Tag: Christmas

Christmas at the French Repair Shop By Sophie Claire

Christmas at the French Repair Shop By Sophie Claire

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Christmas in the picturesque village of Willowbrook should be dreamy – twinkling fairylights, snow in the air, and a busy time for Amélie in the repair workshop she owns, restoring furniture and mending treasured objects for locals to give as Christmas gifts. But in the tiny community, Amélie keeps bumping into her ex, Jack – and it’s killing her festive feeling.

Jack and Amélie were perfect for each other… until one day they weren’t. And when Jack’s attempt at reconciliation goes wrong, he finds himself locked in Amélie’s van.

Driving to her aunt’s house in the South of France, Amélie thinks she’s finally going to get some peace over the festive period, but like it or not, she’ll now be spending Christmas trapped on holiday with Jack. Could it help unwrap the secret to why they split up? Or will it be a gift they’d rather exchange?

My Thoughts:

Christmas time is a busy time for Amelie who runs a repair workshop and she is busy fixing and restoring all different items for the community surrounding her. What she does not need is her ex cropping up all over the place, she has accepted it is over between them but he does not and wants her back. After a big mishap when she is driving to her aunt’s house she hopes to have gotten away from him and work out how she feels when he unexpectedly turns up. Can they give it one more try or give up for good. It was a nice and easy story to follow along with. I liked reading about the restoring side of things as I have not read much about it before and love watching the TV show about it. This story was right up my street, Christmas, romance and great food. Well worth a read.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.

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Christmas at Hollybush Farm By Jo Thomas

Christmas at Hollybush Farm By Jo Thomas

by Hannah ♥ 2 Comments


Jemima Jones is driving home to her family’s magical hill-top farm for Christmas…

And on arrival, she soon learns that her dad has been keeping a secret – all is not as it seems, and Hollybush Farm is struggling to make ends meet! Worried about losing the childhood home she loves, Jemima must pull on her winter wellies and get stuck in.

Amid the chaos of chasing after escaping sheep and organising the Christmas tractor run, Jemima begins documenting her slice of farming life on social media. As she builds a supportive online following, she also forms an offline connection in the shape of charming, retired rugby player Llew, her very own Santa’s helper.

My Thoughts:

When Jemima returns home for Christmas little does she realise how much her dad has been struggling with out her. She has her own life now and is working hard to get herself a better life and do a job she loves but when she returns home she knows she needs to do something to help her dad out of the crisis he is in. Jemima has a big decision to make and one she really needs help with. Jo is one of my go to authors, I don’t even need to read the blurb to know I will enjoy the book. I liked all the characters and the way Jo writes makes you feel all warm and comforted. A lovely story with a lovely ending.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.

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Murder on the Christmas Express By Alexandra Benedict

Murder on the Christmas Express By Alexandra Benedict

by Hannah ♥ 6 Comments


CAN YOU SOLVE THE CASE? 

Eighteen passengers. Seven stops. One killer.

In the early hours of Christmas Eve, the sleeper train to the Highlands is derailed, along with the festive plans of its travellers. With the train stuck in snow in the middle of nowhere, a killer stalks its carriages, picking off passengers one by one. Those who sleep on the sleeper train may never wake again.

Can former Met detective Roz Parker find the killer before they kill again?

My Thoughts:

I love this type of whodunit read, I must say I absolutely love the front cover of this book the design is really cool. Eighteen passengers on a train and one person gets murdered but whodunit? We get to know all the characters first off and there are a few red herrings and twists that were not expected. Roz Parker is the one to work out who the killer is and if they will kill again and I really liked working alongside her to work out who the killer was. Some of the characters were likeable and some not so much so was a great mixture. It was a book I didn’t want to put down, but wanted to savour it too. I loved it and the ending was so good.

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A Little Christmas Magic By Suzanne Rogerson

A Little Christmas Magic By Suzanne Rogerson

by Hannah ♥ 1 Comment

From a much-loved family pet that goes missing to a neighbour in need.
Chance meetings and the kindness of strangers.
Overcoming trauma to help others and being prepared to make sacrifices.
A father rushing to get home to his kids in time for Christmas.

My Thoughts:

This is a lovely festive short story collection, which made me feel warm inside. It is a great pick up and put down read that would make the perfect Christmas gift for someone or for yourself. The stories are all of different lengths but I enjoyed them all nonetheless and you get eight stories which was just fantastic amount. I love Suzanne’s previous books so was excited to read this one which was a bit different but very enjoyable. My Favourite was definitely A Christmas Toast. I look forward to see what Suzanne’s next book will be about. A perfect Christmas read.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.

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Christmas at Aunt Elsie’s By Emily Harvale

Christmas at Aunt Elsie’s By Emily Harvale

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Lottie Short isn’t looking forward to Christmas. Her boyfriend has dumped her and she’s also lost her job. Lottie and her beloved spaniel, Merry, are facing the festive season – and a bleak future, alone.

But a Christmas card and round-robin letter give Lottie hope. And as the first snowflakes fall, she’s on her way to the tiny seaside village of Seahorse Harbour to visit her distant aunt. She’ll stay in a cosy B&B and get some bracing, sea air. That might lift her spirits.

What she doesn’t plan for is a blizzard, her aunt taking a fall, or the dramas unfolding all around her. But at least there’s a warm welcome at Aunt Elsie’s cottage … and a roaring log fire in the village pub.

That’s not all that might bring a rosy glow to Lottie’s cheeks. Asher Bryant, the local vet is pretty hot, and Lottie also hits it off with another visitor to Seahorse Harbour. This festive season might be better than she hoped.

And when Lottie gets more than one surprise this Christmas, perhaps she and Merry won’t be spending the New Year on their own.

My Thoughts:

This cover is very eye catching and right away makes me think of Christmas. If you ever want to escape the real world then I recommend this book or any of Emily’s to read as there is just something about her writing that makes you forget the real world. This is Lottie’s story and she is facing a Christmas by herself, a few things have gone wrong and she just wants to wallow with her cute dog Merry, after a Christmas card turns things around can she see the light at the end of the tunnel? I love any book that involves animals and Merry just seems utterly adorable. A cute man may be on the horizon for Lottie too. This is the second book in the Seahorse Harbour Series, but can be read as a standalone. Looking forward to this series, Emily is a fantastic writer and I urge people to read at least one of her books, I promise you, you will want to read them all. Reading a book by Emily is just like giving yourself a great big warm hug.

I received a ARC copy of this book for an honest review.

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The Country Village Christmas Show By Cathy Lake

The Country Village Christmas Show By Cathy Lake

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Recently divorced, the family home sold and her son all grown-up, Clare is at a crossroads. She’s dedicated her whole adult life to her family, and now it’s time she did something for herself.

In the lead up to Christmas, Clare decides that a bit of time in the countryside might be just what she needs, so she moves back to Little Bramble, the village she grew up in. But living with her mum for the first time in years – and not to mention Goliath the Great Dane – can be challenging.

When Clare finds herself running the village Christmas show, it feels like she has purpose in her life again. Bringing together people from all sides of the community, and all walks of life, will Clare manage to pull off a festive feat like no other? And will she find the new start in life – and possibly love – that she’s been looking for?

My Thoughts:

I loved everything about this book, you can imagine being curled up reading this under a blanket when it is frosty and bitterly cold outside, It is the perfect remedy to warm you up. I really liked Claire, after her marriage has ended she has no where else to go other than her mums house, she might not have the best relationship with her mum but she is going to make it work. It really showed me how amazing a small community in a village can be? all pulling together and her close friend reminded me of my best friend, how we will do anything for each other. I liked the bond Claire and Sam have and wished for them both to be happy together. I was a tiny bit jealous of Claire being able to get a job at the Old Oak Stables, as that is like one of my dream jobs. But I was excited for her and loved everything about that part of the story. I found it an amusing, beautiful story, one that I didn’t want to end and one that I would re-read over and over again.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review. Thank you Netgalley for sending me a copy.

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One More For Christmas By Sarah Morgan

One More For Christmas By Sarah Morgan

by Hannah ♥ 1 Comment

Gayle is a highly successful and motivated business woman, but her success has come at a price – she hasn’t spoken to her daughters, Ella and Samantha, for years. But when Gayle has an accident at work, she realises she needs to make amends with her family.

And so she invites herself to join Ella and Samantha for their Christmas in the beautiful Scottish Highlands. The sisters are none too pleased that their mother has inserted herself into their Christmas plans. They have each other – and don’t need their mother back in their lives. Or so they think…

As they embark on their first family Christmas together in years, will the three women learn that sometimes facing up to a few home truths is all you need to heal your heart?

My Thoughts:

I couldn’t wait to read this book, I love snuggling up reading a Sarah Morgan book. The cover of this book is absolutely stunning and makes you think of winter time at Christmas. I liked this story about a mother and her two daughters. Gayle doesn’t realize how much of her daughters lives she has missed out on, she has put her head in the sand all of those years and when she has an accident they are the first people she calls upon. Can they regain their relationship and have a lovely Christmas together? The girls Ella and Samantha are weary of their mother but eventually come round. A lovely story about friendship, love, family and Christmas. The setting sounded wonderful too, you can just imagine being out there in the snow.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.

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Paperback: Out 29th October

Kindle: Out 22nd October

A Surprise Christmas Wedding By Phillipa Ashley

A Surprise Christmas Wedding By Phillipa Ashley

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It’s been a year since Lottie’s fiancé walked out, leaving her heartbroken. But things start to look up when she lands her dream job at a beautiful Lake District estate, with a handsome groundskeeper for a neighbour.
 
So when Lottie is asked to organise a last minute Christmas wedding at Firholme, she can’t wait to get started. Until she meets the couple, and discovers that Connor, the man who broke her heart, is the groom-to-be.
 
As snow falls on the hills, can Lottie put aside her past to organise the perfect winter wedding? And will there be any festive magic left to bring Lottie the perfect Christmas she deserves?

My Thoughts:

I really loved this book, Lottie has been hurt by her ex but still managed to smile. When her sister is ill too she decided not to tell her sister all the details, I really felt for Lottie having to help her sister and help out with her two young nieces whilst having the heartache of her ex with it. I loved everything about this story, the romance, the snow and of course Christmas. I felt as though Lottie puts everyone first before herself and misses out of things because of it. When she meets Jay I thought this is her chance but Jay has heart ache too. Can they both work out their past and leave it all behind? I wonder if there will be a sequel? A must Christmas read.

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One Family Christmas By Bella Osborne

One Family Christmas By Bella Osborne

by Hannah ♥ 2 Comments

A big family. A whole lot of secrets. A Christmas to remember…

This year, Lottie is hosting one last big family Christmas at the home she grew up in – just like her Nana would have wanted.

But when her relatives descend on the old manor house, Lottie gets more than she bargained for. Every family has its secrets, but in this family, everybody has one!

So, between cooking a Christmas dinner, keeping tensions at bay and a stray dog out of mischief, she has plenty on her plate (and not just misshapen sausage rolls and a frozen turkey). And then her first love shows up – nine years after he walked out of her life.

Can Lottie make their last family Christmas one to remember… for the right reasons?

My Thoughts:

I think Bella Osborne is definitely one of my new favourite authors. I love her books, I loved this story about Lottie and her family at Christmas time. It was festive, fun and like a big warm hug. There are animals too, which include a dog called Dave who is cheeky and a cat called Duchess. I really like Lottie a lot, she does everything for everyone else and has such a Kind heart. I was intrigued to see what would happen with Joe conning back her old love who she hasn’t seen for many years. Lovely ending, I do see if this story will continue as there is a great bunch of characters and I would love to see Lottie settled down. It deserves 10/10.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review. Thank you Netgalley for the copy.

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The Winter Garden By Heidi Swain

The Winter Garden By Heidi Swain

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Will love bloom this winter?
 
Freya Fuller is living her dream, working as a live-in gardener on a beautiful Suffolk estate. But when the owner dies, Freya finds herself forced out of her job and her home with nowhere to go. However, with luck on her side, she’s soon moving to Nightingale Square and helping to create a beautiful winter garden that will be open to the public in time for Christmas.
 
There’s a warm welcome from all in Nightingale Square, except from local artist Finn. No matter how hard the pair try, they just can’t get along, and working together to bring the winter garden to life quickly becomes a struggle for them both.
 
Will Freya and Finn be able to put their differences aside in time for Christmas? Or will the arrival of a face from Freya’s past send them all spiralling?

My Thoughts:

Heidi has done it again with this magical beautiful story. It is the perfect book for Christmas, in the perfect place with lots of lovely friendly people around to help out where ever possible. If you have read Heidi’s previous novels you will know they are all set in the same place, so there are mentions of previous characters which I liked, I loved the story and one that interests me as I am a keen gardener, it was nice to read something a little different too, I really like the way Heidi writes it makes you want more and I had to ration the last few pages as I just didn’t want the story to end.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review. Thank you Netgalley and Simon and Schuster.

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kindle edition

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