Book Review - The Eight Heartbreaks of Hanukkah by Jean Meltzer

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Title: The Eight Heartbreaks of Hanukkah

Author: Jean Meltzer

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: MIRA

Publication Date: 21st October 2025 

Rating: 4 Stars

Can these exes rekindle their love this Hanukkah?

Evelyn Schwartz has the perfect Hanukkah planned: eight jam-packed days producing the live-action televised musical of A Christmas Carol. Who needs family when you’ve got long hours, impossible deadlines, and your dream job? That is, until an accident on set lands her in the medical bay with one of her chronic migraines, and she’s shocked to find her ex-husband, David Adler, filling in for the usual studio doctor.

It’s been two years since David walked away from Evelyn and their life in Manhattan, and his ex-wife is still the same workaholic who puts her career before everything else—especially her health. But when Evelyn begins hallucinating “ghosts” tied to her past heartbreaks, and every single one leads to David, he finds himself spending much more time with her than he anticipated. And denying the still-smoldering chemistry between them becomes impossible.

As Evelyn revisits her ghosts of Hanukkah past, she and David both begin to wonder if they can have a Hanukkah future. But with a high-stakes production ramping up the pressure on Evelyn, and troublesome spirits forcing them both to confront their most difficult shared memories, it might just take a Hanukkah miracle for these two exes to light the flame on their second-chance at love.

How fabulous, a Jewish version of that Christmas classic A Christmas Carol.  But instead of trying to learn the true meaning of the season, Evelyn is being visited by eight ghosts highlighting heartbreaks that have occurred over the festival of lights in the past. 

All of this while she is trying produce and rehearse for TV a big mega musical production of A Christmas Carol!  And it's set in New York, that magical city at this time of year, which adds a layer of believability to what Evelyn is experiencing. 

And if that's not enough, let's have her ex-husband David, doing emergency medical cover on set, without her having any warning, and she also suffers big time from migraines. 

Then there are all sorts of minor crisis's attached to this live production, and most amusingly of all being the the mega star they have hired, who is rather challenging to deal with.  His rider is just the least of it! 

Although there are heartbreaks and elements of emotional storylines, I found I was ultimately uplifted by this story.  I adored this modern retelling of a festive classic, and of course mentioned of all the lovely fried goodies you get during these 8 days.  

There is plenty of humour in this story, and I really enjoyed reading each and every word.  Another highly enjoyable book from this author. 

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

Book Review - The Best Christmas Choir Ever by Elizabeth Hrib

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Title: The Best Christmas Choir Ever

Author: Elizabeth Hrib

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Afterglow Books

Publication Date: 23rd October 2025

Rating: 5 Stars

'Tis the season of second chances

Music was everything to professional soprano Charlie Ward…until her brother died, leaving her lost in grief. But when her beloved Gram moves into the Glendale Retirement Village, Charlie is cajoled into temporarily volunteering to direct the community’s new choir, whose sights are set on winning the Annual Christmas Choir Competition.

Only, the home’s activities director happens to be the super-cute guy she once spent a hot, hazy, sexy summer with. Julian Guerrero hasn’t forgotten Charlie Ward. Not even a little. Fortunately, he has his hands full with the lively residents who are determined to win, even if they must twerk their way to victory. Amid mince tarts, gingerbread houses and Christmas lights, Charlie and Julian find their way to each other once again…

`Tis the season to sing your heart out in this cozy holiday romance that mixes a dash of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever with a pinch of Pitch Perfect—the singing senior citizens are the sugar on top.

What a highly enjoyable story this was, and it was surprisingly quick to read too.  At least I found the pages were turning fast, and the percentage display kept going up at a nice rate too. 

It seems as though retirement villages are the in place to be nowadays, at least for fiction, and Glendale was particularly charming.  

Which is good as Charlie's gran Doris is moving in there, and Charlie is trying to make the transition really painless for her. Which might explain how she ends up being cajoled into being the home's music director on a voluntary basis, ending up with her having to form a Christmas choir from the residents, with her co-choir director being her ex boyfriend Julian.  Julian, who is claiming not to remember Charlie, who is the activities director at the home. 

He also is really wanting to start up a music programme there, for the many benefits music can offer older members of the community, but is up against budgetary issues. 

Whereas Charlie had so far a great music career, alongside her brother Tom.  Tom is ever present in Charlie's chapters, despite dyin a few years before that.  And since has departed, Charlie has stopped being able to perform, which makes leading a choir, that bit trickier despite her experience. 

What really made this book so fabulous was the various residents.  They are cheeky, they are special, they are wonderful and I really came to care for all of them.  And they were also potentially like a group of troublesome teenagers! 

I had a lovely festive feel good feeling from this whole book, as Charlie starts to find out who she is without her brother, and Julian has to try to learn to trust his heart too. 

This is the first book I've read from this author and I was incredibly happy with the experience, and would be keen to read more in the future. 

Just a wholly joyous story to read. 

Thank you Afterglow Books for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Book Review - All We Want For Christmas by Phillipa Ashley

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Amazon UK

Title: All We Want For Christmas

Author: Phillipa Ashley

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Penguin

Publication Date: 6th November 2025

Rating: 5 Stars

At Ravendale Castle, nestled in the snowy heart of the Lake District, Lara is busy preparing for the Winter Spectacular — a glittering light trail that will fill the grounds with the magic of Christmas. It’s the perfect distraction from her recent heartbreak until Flynn, the ruggedly handsome technical manager, arrives and sparks start to fly.

Flynn is determined to prove he’s worth taking a chance on. But just as Lara begins to believe in love again, someone from Flynn’s past arrives at the castle, bringing a secret that could tear them apart.

As Christmas draws closer, can Lara and Flynn take a leap of faith toward the happily ever after they’ve always wanted?

It's always the sign of a good book, that when I'm reading it on public transport, if I become so engrossed in the story, that I am oblivious to where on earth I actually am. Which is exactly what happened while I was reading this, to the extent that I almost missed my stop. 

It's also the sign of a good book that I am still thinking about the characters, even while reading my next book (although that was slightly confusing for me!). 

I think it may be clear that I totally and utterly loved this book. 

I loved everything about Ravendale Castle, and the shock re-meeting of Lara and Flynn.   Not to mention the way Flynn's situation becomes more and more complicated, just as he is trying to ignite something with Lara. 

And the Winter Spectacular was just so impressive, i could see it really clearly and would have loved to have visited myself. 

With fancy dress balls, a very important relic, some incredibly lovely characters and a whole bunch of festive cheer, this was a book I truly enjoyed.   It really got under my skin, and is another fabulous Christmassy tale from the pen of Phillipa Ashley. 

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

Book Promo - Life Begins at the Cornish Cottage by Kim Nash - #BlogTour

 Today I am shining a big spotlight on the new book from the fabulous Kim Nash. 

Life Begins at the Cornish Cottage is the second book in her new Sandpiper Shores series, and it sounds so good, and is out now! 

So I thought I really should let you all know about this book, in the hopes that you are tempted to read it for yourselves.  And if you do, please let me know your thoughts, or if you have read it already, please do comment below with your thoughts. 

Amazon UK

When life gives you heartbreak , sometimes it also gives you a second chance… 

When Tom Sullivan returns to the quiet village of Sandpiper Shore, Emma can hardly believe her eyes. She hasn’t seen him since they played Romeo and Juliet in their school play – a lifetime ago, before real heartbreak, and long before she ever imagined life as a widow.

The last thing she wants is to relive the past, especially with someone who once made her teenage heart flutter. But when Emma agrees to put on a charity pantomime to raise money for the air ambulance service that helped her late husband, she’s thrown firmly back into Tom’s path.

As rehearsals begin and the local community rallies around her, Emma finds unexpected joy in bringing people together – and a surprising connection with Tom that feels far too real to ignore. Maybe it’s time for Emma to become the leading lady in her own life, not just for the show, but for herself.

Full of warmth, humour and heart, this is a story about letting go and discovering that it’s never too late to take a chance on love.

About Kim Nash

Kim Nash is an author of uplifting, romantic, feel-good fiction, having wanted to write books since she was a little girl. She works as both Digital Publicity Director for publisher Bookouture. She lives in Staffordshire with her son Ollie and English Setter rescue dog Roni. When she's not working or writing, Kim can be found walking her dog and reading, as well as running a book club in Staffordshire and organising local and national reader/author events.

Social Media Links –  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kim.nash.10

Twitter https://twitter.com/KimTheBookworm

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/kim_the_bookworm/

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/KimNashNews

Bookbub profile: Kim Nash Books - BookBub

Please do follow along with the rest of this blog tour. 

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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Amazon UK

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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Amazon UK

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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Amazon UK

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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Amazon UK

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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Amazon UK

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.