Format: E-book (Kindle)
Published: 15th October 2015
Publisher: Harper Impulse
Pages: 400 Pages
The Blurb
An angel gets its wings…
Belle has taken all the Christmas decorations down. This year they won’t be celebrating.
As foster parents, Belle and Jim have given many children the chance of a happier start in life. They’ve loved them as if they were their own. They shouldn’t have favourites but little Lauren has touched their hearts. And now her mother is well enough to take her back and Belle can’t bear the loss.
Hence, Christmas is cancelled.
So when Jim crashes his car one icy December night, after an argument about Lauren, Belle can only blame herself. Everything she loves is lost. And Belle finds herself standing on The Ha’Penny Bridge wishing she had never been born.
But what happens to a Christmas wish when an angel is listening…
Will Belle realise, before it’s too late, that her life is the most wonderful life of all?
Inspired by the timeless tale of beloved Christmas movie, It’s a Wonderful Life, Carmel Harrington’s next book tells the story of Belle, a young woman and foster carer from Dublin who faces the hardest decision of her life this Christmas on The Ha’Penny Bridge.
Rating: 5/5
The Review
Wow, well wasn’t Every time a Bell Rings absolutely fantastic? I am in love. Having never read anything by Carmel Harrington before, I was excited to read something new, especially when I’ve heard amazing things.
Belle and Jim meet in a foster home and are inseparable. After a brief absence in America, Jim realises that Belle is the one for him and they get married. Don’t be fooled by the usual romance because Every time a Bell Rings is so much more! Yes, Belle and Jim are together, but they definitely experience sadness and heartache – they’re not perfect.
Just when you think everything is running smoothly for the couple, an event occurs that changes their lives forever – it’s nothing predictable! The changes seem to effect Belle more and her mind plays tricks on her which sees an angel called Nora visit her in a Christmas Carol style scenario. What would the world be like if Belle never existed?
Belle’s real Mother, wow, what an utter cow! How could anyone treat their own flesh and blood like she did? I know I certainly wouldn’t do that myself. Belle certainly did not need Dolores (her birth Mother) as Tess, her foster carer, was so much more to Belle. The relationship between the two ladies makes you realise just how important foster carers are and how they make an unwanted and loveless child feel like they belong.
I like having the addition of the inspirational quotes before each chapter as it made think how true they were or made me think of something specific to my life. I always like when authors name their chapters or use something different to begin.
The book in a nutshell… tissues at the ready, and prepare yourself for an emotional roller caster that will leave you feeling happiness and sadness all in the space of seconds. This novel is simply amazing!
Connect with A Book and Tea!
Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram
abookandtea.wordpress.com 