Huge thanks to Scholastic for inviting me to be part of this very exciting and christmassy blog tour!
US-based Elle is a social-media influencer. But sometimes online attention isn’t all it seems from the outside; with a family who are constantly on the move, and so-called friends putting pressure on her to increase her following, she decides to swap places with one of her followers for the holidays.
Holly lives in a small village in England, and LOVES christmas more than anything else. Nothing is going to get in the way of this year being the BEST Christmas ever . . . Nothing! But when her mum announces she’s selling their house, and Woody decides they should go on a “break”, her plans for the perfect Christmas start to crumble like overbaked gingerbread people.
Will swapping with Elle be Holly’s perfect opportunity to escape? And far from home, will they both find all they want for Christmas?
Well it’s safe to say that after reading All I Want for Christmas, I am so glad I am not a teenager in 2020! It was hard enough going through those years without social media (I had MySpace just as I was leaving university…) never mind with it.
All I Want for Christmas has been an absolute tonic after such a bizarre year. It’s christmassy, bright, cold, with a dash of romance, and a whole heap of friendship. I love the format of this book, as you swap not just between the two main characters, Holly and Elle, but between two different countries. However, All I Want for Christmas just goes to show that even when separated by miles and sea, true friendships are critically important.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough for a warming Christmas read. Get you a brew and some fluffy socks on and sink into this wonderfully funny and joyful read.
Here’s a message from the lovely author, Beth Garrod:
Only 23 days til Christmas – and some people are probably getting a little tired of Christmas songs on the radio, or Christmas-themed everything. But some people definitely does not include Holly from All I Want For Christmas, who would start celebrating in August if she could. And today is day five on the All I Want For Christmas blog tour, which means another pick from Holly’s festive playlist. Sure, it might not be one Elle and Nick would know on the other side of the Atlantic, but that’s exactly why they needed to be introduced. Not only is this a song that can get you in the Christmas mood, it’s the kind that can only be sung along to at maximum volume, as those high notes aren’t hitting themselves….
The Darkness – Christmas Time (Don’t Let the Bells End)
OK, so this is a controversial choice for Holly’s Christmas playlist, especially as she’s trying to convince Elle’s brother Nick to finally get in the festive spirit. But sometimes, after hearing Christmas cheese on repeat for 29 days solid you need to cut through with something different – Christmas cheese with added air guitar possibilities. This falsetto packed tune has got some major sleigh bells throughout, plus the chance to perfect a knee-slide in any new Christmas pyjamas. I’m not sure Holly would convince Elle this was a banger, but there’s a strong chance Fred, one of Holly’s best friends, might do a much better job of winning her round (if he could just get enough words out to her to make a full sentence).
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Will you be reading For All I Want For Christmas? Let me know in the comments below.
Wishing you a bookish week,
Roachie's Reviews 