This time of year there is nothing better than curling up under a blanket with a hot chocolate or a mulled wine, reading a festive story with the twinkling lights from the Christmas tree in the background. 

There are so many wonderful Christmas reads on the shelves this year so I've picked a selection of the best festive reads to help you decided what to pick.

The Postbox at the North Pole - Jaimie Adams*

I adored this book. it's everything you'd expect from a festive story and more. It certainly put me in a Christmassy mood and I felt wrapped up in magic.

 The story is about Sasha who finds herself heading to the North Pole Forest to help her dad after hearing he had a heart attack. Sasha and her dad have a strained relationship. He is usually travelling the world and avoiding ever going home, especially at Christmas time. At the airport she is greeted by Tav (a handsome man who works for her dad) who strongly believes in Christmas magic and spirit. One of his many jobs is to care for all the reindeer in the forest. Sasha can be described as a bit of a grinch when it comes to Christmas but could all that change when she spends time with her Dad, Tav and from responding to Santa letters at the post office? 

This is such a heart-warming novel. The characters are perfectly written, flawed but relatable. There is fantastic chemistry between Sasha and Tav. The backdrop of this wonderful story is amazing. I literally want to stay in Candy Cane Lodge. I was able to conjure up the most serene images of the North Pole Forest. I felt the cold, I saw the snow and I smelt the cinnamon. This may be my first Adams novel but it won't be my last. 4.5/5 

The Christmas Bookshop - Jenny Colgan

Carmen works for her local department store but is made redundant. Her mother coerces her perfect, can't do anything wrong, very successful sister Sofia to allow her to live with her in Edinburgh. There, Sofia finds Carmen a job at a run down bookshop that needs saving before the end of the year. Can she use her design skills to save the shop and save its owner Mr McCredie from bankruptcy. It's a story of love, family and hope. It also has the most gorgeous cover.

Baby it's Cold Outside - Emily Bell*

Norah Jones is known for two things; she shares her name with a famous musician and she us always single. Facing another Christmas alone she remembers a promise that her and Andrew (someone she previously fell for) made to each other 10 years earlier which was that if they were both still single on Christmas Eve 2019 they'll wait under the clock at Bewley's Cafe on Grafton Street in Dublin. If fate is on their side and it's meant to be then they'll meet each other there. Her best friend Joe is there to support her every step of the way. Will Andrew be at the clock? Will there be a few Christmas surprises along the way?

Underneath the Christmas Tree - Heidi Swain

Wynter Trees is the home of Christmas but for Lyza Wynter, it's a millstone around her neck. The Christmas tree farm was her father's pride and joy but now he's gone, she can't have anything to do with it. Her father's business partner decides to retire and she must go back to handle the transition to his son Ned. When Liz arrives she discovers the business is flourishes under Ned's stewardship and she's happy to help him for the Christmas season but then she has other plans. Will the place where she grew up make her change her mind? 

The Arctic Curry Club*

Maya has to uproot her life and accompany her boyfriend Ryan to the Arctic. She soon realises it's not all busy rides and northern lights. She's in sub-zero temperatures, 24 hour darkness and has a distant boyfriend. In her loneliest moment she opens her late mother's recipe book and cooks Indian food for the first time. Soon her confidence grows, she makes friends and gains a job as a chef. Life suddenly seems to be looking up. However, the aromatic cuisine reminds her of her enigmatic mother and memories of her childhood in Bangalore. Can Maya face the past and accept a future in the Arctic? With a demand for a curry club and her being the one to run it, will she stay?

A Winter Wonderland - Isla Gordon

Myla might be the world's least festive person because everything bad happens to her around Christmas time. She ends up losing a bet and finds herself committed to a seasonal job in Lapland. The job entails 10 weeks in below zero temperatures and lots of Christmas spirit. Even though she's cynical she soon realises that Lapland has more to offer than Santa Claus including a very good looking elf. Will a little love under the northern lights be enough to change Myla's mind about Christmas?

You can find all of these books at all good book retailers.

I am currently making my way through reading all of these books. To read my reviews once they are published, make sure you are following my book instagram account by clicking here, Kerry Louise Norris Reads

Running a family can be expensive. In fact, it can be really expensive. Most months you find that more money is going out than coming in, making you wonder where it’s all going. 

Fortunately, there are ways to prevent this, but it requires getting smart about how you’re spending money. You need to let go of any frivolity and simply focus on what matters. 

Feeling confused? Don’t be. In this post, we take a look at some essential tips for keeping your family bills to a minimum. 

Go Thrifting

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Thrifting sounds like something from the 1930s - and it is. But it is also one of the best ways to get the things you need at stunningly low prices. 

Thrifting is basically all about finding items in good condition and discount prices. You can do this for practically anything - from cars to grocery shopping. 

Thrifting is the perfect solution for families with growing children. Often, you can kit them out with donated clothes instead of buying them new at the store. 

Get Smart With Home Energy Usage

The energy efficiency of appliances is much improved compared to where it was ten years ago. Manufacturers have really found excellent ways to reduce energy usage and slash bills. 

Lighting has changed a lot too. Alexa smart bulbs, for instance, use LED technology and let you control them remotely. You can also tell Alexa what color or style of lighting you want and she will oblige. Using smart lights in the correct manner will help to cut your energy bills tremendously. 

Negotiate With Your Service Providers

Have you ever noticed that your utility and service provider bills seem to go up every year? If you have, you’re not alone. Companies will do whatever they can to raise your bills over time. That way, they can earn a premium. 

Falling into this trap, though, isn’t inevitable. There is always room to negotiate. Just look online for cheaper prices and then threaten your current provider with switching to a cheaper tariff. Usually, they will put you on a better deal - even if it might not quite be as good as the cheapest on the market. This way, you can stay with the same company, eliminating the hassle of moving. 

Go To A Discount Grocer

Many people go to the same stores over and over again out of habit. But are they getting the best prices? Usually not. 

Some people don’t like the idea of going to budget stores because they think that they will get lower-quality produce. This, however, isn’t always true. If you inspect the packaging, you often find that it is identical to that of the premium stores. So by shopping at discount outlets, you aren’t sacrificing anything in terms of quality. 

Make A Family Budget Together

Family expenses can soon add up. That’s why it is such a good idea to budget together so that you can work out what you really want. This process is helpful for children who don’t understand the idea that if you spend on one item, you forgo the ability to buy another.

*This is a collaborative post*