From the tear-jerkers to the cheesy singalongs, here’s a look at the campaigns that have stolen our hearts, so far.

Barbour

That tubby little Santa with the red nose is the one we all pictured when we were growing up and he’s still pulling on our blooming heartstrings all these years later. There’s just something about an animation that just hits us right in the festive feels.

Ikea

The very first Ikea Christmas ad is here and it’s gone in on the comedy value. The 1:30 minute-long campaign features a couple racked with home shame as they’re faced with the task of hosting their friends for dinner.

Through the medium of rap, the ornaments around the family home come alive and start taunting the couple over the tired curtains, cracks in the walls and toys strewn all over the floor, all to a soundtrack by none other than grime legend, D Double E.

Ikea UK and Ireland county marketing manager, Sarah Green, commented: “Our first Ikea Christmas advert was born from the common feeling, that along with the seasonal joys, a lot of us feel a looming sense of dread when it comes to hosting others, with many of us feeling ashamed of our homes over the Christmas period.

“We believe that every home can and should be worthy of a get-together and that with a little imagination, some clever products and ideas, there’s no reason not to be proud to invite your nearest and dearest over. This campaign aims to inspire us all to get our homes party-ready and ‘Silence the Critics’, once and for all.”

Original, infectious and current, it’s one of our favourites so far. Buda bup bup!

Very

What do you get when you mix snow-lined streets, a lonely bewhiskered old man with a dog and a kind face, and a group of neighbours rallying around to make sure he doesn’t get forgotten this Christmas? Ugly cry faces and loads of snot, that’s what.

Every good Christmas advert needs a heartfelt message and Very’s is a simple but powerful one that hit us right in the cojones.

Visa

The all-singing Visa campaign turns our attention on not what we’re buying but rather where we’re buying it from. Featuring 13 real shopkeepers including a butcher, barber, greengrocer, bookseller and florist, it encourages shoppers to support their local independent shops this year. Ain’t nothing like a bit of community spirit to get us in the mood for Christmas.

Sainsburys

What is Christmas without a Dickensian twist? Marking the supermarket’s 150th anniversary, the ad follows the story of a young orphan boy known as Nicholas the Sweep.

Wrongly accused of stealing a juicy clementine from the Sainsbury’s stall on Christmas Eve back in 1869, he is banished from the city. But Mary Ann Sainsbury knows he was set up by a wicked felon and sets out to rescue Nicholas from the snow storm.

Upon finding him, she presents him with a sack of their finest produce as a Christmas gift. Nicholas decides he must share his present with his chimney-sweeping friends. When his work is done, he dusts off his red hat and gets back to his reindeer because… that mysterious little lad from humble beginnings is only Father Christmas!

Well played, Sainbury’s, well played.

Marks & Spencer

Feel good and full of fun, we love this off-piste Christmas jumper campaign from M&S set to the iconic tune of House of Pain’s Jump Around.

Heralding their charming Winter woollies, the all-dancing ad sees a group of knitwear-clad partygoers, families and colleagues with moves so good it puts our two-step to shame.

No tears here, just plenty of shoulder rolls and lols and we’re here for it!

Iceland

Ahead of the highly anticipated release of Frozen 2 in cinemas on November 22, Iceland has collaborated with Disney’s best-loved musical fantasy film to create a Christmas ad we won’t be letting go of in a hurry.

The ad begins with a family gathered around the sofa playing charades. A little boy acts out his favourite thing about Christmas using Olaf the cuddly snowman toy as a clue. Eager to join in the guessing game fun, Olaf suddenly comes to life along with Elsa, Anna, Kristoff and Sven.

Elsa uses her magical ice powers to make a dining table and chairs appear to show the rest of the Frozen family her favourite thing about Christmas. She says, “my favourite thing about Christmas is… a special meal that we share together.”

As the ad closes, we return to the scene with the young boy, Olaf his toy snowman and his family sat round the table enjoying the magic of frozen food.

Dobbies

Huzzah! Dobbies have joined the Christmas ad fray. In a cute 40 second animated clip packed to the rafters with yuletide glee, Dobbie the reindeer and the elves rally round to surprise Santa Claus in time for Christmas.

The ad showcases everything Dobbies has to offer, from trees and dazzling lights to delicious treats and thoughtful gifts – basically all the things you need to make Christmas come together.

Argos

This year, the British retailer shows a father sitting at his kitchen table flicking through their eponymous catalogue. He notices his daughter has circled a drum kit and lo and behold, a shiny new kit appears before him.

He starts beating the drums to the tune of Simple Minds, Don’t You – living his best life as any other parent would – before his daughter appears on the stairs, laughing and shaking her head at her silly pa.

A second drum kit materialises and the iconic duo start jamming together. They’re then transported to an arena stage to live out their rock star dreams with a crowd-surfing teddy bear.

It might not be the warm and fuzzy Christmas ad our heartstrings have come to love but it’s a feel-good watch nonetheless.

Aldi

For the fourth year in a row, Kevin the carrot strikes a Christmassy cord once more as he finds himself in hot water with the Leafy Blinders crew.

Miffed that Kevin has stolen his limelight, Russel Sprout kicks up a stink and ties poor ol’ Kev to a cheese grater. Just as it looks like his fate is peeled and sealed, Tiny Tom gnaws her way through the rope and saves the day. It’s a Christmas miracle!

Off they trot to the Greatest Showman-esque Aldi Christmas show with a stellar performance from the Flying Tra-Peas and of course, our main man Kev himself. Stick a fork in us and smother us with cranberry sauce already, we’re done!

There’s just one question on our lips though, is it or isn’t it Robbie Williams singing the track?

Asda

Take a simple oaty base, add in sweet maple syrup, ginger, nutmeg and crunchy nuts and you’ve got a wonderfully easy recipe to snack on all week.

Here’s what you’ll need to whip up your very own batches of golden-brown homemade granola. Happy baking!

SERVES

PREP: 20 MINS COOK: 10 MINS

EASY

INGREDIENTS

Ingredients

4 cups of oats

Pecans ½ cups

Hazelnuts ½ cups

Maple syrup ½ cup

Coconut oil ½ cup

Cinnamon 1tsp

Ginger 1tsp

Nutmeg

Yogurt to serve

Berries to serve

1. Cut up the nuts and stir in together with the oats, maple syrup, coconut oil and spices.
2. Place on a lined baking sheet, 180 degrees, 10 mins, serve warm with yogurt and berries or leave until cool.
3. Top with fresh berries and serve with a generous dollop of Greek yogurt.
4. Store in an air-tight container for up to six months.

Now the clocks have gone back, many of us may be struggling to adjust to the colder weather and darker evenings – all those reaching for extra caffeine, jacket potatoes and sugary snacks to get you through the thick of it, say aye. You are not alone.

Fortunately, there are a few lifestyle hacks we can use to help us combat the Winter blues effectively. The bad news is, nobody’s telling us the key to Winter happiness is a sack full of doughnuts (sniff). The good news is, we DO have permission to snuggle on the sofa. You win some, you lose some. 

Let’s look at some of the best ways to brighten up your day, even when the weather outside is frightful.

1. Keep cosy

If you’re feeling that seasonal fatigue, why fight it? Wrap yourself up like a Winter burrito and don’t you dare feel guilty for it. Lay on the snacks, the films, the throws – all the things that will pick you back up again. Rest and recuperation is not to be underestimated, so nap your heart away and embrace the true meaning of hygge. 

2. Work out

Dust off your trainers and get outside to top up on your light exposure or do a short burst of yoga in the comfort of your own home first thing in the morning. Your body and your mind will love you for it. 

3. Get outdoors 

Make the most of the daylight by going outside for a quick walk at lunchtime. Just a few short five-minute bursts three times a day can help boost your energy levels tenfold.

If the blue light glow of your laptop screen is as much ‘daytime’ as you’re getting right now, then considering various light therapy solutions could be an option. 

Light therapy specialists and inventors of the first wake-up light, Lumie, has been researching, designing and developing pioneering products for almost 30 years, including their SAD Desklamp. Perfect for office and home use, it boosts your mood, helps you stay on task and treats the symptoms of SAD. 

If getting up in the morning is a struggle for you at this time of year, the *Lumie Bodyclock Starter could be your new bff. 

Your body uses light cues to function and to reset your internal clock known as the circadian rhythm, which means waking up in a dark room is unlikely to make you feel refreshed first thing in the morning. 

The Lumie Bodyclock mimics the subtle light and colour changes of sunrise, waking you up naturally and gradually over 30 minutes as the clock brightens. Much better than a startling alarm, right? 

It also has a sunset mode that works in the opposite way, helping you to wind down before bed. Genius. 

4. Switch your mind-set

Winter gives you the opportunity to slow down – inviting you to stay in the warm, huddled round a cup of hot chocolate or mulled wine and enjoying home comforts with friends and family instead of feeling the pressure to get outside in the sun all day. Feed your mind, feed your soul and all that! 

5. Eat healthily

While we’re not the kind of people to deny you of a biscuit when you want it (have you witnessed the indulgence that is our gooey brownie recipe?), it’s all about balance. Eating enough of the right kind of food will help you keep the fatigue at bay and keep your immune system in check. Be gone common cold, be gone. 

Try eating foods that contain plenty of protein such as eggs, nuts, seeds, pulses and seafood. Leafy greens rich in B12 such as kale, spinach and broccoli can also help diminish the effects of the cold-weather blues, so throw them into a comforting bowl of soup wherever you can. 

Feeling stressed? Load up on your berries. As well as being packed with antioxidants, blueberries, raspberries and strawberries help prevent the release of the stress hormone Cortisol. Enjoy them as a light snack or pile them on top of your yogurt for a mood-boosting breakfast. 

6. Talk it out

A problem shared is a problem halved and the Winter blues are very common issue indeed. Don’t suffer in silence, talk to your friends, get the support you need and if your SAD symptoms are severe, then waste no time in consulting your GP for help. 

7. Self-love

8. Make plans

It’s easy to get into the routine of rushing straight home when it’s dark and cold and letting your social life fall by the wayside but making plans with your friends and family can help give you something to look forward to and lift you out of the Winter funk. Whether it’s a gym class, a coffee date or a trip to the cinema, get that calendar popping!

What do you do this time of year to give yourself that much needed energy boost?

*This post contains affiliate links. For more information and to read our disclosure policy, please click here.

Having baked for the likes of Prince Harry, Bob Geldof and Kate Moss, you could say she knows a thing or two about show-stopping bakes and this edible Christmas centrepiece is no exception. Prepare to drool!

This has to be my top favourite way to decorate a Christmas cake this year, I’m obsessed with making wreaths both sweet and savoury, and this idea is SUPER cute.

You can use any 8” round cake you wish, even a shop brought one will work if you prefer just to decorate and not bake, or if you love baking, try my chocolate orange truffle brownie cake below, it is HEAVENLY!! If you are a fruit cake fan, look out for my recipe on This Morning on 15^th November!

Whatever cake you want to use, cover it in white sugar paste or white buttercream as a base, then add a circle of icing as described to give you a 3d base and then pipe the wreath over the cake around the edge with a leaf nozzle (or use my top tip/hack for this with just a pair of scissors and a piping bag). I love making little fruit cakes like this for presents too, my family all expect a fruitcake for Christmas!!

My decorations were made using various colours of sugar paste, you can do ANY you like, using mini cutters, moulding cute pine cones or doing the candy canes like I’ve showed on my IGTV video.

This recipe below will last for up to two weeks if kept wrapped and cool, so it’s a good one for making a little ahead too although not as early as a fruit cake if you are doing one on Stir Up Sunday!  

SERVES

PREP: 55 MINS COOK: 10 MINS

HARD

INGREDIENTS

Ingredients

Rich Chocolate Orange Truffle Brownie Cake

Equipment:

• 2 x 8” round greased, parchment (base and side lined) cake tins
• Stand mixer with paddle attachment (or bowl and wooden spoon)
• Mixing bowls, scales
• Piping bag with a leaf nozzle or cut with a V (as shown on stories)
• Pallette knife, medium and small crank handled
• Side scraper
• Turntable (optional but helps for a neat finish)
• 8” round cake drum plus one 2 or 3 inches larger for working on or use a cake stand
• Selection of ready to roll icing in any colours you wish, you only need a tiny amount of each colour, 15-20 g of each to create up to 15 icons
• Mini cutters (optional) or sweets of your choice for adding colour
• Icing sugar for dusting
• Edible lustre for sparkle
• Rolling pin

Ingredients:

• 200g dark chocolate, melted and cooled slightly
• 260g soft salted butter
• 360g light muscovado sugar
• 5 medium free range eggs
• zest of 1 medium orange
• 175g plain flour

For the Ganache:

• 125g dark chocolate chopped into small pieces or use chips
• 60g double cream

For the Buttercream:

• 150g soft salted butter
• 300g unrefined icing sugar, sifted (you can use white if you can’t get the unrefined)
• Zest of one medium orange

 

1. Preheat the oven to 160 degrees fan.
2. Grease, base and side line 2 x 8” round cake tins
3. Melt the chocolate gently in a microwave or on a bain marie and set aside to cool
4. Cream the butter, sugar and orange zest in a stand mixer until pale and fluffy
5. Add the eggs gradually, beating one at a time
6. Pour in the cooled melted chocolate with the beater still going on slow
7. Lastly add the flour and gently mix through
8. Divide equally into the tins and bake, make sure to bake the cake a little fudgy, when tested with a knife it should come out pasty and have a little wobble. It’s a fairly brownie like cake so you will see there is a little crust on the top. Allow cooling in the tins for 10 mins then turning out, removing paper and leave to cool on wire racks.
9. Make the filling, sandwich and crumb coat and decorate as shown in the picture

Ganache & Buttercream:

1. First off, make the ganache by boiling the cream and pouring over the chocolate. Cover with a large plate to trap the heat and leave to melt for 2 to 3 minutes, then use a wooden spoon and stir in the centre to bring the ganache together. Set aside covered with a clean tea towel.
2. Beat the butter, orange zest and icing sugar together well in a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, beat until pale and creamy.
3. Beat in the cooled ganache on slow  until all mixed well.

To fill and assemble

1. Place the first large bottom layer onto your 8” cake drum add a splodge of chocolate orange frosting to stick it in place, making sure the side that was in the bottom if the tin is stuck to the drum and the crust side is upwards.
2. Spread over with a generous layer of frosting, about 300g.
3. Add the second cake layer, turn it over crust side down and bottom up and place on the top, make sure they are all nicely in line.
4. With a palette knife, dollop on the rest of the frosting on top, spread in  a side to side motio to coat the top, then spread  the frosting all around the sides of the cake to coat. Use a gentle pressure against the side of the cake with the palette knife and use a back and forth spreading motion to spread the costing over the sides.
5. Use the palette knife and go around the cake again to smooth off the covering, spreading it until you are happy that its nice and neat.
6. Use a side scraper if you have one to get it super neat by sweeping it around the edge and neatening the top.
7. This is a crumb coat that seals in the crumbs, sets the cake and will allow for a second coat to be really neat. Put it in the fridge to completely firm up, before you cover in your choice of white ready to roll icing. For an 8” round cake you’ll need about 800g of ready to roll icing to cover the top and sides. If you decide to do a fruit cake, cover in marzipan first, allow to set overnight then cover again in white icing to finish. Find a great video over on my YouTube channel.

SERVES

PREP: 30 MINS COOK: 60 HRS

EASY

INGREDIENTS

Ingredients

For the Wreath Base

• 150g ready to roll icing in green
• 150g stiff peak leaf green royal icing for the foliage piping

 

To create the wreath base

1. Roll the green icing into a sausage long enough to go around the top  edge of the cake for the wreath base
2. Pipe spiky foliage all over the icing to create a green leafy design
3. Place all your decorations around the wreath to finish!

 

Decorations:

1. If you wish to make any little Christmas sugar shapes, you can do this the day before or even a few weeks before and leave in a cake box until needed.
2. Roll these out and cut out shapes, leave to dry overnight. The pine cones are made by simple hand moulding. Roll little pieces into a cone shape and snip over with small scissors to make spikey. Leave to dry.
3. I’ve also made some little pears, I love pears they are very wintery, these are hand moulded by making a tear drop shape, then pushed a little tool into the top to make a hole for the stem (you can also do this with a cocktail stick). I used some red colouring dust to add the colour shading. I roll a teeny sausage of brown icing and push this into the pear for a stem.
4. For the candy canes, roll two small long sausages of different coloured icing on the table, place next to each other and pinch together at one end . Twist together to create the candy cane effect then roll again to seal together. This is a fab decorating idea, you can even make huge ones and do a candy cane heart on the top of any cake.
5. Add additional details like bows on the present, colours on the baubles, fluff on a stocking with royal icing in any colour you wish.

Find Terms and Conditions here

It’s the stuff of British dessert dreams and this easy peasy recipe can be whipped together by the least likely of Nigellas among us.

Gather your ingredients, roll up your sleeves and grab a spoon – Autumn puddings don’t get much better than this crumbly fella.

SERVES 8+

PREP: 40 MINS COOK: 30 MINS

EASY

INGREDIENTS

Ingredients

For the Crumble:

120g plain flour

60g caster sugar

60g unsalted butter

100g oats

30g demerara sugar

For the Compote

300g Braeburn apple

30g unsalted butter

¼ tsp ground cinnamon

Vanilla

100g dark soft brown sugar

200g rhubarb (drained)

115g blackberries

Cream (for serving)

1. Tip 120g plain flour and 60g caster sugar into a large bowl. Add 60g unsalted butter, and the oats,  then rub into the flour using your fingertips to make a light breadcrumb texture. Do not overwork it or the crumble will become heavy.
2. Sprinkle the mixture evenly over a baking sheet and bake for 15 mins or until lightly coloured.
3. Meanwhile, for the compote, peel, core and cut 300g Braeburn apples into 2cm dice. Put 30g unsalted butter and 30g demerara sugar in a medium saucepan and melt together over a medium heat. Cook for 3 mins until the mixture turns to a light caramel.
4. Stir in the apples and cook for 3 mins. Add 115g blackberries and ¼ tsp ground cinnamon and cook for 3 mins more. Cover, remove from the heat, then leave for 2-3 mins to continue cooking in the warmth of the pan. To serve, spoon the warm fruit into an ovenproof gratin dish, top with the crumble mix, then reheat in the oven at 180° for 5-10 mins. Serve with cream.

Zoe

“One trend I’m trying (and not sure if I’m failing at) is the pleather trouser trend. I’ve got a few different styles, my favourite being the tight skinny ones, I tend to reach for these over the slightly more paper bag style (which I also went and bought after seeing someone far more stylish wearing them on instagram). I tend to wear them with baggy jumpers, a nice clean white shirt or an oversized t shirt tucked in and have so far not had any Ross from friends moments. I’ve seen a brown pair more recently in H&M that I’ve got my eye on.”

*H&M Leggings with Creases

*H&M Ankle-Length Trousers and Belt

*Mango Faux Leather Trousers in Black

Carrie

“I’ve become a bit obsessed with Sherpa Fleeces, not the most flattering in shape but SO warm and cosy that I just can’t resist! I can see myself living in this exact outfit all winter.”

*Abercrombie & Fitch The Essential A&F Sherpa Fleece

*Topshop Rich Blue Jamie Jeans

*Dorothy Perkins Chocolate ‘Aloha’ Biker Boots

Danielle

“I know velvet is pretty much a trend every winter but it doesn’t usually pique my interest UNTIL NOW. I spotted these fab velvet high-waisted trousers from & Other Stories on ASOS in this gorgeous green jewel shade and can’t stop thinking about them! Would pair with a grey jumper and biker boots and throw on an overcoat.”

*& Other Stories Velvet Trousers in Bottle Green

*H&M Knitted Turtleneck Jumper

*ASOS DESIGN Anya Hardware Lace Up Boots in Black Croc

Lauren

“I’m finally making my transition into 4th Haim sister and am embracing corduroy! I love the deep festive green of this dress, and to transition this look into elf-chic, some burgundy boots are a lovely pop of colour. Of course I’m wrapping up in a cosy coat, and this one from M&S is a lovely colour and they’re my fave for super cosy coats all year round!”

*People Tree Franca Corduroy Shirt Dress in Green

*Marks and Spencer Lace-up Ankle Boots

*Marks and Spencer Faux Fur Teddy Coat

Maddie

“Teddy Bear coats! I admit i’m obsessed with how the classic Max Mara one looks but at nearly £2k a pop it’s sadly far beyond my reach. There are some great high Street “dupes” that i’ve got my eye on which look just as good and won’t break the bank.”

*& Other Stories Faux Shearling Teddy Coat

*New Look Cream Teddy Maxi Coat

*New Look Blue Vanilla Tan Longline Teddy Coat

Pretty Little Thing Black Maxi Borg Coat

*Miss Selfridge Maxi Teddy Coat in Tan

Lareese

“Try as I may to make the bucket hat trend work for me, I’ve accepted my head was simply not built for them. Alas, I’m sticking to a ‘trend’ I know has zero risk of making me look like a Cabbage Patch Kid: tonal dressing. Easy to execute, makes an outfit look put together even if took you 5 mins to get dressed and it ticks all the Autumnal boxes.”

*ASOS WHITE Wool Blend Fit and Flare Midi Skirt

*H&M Wool-Blend Shirt Jacket

*Topshop Brown Longline Roll Neck Jumper With Wool

*Office Avail Western Boots Brown Croc Leather

*This post contains affiliate links. For more information and to read our disclosure policy, please click here.

Hardy herbs like rosemary can often be picked throughout Winter but others will need to be cut and stored before the end of the growing season if you want to use them throughout the colder months.

Air-Drying

Air-drying is the easiest way to preserve your herbs effectively for up to a year.

When trimming your herbs from your plant, try to avoid cutting back more than a third at one time unless you plan on replacing it.

Once you’ve gathered your clippings, wash them gently under cool running water with as little pressure as possible to avoid any bruising or crushing. Dislodge any grass, insects or soil by gently massaging the herbs as you go. At this point, you can pick off spoiled or yellowed leaves as they’ve already lost their flavour.

Separate your herbs into small bunches so they get plenty of air flow between the branches and secure the ends with twine or an elastic band. You can then hang them upside down to air-dry.

Once the leaves are completely dry, remove them from the stem and store them in an air-tight jar, labelled with the date and name of the herb.

Herbs with smaller leaves such as thyme might benefit from drying on a rack or a sheet of newspaper for two days or when crunchy to the touch.

Fleshy herbs with high moisture content and succulent leaves such as basil and parsley are best dried using a dehydrator, since the air in most climates isn’t quite arid enough.

Herbs you can air-dry include:

Basil | Dill | Fennel | Mint | Oregano | Parsley | Rosemary | Sage | Thyme | Tarragon | Savory | Lovage

Freezing

For the best flavour retention, freezing is your best option. It preserves the essential oils in your herbs, and it’s the oils that give them their distinctive flavour. Wash them gently with water and pat dry. Spread your sprigs out equally on a lined baking tray and freeze for 8 hours, you can then pop them into zip-seal freezer bags to save space and store for up to 12 months.

You can also make recipe-ready herb ice cubes. Chop up your herbs, add them into the tray slots until each cube is approximately half full, top with water and freeze. This storage method is a quick and convenient way to add flavour into your tasty Winter soups and stews since the water content won’t affect the taste.

Microwave drying

Spread the individual leaves onto a paper towel and cover with another layer over the top. Microwave for between one and three minutes, checking them continuously and rearranging to ensure they’re drying evenly. If you have the time, air-drying is preferable since this method can diminish the oil content somewhat, the same goes for oven-drying.

Oven drying

Set your oven to the lowest temperature and leave the door slightly ajar. Setting the temperature too high will slightly cook your herbs, causing them to lose flavour and colour.

Place your herbs on a lined baking tray with ample room around them to dry evenly. Place on the lowest shelf of your oven and turn the herbs over halfway through drying time (after around 30 minutes). Check on the herbs after 45 minutes and if they’re crispy and dry, remove from the oven and allow to cool in the tray on the counter. Transfer them into an air-tight container or plastic zipper bag to store.

Herb butter

Leave a portion of butter to soften at room temperature. Chop up your favourite herbs and mash into the butter using the back of a fork. Wrap the herb butter mix in greaseproof paper, twist the ends to secure and store in the fridge for two weeks / freeze for up to six months. Delicious!

The novel takes place in the republic of Gilead, 15 years after the ambiguous events of The Handmaid’s Tale. Here, Atwood unpacks even more disturbing secrets of the dystopian underworld through three narrative accounts from Aunt Lydia, a Gilead girl named Agnes and a Canadian girl named Daisy. 

Find out whether The Testaments got a ‘Praise Be!’ from us, or whether it left us hoping for a quick and painless Mayday rescue…

Read our full reviews, here!

Carrie

“I first read The Handmaids Tale back in school and it was one of those books that’s stuck with me ever since. It’s such a shocking yet scarily real story that you could imagine happening today, and the sequel is no different. The Testaments follows on 34 years after the first and proves the themes are just as relevant today making it a truly chilling read. I loved reading from the perspective of the three different characters and although it felt more like reading a history book than a novel at times, was gripped throughout.”

Would I recommend to a friend – Absolutely
Would I read again – Yes
Rating – 5/5

Lauren

“I’ve not watched or read THT but the premise was enough to make me welp at the parallels of life today, so a sequel with promise of maybe some resolve….that too much to ask? Some hope maybe? Jumping in, I found the switching narrative took some time to get used to, which made it feel like a longer read than it was, but engrossing nonetheless.

Having no real detailed understanding of the backstory, I think some developments were less shocking or surprising to me, so would recommend brushing up before you pick up this!”

Would I recommend to a friend – Yes
Would I read again – No
Rating – 3.5/5

Lareese

“Confession: I haven’t read The Handmaid’s Tale. But I did watch the series, so whilst I don’t have the same in-depth experience of Atwood’s highly praised novel, I had enough context to go on and I was excited to read the sequel before it no doubt becomes another binge-worthy watch.

It was always going to be a daunting task to follow Handmaid’s Tale given its success but for those with high expectations, The Testaments will not disappoint.

Whilst the multiple narrative is a little confusing at first, you soon get used to each character’s voice. I loved getting three different perspectives of Gilead, particularly the inner workings of Aunt Lydia – the fearsome woman in charge of the handmaids – and her real, unfiltered thoughts on her complex past and the toxic dystopia she both dutifully obeys and lives to resent.

Set more than 15 years after the events of The Handmaid’s Tale, Atwood answers some of the mysteries surrounding Gilead that have kept readers hanging on for decades and depending on how you like your fiction, you might have preferred a cliff-hanger or two…

An engrossing read and a worthy sequel – praise be!”

Would I recommend to a friend – Yes
Would I read again – No
Rating – 4/5

Zoe

“I became a huge Handmaids Tale fan after being sucked into the tv series around 4 months ago and binge watched the entire thing over about 2 weeks. I found the whole concept both harrowing and so very interesting (and edge-of-your-seat-gripping!) Having not read the original book, I still had a good understanding of it through watching the series (although I can hear you all shouting “YOU SHOULD STILL READ THE FIRST BOOK”, which I will one day) therefore reading “The Testaments” still made complete sense to me and I was able to follow this no problem. I thoroughly enjoyed this read! I loved having three different perspectives of the same thing, all organically tying up along the way. The way in which Margaret is able to express three very different characters made you almost forget she was writing them all. Although somewhat predictable, and you can definitely sense where the storyline is heading by about midway through, I also really enjoyed the ending. It was one of those books I could have easily read in one sitting if i’d had the time, you just want to keep turning the page to find out more!”

Would I recommend to a friend – yes! (if they’ve watched the series or read the first book)
Would I read again – Yes
Rating – 4.5/5

Danielle

“Blessed be the fruit and may the force be with you! I quickly became obsessed with The Handmaid’s Tale on TV so I was super excited to sink my teeth into The Testaments. Although I have not read it’s predecessor I completely understand why it is regarded so highly and why it has won so many awards after reading The Testaments. Margaret Atwood is quite simply one of the most brilliant writers of our time, the way she distinguishes each of the three character’s stories in the book is magnificent, and the way she has created a dystopia which has so many parallels to our own world is heartbreaking. Books like this are more important than ever, go and read it now!”

4.5/5
Would recommend to everyone!
Will probably be re-reading, I’m sure I’ve missed lots!

Our next read is NINE PERFECT STRANGERS by Liane Moriarty – ‘From the number one best-selling author of Big Little Lies, Nine Perfect Strangers is the latest eagerly anticipated page turner from Liane Moriarty.

Nine stressed city dwellers, each hiding an imperfect life, set about getting some R & R at a wellness retreat cut off from the outside world. Watching over them is the resort’s director, a woman who will stop at nothing to transform these tired bodies and minds…

Described as hilarious, disturbing and poignant, could this be the best of Moriarty so far? We’re looking forward to finding out!’

What did you think of The Testaments? Let us know below!

Whether you’re in the lumpy or smooth camp, there’s a mashed potato match out there for everyone. Based on an original recipe in Cordially Invited, for a herby twist on this Thanksgiving classic, add in garlic and rosemary and serve with a choice of pork and veggie sausages and lashings of gravy.

SERVES 6-10

PREP: 30 MINS COOK: 30 MINS

EASY

INGREDIENTS

Ingredients

20 potatoes peeled and cut into quarters (adjust quantities as needed)

A generous knob of butter

A dash of milk

Bisto gravy granules

Garlic

Cheese

Sausages & veggie sausages

Rosemary (fresh or dried)

1 tsp salt

1. Peel potatoes and cut them into quarters. Place them in a large saucepan with the chopped garlic and salt, cover with water and bring to the boil.
2. Reduce heat and cook for a further 20-25 minutes until the potatoes are tender. You can test to see if they’re done by inserting a knife. If they slide off, they’re ready to go.
3. Meanwhile, prepare the gravy. In a saucepan, mix 4 tsps of Bisto granules with 250ml of cold water (adjust quantities as needed). Bring to the boil, stirring until thickened. Simmer on a low heat for 3-5 minutes and transfer into a gravy jug.
4. Using a colander, drain the potatoes and place in a large bowl with the cheese, butter, milk and rosemary. You can heat the milk and butter beforehand and pour over the potatoes if you prefer.
5. Mash the potatoes using a potato masher or an electric hand whisk. Transfer to a serving dish and garnish with fresh rosemary.

Serve in a large dish with a jug of gravy to let guests decide themselves if they fancy a little drizzle or a large lake. Serve up cheese, herbs, salt and pepper in little dishes for people to add their own mix-ins.

We hope you have fun recreating this simple but delicious recipe. Let us know how you eat yours in the comments below!

‘Turning thirty is like playing musical chairs. The music stops, and everyone just marries whoever they happen to be sitting on.’

There’s no doubt that Tori is winning the game of life. She’s inspired millions of women to stick two fingers up at convention with her bestselling memoir, and she has the perfect relationship to boot.

But Tori Bailey has been living a lie.

Everyone around her is getting married and having babies, but her long-term boyfriend won’t even talk about getting engaged. And when her best friend Dee – her plus one, the only person who understands the madness – falls in love, suddenly Tori’s in terrifying danger of being left behind.

When the world tells you to be one thing and turning thirty brings with it a loud ticking clock, it takes courage to walk your own path.

It’s time for Tori to practise what she’s preached, but the question is: is she brave enough?

Danielle

This was such an honest and hilarious book, I felt myself nodding my head and rolling my eyes at so many little quips Tor and especially Dee came out with. I think it’s an interesting study on how unhappiness, self-doubt and insecurity can make you the most cynical and negative of a person. I loved the ending but wish it came sooner than the last few pages, however, I think like most media these days it has been set up very well for a sequel and I think it’s going to be even better!

Would I recommend to a friend – Yes
Would I read again – No
Rating 4/5

Zoe

Holly takes you on a very real journey through a relationship with her main charatcer Tori Bailey and her long term partner Tom, to the point where you feel like you’re experiencing the highs and lows with her. You get a real sense of the struggles and honesty and the personal journey that Tori takes both within herself and her career. There are very poignant and current subjects that Holly puts into the book too, my favourite being the relationship Tori has with her social media and the reality behind her posts and how she views other peoples posts. I hope there is a second book where we get to follow Tori in her next adventure!

Would I recommend to a friend – Yes
Would I read again – No
Rating: 4/5

Lauren

Bourne is a great writer, but this story just wasn’t for me. I couldn’t connect with the characters and felt disappointed by their actions which was a bit frustrating as the story went on. The ending for me was a bit flat, and the only saving grace for me was Sandy who appears right at the end for a few paragraphs. Pros are that it is a quick read, but sadly not well lived up to the hype.

Rating out of 5: 2/5

Would you re-read?: No
Would you recommend?: No

Lareese

Bourne addresses some really interesting and poignant topics that don’t always make for a comfortable read; themes of social media, truth, loneliness, friendship and expectations in love and life. Protagonist Tori is a frustrating character who is both difficult to warm to but impossible to give up on, in equal measure. Shout out to her pal Sandy the oracle of truth who finally makes Tori gal see sense. We all need a Sandy in our lives!

Rating out of 5: 4/5

Would you re-read?: No
Would you recommend?: Yeah – it’s a good holiday read!

Would I recommend to a friend – Yes
Would I read again – No
Rating 4/5

Holly

I thought that ‘How do you like me now’ was very well written. Holly Bourne did an amazing job at conveying how frustrated Tori was feeling. Assuming it was her intention to make the reader feel that way too. I found the book easy to read although I wasn’t super engrossed. It picked up bit towards the end and I couldn’t but it down about 100 pages from the end. The ending wasn’t all I’d hoped it would be. I would’ve loved a ‘month ten’ chapter where Tori is getting on with her life, but maybe that will come in a sequel?
But in case there isn’t a second book, I like to make up the ending in my head. Sandy and Tori get together and have a baby. The next book is them navigating the world as a same sex couple. Also, we all know a man like Tom and Tom can piss off.
Rating out of 5: 3.5/10
Would you Recommend: Unsure
Would you re-read: No