Book Review - Christmas Wishes and Irish Kisses by Debbie Johnson

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Title: Christmas Wishes and Irish Kisses

Author: Debbie Johnson

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Storm Publishing

Publication Date: 27th October 2025

Rating: 5 Stars

From crying into Santa's beard at Macy's department store, to working the bar at a historic seaside inn thousands of miles away, Ellie de Vere has been through it all this Christmas season...

When Ellie trades her hectic New York life for the twinkling lights and snow-dusted charm of her childhood village of St Tilda, it's only to help her ailing father through the Christmas rush at their cozy family inn.

But all the festive holly, crackling fires and mulled cider in the world can't prepare Ellie for who she finds waiting for her back home. Her ex best friend Liam is also in town for the holidays... and they haven't seen each other in twenty years. He's now a devastatingly handsome single father with the same Irish lilt that always made her breath catch. If only he hadn't broken her heart irreparably all those years ago...

Can Ellie forgive Liam for what he did that disastrous final night in St Tilda? And is he even the same man she used to know? As Christmas approaches and old feelings refuse to stay buried, will Ellie finally find the courage to rewrite her future?

Perfect for fans of The Holiday. A funny, sweet and insanely feel-good Christmas romance!

I'm always rather partial to a Debbie Johnson novel, and one set at Christmas is always a bonus for me.  And this was no exception, from start to finish I was hooked.  

Well it's not often you get a solo adult queueing to see Santa in a top New York department store, but it's something that I would still love to do, so instantly felt a sort of affinity to Ellie. 

A year later, she hears her father has been unwell and decided to surprise him back in her home village of St. Tilda and walks in him in a rather surprising situation which was memorable. 

In her time back in the village we learn just why it is she hadn't spoken to or about Liam in over twenty years, and he is the one person she wanted to avoid.  Of course that means she bumps into some of his many siblings all grown up now, even before she comes across him. And they soon fall back into their teenage selves! 

I absolutely loved the connection between Ellie and Liam, and the whole Bryne clan. I was totally there for all the banter, and the whole feeling of family too. In fact by the end I wanted them to adopt me. 

And seeing how from a let's say rusty start, seeing how Ellie and her father start to reconnect and get to know each other all over again, now that she isn't a rather upset teenager, was really heartwarming too. 

I just enjoyed actually ever single part of this book, it's a total pleasure to read and very entertaining.  I already feel like I would like to read more about some of these characters, especially the Bryne family.  I'm missing them already! 

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

Book Review - Christmas at The Second Chance Supper Club by Caroline Roberts

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Amazon UK

Title: Christmas at the Second Chance Supper Club

Author: Caroline Roberts

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: HQ Digital

Publication Date: 23rd October 2025

Rating: 4 Stars

The snow-dusted village of Tilldale comes alive at Christmas. Twinkling lights and carol singers make it the perfect setting for laughter, friendship, and the unexpected joys of the festive season.

But heartbroken Cath doesn’t feel like she is sparkling. Finding herself falling for Will, a widowed former firefighter with whom she shares a history, Cath had been hoping for their budding romance to bloom. But with Will still caught in the depths of his grief, could this relationship be star-crossed before it even begins …

Determined to bring some happiness to herself and to the community, Cath decides to hold a village Christmas lunch, and with a little help from her supper club friends, brings everyone together.

But whilst they warm the hearts of their neighbours, can Cath and Will find their way back to each other during the most magical time of the year …?

Discover the healing power of Christmas and community in this charming second chance romance, perfect for fans of Sarah Morgan & Milly Johnson.

It was so good to be back in Tilldale and with the members of the supper club.

Set not long after the first book in the series this was a great continuation of life in the village for new comer Cath.

She is surprised the village barely has any Christmas traditions and decides to put on a meal for the elderly and lonely just before the big day.  There is just one snag the only suitable venue, the village hall is in need of well some TLC, as well as various renovations.  Cue some fundraising efforts. 

I loved catching up with my friends from the previous book,  and seeing how Cath is becoming more and more a part of village life. She even has a fledgling rather slow burn romance brewing too.

I even loved a cameo mention of a character from one of the author's other books. 

It is another charming and pleasurable book in this series,  which I'm rather enjoying a great deal. 

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

Book Review - The Night Lagoon by Jo Morey

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Amazon UK

Title: The Night Lagoon

Author: Jo Morey

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: HarperCollins

Publication Date: 3rd July 2025

Rating: 3 Stars

It's a liar's paradise

Wittering Lodge, Stann Creek, Belize

In the dead of night, lying in her father’s jungle lodge, Laelia watches her partner Aid sleeping – her mind racing with everything that’s brought her to this moment.

The heady Caribbean holiday when they first met.

The rum-fueled passion that, day by day, creeps into something darker.

The secrets she discovered in a hidden nook of the lodge, revealing a devastating past.

Above all, she thinks about the impossible decision she must make before dawn.

Does she stay silent and protect their newfound paradise? Or does she confront the lies which run as deep and dark as the lagoon – surfacing a dangerous truth from which there’s no return…

A transporting book club novel with the pulse of a thriller, The Night Lagoon is about the secrets and lies that simmer just beneath the surface of paradise.

What a slow burn this is but it does grow in tension and intrigue to a satisfying conclusion. 

However I was at times slightly confused as to what was real and what wasn't, and I couldn't really shake that confused feeling. 

In between though I was absolutely interested in the descriptions of Belize, especially the jungle. I love an exotic setting and this one felt incredibly well researched.  I could feel the heat, humidity, could feel how the jungle is a leaving breathing entity of it's own.  

I also loved how Laelia's children adapted to life in the jungle, a much simpler life than that of London, with simpler pleasures. 

Equally the more I learnt about Aid, the less I was liking him and as a result the less I was overall sympathising with Laelia, especially in light of her past.  

It was though very interesting to have a character with a hearing impairment, and seeing how that can affect day to day life.  Always good to have more representation in novels. 

I did enjoy reading this, and i was happy to keep going to the end.  I think I just prefer a bit more pace to my stories, or for me to be less confused generally. 

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

Book Review - Big Nick Energy by Kristen Bailey

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Title: Big Nick Energy

Author: Kristen Bailey

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Storm Publishing

Publication Date: 21st October 2025

Rating: 4 Stars

One woman, two Nicks, and a Christmas season that’s about to get very complicated.

When librarian Kay bumps into her ex-boyfriend Nick at a Christmas market, she thinks fate is finally giving her a second chance with her first big love. But then she gets spectacularly tangled in a Christmas tree-netting machine and meets another Nick entirely. One who cuts her free, dresses her wounds, and makes her pulse race in ways that thoroughly confuse her.

Finance Nick is successful, settled, and ready to talk five-year plans. Farmer Nick makes handcrafted furniture, supports local charities, and sees the creative spirit Kay has kept hidden behind her library desk. But how is a girl to choose?

Soon she’s spending her days delivering books to children’s hospitals and care homes with farmer Nick, before dashing home to whip off her reindeer onesie and glam up for romantic dates at the ballet with finance Nick.

But the countdown to Christmas is on, and Kay can’t keep this up forever. Somehow she must navigate London’s most complicated love triangle, avoid getting any more pine needles stuck in her hair – and work out once and for all which Nick has her heart.

A laugh-out-loud festive rom-com that fans of Love Actually and The Holiday will adore.

Deck the halls with dates of Nick

Fa La La La La La La La La

Which one will turn out to be the prick?

Fa La La La La La La La La

First Saint Nick flame of old

Fa La La La La La La La La

While New Nick is Santa cold!

Fa La La La La La La La La

Ok that didn't quite turn out who I hoped, but essentially Kay seems to be in a tale of Nicks in the run up to Christmas.  There is her old flame who dumped her cruelly at a pub quiz 8 years ago, only for them to to bump into each other at Covent Garden Market. 

While her first proper encounter with the the new Nick, is when he is rescuing her from a Christmas Tree netting machine, and he happens to be one of the best looking Santa's around. 

Old Nick works in finance and their dates involve big show offy occasions, which are quite impressive, but nothing really sat right with me about their connection. It feels forced. 

Yet New Nick is trickier to get to know at first, but I couldn't help falling for him and he has a heart of gold, a joyous meddling family, and doesn't just throw money at everything.  He is a genuinely caring person and is even happy to help Kay with her book drive. 

Kay is a children's author and also works in her local library. She loves books and would like to help spread book love around London. She is also convinced the universe is sending her sign with these Nicks (and a few other Nicks appear too but not in a romantic way). 

Other than wishing Kay would work out her mind and true feelings a lot faster than she does, I really enjoyed this book. It's another fun festive story from Kristen Bailey, who is becoming a must read author for me for Christmas books. 

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

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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Amazon UK

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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Amazon UK

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.