A Merry Little Christmas by Cathy Bramley (Paperback)

Merry Shaw should be full of joy as she prepares to welcome her first child, a moment she has dreamed of since losing her mother years ago. Life in the snowy town of Wetherly feels magical, and the candle shop she runs with her best friend Nell is thriving. Yet beneath the festive glow, fear and uncertainty creep in. Merry worries she is not ready for motherhood and finds it hard to share those worries with Nell, even though she needs her more than ever.

Nell, meanwhile, longs to start a family with her husband Olek. Just when she believes her future is settling into place, she uncovers something unexpected about Olek’s past. Her hopes and plans are shaken, leaving her unsure of who to trust. She wants to confide in Merry, but senses a growing distance between them.

As Christmas draws close, both women face emotional crossroads. Their lives, once so closely tied, are strained by secrets they are afraid to voice. Loved ones gather, celebrations brighten the town, yet both Merry and Nell feel their friendship sliding out of reach. In the days before Christmas, truths surface, hearts falter and bonds are tested. To find happiness, they must decide whether to reach for each other again or watch their most treasured connection fall apart.