fiction


Alfie's extended family was always growing, which made it all the more difficult for him to keep everyone managed. Solving his family's problems was what Alfie did. Actually, he thrived on it. Christmas was coming, and Alfie had his paws full with strategizing how to help on a fundraiser, as well as find out why one of the children was beginning to misbehave in ways that worried all the adult humans.

This could have daunted a lesser cat, but Alfie knew that he was up to the challenge. The decision was made for a holiday show to raise money for a homeless shelter. You would think everyone would be on board to help others, especially with Christmas just around the corner, but it seemed someone was intent on sabotaging the fundraiser.

Alfie might be busy helping his family and rehearsing his part, but he knew he had to help catch the culprit. He would rally the troops to investigate.

Alfie the Christmas Cat is a fun festive read for the holiday season. It is always interesting to see what the residents of Edgar Road are up to - human, feline and dog alike. I always enjoy watching as Alfie contrives to share his thoughts and opinions with the humans. I loved the focus on helping others. It would be truly lovely if everyone who enjoys their time reading Alfie the Christmas Cat pays it forward by helping someone in need.

Kathy Andrico - KathysReviewCorner.com

Cat lovers will enjoy this Christmas tale told from Allie the cats perspective. Very cute and well written book. I received an advance ebook from the publisher and Netgalley and this is my unbiased review review.

If you've read any of the other Alfie books, getting this one is a no-brainer. It's right in line with the others in the series, and it contains many of the familiar characters, and the same style and wit. A fun, light read with an Xmas theme. Recommended.

I really appreciate the ARC for review!!

Thanks to netgalley for the chance to read this book.

This was my first Alfie book and I really enjoyed it. Alfie and his cat friends help to organise a Christmas concert but someone is trying to sabotage it. Alfie and his friends help to find out the culprit.

A good book about friendship and relationships.

Read and reviewed by my 12 year old son.

5 stars all round amazing book thoroughly enjoyed it. It took me a while to get into the book because I hadn’t read the rest of the series of books but once I got into it I was engaged and wanted to read it. It is a wonderful book about the story of a cat called Alfie who tries to save the charity Christmas show from disaster by an evil person. I now want to read the rest of the series!

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

The mystery of Who is Trashing the Christmas Play

Alfie's adults decide to put on a Christmas play to benefit the homeless shelter.

As it was really Alfie's idea, but it took a while for him to get his humans work out his idea.

So,, everyone is involved - George - Alfie's son, Snowball - Alfie's lady friend, and of course Pickles the pug puppy that lived in their house.
Along with all the humans that got involved.

They’ve found a hall to use for the play, made flyers and put them out and decorated the hall.

The acts for the play, they got from school, the church and the neighbourhood. The lady at the newspaper took pictures for the paper.

All had their parts, made their costumes abd the scenery. But, it appears someone is out to destroy the scenery. The question is who s doing it?

Now, Alfie and his cat crew need to turn detective and solve the crime. .

It is a lighthearted read about loss, compassion and forgiveness and the real spirit of Christmas and helping others.

Recommend it.

The gang of cats and humans come together to put on a Christmas event and then attempt to find the person sabotaging it. The cats were the stars, but there were so many characters, and they all were not introduced, so I felt a bit lost some of the time. I would add more of an introduction about the characters.

i love cats and i have read all the Alfie books - this can be read after the other 5 or on its own. I was so happy the publishers and #Netgalley gave me the opportunity to read this as it was on my list of Christmas books i wanted to read. Its just such a great story and everyone should read it for Christmas.

This novel is the seventh story in the Alfie series, and once again the theme is about the tenacious feline patriarch saving the day for his human and feline friends. This time the story has a festive theme and Alfie has to use his mighty brain to figure out how to solve a mystery: the mystery of the evil saboteur who is trying to spoil a charitable Christmas Concert and thereby ruining Christmas for everyone in the community, but especially the local homeless community that will benefit from ticket sales, donations and their inclusion as guests at the concert dress rehearsal.
Of course Alfie has lots of willing helpers in the local cat community, including George, Alfie’s kitten. But can a cat really defeat someone with huge feet, someone who is a sworn cat-hater and who is violent and driven by anger and revenge? You’ll have to read the story to find out.
I’m a massive, mad cat lady. I have cat ornaments; cat books (obviously), cat bed socks, cat portraits and more. I’m sure you get the drift of what I am saying. I have adopted and loved to bits seven wonderful cats throughout my 70 year life. So I started reading the Alfie books from the very first book in the series: ‘Alfie the Doorstep Cat’ and just carried on following Alfie’s life story book by book. This whole series is light hearted, amusing and very readable. It is really lovely to watch the character development book by book. It’s pure magical escapism. I love the human cat owners, all of them. I love Alfie and all of the other cats in the cat community. I love their sense of community and taking care of each other and the wider community. Each new story introduces new characters and new themes. What’s not to like?
Each story is a little treasure of enjoyment, easy reading and good storytelling. There are several different and interesting threads woven into this story as well. This one touches on the story of a truculent and angry teenager, a birth, grief, jealousy and the feelings and plight of the homeless. I enjoyed reading it and had a huge smile on my face at the endearing but not unexpected ending. I’m a bit of a detective myself you see.
I received this novel through my membership of NetGalley and from publisher Avon in return for an honest review. Thank you most sincerely for my copy. In these worrying times of Coronavirus, Lockdown, terrorism and daily bad news, this was a refreshing read that really cheered me up. This is my 3.5*review.

Wow what a lovely story off Alfie George pickles and rest off the gang. It was amazing to see what they did for the homeless shelter even with Barbra trying to trash it and make it not happen after she didn't get the part she wanted in the show. The cats did a great job trying to solve it and found out who it was. Also the Christmas miracle with hana having the kittens on Christmas day. Such a heart warming story

Who is Trashing the Christmas Play?

Alfie's humans are putting on a Christmas play to benefit the homeless shelter. It was really Alfie's idea and it took him a while to get his humans to get the idea. Now everyone is involved...George, Alfie's son, Snowball Alfie's lady friend, and Pickles the pug puppy that lived in their house. This is plus all the humans that got involved.

They found a hall to use for the play, put out flyers and decorated. They got acts for the play from the school, the church and the neighborhood. Even the newspaper lady took pictures for the paper to help the homeless shelter. Of course Alfie and George were the features..what great cats they were.

Everyone got parts, made costumes, practiced and made scenery. However, someone keeps destroying the scenery. Who is doing it? Alfie and his cat crew need to go detective and solve the crime of who is trashing the Christmas play.

I really liked this book. It is a lighthearted read about loss, compassion and forgiveness. It is about the real spirit of Christmas and helping others. To give to those that have nothing so they can have a wonderful Christmas. What a great story and told by a cat. It is adorable. I recommend this Christmas story to all young and old.

Thanks to Rachel Wells, Avon Books UK, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a copy in return for an honest review.

I did not realize that this was a series, but Alfie the Christmas Cat is actually book #7. It doesn't matter as this book works fine as a stand-alone. This is a sweet story (told from the perspective of the cat!) about a charity event to raise money for the homeless. Everyone is filled with holiday cheer and the spirit of Christmas until a Scrooge decides to trash the set that is going to be used for the big fundraiser event. Alfie and friends must find a way to save the day. This book is heart-warming, sweet, and who doesn't love cats at Christmas? Must read for the holidays.

What a wonderful book! I loved reading Alfie the Christmas Cat. It is well written and holds your attention. It is full of adventure and mystery, but is also full of the Christmas spirit. It was an absolute joy to read! You don't want to miss this book! Thank you Avon Books UK via NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

Alfie, George, Snowball, Hana, Pickles and the whole Edgar Street posse of cats (and pug) are back, and it was a joy to be back amongst them.

I really do love this series from Alfie's perspective, for he really is a rather clever cat, and the bond he has with his various humans is amazing.

The idea for the Christmas Show was inspired, and seeing how the community comes together to help put this show on and to raise awareness and money for the homeless is rather special. Not only that but they insist the whole cast goes to the homeless shelter and meet some of those they will be helping.

Which is a great follow on from the themes of the previous book which dealt a lot with loneliness at all times of year but especially Christmas, and the programme Harold set up is fully functioning now and really does seem to help a lot of people.

Not everything is smooth sailing for the humans, Tommy is playing up at home and school and everyone is worried about him. And that is before we take into account someone attempting to sabotage the show, and a new rather complicated neighbour on the street too.

There is something so amusingly imaginative about having four cats in the Nativity part of the show, playing sheep, and seeing the cats get together regularly amongst themselves in order to practice how to be the best sheep they can be. While Pickles gets to be Rudolph!

There is also a storyline about Hana, who George is increasingly worried about, that well I had an inkling but the way it played out was just perfect for a Christmas book!

This is just such a special series, and Alfie really is a Christmas cat. I really had the feeling of the true spirit of Christmas while reading this story.

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

This Christmas story is told by Alfie the cat. It is the 7th book in the series but can be read as a standalone. Cute premise, but I did find there were quite a few names to get your head around at the beginning, maybe it would have been easier if I'd read the others first? That being said I do enjoy stories told by animals and this was a heartwarming festive read about a community trying to raise money and awareness for the local homeless shelter.

This book was just too hard to follow. Too many characters, too many plot lines, too much of everything but a real story that I could follow and characters that I could care about.

Alfie and his friends are back. It's Christmas time and the people of Edgar street are going to organize a Christmas show for fundraising for the homeless shelter. And of course, Alfie and his friends will be part of the show. But there is sabotage, what's going on? Time for Alfie and his friends to catch the culprit.

It's again a sweet story of the love of people and animals. But it's not as sparkling as the parts before. It's nice to read and it has humor and some serious themes as loneliness and mourning, but it's not really surprising anymore. Alfie and his friends are the heroes of the story, and it's nice to see how the show is building op from zero to a great Christmas event.

Alfie the Christmas cat is a nice and sweet novel about family and friendship and ends with a new storyline for a new part 7.