Book Review: A Christmas Gift by Sue Moorcroft

Published November 13, 2025 | By Mick Arnold

It’s such a pleasure to be welcoming Sue Moorcroft back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her latest book, A Christmas Gift.

Can the happiest time of year heal the most broken of hearts?

Georgine loves Christmas. The festive season always brings the little village of Middledip to life. But since her ex-boyfriend walked out, leaving her with crippling debts, Georgine’s struggled to make ends meet.

To keep her mind off her worries, she throws herself into organising the Christmas show at the local school. And when handsome Joe Blackthorn becomes her assistant, Georgine’s grateful for the help. But there’s something about Joe she can’t quite put her finger on. Could there be more to him than meets the eye?

Georgine’s past is going to catch up with her in ways she never expected. But can the help of friends old and new make this a Christmas to remember after all?

*****

Welcome to a Middledip Christmas…again!

First published in hardback (I can’t believe) seven years back, ‘A Christmas Gift’ by best selling author Sue Moorcroft gets its long overdue paperback release. This gave me a great excuse, not that I need one as this is a Christmas read each year for me, to revisit this wonderful book again!

So, close your eyes, imagine that there’s snow falling outside (who knows, it may well be) and join me in settling in for a most wonderous story.

The only thing I’ll give away about the story is, the main protagonist, Georgine France, isn’t doing so well since her boyfriend left, leaving her with more problems than she’d wish on her worst enemy. Still, life goes on and Middledip has a habit of being just the right place at the right time; but will the added distraction of Joe Blackthorn help or hinder her?

Suffice to say, I am a big Sue Moorcroft fan and if you are too, there’s a very good chance you’ll have already read this book. However, if you’re new to this author, are you in for a treat of an introduction! The author is a (and I’ve used this expression before and I make no apology for reusing it) mistress of emotion. You’ll be tugged left, right and off-centre, and you won’t care. All the characters simply bound off the page and straight into your heart. Quite a few having been featured in Sue’s other books which are set in the same location. You’re bound to fall as in love with Middledip, as I am.