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The Christmas Carrolls (The Christmas Carrolls #1) by Mel Taylor-Bessent

 Hey ForeverBookers, 


I’ve just finished “The Christmas Carrolls” by Mel Taylor-Bessent and I REALLY LOVED it again!!! 


5 Stars!!!


“The Christmas Carrolls” is told from the perspective of Holly Carroll, a young girl who’s grown up around Christmas! Literally everything is Christmassy for her family from the clothes they wear, to the food they eat, to their Christian names, Holly’s mother even changed her name to Snow so it fit more in line with the festive theme. When the Carrolls get news that they can move into their dream house on Santa Clause Lane in England they of course jump at the chance! Is it everything they hope for? You’ll need to read to find out!


I read “The Christmas Carrolls” for a few readathons. They were:


Reading Rivalry - Jingle Bell Rock - this song gives me the warm fuzzies. And so did this book! 


Always Fully Booked 2024 Reading Challenge - A Book Set In Your Country - I live in the UK and this takes place here. Surprisingly, all the books I’ve read so far in December have taken place in the UK. 


Always Fully Booked - On The Cover Reading Challenge - A Mythical Creature - on the cover one of the characters is dressed up as one of Santa’s reindeer.


“The Christmas Carrolls” is a middle-grade read! 


Spoilers below 


“How many more of my Christmas dreams would come true this week?” This is Holly who is excited about starting a new school after hearing that her family are moving to Santa Claus Lane, the third most Christmassy place ever! Her family are HUGE fans of Christmas, like the biggest fans!!! 


“This was going to be the best first day of school ever,” is what Holly thinks when she finds out she’s going to a new school. Will it be all that she ever imagined though? 


The whole story of “The Christmas Carrolls” is really based around Holly becoming a member of “normal” society, while still keeping some of her Christmas sparkle. She thinks she needs to fit in, but when she starts making friends, like Archer or Archie as she learns to call him does she really NEED to fit in? Or is her sparkle what keeps her unique? The novel really tells little children that it’s okay to stand out or be different to fit in! 


“That couldn’t be it, could it? There couldn’t be other people who thought Christmas was only reserved for one time of year?” This was adorable. Holly is scared that others, like the rest of the population, other than her family DON’T celebrate Christmas everyday! She’s never gone to a school before Lockerton Primary. She was homeschooled before. So she gets a major shock when not everybody is obsessed with Christmas! 


Holly has some issues adjusting to life as a “normal” child, in that she’s shocked when she hears that everyone thinks she’s weird. “I was from another planet. I was weird…”. All Holly wants is to be accepted for who she is! Does she get that? You’ll need to read to find out!


When Holly learns more about her new best friend, Archie she finds that not everyone else is as lucky as her. She has a family that love her, when Archie doesn’t. He was fostered and he’s scared that he’ll loose his foster family. They need to raise funds so that they can buy an extension to Archie’s foster home. Can they? Do other characters help? 


“After all, did I want to be a reindeer that followed the crowd, or did I want to be a diva donkey with a taste for the limelight and the talent for spreading cheer? It was a no brainer. Reggie had become my muse and inspiration. And if I brought as much Christmas joy to Lockerton primary as he had to me, I’d be happier than Dad on a snow day in July.”Holly wants to be individual. She likes being different and not fitting in, like Reggie her reindeer. 


The Christmas Carrolls is set in the UK, much like Operation Nativity was. I enjoyed this again! All of the books I’ve read so far in December have funnily enough been set in the UK! 


Overall, then, I LOVED how heartwarming The Christmas Carrolls was! I was crying at the end and I NEVER cry when I read books. I certainly recommend this as a quick Christmassy/holiday read. 

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