Review: Christmas at Carrington's by Alexandra Brown

Carrington’s Department store is thrown into a spin when the staff learn that a hot new reality TV show is to be filmed in-store, featuring the formidable retail guru, Kelly Cooper. Georgie Hart, in charge of Luxury Handbags, is reluctant, but quickly realises that the show could give Carrington’s a new lease of life. With Christmas around the corner, she’s also hoping that the season will deliver her the perfect Christmas present, in the form of Tom, the store’s dishy boss.

When the film crew arrive, things start to go wrong. One of Tom’s old flames, Zara, is working on the show and then, to top things off, Tom and Zara are sent off to Paris and New York for a spot of extra filming. When Georgie settles down in front of the box to watch the first show, worse it to come – Georgie is shown in a far from flattering light and she is horrified to learn what Tom has been up to.

Georgie fears this is turning out to be the worst Christmas ever, but Santa might have a got a little surprise in store for her stocking this year – but she’ll just have to wait until Christmas to find out!

Review: wow! What a sequel! In fact, i think i loved this even more than the original! I was lucky enough to get an advanced review copy of this novel and so i was able to marathon all of Alexandra Brown's writing in one go. I am so pleased I read her novels this way,  but i definitely saved the best until last! This novel isn't the MOST Christmasy novel I've ever read so fans looking for tons of snow and Xmas trees, be warned there is simply a hint of Christmas in the air, this novel relies much more on the storyline of the reality TV show which is going on within Carrington's. The storyline also features a delicious amount of romantic angst between new couple Georgie and Tom which I loved but I found myself incredibly frustrated by, as if it were me involved in the angst and not them-amazing!

I really enjoyed all of the reality TV aspect of this novel. Characters Eddie and Annie really become your typical reality TV contestants and the storyline allows for much more mention of fabulous designer clobber, fabulous shoes and handbags and wrap dresses! Readers be warned, there is one storyline that runs through the novel and comes to a head about two thirds of the way through that had me in tears. I don't want to spoil it but just be warned. I could see it coming and so there was a certain amount of tension as well as tears, didn't spoilt the book in any way for me though!

Like any good sequel, its always fun to revisit old characters, its like catching up with old Friends really and it was really nice to catch up with Georgie, Sam and Tom. These characters haven't really changed at all, although i did find myself disliking Tom in some parts of this book, something which didn't happen with its predecessors... Georgie still has a tendency to put two and two together and make five hundred, but that is what's so lovable about her. She has a fabulous storyline reuniting her with her Dad, it was really nice to see the two of them building up their relationship again and i loved this part of the plot.

All in all this was a truly heartwarming sequel. I loved all the fun of the reality TV show, the plot twists and i really really liked the ending, everything turned out the way i wanted with a few surprises thrown in there too. At the end there are even some recipes from Sam which i am definitely going to have a go at making (whether they are diet friendly or not). If you are a fan of Alexandra Brown's or not, this should definitely be on your Xmas list and don't worry, this novel would work equally well as a standalone, although i do highly recommend reading them both together as I did!

To order your own copy, click here

Thus ends my Alexandra Brown Marathon for now...