A Special Cornish Christmas by Phillipa Ashley
Publication Date: 11th Nov 2021
Genre: Christmas Romance, Contemporary
3.7 Stars
One Liner: Heartwarming (but there were things I didn’t like much)
Bo Grayson loves Christmas. However, her last one wasn’t memorable in any way, no thanks to the guy she was seeing.
While it brought her love life to a halt, Bo is busier than ever. Managing her café and being an active member of the dance group is not easy. Of course, she’s a sweet woman. She supports her friends and takes care of them.
Ran has his own troubled past to deal with and keeps things to himself. Being a diving instructor and a DJ at the dance group doesn’t mean he has to share his past with everyone, right?
But then Bo and Ran unwillingly end up facing Madame Odette to get their future prediction. April, their dear friend is shaken by the experience, and so are Bo and Ran. Turns out, Madame Odette had the same prediction for all three of them- they would be with the love of their lives by Christmas.
With the celebrations being only four months away, can they really believe in her words? Can Bo get over her hurt and take another chance at love? What’s Ran hiding, and how will it affect his future? What turns April’s world upside down? Is a new beginning on the cards for all three of them?
The book leans heavily on rock and roll dancing and music from the yesteryears. Some of it went over my head (not surprising as it’s not my country’s music or my preferred genre). Still, I didn’t miss anything. The connection to music and dance needs little or no explanation.
The story is written in the limited third person, with 60% of the chapters from Bo’s POV and the rest from Ran’s POV.
What I Liked:
• The warmth of small communities with a touch of idiotic people
• Bo’s relationship with her group members and others
• April is a lovely character, and she’s got a meaty role in the book
• Jenna’s presence as a catalyst and her assertive nature
• Madame Odette’s predictions generate subtle undercurrents throughout
• Not much emphasis on romance per se
• Bo- she’s a beautiful mix of kindness, assertiveness, and vulnerability
What Could Have Been Better:
Ran’s character arc- He’s presented as a good guy, which he is. He also believes in communicating with Bo and clearing things up, and it seemed like a great trait. However, towards the end, I found him annoying.
His indecisiveness was stupid rather than endearing. There’s a thin line between wanting to be kind and being a pushover. Boundaries are termed healthy for a reason. I won’t say much because I’ll have to put it all up as a spoiler, and it’s likely to turn into a rant.
The book gets four stars because Bo and a few side characters were a treat to read. My favorite is April, and her character growth is fab. I also love her interpretation of Madame Odette’s prediction.
To sum up, A Special Cornish Christmas is a heartwarming story and a good read on cold afternoons. It’s got some great moments.
Thank you, NetGalley and Avon Books UK, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
#NetGalley
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