Calling Mrs Christmas

Curl up with the perfect festive rom-com from the Sunday Times bestseller

By: Carole Matthews

Narrated by: Julia Franklin

Cassie Smith has been out of work for a while but she has an idea. Drawing on her love of Christmas, she begins charging for small things: wrapping presents; writing cards; tree-decorating. She's soon in huge demand and Cassie's business, Calling Mrs Christmas, is born.

Carter Randall wants to make Christmas special for his children, so he enlists Cassie's help, and his lavish requests start taking up all her time. Thank goodness she can rely on her loving partner Jim to handle the rest of her clients.

When millionaire Carter asks Cassie to join his family on a trip to Lapland, she knows she shouldn't go . . . Suddenly Cassie finds herself facing a heart-breaking choice that could change her entire life.

Join Cassie as she takes you on a romantic and emotional rollercoaster ride in Calling Mrs Christmas.©2013 Carole Matthews

Wholesome

After having “read” several other books by Carole Matthews I looked for something light to listen to while wrapping presents. This book was a very good choice. I love Ma Matthews character development, and speaking as an American, insight into contemporary English life.

Not a Christmas Romance

Well, where should I start....

First, this story is very British. That's not a complaint, but something you might want to consider. British pronunciations, British references, most you can figure out easy enough, some might leave you wondering.

Frankly, the writing is a notch above most of the Christmas romance books I have read. There's character development, sub plots, real feelings. That was nice.

And then the big one. This does take place at Christmas but for me it didn't "feel" as Christmasy as other Christmas romance books do. I could forgive that. What I can't forgive is that it isn't really a romance book. The main character has a boyfriend/partner, and as other reviewers have mentioned, and as the main character repeatedly mentions, he's a great guy. Their connection is great. But.......
As a reader, and I'm male but I'm not sure that matters, I don't want to read about my partner...who repeatedly claims I'm wonderful...being so easily swayed by someone else just because they're richer than me or more attractive. Characters in romance novels are frequently shallow, and I'm okay with that because the goal of the story is the romance, the attraction, but in this story the main character is already attached, seemingly happily attached. I cared for her, I cared for her partner, I cared for the two wayward lads her partner was mentoring and trying to save. I would have been happy if that was the whole story...but it wasn't.

I didn't hate this book. I actually kind of liked this book. But I ended up not really liking the main character, and feeling sorry for the author who doesn't seem to have the right feel for what romance is.

Narration was fine.