This fascinating story, which weaves its way through the dark days of November and towards Christmas Day in the novel The Xmas Factor, by Annie Sanders (Orion, £9.99), reads so smoothly it's difficult to imagine that it was written by not one, but two authors working together using the pseudonym Annie Sanders.

The redoubtable double-act that has produced this delightful book are actually called Annie Ashworth and Meg Sanders. Just as there are two authors, so there are two heroines, each travelling towards Christmas with a certain amount of anxiety.

The homely, newly married Beth faces her first Christmas with a new husband and two challenging adult step-children.

Carol, the successful multi-tasking magazine editor and single mother, is determined to organise the perfect Christmas by renting an idyllic cottage she has seen advertised in her magazine.

The cottage proves less than perfect, which is where Beth steps in. The women meet and the true spirit of Christmas takes over.

This is an enchanting, easy-to-read novel, will not fail to entertain all those who have rushed from shop to shop to buy the perfect gifts during the past few weeks and over-stocked the larder out of insecurity, only to find they have failed to cater for the vegan in their midst. And yes - it has a happy ending - the spirit of Christmas that enters almost every page sees to that.