This post was originally published at Novelicious.com and is now at WritingTipsOasis.com. WritingTipsOasis.com acquired Novelicious.com in June 2022.
Reviewed by Susan Lobban 
It’s the classic story of boy meets girl, boy moves away, boy and girl are reunited and then live happily ever after. Until that is they lose a baby and are about to lose their beloved foster child. Then the story is no longer ordinary…
Belle loves everything about the festive period, but this year she feels devoid of Christmas spirit. She always felt lucky to have Jim, her husband, by her side, but not even he can bring back her sparkle. It was a wonderful life, but now Belle is beginning to doubt everything.
I love to immerse myself in Christmas films and books as soon as December arrives. So when I heard about Carmel Harrington’s latest release I could not contain my excitement!
Belle has been passed between foster families continuously like an unwanted present and when she arrives on Tess’s doorstep she is prepared for another temporary stay. However Tess has other ideas and is determined to make this lost little girl feel at home for good. Belle will always remember her first Christmas with Tess for two reasons: the decorations covering every inch of the house and for the Christmas wish that came true. Rather than being under the Christmas tree this gift arrived at the door in the form of Jim. Almost instantly they are best friends forever and Belle and Jim’s lives over the following years are unwrapped before our very eyes.
Belle is a beautiful character inside and out, so it was a joy to read about her growing over the years and how she was able to triumph over her bad start in life. So when a series of traumatic events fractures her belief in love and life it is heartbreaking to see her wish she had never been born. This is when the story takes a magical twist and Belle is given a glimpse of what might have been just like George Bailey in “It’s a Wonderful Life” Whether you have seen this seasonal classic or not does not matter as Carmel puts her own enchanting spin on the original premise.
Believe it or not this is Carmel’s first Christmas book, but I hope it is not the last, as her beautifully festive storylines could surely become a December tradition all of their own. Every Time a Bell Rings is a modern day fairy tale that will melt even the coldest of hearts.
10/10
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