Blog Blitz: A Review of A Little Christmas Magic by Suzanne Rogerson
Today I am taking part in the Blog Blitz for A Little Christmas Magic by Suzanne Rogerson! Part of the Winter Warmers Series, A Little Christmas Magic is a heart-warming collection of stories with a focus on family, friendship, love and goodwill.
Book Description:
From a much-loved family pet that goes missing to a neighbour in need.
Chance meetings and the kindness of strangers.
Overcoming trauma to help others and being prepared to make sacrifices.
A father rushing to get home to his kids in time for Christmas.
Dive into a short and sweet story to get you in the festive spirit.
Eight Stories included:
Poppy’s Christmas Wish
Last Minute Dash
Driving Home for Christmas
The Honeymoon Period
A Christmas Toast
The Last Train Home
The Wrong Post
Taking Care of Belle
A Little Christmas Magic
Series: #2 in the Winter Warmer Series
Author: Suzanne Rogerson
Narrator: Colette Davies-Kerwin
Published: November 17, 2025
Audiobook: 2 hours 26 minutes
Reviewed By: Jessica
Dates Listened To: December 9-10, 2025
Jessica’s Rating: 4 stars
Jessica’s Review:
A Little Christmas Magic is the second in the Winter Warmer series and it knows how to get a listener ready for Christmas! Comprised of eight short stories ranging from a few minutes to just over half an hour, you can get this novel finished a quickly as you want or you could spread the cheer out over eight listens (one listen per short story!) Each story brings out a meaning of Christmas and a listener will definitely choose a favorite for their individual preference! My favorite was one of the shorter stories: Last Minute Dash. It just spoke to me more than the others. It shows the kindness of a stranger while also sharing in the joy of Christmas and memories of childhood. Not a bad story in the novel, this was an enjoyable listen that can help get anyone in the Christmas spirit.
The narrator Colette Davies-Kerwin did a great job with her narration in these stories to help spread Christmas cheer!
Many thanks to the author and Rachel of Rachel’s Random Resources for a copy that I could listen to for the Audible blog blitz.
Buy Your Copy Here!
About the Author:
Suzanne lives in Middlesex, England with her husband, two children, a crazy cocker spaniel and a rather aloof cat. Her writing journey began at the age of twelve when she completed her first novel. She discovered the fantasy genre in her late teens and has never looked back. Giving up work to raise a family gave Suzanne the impetus to take her attempts at novel writing beyond the first draft, and she is lucky enough to have a husband who supports her dream.
Now an author of four fantasy novels, including the Silent Sea Chronicles trilogy and a standalone fantasy, Visions of Zarua, Suzanne has recently turned her hand to short stories with four collections published to date.
She loves gardening and has a Hebe (shrub) fetish. She enjoys cooking with ingredients from the garden and regularly feeds unsuspecting guests vegetable-based cakes. Suzanne collects books, is interested in history and enjoys wandering around castles and old ruins whilst being immersed in the past. She likes to combine her love of nature and photography on family walks, but most of all she loves to escape with a great film, binge watch TV shows, or soak in a hot bubble bath with an ice cream and a book.
Contact Suzanne:
Website
Newsletter
Audible US author page
Audible UK author page
Amazon
Twitter @rogersonsm
Goodreads
BookBub
Instagram @suzannemrogerson
Audiobook Review: Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
Remarkably Bright Creatures
Author: Shelby Van Pelt
Narrators:
Marin Ireland
Michael Urie
Published: May 3, 2022
Audiobook: 11 hours 16 minutes
Reviewed By: Jessica
Dates Listened To: October 8-14, 2025
Jessica’s Rating: 5 stars
Book Description:
After Tova Sullivan’s husband died, she began working the night shift at the Sowell Bay Aquarium, mopping floors and tidying up. Keeping busy has always helped her cope, which she’s been doing since her eighteen-year-old son, Erik, mysteriously vanished on a boat in Puget Sound over thirty years ago.
Tova becomes acquainted with curmudgeonly Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus living at the aquarium. Marcellus knows more than anyone can imagine but wouldn’t dream of lifting one of his eight arms for his human captors–until he forms a remarkable friendship with Tova.
Ever the detective, Marcellus deduces what happened the night Tova’s son disappeared. And now Marcellus must use every trick his old invertebrate body can muster to unearth the truth for her before it’s too late.
Shelby Van Pelt’s debut novel is a gentle reminder that sometimes taking a hard look at the past can help uncover a future that once felt impossible.
Jessica’s Review:
I adore this book! This was a book club read and had been on my TBR for a while. It will also become a Netflix film in the future starring Sally Field and Lewis Pullman (yes, Bill Pullman’s son.) As I read and also listened to the book, I pictured Sally Field as Tova knowing that she will be playing her.
This is a very strong debut novel. We have 70-year-old Tova who works nights at the local aquarium and we have Marcellus who is a giant Pacific Octopus that lives in the aquarium, and his time is running short for his lifespan. They form a connection, friendship, and bond.
Thirty years ago, Tova’s 18-year-old son disappeared. Marcellus figures out what happens and it becomes a race against time for Tova to also understand. In the middle of this Tova sustains an injury and is unable to work. This introduces Cameron who takes over her job while she is out. We learn about all three characters and the connections that form between all three.
The central theme in the novel is loneliness as all three of our characters are dealing with this emotion in varying degrees. You can’t help but become attached to these characters and root for them. The friendship between Tova and Marcellus is so special. How everything comes together warms the heart and it might just cause a tear or two to drop when you finish this novel.
I had heard that the audiobook was wonderful and it is perfection for me! Marin Ireland is wonderful as usual, but Michael Urie steals the show with this audiobook as Marcellus! He just brings this character to life.
I look forward to the movie when it comes out on Netflix next year (hopefully sooner than later!). I can see the film version of Remarkably Bright Creatures being the Free Willy for a new generation.
Remarkably Bright Creatures will be one of my top reads of 2025 and I cannot wait to see what Van Pelt writes next!
Purchase Links:
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Audiobook Review: The Names by Florence Knapp
The Names
Author: Florence Knapp
Narrator: Dervla Kirwan
Published: May 6, 2025
Audiobook: 9 hours 40 minutes
Reviewed By: Jessica
Dates Listened To: August 7-13, 2025
Jessica’s Rating: 4 stars
Book Description:
The extraordinary novel that asks: Can a name change the course of a life?
In the wake of a catastrophic storm, Cora sets off with her nine-year-old daughter, Maia, to register her son’s birth. Her husband, Gordon, a local doctor, respected in the community but a terrifying and controlling presence at home, intends for her to name the infant after him. But when the registrar asks what she’d like to call the child, Cora hesitates…
Spanning thirty-five years, what follows are three alternate and alternating versions of Cora’s and her young son’s lives, shaped by her choice of name. In richly layered prose, The Names explores the painful ripple effects of domestic abuse, the messy ties of family, and the possibilities of autonomy and healing.
With exceptional sensitivity and depth, Knapp draws us into the story of one family, told through a prism of what-ifs, causing us to consider the “one . . . precious life” we are given. The book’s brilliantly imaginative structure, propulsive storytelling, and emotional, gut-wrenching power are certain to make The Names a modern classic.
Jessica’s Review:
This was a book club read and one I had on my TBR, and it delivered! We have a mother who has one choice to make: To register and name her infant son’s birth. There are three possible names: Bear, Julian and Gordon (after the father and Cora’s husband). What’s in a name? Does a name actually affect the life someone will live?
The Names takes place from 1987 and spans 35 years with each life that the newborn lives based on the name Cora chose. This is not a light read, it is dark as the reader will deal with domestic violence, coercive control and more. This is a debut novel that will leave you thinking long after you have finished it.
This is also a book I know I will need to actually read versus listen to. I had some issues with the narrator. I couldn’t concentrate while I listened to the novel. I know I missed some things. This was a ‘me issue’ and had nothing to do with the narrator’s narration.
This is a book that had some similarities to the movie Sliding Doors staring Gwyneth Paltrow: One life with two possibilities, based on if Paltrow’s character caught the train or not.
This being Knapp’s debut novel, I look forward to seeing what she writes next!
Purchase Links:
Amazon US
Amazon UK (I LOVE THIS COVER!)