With Christmas and secret together in the title, I couldn’t resist the lure of the book. And the cover, it was so brilliant. My eyes were stuck to it. I had to force myself to turn the page and start reading.

This was Daisy’s story over the 4 Christmases. A delightful character who was a bit of a ditz, to begin with, but slowly grew over the pages. Her parents were friends with Ollie’s, her sometimes friend and most times competitor. Ah, the fun and innocence of childhood. They snogged too.. Under the mistletoe!!

Amidst all this, the core of the group was Uncle Terence and his infamous Christmas parties at his bookshop which all had to attend in their flashing bright jumpers and antler headbands. Food, drinks, conversation, the works…

Soon life happened. Ollie became a doctor, and Daisy was still deciding what she wanted to be. They met up thirteen years later in the Christmas party and continued being in touch. They moved from friends to strangers and back to friends. And then there was the earth-shaking secret which would be heartbreaking, but for whom?

My second book by author Zara Stoneley, I knew I was in for humor and fun and loads of emotions. Zara’s writing brought the characters to life. I felt I knew them all as I continued reading. Daisy was a great wholesome character who was real, someone who was all heart and would do anything for her friends and family. Her love for books and having a sweet spot in the bookship made me smile. Don’t we all have one?

I loved seeing her interaction with Uncle T; he had the greatest belief in her. All he ever wanted was for her to remain ‘her’ and live life to the fullest. Take a risk and seize the day!!

The author soon brought the book to a smooth finish with the secrets woven into the prose, big and small. Some brought a lump to my throat and I could barely read through the tears and others were pretty shocking.

My niggles too popped up and disappeared. Daisy’s inner thoughts felt too long and slowed the prose initially but was okay later.

Overall, a fun read as I loved going on this journey with Daisy, seeing the world through her eyes and finding my inner confidence.

I received a free ARC from the author, and this is my journey into its pages, straight from the heart!! STRICTLY HONEST AND UNBIASED.

All my reviews can be read here

It’s the most wonderful time of the year…

Except for Daisy Christmas means another of Uncle T’s dreaded Christmas parties, complete with Christmas jumper and flashing antlers. And Oliver Cartwright. Gorgeous Oliver Cartwright. Who she hates.

Every year Daisy has to face insufferable Ollie and hear all about how BRILLIANT he is. Whereas Daisy has no job, no man and no idea how to fix things.

This Christmas however Daisy is determined things will be different. There will be no snogging Ollie under the mistletoe like when they were teenagers. No, this year she’ll show Ollie that she’s a Responsible Adult too.

But as the champagne corks pop, and the tinsel sparkles, Uncle T has news of his own to share…and it could change Daisy’s life forever…

Publication Date: 27th September 2019

Publisher: One More Chapter