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FESTIVE BOOK TOUR: Big Nick Energy by Kristen Bailey


 

When librarian Kay bumps into her ex-boyfriend Nick at a Christmas market, she thinks fate is finally giving her a second chance with her first big love. But then she gets spectacularly tangled in a Christmas tree-netting machine and meets another Nick entirely. One who cuts her free, dresses her wounds, and makes her pulse race in ways that thoroughly confuse her.

Finance Nick is successful, settled, and ready to talk five-year plans. Farmer Nick makes handcrafted furniture, supports local charities, and sees the creative spirit Kay has kept hidden behind her library desk. But how is a girl to choose?

Soon she’s spending her days delivering books to children’s hospitals and care homes with farmer Nick, before dashing home to whip off her reindeer onesie and glam up for romantic dates at the ballet with finance Nick.

But the countdown to Christmas is on, and Kay can’t keep this up forever. Somehow she must navigate London’s most complicated love triangle, avoid getting any more pine needles stuck in her hair – and work out once and for all which Nick has her heart.

"I believe that in my obituary they will write: Kay Redman, author, decent human, over-achiever. Died on a trunk road near Brentford, next to her really shit red Renault 5 filled to the brim with books, dressed as a reindeer. Please little car, please start."

It's just not Christmas until I'm sitting under a blanket with twinkly lights, a scented candle and some of festive-themed beverage while absolutely devouring whatever madness Kristen Bailey has come up with this time. 

Mrs Bailey has taken another hallmark cliché - small town farmer vs the successful finance guy - added an injection of a slightly chaotic leading lady, a very silly sense of humour and two delicious potential love interests to create a cosy, Christmassy romcom that was just a delight. We get punched in the face by the festive joy within the first few lines and the vibes throughout are utterly immaculate. 

Our leading lady Kay was spectacular - utterly hilarious, unashamedly herself, full of kindness and so relatable in her mildly lost phase in life and romantic confusions. She's dedicated to the library, to her friends, to giving back to the community; even it causes her to get into some very maddening situations.

I've said before that Bailey's genre is 'drunken conversations on garden furniture with friends' - and I stand by that, she used Kay to tell the story in a fabulous, personal, conversational tone that felt like a girlfriend offloading gossip after a night out and I ate it up as usual. She takes us back the key moments in the years before the nick-uation starts, and then moves the present day forward with a relaxed, casual pace that gives enough energy to avoid being a drag. 

The interactions between Kay and The Nicks were everything - as much as I avoid the phrase, they were the rollercoaster of my romcom dreams. Epic lows including memories of the most awkwardly epic breakup in history (Thanks, Santa) and dizzying highs of romance and realisations. You could feel the confusion in Kays heart, the longing for familiarity and curiosity at Old Nick, but the beauty of New Nick's compassion and how he matched her madness.  She had all the ups and downs she'd ever need as she tries to figure out what to do stuck between the one that got away and the one that could be. 

Also, honourable mention to Nana - what a legend.

A playful, indulgently cheesy and aggressively festive romcom with a big heart - best read with a large glass of wine (multiple, identically named men optional) 


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


  • Big Nick Energy is available now with Storm Publishing. I received a reviewers copy of this title. 

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