My enormous thanks to my lovely friend Annette Hannah for sending me a copy of The Floating Christmas Market. I was beyond touched and excited to find myself in the acknowledgements too. I hadn’t intended reading The Floating Christmas Market yet, as I was going to take it on holiday, but it kept calling to me from my TBR. I’m delighted to share my review today.
You’ll find Annette featured and reviewed in other posts here on Linda’s Book Bag.
The Floating Christmas Market is available for purchase here.
The Floating Christmas Market
‘Tis the season to fall in love…
When Elodie’s dad cuts off her travelling budget it provides her with the perfect opportunity to leave her controlling boyfriend. Not wanting to face her dad just yet, she flees to her loving stepmum, Gracie in the picturesque village of Bramblewood. Trying to escape a flock of hungry geese she accidentally bumps into a dark haired stranger with sparkling blue eyes. She soon realises that not everyone in the community she adores is as friendly as she’d hoped when they instantly clash and he rudely refuses her apology and offer of help.
On hearing that Bramblewood’s Christmas Market is cancelled, Elodie suggests relocating it to the river’s heritage canal boats. But is horrified to then be given responsibility for organising the entire event along with Charlie, the owner of The Floating Bakery. Who just happens to be the guy she last saw dripping in muddy water.
As the scents of cinnamon and pine trees linger in the frosty air, will Elodie learn to trust again and will love blossom over tipsy hot chocolates at The Floating Christmas Market?
My Review of The Floating Christmas Market
Elodie (Ellie) is back in Bramblewood.
What a lovely, lovely Christmassy story. I so enjoyed The Floating Christmas Market – except perhaps for one thing… Annette Hannah fills her narrative with the most gorgeous, mouth-watering descriptions of food that every time I picked up the book I found myself ravenously hungry. Reading The Floating Christmas Market was not good for my waistline and I defy anyone reading it not to crave the food described!
The plot simply races along and whilst the attempt to organise the Bramblewood Christmas market may be the catalyst for the events, there is so much more beneath the surface of this romantic, heart-warming read. What I found so affecting was the way family and community was depicted. What Annette Hannah does so well is to convey how a sense of home and belonging is how we thrive and grow as a person.
Indeed, Elodie returns from her travels worried and somewhat broken. She is spikey and actually quite quick to judge Charlie, often being abrupt and unthinking in her response to him. These aspects of her character make her feel highly realistic, not least because she has anxieties and doubts of her own. It is through a sense of community and family that Elodie heals and develops. I thought this aspect of the story was brilliantly conveyed because we see how family might not necessarily be those with whom we have direct blood links. You need to read The Floating Christmas Market to discover more.
I thought Charlie was a gorgeous romantic hero, and I loved the humour that his interactions with Elodie created. Equally, I was so impressed by Matty. I really don’t like children – real or fictional – but Annette Hannah makes him irresistible. He is one of the people who helps the reader understand Elodie so fully by the end of the story.
Whilst it was lovely to be back in Bramblewood and to encounter characters, like Lottie, whom I’ve met before in other books by Annette Hannah, The Floating Christmas Market stands alone perfectly, blending previous elements with new ones so skilfully and introducing vibrant new characters that there’s absolutely no need to have read any of the other books.
Themes such as friendship, relationships, coercive control, jealousy and guilt all add to the texture of the narrative, adding to the enjoyment in reading The Floating Christmas Market. I found some aspects of these themes quite emotional and genuinely found myself reassessing what is important in my own life as a result of reading Elodie’s story.
If a reader wants an entertaining plot, well developed characters, wonderful romance and consideration of the aspects of life that are truly important, then The Floating Christmas Market couldn’t be more perfect. It’s the kind of read that simply calls out for a dark wintry afternoon, a mug of hot chocolate and a very generous slice of cake. After all, Doris would say, ‘There’s always room for cake’! The Floating Christmas Market is smashing and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
About Annette Hannah
Annette Hannah is a Liver Bird who relocated to leafy Hertfordshire in the 80’s and now lives near a river with her husband. She has three grown up children and a crazy black cocker spaniel. She writes romantic comedies in settings inspired by the beautiful countryside around her and always with a nod to her hometown.
She worked in Marketing for many years as a qualified Marketeer which she loved as it tapped into her creative side. As an avid reader, she began to review the books she read, became a book blogger and eventually plucked up the courage to fulfil her lifelong dream of writing a book.
For four years she was a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association’s new writers’ scheme, during which time she wrote a book a year. After signing a two book deal with Orion Dash in 2020 she graduated to full member of the organisation and is also their Press Officer. She loves long walks along the river, travelling to far flung places and spending time with her friends and family.
You can find out more by visiting Annette’s blog or website and following her on Instagram and Twitter @AnnetteHannah.
