Book excerpt: Full of love, sparkle, secrets, log fires, mistletoe, friends and much-loved traditions. An explosion of everything Christmas in a book. After what is going down in history as the worst day of her life, Annie Anderson finds herself on a train heading home for Christmas. Going against all the laws of travelling on British Rail, she strikes up a conversation with the angry man opposite. After downing his supply of brandy (residing in a convenient hip flask) they soon discover they have something in common. He needs a girlfriend, and she needs a boyfriend – for Christmas, anyway. In a haze of brandy fumes, she agrees to be his date to a family wedding. In return, he will accompany her home and play the role of her boyfriend for Christmas. But when the snow melts and the fairy lights dim, they discover they’re not pretending anymore? Then reality bites and the dream is over and Annie is facing a bleak year ahead. Will the New Year prove as disastrous as the last one or will her Christmas wish come true? Be prepared for Christmas overload. Lavish parties, candlelit tables surrounded by festive foliage, delicious scents of cinnamon mixing with cider and spice create magical memories.