Christmas Wishes at Pudding Hall

Christmas Wishes at Pudding Hall by Kate Forster is a wonderful, feel-good festive romance that really made me smile. I loved it!

I really was able to get into the holiday spirit with this holiday story with beautiful winter landscapes, locations, and descriptions.

I also loved the second chance at happiness story with Christa and Marc. Brought together by chance with Christa answering the call of need for a chef at a stunning home after experiencing several bumps in the road of life and meeting the “man of the estate” Marc, whom was also going through his own problems, this coupling couldn’t have come at a better time. Through their time together, they are able to step back, find out what really matters, and help one another find purpose and happiness.

The ending is just perfect and heartwarming. Just what I needed at this time.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Aria Fiction/Aria & Aries for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

Christa Playfoot is looking for a fresh start after her divorce. Having lost her Michelin-starred restaurant, she hadn't expected to be job hunting and single just before Christmas.
When her best friend says she's recommended Christa for a gig as a private chef over the Christmas period, Christa can't think of a reason to say no.
Christa has no idea what to expect but it's certainly not grumpy billionaire divorcee Marc Ferrier and his rambunctious twin sons, or the beautiful but cheerless country estate, Pudding Hall, that they inhabit.
With her knack for pouring love into her cooking, Christa is determined to make this Christmas sparkle for the Ferrier family and maybe get her life back on track in the process...
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for allowing me to read this book. However the biggest thanks needs to go to Kate Forster for writing it! With Kate you are guaranteed a warm feeling whilst reading as her writing is always spot on. There were as always some twists and turns but essentially encapsulates everything that is important about Christmas, friends family and giving. There is an element of selflessness from Christa which we could all take on board, I, similar to other readers, i read this in one go and absolutely loved the recipes at the end of the chapters. Thoroughly enjoyed this and cannot wait to read Kates next!