Merrily Ever After by Cathy Bramley

Merrily Ever After by Cathy Bramley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - in and out over 9 days (busy December)

Pages - 432

Publisher - Orion

Source - Bought

Blurb from Goodreads

In a picturesque town in Derbyshire, Merry has always wanted a family to spend Christmas with, and this year her dream comes true as she says 'I do' to father-of-two Cole. But as she juggles worries about her business, last-minute wedding planning and the two new children in her life, Merry is stretched to breaking point.

Meanwhile, only a few miles away, Emily is desperately waiting for the New Year to begin. Her father Ray's dementia is worsening, and she's struggling to care for him alone while holding down a job. When Ray moves into a residential home, she discovers a photograph in his belongings that has the potential to change everything .

As shocking secrets from Ray's past finally come to light, will this Christmas make or break Emily and Merry?


My Review

So this is marked as a standalone but Merry I am sure was in the other book I read by this author and her partner. We alternate between Merry and Emily. Merry's candle business is successful, in fact branching out so well she really needs to look to more staff but it is her baby and she is reluctant to let go. Everything is coming together great however planning a wedding, stretching herself thin with the business and concerns with her soon to be step children is causing Merry stress. Emily has a selfish boyfriend, I mean the guy is an absolute horror bag and her dad is getting more forgetful, confused and wandering more. Emily has the absolute guilt on what is best to do for her dad but with his condition worsening and the impact it is having on her job/personal life and health - stuck between a rock and a hard place.

We follow the two ladies as they navigate between their own personal issues, I really felt for Emily although with the boyfriend interactions I was near screaming at the book. Honestly a repugnant and vile individual. Emily's dad, the dementia/scenes are very emotive and heart breaking at some points.

The book is a cozy read with some emotive themes, friendship, blended families, wedding planning, stress, dementia, secrets, love & loss. It is a mixed bag, if you want to just escape from your own world for a wee bit this is a good shout. I need to look at her other books to see if these characters are in other despite being standalones, 4/5. I got this on a bargain buy special offer (I got a few copies for my blind dates with a book for my workies too).

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The Merry Christmas Project by Cathy Bramley

The Merry Christmas Project by Cathy Bramley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 3 days

Pages - 384

Publisher - Orion

Source - Bought

Blurb from Goodreads

Christmas has always meant something special to Merry - even without a family of her own. This year, her heart might be broken but her new candle business is booming. The last thing she needs is another project - but when her hometown's annual event needs some fresh festive inspiration, Merry can't resist.

Cole loves a project too - though it's usually of the bricks and mortar variety. As a single dad, his Christmas wish is to see his kids again, so getting the new house finished for when they're all together is the perfect distraction.

But this Christmas, magic is in the air for these two strangers. Will it bring them all the joy they planned for . . . and take their hearts by surprise too?

After all, anything can happen at Christmas. . .



My Review

Merry is taking a huge leap of faith, after stepping down from her job and living with her boyfriend she is giving it her all to set up her new candle business. When she thinks things are going in the right direction with her relationship fate has other ideas. Focusing on keeping busy she steps up to help arrange a festive memorial special event for the whole town. Cole is spending this year alone, his ex is with the kids far away from their wee town. Soon Cole gets swept up with the community festivities and a friendship with Merry and co.

If you want a bit of escapism with some Christmas spirit, relationships, friendships and a wee tug at some heart strings (nothing too heavy) then this is a perfect read for you. Merry is such a sweetheart and Cole's family is lovely too. It is a nice cast of characters and I think I needed that because there have been some belters of late. A community pulling together for this time of the year when it means so much to so many.

I liked reading about Merry's candle making too, it doesn't feature hugely in the book (I mean the actual process) but what it does I liked. I burn a fair few candles but never really thought about what all goes into the nor the tweaking, I liked how Merry came up with one particular scent inspiration.

This is my first dance with Bramley, it won't be my last. A nice wee break from reality read and ticks a good bit of the festives, 4/5 for me this time.

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