I read this last Christmas and enjoyed it so much I wanted to include with my festive reads. This book captures your heart from the off, with the fantastic friendship between Elle & Viv who have been best friends since childhood. The characters of these ladies are instantly bought to life with feisty Elle & quieter Viv in a way that Amanda Prowse always achieves, the way in which the friendship is delivered makes you feel warm and fuzzy and fills you with laughter as they set off on their adventure to New Zealand.
Once I had snuggled down I was transported to their world and barely put the book down until I had finished as I was desperate to know the destiny of all these fantastic characters. I picked this up expecting it to be a Christmas book, however although it is based in the lead up to the festive holidays it is a story predominantly about love, friendship, tradition and how sometimes you just have to give life another chance.
Book Blurb
While her free-spirited daughter travels the world, Vivienne prepares for a lonely Christmas in Bristol, with her best friend Ellen and her ancient dog Bob.
Then a letter arrives that changes everything. Vivienne’s daughter is getting married in New Zealand, and she wants her mum and Ellen by her side.
But out on the rugged coast of Tutukaka, the sea sparkles, romance beckons – and Vivienne falls under the spell of another life. Will she leave everything she holds dear for a chance at happiness? Or will her daughter be the only one to fall in love this Christmas?
Love the Smell of a Book 