Merry Christmas Everyone! I'm off on holiday again - but where and what is on my kindle?

Let me start by wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. 

At the start of this year I was on a cruise to South America, ending in Miami, during the summer I went to Cyprus, and so to round off an epic year, I figured let's get to a 4th continent!!! I'm heading tomorrow to The Gambia to spend Christmas lazing by a pool in Africa, and I can't wait. 

The hotel from what I can see and have read sounds totally lush, and anyone that is my facebook friend will be hopefully in for a treat with photos from this holiday. 

I am basically wanting the sort of holiday where I do very very little all day, apart from sleep, read and swim - the sleeping being poolside naturally. 

Back in the summer I am not entirely sure how but I read a record for me 38 books over the two weeks in Cyprus, but I think given I know this hotel has entertainment - some daytime and evening, the odds of me repeating that feat are slim to nil, nor will I be actively aiming too. 

As has been tradition on my pre-holiday posts on my blog I'm about to show you what is currently on my review TBR - these are all books I've promised to review (my timing could be off on a large amount of them admittedly). 

For all of the books that I have had on this list since some point in 2023, if it's one of your books then I do apologise, I'm really sorry I haven't got to them yet. I do try my hardest but I regularly close my eyes and stab my kindle at random to see what book I am reading next - and is what I will probably do within various collections on it throughout the holiday. 

Well how on earth are you meant to pick between books from fabulous authors, when you have so many of them to read!

So here are the 80 books on my Netgalley shelf, arranged by publisher (just cos I always like to see which publishers I should probably play catch up with at this time of year)  -  but which ones do you recommend?  What are you looking forward to reading yourself?

What a selection and wow just how many Boldwood release do I have unread! I literally can't keep up with such an uber publishing machine of awesomeness! I thoroughly enjoyed making those graphics and if nothing else that is a great reminder for me as to what on earth I still have to look forward to reading and might be reading on this holiday. 

What are your thoughts on my Netgalley shelf? Any of your favourite authors?  With a mix of 2025 release and older books, what are you looking forward to reading? Any suggestions for which I should definitely read while away. I'd love to hear from you. 

Anyways my regular reviews will be back currently scheduled from 3rd January. 

However you are spending the Christmas and New Year- I hope you have time to read loads of books! 

Have a very Merry Christmas and see you all in hopefully a Happy 2025! 

Book Review - A Skye Full of Stars by Sue Moorcroft

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Amazon UK

Title: A Skye Full of Stars

Author: Sue Moorcroft

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Avon

Publication Date: 7th November 2024

Rating: 5 Stars

Under the winter stars, anything is possible…

Ezzie Wynter can’t wait for Christmas on the beautiful Isle of Skye. Her island home sparkles at this time of year thanks to the snow-capped mountains and frosty winter walks, topped off with family gatherings with those she loves the most.

But her peaceful Christmas idyll is upended when she hears that the Larson family – the owners of Rothach Hall – are flying in from Sweden for the festivities. As Manager of their grand Scottish manor house, Ezzie suddenly has decorations to hang, food to source and itineraries to organise.

Life only becomes more difficult when Mats Larson turns up. The owners’ handsome, self-assured son is used to doing things his own way – and he is only another headache to add to her overflowing list.

Yet when unexpected visitors arrive looking for Ezzie, nothing else matters as she is left questioning everything she ever knew about herself. But amidst the Christmas chaos, she might also discover that, when all is lost, it’s sometimes those we least expect who come to our aid…

A beautiful, escapist festive tale to curl up with by the fire this Christmas. Perfect for fans of Sarah Morgan and Karen Swan.

I do love a series where you instantly feel at home during the second book as though you haven't had to wait months for it's release. 

And this was certainly one of those books. It was a joy to be back on the Isle of Skye with the Wynter sisters.

This time we get Ezzie's story, and thus get to see more of the inside of Rothcach Hall. And also get to know the Larson family a whole lot better. 

Which was a real pleasure as I was loving all of them especially Mats and his kids.  He may not always think before he speaks but he is very charming. 

There are shocks in store for both of our main characters and it was interesting to see how Ezzie especially reacted to hers. 

I am just loving everything about this book and series, the fabulous characters,  brilliant storylines and great setting. 

I already can't wait for the final book of this trilogy,  but I know I'll have to.  

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

Book Review - We Three Kings by Kristen Bailey

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Amazon UK

Title: We Three Kings

Author: Kristen Bailey

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Storm Publishing

Publication Date: 14th October 2024

Rating: 4 Stars

Maggie Field was looking forward to a solo Christmas in her cosy London flat – before her three workmates decided to liven things up for her.

Maggie loves her job as head of IT at a financial firm, and her three geeky but lovable work buddies. And when they invite her to stay with each of them for the holidays, she can’t resist the chance to get to know them better.

But then her boss tells her she has to make one of her beloved team redundant, and Maggie is distraught. Frank’s work is his world, Jasper’s sarcastic humour is everything, and Leo…well, he’s talented, professional, confusingly attractive, dependable, and funny… Maggie definitely doesn’t want to lose him.

With her career and her heart on the line, Maggie sets off on the Christmas adventure of a lifetime, from playing fake girlfriend at a lavish wedding, to rescuing baby foxes on a posh country estate, to chasing a very confused donkey on Christmas Day in the Lake District. She can’t ignore the sparks between her and Leo – but she also can’t avoid her dilemma.

Can she find a way to keep her work family together, and maybe even find true love under the mistletoe?

A hilarious and heartfelt celebration of friendship, workplace romance, and finding where you belong. Perfect for fans of Sophie Kinsella and Beth O’Leary, this festive rom-com will have you laughing, crying, and reaching for the mince pies.

This was certainly a rather festive book, that I really enjoyed.  It sums up the feelings of the festive season, while also being really fun. 

I do love a geek, so a team of three men plus Maggie in a basement IT department instantly caught my attention, and after a really early but makeshift Christmas party at a Mexican restaurant, her team decide there is no way Maggie is going to spend Christmas alone this year. 

So they decide to share her between them, starting with her being a plus one at Frank's sister's wedding, then a trip to Jasper's country pile and finally Christmas day with Leo and his family.  But what they don't know is Maggie has to make a decision that is going to have to break the work family up. 

I'll admit I guessed very early on what Maggie's decision would be as it made the most sense, even before we get to know the men and their respective families.   I there some lovely moments with each of them, and I loved all the contrasts between the characters at play. 

And Maggie is trying to do her best to do right by each of them, be it last minute Christmas shopping at Westfield to help Frank with the women she is sure he is meant to be with, or a cunning fox rescue, not to mention an encounter with a Donkey, 

It was a lovely story that definitely had me feeling a lost more Christmassy for having read it. 

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

Book Review - 36 Hours by Angela Marsons - Blog Tour

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Amazon UK

Title: 36 Hours

Author: Angela Marsons

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Bookouture

Publication Date: 10th December 2024

Rating: 5 Stars

Kim clutches the note tightly as her pulse starts to race. You have 36 hours. If you follow the instructions, no one will get hurt…

When Detective Kim Stone is woken before dawn because local journalist Tracy Frost wants to show her a message, she’s not impressed. But her blood turns cold when she reads the note. She has 36 hours to follow a trail set by an anonymous challenger. If she fails, people will die.

Kim’s gut tells her this is no hoax. She summons her team, desperate to prevent what lies ahead. With minutes to spare, they solve the first cryptic clue. It leads to a box hidden deep in the woods, containing a second clue and a tape. As she listens to the recording of a heart-wrenching scream, Kim knows her enemy will go to any lengths to achieve his goals… and that she must draw on all her experience of evil men to understand what is driving him.

Refusing to blindly follow orders, Kim and the team turn the killer’s clues against him, using evidence buried deep in the tapes to find where he’s hiding his victim. But they are too late… And then, as the sun rises on the second day, someone else goes missing. This time, it’s a skilled surgeon, and if they don’t save her, an eight-year-old girl will die.

Exhausted and enraged, with her bosses watching every step she takes, Kim realises the only way to win is to break the rules. But with the clock ticking, can she find the twisted mind behind this murderous game before her time runs out?

From the no.1 bestselling author Angela Marsons, 36 Hours is a pulse-pounding race against time that will not let you stop reading for a second. Perfect for fans of Karin Slaughter, Robert Dugoni and Val McDermid.

Wow! Possibly the best book in the series to date. 

That had me hooked, befuddled, amazed, enthralled, hooked, astounded, open mouthed... and did I mention hooked?!

And it was incredibly fast paced as the title suggested. 

Gotta love what could be a prank or a wild goose chase, but that given the threat within the first communication, Tracy Frost and Kim Stone both realise they have to play the game,  as if there is the slightest possibility its serious, it could be disastrous. 

Penn and Stacey were absolutely amazing back in the office, trying to work out the various clues, in addition to trying to figure out who was behind everything.  I'm a fan of puzzles but would have had absolutely no idea where to start. 

Equally we get to learn about a set of related hobbies that sound kind of fun, until they are turned into this version of it. 

And when I say I was hooked, I mean totally absorbed and it is only thanks to my subconscious knowing where I was on my tube journey that I didn't miss my stop. I was totally oblivious to the world around me at all times while I was reading this. 

It's addictive, it's amazing, and it's impressive how in this 21st book of the series, Angela Marsons is able to make it feel fresh and brand new and exciting still, which is a skill on its own.  And there is even a character introduced that I am near certain will be recurring and prove to be a new thorn in Kim's side. 

Or in short I totally loved it! 

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

Book Review - A Christmas Duet by Debbie Macomber

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Amazon UK

Title: A Christmas Duet

Author: Debbie Macomber

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Sphere

Publication Date: 15th October 2024

Rating: 5 Stars

Will the festive season bring them together?

Hailey Morgan's life has always revolved around music. She once had big dreams of writing her own songs, but the reality of life has led her here: an assistant high school music teacher.

As the holidays approach, Hailey dreads the annual tradition of Christmas with her meddling family, where she'll have to play nice while dodging their traditional expectations. So when Hailey's friend offers her family's empty cabin for a relaxing solo retreat, Hailey finally decides to do something to make herself happy.

However, her arrival is anything but peaceful when she discovers the cabin is already occupied - by several wild animals. Luckily, Jay, the mayor's son-who happens to be an incredibly charming former musician-is more than willing to help salvage her winter escape.

As Hailey and Jay get closer through their love of music amidst the magical holiday festivities, Hailey starts to find herself again. But when her family's issues invade her snow-dusted oasis, Hailey must stand up for herself and embrace the holiday spirit . . .

A Christmas Duet is a warm and wintry delight from the #1 New York Times bestselling author. The perfect Christmas read for fans of Heidi Swain, Carole Matthews and Milly Johnson

It is always a pleasure to curl up with a new Debbie Macomber cosy Christmas book, and this was no exception. 

What a fab time I had reading this book, complete with overbearing family members, a small town community in Podunk, and a new friendship that I loved seeing develop. 

And it is full of festive feeling too, I especially loved the Winter festival in Podunk, and the various decorated Christmas trees.  And some of the locals are just fabulous too. 

The cabin that Hailey has escaped to for Christmas is massive, and she is determined to spend Christmas on her own, away from the ex that wants her back, and the family that have invited said ex for Christmas, so she can find herself again and have time to write music, something that is a part of her. 

To say that her master plan, doesn't quite go as expected would be an understatement, but her connection to Jay was really lovely to see. 

This is small town USA at Christmas at its very best, and I loved reading every minute of this story.

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

Book Review - Winter Magic on Railway Lane by Alison Sherlock

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Amazon UK

Title: Winter Magic on Railway Lane

Author: Alison Sherlock

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 29th August 2024

Rating: 5 Stars

Join the residents of Railway Lane for one last magical adventure…

Globetrotting Libby Jacobs has lost her job but is looking forward to spending more time in her home village of Cranfield.

She dreams of turning her chocolate making hobby into something more permanent. There’s only one problem - Ethan Connolly.

Despite being soul mates growing up, Libby hasn’t been close to Ethan since their disastrous date at the school prom. But now he’s back and he has just what Libby needs… a large kitchen! But can they even bear to be in the same room together?

Ethan never stays in Cranfield too long as it reminds him of his parents’ terrible marriage. But when disaster strikes, he’s forced to stay and help realise his grandad’s dream of a Christmas train. Can the whole village help Ethan create a seasonal spectacular in time?

Can Libby confront her secrets and realise her dreams?

And can Ethan ever stop running from his past and trust his heart?

Perhaps the magic of winter on Railway Lane might just give Libby and Ethan a second chance after all...

A cosy, feel-good read, perfect for the fans of Della Galton, Holly Martin and Cathy Bramley

What a fabulous way to end a series, and although it is s shame that this is the conclusion of a series, I'm already keen to see what the author will be writing next. 

Dodgy Del makes a final appearance too in this, he has been in the authors previous series too which is interconnected, and it's always fun to see what mess of things he is likely to make! 

Finally it is Libby's turn in the spotlight, and we get to at last discover why she constantly bickers with Ethan, when she isn't avoiding him, and I loved the reasoning.  I also loved how Ethan was the only one who could provide her with a kitchen big enough for her new massive Chocolate order. 

All the descriptions of chocolate in this story were enough to have my mouth watering a lot. 

But what really make my heart sing with joy in this story, is the culmination of the railway line / train storyline has been running throughout the series. It really made me despair at times, while many plotlines had a really community feel to them, which is always lovely to see. 

There is so much to love for fans of the series in this book, it probably can be read as a standalone but honestly why deny yourself the pleasure for four incredibly great books to read! 

Lovely festive feeling to this, and another great book from this author. 

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

Book Review - The Christmas Tree Farm by Laurie Gilmore

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Amazon UK

Title: The Christmas Tree Farm

Author: Laurie Gilmore

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: One More Chapter

Publication Date: 10th October 2024

Rating: 5 Stars

Every book in the Dream Harbor series can be read as a standalone.

Kira North hates Christmas. Which is unfortunate since she just bought a Christmas tree farm in a town that’s too cute for its own good.

Bennett Ellis is on vacation in Dream Harbor taking a break from his life in California. And most importantly, taking a break from his latest run of disastrous dates.

After a run in with Kira in her fields, Ben has no intention of offering to help the grumpy owner set up her tree farm, despite the fact she’s clearly got no idea what she’s doing.

Kira knows she should stop being so stubborn, but her farm is not all cute and cozy like people always show on social media, it’s borderline dangerous with no heating, and she’d rather no one saw it.

But somehow fate finds Ben at Kira’s farm once more, and as Kira watches him swing an axe at the first tree, she finds herself appreciating his strength and questioning why she refused help in the first place…

The Christmas Tree Farm is a spicy romantic mystery with a HEA guaranteed!

Please will someone put me on a plane and let me live in Dream Harbour. 

All the men there are dreamworthy and almost seem too good to be true, ,and the whole town just sounds so wonderful, as does the way they celebrate Christmas.  It's a wonderful local community and really does help give the books a small town cosy vibe. 

Although it's not pure cosiness, as there are some wonderfully spicy scenes (why is everyone saying spice not sex nowadays?), that I totally enjoyed. 

I loved getting to know Kira and Ben, even if they do get off to a fairly rocky start. I liked how they could recognise their own undesirable personality traits and bad patterns they have gotten into in the past, and how they are trying to improve themselves. 

There is something so enchanting and moreish about this series, I just can't get enough of these stories.  I loved catching up with old friends from the previous books, and also seeing Kira start to come out of her shell was a joy to see. 

And what better setting for a festive tale than a Christmas Tree Farm, and an old house that is freezing cold leading to a blanket fort in front of the fire as the main living space. It's just so cosy! 

Please don't make me wait for the next book, I need my next Dream Harbour fix already! 

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

Book Review - Mistletoe Magic in the Highlands by Bella Osborne

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Amazon UK

Title: Mistletoe Magic in the Highlands

Author: Bella Osborne

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Aria

Publication Date: 3rd October 2024

Rating: 5 Stars

Olivia Bingham is unlucky in love...

She's been ghosted more times than she can count, but this Christmas brings a glimmer of hope: Fraser Douglas, a Scottish chef working at an idyllic hotel in the Highlands. He's sweet and sensitive, thoughtful and funny, not to mention incredibly good looking - but there's a catch.

They've never actually met.

When Olivia tries to show her friends the hunky new man in her life, Fraser's online dating profile has vanished, andOlivia fears the worst. Frustrated and wounded, she decides she's going to confront Fraser - face to face, in Scotland.

But when she arrives, things don't go exactly as planned. Worse still, Fraser doesn't seem to have any idea who she is...

Ooh  I really enjoyed this book. 

It's fairly funny at times, it's definitely entertaining and omg Ginger has to be one of my favourite pets I have read this year. She is a rather mischievous highland cow, that thinks she is a dog, and leads of Liv having to stay up in Scotland for longer than she intended. 

After all Liv had only travelled up to the Highlands to give Fraser a piece of her mind, after he had ghosted her online, but although she recognises him, he shows no recognition of her, and then there is snow and car issues and she is stranded up at his not exactly open, potentially haunted hotel! 

Fraser not only gives Liv a room when it is realised she can't go anywhere but is persuaded to take in a few other stranded people too, which made the dynamics between everyone really interesting.  

Effie is a really sweet natured if perhaps a tad naive girl who is related to Fraser and makes fast friends with Liv. There are quite a few small mysteries to be solved throughout the story which Robbie Williams, the local friendly policeman, may or may not have been useful in! 

All set in the run up to Christmas, this was a charming and really entertaining story that I totally adored.  I devoured it, and thoroughly enjoyed every word. 

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

Book Review - The Secret Christmas Bookshop by Cressida McLaughlin

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Amazon UK

Title: The Secret Christmas Bookshop

Author: Cressida McLaughlin

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: HarperCollins

Publication Date: 24th October 2024

Rating: 5 Stars

Can their Christmas love story last a lifetime?

In a village by the sea, where wintry skies bring a dusting of sparkling snow, somebody is opening an unexpected gift…

When Sophie receives a surprise package, she’s intrigued to find a beautifully bound book inside.

Sophie is desperate to discover the mystery sender, and her hunt draws her to the enigmatic Harry. The subject of much gossip since his return from London, Harry keeps to himself in his crumbling manor house.

But they are both about to learn that the best stories can take on a life of their own.

An absolutely heartwarming story that I was totally enchanted by. 

I loved the village setting, the mystery behind he beautifully bound book, and just the whole feel of the story. I was absorbed by what Sophie would decide to do, whether she would continue to move from place to place each year, or if she would start to put down some routes. 

And Harry was intriguing, a bit prickly at first, but turned into a wonderful man that I was definitely falling for.  And the names of his dogs are rather amusing, but it's Felix the Goat that has to be the best character of the book.  He has such a cheeky personality and it was always funny to see what scrapes he ended up in next.

I loved the planning for the big Christmas festival and also seeing how Sophie is starting to connect to more people in the village.  The descriptions of the notebooks she makes too are enchanting and I almost wish I was a bigger fan of stationary to try to find similar ones as they sounded so lovely. 

This is definitely  a very enjoyable festive story that i read over the course of a day. And with Amazon implying this is the first book of a new series, I am incredibly eager to read the next book, and catch up with more of these characters as the setting is so fabulous. 

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

Book Review - Christmas Is All Around by Martha Waters

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Amazon UK

Title: Christmas Is All Around

Author: Martha Waters

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Headline Eternal

Publication Date: 22nd October 2024

Rating: 4 Stars

A former child star learns that holiday magic can come from a change in perspective in this charming and hilarious holiday rom-com, perfect for fans of Love, Actually and The Holiday.

A little holiday magic can change everything . . .

Charlotte hates the holidays. As a former child actress, she starred in a Christmas movie, whose fans won't let her move on. When a piece revealing that her reluctance nixed plans for a reboot, she flees to London to spend the festive season with her sister.

But the ghosts of Christmas past follow her when she visits Eden Priory, one of the filming locations. When she's accidentally left behind, she's forced to accept a ride back to London from Graham, the son of the owners. Their family business - and the funds to keep their historic house running - relies on holiday cheer, and Graham knows seasons greetings from a certain star would bring in more visitors.

Now an illustrator, Charlotte accepts a commission illustrating iconic holiday movie scenes in London and its environs for Eden Priory, with Graham offering to escort her. But as Charlotte's chaotic family holiday goes awry, she begins spending more time with Graham. Charlotte may not love a Christmas romance . . . but what if she has one of her own?

Such a quick and easy, but above all enjoyable festive book. 

It has so many of the good tropes of a hallmark Christmas movie, that in fact I think it would make a charming festive film of its own. 

We have a demonic baby, there are a troop of period costumed carol singers, there are references to Christmas films, there are multiple Christmas light turn-ons and festive activities. 

But Charlotte is our main character and she isn't particularly a fan of Christmas, as especially of Christmas films, despite having been in one when she was a child.  And yet Christmas, Truly is haunting her well into her 20s, and thanks to one article and the internet, she is being vilified for not wanting anything to do with a reboot, twenty years on. 

So Charlotte decides to spend December with her sister in London, to have a break from the craziness, only to end up meeting Graham, at a Christmas event, as his home, which just happens to be where some of the scenes from her film were filmed!

I really warmed to all of the characters, and it was such a lovely and Christmassy story to read. What a delight it was. 

This is the first book I've read from the author and if she choses to write more contemporary festive books it certainly won't be the last.  Definitely a Christmas story to enjoy. 

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