This collection of Christmas stories is different than your regular Christmas ones, most have a little more grit but for the most part, if that is what you are looking for then this is a book for you. I was okay with most of them. A good read.

A great collection of various different types of Christmas reading that isn’t always highlighted or shown during the festive period. It was great to read different views and perspectives compared to the traditional stories that we read.
As with all collections some were more enjoyable then others however the works compliment each other as a whole and ones I did not resonate too others will which is what is always great with books such as this. If looking for some different holiday stories would recommend picking this up.

Definitely in agreement that the book is not exactly the normal Christmas stories which can be written delving into romance to give the readers warm and fuzzy feelings from the forming of new relationships and romance. Some of the stories yes! Do delve into the romance, friendships and relationships full of the warm and fuzzy feelings and emotions while others are very gritty, gripping yet finger nail biting. Whereas majority of the stories could give the reader a sense of being on an emotional roller coaster as we read through the strong emotions of grief, daily struggles of life, lost loved ones. Definitely a book to cuddle-snuggle rugged up in the Christmas winter warmth or the Christmas Summer sunbathing on the beach, poolside or at home. As a reader who has suffered from trauma, should be aware that it story or two might cause triggers please tell yourself it’s just a story or seek help if badly effected.
#GrittySouthernChristmasAnthology #NetGalley.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bluewater Publishers, Gritty South via NetGalley for my honest review of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own thoughts, feelings and viewpoints of the book.

I was looking for something different in the festive category, and picked up this anthology to while away a Sunday afternoon in December.

Featuring a range of writers and styles, I particularly enjoyed the epistle-esque musing on why Santa Claus is always shown as white, and a dreaming of changing the santas to Black ones on Christmas Day. I also found myself thinking about the story of a newly released from prison thief, making his way back home for Christmas and the abused teen who finds Christmas in her own way.

Definitely not warm and fuzzy, I felt at times that these stories were designed to be shocking and brutal, in order to bring in God and Jesus as saviours of all. While I have no problem with religion, I didn’t expect to find it as such a main character in a book which described by the publisher as: “These are not your typical, warm-and-fuzzy, smalltown Christmas tales”. Some of them were directly from the Nicholas Sparks’ stables, that’s for sure.

Clearly, a lot of people have worked hard on these and I appreciated the effort. Perhaps they could have been proof read as there were a couple of easy errors - some misspellings and in one story, a character changes name halfway through which was very confusing.
I would have preferred something in the description about it being a Christian facing anthology, as I know that’s not for me, and perhaps a degree more editing - aside from the typos and continuity errors, it didn’t feel like a cohesive set of stories but more that they had been placed in the order they were received.

Omg I loved it so sweet. I think I fell in love with every last page. Well written and exactly what I needed to lift my spirits

A couple of good short stories don't make up for a mostly lackluster collection of tales that, although are supposed to be southern and Christmas based are not necessarily so.