Book Review - If Every Day Was Christmas by Donna Ashcroft

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Title: If Every Day Was Christmas

Author: Donna Ashcroft

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Bookouture

Publication Date: 9th October 2020

Rating: 4 Stars

Snow is falling, fires are crackling merrily, and Lockton tradition has everyone hanging a promise they’re determined to keep this Christmas on the tree in the village square…

Meg Scott has promised to make a success of her first solo Christmas. She runs a year-round Christmas shop in the little Scottish village, and is a fan of all things mulled, sparkly and festive. So when her warring family shows up on her doorstep, ready to spread discord and tension, Meg is determined not to let them ruin her favourite time of the year.

Meanwhile, Christmas-hating Tom Riley-Clark has been called to the Highlands to help his old friend at The Apple Cross Inn. He’s ready to work hard and has no time for mince pies, tinsel or hanging a promise on the tree: the thought of every day being Christmas is his worst nightmare, and you wouldn’t catch him dead buying a bauble. So everyone is surprised when Christmas-loving Meg and grinch Tom start to get cozy under the mistletoe.

But Tom has a big secret about his past, and in a small town like Lockton it’s hard to keep anything hidden for long. Will everything fall apart when Meg discovers who he really is? The pair are about to learn the hard way that some promises are impossible to keep…

It’s time to curl up for an enchanting festive romance about learning to trust yourself, taking chances and not being afraid to fall in love. Perfect for fans of Nicola May, Debbie Macomber and Milly Johnson.

I was definitely drawn to this book by its title, and rather lovely cover. What I didn't realise until I was quite early on, but already hooked, was that I had a sneaking feeling this wasn't the first book set in Lockton. 

So quick glance on Amazon confirmed my suspicions, which definitely explained the references to things I'm sure happened in the previous book, which would be great reminders for those that read it, but just slightly weird to anyone like me that hasn't - as they felt like memory prompts rather than designed to fill in missing gaps. 

But that was only with regards Lockton and the other villagers, I had no such misgivings about Megan and Toms' story. 

Ok, so was a bit dubious about Tom initially but that's only because he makes it clear he doesn't like Christmas, whereas as I'm a huge fan of the season, I was instantly interested in Megan's story as she runs a Christmas all year shop and is full of spark and joy. 

Although I say joy, but really she'd rather spend Christmas alone, than deal with her family again, as her parents seem to get on only on Christmas day but not the rest of the year, and she doesn't seem to know her younger sister that well at all.   So it was rather fraught when the family descended on her for most of December. 

I really enjoyed getting to know Megan and Tom, and getting to the root of Tom's secrets. It is an easy story to lose yourself within, and I found it to be a rather quick read, that was really enjoyable. 

I enjoyed the village of Lockton, their Christmas Promise tree is rather special, and there are various animals popping up here and there, all of which I wanted as pets, including the most apt animals for this time of year! 

It's just a really lovely book with a great feel to it, and I really shouldn't' leave it as long before I read another book by Donna Ashcroft. 

Thank you to Bookouture and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.