Two strangers. One big secret. And a Christmas to remember . . .
Merry has always wanted a family to spend Christmas with, and this year her dream comes true as she says 'I do' to father-of-two Cole. But as she juggles her rapidly-growing business, wedding planning and the two new children in her life, her dream begins to unravel.
Emily is desperately waiting for the New Year to begin, so she can finally have a fresh start. She has always put her family first, leaving little time for happiness and love. When her beloved father Ray moves into a residential home, she discovers a photograph in his belongings that has the potential to change everything.
As past secrets come to light, will this be a magical Christmas for Emily and Merry to remember?
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Merrily Ever After by Cathy Bramley was published on 13 October 2022 by Orion. My thanks to the publisher who sent my copy for review.
Sometimes the perfect book comes along at the perfect time in your life. This happened for me when I picked up Merrily Ever After and started to read. It's been a tough year here, I've been unwell and feeling very sorry for myself. This book brought such joy, love, warmth and sparkle into my life. It's like a huge soothing hug, in a book and I loved every single page.
I don't usually read a lot of Christmas themed books, but I know that Cathy Bramley writes so well that I just had to pick this one up. Honestly, it brings such joy to the reader, with characters who become almost friends and a setting that really is the perfect place to spend Christmas.
Merry and Emily have lived in the same area for years, they've bumped into each other a couple of times, and each time has left lasting memories for them. Both of them immediately knew that the other could become a friend. Little do they know just how close they will become.
Merry is marrying Cole, the man of her dreams. They will have a Christmas Eve wedding surrounded by friends and family. However, Merry's one sadness about this is that the family member are all Cole's. She doesn't have parents, or siblings to invite and whilst she's delighted that she's being welcomed so warmly by Cole's father and his two children, she'd love someone of her very own to be there. Merry's Mum died when she was just a young girl, and she was never told who her father was.
Emily is struggling to care for her Dad Ray. Her parents were never married and her Dad wasn't around for much of her childhood. However, she loves him and she wants to do the best for him. His dementia is worsening and he just can't look after himself now. Reluctantly, Emily decides that he must go into a care home. It's a wonderful place, full of quirky, interesting residents and Ray will fill in just fine. The staff care for the people there, and there's one staff member who has taken Emily's eye.
I don't usually read a lot of Christmas themed books, but I know that Cathy Bramley writes so well that I just had to pick this one up. Honestly, it brings such joy to the reader, with characters who become almost friends and a setting that really is the perfect place to spend Christmas.
Merry and Emily have lived in the same area for years, they've bumped into each other a couple of times, and each time has left lasting memories for them. Both of them immediately knew that the other could become a friend. Little do they know just how close they will become.
Merry is marrying Cole, the man of her dreams. They will have a Christmas Eve wedding surrounded by friends and family. However, Merry's one sadness about this is that the family member are all Cole's. She doesn't have parents, or siblings to invite and whilst she's delighted that she's being welcomed so warmly by Cole's father and his two children, she'd love someone of her very own to be there. Merry's Mum died when she was just a young girl, and she was never told who her father was.
Emily is struggling to care for her Dad Ray. Her parents were never married and her Dad wasn't around for much of her childhood. However, she loves him and she wants to do the best for him. His dementia is worsening and he just can't look after himself now. Reluctantly, Emily decides that he must go into a care home. It's a wonderful place, full of quirky, interesting residents and Ray will fill in just fine. The staff care for the people there, and there's one staff member who has taken Emily's eye.
Ray's dementia means that he's begun to say things that don't make sense to Emily at all, and when she discovers his old tin, full of memories, she's really confused.
This is where Merry's and Emily's stories begin to interweave, with so many reveals and long held secrets exposed. It's beautifully done, with humour, and sensitivity and empathy. Cathy Bramley's ability to depict dementia is wonderfully done, there's touches of humour and sadness in equal measure.
This is a feel-good story to warm the hardest of hearts. The characters are a joy to discover, and whilst there are some serious and emotional topics dealt with, it is full of love.
The perfect read for the season, in fact, it's the perfect read for any time.
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This is where Merry's and Emily's stories begin to interweave, with so many reveals and long held secrets exposed. It's beautifully done, with humour, and sensitivity and empathy. Cathy Bramley's ability to depict dementia is wonderfully done, there's touches of humour and sadness in equal measure.
This is a feel-good story to warm the hardest of hearts. The characters are a joy to discover, and whilst there are some serious and emotional topics dealt with, it is full of love.
The perfect read for the season, in fact, it's the perfect read for any time.
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Her other romantic comedies include Ivy Lane, Appleby Farm, Wickham Hall, Conditional Love, The Plumberry School of Comfort Food and White Lies and Wishes.
She lives in a Nottinghamshire village with her family and a dog.
Cathy turned to writing after spending eighteen years running her own marketing agency.
She has been always an avid reader, never without a book on the go and now thinks she may have found her dream job!
Cathy loves to hear from her readers.
You can get in touch via her website www.CathyBramley.co.uk
Facebook page Facebook.com/CathyBramleyAuthor or on Twitter @CathyBramley
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