Title : Christmas at Carringtons
Author : Alexandra Brown
Publication date : 5th December 2013
Publisher : Harper
Purchase eBook: Kindle
Purchase paper book: Amazon
Rating : 5 out of 5 LeeLee’s!
A deliciously indulgent read and the follow up to Cupcakes at Carrington’s. Set in Carrington’s Department Store this is perfect for fans of Jenny Colgan.
Georgie Hart loves Christmas time at Carrington’s Department store. Running the luxury handbag department, Georgie adores helping customers in the hunt for the perfect gift for the perfect someone. And this year is no exception – now she has the hunky Tom, Mr Carrington himself, to spend the special day with.
But when Tom springs a surprise, Georgie’s plans are thrown into chaos. Carrington’s is getting a fresh lease of life in a hot new reality TV show, featuring formidable retail guru, Kelly Cooper.
As the first show airs, Georgie is shown in a far from flattering light. Worse is to come when Kelly’s vile daughter appears to get her claws into Tom. Georgie fears this will be the worst Christmas ever, but Santa still has a little surprise for her stocking this year – she’ll just have to wait until Christmas to find out…
My Thoughts
Christmas is my absolute favourite time of the year, its hectic and crazy but at the same time so magical and exciting. I love nothing more than curling up next to the Christmas tree with a cup of tea, book in hand and a cat or two on my lap, and that Is exactly what I did once I got my hands on the latest installment of Carrington’s by Alexandra Brown.
When Georgia Hart finds out that Carrington’s department store is taking part in a reality TV show she gets a big surprise, in the shape of her booty shaking on camera. Georgie thinks she is going to be an absolute laughing stock! Reluctant to take part in the show the free designer clothing, magazine columns and fame win her over. But can she forgive the handsome Mr Carrington for the betrayal of not telling her about the cameras?
Carrington’s is the kind of store where they address customers by their first name, its like one big happy family. Can the store build a new high-end reputation and keep its existing qualities once Kelly Cooper and her team have swept in, and how much of a reality TV show is actual reality?
Following Georgie as they filmed the TV show and she dons her acting skills with Eddie was hilarious, her character is written so well that you’ll feel like you’ve made a new best friend, every element from family drama, fabulous friendships and rocky relationships are covered in this installment. One thing I could relate to especially was when Georgie finds out her father has ‘moved on’ since her mother passed away, its nice to know that even a grown woman can find this hard to handle.
This is a novel filled with an eclectic selection of characters, their really is a favourite for everyone within this one book, from camp and crazy Eddie who I absolutely adored to the catty vindictive Zara and her pushy mother. I particularly liked Georgie’s friend Sam and the way the atmosphere of the book changes altogether from one subject matter to another, one moment its laugh out loud hilarious, the next you’re almost bawling you’re eyes out! (In a good way). I could not put it down.
Would I recommend it?
This is the first of Alexandra Browns books that I have read, I wasn’t sure if I should have read its predecessor before hand but it was Christmas so of courses I couldn’t wait that long!
The story is easy to follow without having the background from the previous book, the style of writing allowed me to learn who everyone was as the story progressed. I enjoyed this book so much that It had me ordering Alexs‘ debut novel Cupcakes at Carrington’s and novella Me and Mr Carrington straight after.
You’ll laugh and cry at this truly funny festive read, and it doesn’t have to be Christmas for you to enjoy it!
