As signalled by the fact that Lynda Renham is writing as Amy Perfect, rather than under her own name, this book is a little different to her usual romcoms. It’s still funny, but it’s set at a gentler pace, and is cosier, somehow. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I really loved it.
Little Perran is the sort of place many people would love to live in. A picturesque Cotswolds village where everyone knows everyone, and everybody cares what’s going on in their neighbours’ lives.
Frankie has been badly betrayed by her boyfriend Paul, so there’s a lot of sympathy for her. Everyone wants to see her happy. Frankie just wants to get on with her life and think about something else, and it seems she’ll get her wish, when news hits the village that famous film star Roux Lockhart is coming to stay in Little Perran. Everyone is buzzing with excitement, even though they’ve been sworn to secrecy.
Because Roux is staying at her Aunt Rose’s house, Frankie has reason to cross paths with him, and there’s an undeniable attraction between them. Roux has recently broken up with his actress girlfriend and he certainly isn’t looking for love. Frankie is still reeling from Paul’s betrayal and romance is the last thing she wants or needs. Or is it?
When the two of them go missing in a terrible snowstorm, the villagers fear the worst. What could possibly have happened to Frankie and Roux? And with the disappearance of a major film star in the news, it seems Little Perran won’t be having such a quiet Christmas, after all.
With a dodgy Christmas cake competition, a village flirt, and two publicity-seeking exes on the scene, as well as a lovely subplot involving Frankie’s mum and a nursing home, this book is a really fun and uplifting Christmas book, which is just the thing to help get you in the festive mood. I look forward to returning to Little Perran to see what happens there next. 5/5
You can buy A Christmas Romance here.