Portobello Book Blog

I do enjoy Kathryn Freeman’s lovely romances and have previously read and reviewed the first two books in this “Christmas Wishes” series: A Little Christmas Faith and A Little Christmas Charm. (Click the titles if you’d like to read my reviews of those.) Don’t worry if you haven’t read the previous two books as this is totally standalone and focuses on different characters. Although if you have read them, you will be pleased to see familiar characters popping up in this book.

This story is about Anna who has recently been promoted to head teacher at Riddlescomb Primary School. Anna was widowed young and has a young daughter, Maisie, who also attends the school. Dan Ramsay is a soap actor who is in need of some good publicity. His character has recently been killed off and his relationship with his ex-wife and young son is rather rocky. Add in some tabloid headlines and photos showing him falling out of nightclubs drunk and you can see why he is trying to reimage himself. An ex-pupil of the school himself, he volunteers to help out with the school nativity play, helping the pupils with some acting classes.

What I so enjoyed about this book was the romantic tension which started to build between the characters almost from the moment they met. Dan is very good-looking but Anna is determined not to fall for him, to remember he is not his character and that he is only helping out to further his career. Dan on the other hand has been well warned by his publicist that he cannot get involved in any brief love affairs because of the negative publicity that might attract. Well, I think we can all work out how that’s going to go, although as always, the path to love can be bumpy!

Kathryn Freeman wrote particularly touchingly about the relationships between both main characters and their children. Anna is so protective of Maisie and so aware that any relationship she gets into will have a profound affect on her daughter too. Maisie was so lovely, really an adorable child and she had a wonderfully straightforward way of telling things as they were. Many of her innocent remarks not only embarrassed her mother but had me laughing out loud! Dan has had a difficult relationship with his son in the past but is determined to become a better father to him. Many of the other children in the school were also such wonderful characters to read about, especially the way Dan could see the potential in them, encouraging them to come out of their shells and develop more self-confidence. The nativity play itself sounded great fun and there were many amusing moments came out of the rehearsals.

A Little Christmas Hope is a lovely book to add to your Christmas reading list. It takes place in the couple of months leading up to Christmas so not full on jingle bells all the way. But plenty Christmassy moments to get you in the festive mood and plenty of romance to warm your heart and leave you with a smile on your face.

Thanks to Rachel at Rachels’ Random resources for having me along on the tour. A Little Christmas Hope is available now in ebook format. Buying links are below.

Amazon UK:  https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08CCC2NBY

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08CCC2NBY

From the back of the book

Newly promoted head teacher Anna Dalton needs a Christmas miracle – and fast! After years of sitting through excruciatingly dull Christmas productions, complete with crying children and sleeping parents, she’s determined Riddlescomb Primary School will put on a Nativity to remember. 

Enter bad boy actor Dan Ramsey, recently axed from the lead role in a TV drama and in desperate need of cleaning up his image or he’ll never work again.   

Dan can flash those heart-stopping dimples all he likes, Anna tells herself she isn’t going to fall for them. She knows why he’s decided to volunteer at the school, and it’s for the good of his career…not his soul. 

But as Anna and Dan are forced to work together for the sake of a truly magical Christmas for the children, sparks fly and they can’t help but wonder what will happen once the festive season is over…

About the author

A former pharmacist, I’m now a medical writer who also writes romance. Some days a racing heart is a medical condition, others it’s the reaction to a hunky hero.

I’ve two sons and a husband who asks every Valentine’s Day whether he has to buy a card (yes, he does), so any romance is all in my head. Then again, his unstinting support of my career change proves love isn’t always about hearts and flowers – and heroes come in many disguises.

Social Media Links

Website:  http://kathrynfreeman.co.uk

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/kathrynfreeman

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/KathrynFreeman1