If you are looking for a simple romance without any drama, this ids the book for you. Lily, who owns and runs the café, is marrying the man of her dreams, also a shop owner in the town. Their families are arriving for the wedding which will take place on Christmas Eve. Preparations for the wedding are on-going. In addition, they are still operating their shops, mostly because neither can afford to close down completely, and they will close for a time after Christmas. Lily has never met her in-laws, and her first meeting with them when they arrive does not go as smoothly as they would like. Her future mother-in-law appears to be the mother-in-law from hell, spouting all sorts of comments that get Lily angry and upset, trying to take over parts of the wedding planning without even consulting Lily or her son. This is the only drama that occurs in the book and it is settled about half way through. The book is a nice, quiet, easy read for anyone who wishes to get into the holiday spirit and who enjoys romances. However, I personally would have enjoyed more drama in the story. Things just seemed to go along too smoothly for me. I have not read any of the other books in the series, but this served as a stand-alone book. There are characters from the other books who are in this one, and little background is given on them, but that does not seem to detract from the story. The character development is fairly good, though I would have enjoyed more lead up to Lily’s changed mother-in-law, once they got wise to her. It seemed like one page they were enemies, and the next this woman was telling Lily her deepest, darkest secrets. I did enjoy the book, though it was somewhat boring. I have given it four stars for that reason. I received this from NetGalley to read and provide and honest review. ( )

I don’t know how Rebecca Raisin manages to infuse her stories with love, warmth and friendship, but every story she writes places the reader in an almost tangible world. I was very happy to see character favourites such as CeeCee and Charlie appear again in the third book in the Gingerbread Café series, this time culminating in the wedding of Damon and Lil, who met in the first book. If you haven’t read the series in order, it’s no issue, but there will be spoilers for earlier books if you start with this one. Plus, you shouldn’t deny yourself the fun and warmth of the other two books (not to mention copious mentions of baked sweet treats, which will get you into the kitchen, drooling with delight!)

This book is a little longer than the previous books in the series, which was both a delight (more of the characters and the cosy town of Ashford in winter) and a little bit sad (because I couldn’t read the whole thing in one day). The book’s chapters countdown to what will be a major event in Ashfield this year, the Christmas Eve wedding of Damon and Lil. Both sets of parents are returning home, Charlie’s coming to visit and Lil has a beautiful cake in mind for her and CeeCee to make. Naturally, things don’t go to plan – Lil’s mum brings a new meaning to clumsiness and Damon’s mother is acting like a wicked witch to Lil. Why? Lil doesn’t know, but it’s beginning to wreak havoc with her perfect snow white wedding plans…

There are also some very sad moments for one character – I defy you to read this and not become emotional. Raisin handles sorrow with grace and the happy moments radiate through the page. This is a book where the emotions shine through the page and you can’t help but be affected. It’s a rare gift, but Rebecca Raisin has it in bundles.

The book also gives us an insight into what might be the next book set in Ashford as a new man and his sister move into an old farm just outside of town. What are their secrets? Who is looking for love? I hope to find out soon.

A truly beautiful story, this is one to put you into the festive mood and keep you there for the whole season.

Thank you to the author for the eARC of this book. My opinions are honest and not influenced by receiving an eARC.

http://samstillreading.wordpress.com ( )

Title: Christmas Wedding at the Gingerbread Cafe
Author: Rebecca Raisin
Publisher: Carina UK
Series: The Gingerbread Cafe # 3
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: 5
Review:

"Christmas Wedding at the Gingerbread Cafe" by Rebecca Raisin

Book Description...

"You are invited to the wedding of the year!"

"Snow is falling thick and fast outside the Gingerbread Café and inside, its owner Lily is planning the wedding of the year. Her wedding! She never dreamt it would happen, but this Christmas, she’ll be marrying the man of her dreams - in a Christmas-card-perfect ceremony!

The gingerbread is baking, the dress is fitted and the mistletoe’s in place – for once, everything’s going to plan. That is until her mother-in-law arrives... Suddenly, Lily’s famous cool is being tested like never before and her dream wedding is crumbling before her eyes.

In the blink of a fairy light, the Gingerbread Café has been thrown into chaos! Lily thought she had this wedding wrapped up, but with so much to do before she says ‘I do’, can Lily get to the church on time – and make this Christmas sparkle after all?"

What I enjoyed about the novel....

This was a wonderful sweet enjoyable beautiful romance that finally come to a end after a year in Ashford. Now, Lily and Damon are finally getting their Christmas Eve wedding that they wanted being full of their dream of hugs, love and wow.... a friendship.

I loved how this author was able to give the reader a beautiful story that leads up to the wedding of Lil and Damon. There will be the meeting of the parents, a wedding cake fiasco, almost a short wedding dress, illness of a friend, wired actions of the future soon mother in law, some tears to name a few things that will go on as the wedding is coming together. And let's not leave out the wonderful chocolate gingerbread sweets that are flowing all through the read. The characters were simply off the chart so well developed, well rounded, well portrayed, colorful and believable which made this story such a fascinating read.

I don't want to tell anymore of the well written read other than to say you must pick up this enjoyable novel of "Christmas Wedding at the Gingerbread Cafe." Since this is the third series, I would suggest you read the first one....then the second one and then this one in that order. However, this can be a stand alone read but if you read them all you will really get an enjoyable series by this author. I will say once you start reading from this authors novels you will find it hard to put down until the end. In the end you will be left wanting more from the amazing author. ( )