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
Primary School Teacher Thea has finished for the Christmas holidays but she is filled with dread rather than excitement. It seems she is surrounded by couples and, although she is newly single, she is not about to accept the drunken advances of her married neighbour under the mistletoe.
Thea’s parents decided to end their marriage a while ago but they have yet to make the final step of living apart. None of their family really believe they are really serious, so when a big family Christmas is booked in Cornwall it seems like good news.
As soon as everyone arrives at the seaside the countdown to December 25 begins. Games, home videos, plentiful food and drink combine to strengthen the family bonds, but when unexpected visitors foust themselves upon the festivities the Christmas spirit is somewhat dampened. It is meant to be the most wonderful time of the year, but will everyone’s personal problems make it the worst?
From the moment Slade’s Merry Christmas Everybody blasts from Thea’s radio you know you are in for a treat. Especially as it seems an actual Christmassy story that matches the title is a rarity. I have lost count of the number of festive reads I have been excited to start only for the holiday mood to end once I open the cover. So I was delighted to follow Thea as she finishes up for the school holidays laden with teacher presents to a neighbourhood party then onto Cornwall for possibly her last family celebration. I loved every minute of every day as I was fully immersed in Thea’s Christmas getaway. The house in Cornwall was very vividly written and I felt that the Christmas decorations shone brightly from the pages. Combined with the delicious food descriptions I was left feeling cosy and snug as if I was there with them. Who wouldn’t want to spend Christmas in such surroundings?
Thea is a broken woman who thought she had her life planned out, but when her long-term boyfriend dumps her for pedigree dogs (yes, really), it doesn’t do a lot for self esteem. She is completely heartbroken for all that she has lost, but rather than fester away alone, I admired her choice to be surrounded by people in order to try and forget. Her parents’ plan to have one last family gathering before they formally separate comes at the right time as it will take her mind off things. Sean, one of the house owners also manages to do a great job of helping Thea forget her ex. The whole family may enjoy spending time together, but none of them are really aware of what is going on in their everyday lives. It made for a great read as more and more was revealed.It Must Have Been The Mistletoe is a layered story which is a joy to unwrap. Judy Astley manages to provide the reader with a warm comforting feeling, which is much needed in the cold month of December.
10/10