#Review: One Last Dream for December by Lottie Cardew @MsLottieCardew @rararesources #blogtour #giveaway #newrelease #romance #Christmas #ownvoices

I’m really delighted today to be helping launch the blog tour and sharing my review of One Last Dream for December by Lottie Cardew. This gorgeous book was independently published on 3rd October, the author’s second book set in Pebblestow, and is now available for kindle (free via Kindle Unlimited) and in paperback. My thanks to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for the invitation and support – and to the author for my advance reading e-copy.

Lottie Cardew’s first book, A Christmas Wish on a Carousel, was just wonderful: I read and reviewed it in October last year, and loved every single moment (you’ll find my review here). The whole story had immense warmth and heart, engaging at a deep emotional level – although infused with gentle and perfectly judged humour, there were quite a few points when it moved me to tears. The romantic content was just wonderful – strong and believable, and I really yearned for Cara and Wilf to find their happy ending – and the touches of real magic were an absolute delight.

But it was no great surprise – I first discovered the author’s writing way back in 2013, when she was writing as Valerie-Anne Baglietto. If you enjoy Lottie’s books, I think you might well also enjoy Four Sides to Every Story (you’ll find my 2015 review here – and Val joined me again with a guest post to celebrate the book’s first birthday). It was republished last year for kindle with a lovely new cover (and it’s free via KU), a thoroughly lovely read filled with romance and heartbreak, and a little magic too. But I’m so thrilled to see this lovely author firmly back on the scene again, with all the sparkle I remembered so well – I was really looking forward to my second visit to Pebblestow…

Sometimes, the dream we think we don’t deserve is the one that’s trying to come true…

 

Esme Blythe has led a nomadic existence for the last ten years, never thinking she fits anywhere, and never feeling she’s earned the right to. But when she moves in above Percival’s, the charming old toy shop in Market Square, Pebblestow, it seems the village is about to weave its signature fairy-tale magic.

 

Surrounded by wooden toy soldiers, rocking horses, and vintage doll’s houses, not to mention the locals who seem determined to be part of her life – from her endearing grumpy uncle, to warm-hearted co-worker Blodwyn, and smouldering single dad Seth – Esme has to face up to everything she’s been missing, or turn her back on an incredible opportunity.

 

New friends, formidable foes, and the thrill of a budding romance, conspire to make this the most bittersweet December ever. But when she finally learns the truth about the toy shop’s owner, her elusive benefactor, the mysterious Mr Percival, is it already too late for Esme to change her mind… and heal her heart?

Isn’t it the best feeling when you love a book’s heroine from the opening pages? Esme has no idea how or why she’s been so lucky, but finds herself in Pebblestow, with a job in Percival’s toy shop and moving into the flat upstairs (although it does badly need a little TLC) in the midst of the village’s Halloween celebrations (hey, she’ll be fine – I’ve been to Pebblestow before and she’ll love it there…). She’s desperately worried about how she’s going to cope – but her co-worker Blodwyn turns out to be thoroughly lovely, the shop itself is filled with surprises and discoveries, she’s only walking distance away from her supportive Uncle Samuel, and she soon finds herself in the midst of friends keen to help her settle in and begin to feel part of the community.

But the first people she meets are single dad Seth and his young daughter Tamika, seeking refuge from the dreadful weather – the pink umbrella she gives the silent and withdrawn little girl becomes her most prized possession. And, as their paths repeatedly cross, the book develops as a slow-burn romance, but a very different one, as Esme grows closer to Seth and Tamika and discovers the sadness in their lives – and there are some very real obstacles along the way with his over-protective extended family and the gulf between their lifestyles.

But we also find that they have common ground – from the book’s beginning it’s very evident that Esme sees the world and the people in it a little differently, but then so does Tamika. I think this might be the only book I’ve ever read that features neurodiversity so perfectly as part of the story – in a very matter-of-fact way, with exceptional insight and sensitivity, never allowing it to define the individuals – and vastly increased my understanding of its limiting factors and personal challenges. My apologies if drawing attention to it, or the language I’ve used in doing so, doesn’t demonstrate quite the same sensitivity – it’s unfamiliar territory for me – but its inclusion transformed this whole book and made it considerably more than the rather lovely love story it most certainly is.

I was caught up in the story from its very beginning until the very last page – despite her constant doubts that it was something she really deserved, I desperately wanted Esme to find her happy ending. And if she can find hers – and I loved the route the story took to get there, with her increasing bravery and the intriguing mystery about her benefactor – then perhaps Seth and Tamika can find theirs too. The author really does have the most perfect emotional touch – these are very real individuals who you really feel deeply for – but the whole story also has a lovely lightness and thread of humour running through that made the reading an absolute delight.

And Halloween is, of course, followed by Christmas – this book has all the festive touches you could possibly want, and could there be any better setting than an old-fashioned toyshop? If you’ve visited Pebblestow before, you will run across a few characters you’ve met before – I found that a particular treat, and some of their interventions are integral to the story, but absolutely nothing you need to worry about if you choose to read this one as a standalone.

I really didn’t want this book to end – when I closed the last page I felt I was leaving special friends behind, but its ending is beautifully uplifting and left me with a smile on my face and a warm feeling around my heart. Quite wonderful, something very special – and perhaps one of my books of the year.

Giveaway

With thanks to Lottie and Rachel, I’m delighted to offer one lucky reader (open to UK only) the chance to win a festive bundle of goodies including a handy winter-themed reusable shopping bag with pouch, a notebook to organise Christmas gifts and to-do lists, and a Scandi-style Christmas stocking.

Here’s the rafflecopter for entry:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Terms and Conditions UK entries welcome. The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

About the author

Lottie Cardew writes uplifting, contemporary romcoms set around the picturesque village of Pebblestow, and is an advocate for diversity in fiction.

Regarded as the bossy one at Novelistas Ink, Lottie often subdues the other members if they misbehave (they don’t really) including the popular authors Trisha Ashley and Sophie Claire. She is a longstanding member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association, scooping their New Writer’s Award in her twenties under a different pen-name. More recently, Lottie also joined the Society of Authors where as an active participant in the ADCI group (Authors with Disabilities and Chronic Illnesses) she interviewed bestselling author Holly Smale in 2021 for the first ever Disability Issue of The Bookseller.

Lottie is diagnosed autistic with suspected ADHD. Her home in North Wales is overrun by husband, not-very-small children, and a ball of fluff masquerading as a Pomeranian, so Lottie frequently takes refuge at her desk.

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