The Christmas Party By Carole Matthews

[amazon_link id=”075155216X” target=”_blank” ][/amazon_link]’The Christmas Party’ is Carole Matthews new Christmas book.

Louise Young is a devoted single mother whose only priority is providing for her daughter, Mia. Louise has a good job in a huge international corporation and she’s grateful for it. The only problem is her boss who can’t keep his hands to himself, but Louise can handle him. What she really doesn’t have time for is romance – until she meets the company’s rising star, Josh Wallace. Louise usually says no to evenings out but she’s decided to let her hair down tonight. It’s the office Christmas party, she has a pretty dress to wear and she’s looking forward to some champagne and fun. She’s completely unaware that others around her are too busy playing dangerous games to enjoy the party – until she’s pulled into those games herself.

Carole is back with another Christmas cracker of a book with ‘The Christmas Party’ filled with ghosts from Christmas past and present that will have you loving and loathing them in equal measures.

The story is primarily seen from the perspective of Louise, the heroine of the story, who has returned to work for the first time after having her little girl, the bubbly and outspoken Mia and looking forward to her first Christmas party for Fossil Oil which is taking place at a fancy manor estate. The only thing that she is dreading is her terribly hands on boss Tyler, who’s lecherous advances, she has been trying to avoid. The story then takes place on the night of the party which is Christmas Eve and the aftermath that follows on Christmas Day. The book is written in the first person for Louise, but the other supporting characters are written in the third.

Louise is a lovely lead in the story, warmhearted with a sweet nature, she wants nothing more to provide her and Mia with a comfortable life and doesn’t want anything to jeopardise her new job, even though her boss can hardly keep his hands to himself. Uncomfortable with his behaviour, she stays quiet not wanting to create a scene, so she is delighted to find solace in the company of Josh, her handsome co-worker. Handsome and charismatic, he is the Prince Charming of the story. The story is also seen through the eyes of Kirsten. Tyler’s wife who is unhappy with her life, aware of her husband’s affairs, she has turned a blind eye, after her one true love left her but now that he has returned, Kirsten has regained that loving feeling and spark back into her life. Melissa, is the wife of Lance, the overall boss of Fossil Oil, she too is unhappy with her life, having to deal with Lance’s alcoholism, she too finds company in affairs. And finally there is Tyler, the creepy boss who has no concept of personal space. Arrogant and vain, he injects an element of humour to the story, as he is subject to a number of unfortunate incidents throughout the night.

This is another charming story from one of my favourite authors, it’s perfect to curl up with this book and get lost in the festive season. Written in Carole’s humerus style, it’s packed with relatable characters, that you want to find their happy ever afters and get their comeuppance. With a beautifully illustrated cover, ‘The Christmas Party’ is a fun poignant and witty story that is impossible to put down!

You can buy [amazon_link id=”075155216X” target=”_blank” ]The Christmas Party from Amazon[/amazon_link] and is available to buy from good bookshops.