Christmas Surprises At Mermaid’s Point by Sarah Bennett is the most delightful contemporary festive offering. It is 2.5 in the Mermaid’s Point series. I recommend reading the previous two books first but it can be read as a stand-alone.
Sarah Bennett has produced the most charming novella introducing the reader to the festive plans of the residents at Mermaid’s Point.
With delicious descriptions this really feels like Christmas in a book. There is a warm welcome in the café, a family party, a walk on a windswept beach and much more. There really is something for everyone.
Family first is the motto as we follow endings and beginnings.
I absolutely adored Christmas Surprises At Mermaid’s Point. It will really give you the festive feel – so grab yourself a copy and a hot chocolate, and escape to Mermaid’s Point.
I received a free copy via Net Galley. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

This novella is the third part in the Mermaids Point series from this author. The books in the series are set in a small seaside town of the same name and feature mainly recurring characters. They are, however, all standalone reads. I enjoyed the first two books in the series and found this one, like them, a quick and absorbing story. As the title suggests, the story is set in the run up to Christmas, and I looked forward to discovering how the season was celebrated in Mermaids Point. I must mention the book’s gorgeous cover - such a lovely illustration of the town all decked out for a snowy celebration.



The story sees the characters readers of the previous books will recognise preparing for the festive season. Cafe owner Laurie is up to her eyes in orders for mince pies. Her journalist boyfriend Jake is busy writing his novel. Laurie’s parents are looking forward to hosting friends and family for the big day but wondering what the future will look like when their children leave home. Laurie’s brother Nick is thinking about the girl he shared some magical time with over the summer and wondering what she is doing now. The town’s doctor, Tom, and partner Nerissa are preparing for their first Christmas together, while Tom’s brother Alex is visiting, taking a break from the big city, writing and the attentions of his ex-wife. Alex is also hoping to reconnect with local girl Ivy, who has her own worries and hopes for the future.



This was a short, but nonetheless enjoyable, visit to Mermaids Point to catch up with familiar characters and what is going on in their lives as they look forward to Christmas. A wealth of topics are included within the pages of this book and there was promise of exciting future developments for some of the characters that I look forward to discovering in future parts of the series. Once again, I found myself wishing that the town was real; I can imagine standing on the seafront, breathing in the salty air and enjoying the Christmas sights and smells. I can certainly recommend this short book to readers of this series as well as those new to the town. I was glad to find that there will be more books about Mermaids Point and its residents next year; I’ll be on the lookout for those.

This is a very sweet and endearing Christmas novella, a peek into the lives of several lovely couples embarking on their love stories. I wish that each story had been a bit longer, but it makes me want to read more about these characters.

Firstly, I just want to say I love that this is dedicated to Jessica Redland. She is an author I’ve recently discovered and fallen in love with, so I feel a kinship in my adoration there.

For someone who dislikes short stories, I am generally rather partial to a novella - I mean, my favourite book A Christmas Carol is a novella! It is a nice book to choose to read if you’ve only got an hour or two spare.

This is an offshoot of an existing series based at Mermaids Point which I had no prior knowledge about, but I didn’t feel at a disadvantage. Sure, you would probably get a bit more out of it if you already knew the characters and their experiences, but there is a positive about coming it a new. You don’t have any preconceptions as to how they should behave or whether you like or dislike particular characters etc. It’s a totally fresh story for you to get lost in.

With novellas, the writing has to be short and snappy as there isn’t the page count to waffle. Yet Bennett has managed to fit in so much fantastic description and activity that it doesn’t feel rushed or drawn out, and it is so visual that you can easily add yourself to the story.

This is a short Christmas novella that is a continuation of a series with two full length books before it. I think that's where it all went wrong for me. There were just so many characters and backstories that I got pretty lost at the end. I think I would have enjoyed it so much more if I'd read the previous books.

I was gifted a copy by the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.

Once again we're at Mermaids Point coming up to Christmas and there is a hive of activity as usual!. All the characters in the story are busy living their lives as we saw some of in Autumn Surprises, the previous book. This story tells us more about Jake, his mum and Laurie. There are lots of news coming from those characters which you won't want to miss!. We touch on the main characters of the last book but only briefly so all in all, it's back to the comfortable arms of Mermaids Point community and time to sit down in your comfy chair and relax!!! I loved it as much as the last book. Sarah Bennett is becoming a firm favourite of mine . She writes brilliant stories!!
Many thanks to Netgalley for the free ARC book for an honest review.

I enjoyed this novella, it was a good way to have updates on previous characters and find out what’s to come.
All in all a lovely quick read.
I would recommend reading the other 2 books first.

Short and sweet is my first impression and I think after reading this little book I may have to go back and read the other Mermaid Point books so I can actually get the full story.

Lots of characters in so few pages that they got lost on me a bit. I can't really say much more as I really do need to read the first two books and then maybe re-read this one for it all to make mores since. And I will be doing that soon!

This is a very quick read, more of.a novella length which was a welcome break in the long novel reading daze. This book had me wishing for winter and holiday season to come ASAP. So sweet and easy-going. Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for a copy of this book for an honest review.

I hadn't realised before starting this, just how short it was. From going back to the publisher's blurb, at the very bottom it describes the character updates as vignettes, because that's what you get in this latest instalment of the Mermaid Point series, some updates. It was okay, but I was disappointed. I would have preferred to be reading the next full instalment. Christmas Surprises updates us a little on Laurie and Jake, then Nerissa and Tom, from the first two books. The seeds are also sown for Nick and Aurora's story, and Ivy and Alex's story. We heard from around eight characters in this instalment, which I thought was too many. The end did seem abrupt. I do wonder whether this was needed. Everything could have been covered in the next two books, but the author herself says it's a treat for her readers. Viewed in that light, and so long as you know just how short this is, this is a nice read. PS. Although it's set round Christmas I wouldn't say it's overly festive, in fact, the mood is melancholy.

This is the third book in the series, but the second book that I read. And I loved it just as much as Autumn Dreams! It's a cute and cozy novella that put me in the festive mood. It made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside, and made me interested in reading the first book in the series now too!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the author, for providing me with an eARC in return for an honest review.

This is a Christmas novella about all of the people in the town of Mermaids point. Not having read the other two novels in this series, I was able to get an idea of who and what was what in this town. I look forward to going back to read the first two books as well as reading the next in the series! I received an ARC from NetGalley and Boldwood Books for my honest review.

Although Christmas Surprises is touted as a separate novella, it serves more like a continuation of the previous book. That abrupt ending that I was concerned about when I set the previous work down, is taken to a more graceful and realistic conclusion. We find out how Tom and Nerissa are finding their way to a stable relationship, including the children's happiness. As an added bonus, we are given titbits about possible future couples, and the author helpfully added a note as to when to expect the next two books in the series and what to expect in it.
This is a definite one sitting read and is a must for anyone who has read Autumn Dreams(something I highly recommend you do before picking this up) . It made me look forward to the following year's publications, as I am sure it will for others looking for a straightforward emotional read.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

It was delightful to dip back into life in Mermaids Point and find out what those characters are up to. This novella is a taster for might be about to happen in some future books. It is a nice bridge between the first two books in the series and lets you see how Nerissa and Tom are getting on. It is full of the warmth and family feeling which you savoured before and the clues are there as to which other couples might be about to take centre stage. It is a short but sweet glimpse at the Christmas preparations which are afoot. Great characters, warm uplifting story lines and a gorgeous setting make this such an enjoyable series.
Thanks to the publisher for a copy of the book

I dnfed it. But not because i did not like ut. But because i have not read the book in the series. And to thoroughly enjoy it, you have to, in my opinion read the series first
Thank you to netgalley for letting me read This e arc in exchange for an honest opinion

This is a great follow on from Autumn Dreams. I enjoyed reading more about everyone's relationships and the good times and bad times they're all facing.

I like Linda's character, shes been through a lot in her life and having her son back in her life after such a long time apart is so good. Her decision to help him and Laurie out is a difficult one because of the history of the funds but she wants to do it.

At times I found I had to go back to a previous chapter to remember who someone was and which family they belonged to, but I soon remembered them once I'd read more.

I love the festive feel of a Christmas book and this book doesn't disappoint.

I really enjoyed this, I didn't realise it was a novella, so was gutted when it ended.

Great to catch up with the point and has set things up nicely for the rest in the series.

Hurry up next year.

I read the two previous books in this series and totally enjoyed them, so naturally I want to continue reading the rest of this series. This is a novella, book 2.5. It is a great build up to book 3, which will be released in the Spring of 2022. There is also a final(?) book planned for Christmas of 2022.

At first, I did not realize it was a novella. Reading the kindle version, I do not see the size a of book unless I focus on the number of pages, which I usually do not. So, when it ended abruptly, I was taken aback. Several sub plots were moving along, building to action happening, and then it was over! I definitely will be reading book 3 as soon as possible.

I love the town of Mermaid’s Point and the wonderful characters that the author has created. The strong family unit is one of the things I love about this series. Whether you are a blood relative or a friend, you are treated as a cherished family member.

I want to thank Boldwood Books and NetGalley for giving me the pleasure of reading the advance reader copy, with no obligation to write a review. My review is written freely as a hobby, and is totally my own opinion, not influenced by receiving the ARC.

Oh Sarah what are you doing to me ? I hadn't realised this was a novella and had settled myself down for a good long reading session ! I was gutted when it ended, I want to know what happens next and I've got far too long to wait now !
Loved it

Love this book! Makes me want to read the whole series. this cosy novella is such a good company for a rainy afternoon.
Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read this book.