25 Days 'Til Christmas: A Cozy Advent-Inspired Holiday Romance Paperback – October 8, 2019

After Kate's husband died in the army a few years ago, she struggled to recapture the joy and excitement she used to feel around Christmastime. Determined to make this year better for herself and her son Jack, Kate works to create her own Christmas miracle.Unlike most holiday reads, this story is not all mistletoe and gingerbread. It does have a happy ending, but the journey there is much more compelling than your typical fluffy Christmas story.Kate and Jack have been dealt a really crappy hand, and things just seem to keep getting worse, despite Kate's best intentions. But her devotion as a mother is really inspiring and relatable, and the supporting cast of friends and coworkers adds an extra layer of depth that makes the story much more enjoyable. I found myself rooting for her the entire time, and just breathing a sigh of relief when things started to work out in the end. It is just a great book and really celebrates all the intangible things that makes the holidays special.

25 Days 'Til Christmas by Poppy Alexander: Kate loved Christmas more than anything but that was before her husband went to Afghanistan, tragically never to return leaving her to raise their then two year old son alone. For the last four years, Kate has done everything to try and keep her head above water while she and Jack adjust to their new normal. As Christmas once again approaches Kate vows that this year will be different. With the help of her friend she creates an activity advent calendar for Jack determined to bring back some of the Christmas spirit she lost. Between all of Kate's overtime hours, new challenges Jack begins to face at school and mounting financial hardships counting down to Christmas just seems to get bleaker. What Kate doesn't know yet is that there is someone else in Bristol who is just as lonely as she is. "25 Days 'Til Christmas" isn't your typical Christmas story. Kate has to go through emotional and gritty moments that are very real for people during the holiday season. Never fear though, Poppy Alexander has ultimately written a heartwarming, feel-good read that will leave you feeling all the Christmas warm and fuzzies. Pick this one up for a good read by the fire.

STORY: Things are tough for single mom Kate. Her husband died, and despite the four years since, she isn’t quite over him. Her young son Jack barely remembers his father, but he misses the comforting presence of a father. So much so he decides to ask Father Christmas for a new daddy, and hopes it’ll make Kate happy again, too. This inspires Kate to try and be present, and the best she can, to make this the best Christmas ever.She sets out to create many a fun nightly activity for Jack, and together, they recapture the spirit of the season. What she doesn’t anticipate is seeing the quiet man she met through her job as a Christmas tree farm employee. Two lost souls rediscover something they’ve been missing as they navigate this Christmas season of unexpected moments and discoveries.25 Days ‘Til Christmas by Poppy Alexander | Book ReviewREVIEW: This is one of those books I’m unsure why I picked up since its premise sounds more bittersweet than joyful, and the latter is 100% my preference. Still, knowing this is one of the older Christmas novels on my shelf, I picked this one up in the hopes there’d be a lovely little story inside.Despite this, it’s important to note, this book is still bittersweet. Particularly in the latter portion (almost the end) when there’s implications of suicide; even if this is one of those mistaken assumptions, the implication is still here. This along with the general dismal outlook of life Kate has to endure makes this read a bit more of a serious “weight.” On the flip side of this, the story has moments of joy with young Jack, and the occasions when Kate lets her self breathe, and be more in the moment; for example, there’s a sweet sequence of them going sledding.Kate is a heroine we become a bit frustrated with just because she a defeatist outlook, but that said, it’s also understandable given all the challenges she encounters. Daniel similarly has a kind of rough go of life which again, I’m sorry, but it does weigh the story down sometimes. This book is properly British (down to its phrasing) which makes reading it fun for those of us who enjoy a good armchair culture experience. There’s too much time between meeting our characters and seeing them together, which is a shame. But on the other hand, they’re all characters we champion and want to see find a happier future, and the way things ultimately work out brings a smile to the reader’s face. That is always enough for me, and as such, 25 Days ‘Til Christmas is a sweet read.Content: there are implications of suicide and an assault (non-graphic, and the victim gets away). There’s some British slang/profanity, but again, nothing terrible (it’s infrequent). There’s some minor sexual innuendo as well.

In 25 Days ‘Til Christmas, a young widow decides to make Christmas magical again for herself and her six year old son. Her path crosses with Daniel who had also lost someone he loved. Kate faces so many challenges and parts of the story are so heartbreaking yet the story is hopeful. Such well developed characters and a beautiful story. It’s not a lighthearted Christmas novel but rather deep and emotional. There are some trigger warnings: death, sexual assault, and also Daniel volunteers at a crisis hotline and suicide is a topic that is addressed. I typically read much more fell good type novels but I’m glad I stuck this one out even though it was hard in the beginning especially since I’ve recently experienced the loss of someone in my family.

This kept you going from page to page. It kept to the story and was very enjoyable to read. I liked the ending.

"25 Days Till Christmas" is a wonderful Christmas story that will at times break your heart and eventually it will give you hope for a happy ending. *****

As much as I enjoyed The Littlest Library, I was disappointed by this book. Very drawn out and then quickly and implausibly ended.

This book was unexpectedly deep, emotional, and absolutely brilliant. It delves into the ups and downs of, both, life in general and during the holidays. I couldn't put it down!A must read!!

This book was exactly what I needed to read. It was heart-warming & sometimes heart-breaking, but it never delved into too sweet sentimentality(which I can't stand). The characters were well-written and none of them fell into a stereotype.I also loved how unknowingly intertwined the various lives were and I hope to see some of the secondary characters shine in their own books.

I really really enjoyed this book. I would have given it 5 stars but there was some very small parts of the storyline that I felt weren’t finished off. Some things we should have found out before the book actually finished. Other than that, great read!

This wasn't what I initially thought it would be, I thought it would be a light Christmas story, but it had much more depth to it and was such a lovely book.Kate and her six year old son Jack are living in a tiny flat above a launderette and whilst Kate does have a job in a department store every day is a struggle money-wise for her. Her husband was in the army but was killed a few years ago and, whilst he did have a pension, the money from that goes to keep his grandmother, who raised him, in a home as she has dementia and doesn't know anyone now.Daniel is also struggling this Christmas, but emotionally, as his sister died earlier in the year. Every year Daniel and his sister used to buy a Christmas tree from the department store that Kate works in, and Kate was always the 'elf' outside selling the trees so Daniel knows her as the 'Christmas Tree Girl'. Initially neither one of them knows each other, even though they have noticed each other every year, but never really spoken - Kate spoke to Daniel's sister whilst buying the tree each year - until this year. Maybe this year is the year some Christmas magic will happen.This was such a lovely heartwarming Christmas story and you can just see all the little connections that both Daniel and Kate have throughout the story, even though they keep missing one another initially. But eventually they manage to connect with various things - a shop for rent and a charity coffee shop helping special need adults that Kate and the company she works for are trying to raise funds for.There are some fairly sad parts and hard subjects covered but ultimately this was such a really lovely story about fighting through your struggles and eventually coming out the other side stronger. I absolutely loved it!

I like a love story and eventually this was. It’s a feel good book with moments of frustration and sadness. I loved Daniel’s character!The story was a little predictable and in places the writing was a little immature. However I liked the story and didn’t want it to end. I will certainly read more books by this author.

How I loved this story & really didn’t want it to end.Although I more or less knew from the beginning every thing would turn out well, it was still a joy to read. Well done to the author for her research into school procedures,where special needs children & their parents are sometimes treated. Also on legal representation in the work force. A good read, thank you.