Cotton Clara It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year Cross Stitch Kit Review

My cross stitching mojo had been missing for the longest time, but it's returned again lately, and I've already finished a couple of small projects this December.

My most recent finish was the Cotton Clara It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year cross stitch kit, which was such a fun and easy little make. 

I picked the kit up during the summer when it was on sale, but it's one I'd had my eye on for a couple of years. The design looked so fun and colourful, and I thought the finished hoop would fit in perfectly with my Christmas decorations, so I couldn't resist.

I started it in late November, and it only took about fifteen minutes per letter. I mostly stitched three or four of them at a time, whenever I could spare an hour to sew, but you could stitch this one out in a day, if you've got the stamina. The stitching took about eight hours altogether, and it was one of the simplest, most low-stress things I've ever made!

I still need to finish the back so that I can hang it- which I plan to tackle this weekend- but that shouldn't take long to do.

I'm really pleased with how it turned out, although, I'll admit, I'm not the biggest fan of the fluorescent or golden-brown threads mixed with the others, so I might make the pattern again in prettier colours in the future.

It's the perfect kit to make during December because of how low-commitment it is. It's ideal for those new to cross stitching, but equally great if you're more experienced, and just want something fun you can quickly knock out in a couple of evenings in front of the TV.

The kit comes with everything you need to make it, including threads, aida (fabric), an embroidery hoop, the pattern, a needle, ribbon, and felt and a wooden circle for finishing up the back. All you need is a pair of embroidery scissors, and something to cross off the chart with as you go along. 

All the materials are fantastic quality, and I think it's excellent value for money. You can find it at Cotton Clara, Etsy, and John Lewis, and Not on the High Street.

Have you crafted anything yet this Christmas?

P.S. I wanted to take photos to show you the materials and finished cross stitch in better detail, but I've not been well enough, so apologies for this single crappy iPhone photo. If I didn't post this now, we'd have had to of waited another year. I'll try to update them after Christmas.

You Might Also Like

Satsuma Street Deck the Halls Cross Stitch

The Make Arcade Gingerbread Man Cross Stitch

My Christmas Cross Stitch Makes

Mid Century Maude Retro Reindeer Cross Stitch

Merry Christmas Patchwork Cross Stitch Sampler

My Christmas Cross Stitch Makes 2016

My Christmas Cross Stitch Makes 2015

Noel Peace on Earth Christmas Cross Stitch Sampler 

Erstwilder Merry Kitschmas Essentials Earrings

I love collecting Christmas brooches, but I also can't resist a good pair of novelty Christmas earrings, and added a few pairs to my collection from the Essentials range Erstwilder recently brought out alongside this year's Christmas collection.

Erstwilder's Essentials are earrings that are simpler in detail and made from less layers of resin that the ones in their main ranges, making them more affordable, but no less lovely. I've collected quite a few pairs over the years, and they're perfect for mixing and matching with other Erstwilder jewellery, wearing with other accessories, or just making a little statement on their own. They're especially great to pair with a Christmas jumper or dress to really get into the festive spirit.

There are some great studs and drop earrings in this year's Christmas Essentials, and I love the three pairs of studs I chose. 

My favourite are definitely the Gingerbread Man Earrings. They're the cutest pair of cinnamon-brown ripple resin gingerbread men studs, with rosy pink cheeks, and white detailing. The little hearts on their chests are particularly sweet, and I want to wear them with everything.

They're currently sold out from Erstwilder, but the good news is, they are still available from Lottie & Lu in the UK.

I also got the Christmas Tree Earrings in green and pink, since I have Christmas brooches in classic colours and sugary pastels that needed complimenting earrings. 

The Green Christmas Tree Earrings are simple three-tier Christmas tree studs, made from glittery green resin, in a shade somewhere between forest and emerald. I've already worn them a few times, and I'm not done with them for the year just yet. As Christmas earrings go, they're perfect, as they go with everything. 

Again, they're sold out direct from Erstwilder, but Lottie and Lu have stock, if you're ordering from the UK.

The Pink Christmas Tree Earrings follow the same three-tier. pine-tree style, and are identical to the green, except that they're sparkly raspberry pink. They're perfect if you're a pink Christmas person, or your outfit calls for something a little different to classic green Christmas trees. 

I haven't been able to find them in stock in the UK, but you can still pick up a pair from Erstwilder.

There are also matching drop earrings, as well as other designs like snowflakes and doves in the range, and many are still available from Erstwilder and selected stockists. If you love Christmas jewellery, they're definitely worth a browse before they're gone. They're fantastic quality for the price, and they always have such fun designs.

Are you a fan of novelty Christmas earrings?

P.S. Please excuse the terrible iPhone photos. I've been struggling with my chronic pain all month, and haven't been well enough to take the photos I'd planned to take. And photo editing really isn't my strong suit.

You Might Also Like

Erstwilder Merry Kitschmas Brooches

Erstwilder Christmas Essentials Earrings 2023

My Erstwilder Christmas Brooch Collection

Erstwilder Modern Holiday Brooches and Earrings

Erstwilder An Australian Christmas Brooches and Earrings

Erstwilder x Pete Cromer 2.0 Christmas Brooches

Erstwilder All Wrapped Up Christmas Brooches

Erstwilder Festive Splendour Christmas Brooches

Erstwilder Kitschy Christmas Brooches

Little Moose Pangolin Brooch Review

I took a little birthday trip to Whipsnade Zoo this summer, and treated myself to the cutest brooch from the gift shop on the way out. (Yes, I know it was months ago, but somehow this post got lost in my drafts).

Randomly, it was a brooch that had been on my lust list for years.

The Little Moose Pangolin brooch!

They only had a few pieces of Little Moose jewellery to choose from, so finding one I'd admired from afar for many moons was definitely fate. 

I love pangolins and the way they hold their front feet together as if they're nervous to tell you something, so I had to add him to my brooch zoo... And I'm so glad I did.

It's a beautiful dark grey pangolin with a pale grey face, standing in front of a pearl-grey moon. It was handmade in England from four layers of laser-cut perspex, and features plenty of incredibly-detailed etching, and hand-inked facial features. It's such a gorgeous brooch, and the great thing is, it's also really sturdy, and well-made, so I don't see it being easily broken. I'm a walking, talking disaster, and it's survived five months around me without incident so far... Definitely a good sign of quality!

It also comes packaged in a little lilac gift box, so it's perfect for collectors, and would make an ideal Christmas gift for any brooch or animal lover, too. And an even better gift for yourself!

You can buy it direct from Little Moose's website here, where you can currently get 10% off your order if you sign up to their newsletter.

10/10 recommend.

Do you have any Little Moose jewellery in your collection?

You Might Also Like

Erstwilder Merry Kitschmas Christmas Brooches

Erstwilder Endangered Animal Brooches

Kimchi and Coconut Australian Animal Brooches

Kimchi and Coconut Galaxy Whale Brooch

Christmas Blogmas Tag

Thanks to abysmal winter daylight and horrendous spinal pain, I still haven't managed to take the photos I need for the festive blog posts I had planned, so today, I'm going to have a go at another Christmas tag post instead.

The Christmas Blogmas Tag is a short but sweet one with just seven questions, and if you want to hear about my Christmas traditions, what my favourite hot chocolate is, or what I'm hoping to find under the tree this Christmas, stick around to find out!

What is your favourite Christmas treat?

I love some homemade trifle, or the Chocolate Squidgy Log my sister makes every year. It's an old Delia Smith recipe she's been making since Sixth Form. It's basically a fancy chocolate Swiss roll, but with chocolate mousse and cream inside instead of jam. We don't let my sister in the house on Christmas Day unless she brings one.

What Christmas traditions do you celebrate?

We don't really follow any exciting traditions in my house these days. (I'm a single and childless old spinster, and I live with a bunch of Scrooges who don't get excited enough to care about traditions). All I can really think of is that we always play a compilation album called 100% Christmas while decorating the tree, which we've played every Christmas since 1994; my older sister and I drive around to look at Christmas lights together every year (usually on Christmas Eve); and I make a blackberry and apple trifle every Christmas Eve. Oh, and I like to watch The Muppet Christmas Carol when doing my first batch of wrapping. 

When I was younger, we always went to my Auntie's Christmas Eve party; were allowed to open one present from under the tree when we got home; put our stockings out on the sofa (we never had hooks over the fireplace); and were forced along to church on Christmas morning.

Are you wishing for snow this year?

I would love to get snow for Christmas, but I've only ever had one white Christmas, and no amount of wishing will change the fact that it doesn't snow very often here in south east England.

What is your favourite Christmas movie?

It's a tie between Santa Claus the Movie, and The Muppet Christmas Carol. They're the best Christmas movies ever!

Have you ever built a gingerbread house?

No, I've always wanted to, but for some reason, I never have.

What is your favourite hot chocolate?

I love Hotel Chocolat's hot chocolate. The cocoa whipped cream they top them with is to die for.

What gift are you hoping to get this year?

I would love to get one of the Polly Pocket Loungefly bags, or some of the books from my wish list this Christmas. I posted my Christmas list last week, if you'd like to see what else is on it.

And that is the Christmas Blogmas Tag.

If you want to take part, consider yourself tagged! Just make sure you leave me your links so that I can read your post if you write one.

Do you have any Christmas traditions?

You Might Also Like

The Amazing Christmas Tag

The Christmas Book Blogger Tag

The Christmas Songs Book Tag

The Christmas Day Tag

The Ultimate Christmas Tag

The Festive Christmas Book Tag

The Winter Tag

The Jingle All The Way Christmas Tag

The Christmas Book Tag

A Christmas Tag

Erstwilder Merry Kitschmas Christmas Brooches

It's the most wonderful time of the year.

No, not Christmas. I'm talking about the time of year when Erstwilder release their Christmas jewellery collection!

It's something I look forward to every year, and I think this year's offering might just be my favourite festive collection yet.

For Christmas 2024, Erstwilder has put their heads together with US illustrator Kenzie Kae Elston- aka Snippets of Whimsy, and created a wonderfully kitsch collection called Merry Kitschmas. It's made up of fun and colourful designs inspired by all the best things associated with the festive season, with everything from Christmas trees and snowmen to Nutcrackers and roast ham. 

I wanted one of everything, but I eventually picked four brooches, and three pair of earrings, and snagged the gift with purchase brooch, too!

Today, I'm going to review the brooches for you. But first, I'm going to apologise for the awful phone photos I've used in today's post. Between flares, gloomy daylight, and Christmas prep, I've not been able to take proper photos of them yet, and I can't see a better day coming, so I'm having to settle for some quick snaps I took for my Insta-stories last month. They're terrible, but just pretend it's 2012 again!

Let's have a look at what I got:

First up, is an amazing snow globe brooch that's easily my favourite piece in the collection- Seasonal Snow Globe. I fell in love with it as soon as I first saw it, but, holy crap, it's even better than I was expecting. Their snowglobe brooches are always incredible, but this is one of the most beautiful Christmas accessories I've ever seen!

It's quite a big piece, and features a little red and green cabin flanked with pine trees in a snow-draped landscape, in front of a snowy and glittery spearmint-blue sky. The globe then leads down to a striking red and green base, with a diamond pattern running across it. Every last little detail is perfect, and I love the mix of ripple, glitter, and plain resins- especially the red ripple resin, which is one of my favourite resins Erstwilder use. I've already worn this brooch a couple of times this month, and I know I'm going to be wearing it to death for many Christmases to come. 

You'll need to look to resale groups if you want to snag this one, as it sold out super quickly.

Next, we have one of the stoic soldiers that helped defeat the evil Mouse King, Promised Prince, the Nutcracker. I didn't have a Nutcracker brooch in my collection, but Erstwilder made the decision easy, thanks to how gorgeous this little guy is.

He has a beautiful red ripple-resin crown and coat, both decorated with cornflower blue, white, red, mint, and green detailing, worn over sea-green ripple resin trousers, and glossy black boots. He's also been given the signature creepy Nutcracker face (Nutcrackers really are creepy, right?), partially hidden behind a big white moustache and beard, and matching long hair. It's a dainty brooch, not much bigger than my thumb, but it's nice and sturdy,and unlikely to easily break. It's survived a couple of wears with me already, so I think it's practically indestructable!

This one is also sold out from Erstwilder and UK stockists, but I have found it in stock in the US, here.

Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without some snowmen (despite the fact I've only ever had one white Christmas), and this year's design, Cozy Christmas Chap, was too cute to resist.

He's a dapper little chap, with his black abstract top hat, navy patterned scarf, and glittery pink and red striped sweater- both wonderfully retro and modern at the same time. He's also perfectly formed, with a big round ripple resin body, and smaller round ripple resin head, that's been brought to life with a carrot nose, sparkly pink cheeks, and friendly black features. No notes on this brooch. He's perfect and I love him! 

This was another popular piece, but it's currently still available from a stockist in The Netherlands here.

The final brooch that made my short list was the gingerbread house brooch, Structurally Sweet, which is coming in strong with the Hansel and Gretel vibes. I can see why those kids couldn't resist a nibble, because it looks good enough to eat with its glazed, tan, ripple resin gingerbread walls, colourful gum-drop roof tiles, white ripple-resin icing, and other fun colourful details. I would've let the old cannibalistic crone invite me in to a house like this, too. It's so pretty! I think it will pair well with the gift-with-purchase brooch (that I'm about to show you), as well as some of the brooches from the Pete Cromer Fairytales collection.

I can't find it in stock anywhere in the UK, but it can be found from a stockist in The Netherlands here.

As I mentioned earlier, I was lucky enough to get the free gift-with-purchase brooch with my order from UK stockist, Oh My Marie, and I think it's probably the best bonus brooch they've done yet. This is Santa's Snack, and it's the most adorable gingerbread man brooch, looking just like a real gingerbread biscuit.

It's crafted from the same light tan ripple resin as Structurally Sweet, so they match perfectly, but it's the little details that make this brooch so sweet, like his sparkly periwinkle-blue bowtie, pink, green, and red sweetie buttons, pink and red candy cheeks, and impressively-even white, decorative icing. I love how cute it is, and have already been wearing the shit out of it this Christmas.

I'd imagine this bonus gift sold out super fast everywhere, so if you want to find one, your best bet is probably to keep an eye on eBay, Vinted, or Erstwilder resale groups.

There is still a selection of brooches, earrings, enamel pins and Christmas decorations available from Erstwilder, and their stockists, and you can shop them here.

I'll be back in a few days to show you the festive earrings I bought!

Which brooch is your favourite? Do you enjoy wearing Christmas jewellery?

You Might Also Like

Erstwilder Christmas Essentials Earrings 2023

My Erstwilder Christmas Brooch Collection

Erstwilder Modern Holiday Brooches and Earrings

Erstwilder An Australian Christmas Brooches and Earrings

Erstwilder x Pete Cromer 2.0 Christmas Brooches

Erstwilder All Wrapped Up Christmas Brooches

Erstwilder Festive Splendour Christmas Brooches

Erstwilder Kitschy Christmas Brooches

My Christmas List 2024

I might be a little too late to submit my Christmas list to Santa this year, but I'm gonna post it here, anyway. I mean, I've been so good this year, so maybe he'll deliver the goods? Maybe not.

Either way, I wanted to show you some of the lovely things I'd love to find under the tree on Christmas morning. I hope it gives you a little present inspiration if you're still struggling for ideas for the women in your life this Christmas.

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 // 9 // 10 // 11 // 12 // 13 // 14 // 15 // 16 // 17 // 18 // 19 // 20 // 21 // 22

1. I'd love some new nail polishes for Christmas, and the Nails Inc Leave Them On Red set has the dreamiest mix of winter hues.

2. The Moomins was one of my favourite cartoons growing up, so I need this Moomin smock dress from Truffle Shuffle! 

3. These books have been on my wish list for well over a year, so I'd be sooo happy to find the Illumicrate editions of The Bride of the Shadow King trilogy under the tree on Christmas morning.

4. I was obsessed with Polly Pockets in the nineties, so I'm dying to get my hands on this amazing Loungefly Polly Pocket Convertible Mini Backpack.

5. How cute is this Erstwilder Donut Cake brooch?! 

6. I'm not content to just have my cake and eat it, too- I also want to wear it. Not on my face- with this Erstwilder Romance Isn't Dead cake brooch pinned to my clothes.

7. I bought the other two collector's editions of The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare over Black Friday, and still need book two, City of Ashes, to complete the set. It's so pretty.

8. I rarely wear slippers as I overheat so quickly, but I'd make an exception for these amazing Labyrinth Worm slippers from Truffle Shuffle. Best slippers ever? I think so!

9. I love Tarte make up, and the Tartlette Amazonian Clay palette set from QVC is calling my name. It's one of the nicest sets I've seen in ages. The eyeshadow palette is currently on sale on their website at a far better price, though...

10. I'd love to get the Serpent and Dove boxset; I've wanted to try this series for years.

11. The Nails Inc 8 Days of Nails set looks like it would be perfect for making my nails look pretty over the holidays.

12. I already have a couple of Labyrinth dresses, but I still want this Labyrinth Celestial velvet smock dress from Truffle Shuffle to make it an uneven-three. It's amazing!

13. What I wouldn't give to get this gorgeous Lust & Longing Journal from The Quirky Cup Collective. My only problem would be choosing what kind of paper to have in it- lined, dotted, or blank.

14. And I'm also coveting the matching Everything Nice Reading Companion. It's basically a streamlined version of their brilliant reading journals. (I have a couple- they're fantastic).

15. This Loungefly Polly Pocket mini backpack is so cute! I love the heart print on the sides.

16. Popsy Clothing have won my heart once again with their beautiful Dorian Book Print Full Skirt Dress. It combines two of my favourite things- books and dresses!

17. Too Faced always have the most amazing Christmas collections, and this year's Merry Merry Make Up eyeshadow palette looks incredible. I'm not sure what I love more- the shades, or the packaging.

18. I'm apparently craving all the Polly Pocket things this year, but can you blame me when the Loungefly Polly Pocket Zip Around Wallet is this cute?!

19. This Waterstones Exclusive hardback of The Januaries by Olivie Blake looks so beautiful. I'd love to add it to my collection.

20. I've also got my beady little eye on Owlcrate's special edition of The Stars are Dying. Every last detail is to die for.

21. The Owlcrate edition of Your Blood, My Bones is another book that looks as great as it sounds. Its hidden cover looks fantastic.

22. And last but not least, the Too Faced Let it Snow Globes eyeshadow palette set would be a welcome addition to my dressing table. Even if they almost look too pretty to use!

If you want to see more like this, you can find my full Christmas list board on Pinterest here.

What's at the top of your Christmas list this year?

The Amazing Christmas Tag

I've seen the Amazing Christmas Tag on a couple of blogs this week, and since I still need to take photos for a few blog posts I have planned, I've decided to give it a go, too.

There are sixteen questions and sixteen answers, and if you want to know where I'm spending Christmas this year, what colour my Christmas lights are, or what I left out for Santa when I was a kid, today is your lucky day!

1. When do your decorations go up?

I used to start decorating for Christmas on the 1st of December, but these days, it varies depending on when I can catch a good pain day. I try to do my bedroom decorations during the first week of December (although, I haven't yet this year), but the last few years, we haven't got to the main decorations until a few days before Christmas. This year? We're actually planning to tackle it today!

2. Who is the Scrooge in your family or friendship group?

It's definitely my Dad. He's not anti-Christmas, but it's more of a religious holiday to him, and he can get annoyed if the decorations go up too early, and by the excessiveness of it all. I've lost count of how many times he's jokingly told us Christmas was cancelled over the years.

3. If money were no object, how and where would you spend Christmas?

I'd love to experience Christmas in New York; in a log cabin somewhere in Scandanavia with a lot of snow and views of the Aurora Borealis; and also somewhere hot and tropical, like Australia. But, in all honesty, I think nothing would compare to celebrating Christmas at home.

4. Who do you find the hardest to buy presents for?

My Dad is a nightmare to buy presents for. He doesn't really have hobbies anymore, he can't drink because of his health, his idea of a skincare regime is soap and water, and he's diabetic, so sugar is out. And to make it worse, his birthday is a month before Christmas, so it makes it twice as hard to come up with something new that he'll actually like. I struggle with him every year.

5. What did you leave out for Santa when you were a child?

We usually left out a mince pie, and a shandy, plus sometimes a carrot for the reindeer. 

6. Where did you spend last Christmas?

I just spent it at home in The Cotswolds, with my family.

7. Do you have a real or artificial Christmas tree?

We have an artificial tree in the living room, but I always get a small real tree for my bedroom, too. Best of both worlds!

8. Which celebrity would you love to spend Christmas with?

I'm not sure I'd actually want to spend Christmas with a celebrity. I'd probably be too nervous to actually enjoy myself, or they wouldn't be as nice as they appeared on TV, and it would change how I saw them.

9. How are you spending this Christmas?

I'll be spending Christmas at home with my family, like I always do. We'll do some baking, and have a family buffet on Christmas Eve, with lots of tasty nibbles. And on Christmas Day, my sister, brother-in-law, and Auntie are joining us for the day, so it'll be a low-key Christmas with all the usual things- presents, Christmas dinner, movies, games, nibbles- and should be really lovely.

10. Do you own an ugly Christmas sweater?

Ugly? My Christmas jumpers are cute, thank you very much!

11. If you could be under the mistletoe with anyone, who would it be?

I wouldn't say 'no' to Jason Momoa.

12. Have you ever had a white Christmas?

Only once. We had one of the coldest winters I've ever known in 2010, with temperatures well below freezing in the day time, and icicles the length of my arm hanging from the windows. We had a few heavy snow falls before Christmas, and while it didn't snow on Christmas Day, so it's not an official white Christmas, we still had about a foot of it on the ground on Christmas morning, so I'm counting it. It was magical, and I remember my Mum buried the frozen turkey in the snow to save on freezer space! We don't get a lot of snow in south east England, so it was a real novelty, and I doubt we'll ever have a Christmas like it again.

13. Do you use coloured lights on your tree, or white?

We have coloured lights on the living room tree, and I currently use warm white lights for my bedroom tree. 

14. Have you finished your holiday shopping, or are you a last-minute gift-getter?

I actually finished my Christmas shopping last week! I always pick up presents throughout the year, to spread the cost, but I'm not usually this organised already. I'm not gonna lie, it feels good! I could never leave gift-giving 'til the last minute. I feel stressed just thinking about it.

15. What's on your Christmas wish list for 2024?

My Christmas list is 90% books this year, but I also have my eye on a few dresses, Erstwilder brooches, Too Faced make up sets, and some new bookshelves. I'll be blogging my Christmas wish list this week, but if you want to see what I have my eye on, you can find my Christmas list board on Pinterest here.

16. How do you plan to spend holiday cheer in 2024?

Just by giving presents and cards to my family and friends, wishing people a Merry Christmas, posting festive content, and if I have enough money to spare, I want to donate to a food bank, and put a box of goodies together for a homeless person.

And that is the Amazing Christmas Tag.

If you want to give it a go on your own blog, consider yourself tagged! Just be sure to leave me a link to your post so that I can have a read.

How will you be spending Christmas this year?

You Might Also Like

The Christmas Book Blogger Tag

The Christmas Songs Book Tag

The Christmas Day Tag

The Ultimate Christmas Tag

The Festive Christmas Book Tag

The Winter Tag

The Jingle All The Way Christmas Tag

The Christmas Book Tag

A Christmas Tag

Upon a Frosted Star by M. A. Kuzniar Christmas Book Review

Last Christmas, I read a gorgeous Swan-Lake-retelling from the author who wrote Midnight in Everwood, and it was one of the most magical festive books that I've ever read. I didn't finish it until after Christmas, so I've been waiting all year to share my review, and the day has finally arrived.

So, let me tell you why you need to read Upon a Frosted Star this Christmas.

Book Title: Upon a Frosted Star.

Author: M. A. Kuzniar.

Genre: Fantasy, romantasy, fairytale-retelling.

Edition: Waterstones Exclusive.

Plot:

Upon a Frosted Star is a devastating and wintry retelling of Swan Lake set in the Roaring Twenties, beginning with whimsical parties that give off Caraval and The Night Circus vibes, with hints of The Great Gatsby.

It's about a young artist called Forster who falls head-over-heels for a woman he meets at one of these enchanting parties, and becomes consumed with finding her again.

When they finally reunite, Forster discovers that the woman, Detta, carries a secret. Detta is cursed and can only remain human when it snows. When the snow melts, she turns into a mindless swan, and so she stays until it snows again.

It seems they're not fated to be together, but as any great fairytale will tell you, love is stronger than the distance between them, and absence makes the heart grow fonder. (Or some other soppy cliche about long-distance love).

Forster becomes a recluse from the world as he waits for Detta to return, year after year, and as Detta weakens with each year that passes, they realise he must find the man who cursed her if they have any chance of being together. But will Forster be able to track down the mysterious villain, or is Detta cursed to remain a swan forever?

Thoughts:

So... I'm just going to come right out and say it: I loved this book!

I haven't read the original Swan Lake story, so I don't know how it compares and differs, but I enjoyed this melancholy fairytale mixed with a 1920s setting, as it added so much romance and glamour to the existing story. 

It was so beautiful, whimsical, and romantic, and with all the snow and festive scenes, it was the perfect book to curl up and ignore the world with during the holidays.

The writing was so magical and descriptive, and it immersed me in every scene until I could almost feel the snow crunching underfoot, and taste the sugary cakes on my tongue. I particularly loved how Kuzniar described the enchanting parties, and the fun and imaginative ways the invitations were sent out each year. They sounded like the most magical parties ever, and I wanted to go to one so badly! And I hate parties!

Now, I admit, I'm not much of a romance reader, either, (unless it's romantasy and involves morally-grey fae warriors or vampires); I enjoy them even less than I enjoy parties. But I loved Forster and Detta's tragic love story so much. They were so cute together!

There are so many books about love lost and found, but having a couple fall in love, and then be separated by the cruelty of magic, weather, time, and distance each time the snow melted, made their story so unique and tragic. The fact that it happened continuously, and that they were lost to each other, despite remaining nearby made it all the more heartbreaking.

I love that they didn't concentrate on the time they didn't have, and always focused on making the most of every minute they had with each other. Although, as romantic as their stolen moments were, their heartwarming romance and declarations of love did become a little soppy and repetitive towards the end, and had me rolling my eyes at times.

Mostly, I just felt sorry for Detta and all she'd been through, and for Forster left behind in isolation from his friends, spending all year waiting for the snow to fall so he could be with the woman he loved. It was so damn tragic, I became so invested in their hunt for Rothbart in the hope that they could break the curse, and have their happy ever after.

I did feel that the ending was rushed and wish that it had been developed more, but I adored this book, and it was one of my favourite reads of 2023.

Rating: 5/5 stars!

So, basically, this book stole my heart, and if you enjoy devastating fantasy romance, and fairytale retellings, I think you'll love it, too.

I'm so tempted to reread it again this Christmas!

Have you read Upon a Frosted Star yet?

You Might Also Like

Midnight in Everwood by M. A. Kuzniar Review

What I Read in November 2024

Look at this; I'm here bringing you a 'What I Read' post at the start of the following month, and not at the very end for once! Miracles do happen. Maybe Trump will stop being a raving narcissist next! Or maybe pigs will fly...

Anyway, November wasn't a bad reading month for me. I finished 9 books, and began 2 others, and 5 of them were big beasts over 600 pages. I loved everything I read, and became obsessed with a few of them, so it was one of the most enjoyable months of reading I've had in a while.

This is what I read in November:

Reading Stats:

📖9 books completed, 2 started.

📖4 hardbacks.

🎧5 audiobooks

📖2139 pages (3953 pages including audiobooks).

🎧73.55 hours listened at 1.1x speed.

📖5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ reads!

📖3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

📖Average rating: 4.44 stars.

📖Average book length: 624 pages.

📖Average time to finish: 8 days.

I Read:

📖The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst. 5⭐

📖Lightlark by Alex Aster. 3⭐

📖Gold by Raven Kennedy. 5⭐

📖Goldfinch by Raven Kennedy. 5⭐

🎧Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J. Maas. 5⭐ (Reread).

🎧Crescent City House of Sky and Breath Part Two (Dramatised) by Sarah J. Maas. 4⭐ (Reread).

🎧Fourth Wing Part One (Dramatised) by Rebecca Yarros. 4⭐ (Reread).

🎧Fourth Wing Part Two (Dramatised) by Rebecca Yarros. 4⭐ (Reread).

🎧Iron Flame Part One (Dramatised) by Rebecca Yarros. 5⭐ (Reread).

And I Started:

📖The Songbird and the Heart of Stone by Carissa Broadbent.

🎧Iron Flame Part Two (Dramatised) by Rebecca Yarros. (Reread).

Although, I began both on the final day of the month, and I didn't get far with either.

Favourite Reads: I have three that I can't possibly choose between: The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst, and both Gold, and Goldfinch by Raven Kennedy.

I told you how much I loved The Spellshop last month, before I'd even finished it, but I'll say it again; I loved this book so much! It was one of the cutest, cosiest, most comforting books I've ever read, full of magic and whimsy, and it's earned a place on my all-time-favourites list. I'm so excited that's there's going to be a prequel.

My other loves of the month were Gold and Goldfinch, the last two books in The Plated Prisoner series- a brilliant dark adult fantasy series I've become completely addicted to this year. I became obsessed with both books, and a week after I finished the last one, I still can't stop thinking about them. They were both action-packed and deliciously tense, empowering and inspiring, and Goldfinch was so devastating that it's annihilated me emotionally. It was sadder than The Ballad of Never After, The Assassin's Blade and Kingdom of Ash combined, and I'm not sure I'll ever recover. Seriously, I sobbed my heart out, and feel like I have second-hand grief from reading it. But, I think being so emotionally affected by a story is a sign of a good book, and I've also added them to my favourites list.

Favourite Listens: The Fourth Wing books were really fun to reread as dramatised audiobooks, but I think I'd have to go with Kingdom of Ash. It's one of my favourite books, and with all the torture, trauma, battles, and emotions running high, it made for an epic listening experience. I might've cried through half of it- especially through the deaths and torture, the battlefield rescue scene, and Fenrys and Gavriel's blood oathes, but it was the perfect end to a fantastic series, and I honestly couldn't love this book or series more.

Least Favourites: I had a pretty strong reading month all round, and enjoyed everything I read, but my lowest rated book was Lightlark by Alex Aster, with three stars out of five. It was a fun read, but it was perhaps a little too predictable, and needed a little more excitement. I'm hoping the worldbuilding, story, and characters develop more as the series goes on. And if Isla doesn't end up with Grim by the end, I'm throwing them all out the window.

Well, those were my November reads.

What was the best book you read in November?

You Might Also Like

What I Read in October 2024

What I Read in September 2024

What I Read in August 2024

What I Read in July 2024

The Christmas Book Blogger Tag

I saw the Christmas Book Blogger Tag on a couple of blogs, and thought it would be fun to jump on the band wagon, so here we are. Let's do this!

What is your favourite Christmas scene in a book?

I love the Christmas scene in Little Women when Beth is recovering from scarlet fever, and Mr. Lawrence gives her his late daughter's piano. It makes me cry every time.

Oh, and also the scene in A Court of Frost and Starlight when Azriel takes it upon himself to fix the Solstice decorations Cassian and Feyre made a drunken mess of hanging; when he gets exasperated, and gets caught downing Rhys' good wine. His reaction is hilarious!

Do you have any Christmas book traditions?

Not really. The only ones I can think of are that I try to read festive books during December, and my older sister and I usually go sale-book-shopping between Christmas and New Year. I might have to make shopping for new festive books before Christmas a thing, though.

Do you prefer to get presents of book vouchers or books?

I honestly don't have a preference. Either way, I get new books. I love receiving new books people have chosen for me or picked off my wishlist, and gift vouchers are great because I'm a pro at getting more for the money during the Boxing Day sales.

Do you give books as presents?

Yes, I do. My family are all readers, so I gift books as part of their presents almost every year. A few people will be getting books off me this year, too.

What bookish item is on your Christmas wishlist?

I'm unlikely to get them, especially as they're from international brands, but I would love the Everything Nice Reading Companion from The Quirky Cup Collective; and the Kingdom of the Wicked Favourite Sin blanket from Litjoy Crate.

What three books would you love Santa to have in his sack for you?

1. The T. Kingfisher set of The Twisted Ones, The Hollow Places, and House with Good Bones from Illumicrate.

2. The Bride of the Shadow King trilogy from Illumicrate.

3. The King of Scars Annotated Special Edition Boxset from Litjoy Crate.

Fake Christmas tree or real Christmas tree?

We always have a fake Christmas tree in the living room, and I always get a small real one for my bedroom, so I have the best of both worlds. I always thought I prefered real ones, but I think fake trees are much less hassle.

What is your favourite thing about Christmas?

I particularly love seeing all the Christmas lights and decorations brightening up in the dark winter nights; giving gifts to my family and friends; and watching Christmas movies.

What Christmas book would you recommend?

I'd recommend:

♥ Little Women by Louisa May Alcott.

♥ Midnight in Everwood by M.A. Kuzniar.

♥ Upon a Frosted Star by M.A. Kuzniar.

♥ A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.

♥ A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas.

♥ Noel Streatfield's Christmas Stories.

♥ A Merry Christmas and Other Christmas Stories by Louisa May Alcott.

What dish on the Christmas menu are you most looking forward to?

My brother-in-law's goose-fat roast potatoes. They're so damn good! And also my blackberry and apple trifle and my sister's Squidgy Chocolate Log, because they're both delicious.

When do you open your Christmas presents?

We open ours once everyone is up on Christmas morning. And then exchange presents with my older sister and brother-in-law when they arrive around midday.

What's your favourite Christmas song?

It's probably between Last Christmas by Wham, I Believe in Father Christmas by Greg Lake, and It's Only Christmas by Ronan Keating.

Are you dreaming of a white Christmas?

I would love to have another white Christmas, as I've only ever had one (in 2010), and it was magical. It was so cold, we had snow on the ground for weeks, and icicles the length of my arm hanging from the windows! It rarely snows in Oxfordshire at the end of the year, though, so it's unlikely to happen again any time soon.

I hope you've enjoyed The Christmas Book Blogger Tag. If you want to take part, consider yourself tagged! Just make sure to leave the links to your posts in the comments so I can have a read!

What's your favourite Christmas book?

You Might Also Like

The Christmas Songs Book Tag

The Christmas Day Tag

The Ultimate Christmas Tag

The Festive Christmas Book Tag

The Winter Tag

The Jingle All The Way Christmas Tag

The Christmas Book Tag

A Christmas Tag