A Gift in December by Jenny Gladwell

Normally by now, I’m ready for Christmas; the presents will have been wrapped, I would have every meal planned down to the last brussel sprout and I’m counting down the seconds until Christmas Day. This year I haven’t been feeling quite as festive and I’m actually terribly unorganised, I need to finish my present shopping today before the kids break up.

Reading A Gift in December by Jenny Gladwell has given me that little shot of festive feeling that I’ve been lacking and I’m now ready to deck those halls with boughs of holly!

The story is about a young woman called Jane, a journalist and the star of her office. Her career is on a high but she’s also just been dumped by her boyfriend.

Jane reluctantly agrees to go on a luxurious press trip to Norway to cover the story of the Trafalgar Square Christmas tree, not knowing that she’s about to uncover a love story from the past and maybe one of her own.

I was really drawn to this one because I was intrigued by the historical twist. The back story that Jane is sent to cover is about the Queen of the Forest, the tree that is given to London every year by the people of Norway as a sign of appreciation for Britain’s support during World War II.

The soldier that Jane meets while on this trip makes for a really interesting plot, and takes the book from being just another romantic Christmas read into something a little more interesting.

I absolutely loved reading this one, it has been the perfect book to curl up with. The beautiful descriptions of Norway made me want to book a one-way ticket straight away! I’m now also on the lookout for a book about this piece of history, I’d love to know more about their King and how he managed to flee the Nazis to come to Britain.

Definitely one you should pick up if you need a shot of festive feeling, it’s a brilliant heartwarming, cosy read with just the right mix of romance, mystery and history.

What’s been your favourite Christmas read so far?