Book Review - The Most Wonderful Time of the Year by Beth Moran

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Title: The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year

Author: Beth Moran

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 6th August 2025

Rating: 5 Stars

Mary never planned to stop running.

With a past she’s desperate to leave behind and a baby on the way, she’s found a new home, deep in the forest, hidden from the world. But when the time comes to go to the hospital, she has no idea that Beckett, the quiet, steady taxi driver who braves the blizzard to reach her, will change everything.

As Mary adjusts to life with her newborn, she finds herself drawn into a local close-knit community she never expected to be part of. Beckett is always there ­– dependable, patient and offering a friendship she doesn’t know how to accept but slowly comes to rely on.

In a place she thought she’d only ever be passing through, Mary finally learns what it truly means to belong. And as Christmas approaches, she begins to believe that maybe, just maybe, she doesn’t have to do this alone, and that this could be the start of something wonderful...

Number one bestselling author Beth Moran writes stories packed with heart. Her characters become your immediate friends and you will feel uplifted after closing the final page!

Pretty much from the first chapter, this is a story that got under my skin and hooked me in completely.  I needed to know how things would resolve, and just why it was that Mary was all alone in a house in Sherwood Forest,  heavily pregnant and with absolutely no support network. 

I am so thankful that Beckett was her taxi driver when she was in labour, as not many would have behaved how he did.  And when you learn what else is going on in Beckett's life, well my heart just expanded in admiration for him. 

I thoroughly enjoyed seeing how Mary not only starts to adjust to being a new mother, but very slowly starts to make new friends and trust others around her. Although I had in part guessed where the father was, the full reveal definitely had me surprised, while wanting to wrap Mary in a great big hug. 

I also really enjoyed meeting Gramps, in addition to the Christmas sisters who made me smile. I love how Mary ends up being part of a community, without really being sure if she wants to be, given most of her still feels like hibernating from the world. 

 I couldn't get enough of this story as I was reading it and found myself reaching for my kindle constantly, just to read a few more pages, and a few more pages.  

Compulsive reading at its finest, and the top notch writing that I have come to expect from Beth Moran. 

This is a book that packs a punch, might make you cry but definitely left me feeling uplifted. 

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

Book Review - The Cornish Christmas Book Club by Angela Britnell

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Title: The Cornish Christmas Book Club

Author: Angela Britnell

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Choc Lit

Publication Date: 22nd October 2025

Rating: 4 Stars

’Tis the season for second chances — and unexpected chapters . . .

Talented baker Tamara Pascoe has spent years saving every penny and perfecting her recipes in the hopes of opening her own café in the cosy village of Penworthal.

But her dream is suddenly out of reach when the perfect location is snapped up by newcomer Gage Bennet — a brooding ex-Marine with plans to open a bookshop.

Gage has no time for pleasantries, let alone Christmas spirit. But he didn’t count on Tamara — sharp, stubborn and brimming with festive cheer.

When the village book club throws them together, Gage realises they might just be able to help one another. Tamara needs a job. He needs help connecting with the community.

Striking a reluctant truce, Tamara and Gage’s frosty beginning starts to melt as they bond over their shared love of books.

While snow begins to fall and the fairy lights twinkle, could a little Cornish book club help two opposites write their own happily ever after?

This winter, curl up with this warm and uplifting festive romance, brimming with books, baking and second chances. Perfect for fans of Heidi Swain, Jenny Colgan, Cressida McLaughlin, Camilla Isley, Emma Bennet, Sarah Morgan or Philippa Ashley.

It's been a while since I last curled up with an Angela Britnell novel and I'm now scratching my head to wonder why! 

Admittedly I was a bit confused at the start just due to the sheer number of characters we are introduced initially. But once I had all the names straight in my head, it was a lovely smooth book to read.  Some of my overwhelm might be because this is the second book in a series and although it can definitely be read as s standalone, I did have to check the blurb of the previous book so I was able to realise which backstory I wasn't on top of! 

Once I got to know them, I loved both Tamara and Gage.  Tamara is a wonderful baker and member of the local book club. While Gage is new to town, an ex-marine struggling to fully adjust to civilian life, but he is opening up a bookshop in town and is a massive book fan too. 

They have a bit of a shaky first meeting, but as their paths keep crossing, I fully leant into their connection as they get to know each other. 

There is a good helping of delicious sounding food in this story, as well as plenty of side plots to enjoy, so definitely never a dull moment.  

This author always writes wonderful male leads that you can't help but fall for, and Gage is another example of just this.  He was divine. 

This was such a lovely story that I thoroughly enjoyed reading. I'm really hoping this won't be the last we see of the Back of Beyond book club. 

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

Book Review - It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas by Hayley Dunlop

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Title: It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

Author: Hayley Dunlop

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Hera

Publication Date: 14th August 2025

Rating: 5 Stars

Can life be like a made-for-TV Christmas movie?

Mally Allister prides herself on being nice and predictable, just like the trope-filled festive films she turns to for comfort every winter.

But when she faces the prospect of spending Christmas alone in her London flat, Mally is sent on a writing assignment to try to recreate the cheesy Christmas movie experience in her humdrum British hometown.

With the help of familiar faces from her formative years, including her teenage crush Tom, Mally starts ticking off the classic holiday romance movie tropes in unexpected ways.

But can real life ever live up to the magical movie experience?

A gorgeously warm, engaging festive romcom perfect for fans of Catherine Walsh and Josie Silver.

This is an ode to the Hallmark / made for TV Christmas movies.  It's a total love letter to the film genre, and given I have watched a fair few of those in my lifetime (well every year in amongst other festive films), this book appealed to every part of my being. 

And I was totally right that it would appeal, I absolutely adored this book, and am already keen to see what this author will write next. 

I loved Mally's devotion to these films and her bingo cards of things to tick off while watching. So when her best friend commissions her to write an article about going to a small town and seeing how many real life ticks she can get, this is where the story starts to get going. 

She returns to her home town, which she hasn't been to for 20 years, and the reasons for it, and her whole family dynamics are heart-breaking.  But she does almost instantly bump into her teenage crush Tom, and it becomes apparent there is something there. 

I really loved Tom, whereas I didn't really think much of Mally's best friend Elle. And Tom's mum is wonderful too, and I loved their home, and the wonderful cosy feelings it was giving me. 

This just hit all the right marks for me, there is a lovely gentle romance, there is character growth, and there is big time festive feels.  Thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish. 

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

Book Review - The Cliffhanger by Emily Freud

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Title: The Cliffhanger

Author: Emily Freud

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Quercus

Publication Date: 8th May 2025

Rating: 5 Stars

STRAY TOO CLOSE TO THE EDGE . . .

New York-based writers Felix and Emma have it all. As the husband and wife team behind the bestselling Morgan Savage thrillers, their meteoric rise to global literary fame seemed unstoppable.

Until Felix messed up.

AND SOMEONE'S GOING TO GET HURT.

Now, the couple has been exiled to the south of France. Their sentence: a long, hot summer to cure their writers' block - and save their marriage.

But as tensions rise beneath the sweltering sun, Felix and Emma become trapped in a deathly plot of their own making . . .

I've been left reeling from the completely unputdownable conclusion to this book. I never saw any of the ultimate twists coming, but I knew I wouldn't be able to stop reading until I had finished the book.

Although whether reading in bed at 3am is going to affect my sleep is another matter.

I was intrigued from the start of this book,  but although I didn't think I was hooked that early on, I did keep reaching for my kindle to read more. 

I'm not normally a fan of a book within a book but this one worked really well, I just couldn't work out the clues to where the parallels may be. 

I wouldn't say that that Emma and Felix are particularly likeable, but they were certainly intriguing and flawed and all the more fascinating for it.

The setting was atmospheric,  rather creepy but in the south of France. 

This was a sublime piece of writing,  that I'm delight I was able to devour in under a day.

I think this may cement Emily Freud as an auto read author for me.  Just brilliant.  

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

Book Review - Escape to the Northern Lights by Carrie Walker

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Title: Escape To The Northern Lights

Author: Carrie Walker

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Aria

Publication Date: 6th November 2025

Rating: 4 Stars

Packed with humour, romance and a love affair with nature, Escape to the Northern Lights is a story of transformation, second chances and finding home in the most unexpected places.

High-powered lawyer Sara thought she had life figured out – until her whirlwind marriage ends in divorce, her dream promotion slips away and a burnout diagnosis forces her to take a break.

Desperate for a reset, she books a four-week spa retreat in Norway, imagining a luxurious escape. Instead, she finds herself in the rugged wilderness of Firefly Forest, knee-deep in reindeer droppings and stuck with an annoyingly bohemian – and ridiculously attractive – outdoorsman, Henrik.

What starts as a nightmare turns into a journey of self-discovery as Sara swaps designer heels for bare feet, legal briefs for tree-hugging, and fleeting flings for something far deeper...

What a fabulous advert for the wilds of Norway, and for retreats in forest, with outdoor activities, no wifi and really a return to nature and to destress.  The Norwegian tourist board I feel would be rather happy with this book and it certainly has made my inner wilderness fan want to travel and experience some of this for myself. 

Sara books a retreat at Firefly Forest, convinced it was meant to be a luxury resort with every mod con etc... but she messes up the booking and ends up at Firefly in Norway instead, and then can't easily change plans due to extreme weather warnings. 

Left with no option, she attempts to take part in the various activities and slowly you can see a transformation in Sara, and her willingness to be open to some new experiences.  From tree-hugging, to thermal springs to huskies, there is something for everyone, and it sounds like a fabulous break. 

Admittedly the really rugged Henrik might have had something to do with Sara's new feelings towards everything.  

There is just so much to love in this story, and I was enjoying every single word of it.  It was a pleasure to read, and I was hooked on it. I am just really enjoying every book I've read so far from this author and already curious to see what fabulous location her next story will be set in.  Bring on more armchair travel and escapism! 

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

Book Review - Christmas at the French Repair Shop by Sophie Claire

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Title: Christmas at the French Repair Shop

Author: Sophie Claire

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton

Publication Date: 9th October 2025

Rating: 5 Stars

❄️ Can they patch up their broken hearts this Christmas?❄️

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?

Curl up with your perfect Christmas read from Sophie Claire. A wonderfully cosy, second-chance enemies-to-lovers festive romance, perfect for fans of Phillipa Ashley, Jo Thomas and Sarah Morgan.

Oh I really really enjoyed this story, from start to finish. 

I loved that Jack and Amelie's love language is clearly practical jokes, so even though they are broken up as we start the book, they keep pranking each other, and are thus still in each other's lives.  

They are both struggling to move on, and Amelie is convinced that Jack betrayed her in the summer, and she is rather private when it comes to her childhood and family. Whereas Jack is far more open and always happy to talk about things. Even their attempts at dating others go awry when they discover the nature of the constant one upmanship of practical jokes.   Some of which are really funny. 

I also loved hearing all about Amelie's repair shop and the stories behind some of the items brought in.  Amelie specialises in carpentry, but her aunt Josie's shop in the South of France is even closer to the one many will be familiar with from the BBC programme. 

Once the action moved to France, I was beyond hooked, I was enjoying this book so much, and was loving seeing how things would change between Amelie and Jack.  As well as seeing things like the Christmas markets, as well as accompanying them broccanting.  

This was just a a highly enjoyable book that I immensely enjoyed.  I definitely felt transported to France and got a real feel for the area, as well as real fear for Amelie at a B&B they stopped in to break up the journey.   

I love Sophie Claire's writing style and found this was a nice and quick book to read, where the pages just turned effortlessly, and the next thing I knew I was a lot further on than I thought I was, oblivious to the world around me. 

This is a joy to read this festive season.  Just hope the wait for the author's next book isn't as long as it was for this one. 

Thank you to Hoddder & Stoughton and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Book Review - Just A Taste by Anise Starre

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Title: Just A Taste

Author: Anise Starre

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Publication Date: 23rd October 2025

Rating: 4 Stars

A Christmas romance featuring a personal chef who is snowed-in with her least favourite client – a sexy but miserable technopreneur.

The only thing personal chef Noelle Jones loves more than cooking is Christmas. She has a roster of extremely wealthy clients, including the elusive and stoic Alexander Hoxton.

When he asks her to cook a last-minute business meal he’s having, offering triple her pay for the short notice, Noelle jumps at the chance. It’s easy money, one of her favourite dishes and she'll still have plenty of time to get to her family’s annual Christmas reunion.

But, when a sudden blizzard leaves Noelle snowed-in with Alexander, she quickly realises he wants absolutely nothing to do with anything festive. Stuck with a veritable grinch, she’s sure this Christmas is about to become one of her worst . . .

Well this was my first book I've read from Anise Starre and based on this it certainly won't be my last. 

I thoroughly enjoyed this modern day Grinchy, forced proximity romance, with added excelled foodie descriptions. 

Noelle is as her name suggests, a massive fan of Christmas, and is determined to cook for Hoxton's Christmas party, and then head off to her family for the festive period.  However by the time its time to leave, her car won't start and its snowing heavily. 

Despite having worked as Hoxton's chef for a few years now, it's not an easy working relationship, so the thought of asking for favours from him doesn't sit well with Noelle.  Add in the fact that Hoxton is not a fan of Christmas at all, and also tends to value solitude gives you all the ingredients for a rather spicy holiday romance. 

Oh I failed to mention that there is clear chemistry on both sides even if they try to ignore it! So only the inevitable could possibly happen. 

It is a running joke throughout that Hoxton is Grinch like and he does have his reasons for it, and thus I loved his development over the course of the book, and seeing how he grows as a person was wonderful to see. 

I loved how there is a definite message of Christmas is whatever you make it, and that it doesn't matter if you go all out mega Christmassy, or just small and understated, that it's a time to spend with people close to you.  

This is a book that left me a warm fuzzy feeling and a heart that has grown a few more sizes itself! 

Thank you to Simon & Schuster for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Book Review - Christmas on Fifth Avenue by Julie Caplin

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Title:  Christmas on Fifth Avenue

Author: Julie Caplin

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: One More Chapter

Publication Date: 23rd October 2025

Rating: 5 Stars

Welcome to New York, where the Christmas lights dazzle, the snow is falling and love is just around the corner…

❄️❄️❄️❄️

Evie Green's Christmas dream turns into a nightmare when a viral video makes her the laughing stock of the internet. But then a 5 star hotel sees a PR opportunity and invites her to New York for a Christmas she’ll remember forever.

Enter Noah Sanderson, a disgraced soccer star seeking anonymity. Forced to fake a festive romance for the cameras, sparks fly – but not the twinkling Christmas kind!

As Fifth Avenue sparkles in all its holiday glory, can The City that Never Sleeps show these two frosted hearts that, maybe, the best love stories are the ones you never see coming.

Don't miss this cozy Christmas spin off series from the million-copy-bestselling author of the Romantic Escapes series! Each book can be read as a standalone.

Dear Santa

I have been a very good girl this year, and have just finished reading this most amazingly fabulously festive book, that has inspired me to realise what I really want this year, is to spend Christmas in New York. 

If at all possible I would love to stay at the Plaza like Evie and Noah do, and to be able to experience so many off their Christmas movie moments, that they were able to recreate.  As I'm also a massive fan of a festive film, and there are so many iconic scenes in this book. 

And if you could conjure me up a Premiership footballer to spend my time with too, that would be even better.  For that's what Noah is (well he needs to rehabilitate his image), and a fake dating even just for the cameras scenario is one I could totally get on board with. 

I would absolutely love to meet the wonderful team at the hotel who go the extra mile to ensure their guests have a great time, and end up feeling like part of the family.

I would love to visit the Christmas all year around shops,  in addition to the iconic Tiffany's.  Seeing the pair of them shop in Christmas markets, recreate that scene from Big in FAO Schwarz and a whole lot more was just a joy and things I would love to experience for myself.  

This would be the most amazing present for this romance and  Julie Caplin adoring bookworm!  I am in awe at how much detail there is, the delicious sounding foods, and how alive New York felt as though its a character itself. 

As much as I love armchair travel and pure escapism Santa, which this book has in spades, experiencing it in real life really would be a dream come true. 

So please prove you are real, and have elves just like the one Evie becomes in one of her experiences, and get me onto a plane to New York (or a sleigh ride over there would be fabulous too with the reindeer!). 

One last small request Santa, if you could ensure that everyone has a copy of Christmas in Fifth Avenue in their stockings this year that would be amazing, as this is such a wonderful Christmas romance, that would help bring smiles to loads more people and not just me.  

Thanks so much, your true believer

Rachel! 

Thank you to One More Chapter and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Book Review - The Cottage on Christmas Gardens by Holly Martin

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Title: The Cottage On Christmas Gardens

Author: Holly Martin

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Author supplied copy

Publisher: Self Published

Publication Date: 7th November 2025

Rating: 5 Stars

It’s the most wonderful time of the year in the gorgeously festive seaside town of Lovegrove Bay, where the snow is sparkling, hot chocolate is flowing and romance is about to set hearts on fire. From multi-million bestselling author Holly Martin comes the hottest love story this Christmas.

For the longest time love has been complicated for Alex Campbell. After she lost her husband Liam in a tragic accident, she’s devoted herself to raising their daughter Zara alone. Falling in love again felt impossible, until she met Liam’s brother Quinn…

Not only is Quinn a handsome, talented artist, he’s been there for Alex and Zara every day since they met, even moving to beautiful Lovegrove Bay to be close to them. But while falling for your dead husband’s brother is less than ideal, she’s convinced he doesn’t feel that way about her. Which is just as well because Alex has a secret, a guilt she’s carried for years, a truth about the night Liam died that she’s been too scared to tell anyone, most of all Quinn.

So when the pull of mistletoe and the magic of the festive season prompt Alex to finally dip her toe back into the dating world, the last person she expects to be against it is Quinn. Could he have feelings for her too? And could they even be together if he does? Alex doesn’t have the answers but if she can find the courage to take a chance on love maybe all her Christmas wishes will come true…

Curl up and fall head-over-heels with this deliciously romantic holiday tale, perfect for fans of Jill Mansell, Sarah Morgan and Sue Moorcroft.

It is always a treat to be able to dive into a new festive Holly Martin book, and this lived up to my expectations and even more. 

I hadn't even paid any attention to the blurb, or anything, so was pleasantly surprised to see it was set in Lovegrove Bay, and is the second book in this series, given how much I had enjoyed the previous book earlier in the year. 

Not to worry though this can easily be read as a standalone novel. 

And omg Quinn is just heart meltingly fabulous,  I fell for him so fast, and just really hoped that he and Alex would manage to get together.  But it's a bit of a complicated situation, and not everyone feels the same way as I do about a potential coupling between them both. 

Alex's back story was intriguing and I really did feel for her, and daughter Zara. Zara is one incredibly smart child, and thankfully still believes in the magic of Christmas. 

Lovegrove Bay has a bit of a mystery, with a mysterious bauble gifter. These baubles keep appearing all over the town and seem to be found by people that have a connection to the design on it.  They sounded fabulous and although I was fairly sure I knew who it was, I still enjoyed the mystery of St Nick.  Especially once they start messaging Alex and giving her clues, as she is trying to unmask them privately at least. 

This is a story that is just full of festive feels and gorgeously romantic moments, so everything i would anticipate from a Holly Martin story.  And this just was a lovely easy to read book, the I devoured.  I loved every moment from it, another total triumph from this author.  

Thank you to the author for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Book Review - Christmas with the Princes by Hannah Langdon

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Title: Christmas with the Princes

Author: Hannah Langdon

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Storm Publishing

Publication Date: 23rd October 2025

Rating: 5 Stars

A swoon-worthy tale of second chances and Christmas magic that will have you believing in holiday miracles!

When Laura Wilde arrives at the snow-dusted English estate of Lyonscroft for Christmas, she's fleeing her sister's wedding chaos and seeking refuge in her job as a private nurse. But this enchanting manor holds secrets – not least why the devastatingly handsome heir, Nick Prince, seems determined to keep everyone at arm's length...

Nick wants nothing more than to escape Christmas and sell the family estate, but Laura's arrival changes everything. As she cares for his beloved grandmother, the spirited Princess Marilise, Laura finds herself caught between two worlds: the warmth and wisdom of an extraordinary woman with stories to tell, and the guarded heart of a man with a past he doesn’t want to talk about.

But when Laura transforms the cold, unwelcoming house into a magical Christmas wonderland, something shifts. Between unexpected dog rescues and stolen moments under the mistletoe, Laura must decide: will she play it safe and stick to her carefully ordered life, or risk everything for a love that could heal them both?

I was incredibly saddened to hear the news earlier this year that Hannah Langdon has passed away.  I have enjoyed every single one of her books and thankfully this was no exception. 

And what a Christmas book this is, I was definitely feeling really festive as I was reading it and wondering why I hadn't put my tree up yet! 

Laura is hired to be a nurse carer to Nick's grandma, Marlise who is a real character.  She is a canny older lady who knows everything that is going on at the estate and is just sorry that her son, Nick's father was such a horrible unfeeling person which has led Nick to be conflicted as to whether he wants to keep Lyonscroft. 

Also living there are various other family members and Laura gets very quickly integrated into their family life, and I found this story really found its stride when 8 year old Sofia arrives.  She is Nick's niece, and her mum has abandoned her for the extended holiday season. 

They way they all try to make Sofia welcome is really endearing, and they have the idea of making the house into an advent calendar of sorts, with a pick me up sort of gift for a member of the family.  It could picture it so clearly. 

Slowly Laura manages to melt the grinch's (Nick's) heart and more and more Christmas festivities are embraced and it was lovely to see Nick's inner child emerge. 

However both have been burnt by people in the past, and thus it is hard for them to know who they could possibly trust, and I was never completely sure I would get the ending I was hoping for. 

This is a very heartwarming and Christmassy book and that enjoyed every word of. 

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