I love Joanna Bolouri's style of writing. Her books are always so relatable and realistic. I loved this book! It was sweet, heartfelt and at times funny. Just what you want in your festive read. Would really work well as a Hallmark Movie!

This is the first book I have read by this author and I look forward to reading more.

When Nick loses his job and his girlfriend dumps him, he is forced to accept the job of a Shopping Centre Santa, could his life get any worse? When 4 year old Alfie tells Santa that all he wants for Christmas is for his mum Sarah to be happy again, Nick decides to set her up with his best friend and flatmate, Matt. But as the romance between Matt and Sarah blossoms, Nick finds he is also falling in love with Sarah and he begins to realise that maybe his matchmaking wasn’t a good idea.

A lovely heartwarming story with a great cast of characters which was the perfect read.

If you enjoy books that give you all the warmly fuzzies and some laugh out loud moments then this is the one for you.

The MC Nick is down on his luck in his early thirties, not sure where his life is heading after he lost his well payed job, as well being surrounded by his more ‘got their s4!t together’ friends. To get out of his desperate, skint slump he takes a job as the local shopping mall Father Christmas - there ensues chance encounters, life changing realisations and love he wasn’t looking for.

This is the second novel from Joanna Bolouri I have read and again I wasn’t disappointed. As well as some really funny moments (petting zoo rat down your dress anyone?) she also writes some engaging dialogue, fun/honest/flawed/loveable/relatable characters (Alfie is a sweetheart!) and will they/won’t they moments.

Not a book just to be read at Christmas, I enjoyed letting myself be wrapped up in the warmth of this novel as if I was cosy by the fire in my PJ’s with a blanket and hot chocolate whilst the snow is falling outside.

I have read all of Joanna Bolouri’s previous books, so was super excited to get started on All I Want For Christmas.

The author has a great writing style; very grounded, realistic, incredibly funny and relatable. This book was was all of those things.

The first thing I liked was that the book was written from the man’s (Nick’s) POV. I’ve read other books written from the male perspective before, and books written from dual perspectives, but this is the first romantic comedy written in this way that I’ve read...and it was brilliant. I’ve read so many romcoms that it was easy to interpret the female lead’s (Sarah’s) actions and responses. But being privy to Nick’s feelings and emotions was really interesting.

Nick loses his job and, out of desperation, accepts a job as a shopping centre Santa. He meets Sarah and sets her up with his best friend and flat mate, Matt. Over time, Nick develops feelings for Sarah and we see their friendship play out over time. I love how Nick valued his friendship with Matt and ensured this was always in his thoughts. Nick was so well written, you can’t help but fall for him.

I loved this book and devoured it quickly. I would highly recommend it to anyone wanting a romantic Christmas read that has you giggling throughout.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for my advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review 📚

Beautifully written. Give me all the feels. I love these kind of books because they’re such an easy feel good read. Not read a novel by this author before but il definitely read more.

I wish I could write like Joanna – her ease of writing is evident from the first page. She’s able to describe humour, sadness and loss, and all wrapped up in a festive bow. Nick has lost his job and, grudgingly, accepts a role as a shopping centre’s Santa. It’s not his dream gig and his colleagues aren’t exactly child-friendly but when four-year-old Alfie’s wish is to make his mum happy again, Nick knows how he can help. Arranging a date between Sarah, Alfie’s mum and Nick’s best friend Matt, it sparks a relationship that’s blossoming. Alfie’s happy and so are Sarah and Matt and Nick? Well, he’s thinking he may have made a festive error. It’s so tenderly written in parts, and laugh out loud funny in others. I devoured it in 90 minutes.