It’s the most wonderful time of the year…isn’t it?
Summer Hastings HATES Christmas. She loves sunshine, the beach and running her travel agency, sending people off to their dream destinations – even if she doesn’t get to see the world for herself. For Summer, Christmas sucks!
So, when handsome and charming Noel Pritchett moves his pop-up Christmas shop in to the store next to hers, Summer sees red. Noel loves Christmas…and he quite likes Summer too, if only he could break through the anti-Christmas armour she has surrounded herself with.
Just why does Summer hate Christmas so much? And can Noel be the one to prove to her that it really is the most wonderful time of the year?
Stella thought she knew how her life would turn out. A stellar career, the perfect husband (not like her own good-for-nothing dad), two gorgeous children, a dog to take on muddy countryside walks. But here she is: forty, single, living with her mum and grandmother, and trying to choose the ideal sperm donor out of a catalogue.
Bonnie might be an expert in genetics, but she knows there are some things you shouldn’t hand down to your children – like the secret of what really happened in her marriage forty years ago.
Florence has raised two generations of wonderful women in this house – but her life, and the story of her blissful marriage, are more complicated than she’s ever admitted.
When all three women start writing down their stories for Stella’s unborn child, the secrets and memories woven into the house begin to resurface. You can’t choose your family – but maybe you can choose what you make of it…
Published Date: 9 March 2023
My Review
Stella resides with her mother and grandmother, and despite being in her 40s and experiencing a string of unsuccessful relationships, she yearns to have a child. Deciding to pursue motherhood through a sperm donor, Stella receives unwavering support from both her mother, Bonnie, and her grandmother, Florence. In a touching gesture, Stella presents them with a notebook, encouraging them to document their stories for her future child. As they embark on this writing journey, a flood of memories resurfaces, unveiling hidden secrets and unraveling their seemingly straightforward past lives. The book centers around the intertwined lives of three generations of women who find themselves living together in their ancestral home. The deep connection among daughter, mother, and grandmother is beautifully depicted, and I particularly appreciate the unwavering support Bonnie and Florence provide for Stella’s decision. The characters are all remarkable and resilient, despite the generational gaps between them. Overall, this heartfelt story has left a lasting impact on me.
My Sanctuary 