This Christmas-themed romance was really cute.
The Christmas theme wasn't the only one, you also get second chances in life and toxic men.
I thought all of these themes were tied together really well. The story follows a good thread. The romance gradually builds up and I really felt like I was in a Christmas TV movie, because all the elements were present. I just found it a little odd that the protagonists said they loved each other when they weren't together at all and therefore couldn't know if it would work out between them on all levels.
The author really made me want to eat the whole time I was reading and on top of that, she gave recipes at the end of the chapters. I'm going to have to learn to cook now, that's for sure.
At first I was a little confused about the third person singular writing, but the more I read the more I found it natural and even better. So you could say that the author's writing was fluid.
I highly recommend this novel which is perfect for chilling in the warmth with a good hot chocolate.

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

Feel Good, Festive Romance…
A new start follows for Christa Playfoot following a divorce and the loss of her restaurant but will it all turn out for the best? A private chef to a billionaire at a country estate - sounds perfect but will it be the right move and a Christmas to remember? Feel good, festive romance for Christmas escapism.

I really enjoyed this book. I found Christa to be a great character with so much going on. She’s newly divorced, jobless after losing her restaurant and Christmas is fast approaching. Her friend recommended her for a job and she finds herself at the miserable Pudding Hall. It’s not long before she’s spreading her sparkle.

I enjoy this author’s books and this one doesn’t disappoint.

After a messy divorce, Christa is looking for a fresh start. When offered the opportunity to become a private chef over the Christmas period, she jumps at the chance. But a stroppy billionaire with neglected twin boys is not what she’s expecting. So with a lot of love and delicious food she is determined to bring Christmas joy into their lives.

A lovely festive story with great characters which was an entertaining read.

Pop your feet up and cancel all your plans, because once you begin this festive treat you won't be able to put it down.
A really emotional and powerful read, covering a range of themes from loss, to relationships and dreams.
I loved the characters, particularly the feisty Christa and the hilarious twins. They all felt real and were easy to conjure up in your mind.
The setting was perfect, I could picture the palatial Pudding Hall in all it's glory, making me want to go and visit York.
The references to nature and the connection between Christa and the deer really added that extra magic and sparkle to an already amazing read, I loved that touch!
This is a must read for the festive season. A brilliant read to pop you straight into the Christmas spirit. I can't wait to read more from this author, it was a real treat.
Thank you to Kate Forster, Netgalley and Aria and Aries for the ARC.

This book! Gah! This was a very powerful and moving book. It has to my favourite by this author, I couldn’t put it down or think of anything else when I wasn’t reading it.

At the beginning I thought I was going to be feeling sorry for Christa, that she was going to walk away from her ex and be very down on herself and have to have someone help her sort her issues out, but boy was I wrong, she is a strong, empowering woman with a huge heart and a helping hand. I loved the passion and fire within her, even at her lowest she still managed to rise above. Just being herself was simply enough for those who truly saw her. The issues that needed working out the most belonged to Marc and Christa was even strong enough to help him, most of the time without even realising it. Together those two and the boys were a perfect, unstoppable team.

The imagery in this book was stunning, the descriptions of Pudding Hall both inside and out were beautiful and the symbolism of the Stag and doe was just the icing on the cake.

This book really touched, it opened my eyes to a lot of things, both within my self and society and I think that will stay with me for a long long time.

Make sure you have nothing else planned for the day you start this book because you won’t be able to put it down until you reach the last page. A sweet story about overcoming your past for a successful future. This book gives all the feels making you smile, teary, and laugh out loud. A great start to the holiday season.

I love Christmas books. I always expect feel good factor, family and friends, some big life changes, and maybe a romance, too! Christmas Wishes at Pudding Hall didn't disappoint, and the storyline keeps you turning the pages. Another entertaining read by Kate Forster - thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and Aria, Head of Zeus for a copy of "Christmas Wishes at Pudding Hall" in exchange for my honest review.

Kate Forster has written the perfect Christmas story that is bound to become a classic. It is not only a heart-warming romance but it brings to light the true meaning of Christmas - family, friends, and giving to others. I was so taken by the story that I read it in one sitting. It is divided into fun sections - Entrée, Main Course and Dessert. The recipes that Christa cooks in the book are included in the chapters.

Christa Playfoot is 35 and feels she has no plan or direction for her life. At the beginning of the book she is returning the keys to the restaurant she shared with her husband Simon. They are divorcing and he has a new girlfriend named Avian.

A friend of Christa's tells her about an opportunity to cook for a family in York from December 3rd until January 3rd for an insane amount of money and a 'non-disclosure agreement' to sign. With no money and no place to live, she takes the job. Barely in the door she is yelled at by Marc Ferrier her new employer. Marc has adorable twin 10 year old sons Seth and Ethan. Also at the Pudding Hall is housekeeper Peggy Smith who appears icy at first but turns out to be a true friend to Christa. Marc's lawyer Adam is there with his husband Paul.

Both Marc and Christa had bad childhoods, have different feelings about the holiday season but where Marc chooses to barricade himself from his feelings, Christa turns her hurt into good by helping others. She always fed the homeless with the leftovers at the restaurant in London. Now in York she quickly found a charity that she could help with her cooking, after seeing the enormous amounts of food at Pudding Hall that was going to waste.

There are the usual misunderstandings but such a truly wonderful feel good holiday story about realizing your dreams and not letting other belittle you or bully you. I'm highly recommending this book to my bookish friends. This may have been my first book by Ms. Forster but it will not be my last.

Christmas Wishes at Pudding Hall - Kate Forster

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Aria & Aries and I am leaving this review voluntarily

Christa Playfoot is looking for a fresh start after her divorce. Having lost her Michelin starred restaurant that she co-owned with her ex-husband, she hadn’t expected to be job hunting and single just before Christmas.

When best friend and restaurant reviewer Selene says she’s recommended Christa for a gig as a private chef over the Christmas period, Christa can’t think of a single reason to say no.

This is a wonderful, feel-good festive romance. I read this book in one sitting as I really struggled to pull myself away from it. The majority of the characters are likeable, but all are well-written.

With a beautiful setting I would highly recommend this book as a lovely heart-warming tale for the festive season. As a bonus there are also some recipes through the book.

Rating 4/5

A food lovers book and set in a lovely part of the country. Some great characters. I loved how Christa fed the homeless in London and how she said goodbye to them. Her x husband was a piece of work. Selene was a great friend. I loved the twins . Marc grew on you. The York market I know well and the fudge sounded yummy. It makes you realise money does not always buy happiness . The house sounded lovely. A great read.

I started reading this yesterday morning but I had the day to live so when I went to bed I laid there reading until almost 6 am when I came to the words The End. I wanted so much more, this was a fantastic novel that I know I will be reading it again. The characters are well described along with so much detail. and of course the recipes, lovely ones with everything you need to know.. I will be looking out for future books by this author as she writes very well and keeps you interested all the way through. This book is worth far more than 5 stars but that is all I can give. I highly recommend you read and enjoy this fam book.

Many thanks to Netgalley and publisher for this eARC

I received an advance copy of, Christmas Wishes at Pudding Hall, by Kate Forster. I really like this Christmas story. Christa was a good strong character, starting over in life after her divorce. Being asked to be a private chef after owning a Michelin star restaurant will definitely be a change for her. I also loved the recipes in the book.

Loved this easy read, couldn't put it down once I had started loved the characters and the storyline and liked how descriptive it was, we follow Christa who has lost her livelihood thanks to her horrible ex who claimed all the glory when they owned the restaurant not sure what to do with herself when her friend tells her of a very well paid job over Christmas as a chef, she arrives and is not fazed by the billionaire's attitude which sparks an interest, throw in a set of twin boys, a toxic ex or two and a very strict housekeeper you can't put the book down
Wonderfully written and would highly recommend

Christa has lost her resturant, and her friend recommends her as a private chef over christmas. christa doesn't ex[ect a billionaire and his twin sons.
but it is not a happy house and she is determined to put some christmas cheer into the house. sweet story.

The story
Christa is a chef, who has just got divorced and closed the restaurant she and her ex-husband Simon ran together. Problem is he took all the glory and the profit and is now going to be hosting a tv programme with his new girlfriend Avian. At loose ends, Christa gets an offer to cook for an American billionaire and his young twin sons at his country house near York. Things don’t start easily, but the twins take to Christa and she to them, while she teaches them some baking and cooking and to explore the Pudding Hall property.

My thoughts
I so enjoyed Christa’s character and the love of food and service to others that Christa has. This is a charming Christmas story with a bit of a grinch billionaire who is himself enamoured with Christa’s honesty, willingness to engage with his sons and her mission to help others less fortunate than herself. It’s a real cutie! 🥰

Really enjoyed this book, it's all about realisation of a bad relationship and how you shouldn't accept it. Based in the month of December Christie after losing her restaurant due to some bad decisions and a dodgy husband she takes on a job of cooking for a family in York. Where she meets Marc a troubled billionaire with twin boys and a neurotic ex. Throw in a soup kitchen, fudge making and an acid housekeeper and you have a book you will not want to put down. Loved it

I loved the cover of Christmas Wishes at Pudding Hall, and I love Christmas romances, so I was pleased to receive an ARC of this book.

I really enjoyed this story. Kate Forster writes well, and it’s easy to become absorbed. I read the whole book in one day!

The characters are well written and likeable. I particularly loved the twins, they’re so funny with their love of horror and guts. I also loved Christa. She’s a lovely and compassionate person, and I was rooting for her right from the start. The secondary characters are also great, they all have their own stories going, no matter how little they appear on the pages.

The setting is also great. Pudding Hall sounds amazing, and I loved the deer. The atmosphere of the book is Christmassy, especially when it snows.

I enjoyed the epilogue (though it’s simply titled two years later), it rounds off the story nicely, and ties up the plot lines neatly.

Overall, this was a lovely, Christmassy read, that will leave you with a warm, happy glow.

I was given a free copy of this book, my opinions are my own.

Kate Forster gives us such a wonderful and heartwarming story, one which will make you want to go out and feed those in need. As we sit at our tables enjoying large feasts, it's easy to forget that there are many out there who can't afford to put food on the table. The heroine of this story, Christa, is a master chef and her dream is to one day be able to open a place where she can use her talents to feed the needy. For now, she finds herself divorced with no job, home or funds. When the opportunity arises to be a billionaire's chef, little does she know how much her life will change. Mark is a divorced billionaire with twin sons and is averse to anything Christmas due to his painful childhood but when Christa comes to work for him, she soon makes him realize he needs to be a better father to his children. With love in the air and a few steps back (exes showing up!!), one soon believes that the kitchen is indeed the heart of the home!!

I was given an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

A 2 am finish for me with this book which once started, refused to be put down. A good, old fashioned story with plenty of romance, family, friendship and cooking. Not too sure about the recipes which were interspersed. They’re interspersed where mentioned in the book and could be good to try but I flicked past them when I encountered them. That is just a minor detail as the book itself is excellent.