Bea and Greta have been friends for a long time. They both moved from germany to england in there early twenties.
Greta moved back in her later years with her family but the pair have always kept in touch especially at christmas they would sent each other a christmas letter.

Bea has been in a care home for some time and one of her carers sophie inperticular has a soft spot for bea and has helped her with these letters.
bea has already recieved her letter from greta and bea has written back but bea sadly dies before its posted.

sophie decides to personally take the letter to germany and give it to greta and tell her the sad news.

I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for allowing me the privilege of being able to read this book. I really appreciate it!

If you want to feel all of emotions it's in this book! My gosh did I devour and love this book! It was such a heartbreaking ride with the best happy ending. You will fall for each of these characters except for Amber, you don't want to fall for her. As a realist bad guy she fits the bill. I can't say much about the characters or the story or I will wreak all the twists and turns and heartbreaking and feet kicking giggly moments that happen in this book.

What I can say though is that this is not a traditional Christmas story, in the sense you might imagine. This is a story of grief, growth, letting yourself live again, and finding all of your missing puzzle pieces in the most unexpecting ways. For much more than just Sophie, this is for every character in this story. However despite what I've said the magic of Christmas is everywhere in this story! I'm honestly wishing I could spend Christmas in Vienna, it was so beautifully described, that all I'm really wanting is to escape the heat of summer and fall right into the coziness of December and Christmas!

Thank you very much from the bottom of my heart for allowing me the privilege of being able to read this book! I really loved it so much!

This was a charming Christmas entertainment provided, in part, by letters written and exchanged between two elderly and very dear friends, Bea and Greta. Bea resides in a care home in the UK, primarily cared for by Sophie, while Greta is in her native Vienna. We meet both old ladies when they initially send each other 'old fashioned' snail mail on luxury notepaper, and written by hand. (How many of us actually send such letters now?)

Sophie eventually goes to Vienna for Christmas (no spoilers as to why) - and having never been there myself I found the vivid descriptions to be most absorbing. (Except I couldn't get Ultra Vox's song 'Vienna' out of my head!)

A story of deep, lasting friendship, love, loyalty, sadness and compassion. One to make us think about our own friends - current and perhaps lost along the way due to the passing of time? And, perhaps, nudge us to acquire some nice notepaper, a book of stamps and send a real letter at Christmas rather than the (sadly somewhat tedious) 'Round Robin catch up.'

I must be honest, the story is a little slow in places - a sedate amble perhaps? But it wasn't designed as a fast-action read, the quiet, thoughtful, pace is well suited to the elderly characters, and the Christmassy location for feet up before the fire, mulled wine to hand. Chill out beside the Christmas Tree and enjoy!

“So This is Christmas” is by Helen Rolfe. This book is set in both Vienna and the UK. I wanted to like this book more than I did. At times the book felt rather flat and predictable, though the story does show what a strong friendship and enduring love means. This book is a Christmas book, but it can be read at any time of the year as the message isn’t only Christmas themed. The pacing is slow and some of the storylines not fully rounded, but for a cozy read, I think this book would appeal to some people … sadly, it lacked something for me. Read other reviews - I seem to be an outlier!

So This Is Christmas is a heartfelt festive story set in a picturesque small town full of twinkling lights and cozy vibes. I loved how Helen Rolfe weaves together themes of family, forgiveness, and second chances alongside the holiday charm. The characters feel real, their struggles relatable, and the sense of community shines through on every page.

A couple of storylines felt a little underdeveloped, and the pacing is gentle rather than fast, but that suited the reflective tone. If you’re looking for a warm, hopeful Christmas read with more depth than a standard seasonal romance, this one is perfect for curling up with on a winter evening.

Sophie loves holidays especially working in the care home and helping resident Bea. Bea writes letters to her longstanding friend Bea who lives in Vienna. Both Bea and Greta keep urging Sophie to go to Vienna. Then Bea dies and there's still a letter for Greta so Sophie decides to deliver it in person to Greta

I couldn’t put this book down and read it in a day, it was absolutely fantastic from start to finish.

We follow the story of London based care assistant Sophie and hotel worker Jennie as they both meet in beautiful Vienna not realising how much they have in common.

The characters were well written and I loved Walter and also Bea.

The setting of Vienna sounded absolutely amazing and was so Christmasy.

The story showed the strength of true friendship and was romantic while also heartbreaking in places.

A fantastic cosy 5 star Christmas read which I would 100% recommend. It had a beautiful ending especially the last page which made me shed a tear.

Thanks to NetGalley, Boldwood Books and Helen Rolfe for an advance copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

Bea and Greta ,lifelong friends from Vienna, now elderly. Greta has returned to Vienna with her husband, son and "adopted" daughter, Jenni. Sophie is a carer in Bea's residential home. Encouraged by Bea, Sophie visits Vienna and Greta's family . A lovely story of enduring love and friendship ,

I wanted to love this story but the truth is, I couldn't get into it. I loved Sophie and how kind and caring she is but Jennie, I didn't care for her. I liked the fact its set in England and Vienna. The life long friendship of Gwen and Bea but it was somewhat predictable.

Hopefully her next book will grab me.

This a beautifully written story some of which is set in the city of Vienna. A story of life long friendship between Bea and Greta who have a tradition of writing a Christmas letter to each other every year wherever they are. Their letters are incredibly important to them both. Bea is looked after by a lovely lady called Sophie who has suffered her own personal sadness and they are extremely close, Bea encourages Sophie to visit Vienna. There follows the most amazing coincidences that have affected both Sophie and a lady called Jennie, someone who is part of Greta’s family lives. This is a Christmas book but actually can be read at anytime of the year.

A heartwarming, hug in a book story that you will not be able to put down.

A fabulous read. You move between Austria and England. Makes you want to visit Vienna and the Christmas market . You follow two amazing characters Sophie and Jennie . Wow. So many twists. Their connection is powerful . The power of letter writing between two Austrian friends makes the story. I will always argue letters are best. Helen Rolfe does not disappoint . A fantastic read . I loved it. A good ending . So much more to say but it would spoil it . Read it