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I Won't be Home for Christmas

Date Published: 20 October 2016
Book Number: 13
ISBN 10: 978-1784974923 | ISBN 13: 978-1784974923 | Kindle UK ASIN: B01CUDBAGC

The Story:

While her free-spirited daughter travels the world, Vivienne prepares for a lonely Christmas in Bristol, with her best friend Ellen and her ancient dog Bob.

Then a letter arrives that changes everything. Vivienne's daughter is getting married in New Zealand, and she wants her mum and Ellen by her side.

But out on the rugged coast of Tutukaka, the sea sparkles, romance beckons – and Vivienne falls under the spell of another life. Will she leave everything she holds dear for a chance at happiness? Or will her daughter be the only one to fall in love this Christmas?

A Note From Amanda:

During a book tour in New Zealand, I visited the amazing Tutukaka coast in the North East of North Island. Not only was the countryside absolutely beautiful but literally everyone that I met was friendly and welcoming, it felt like a wonderful community. When I have been travelling, I often think about what it would be like to move and live in the place I am visiting and living in such great surroundings with such friendly company was a very attractive notion. I got the idea for 'I Won't be Home for Christmas' by imagining a character who is happy at home but who might like to visit New Zealand if they had a compelling reason to make the trip. Once I had that in my head, I came up with Viv's story...

Standalone or Series?

Standalone

Reader Reviews:


Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 28 November 2017

I love nothing more than snuggling down with a good read on the cold evenings and this book did not disappoint. As we are headed towards Christmas I thought I would get some festive reads in as I can’t read a Christmas book other than in the lead up to the big day.

This book captures your heart from the off with the fantastic friendship captured between Elle & Viv who have been best friends since childhood and the way in which Amanda Prowse has bought to life the characters of these ladies with feisty Elle & quieter Viv. The way in which the friendship is delivered makes you feel warm and fuzzy and fills you with laughter as they set off on their adventure to New Zealand.

Once I had snuggled down I was transported to their world and didn’t put the book down until I had finished as I was desperate to know the destiny of all these fantastic characters. I picked this up expecting it to be a Christmas book, however although it is based in the lead up to the festive holidays it is a story about love, friendship, tradition and how sometimes you just have to give life another chance.
 
 
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 1 February 2018
 
 
Another 5 star book from the incredibly talented Amanda. I loved this so much. I adored the characters and the depth of the relationships. I laughed, I cried and then I cried with laughter. Such a wonderful read and made me long for the kind of friendship that Viv has!

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