We’ve spent the best part of the holidays curled up with a glass of Glühwein in one hand and our last 2020 book club read, Finding Love At The Christmas Market, in the other.
It’s been quite the rocky year, so we thought we’d round it off with a warm, uplifting and life-affirming tale to soothe our souls well into the New Year.
We hope you enjoyed this literary hug as much as we did. Scroll through the team’s reviews to see what we thought of Jo Thomas’ festive treat…
Residential-home caterer Connie has had one online-dating disaster too many. Hurt in the past and with her son to consider, now she’s feeling hesitant. Then one of Connie’s residents sets her up on a date at a beautiful German Christmas market – with the promise she’ll take a mini-bus full of pensioners along with her…
Amongst the twinkling lights and smell of warm gingerbread in the old market square, Connie heads off on her date with a checklist of potential partner must-haves. Baker Henrich ticks all the boxes, but when Connie meets Henrich’s rival William, she starts to wonder if ticking boxes is the answer.
Will Connie’s wish for love this Christmas come true, and if so – with who?
Lareese
Finding Love At The Christmas Market is the epitome of feel-good fiction. With everything going on in the world, it was the perfect antidote for the weird ol’ 2020 holiday season. Is it sickly sweet at times? Sure. Are the cake puns over-baked? Absolutely, but what it lacks in originality it makes up for in light-at-the-end-of-the-tunnel perspective. Whilst it had all the right ingredients, the alchemy was missing for me. Reading it felt like unwrapping your first tin of Quality Street – a novelty at first but a bit sickly sweet after you’ve mindlessly consumed all The Purple Ones. That said, Jo Thomas did a wonderful job of writing a cosy seasonal treat that ticks all of the festive fiction boxes.
Rating Out of 5 – 2.5
Would you recommend? Yes for Christmas escapism!
Danielle
This was just such a delightful little Christmas read and exactly what I think I needed after the trials and tribulations of our current covid Christmas. There were so many little moments I started to compare like doing something different for Christmas and trying to remember all the little things that make is so magical at the beginning of the book. Then as soon as Connie got to Germany I was able to soak up all the wonderful descriptions of cosy markets at Christmas packed full of warm spicy scents and cosy vibes, something I wasn’t able to enjoy this year. The older citizens vibes, one-liners, and general attitude had me cracking up, I thought they were such a fun addition and definitely gave me memories of The Switch (my fave book from 2020). The only thing this book was missing was a bit more development on the romance side of things as I didn’t feel that desperate desire between characters where you’re just gagging for them to get together but what it lacked in that department it made up for in charm!
Rating out of 5 – 3.5
Would you recommend? Absolutely!
Darcey
If you need a book to relight your love for Christmas, especially in 2020, this is the book for you! I loved reminiscing on those special things we can usually do in the holidays, like visiting Christmas markets and getting to spend that quality time with loved ones.
You follow Connie on her quest for love to Germany, after meeting a guy on an online dating site. The book is centred round Connie finding love, however the aspect I enjoyed the most was all the elderly residents that she cares for finding their love for Christmas again! I do think the book maybe lacked on the relationship side of things, but on the flip-side, this book offered me all the cosy Christmas vibes I was longing for so really I can’t complain!
Rating: 3.5/5
Would you recommend? Yes!
Charlotte
This book was WHOLESOME to the max! Exactly what we needed at the end of 2020, the story was so heartwarming and had me feeling warm and fuzzy in the run up to what normally feels like the most magical time of the year. Although Christmas is certainly different this year, following Connie’s Christmas adventures had me feeling so nostalgic and injected some well needed feel-good into the month of December.
It completely encapsulated the magic and joy of Christmas markets and I really did feel transported into this setting which was lovely. The pensioners were so bloomin’ lovely too and this part of the story totally encapsulated the Christmas spirit. At times Connie’s character was a little annoying, particularly when she reeled off her requirements for ‘the perfect man’, but overall it was easy to gloss over and just enjoy the comfort of such a atmospheric December story.
Rating : 3/5
Would you recommend? Yes
Holly
I can’t say I was the biggest fan of ‘Finding love at the Christmas Market’. The main character, Connie, was nice enough but the whole plotline was just so predictable. I’m not joking when I say I guessed what would happen from the blurb.
The characters were OK. I would have liked to know a bit more about Pearl’s past as she was HILARIOUS and reminded me of my nan. I also really liked William and found his story believable. But I don’t think we got enough detail on any aspect of the story. I want to know more about Connie’s past relationships and her relationship with Sam, and why doesn’t she have any friends her own age? So many unanswered questions!
That being said, it gave me all the Christmassy vibes and made me want to go to the German Christmas markets next year. So I am glad I read it still.
Rating Out of 5 – 2
Would you recommend? No
