Tag: Christmas

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.

Get your copy here:

kindle edition

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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.

Pre-order your copy here:

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.

Get your copy here:

kindle edition

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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.

Get your copy here:

kindle edition

paperback

Starry Skies Over The Chocolate Pot Cafe By Jessica Redland

Starry Skies Over The Chocolate Pot Cafe By Jessica Redland

by Hannah ♥ 2 Comments

Everyone is getting into the festive spirit on Castle Street – snow is falling, fairy lights are glistening and Christmas shopping is underway.

But for Tara Porter, owner of thriving cafe, The Chocolate Pot, this is the most difficult time of the year. From the outside, Tara is a successful businesswoman and pillar of the community. Behind closed doors, she is lonely.

With a lifetime of secrets weighing on her shoulders, she has retreated from all friends, family and romance, and shut her real self away from the world. Afterall, if you don’t let them in, they can’t hurt you. She’s learnt that the hard way.

But as the weight of her past becomes heavier and an unexpected new neighbour moves onto the street – threatening the future of her cafe – Tara begins to realise that maybe it’s time to finally let people back in and confront her history. It could just change her life forever…

My Thoughts:

Another truly delightful read from Jessica, before settling down with this book I would advise you have something sweet and a hot chocolate with you as you will become very hungry hearing about all the delicious sweet treats the Chocolate Pot Cafe has to offer. After reading Christmas at Carly’s Cupcake’s I wanted to hear more about the other characters and was delighted to return to Whitsborough Bay in this story. Tara’s story is a sad one but being in Whitsborough Bay and running a successful Cafe that sells the most delicious sweet treats, she begins to unravel what brought her to the Bay and with the help of some very good friends she realises what she is missing out on and opens up to one of her closest friends. Expect love, friendship, romance and a gorgeous rabbit called Hercules. I didn’t want this story to end. I loved it so much.

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

Get your copy here:

kindle edition

Christmas at Carly’s Cupcakes By Jessica Redland

Christmas at Carly’s Cupcakes By Jessica Redland

by Hannah ♥ 7 Comments

It’s Christmas in Whitsborough Bay. With fairy lights connecting the shops and cafés on either side of the cobbles, Castle Street seems magical. And in such a magical place, surely Christmas wishes can come true.

Carly Travis, owner of Carly’s Cupcakes, has two Christmas wishes this year. Her first is for her younger sister, Bethany, to focus on the positives in her life, including her Christmas wedding, instead of writing herself off as a failure. Bethany’s attempts at cake-decorating aren’t going to win any awards, but she’s certainly great with customers. Carly’s second wish is for her best friend, Liam, to come home for Christmas.

When Liam calls to say he’s been granted leave from the army, Carly makes a third Christmas wish. It’s the one she’s made every year since she was a teenager and, if she’s really brave, could this be the year when it finally comes true?

With Liam coming home, the shop having its best year yet, and a wedding to look forward to, it’s shaping up to be the best Christmas ever for Carly. But for Bethany, things are starting to unravel …

My Thoughts:

This was a lovely short story that I devoured in an afternoon. It is the heart warming story of Carly and her little Cake shop in Whitsborough Bay. I loved the sound of the cake shop and could certainly see myself in there alot. I really like Carly as she is kind and caring, always puts others before herself a bit like me. The story line was engaging and I wished for Carly to have her happy ending. An all round perfect Christmas read. My first Christmas book of this year and it will be hard to beat.

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

Get your copy here:

kindle edition

The Christmas Wish List By Heidi Swain

The Christmas Wish List By Heidi Swain

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wish list.jpg
After being let go from her job in a swanky hotel just weeks before Christmas, Hattie is feeling lost. Even more so when her high-flying boyfriend announces he’s landed his dream job in Abu Dhabi and asks her to move with him. Luckily, Hattie’s long-time friend Dolly is on hand to help and invites Hattie to spend one last holiday in the small, festive town of Wynbridge, determined to give her a Christmas to remember . . .

Upon Hattie’s arrival, holiday preparations are in full swing. But for Hattie, whose Christmas cheer has long since run out, it’ll take more than mince pies and mistletoe to open her heart to the season once more. Relishing the task of reigniting Hattie’s Christmas spirit, Dolly suggests they create a wish list of all the things the season can offer, and with the helpful hands of Wynbridge’s resident handyman, Beamish, Hattie finds her frosty exterior is starting to thaw.

As Wynbridge prepares for its most spectacular Christmas yet, will Hattie leave snowy England behind for life in a sunnier clime, or will she in fact realise that her heart’s desire lies much closer to home?

My Thoughts:

Make sure to snuggle up with this festive read where we meet some fantastic characters that will warm your heart. If you go to Wynbridge I am sure you will feel the Christmas spirit that the locals become involved in. I loved Dolly she melted my heart and reminded me of my gran. So kind and caring. A lovely romantic and festive read, you are in for a real treat.

Get your copy here:

kindle edition

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Christmas-Wish-List-Heidi-Swain-ebook

paperback

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Christmas-Wish-List-Heidi-Swain

Christmas at Rachel’s Pudding Pantry By Caroline Roberts

Christmas at Rachel’s Pudding Pantry By Caroline Roberts

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puds 2.jpg

The first snow is falling over Primrose Farm, the mince pies are warming, and Rachel can’t wait to share a kiss under the mistletoe with her gorgeous new flame, Tom.

If only it was all comfort and joy . . . The arrival of Tom’s ex brings an unwelcome chill to the farm. And despite Master Baker Mum Jill’s valiant efforts, the new pudding pantry business is feeling the pinch.

With a spoonful of festive spirit, a cupful of goodwill with friends, and her messy, wonderful family by her side, can Rachel make this a Christmas to remember?

My Thoughts:

If your in for a festive read, this is the book for you. This one follows on from Rachel’s Pudding Pantry which you should read first to get an idea for all the characters, also it has some fantastic bakes in there too. I love how before each chapter there is a festive bake it makes it more homely. I loved the story and what goes on between Rachel and Tom. You can just imagine pulling up a seat at Primrose Farm for a wonderful Christmas dinner. Its times like this that families should be together and pull together.

Get your copy here:

kindle edition

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Christmas-Rachels-Pudding-Pantry-Book-ebook/

paperback

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Christmas-Rachels-Pudding-Pantry-Book