The Unwrapping Of Theodora Quirke By Caroline Smailes

‘The Unwrapping Of Theodora Quirke’ is the latest book by Theodora Quirke.

Theodora Quirke has no reason to be merry. It’s bad enough that she has to work on Christmas Eve but now there’s a drunk bloke dressed as Santa and claiming to be St Nick hanging around outside her flat. Given he’s professing to be the giver of Christmas miracles and nearly 2000 years old, she’s wary. Things get even more weird when St Nick insists he’s there to save Theo. And with the next St Nicholas Day somehow fast approaching, he’s even got a plan that’ll change her life forever. It all seems pretty straightforward, apart for one awkward fact: Theodora Quirke doesn’t actually need saving.

Just before Christmas I read this book and it gave me a warm feeling and get into the festive spirit.

The story is about Theodora Quirke who’s at a crossroads in her life, after her boyfriend and best friend suddenly died leaving her completely alone. Disheartened and full of despair, she’s at a low when St. Nick turns up at her doorstep. Even though, he looks like Santa Claus, he’s not and he’s there to save her life and bring her on a journey of her life and the significant moments that made lasting effects on her life. Meanwhile, Dottie Smith who is the founding member of Spitfire Saint Nicholas Umbrella Collective, who is convinced that Saint Nick performs miracles on 6th December and she’s one of the miracle receivers.

This ie a heartwarming story that is both inventive and creative and pulls the reader in from the start with the dysfunctional character. It’s hard not to connect with Theodore, she’s fiery and fun who’s lost without her boyfriend in her life. Having lost her mother and lived her life in uncertainty, Gabriel was the only constant in her life and when he’s taken away from her, her life falls apart and she questions her place in the world. St Nick is a great character, he’s witty and flamboyant but is also at a crossroad in his life and wants an opportunity to live his life for himself.

A story of magic and hope, this book was a joy to settle into and was filled with Christmas cheer. But as well as being as being witty with sweet and nostalgic references to ‘A Christmas Carol’, this book was a tender story that explored the ugly hardships of the world with a fierce protagonist who’s determined to save Christmas.

You can buy ‘The Unwrapping Of Theodora Quirke’ from Amazon and is available to buy from good bookshops.